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 .
An amendment after Non-Final Rejection was filed by applicant on 08/12/20206.
Claims 1, 2, 3-6 and 8-11 are amended.
Claims 3 and 7 are canceled.
Claims 1, 2, 4-6 and 8-16 are remaining in the application.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
6. 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.
Claims 1, 2, 4-6 and 8-16 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by D1: US 2015/0011133 A1 (Vlock et al.), cited by applicant. Regarding claims 1, 2, 4-6, 8 and 10-16, D1 discloses all claimed features within various embodiments, including a watercraft having a hull, first and second recesses [1408, 1606] configured as claimed, first and second cassette(s) [1020, 1040, 1620] (with indentation) disposed in first and second recesses [1408, 1606] and housing a drive system with electric motor [1675], impeller [1699], water intake and exhaust ports, motor controller(s) [1673], power source (batteries), insert(s) with cassette(s) removably coupled to insert(s) [1014, 1614], and all features arranged/configured as claimed (see paragraphs [0063] - [0082] and Figs. 10-18). See especially Fig. 2 and corresponding written description of the Specification. The base surface of each cassette may be configured to substantially match the base surface the body or hull to achieve a desired hydrodynamic profile of the watercraft (see paragraph. [0065]). The first and second cassettes are configured (capable) to generate propulsive forces to move the watercraft in port and starboard directions as claimed since each cassette is arranged on opposite sides of the longitudinal centerline of the watercraft with each one capable of propelling the watercraft in an opposite direction of the side of the watercraft for which it is mounted. Regarding claims 5 and 9, at least a portion of each recess is orientated in a vertical position, as so broadly claimed, considering the extent of depth (height of penetration) of each recess in a vertical direction.
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s remarks/arguments with respect to the claim(s) have been fully considered but are essentially moot due to applicant’s amended claims and the resulting new and/or modified grounds of rejection presented in this Final Office Action.
The following additional comment is provided for applicant’s consideration: The relevancy of the additional prior art cited by the applicant is not clear to the examiner.
Conclusion
10. THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. 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.
11. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to DANIEL V VENNE whose telephone number is (571) 272-7947. The examiner can normally be reached between M-F, 7am-3:30pm Flex. If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Marc Q Jimenez, who can be reached at phone number (571) 272-4530. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300. Information regarding the status of an application may be obtained from the Patent Application Information Retrieval (PAIR) system. Status information for published applications may be obtained from either Private PAIR or Public PAIR. Status information for unpublished applications is available through Private PAIR only. For more information about the PAIR system, see http://pair-direct.uspto.gov. Should you have questions on access to the Private PAIR system, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free).
12. If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative or access to the automated information system, call 800-786-9199 (USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000.
/Daniel V Venne/
Senior Examiner, Art Unit 3615B
08/26/2026
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