DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application is being examined under the pre-AIA first to invent provisions.
Response to Amendment
No amendments were filed 10/14/2025. Claims 2, 4-6, 8-12, and 14-21 remain pending in the application.
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments regarding the 35 USC 103 rejection of claims 2, 4-6, 8-12, and 14-21, have been considered but are moot because the arguments do not apply to the references being used in the current rejection. Note discussion of US Patent 4091977 issued to Lettbeg, below.
Applicant's arguments filed 10/14/2025, regarding the 35 USC 103 rejections of Claims 2, 4-6, 8-12, and 14-21 have been fully considered and persuasive for these reasons:
Regarding Applicant’s assertion regarding McQuirk, the examiner agrees, and is issuing a second Non-Final Action.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
The following is a quotation of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(a) which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
(a) A patent may not be obtained though the invention is not identically disclosed or described as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the subject matter sought to be patented and the prior art are such that the subject matter as a whole would have been obvious at the time the invention was made to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which said subject matter pertains. Patentability shall not be negatived by the manner in which the invention was made.
Claims 2,4-5 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over US patent 5482160 issued to Perrin ( here forth "Perrin") in view of US Patent 4350194 by Brown (here forth "Brown"), in further view of US Patent 4249586 by Setani (here forth " Setani ") and US Patent 4091977 issued to Lettbeg (Here forth “Lettbeg”).
Regarding claim 2, Perrin discloses: A method of attaching a cover (12) to a container frame (14), comprising:
securing a first [Not taught: reversible] mating feature (column 5 lines 38-41) at a first end of a cover (top end of cover 12, upper collar 50) to a first end of a frame (Column 4 lines 48-50, side wall 28 of top frame end 22), wherein:
the frame (14) comprises:
a first end (top edge of top frame end 22 extending downwards);
a second end (bottom edge of bottom frame end 24 extending upwards towards)
at least one frame member (26) that extends between and connects (Fig 2, member 26 attaches to and connect to 22 and 24) the first end (top frame end 22) and the second end (bottom frame end 24), the at least one frame member comprising a longitudinal member that extends between and couples the first end and the second end of the frame (Fig 2, the frame member comprises a longitudinal member that extends between the first end rim of 22 and second end which is everything below the first end 22); and
[Not taught: a handle protruding from the longitudinal member at a position between the first end and the second end, wherein a length of the handle extends along a longitudinal axis of the frame that extends through the first end and the second end];
the cover comprises:
the first end (top end of cover 12, upper collar 50);
a second end (bottom end of cover 12 bottom collar 54); and
[Not taught: a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge, the lateral edges extending between the first end and the second end]; and
[Not taught: the cover defines an aperture through which the handle extends when the cover is coupled with the frame];
stretching the cover (12) along a longitudinal axis (Column 4 lines 58-62, the cover is taut and there for stretched in the longitudinal direction Fig A) of the cover (12);
coupling a second [Not taught: reversible] mating feature (column 5 lines 42-45) at a second end of the cover (bottom end of cover 12) to the second end of the frame (bottom frame end 24);
[Not taught: coupling the first lateral edge and the second lateral edge together along the longitudinal axis of the cover using a coupling mechanism that extends between the first end of the cover and the second end of the cover to form an enclosed interior of a container, wherein:
a first end of the coupling mechanism terminates at a first corner of the cover formed between the first end of the cover and the first lateral edge; and
a second end of the coupling mechanism terminates at a second corner of the cover formed between the second end of the cover and the first lateral edge; and
when the coupling mechanism is in a fully open configuration the first lateral edge and the second lateral edge are fully separable from one another to permit the cover to be removed from the frame] and coupling a carrying strap to the frame after forming the enclosed interior (Fig 1, carrying strap 18 is attached to the frame after the enclosed interior is formed).
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Fig A- Examiner annotation of Perrin Fig 3
But Perrin does not expressly disclose that the mating features used to attach the first and second ends of the cover to the first and second ends of the frame are reversible.
