DETAILED ACTION
This is the second office action for US Application 18/384,199 for a Zipline With Textured Rollers for Panel Wire Management.
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 without traverse of Species XV in the reply filed on 22 December 2025 is acknowledged. Claims 10, 16 and 17 are withdrawn from further consideration pursuant to 37 CFR 1.142(b) as being drawn to a nonelected species, there being no allowable generic or linking claim. Election was made without traverse in the reply filed on 22 December 2025.
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.
Claim 15 is 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. The limitation and/or in lines 2 and 3 of claim 15 is indefinite as it is unclear what is or is not covered by the claim limitation.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-9, 11-14 and 18-22 are allowed. Claim 15 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: The references found do not disclose the feature of a locking mechanism comprised of one or more rollers within a mounting clip that has inner and outer clips, wherein the locking mechanism is configured to resist movement of a spanning member extending through the mounting clip in a first direction, by wedging against the spanning member in the first direction, and allow movement of the spanning member in a second direction opposite the first direction.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
US 2012/0037202 to Gosnell
US 2013/0048046 to Domsic
US 2012/0156946 to Cohen
US 2025/0100186 to Guo
US 2024/0372351 to Neumann
US 2018/0019703 to Almy
US 2011/0240089 to Wootton
US 2011/0220596 to Cusson
US 2010/0116803 to Gelmetti
US 11007954 to Kisu
The above prior art discloses various mounts utilizing wire spanning members and/or clips.
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
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