Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
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and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114.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 7/14/2026 has been entered.
Claim Objections
Claims 1 and 5-7 are objected to because of the following informalities:
For clarity, claim 1, line 12 “wherein the plurality of tubular elements comprise” which should be –wherein each adjacent tubular element comprises--.
For continuity in claim 1, “a tubular spacing” in line 14 and “the tubular space (311)” in line 17 should use the same wording.
Claim 5, line 2 “connected to fluid supply” should be --connected to a fluid supply--.
Claim 6, line 2 “between upper and lower flooring” should be –between the upper flooring and the lower flooring--.
Claim 7, line 2 “means for suction” should be –means for suctioning--.
Appropriate correction is required.
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 1-7 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 pre-AIA the applicant regards as the invention.
Claim 1 recites the limitation "the outer tube wall" in line 17. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 1 recites the limitation "an outside of the tubular element" in line 18. The claim refers to an inner tube, an outer tube, the outer tube wall of the plurality of tubular elements, and it is unclear what structure of the tubular element is being referred to.
Claim 1 recites the limitation "wherein at least one of the ends of the tubular element is adapted to connect to a horizontal attachment means for connection with an adjacent tubular element end-to end" in lines 19-20. The claim also recites "a plurality of tubular elements (300) connected with joints (220) at the ends of adjacent tubular elements (300)" in lines 2-3. It is unclear whether the joints are the horizontal attachment means.
Claim 1 recites the limitation "the radial outside of the outer tube" in lines 21-22. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 1 recites the limitation "on each side of the openings" in line 22. It is unclear how to determine sides of an opening.
Claim 1 recites the limitation "the tracks form fluid-tight walls radially outside the openings in the outer tube, thus creating an enclosed volume for concrete filling between the tubular elements" in lines 26-28. The claim also recites "an outer tube surrounding the inner tube such that a tubular spacing is created between the outside of the inner tube and the inside of the outer tube for filling with a concrete filling" in lines 14-15. Applicant uses similar wording to describe multiple spaces and volumes, thus it is unclear whether the ‘enclosed volume’ and the ‘tubular spacing’ is the same or different.
Claim 2 recites the limitation "a closed inner tube" in line 2. It is unclear whether this is the same or different from “an inner tube closed at each end” as recited in claim 1.
Claims 3-7 are rejected as being dependent from a rejected base claim.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-7 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.
The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter: The prior art fails to show or render obvious a floating structure comprising a plurality of stackable, closed ring-structures having vertical attachment means binding adjacent, stacked, closed ring-structures together, the vertical attachment means comprises a pair of longitudinal protruding tracks configured for engaging with a corresponding pair of longitudinal protruding tracks on an adjacent tubular element, the tracks form fluid-tight walls radially outside the openings in the outer tube, of claim 1.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. CN 109430131 A shows a floating platform with a plurality of inflatable tubes and a balance weight; and US 4,092,797 shows a fishing device having a closed ring comprising inflatable tubes having ends joined together by coupling fittings.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to DANIELLE A CLERKLEY whose telephone number is (571)270-7611. The examiner can normally be reached 8:30AM-5PM.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Peter Poon can be reached at 571-272-6891. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/DANIELLE A CLERKLEY/ Examiner, Art Unit 3643
/PETER M POON/ Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 3643
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