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 .
In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
DETAILED ACTION
Election/Restrictions
Applicant’s election without traverse of Group I (Figs. 2-10, Claims 1-11) in the reply filed on 15 January 2026 is acknowledged.
Claims 12-20 are withdrawn from further consideration pursuant to 37 CFR 1.142(b) as being drawn to a nonelected Group, there being no allowable generic or linking claim. Election was made without traverse in the reply filed on 15 January 2026.
Upon further review, the examiner understands that Claim(s) 11 can only read upon Group III (Species shown in Fig. 14), a non-elected Group, since it/they claim(s) “a hosel relief portion” (626b in Fig. 14). Thus, the examiner considers Claim(s) 11 withdrawn.
Claim(s) 11 is considered to be withdrawn, Claim(s) 12-20 has/have been confirmed to be withdrawn, thus Claims 1-10 filed on 15 January 2026 will be further examined in this action.
Claim Objections
Claim(s) 1-3 and 5-8 is/are objected to because of the following informalities:
There is insufficient antecedent basis for the following limitation(s) in Claim 1, so line 19, should read, “[the] a first separation distance”;
Claim(s) 1, line 25, should read “[a] the second direction”;
Claim(s) 1, line 31, should read “[a] the second through-hole”;
Claim(s) 1, lines 33-34, should read “[a] the second separation distance”;
Claim(s) 2, line 2, should read “[a] the first direction”;
Claim(s) 2, line 10, should read “[a] the central portion”;
Claim(s) 3, lines 1-2, should read “[a] the first separation distance”;
Claim(s) 5, lines 1-2, should read “[a] the first separation distance”;
Claim(s) 6, line 3, should read “[a] the first direction”;
Claim(s) 7, line 3, should read “[a] the second direction”;
There is insufficient antecedent basis for the following limitation(s) in Claim 8, so line 1, should read, “[the] a central portion”.
Appropriate correction is required.
Double Patenting
The nonstatutory double patenting rejection is based on a judicially created doctrine grounded in public policy (a policy reflected in the statute) so as to prevent the unjustified or improper timewise extension of the “right to exclude” granted by a patent and to prevent possible harassment by multiple assignees. A nonstatutory double patenting rejection is appropriate where the conflicting claims are not identical, but at least one examined application claim is not patentably distinct from the reference claim(s) because the examined application claim is either anticipated by, or would have been obvious over, the reference claim(s). See, e.g., In re Berg, 140 F.3d 1428, 46 USPQ2d 1226 (Fed. Cir. 1998); In re Goodman, 11 F.3d 1046, 29 USPQ2d 2010 (Fed. Cir. 1993); In re Longi, 759 F.2d 887, 225 USPQ 645 (Fed. Cir. 1985); In re Van Ornum, 686 F.2d 937, 214 USPQ 761 (CCPA 1982); In re Vogel, 422 F.2d 438, 164 USPQ 619 (CCPA 1970); In re Thorington, 418 F.2d 528, 163 USPQ 644 (CCPA 1969).
A timely filed terminal disclaimer in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(c) or 1.321(d) may be used to overcome an actual or provisional rejection based on nonstatutory double patenting provided the reference application or patent either is shown to be commonly owned with the examined application, or claims an invention made as a result of activities undertaken within the scope of a joint research agreement. See MPEP § 717.02 for applications subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA as explained in MPEP § 2159. See MPEP § 2146 et seq. for applications not subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA . A terminal disclaimer must be signed in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(b).
The filing of a terminal disclaimer by itself is not a complete reply to a nonstatutory double patenting (NSDP) rejection. A complete reply requires that the terminal disclaimer be accompanied by a reply requesting reconsideration of the prior Office action. Even where the NSDP rejection is provisional the reply must be complete. See MPEP § 804, subsection I.B.1. For a reply to a non-final Office action, see 37 CFR 1.111(a). For a reply to final Office action, see 37 CFR 1.113(c). A request for reconsideration while not provided for in 37 CFR 1.113(c) may be filed after final for consideration. See MPEP §§ 706.07(e) and 714.13.
The USPTO Internet website contains terminal disclaimer forms which may be used. Please visit www.uspto.gov/patent/patents-forms. The actual filing date of the application in which the form is filed determines what form (e.g., PTO/SB/25, PTO/SB/26, PTO/AIA /25, or PTO/AIA /26) should be used. A web-based eTerminal Disclaimer may be filled out completely online using web-screens. An eTerminal Disclaimer that meets all requirements is auto-processed and approved immediately upon submission. For more information about eTerminal Disclaimers, refer to www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/applying-online/eterminal-disclaimer.