Brown discloses a similar golf bag with the mating features used to attach the first and second ends of the cover to the first and second ends of the frame are reversible. (Fig 16, snaps 73 and 83 are used to removably attach).
It would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art having the teachings of Perrin and Brown before them, when the application was filed, to have modified the bag of Perrin to make the first and second mating feature reversible, as taught by Brown, to advantageously allow the user snaps to remove the cover from the frame to replace it, to clean/wash it, or in order to reverse a two-sided cover to change/alternate the aesthetics of the bag.
Although Perrin also teaches that the cover is formed to include an enclosed interior of a container (in other words, a tube-like structure), Perrin as modified do not expressly disclose an opening on the cover with lateral ends that can be connected.
Setani discloses a similar golf bag wherein the cover comprising a first lateral edge (Fig B) and a second lateral edge (Fig B), the lateral edges extending between the first end (Fig B) and the second end (Fig B) ; and coupling the first lateral edge (Fig B) and the second lateral edge together (Fig B) along the longitudinal axis (Fig B) of the cover to form the enclosed interior of the container (Fig 1, when the two lateral edges shown in fig B are zipped together. The cover forms a closed interior on the frame); a first end of the coupling mechanism terminates at a first corner of the cover formed between the first end of the cover and the first lateral edge (Fig B); and
a second end of the coupling mechanism terminates at a second corner of the cover formed between the second end of the cover and the first lateral edge (Fig B); and
when the coupling mechanism is in a fully open configuration the first lateral edge and the second lateral edge are fully separable from one another to permit the cover to be removed from the frame (Fig B).
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Fig B- Examiner annotation of Setani Fig 4
It would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art having the teachings of Perrin, Brown and Setani before them, when the application was filed, to have further modified the bag of Perrin and Setani, to further have the cover open longitudinally with lateral ends at this opening that can be coupled, as taught by Setani, to allow the cover to be wrapped around the frame and tightly encompassing the frame by connecting the lateral edges advantageously providing for a better fit of the cover around the frame.
Perrin as modified does not expressly disclose a handle and aperture through which handle attaches to the frame.
Lettbeg discloses a similar golf bag wherein a handle protruding from the longitudinal member (Fig C, handle is be attached to the frame portion of the bag and extend from it protruding) at a position between the first end and the second end, wherein a length of the handle extends along a longitudinal axis of the frame that extends through the first end and the second end (Fig C, the handle is extending between the first and second end along the longitudinal axis, wherein the first end is the top end and the second end is everything below that top end); the cover defines an aperture through which the handle extends when the cover is coupled with the frame (Fig C).
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Fig C- Examiner annotated Fig 7 of Quirk
It would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art having the teachings of Perrin as modified and Lettbeg before them, when the application was filed, to have further modified the modified bag of Perrin and Lettbeg, to further have a handle longitudinally attached to the frame and an aperture in the cover through which the handle extends and attached to the frame, as taught by Lettbeg, to advantageously allow the user to grip the top of the bag without the protective cover inhibiting access to the handle.
Perrin as modified does not expressly disclose that the handle is attached directly to the longitudinal member of the frame portion
Perrin as modified discloses the claimed invention except for the handle being attached specifically to the longitudinal member of the frame portion. It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art at the application was filed to have the handle located specifically on the longitudinal member of the modified Perrin , since it has been held that rearranging parts of an invention involves only routine skill in the art. In re Japikse, 86 USPQ 70. Please note that in the instant application, the Applicant has not disclosed any criticality for the claimed limitation.
Regarding claim 4, Perrin as modified does not expressly disclose where that the cover can be replaced.
Brown discloses a similar golf bag wherein removing the cover (Fig 15, 37) from the frame; and securing an additional cover (39) to the frame (31) can be removed and replaced, wherein the cover (37) and the additional cover (39) have different outer utility configurations, different appearances, or both different outer utility configurations and appearances (Column 7 lines 43-46).
