Prosecution Insights
Last updated: July 17, 2026
Application No. 18/711,780

Sports Implement Having Asymmetric Grip

Non-Final OA §103§112
Filed
May 20, 2024
Priority
Nov 19, 2021 — provisional 63/281,464 +1 more
Examiner
GLENN, CHRISTOPHER A.
Art Unit
3711
Tech Center
3700 — Mechanical Engineering & Manufacturing
Assignee
Proxr LLC
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
40%
Grant Probability
At Risk
1-2
OA Rounds
4m
Est. Remaining
77%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants only 40% of cases
40%
Career Allowance Rate
219 granted / 550 resolved
-30.2% vs TC avg
Strong +38% interview lift
Without
With
+37.6%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 6m
Avg Prosecution
44 currently pending
Career history
608
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
1.4%
-38.6% vs TC avg
§103
88.9%
+48.9% vs TC avg
§102
4.9%
-35.1% vs TC avg
§112
3.8%
-36.2% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 550 resolved cases

Office Action

§103 §112
DETAILED ACTION 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 . 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 4, 6, 12, 16, 23, 25, 27, 31, 35, and 37 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. The term “approximately” in claims 4, 6, 12, 16, 23, 25, 31, 35, and 37 is a relative term which renders the claim indefinite. The term “approximately” is not defined by the claim, the specification does not provide a standard for ascertaining the requisite degree, and one of ordinary skill in the art would not be reasonably apprised of the scope of the invention. The term “substantially” in claim 27 is a relative term which renders the claim indefinite. The term “substantially” is not defined by the claim, the specification does not provide a standard for ascertaining the requisite degree, and one of ordinary skill in the art would not be reasonably apprised of the scope of the invention. Claim Objections Claims 1, 13, and 20 objected to because of the following informalities: The recitation in claims 1, 13, and 20 (line 1) of “constructed form” should be changed to --constructed from--. Claim 13 should end with a period. The recitation in claim 13, line 9 of “central axis” should be changed to --central axis.--. Appropriate correction is required. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103 In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status. 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. Claims 1, 2, 4, 6-7, 9, 12-14, 16, 20-2123, 25, 27, 30-32, 35, and 37 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Thurman (20210252356) in view of Phelan (20170165548). Regarding claim 1, Thurman (Figures 1-56) teaches a sports implement comprising: a main body portion having a first contact surface (Fig. 1, Part No. 44) (Para. 0080) constructed form a first contact material (Para. 0085), a second contact surface (46) constructed from a second contact material (Para. 0085), a first core (Fig. 17, Part No. 1370) (Para. 0120-0121) constructed from a first core material and being positioned adjacent to the first contact surface (44), a second core (Fig. 17, Part No. 1370-2) (Para. 0121) constructed from a second core material and being positioned adjacent to the second contact surface (46), and a sidewall (48) (Para. 0080) positioned about a perimeter of each of the first and the second contact surfaces and the first and the second cores (See fig. 17); a handle portion (Fig. 1, Part No. 30; Para. 0077) (Fig. 2, Part No. 130; Para. 0088-0089) extending from the main body portion, the handle portion defining a handle central axis extending therethrough; and a grip member (Fig. 23A, Part No. 34; Para. 0078) (Fig. 2, part No. 134) (Para. 0105) including a grip body portion and a grip end portion forming a grip end plane, the grip body portion being operably coupled with the handle portion. Thurman does not teach the grip end plane forms an obtuse angle with the handle central axis. Phelan (Figures 1-7) teaches the grip end plane forms an obtuse angle with the handle central axis (Fig. 5, Part No. 5.5) (Para. 0087, 0093) (See fig. 3 and 5) It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide Thurman with the grip end plane forms an obtuse angle with the handle central axis as taught by Phelan as a means of providing a handle of a ball striking sports implement with a grip that provides a gripping and supporting surfaces for the little finger and the hypothenar of the athlete's gripping hand (Phelan: Para. 0087). Regarding claim 2, the