Claim(s) 1-2, 4 and 9-10 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over Claim(s) 1 and 3-4 of U.S. Patent No. 11725921 B2 (hereinafter known as "Reference Patent") . Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because Claim(s) 1-2, 4 and 9-10 of the Current Application are anticipated by Claim(s) 1 and 3-4 of the Reference Patent. Reference Patent Claim 1 teaches Current Application Claims 1, 2, and 4. Reference Patent Claims 1 and 3 teach Current Application Claims 1 and 9. Reference Patent Claims 1 and 4 teach Current Application Claims 1 and 10. While language may not be exactly the same the Reference Patent teaches equivalents of all claim limitations plus additional elements.
Every limitation in the aforementioned Claim(s) of the Current Application is recited in the conflicting aforementioned Claim(s) of the Reference Patent, and the difference between the Claim(s) are highlighted below by:
bolding all limitations that differ;
italicizing in bold limitations that match the dependent Claim(s) of the Current Application to the independent and dependent Claim(s) of the Reference Patent; and
underlining where "said" is replaced by "the" in the claims (Note the Examiner has attempted to capture the replete “said” to “the” incidents);
See below comparison table:
Claim(s) of Current Application
18/349138
Claim(s) of Reference Patent
U.S. Patent 11725921 B2
1. (Original) A device for identifying a center of a striking face of a golf club head, comprising: a body having first surface and second surface opposite the first surface, wherein the body is at least partially transparent; a central opening defined through the first surface and the second surface;
a first dimension indicator positioned on the body, the first dimension indicator comprising:
a first centering mechanism attached to the first surface and spaced apart from the central opening, the first centering mechanism having a first through-hole,
a pair of first indicator bodies disposed at least partially within the body, each of the pair of first indicator bodies having a threaded opening defined therein extending in a first direction;
a pair of first indicator jaws attached to the pair of first indicator bodies and extending along the first surface of the body in a second direction at least as far as the central opening,
a first threaded adjuster mated with the threaded openings of the pair of first indicator bodies and passing through the first through-hole defined in the first centering mechanism,
wherein the first threaded adjuster is configured to adjustably increase and decrease the first separation distance between the pair of first indicator jaws while maintaining equidistance between the pair of first indicator jaws and the central opening;
a second dimension indicator positioned on the body, the second dimension indicator comprising:
a second centering mechanism attached to the second surface and spaced apart from the central opening along a second direction,
a pair of second indicator bodies disposed at least partially within the body;
a pair of second indicator jaws attached to the pair of second indicator bodies and extending along the first surface in the first direction at least as far as the central opening,
a second threaded adjuster mated with the threaded openings of the pair of second indicator bodies and passing through the second through-hole defined in the second centering mechanism,
wherein the second threaded adjuster is configured to increase and decrease the second separation distance between the pair of second indicator jaws while maintaining equidistance between the pair of second indicator jaws and the central opening,
wherein the device is adapted to engage the striking face, aligning the central opening with the center of the striking face when the pair of first indicator jaws are aligned with a heel edge and a toe edge of the striking face and the pair of second indicator jaws are aligned with a topline edge and a sole edge of the striking face.
2. (Original) The device of claim 1, wherein the device further comprises a first elongate channel extending in a first direction adjacent an edge of the body and defined through the first surface of the body,
wherein the first dimension indicator is positioned along the first elongate channel, wherein the first centering mechanism is proximate to the first elongate channel, wherein the pair of first indicator bodies disposed at least partially within the first elongate channel, wherein the first through-hole is defined therethrough and is substantially parallel to the first elongate channel, wherein a width of the first through-hole is greater in a central portion of the first through- hole than at ends of the first through-hole, and wherein the first threaded adjuster comprises a first end having first threads, a second end opposite the first end having second threads which are opposite the first threads, and a central portion between the first end and the second end having a width greater than the width of the first through-hole at the ends of the first through-hole and less than the width of the central portion of the first through-hole.
