DETAILED ACTION
This is the second office action for US Application 17/898,413 for a Crane Construction Gripping Device and Communication Method Thereof.
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 .
Election/Restrictions
Applicant's election with traverse of Invention I in the reply filed on 31 December 2025 is acknowledged. The traversal is on the ground(s) that the gripping device includes a sensor, and a first transceiver in communication with a second transceiver, and does not use a manual process. This is not found persuasive because the test is not whether the product uses a different process, but rather whether the product can be used in a different process.
The requirement is still deemed proper and is therefore made FINAL.
Claims 13-15 are withdrawn from further consideration pursuant to 37 CFR 1.142(b), as being drawn to a nonelected invention, there being no allowable generic or linking claim. Applicant timely traversed the restriction (election) requirement in the reply filed on 31 December 2025.
Claim Objections
Claims 1-12 are objected to because of the following informalities: Claim 1, line 4, the word “having” should be deleted and replaced with - - has - -. Claim 3, line 3, the word “having” should be deleted and replaced with - - has - -. Claim 6, line 3, the word - - is - - should be inserted between “cab” and “coupled”. Appropriate correction is required.
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 2-4, 8-10 and 12 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.
Claim 2 recites the limitation "the width of the grasping" in line 3. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 8 recites the limitation "the transmitter" in line 1. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 8 recites the limitation "the plurality of communication utilities" in line 2. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 9 recites the limitation "the group" in line 2. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 10 recites the limitation "the material" in line 1. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 10 recites the limitation "the group" in line 2. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
US 2011/0191025 to Maynard
US 2013/0103271 to Best
US 2021/0354960 to Faloney, Jr.
US 2011/0146114 to Hren
US 2011/0204666 to Kjol
US 4216868 to Geppert
US 11951894 to Maki
The above prior art discloses various cranes with gripping devices.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to STEVEN M MARSH whose telephone number is (571)272-6819. The examiner can normally be reached Mon-Thurs 9 am-7:30 pm.
Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Terrell McKinnon can be reached at 571-272-4797. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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STEVEN M. MARSH
Primary Examiner
Art Unit 3632
/STEVEN M MARSH/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3632