modified Thurman (Figures 1-56) teaches the first contact material comprises a carbon fiber material, and the second contact material comprises a fiberglass material (Para. 0085). Regarding claim 4, the modified Thurman (Figures 1-56) teaches a first contact surface (Fig. 1, Part No. 44) (Para. 0080) constructed form a first contact material (Para. 0085), and a second contact surface (46) constructed from a second contact material (Para. 0085), the first and second contact materials inherently having a Young’s Modulus (Para. 0084-0085). The modified Thurman does not teach the first contact material has a Young's Modulus of approximately 183 GPa, and the second contact material has a Young's Modulus of approximately 75 GPa. It is noted that the prior art of Thurman teaches first and second contact surfaces that inherently have a Young’s Modulus. Thurman (Para. 0084) discloses: “in another implementation, plates 44 and 46 are different in chemical composition, thickness and/or stiffness characteristics.” It is noted that the prior art of Thurman teaches faceplates having different stiffness characteristics (i.e. Young’s Modulus), and the faceplates are made from different materials (Thurman: Para. 0085). Where the general conditions of a claim are disclosed in the prior art, it is not inventive to discover the optimum or workable ranges by routine experimentation (See: In re Aller, 220 F.2d 454, 456, 105 USPQ 233, 235 (CCPA 1955)). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide the modified Thurman with the first contact material has a Young's Modulus of approximately 183 GPa as a means of finding optimum or workable ranges by routine experimentation (See: In re Aller, 220 F.2d 454, 456, 105 USPQ 233, 235 (CCPA 1955)). Regarding claim 6, the modified Thurman (Figures 1-56) teaches the first contact material has a first contact elasticity value and the second contact material has a second contact elasticity value (Para. 0084-0085). The modified Thurman does not teach a ratio of the first contact elasticity value to the second contact elasticity value is between approximately 1:5 and approximately 1:1.5. It is noted that the prior art of Thurman teaches faceplates having different stiffness characteristics (i.e. Young’s Modulus), and the faceplates are made from different materials (Thurman: Para. 0085). Where the general conditions of a claim are disclosed in the prior art, it is not inventive to discover the optimum or workable ranges by routine experimentation (See: In re Aller, 220 F.2d 454, 456, 105 USPQ 233, 235 (CCPA 1955)). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide the modified Thurman with a ratio of the first contact elasticity value to the second contact elasticity value is between approximately 1:5 and approximately 1:1.5 as a means of finding optimum or workable ranges by routine experimentation (See: In re Aller, 220 F.2d 454, 456, 105 USPQ 233, 235 (CCPA 1955)). Regarding claim 7, the modified Thurman (Figures 1-56) teaches a plane extending through the sidewall (48), the plane separating the first core from the second core (Para. 0120-0121) (See fig. 17). Regarding claim 9, the modified Thurman (Figures 1-56) teaches the plane is parallel to at least one of the first or the second contact surfaces (See fig. 17) (Para. 0120-0121). Regarding claim 12, the modified Thurman (Figures 1-56) teaches the main body portion defines a main body length and the handle portion and the grip member define a grip length (See fig 1-2), the main body length and the grip length combining to define an overall length (See fig 1-2), wherein The modified Thurman does not teach a ratio of the grip length to the main body length is between approximately 1:3 and approximately 3:5. It is noted that the claim recitation of “a ratio of the grip length to the main body length is between approximately 1:3 and approximately 3:5” is directed to the dimensions of the apparatus. Where the general conditions of a claim are disclosed in the prior art, it is not inventive to discover the optimum or workable ranges by routine experimentation (See: In re Aller, 220 F.2d 454, 456, 105 USPQ 233, 235 (CCPA 1955)). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide the modified Thurman with a ratio of the grip length to the main body length is between approximately 1:3 and approximately 3:5 as a means of finding optimum or workable ranges by routine experimentation (See: In re Aller, 220 F.2d 454, 456, 105 USPQ 233, 235 (CCPA 1955)). Regarding claim 13, Thurman (Figures 1-56) teaches a sports implement comprising: a main body portion having a forehand side (Fig. 1, Part No. 44) (Para. 0080) constructed form a first material (Para. 0085), a backhand side (46) constructed from a second material (Para. 0085), and a sidewall (48) (Para. 0080) positioned about a perimeter of each of the forehand and backhand sides; a handle portion (Fig. 1, Part No. 30; Para. 0077) (Fig. 2, Part No. 130; Para. 0088-0089) extending from the main body portion, the handle portion defining a handle central axis extending therethrough; and a grip member (Fig. 23A, Part No. 34; Para. 0078) (Fig. 2, part No. 134) (Para. 0105) including a grip body portion and a grip end portion forming a grip end plane, the grip body portion being operably coupled with the handle portion. The modified Thurman does not teach the grip end plane forms an obtuse angle with the handle central axis . Phelan (Figures 1-7) teaches the grip end plane forms an obtuse angle with the handle central axis (Fig. 5, Part No. 5.5) (Para. 0087, 0093) (See fig. 3 and 5) It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide Thurman with the grip end plane forms an obtuse angle with the handle central axis as taught by Phelan as a means of providing a handle of a ball striking sports implement with a grip that provides a gripping and supporting surfaces for the little finger and the hypothenar of the athlete's gripping hand (Phelan: Para. 0087). Regarding claim 14, the modified Thurman (Figures 1-56) teaches the forehand side of the main body portion is constructed from a carbon fiber material (Para. 0085), and the backhand side of the main body portion is constructed from a fiberglass material (Para. 0085). Regarding claim 16, the modified Thurman (Figures 1-56) teaches the forehand side of the main body portion has a first contact elasticity value and the backhand side of the main body portion has a second contact elasticity value (Para. 0084-0085). The modified Thurman does not teach a ratio of the first contact elasticity value to the second contact elasticity value is between approximately 1:5 and approximately 1:1.5. It is noted that the prior art of Thurman teaches faceplates having different stiffness characteristics (i.e. Young’s Modulus), and the faceplates are made from different materials (Thurman: Para. 0084-0085). Where the general conditions of a claim are disclosed in the prior art, it is not inventive to discover the optimum or workable ranges by routine experimentation (See: In re Aller, 220 F.2d 454, 456, 105 USPQ 233, 235 (CCPA 1955)). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide the modified Thurman with a ratio of the first contact elasticity value to the second contact elasticity value is between approximately 1:5 and approximately 1:1.5 as a means of finding optimum or workable ranges by routine experimentation (See: In re Aller, 220 F.2d 454, 456, 105 USPQ 233, 235 (CCPA 1955)). Regarding claim 20, Thurman (Figures 1-56) teaches a sports implement comprising: a main body portion having a first contact surface (Fig. 1, Part No. 44) (Para. 0080) constructed form a first contact material (Para. 0085), a second contact surface (46) constructed from a second contact material (Para. 0085), a first core (Fig. 17, Part No. 1370) (Para. 0120-0121) constructed from a first core material and being positioned adjacent to the first contact surface, a second core (Fig. 17, Part No. 1370-2) (Para. 0121) constructed from a second core material and being positioned adjacent to the second contact surface, and a sidewall (48) (Para. 0080) positioned about a perimeter of each of the first and the second contact surfaces and the first and the second cores (See fig. 17); a plane extending through the sidewall, the plane separating the first core from the second core (See fig. 17); a handle portion (Fig. 1, Part No. 30; Para. 0077) (Fig. 2, Part No. 130; Para. 0088-0089) extending from a lower end of the main body portion, the handle portion defining a handle central axis extending therethrough; and a grip member (Fig. 23A, Part No. 34; Para. 0078) (Fig. 2, part No. 134) (Para. 0105) including a grip body portion being operably coupled with the handle portion, a grip end portion forming a grip end plane, and a transition region between the grip body portion and the grip end portion. The modified Thurman does not teach the transition region having a first side defining a dorsal cantle region and a second side defining a ventral cantle region; wherein the grip end plane