(Original) The device of claim 1, wherein the device further comprises a second elongate channel extending in the second direction adjacent the central opening and defined through the first surface of the body and the second surface of the body,
wherein the second dimension indicator is positioned along the second elongate channel,
wherein the second centering mechanism is proximate to the second elongate channel,
wherein the pair of second indicator bodies disposed at least partially within the second elongate channel, wherein the second through-hole is defined therethrough that is substantially parallel to the first elongate channel,
wherein a width of the second through-hole is greater in a central portion of the second through-hole than at ends of the second through-hole, and
wherein the second threaded adjuster comprises a first end having first threads, a second end opposite the first end having second threads which are opposite the first threads, and a central portion between the first end and the second end having a width greater than the width of the first through-hole at the ends of the first through-hole and less than the width of the central portion of the first through-hole.
1. A device for identifying a center of a striking face of a golf club head, comprising: a body having first surface and second surface opposite said first surface, wherein said body is at least partially transparent; a central opening defined through said first surface and said second surface;
a first elongate channel extending in a first direction adjacent an edge of said body and defined through said first surface of said body;
a first dimension indicator positioned along said first elongate channel, said first dimension indicator comprising:
a first centering mechanism attached to said first surface of said body proximate said first elongate channel and spaced apart from said central opening along a second direction substantially orthogonal to said first direction, said first centering mechanism having a first through-hole defined therethrough that is substantially parallel to said first elongate channel, wherein a width of said first through-hole is greater in a central portion of said first through-hole than at ends of said first through-hole;
a pair of first indicator bodies disposed at least partially within said first elongate channel, each of said pair of first indicator bodies having a threaded opening defined therein extending in said first direction;
a pair of first indicator jaws attached to said pair of first indicator bodies and extending along said first surface of said body in said second direction at least as far as said central opening, wherein said pair of first indicator jaws are spaced apart by a first separation distance such that said central opening is located at a midpoint of said first separation distance; and
a first threaded adjuster mated with said threaded openings of said pair of first indicator bodies and passing through said first through-hole defined in said first centering mechanism,
wherein said first threaded adjuster comprises a first end having first threads, a second end opposite said first end having second threads which are opposite said first threads, and a central portion between said first end and said second end having a width greater than said width of said first through-hole at said ends of said first through-hole and less than said width of said central portion of said first through-hole,
wherein said first threaded adjuster is configured to adjustably increase and decrease said first separation distance between said pair of first indicator jaws while maintaining equidistance between said pair of first indicator jaws and said central opening;
a second elongate channel extending in said second direction adjacent said central opening and defined through said first surface of said body and said second surface of said body; and
a second dimension indicator position along said elongate channel, said second dimension indicator comprising:
a second centering mechanism attached to said second surface of said body proximate said second elongate channel and spaced apart from said central opening along said first direction,
said second centering mechanism having a second through-hole defined therethrough that is substantially parallel to said second elongate channel, wherein a width of said second through-hole is greater in a central portion of said second through-hole than at ends of said second through-hole;
a pair of second indicator bodies disposed at least partially within said second elongate channel, each of said pair of second indicator bodies having a threaded opening defined therein extending in said second direction;
a pair of second indicator jaws attached to said pair of second indicator bodies and extending along said first surface of said body in said first direction at least as far as said central opening,
wherein said pair of second indicator jaws are spaced apart by a second separation distance such that said central opening is located at a midpoint of said second separation distance; and
a second threaded adjuster mated with said threaded opening of said pair of second indicator bodies and passing through said second through-hole defined in said second centering mechanism,
wherein said second threaded adjuster comprises a first end having first threads, a second end opposite said first end having second threads which are opposite said first threads, and a central portion between said first end and said second end having a width greater than said width of said second through-hole at said ends of said second through-hole and less than said width of said second through-hole at said central portion of said second through-hole,
wherein said second threaded adjuster is configured to increase and decrease said second separation distance between said pair of second indicator jaws while maintaining equidistance between said pair of second indicator jaws and said central opening,
wherein said device is adapted to engage said striking face, aligning said central opening with said center of said striking face when said pair of first indicator jaws are aligned with a heel edge and a toe edge of said striking face and said pair of second indicator jaws are aligned with a topline edge and a sole edge of said striking face.