It would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art having the teachings of Perrin as modified and Brown before them, when the application was filed, to have further modified the bag of the modified Perrin to further include a step of using reversible mechanisms to allow the removal and replacement of covers that change the appearance of the cover, as taught by Brown, to advantageously allow the user to alter the bag to meet their needs and aesthetic preferences.
Regarding claim 5, Perrin as modified does not expressly disclose that the reversible mating feature that can be a hoop and loop fastener.
Brown discloses a similar golf bag wherein one or both of the first reversible mating feature (107,108) and the second reversible mating feature (109,110) comprises one or more selected from a list consisting of: a hook-shaped edge member, a button, a latch, a hook and loop fastener (Fig 17), a buckle, a magnet, and a zipper.
It would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art having the teachings of Perrin as modified and Brown before them, when the application was filed, to have further modified the bag of the modified Perrin, to further include a step of using a hook and loop as the reversible mating features, as taught by Brown, to advantageously allow the user quickly remove and replace the cover to make it easy for the user to dismantle, and to quickly alter the bag to meet their needs and aesthetic preferences.
Claims 6, 8-12, 14, 15-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Perrin, Brown, Setani, Lettbeg, in further view of US Patent 3410328 issued to Hideo (Here forth "Hideo").
Regarding claim 6, Perrin as modified does not expressly disclose that a step of attaching a plurality of diagonal members to the first and second ends of the frame.
Hideo discloses a similar golf bag wherein at least one frame member comprises a plurality of diagonal members (Fig 1, Members 3a and 4a) that diagonally couple the first end of the frame and the second end of the frame (Fig 1, Members 3a and 4a that are coupled by 5a, also couple to top and bottom frames 1 and 2).
It would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art having the teachings of the modified Perrin and Hideo before them, when the application was filed, to have further modified the bag of the modified Perrin, to further include a step of attaching diagonal frame members, as taught by Hideo, to advantageously allow quick and selective reconfiguration, wherein the members provide rigidity in a first erected state, and allow for the members to easily be collapsed when stowing in a second, stow-away state so that the container does not occupy much space.
Regarding claim 8, Perrin further discloses a frame (Fig 2) with longitudinal frame members (26).
Perrin as modified does not expressly disclose the step of attaching diagonal frame members to the frame.
Hideo discloses a similar golf bag attaching a cover (Fig 4) to a container (Fig 4), wherein: the frame comprises a frame coupling element that couples (Fig 1, Members 3a and 4a that are coupled by 5a) at least two of the plurality of diagonal members (Fig 1, Members 3a and 4a) together.
It would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art having the teachings of Perrin as modified and Hideo before them, when the application was filed, to have further modified the bag modified bag of Perrin, to include a step of attaching diagonal members together via coupling, as taught by Hideo, to advantageously allow the diagonal members to work together to provide rigidity when erect and allow for the members to easily be collapsed when stowing as necessary so that the container does not occupy much space.