forms an obtuse angle with the handle central axis, wherein at least one of the dorsal cantle region and the ventral cantle region bisects or divides the plane. Phelan (Figures 1-7) teaches the transition region having a first side defining a dorsal cantle region (Fig. 5, Part No. 5.2) (Para. 0087) and a second side defining a ventral cantle region (5.1) (Para. 0087); wherein the grip end plane forms an obtuse angle with the handle central axis, wherein at least one of the dorsal cantle region and the ventral cantle region bisects or divides the plane (See fig. 3 and 5) It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide Thurman with the transition region having a first side defining a dorsal cantle region as taught by Phelan as a means of providing a handle of a ball striking sports implement with a grip that provides a gripping and supporting surfaces for the little finger and the hypothenar of the athlete's gripping hand (Phelan: Para. 0087). Regarding claim 21, the modified Thurman (Figures 1-56) teaches the first contact material comprises a carbon fiber material (Para. 0085), wherein the second contact material comprises a fiberglass material (Para. 0085). Regarding claim 23, the modified Thurman (Figures 1-56) teaches a first contact surface (Fig. 1, Part No. 44) (Para. 0080) constructed form a first contact material (Para. 0085), a second contact surface (46) constructed from a second contact material (Para. 0084-0085). The modified Thurman does not teach the first contact material has a Young's Modulus of approximately 183 GPa, wherein the second contact material has a Young's Modulus of approximately 75 GPa. It is noted that the prior art of Thurman teaches faceplates having different stiffness characteristics (i.e. Young’s Modulus), and the faceplates are made from different materials (Thurman: Para. 0084-0085). Where the general conditions of a claim are disclosed in the prior art, it is not inventive to discover the optimum or workable ranges by routine experimentation (See: In re Aller, 220 F.2d 454, 456, 105 USPQ 233, 235 (CCPA 1955)). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide the modified Thurman with the first contact material has a Young's Modulus of approximately 183 GPaas a means of finding optimum or workable ranges by routine experimentation (See: In re Aller, 220 F.2d 454, 456, 105 USPQ 233, 235 (CCPA 1955)). Regarding claim 25, the modified Thurman (Figures 1-56) teaches the first contact material has a first contact elasticity value and the second contact material has a second contact elasticity value (Para. 0084-0085). The modified Thurman does not teach a ratio of the first contact elasticity value to the second contact elasticity value is between approximately 1:5 and approximately 1:1.5. It is noted that the prior art of Thurman teaches faceplates having different stiffness characteristics (i.e. Young’s Modulus), and the faceplates are made from different materials (Thurman: Para. 0084-0085). Where the general conditions of a claim are disclosed in the prior art, it is not inventive to discover the optimum or workable ranges by routine experimentation (See: In re Aller, 220 F.2d 454, 456, 105 USPQ 233, 235 (CCPA 1955)). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide the modified Thurman with a ratio of the first contact elasticity value to the second contact elasticity value is between approximately 1:5 and approximately 1:1.5 as a means of finding optimum or workable ranges by routine experimentation (See: In re Aller, 220 F.2d 454, 456, 105 USPQ 233, 235 (CCPA 1955)). Regarding claim 26, the modified Thurman (Figures 1-56) teaches a handle portion (Fig. 1, Part No. 30; Para. 0077) (Fig. 2, Part No. 130; Para. 0088-0089) extending from a lower end of the main body portion; and a grip member (Fig. 23A, Part No. 34; Para. 0078) (Fig. 2, part No. 134) (Para. 0105) including a grip body portion being operably coupled with the handle portion. The modified Thurman does not teach the dorsal cantle region has a dorsal cantle radius of curvature and the ventral cantle region has a ventral cantle radius of curvature, wherein the ventral cantle radius of curvature is greater than the dorsal cantle radius of curvature. Phelan (Figures 1-7) teaches the dorsal cantle region (Fig. 5, Part No. 5.2) (Para. 0087) has a dorsal cantle radius of curvature and the ventral cantle region (5.1) (Para. 0087) has a ventral cantle radius of curvature, wherein the ventral cantle radius of curvature is greater than the dorsal cantle