DETAILED ACTION
This is the first office action for US Application 18/289,536 for an Isolator Having a Ball Type Operator.
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 .
Claim Objections
Claim 5 is objected to because of the following informalities: Line 2 of claim 5, the word “is” should be deleted and replaced with - - are - -. 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 1-8 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 1 recites the limitation "the bottom surface" in line 3. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 1 recites the limitation "the floor" in line 4. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 1 recites the limitation "the top surface" in line 5. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 1 recites the limitation "the central part" in line 10. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 1 recites the limitation "the rolling recess" in line 10. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. The antecedent basis in the claim is for an upper rolling recess and a lower rolling recess.
Claim 1 recites the limitation "the upper edge" in line 11. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 1 recites the limitation "the edge of the inflected rolling surface" in lines 15 and 16. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 8 recites the limitation "the elastic coating 42 on the central rolling surface" in lines 1 and 2. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 8 recites the limitation "the center" in line 2. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claim 1 would be allowable if rewritten or amended to overcome the rejection(s) under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), 2nd paragraph, set forth in this Office action. Claims 2-8 would be allowable if rewritten to overcome the rejection(s) under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), 2nd paragraph, set forth in this Office action and to include all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims.
The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter: Isolators with a ball type operator comprised of upper and lower panels with upper and lower recesses, respectively, and a ball operator provided between the recess are known in the art. The prior art also discloses at least the lower rolling recess as comprising a central rolling surface on a central part of the lower rolling recess and a disengagement prevention wall, but does not disclose a peak line formed along an upper edge of the central rolling surface, and an inflected rolling surface formed around the peak line and inflected against the central rolling surface extending outward horizontally or downward from the peak line,
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
US 0951028 to Schar
US 2024/0240486 to Deigert
US 2006/0260221 to Kemeny
US 6505806 to Glaesener
US 5081806 to Pommelet
US 5689919 to YanoUS 6123313 to Otsuka
US 9963901 to Kanzaki
US 5905804 to Lee
US 5804776 to Bizlewicz
US 3146979 to Keetch
The above prior art discloses various isolators utilizing a ball type operator.
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.
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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