Regarding claim 9, Perrin discloses: A method of attaching a cover (12) to a container frame (14), comprising:
securing a first [Not taught: reversible] mating feature (column 5 lines 38-41) at a first end of a cover (top end of cover 12, upper collar 50) to a first end of a frame (Column 4 lines 48-50, side wall 28 of top frame end 22), wherein:
the frame (14) comprises:
a first end (top edge of top frame end 22 extending downwards);
a second end (bottom edge bottom frame end 24 extending upwards);
a longitudinal member that extends between and couples the first end and the second end of the frame (Fig 2, the frame member comprises a longitudinal member that extends between the first end rim of 22 and second end which is everything below the first end 22);
[Not taught: a plurality of diagonal members that diagonally couple the first end of the frame and the second end of the frame]; and
[Not taught: a handle that protrudes from the longitudinal member at a position between the first end and the second end, wherein a length of the handle extends along a longitudinal axis of the frame that extends through the first end and the second end];
the cover comprises:
the first end (top end of cover 12, upper collar 50);
a second end (bottom end of cover 12 bottom collar 54); and
[Not taught: a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge, the lateral edges extending between the first end and the second end]; and
[Not taught: the cover defines an aperture through which the handle extends when the cover is coupled with the frame];
coupling a second [Not taught: reversible] mating feature (column 5 lines 42-45) at a second end of the cover (bottom end of cover 12) to the second end of the frame (bottom frame end 24); and
[Not taught: coupling the first later edge and the second lateral edge together along a longitudinal axis of the cover using a coupling mechanism that extends between the first end of the cover and the second end of the cover to form an enclosed interior of a container, wherein:
a first end of the coupling mechanism terminates at a first corner of the cover formed between the first end of the cover and the first lateral edge;
a second end of the coupling mechanism terminates at a second corner of the cover formed between the second end of the cover and the first lateral edge; and
when the coupling mechanism is in a fully open configuration the first lateral edge and the second lateral edge are fully separable from one another to permit the cover to be removed from the frame] and coupling a carrying strap to the frame after forming the enclosed interior (Fig 1, carrying strap 18 is attached to the frame after the enclosed interior is formed).
Perrin does not expressly disclose that the mating features used to attach the ends of the cover to ends of the frame are reversible.
Brown discloses a similar golf bag wherein the mating features used to attach the ends of the cover to ends of the frame are reversible. (Fig 16, snaps 73 and 83 are used to removably attach).
It would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art having the teachings of Perrin and Brown before them, when the application was filed, to have modified the bag of Perrin, to have modified the bag of Perrin to include a method to make the second mating feature reversible, as taught by Brown, to advantageously allow the user snaps to remove the cover from the frame to replace it or reverse the cover to change the aesthetics of the bag.
Perrin as modified does not expressly disclose a method wherein diagonal members connect the first and second ends of the frame.
Hideo discloses a similar golf bag wherein the frame (Fig 1) comprises: a first end (Fig 1, frame member 1) ; a second end (Fig 1, frame member 2); and a plurality of diagonal members (Fig 1, Members 3a and 4a) that diagonally couple (Fig 1, 3a,4a) the first end of the frame (Fig 1, coupling 6a,7a) and the second end of the frame (Fig 1, frame member 2); a plurality of diagonal members that diagonally couple the first end of the frame and the second end of the frame (Fig 1);
It would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art having the teachings of Perrin, Brown, and Hideo before them, when the application was filed, to have further modified the bag of the modified Perrin, to further have diagonal frame members, as taught by Hideo, to advantageously allow the members to provide rigidity when erect and allow for the members to easily be collapsed when stowing is necessary so that the container does not occupy much space.
Perrin, as modified above, does not expressly disclose a method wherein an opening on the cover with lateral ends can be connected.
Setani discloses a similar golf bag wherein a first lateral edge (Fig B) and a second lateral edge (Fig B), the lateral edges extending between the first end (Fig B) and the second end (Fig B) ; and coupling the first later edge (Fig B) and the second lateral edge together (Fig B) along a longitudinal axis of the cover (Fig B, axis runs longitudinally of cover 9) using a coupling mechanism that extends between the first end of the cover (Fig B) and the second end (Fig B) of the cover to form an enclosed interior of a container (Fig B, when the two lateral edges shown in fig B are zipped together. The cover forms a closed interior on the frame), wherein:
a first end of the coupling mechanism terminates at a first corner of the cover formed between the first end of the cover and the first lateral edge (Fig B); and
a second end of the coupling mechanism terminates at a second corner of the cover formed between the second end of the cover and the first lateral edge (Fig B); and
when the coupling mechanism is in a fully open configuration the first lateral edge and the second lateral edge are fully separable from one another to permit the cover to be removed from the frame (Fig B).