1. (Original) A device for identifying a center of a striking face of a golf club head, comprising: a body having first surface and second surface opposite the first surface, wherein the body is at least partially transparent; a central opening defined through the first surface and the second surface;
a first dimension indicator positioned on the body, the first dimension indicator comprising:
a first centering mechanism attached to the first surface and spaced apart from the central opening, the first centering mechanism having a first through-hole,
a pair of first indicator bodies disposed at least partially within the body, each of the pair of first indicator bodies having a threaded opening defined therein extending in a first direction;
a pair of first indicator jaws attached to the pair of first indicator bodies and extending along the first surface of the body in a second direction at least as far as the central opening,
a first threaded adjuster mated with the threaded openings of the pair of first indicator bodies and passing through the first through-hole defined in the first centering mechanism,
wherein the first threaded adjuster is configured to adjustably increase and decrease the first separation distance between the pair of first indicator jaws while maintaining equidistance between the pair of first indicator jaws and the central opening;
a second dimension indicator positioned on the body, the second dimension indicator comprising:
a second centering mechanism attached to the second surface and spaced apart from the central opening along a second direction,
a pair of second indicator bodies disposed at least partially within the body;
a pair of second indicator jaws attached to the pair of second indicator bodies and extending along the first surface in the first direction at least as far as the central opening,
a second threaded adjuster mated with the threaded openings of the pair of second indicator bodies and passing through the second through-hole defined in the second centering mechanism,
wherein the second threaded adjuster is configured to increase and decrease the second separation distance between the pair of second indicator jaws while maintaining equidistance between the pair of second indicator jaws and the central opening,
wherein the device is adapted to engage the striking face, aligning the central opening with the center of the striking face when the pair of first indicator jaws are aligned with a heel edge and a toe edge of the striking face and the pair of second indicator jaws are aligned with a topline edge and a sole edge of the striking face.
9. (Original) The device of claim 1, wherein the central opening is configured to accommodate a marker to mark the center of the striking face, wherein the central opening comprises a wide opening defined in the second surface of the body through a partial thickness of the body and a narrow opening defined in the first surface of the body through an entire thickness of the body.
1. A device for identifying a center of a striking face of a golf club head, comprising: a body having first surface and second surface opposite said first surface, wherein said body is at least partially transparent; a central opening defined through said first surface and said second surface;
a first elongate channel extending in a first direction adjacent an edge of said body and defined through said first surface of said body;
a first dimension indicator positioned along said first elongate channel, said first dimension indicator comprising:
a first centering mechanism attached to said first surface of said body proximate said first elongate channel and spaced apart from said central opening along a second direction substantially orthogonal to said first direction, said first centering mechanism having a first through-hole defined therethrough that is substantially parallel to said first elongate channel, wherein a width of said first through-hole is greater in a central portion of said first through-hole than at ends of said first through-hole;
a pair of first indicator bodies disposed at least partially within said first elongate channel, each of said pair of first indicator bodies having a threaded opening defined therein extending in said first direction;
a pair of first indicator jaws attached to said pair of first indicator bodies and extending along said first surface of said body in said second direction at least as far as said central opening, wherein said pair of first indicator jaws are spaced apart by a first separation distance such that said central opening is located at a midpoint of said first separation distance; and
a first threaded adjuster mated with said threaded openings of said pair of first indicator bodies and passing through said first through-hole defined in said first centering mechanism,
wherein said first threaded adjuster comprises a first end having first threads, a second end opposite said first end having second threads which are opposite said first threads, and a central portion between said first end and said second end having a width greater than said width of said first through-hole at said ends of said first through-hole and less than said width of said central portion of said first through-hole,
wherein said first threaded adjuster is configured to adjustably increase and decrease said first separation distance between said pair of first indicator jaws while maintaining equidistance between said pair of first indicator jaws and said central opening;
a second elongate channel extending in said second direction adjacent said central opening and defined through said first surface of said body and said second surface of said body; and
a second dimension indicator position along said elongate channel, said second dimension indicator comprising:
a second centering mechanism attached to said second surface of said body proximate said second elongate channel and spaced apart from said central opening along said first direction,
said second centering mechanism having a second through-hole defined therethrough that is substantially parallel to said second elongate channel, wherein a width of said second through-hole is greater in a central portion of said second through-hole than at ends of said second through-hole;
a pair of second indicator bodies disposed at least partially within said second elongate channel, each of said pair of second indicator bodies having a threaded opening defined therein extending in said second direction;
a pair of second indicator jaws attached to said pair of second indicator bodies and extending along said first surface of said body in said first direction at least as far as said central opening,
wherein said pair of second indicator jaws are spaced apart by a second separation distance such that said central opening is located at a midpoint of said second separation distance; and
a second threaded adjuster mated with said threaded opening of said pair of second indicator bodies and passing through said second through-hole defined in said second centering mechanism,
wherein said second threaded adjuster comprises a first end having first threads, a second end opposite said first end having second threads which are opposite said first threads, and a central portion between said first end and said second end having a width greater than said width of said second through-hole at said ends of said second through-hole and less than said width of said second through-hole at said central portion of said second through-hole,
wherein said second threaded adjuster is configured to increase and decrease said second separation distance between said pair of second indicator jaws while maintaining equidistance between said pair of second indicator jaws and said central opening,
wherein said device is adapted to engage said striking face, aligning said central opening with said center of said striking face when said pair of first indicator jaws are aligned with a heel edge and a toe edge of said striking face and said pair of second indicator jaws are aligned with a topline edge and a sole edge of said striking face.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein said central opening is configured to accommodate a marker to mark said center of said striking face, wherein said central opening comprises a wide opening defined in said second surface of said body through a partial thickness of said body and a narrow opening defined in said first surface of said body through an entire thickness of said body.
