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 .
Response to Amendment
Pursuant to the applicant’s response filed 16 February 2026, the amendments to the claims have been entered into the application. By this amendment, no claims have been added or cancelled, and claims 1-6 are currently pending in the application. The previously noted section 112 and 102 rejections have been overcome by the amendments and are hereby withdrawn. After further search and/or consideration, the following objections and rejections are presented to address the newly claimed limitations.
Claim Objections
Claim 3 is objected to because of the following informalities: The second mention of “a backstop” should be “the backstop” for proper antecedent. Appropriate correction is required.
Claim 3 is objected to because of the following informalities: the phrasing “enabling a portion of the backstop is inserted into the casing” appears to be grammatically incorrect and should read “enabling a portion of the backstop to be inserted into the casing”. Appropriate correction is required.
Claim 5 is objected to because of the following informalities: the phrasing “enabling a portion of the backstop is inserted into the casing” appears to be grammatically incorrect and should read “enabling a portion of the backstop to be inserted into the casing”. Appropriate correction is required.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action:
A person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
(a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
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 (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) 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.
Claim(s) 1-6 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being clearly anticipated by U.S. Patent 9,146,087 issued to Cottrell et al (Cottrell).
Regarding claim 1, Cottrell discloses an ergonomic casing holder for use in reloading of firearm ammunition (See at least Figures 8-9, clearly illustrated), comprising: a body for holding a casing (60); a casing configured as a multi-jaw chuck where each jaw having a plurality of segments for enabling each jaw to contact a casing (72); a locking head (74); a backstop where a portion of the backstop abuts the casing for preventing movement of the casing while in the collet enabling a portion of the backstop to be inserted in the casing (50/70); and wherein the ergonomic casing holder operates to securely hold the casing in preparation for firearm ammunition reloading (See at least Col. 5 Lines 9-45).
Regarding claim 2, Cottrell further discloses wherein the collet is a double angle collet (See at least Figure 8, clearly illustrated).
Regarding claim 3, Cottrell discloses a method for holding firearm casings for reloading using a singular ergonomic casing and tool holder (See at least Figures 8-9, clearly illustrated) comprising the steps of: a) inserting a casing within a holder body either in a forward or reverse direction (See at least Figures 8-9, clearly illustrated); b) adjusting a backstop (50/70) so that a casing protrudes from the holder at a desired distance (Via threaded connection of element 50); c) clamping the casing using a collet (72) configured within the holder where the collet includes a plurality of jaws each having a plurality of segments for enabling each jaw to contact the casing having a tapered surface (See at least Figures 8-9, clearly illustrated), where the backstop abuts the casing for preventing movement of the casing while in the collet enabling a portion of the backstop to be inserted into the casing (50/70, See at least Figure 9, clearly illustrated); d) performing applicable reloading operations (Trimming the casing); and e) disengaging the collet and removing the firearm casing (Clearly understood).
Regarding claim 4, Cottrell further discloses wherein the collet is a double angle collet (See at least Figure 8, clearly illustrated).
Regarding claim 5, Cottrell discloses an ergonomic casing holder for use in reloading of firearm ammunition (See at least Figures 8-9, clearly illustrated) comprising: a body for holding a casing (60); a collet (72) configured as a multi-jaw chuck providing for a one angle contact with the casing where the collet includes a plurality of jaws each having a plurality of segments that extend longitudinally for contacting an entire length of the casing for enabling each jaw to contact a casing having a tapered surface (See at least Figure 9, clearly illustrated); a locking head (74); a backstop that abuts the casing for preventing movement of the casing while in the holder body enabling a portion of the backstop to be inserted into the casing (50/70); and wherein the ergonomic casing and tool holder operates to securely hold a casing in preparation for firearm ammunition reloading using the steps of: adjusting a backstop to desired protrusion of a firearm casing (Via threading on element 50); clamping the casing so it engages with the collet (See at least Col. 5 Lines 9-45); performing applicable reloading operations (Trimming); and disengaging by hand the collet/chuck and removing the firearm casing (See at least Col. 5 Lines 9-45).
Regarding claim 6, Cottrell further discloses wherein the collet is a double angle collet (See at least Figure 8, clearly illustrated).
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments with respect to the claim(s) 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
Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to JONATHAN C WEBER whose telephone number is (571)270-5377. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 8AM-5PM EST.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Troy Chambers can be reached at 571-272-6874. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/Jonathan C Weber/Primary Examiner,
Art Unit 3641
JONATHAN C. WEBER
Primary Examiner
Art Unit 3641