It would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art having the teachings of Perrin as modified and Setani before them, when the application was filed, to have further modified the bag of the modified Perrin, to have a method wherein the cover opens longitudinally with lateral ends at this opening that can be coupled, as taught by Setani, to allow the cover to be wrapped around the frame and tightly encompassing the frame by connecting the lateral edges advantageously providing for a better fit of the cover around the frame.
Perrin as modified does not expressly disclose a handle and aperture through which handle attaches to the frame.
Lettbeg discloses a similar golf bag wherein there is a handle that extends from the longitudinal member at a position between the first end and the second end, wherein a length of the handle extends along a longitudinal axis of the frame that protrudes from the first end and the second end (Fig C, the handle is extending between the first and second end along the longitudinal axis, wherein the first end is the top end and the second end is everything below that top end); the cover defines an aperture through which the handle extends when the cover is coupled with the frame (Fig C).
It would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art having the teachings of Perrin as modified and Lettbeg before them, when the application was filed, to have further modified the modified bag of Perrin and Lettbeg, to further have a handle longitudinally attached to the frame and an aperture in the cover through which the handle extends and attached to the frame, as taught by Lettbeg, to advantageously allow the user to grip the top of the bag without the protective cover inhibiting access to the handle.
Perrin as modified does not expressly disclose that the handle is attached directly to the longitudinal member of the frame portion
Perrin as modified discloses the claimed invention except for the handle being attached specifically to the longitudinal member of the frame portion. It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art at the application was filed to have the handle located specifically on the longitudinal member of the modified Perrin , since it has been held that rearranging parts of an invention involves only routine skill in the art. In re Japikse, 86 USPQ 70. Please note that in the instant application, the Applicant has not disclosed any criticality for the claimed limitation.
Regarding claim 10, Perrin further discloses stretching the cover (12) along the longitudinal axis (Column 4 lines 58-62, the cover is taut and there for stretched in the longitudinal direction Fig A) after securing the first mating feature and prior to coupling the second mating feature (Column 4 lines 58-62, The cover, is attached such that there is stretching in the longitudinal direction after the securing the first mating feature at the first end support to be able to secure the second mating feature at the second end support).
Regarding claim 11, Perrin as modified does not expressly disclose diagonal frame a step of attaching diagonal frame member that cross one another.
Hideo discloses a similar golf bag with a step of attaching a cover (Fig 4) to a container (Fig 4) wherein: the plurality of diagonal members (Fig 1, Members 3a and 4a) comprise at least two pairs of diagonal members (Fig 2), wherein the diagonal members of each pair cross one another (Fig 2).
It would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art having the teachings of the modified Perrin and Hideo before them, when the application was filed, to have further modified the bag of the modified Perrin, to include a step of attaching diagonal frame members, as taught by Hideo, to advantageously allow the members to provide rigidity when erect and allow for the members to easily be collapsed when stowing is necessary so that the container does not occupy much space.
Regarding claim 12, Perrin as modified does not expressly disclose the step of attaching diagonal frame members to the frame.
Hideo discloses a similar golf bag with a method of attaching a cover (Fig 4) to a container (Fig 4), wherein the frame comprises a frame coupling element that couples (Fig 1, Members 3a and 4a that are coupled by 5a) at least two of the plurality of diagonal members (Fig 1, Members 3a and 4a) together.
It would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art having the teachings of Perrin as modified and Hideo before them, when the application was filed, to have further modified the bag of the modified Perrin, to include a step of attaching diagonal frame members, as taught by Hideo, to advantageously allow the members to provide rigidity when erect and allow for the members to easily be collapsed when stowing is necessary so that the container does not occupy much space.
Regarding claim 14, Perrin as modified above does not expressly disclose the step of having an opening on the cover with lateral ends that can be connected via a zipper.
Setani discloses a similar golf bag with a method of attaching a cover (Fig 1) to a container frame (Fig 3) of wherein: coupling the first lateral edge (Fig B) and the second lateral edge (Fig B) together comprises zipping up a zipper (Fig B, 28) provided on the lateral edges of the cover (Fig B).
