DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Drawings
The drawings are objected to as failing to comply with 37 CFR 1.84(p)(5) because they do not include the following reference sign(s) mentioned in the description: 153’. Corrected drawing sheets in compliance with 37 CFR 1.121(d) are required in reply to the Office action to avoid abandonment of the application. Any amended replacement drawing sheet should include all of the figures appearing on the immediate prior version of the sheet, even if only one figure is being amended. Each drawing sheet submitted after the filing date of an application must be labeled in the top margin as either “Replacement Sheet” or “New Sheet” pursuant to 37 CFR 1.121(d). If the changes are not accepted by the examiner, the applicant will be notified and informed of any required corrective action in the next Office action. The objection to the drawings will not be held in abeyance.
Claim Objections
Claim 38 is objected to under 37 CFR 1.75 as being a substantial duplicate of claim 35. When two claims in an application are duplicates or else are so close in content that they both cover the same thing, despite a slight difference in wording, it is proper after allowing one claim to object to the other as being a substantial duplicate of the allowed claim. See MPEP § 608.01(m).
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
(b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph:
The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention.
Claims 18, 21, 32-35 and 38-39 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention.
Claims 18 and 32-3 depend from claim 0; however, the Examiner does not understand what this means. The Examiner is unable to determine the metes and bounds of the claims.
Claim 17 recites, “the longitudinal axis of the second bore and the longitudinal axis of the first recessed region are offset from each other”. Claim 21 recites, “the longitudinal axis of the second bore and the longitudinal axis of the first recessed region are substantially aligned with each other”. However, it is not clear to the Examiner how this is possible. The Examiner is unable to determine the metes and bounds of the claim.
Claim 26 recites, “a collar having an outer surface so complementarily contoured relative to the perimeter wall of the first recessed region as to be slidably receivable within the first recessed region, the collar further having an internal surface so complementarily contoured relative to the piston that the piston is slidably receivable within the collar, wherein, when first recessed region slidably receives the collar and the collar slidably receives the piston, the bore opening from the distal end of the fluid coupler is eccentrically positioned relative to the second bore open to the socket”. Claim 37 recites, “the second bore defines a corresponding longitudinal axis and the first recessed region of the socket defines a corresponding longitudinal axis, wherein the longitudinal axis of the second bore and the longitudinal axis of the first recessed region are substantially aligned with each other”. However, it is not clear to the Examiner how this is possible. The Examiner is unable to determine the metes and bounds of the claim.
Claim 26 recites, “wherein the second bore open through the first lower face defines an opening through the first lower face, the opening through the first lower facing having a perimeter, wherein the first lower face extends laterally outward of a portion of the perimeter, defining a shoulder.” Claim 35 recites, “according to claim 26, wherein the second bore open through the first lower face defines an opening through the first lower face, the opening through the first lower facing having a perimeter, wherein the first lower face extends laterally outward of a portion of the perimeter, defining a shoulder.” Claim 38 recites, “according to claim 26, wherein the second bore open through the first lower face defines an opening through the first lower face, the opening through the first lower facing having a perimeter, wherein the first lower face extends laterally outward of a portion of the perimeter, defining a shoulder.” It is not clear to the Examiner whether or not claims 35 and 38 are attempting to claim a different structure than that of claim 26. The Examiner is unable to determine the metes and bounds of the claims.
Claim 26 recites, “when first recessed region slidably receives the collar and the collar slidably receives the piston, the bore opening from the distal end of the fluid coupler is eccentrically positioned relative to the second bore open to the socket.” Claim 39 recites, “when first recessed region slidably receives the collar and the collar slidably receives the piston, the bore opening from the distal end of the fluid coupler fluidically couples with the second bore open to the socket.” It is not clear to the Examiner whether or not claim 39 are attempting to claim a different structure than that of claim 26. The Examiner is unable to determine the metes and bounds of the claims.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 17,19-20,22-31,36-37 and 40-46 are allowed.
Conclusion
Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to AARON M DUNWOODY whose telephone number is (571)272-7080. The examiner can normally be reached Monday - Friday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Matthew Troutman can be reached at 571-270-3654. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/AARON M DUNWOODY/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3679
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