DETAILED ACTION
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 applicant regards as his invention.
Claims 1 – 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.
Claim 1 recites the limitation "the second semi-spherical ball lock locking portion" in lines 9 – 10. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. Claim 1, line 5 recites “a second locking portion” and line 7 recites “a second semi-spherical ball lock”, however there is no recitation of “a second semi-spherical ball lock locking portion”.
Claim 1 recites the limitation "the first semi-spherical ball lock locking portion" in line 11. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. See above.
Claim 1 recites the limitation "the first and second semi-spherical balls" in line 12. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. Claim 1, line 3 recites “a first semi-spherical ball lock” and line 7 recites “a second semi-spherical ball lock”, but does not explicitly provide antecedent basis for “balls”.
Claim 8 recites the limitation "the second semi-spherical ball lock locking portion" in line 12. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. Claim 8, lines 4 – 5 recites “a second locking portion” and line 8 – 9 recites “a second semi-spherical ball lock”, however there is no recitation of “a second semi-spherical ball lock locking portion”.
Claim 8 recites the limitation "the first semi-spherical ball lock locking portion" in lines 13 – 14. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. See above.
Claim 8 recites the limitation "the first and second semi-spherical balls" in lines 14 – 15. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. Claim 15, lines 3 – 4 recites “a first semi-spherical ball lock” and line 9 recites “a second semi-spherical ball lock”, but does not explicitly provide antecedent basis for “balls”.
Claim 15 recites the limitation "the second semi-spherical ball lock locking portion" in lines 11 - 12. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. Claim 8, lines 4 – 5 recites “a second locking portion” and line 8 – 9 recites “a second semi-spherical ball lock”, however there is no recitation of “a second semi-spherical ball lock locking portion”.
Claim 15 recites the limitation "the first semi-spherical ball lock locking portion" in line 13. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. See above.
Claim 15 recites the limitation "the first and second semi-spherical balls" in line 14. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. Claim 15, lines 3 – 4 recites “a first semi-spherical ball lock” and line 9 recites “a second semi-spherical ball lock”, but does not explicitly provide antecedent basis for “balls”.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1, 8, and 15 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.
Claims 2 – 7, 9 – 14, and 16 – 20 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 prior art fails to disclose a first semi-spherical ball lock configured within a cavity of a first prong; a second semi-spherical ball lock configured within a cavity of the second prong; and the first and second semi-spherical ball locks along a joining plane to form a spherical ball lock in the cavity of the first prong and the cavity of the second prong.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
KR-101028334 – comprising connecting hemisphere; a coil spring; bar cap; and bar;
DE-102010011175 – comprising a joint housing; a second shaft; a pocket end; and a running ball; and
CN-2738027 – comprising coupling housing; ball joints; passive engage teeth; and output ends.
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/JACOB D KNUTSON/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3611