It would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art having the teachings of the modified Perrin and Setani before them, when the application was filed, to have further modified the bag of the modified Perrin, to have a step where the cover opens longitudinally with lateral ends at this opening that can be coupled with a zipper, as taught by Setani, to allow the cover to be wrapped around the frame and tightly encompassing the frame by connecting the lateral edges advantageously providing for a better fit of the cover around the frame.
Regarding clam 15, Perrin as modified above does not expressly disclose that the mating features are inward from an extreme end of the frame.
Setani discloses a similar golf bag with a method of attaching a cover to a container frame, wherein: at least one of the first mating feature (Fig 4, ring 9 and projection 8, on top end of cover 1) and the second mating feature (Fig 4, ring 9 and projection 8, on bottom end of cover 1) is coupled with a respective end of the frame at a position that is inward from an extreme end of the frame (Fig 4, The reversible engagement mechanisms 9 and 8 are located inward from an extreme end of the frame).
It would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art having the teachings of Perrin as modified and Setani before them, when the application was filed, to have further modified the bag of the modified Perrin, to include a step of having reversible mechanisms that attach inward of the extreme end of the frame, as taught by Setani, to advantageously prevent damage to the reversible mechanisms when the extreme ends are hit by foreign objects.
Regarding claim 16, Perrin discloses: A method of attaching a cover (12) to a container frame, (14) comprising:
securing a first [Not taught: reversible] mating feature (column 5 lines 38-41) at a first end of a cover (top end of cover 12, upper collar 50) to a first end of a frame (Column 4 lines 48-50, side wall 28 of top frame end 22), wherein:
the frame (14) comprises:
a first end (top frame end 22);
a second end (bottom frame end 24);
a longitudinal member that extends between and couples the first end and the second end of the frame (Fig 2, the frame member comprises a longitudinal member that extends between the first end rim of 22 and second end which is everything below the first end 22);
[Not taught: at least two pairs of diagonal members that diagonally couple the first end of the frame and the second end of the frame, wherein the diagonal members of each pair cross one another;
a frame coupling element that couples one of the pairs of diagonal members together] and
[Not taught: a handle that protrudes from the longitudinal member at a position between the first end and the second end wherein a length of the handle extends along a longitudinal axis of the frame that extends through the first end and the second end];
the cover comprises:
the first end (top end of cover 12, upper collar 50);
a second end (bottom end of cover 12 bottom collar 54); and
[Not taught: a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge, the lateral edges
extending between the first lateral edge and a second lateral edge, the lateral edges extending between the first end and the second end]; and
[Not taught: the cover defines an aperture through which the handle extends when the cover is coupled with the frame];
coupling a second [Not taught: reversible] mating feature (column 5 lines 42-45) at a second end of the cover (bottom end of cover 54) to the second end of the frame (bottom frame end 24); and
[Not taught: coupling the first lateral edge and the second lateral edge together along a longitudinal axis of the cover using a coupling mechanism that extends between the first end of the cover and the second end of the cover to form an enclosed interior of a container, wherein:
a first end of the coupling mechanism terminates at a first corner of the cover formed between the first end of the cover and the first lateral edge; and
a second end of the coupling mechanism terminates at a second corner of the cover formed between the second end of the cover and the first lateral edge; and
when the coupling mechanism is in a fully open configuration the first lateral edge and the second lateral edge are fully separable from one another to permit the cover to be removed from the frame]; and coupling a carrying strap to the frame after forming the enclosed interior (Fig 1, carrying strap 18 is attached to the frame after the enclosed interior is formed).
Perrin does not expressly disclose that the mating features used to attach the ends of the cover to ends of the frame are reversible.
Brown discloses a similar golf bag wherein the mating features used to attach the ends of the cover to ends of the frame are reversible. (Fig 16, snaps 73 and 83 are used to removably attach).
