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. 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 appl icant regards as his invention. Claims 1-7, 10, 13-20 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. In claim 1 line 2 “the track frame”, line 5 “the snowmobile track frame”, line 6 “the C”, line 9 “the upper leg”, line 10 “the lower leg”, and line 11 “the inside angle” lack antecedent basis. In claim 2 line 4 “the snowmobile track frame” and in line 6 “the innermost coil” lack antecedent basis. In claim 3 line 1 “the leg portion” and line 2 “the lowermost leg segment” lack antecedent basis. In claim 10 line 1 “the leg portion” lacks antecedent basis. In claim 15 line 18 “the outermost leg segment portion” lacks antecedent basis. Allowable Subject Matter Claims 8-9, 11-12 are allowed. Claims 1-7, 10, and 13-20 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. The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter: Regarding claim 1, the prior art fails to disclose or suggest an ice scratcher for a snowmobile including a leg portion having a C-shape with the C-shape opening toward the snowmobile, when so attached and viewed from the side of the snowmobile, the leg portion having an expanded L-shape with the upper leg of the L-shape being upright and extending downwardly from the coiled spring portion and with the lower leg of the L-shape extending forwardly and downwardly from a lower end of the upper leg, the inside angle between the upper leg and lower leg being greater than 110˚ Regarding claim 8 , the prior art fails to disclose or suggest an ice scratcher for a snowmobile including a support portion attachable to the snowmobile and an elongate paddle shaped ice/snow spray generating portion at a lowermost end of the ice scratcher when attached to the snowmobile, the ice scratcher having a non deflected position that is below a lowermost track level of the snowmobile, the ice/snow generating portion having a flat surface that faces upwardly, forwardly, and inwardly when the ice scratcher is attached to the snowmobile and is in the non deflected position . Regarding claim 15 , the prior art fails to disclose or suggest an ice scratcher for a snowmobile including the ice scratcher being mounted on a snowmobile track frame with an axis of a coiled spring portion extending laterally from the snowmobile track frame, the ice scratcher having an undeflected position with a leg portion extending downwardly, the leg portion configured such that, when viewed from an end of the snowmobile, has an expanded C-shape with a second mid leg segment portion being upright and being positioned as an outermost leg segment portion of a proximal leg segment portion, a first mid leg segment portion, a second mid leg segment portion, and a distal leg segment portion . Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to FILLIN "Examiner name" \* MERGEFORMAT Kevin Hurley whose telephone number is FILLIN "Phone number" \* MERGEFORMAT (571)272-6646 . The examiner can normally be reached FILLIN "Work Schedule?" \* MERGEFORMAT Monday-Thursday 9 am-5:30 pm Kevin.Hurley@USPTO.GOV . 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, FILLIN "SPE Name?" \* MERGEFORMAT Valentin Neacsu can be reached at FILLIN "SPE Phone?" \* MERGEFORMAT 571-272-6265 . The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300. Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Center and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about filing in DOCX format. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000. FILLIN "Examiner Stamp" \* MERGEFORMAT /KEVIN HURLEY/ Primary Examiner Art Unit 3611 March 24, 2026