DETAILED ACTION
Status of Claims
In response to applicant’s RCE filed 5/4/2026, claims 1-17 and 19-21 are pending in this application.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
(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.
Claims 16-17 and 19-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102 (a)(1) as being anticipated by James (US 5,383,939).
Regarding claim 16, James discloses a joint tracking system, wherein motion of a first joint is magnetically sensed with regard to a second joint, and wherein in response to sensed signals, the friction of the joint is locally adjusted. See col. 2:44 – col. 3:12 and col. 8: 13-25.
Regarding claims 17 and 20, James discloses adjusting the friction in defined ranges, comprising free motion all the way through locked motion. See col. 11: 62-68.
Regarding claim 19, James discloses a rotational joint with a socket. See col. 8: 7-12.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-15 and 21 are considered allowable, as the prior art does not teach or suggest the claimed details.
Arguments/Remarks
Applicant’s arguments and remarks dated 5/4/2026 have been fully considered, but they are moot in view of the new grounds of rejection.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to TIMOTHY A MUSSELMAN whose telephone number is (571)272-1814. The examiner can normally be reached Monday - Thursday, 8:00AM - 4:00PM.
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/TIMOTHY A MUSSELMAN/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3715
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