DETAILED ACTION Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103 The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action: A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made. Claim s 1, 3 -15 and 17 -20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Henfrey (GB 2 248 482 A) . Henfrey discloses a boom barrier system including a boom barrier having a boom arm (1) configured to be pivoted about an axis of rotation (2) between upper and lower positions (page 2, last sentence of first paragraph). There is a spring-assist module (Figure 2, for example) connected to the boom barrier (Figure 1, for example) and configured to apply torque as claimed (page 2, second paragraph). There is a secondary arm (3) connected to the boom barrier (Figure 1). Henfrey does not specifically teach a handle. The examiner takes Official notice that manually operated barriers having handles opposite a pivot point from the barrier are well known. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have configured Henfrey with a handle as claimed in order to ease manual operation in uses either without a motorized power source or in the event of a power failure to a power source, as is well known with vertically rotating beam barrier systems. Regarding claim 3, the spring assist module is connected to the boom arm at a position (at 12) distal from the axis of rotation (2). Regarding claim 4, there is a housing (11) containing the spring (6, 7). Regarding claims 5-11, see page 2, paragraph 2. Claims 12 and 14 are deemed to be met in view of the arrangement shown and described by Henfrey. Further, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have configured the spring as claimed in order to bias the barrier in the closed position; thereby effecting the purpose of the barrier. Regarding claim 13, it is standard practice to “predetermine” force in applications in order to ensure operation as design. Additionally, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have predetermined the torque as claimed in order to obtain a properly functioning barrier. Regarding claims 17 , 18 and 20 , the respective springs are compressed as claimed (page 2, paragraph 2 and Figure 2). Allowable Subject Matter Claims 2 and 16 are objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but would be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims. Conclusion The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. The additional references teach boom barriers . Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to FILLIN "Examiner name" \* MERGEFORMAT GARY S HARTMANN whose telephone number is FILLIN "Phone number" \* MERGEFORMAT (571)272-6989 . The examiner can normally be reached FILLIN "Work Schedule?" \* MERGEFORMAT 11-7:30 . Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice. If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, FILLIN "SPE Name?" \* MERGEFORMAT Christopher Sebesta can be reached at FILLIN "SPE Phone?" \* MERGEFORMAT 571 272-0547 . The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300. Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Center and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about filing in DOCX format. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000. FILLIN "Examiner Stamp" \* MERGEFORMAT GARY S. HARTMANN Primary Examiner Art Unit 3671 /GARY S HARTMANN/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3671