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 .
Applicant’s amendment and accompanying remarks filed December 3, 2025.
Examiner acknowledges amended claims 1, 4-5 and 7.
Examiner acknowledges withdrawn claims 8-12.
Examiner acknowledges cancelled claims 2-3 and 6.
Examiner acknowledges newly added claims 13-23.
The rejection of claims 1 and 2 under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as anticipated by or, in the alternative, under 35 U.S.C. as obvious over Robertson et al., U.S. Pre Grant Publication 2024/0227985 is overcome by Applicant’s amendment.
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, 4-5, 7, 14, 17, 21 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.
Claims 1, 4-5, 7, 14, 17, 21 are rendered indefinite because of the term “Newtons meter squared”. Applicant claims flexural modulus. Flexural modulus uses units of force per area. Flexural modulus is measure in Pascals [Pa] in the SI system and in pounds per square inch in the US system. Pascal [Pa} is equivalent to one newton per square meter [N/m2]. The recited “Newtons meter squared” is not a proper unit for flexural modulus.
Claims 13, 15-16, 18-20, 22-23 are allowed. Applicant claims a semi-rigid line adapted to retrieve equipment from floor of a water body as recited in claims 13, 15, 19 and 23. The closest prior art, Robertson et al., U.S. Pre Grant Publication 2024/0227985, teaches a semi-rigid tether wherein the tether is formed of a composite material. Robertson fails to teach or suggest that the composite material is a fiber reinforced plastic; wherein the composite material has a flexural modulus of between 8 Newtons meter squared and approximately 42 Newtons meter squared; the composite material is configured to experience mechanical failure at a bending radius of approximately 0.3 meters; wherein the composite material has an approximately 1.5 meter safe coiling diameter; wherein the composite material has a coefficient of thermal expansion of approximately less than or equal to 6.0 x 10-6/ºC and wherein the composite has a aramid-vinylester core and a pure vinylester exterior coating.
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments with respect to the present claims have been considered but are moot because the new ground of rejection does not rely on any reference applied in the prior rejection of record for any teaching or matter specifically challenged in the argument.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to CAMIE S THOMPSON whose telephone number is (571)272-1530. The examiner can normally be reached 8:30 am - 5:30 pm.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Jennifer Boyd, can be reached at 571-272-7783. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/CAMIE S THOMPSON/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1786
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