DETAILED ACTION
Claim Objections
Claim 1 is objected to because of the following informalities: line 7, “flexile” should be “flexible”. Appropriate correction is required.
Claim 16 is objected to because of the following informalities: lines 7 and 16, “flexile” should be “flexible”. Appropriate correction is required.
Claim 17 is objected to because of the following informalities: line 7, “within the within the” should be “within the”. 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 17-20 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.
Regarding claim 17, line 4, “the first end of the strap” lacks antecedence. In the last two lines, “the outer housing cover” lacks antecedence.
Regarding claim 19, last line, “the outer housing cover” lacks antecedence.
Regarding claims 18 and 20, they are rejected because they depend from claim 17 and have the same problems as claim 17.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-16 are allowed.
Claim 17 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 18-20 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. Regarding claims 1 and 16, the prior art fail to disclose a tamper-resistant wearable band comprising a flexible strap including a first end and a second end and an irreversibly locking clasp. The irreversibly locking clasp including an outer housing cover (1411) having a first open end opposite a second open end and a channel formed therebetween. The clasp includes an inner anchor (1410) with a ramp (1611) having a first ramp angle. The first end of the flexile strap is secured to the inner anchor (at 1442). The flexible strap extends from the inner anchor and out of the first open end (1433). The inner anchor (1410) is configured to be retained within the outer housing cover (1411) so that the ramp (1611) faces the second open end of the outer housing. The inner anchor includes one or more teeth (1630) positioned opposite the ramp (1611) and facing away from the second open end. The clasp also includes a locking sled (1412) slideably coupled to the outer housing cover (1411) at the first open end (1433) so that the second end of the flexible strap may pass into the second open end, over and along the ramp, and through an aperture/slot between the ramp and the opposed teeth of the locking sled. The locking sled is configured to be driven into the outer housing cover from the first open end to drive the flexible strap (1420) against the one or more teeth (1630) so that a path of the flexible strap changes from an initial angle (1635, figure 16A) along the ramp to a larger angle (1635, figure 16B) to lock the flexible strap relative to the outer housing cover. The locking sled (1412) is locked between the outer housing cover (1411) and the inner anchor (1410).
The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter. Regarding claim 17, the prior art fail to disclose a method of securing a tamper-resistant wearable band around an appendage of a subject. The method comprising placing a strap of the tamper-resistant wearable band around the subject's appendage. The first end of the strap is secured to an anchor bar within a housing of a clasp of the tamper-resistant wearable band. Inserting a second end of the strap into a second opening into the housing of the clasp so that the second end of the strap extends through a locking sled and over a ramp within the housing at a first angle. The locking sled is slidably coupled to the housing. The second end of the strap exits out of a first opening into the housing of the clasp. Irreversibly securing the strap within the housing of the clasp without changing a length of a portion of the strap extending between the first opening and the second opening by driving the locking sled into the first opening of the housing so that the strap is driven against one or more teeth within the clasp that are positioned opposite the ramp. A path of the strap changes from an initial angle along the ramp to a larger angle, while the locking sled is slid into the first opening of the housing, locking the strap relative to an outer housing cover, and locking the locking sled between the outer housing cover and the inner anchor.
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JACK W. LAVINDER
Primary Patent Examiner
Art Unit 3677
/JACK W LAVINDER/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3677