It would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art having the teachings of Perrin and Brown before them, when the application was filed, to have modified the bag of Perrin to make the second mating feature reversible, as taught by Brown, to advantageously allow the user snaps to remove the cover from the frame to replace it or reverse the cover to change the aesthetics of the bag.
Perrin as modified does not expressly disclose diagonal members that connect the first and second ends of the frame.
Hideo discloses a similar golf bag wherein the frame (Fig 1) comprises: a first end (Fig 1, frame member 1); a second end (Fig 1, frame member 2); at least two pairs of diagonal members (Fig 1, Members 3a and 4a) that diagonally couple (Fig 1, 3a,4a) the first end of the frame (Fig 1, coupling 6a,7a) and the second end of the frame (Fig 1, frame member 2), wherein the diagonal members (Fig 1, Members 3a and 4a) of each pair cross one another (Fig 1); and a frame coupling element that couples one of the pairs of diagonal members together(Fig 1, Members 3a and 4a that are coupled by 5a);
at least two pairs of diagonal members that diagonally couple the first end of the frame and the second end of the frame (Fig 1), wherein the diagonal members of each pair cross one another (Fig 1); and
a frame coupling element that couples one of the pairs of diagonal members together (Fig 1 coupling element 1a).
It would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art having the teachings of Perrin and Hideo before them, when the application was filed, to have further modified the bag of Perrin, to further have diagonal frame members, as taught by Hideo, to advantageously allow the members to provide rigidity when erect and allow for the members to easily be collapsed when stowing is necessary so that the container does not occupy much space.
Perrin as modified above does not expressly disclose an opening on the cover with lateral ends that can be connected.
Setani discloses a similar golf bag and the cover comprises the first end; a second end; and a first lateral edge (Fig B) and a second lateral edge (Fig B), the lateral edges extending between the first end and the second end (Fig B); coupling the first lateral edge (Fig B) and the second lateral edge (Fig B) together along a longitudinal axis of the cover (Fig B) using a coupling mechanism that extends between the first end (Fig B) of the cover and the second end of the cover (Fig B) to form an enclosed interior of a container (Fig B, when the two lateral edges shown in Fig B are zipped together. The cover forms a closed interior on the frame), wherein:
a first end of the coupling mechanism terminates at a first corner of the cover formed between the first end of the cover and the first lateral edge (Fig B); and
a second end of the coupling mechanism terminates at a second corner of the cover formed between the second end of the cover and the first lateral edge(Fig B); and
when the coupling mechanism is in a fully open configuration the first lateral edge and the second lateral edge are fully separable from one another to permit the cover to be removed from the frame (Fig B).
It would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art having the teachings of the modified Perrin and Setani before them, when the application was filed, to have further modified the bag of Perrin to further have the cover open longitudinally with lateral ends at this opening that can be coupled, as taught by Setani, to allow the cover to be wrapped around the frame and tightly encompassing the frame by connecting the lateral edges advantageously providing for a better fit of the cover around the frame.
Perrin as modified does not expressly disclose a handle and aperture through which handle attaches to the frame.
Lettbeg discloses a similar golf bag wherein there is a handle that protrudes from the longitudinal member at a position between the first end and the second end, wherein a length of the handle extends along a longitudinal axis of the frame that extends through the first end and the second end (Fig C, the handle is extending between the first and second end along the longitudinal axis, wherein the first end is the top end and the second end is everything below that top end); the cover defines an aperture through which the handle extends when the cover is coupled with the frame (Fig C).
It would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art having the teachings of Perrin as modified and Lettbeg before them, when the application was filed, to have further modified the modified bag of Perrin and Lettbeg, to further have a handle longitudinally attached to the frame and an aperture in the cover through which the handle extends and attached to the frame, as taught by Lettbeg, to advantageously allow the user to grip the top of the bag without the protective cover inhibiting access to the handle.