1. (Original) A device for identifying a center of a striking face of a golf club head, comprising: a body having first surface and second surface opposite the first surface, wherein the body is at least partially transparent; a central opening defined through the first surface and the second surface;
a first dimension indicator positioned on the body, the first dimension indicator comprising:
a first centering mechanism attached to the first surface and spaced apart from the central opening, the first centering mechanism having a first through-hole,
a pair of first indicator bodies disposed at least partially within the body, each of the pair of first indicator bodies having a threaded opening defined therein extending in a first direction;
a pair of first indicator jaws attached to the pair of first indicator bodies and extending along the first surface of the body in a second direction at least as far as the central opening,
a first threaded adjuster mated with the threaded openings of the pair of first indicator bodies and passing through the first through-hole defined in the first centering mechanism,
wherein the first threaded adjuster is configured to adjustably increase and decrease the first separation distance between the pair of first indicator jaws while maintaining equidistance between the pair of first indicator jaws and the central opening;
a second dimension indicator positioned on the body, the second dimension indicator comprising:
a second centering mechanism attached to the second surface and spaced apart from the central opening along a second direction,
a pair of second indicator bodies disposed at least partially within the body;
a pair of second indicator jaws attached to the pair of second indicator bodies and extending along the first surface in the first direction at least as far as the central opening,
a second threaded adjuster mated with the threaded openings of the pair of second indicator bodies and passing through the second through-hole defined in the second centering mechanism,
wherein the second threaded adjuster is configured to increase and decrease the second separation distance between the pair of second indicator jaws while maintaining equidistance between the pair of second indicator jaws and the central opening,
wherein the device is adapted to engage the striking face, aligning the central opening with the center of the striking face when the pair of first indicator jaws are aligned with a heel edge and a toe edge of the striking face and the pair of second indicator jaws are aligned with a topline edge and a sole edge of the striking face.
10. (Original) The device of claim 1, wherein a portion of the body proximate the central opening extends above the first surface of the body and defines a protrusion, and wherein the device is adapted to engage the golf club head such that a point of contact between the golf club head and the device occurs only at the protrusion and the striking face, aligning a
projection of a center of gravity of the golf club head on the striking face with the central opening.
1. A device for identifying a center of a striking face of a golf club head, comprising: a body having first surface and second surface opposite said first surface, wherein said body is at least partially transparent; a central opening defined through said first surface and said second surface;
a first elongate channel extending in a first direction adjacent an edge of said body and defined through said first surface of said body;
a first dimension indicator positioned along said first elongate channel, said first dimension indicator comprising:
a first centering mechanism attached to said first surface of said body proximate said first elongate channel and spaced apart from said central opening along a second direction substantially orthogonal to said first direction, said first centering mechanism having a first through-hole defined therethrough that is substantially parallel to said first elongate channel, wherein a width of said first through-hole is greater in a central portion of said first through-hole than at ends of said first through-hole;
a pair of first indicator bodies disposed at least partially within said first elongate channel, each of said pair of first indicator bodies having a threaded opening defined therein extending in said first direction;
a pair of first indicator jaws attached to said pair of first indicator bodies and extending along said first surface of said body in said second direction at least as far as said central opening, wherein said pair of first indicator jaws are spaced apart by a first separation distance such that said central opening is located at a midpoint of said first separation distance; and
a first threaded adjuster mated with said threaded openings of said pair of first indicator bodies and passing through said first through-hole defined in said first centering mechanism,
wherein said first threaded adjuster comprises a first end having first threads, a second end opposite said first end having second threads which are opposite said first threads, and a central portion between said first end and said second end having a width greater than said width of said first through-hole at said ends of said first through-hole and less than said width of said central portion of said first through-hole,
wherein said first threaded adjuster is configured to adjustably increase and decrease said first separation distance between said pair of first indicator jaws while maintaining equidistance between said pair of first indicator jaws and said central opening;
a second elongate channel extending in said second direction adjacent said central opening and defined through said first surface of said body and said second surface of said body; and
a second dimension indicator position along said elongate channel, said second dimension indicator comprising:
