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 Objections
Claims 14-24 are objected to because:
Claims 14-15 and 22-24, phrases or words, “or” and “and/or”, used throughout the claims, lead to extremely numerous number of possible combinations, rendering scope of the claims unclear.
Claim 21, lines 1-2, “a fast-earthing switch” should be -the fast-earthing switch-.
Claim 21, line 3, “the corresponding pole” lacks antecedent basis.
Claim 24, line 2, “a piston” should be -the piston-.
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 14-24 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.
Claim 14, line 6, “a cylinder-like guiding tube” renders the claim indefinite, leaving the scope of the claim unascertainable.
Claim 14, “disc-like piston” used throughout the claim, renders the claim indefinite, leaving the scope of the claim unascertainable.
Claim 14, “bar-like element” used throughout the claim, renders the claim indefinite, leaving the scope of the claim unascertainable.
Claim 14, “bar-like opening” used throughout the claims, renders the claim indefinite, leaving the scope of the claim unascertainable.
Claim 17, line 2, “tube-like shape” renders the claim indefinite, leaving the scope of the claim unascertainable.
Claim 19, line2, “disc-like”, renders the claim indefinite, leaving the scope of the claim unascertainable.
Claim 23, line 7, “a cylinder-like guiding tube” renders the claim indefinite, leaving the scope of the claim unascertainable.
Claim 23, “disc-like piston” used throughout the claim, renders the claim indefinite, leaving the scope of the claim unascertainable.
Claim 23, “bar-like element” used throughout the claim, renders the claim indefinite, leaving the scope of the claim unascertainable.
Claim 23, “bar-like opening” used throughout the claims, renders the claim indefinite, leaving the scope of the claim unascertainable.
Appropriate corrections are required.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Gentsch et al, Zimmer et al, Shin et al, Nakauchi et al, Lorenz et al, Meyer, Golota, McKinnon and Wilson are examples of earthing (grounding) switches configured similar to the present invention.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to WILLIAM A BOLTON whose telephone number is (571)270-5887. The examiner can normally be reached Mon-Fri: 7:30AM - 5:00PM.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Renee S Luebke can be reached at 571-272-2009. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/WILLIAM A BOLTON/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2831
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