Perrin as modified does not expressly disclose that the handle is attached directly to the longitudinal member of the frame portion
Perrin as modified discloses the claimed invention except for the handle being attached specifically to the longitudinal member of the frame portion. It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art at the application was filed to have the handle located specifically on the longitudinal member of the modified Perrin , since it has been held that rearranging parts of an invention involves only routine skill in the art. In re Japikse, 86 USPQ 70. Please note that in the instant application, the Applicant has not disclosed any criticality for the claimed limitation.
Regarding claim 17, Perrin as modified does not expressly disclose a step where the cover can be replaced.
Brown discloses a similar golf bag with a method of attaching a cover to a container (1), further comprising: removing the cover (Fig 15, 37) from the frame; and securing an additional cover (39) to the frame (31) can be removed and replaced, wherein the cover (37) and the additional cover (39) have different outer utility configurations, different appearances, or both different outer utility configurations and appearances (Column 7 lines 43-46).
It would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art having the teachings of Perrin as modified and Brown before them, when the application was filed, to have further modified the bag of Perrin as modified to further include a step of using reversible mechanisms to allow the removal and replacement of covers that change the appearance of the cover, as taught by Brown, to advantageously allow the user to alter the bag to meet their needs and aesthetic preferences.
Regarding claim 18, Perrin as modified does not expressly disclose a step where the cover can be removably disengaged from the frame. Brown discloses a similar golf bag with a method of attaching a cover (37) to a container (31), wherein: removing the cover (37) from the frame (31) comprises disengaging the first reversible mating feature from the first end of the frame (Fig 16, snaps 73 and 83 are used to removably attach) and disengaging the second reversible mating feature from the second end of the frame (Fig 16, snaps 73 and 83 are used to removably attach).
It would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art having the teachings of Perrin and Brown before them, when the application was filed, to have further modified the bag of the modified Perrin, have a step of detaching the cover from the container, as taught by Brown, to advantageously allow the user snaps to remove the cover from the frame to replace it or reverse the cover to change the aesthetics of the bag.
Regarding claim 19, Perrin as modified does not expressly disclose the reversible mating features are such that the cover must be stretched longitudinally to remove the mating features from the frame. Setani discloses a similar golf bag with a cover (1) to a container (Fig 4, frames 3 and 7), wherein removing the cover from the frame further comprises stretching the cover along the longitudinal axis to disengage a first of the first reversible mating feature and the second reversible mating feature (Fig 4, in order to remove insertion ring 9 from projection 8, the cover must be stretched outward).
It would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art having the teachings of the modified Perrin and Setani before them, when the application was filed, to have further modified the bag of the modified Perrin, to include a step of attaching the carrying straps coupled after forming the enclosed interior with the cover, as taught by Setani, to allow the straps to be attached with the frame through an aperture in the cover allowing the straps to advantageously attached to the solid frame instead of the cover.
Regarding claim 20, Perrin further discloses that an exterior of the cover (Fig 1) comprises one or both of a pocket and a compartment (Fig 1).
Claim 21 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Perrin, Brown, Setani, Lettbeg and Hideo in further view of Airey.
Regarding claim 21, Perrin as modified does not expressly disclose a step of attaching carrying straps are coupled after forming the enclosed interior with the cover.Airey discloses a similar golf bag where: A step of attaching a cover to a container frame, wherein: the cover defines an aperture (36) that provides access to the frame coupling member (Fig 6-8); and the step further comprises coupling a carrying strap (strap 27) to the frame coupling member via the aperture (Fig 6-8, after the frame 12 is enclosed in cover 10, the coupling of the strap is attached to the frame through aperture 36).
It would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art having the teachings of Perrin as modified and Airey before them, when the application was filed, to have further modified the bag of the modified Perrin, to include a step of attaching the carrying straps coupled after forming the enclosed interior with the cover, as taught by Airey, to allow the straps to be attached with the frame through an aperture in the cover allowing the straps to advantageously attached to the solid frame instead of the cover.
Conclusion
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/JESSICA KAVINI TAMIL/Examiner, Art Unit 3733
/NATHAN J JENNESS/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 3733 09 December 2025