DETAILED ACTION
Continued Examination Under 37 CFR 1.114
A request for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, including the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e), was filed in this application after final rejection. Since this application is eligible for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114. Applicant's submission filed on May 11, 2026 has been entered.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of the first paragraph of 35 U.S.C. 112(a):
(a) IN GENERAL.—The specification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and use the same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor or joint inventor of carrying out the invention.
The following is a quotation of the first paragraph of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112:
The specification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and use the same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention.
Claims 1-2, 4-14, 16 and 17 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(a) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), first paragraph, as failing to comply with the written description requirement. The claim(s) contains subject matter which was not described in the specification in such a way as to reasonably convey to one skilled in the relevant art that the inventor or a joint inventor, or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the inventor(s), at the time the application was filed, had possession of the claimed invention. In claim 1, the recitation “absent rotation therebetween” seeks to introduce new matter. Applicant’s disclosure, as originally filed, describes a connection between an inner segment and an outer segment wherein the inner and outer segments are loosely interlocked in a slidable relationship wherein rotational motion between the inner and outer segments is not precluded (Fig. 2B and Fig. 11 when the inner and outer segments are no longer threadably connected). It is suggested that Applicant use language such as, “the inner segment and the outer segment are loosely interlocked in a slidable relationship such that the inner and outer segment can be pressed together to keep the segmented assembly rigid” to overcome this rejection.
Appropriate correction is required.
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.
Claims 1-2 and 4-18 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor, regards as the invention.
In claim 1, the recitation “…absent rotation therebetween between…” renders the claim vague and indefinite because the structural interaction between the inner and outer segments is unclear. See rejection under 35 USC 112(a) in this office action.
In claim 17, the recitation “…includes a longitudinally extending slot defining a longitudinal snap,..” renders the claim vague and indefinite because a slot lacks structure. It is suggested that Applicant recite the tubular body defines a slot and snaps that extend longitudinally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tubular body (Fig. 2B).
In claim 18, the recitation “…the second inner segment slidably connectable to the distal end of the outer segment and abutable with the distal end of the first inner segment within the outer segment,” renders the claim vague and indefinite because the interaction of structure is not clearly recited. Based on Applicant’s disclosure (see for Figs. 2B and 11), the second inner segment is received within the outer segment and the inner segment and abuts the distal end of the first inner segment.
Appropriate correction is required.
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments have been fully considered by the Examiner but are not found to be persuasive for the reasons provided in this office action.
New grounds of rejection have been made in this office action.
Non application of prior art indicates allowable subject matter provided the rejections made in this office action are overcome.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Anu Ramana whose telephone number is (571)272-4718. The examiner can normally be reached 8:00 am-5:00 pm.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Kevin Truong can be reached at (571)272-4705. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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May 29, 2026
/Anu Ramana/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3775
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