a second centering mechanism attached to said second surface of said body proximate said second elongate channel and spaced apart from said central opening along said first direction,
said second centering mechanism having a second through-hole defined therethrough that is substantially parallel to said second elongate channel, wherein a width of said second through-hole is greater in a central portion of said second through-hole than at ends of said second through-hole;
a pair of second indicator bodies disposed at least partially within said second elongate channel, each of said pair of second indicator bodies having a threaded opening defined therein extending in said second direction;
a pair of second indicator jaws attached to said pair of second indicator bodies and extending along said first surface of said body in said first direction at least as far as said central opening,
wherein said pair of second indicator jaws are spaced apart by a second separation distance such that said central opening is located at a midpoint of said second separation distance; and
a second threaded adjuster mated with said threaded opening of said pair of second indicator bodies and passing through said second through-hole defined in said second centering mechanism,
wherein said second threaded adjuster comprises a first end having first threads, a second end opposite said first end having second threads which are opposite said first threads, and a central portion between said first end and said second end having a width greater than said width of said second through-hole at said ends of said second through-hole and less than said width of said second through-hole at said central portion of said second through-hole,
wherein said second threaded adjuster is configured to increase and decrease said second separation distance between said pair of second indicator jaws while maintaining equidistance between said pair of second indicator jaws and said central opening,
wherein said device is adapted to engage said striking face, aligning said central opening with said center of said striking face when said pair of first indicator jaws are aligned with a heel edge and a toe edge of said striking face and said pair of second indicator jaws are aligned with a topline edge and a sole edge of said striking face.
4. The device of claim 1, wherein a portion of said body proximate said central opening extends above said first surface of said body and defines a protrusion, and wherein said device is adapted to engage said golf club head such that a point of contact between said golf club head and said device occurs only at said protrusion and said striking face, aligning a projection of a center of gravity of said golf club head on said striking face with said central opening.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-10 would be allowable by overcoming the Double Patenting rejection set forth in this Office action.
Claims 3 and 5-8 are objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but would be allowable by overcoming the Double Patenting rejection or being rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims.
The following is an examiner's statement of reasons for allowance for Claim(s) 1-10, the prior art does not disclose or suggest with regards to independent Claim(s) 1:
A device for identifying a center of a striking face of a golf club head comprising:
a body having first surface and second surface opposite the first surface, wherein the body is at least partially transparent;
a central opening defined through the first surface and the second surface;
a first centering mechanism attached to the first surface and spaced apart from the central opening, the first centering mechanism having a first through-hole;
a pair of first indicator bodies having a threaded opening defined therein extending in a first direction;
a pair of first indicator jaws attached to the pair of first indicator bodies and extending along the first surface of the body in a second direction at least as far as the central opening;
specifically, a second centering mechanism attached to the second surface and spaced apart from the central opening along the second direction;
a pair of second indicator jaws attached to a pair of second indicator bodies and extending along the first surface in the first direction at least as far as the central opening in combination with the remaining limitations of the claims.
Any comments considered necessary by applicant must be submitted no later than the payment of the issue fee and, to avoid processing delays, should preferably accompany the issue fee. Such submissions should be clearly labeled “Comments on Statement of Reasons for Allowance.”
The closest relevant prior art of record is Heller (US 4245392) which includes: a device (Fig. 1) comprising: a body (14) having a first surface (15) and a second surface (16), a first centering mechanism having a first threaded adjuster (17 & 18) and attached to a first surface (15); a second centering mechanism having a second threaded adjuster (25) and having a pair of indicator jaws (28). However, it lacks: a central opening, a pair of first indicator jaws attached to a pair of first indicator bodies extending along the first surface of the body, the second centering mechanism attached to the second surface and spaced apart from the central opening.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant’s disclosure.
The following reference(s) relate to golf club devices: Spencer et al. (US 6895680 B2); Heller (US 4245391); Williamson et al. (US 6430829 B1); Goodjohn et al. (US 740327 B2); Holtzman (US 9163919 B2).
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/TC/
26 February 2026
/KRISTINA M DEHERRERA/
Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2855