radius of curvature (Para. 0087, 0093) (See fig. 3 and 5) It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide Thurman with the ventral cantle radius of curvature is greater than the dorsal cantle radius of curvature as taught by Phelan as a means of providing a handle of a ball striking sports implement with a grip that provides a gripping and supporting surfaces for the little finger and the hypothenar of the athlete's gripping hand (Phelan: Para. 0087). Regarding claim 27, the modified Thurman (Figures 1-56) teaches the grip body portion (Fig. 23A, Part No. 34; Para. 0078) (Fig. 2, Part No. 134) (Para. 0105) has an elongated length having a substantially constant cross-sectional shape. Regarding claim 30, Thurman (Figures 1-56) teaches a sports implement comprising: a main body portion having a first contact surface (Fig. 1, Part No. 44) (Para. 0080) constructed from a first contact material (Para. 0085), a second contact surface (46) constructed from a second contact material (Para. 0085), and a sidewall (48) (Para. 0080) positioned about a perimeter of each of the first and the second contact surfaces; a handle portion (Fig. 1, Part No. 30; Para. 0077) (Fig. 2, Part No. 130; Para. 0088-0089) extending from the main body portion, the handle portion defining a handle central axis extending therethrough; and a grip member (Fig. 23A, Part No. 34; Para. 0078) (Fig. 2, part No. 134) (Para. 0105) including a grip body portion and a grip end portion, the grip body portion being operably coupled with the handle portion, the grip end portion defining a first apex positioned on a first side and a second apex positioned on a second side, the first and second apexes forming a grip end plane. The modified Thurman does not teach the grip end plane forms an obtuse angle with the handle central axis. Phelan (Figures 1-7) teaches the grip end plane forms an obtuse angle with the handle central axis (See fig. 3 and 5) (Para. 0087). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide Thurman with t the grip end plane forms an obtuse angle with the handle central axis as taught by Phelan as a means of providing a handle of a ball striking sports implement with a grip that provides a gripping and supporting surfaces for the little finger and the hypothenar of the athlete's gripping hand (Phelan: Para. 0087). Regarding claim 31, the modified Thurman (Figures 1-56) teaches a grip member (Fig. 23A, Part No. 34; Para. 0078) (Fig. 2, part No. 134) (Para. 0105) including a grip body portion and a grip end portion, the grip end portion defining a first apex positioned on a first side and a second apex positioned on a second side, the first and second apexes forming a grip end plane. The modified Thurman does not teach the angle formed between the grip end plane and the handle central axis is between approximately 150 and approximately 55°. Phelan (Figures 1-7) teaches the angle formed between the grip end plane and the handle central axis is between approximately 150 and approximately 55° (Para. 0089, 0087, 0032-0033). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide the modified Thurman with the angle formed between the grip end plane and the handle central axis is between approximately 150 and approximately 55°as taught by Phelan as a means of providing a handle of a ball striking sports implement with a grip that provides a gripping and supporting surfaces for the little finger and the hypothenar of the athlete's gripping hand (Phelan: Para. 0089, 0087). Regarding claim 32, the modified Thurman (Figures 1-56) teaches a first core (Fig. 17, Part No. 1370) (Para. 0120-0121) constructed from a first core material and being positioned adjacent to the first contact surface; and a second core (Fig. 17, Part No. 1370-2) (Para. 0121) constructed from a second core material and being positioned adjacent to the second contact surface. Regarding claim 35, the modified Thurman (Figures 1-56) teaches a first contact surface (Fig. 1, Part No. 44) (Para. 0080) constructed from a first contact material (Para. 0085), a second contact surface (46) constructed from a second contact material (Para. 0085). The modified Thurman does not teach the first contact material has a Young's Modulus of approximately 183 GPa, wherein the second contact material has a Young's Modulus of approximately 75 GPa. It is noted that the prior art of Thurman teaches faceplates having different stiffness characteristics (i.e. Young’s Modulus), and the faceplates are made from different materials (Thurman: Para. 0084-0085). Where the general conditions of a claim are disclosed in the prior art, it is not inventive to discover the optimum or workable ranges by routine experimentation (See: In re Aller, 220 F.2d 454, 456, 105 USPQ 233, 235 (CCPA 1955)). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide the modified Thurman with the first contact material has a Young's Modulus of approximately 183 GPa as a means of finding optimum or workable ranges by routine experimentation (See: In re Aller, 220 F.2d 454, 456, 105 USPQ 233, 235 (CCPA 1955)). Regarding claim 37, the modified Thurman (Figures 1-56) teaches the first contact material has a first contact elasticity value and the second contact material has a second contact elasticity value (Para. 0084-0085). The modified Thurman does not teach a ratio of the first contact elasticity value to the second contact elasticity value is between approximately 1:5 and approximately 1:1.5. It is noted that the prior art of Thurman teaches faceplates having different stiffness characteristics (i.e. Young’s Modulus), and the faceplates are made from different materials (Thurman: Para. 0085). Where the general conditions of a claim are disclosed in the prior art, it is not inventive to discover the optimum or workable ranges by routine experimentation (See: In re Aller, 220 F.2d 454, 456, 105 USPQ 233, 235 (CCPA 1955)). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide the modified Thurman with a ratio of the first contact elasticity value to the second contact elasticity value is between approximately 1:5 and approximately 1:1.5 as a means of finding optimum or workable ranges by routine experimentation (See: In re Aller, 220 F.2d 454, 456, 105 USPQ 233, 235 (CCPA 1955)). Claims 11 and 19 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Thurman in view of Phelan, further in view of Cho (6305051). Regarding claim 11, the modified Thurman (Figures 1-56) teaches a grip member (Fig. 23A, Part No. 34; Para. 0078) (Fig. 2, part No. 134) (Para. 0105) including a grip body portion and a grip end portion forming a grip end plane. The modified Thurman does not teach the grip body portion includes at least one finger positioning member extending therealong. Cho (Figure 9) teaches the grip body portion includes at least one finger positioning member (Fig. 9, part No. 88, 89) (Col. 5, Lines 52-56; Col. 6, Lines 8-13) extending therealong. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide the modified Thurman with the grip body portion includes at least one finger positioning member as taught by Cho as a means of providing a grip for a sports implement with ridges sized to receive fingers of a user along the body of the grip (Cho: Col. 5, Lines 52-56; Col. 6, Lines 8-13). Regarding claim 19, the modified Thurman (Figures 1-56) teaches a grip member (Fig. 23A, Part No. 34; Para. 0078) (Fig. 2, part No. 134) (Para. 0105). The modified Thurman does not teach the grip body portion includes at least one finger positioning member extending therealong. Cho (Figure 9) teaches the grip body portion includes at least one finger positioning member (Fig. 9, part No. 88, 89) (Col. 5, Lines 52-56; Col. 6, Lines 8-13) extending therealong. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide the modified Thurman with the grip body portion includes at least one finger positioning member as taught by Cho as a means of providing a grip for a sports implement with ridges sized to receive fingers of a user along the body of the grip (Cho: Col. 5, Lines 52-56; Col. 6, Lines 8-13). Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to CHRISTOPHER GLENN whose telephone number is (571)272-1277. The examiner can normally be reached 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.. 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, EUGENE KIM can be reached at (571) 272-4463. 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. /C.G./Examiner, Art Unit 3711 /JOSEPH B BALDORI/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3711
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Prosecution Timeline

May 20, 2024
Application Filed
Jun 16, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §103, §112 (current)

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Prosecution Projections

1-2
Expected OA Rounds
40%
Grant Probability
77%
With Interview (+37.6%)
2y 6m (~4m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 550 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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