DETAILED ACTION
This Non-Final Office Action is in response to the above identified patent application filed on October 11, 2024. Claims 1 – 20 are pending and currently being examined.
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 .
Double Patenting
The nonstatutory double patenting rejection is based on a judicially created doctrine grounded in public policy (a policy reflected in the statute) so as to prevent the unjustified or improper timewise extension of the “right to exclude” granted by a patent and to prevent possible harassment by multiple assignees. A nonstatutory double patenting rejection is appropriate where the conflicting claims are not identical, but at least one examined application claim is not patentably distinct from the reference claim(s) because the examined application claim is either anticipated by, or would have been obvious over, the reference claim(s). See, e.g., In re Berg, 140 F.3d 1428, 46 USPQ2d 1226 (Fed. Cir. 1998); In re Goodman, 11 F.3d 1046, 29 USPQ2d 2010 (Fed. Cir. 1993); In re Longi, 759 F.2d 887, 225 USPQ 645 (Fed. Cir. 1985); In re Van Ornum, 686 F.2d 937, 214 USPQ 761 (CCPA 1982); In re Vogel, 422 F.2d 438, 164 USPQ 619 (CCPA 1970); In re Thorington, 418 F.2d 528, 163 USPQ 644 (CCPA 1969).
A timely filed terminal disclaimer in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(c) or 1.321(d) may be used to overcome an actual or provisional rejection based on nonstatutory double patenting provided the reference application or patent either is shown to be commonly owned with the examined application, or claims an invention made as a result of activities undertaken within the scope of a joint research agreement. See MPEP § 717.02 for applications subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA as explained in MPEP § 2159. See MPEP § 2146 et seq. for applications not subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA . A terminal disclaimer must be signed in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(b).
The filing of a terminal disclaimer by itself is not a complete reply to a nonstatutory double patenting (NSDP) rejection. A complete reply requires that the terminal disclaimer be accompanied by a reply requesting reconsideration of the prior Office action. Even where the NSDP rejection is provisional the reply must be complete. See MPEP § 804, subsection I.B.1. For a reply to a non-final Office action, see 37 CFR 1.111(a). For a reply to final Office action, see 37 CFR 1.113(c). A request for reconsideration while not provided for in 37 CFR 1.113(c) may be filed after final for consideration. See MPEP §§ 706.07(e) and 714.13.
The USPTO Internet website contains terminal disclaimer forms which may be used. Please visit www.uspto.gov/patent/patents-forms. The actual filing date of the application in which the form is filed determines what form (e.g., PTO/SB/25, PTO/SB/26, PTO/AIA /25, or PTO/AIA /26) should be used. A web-based eTerminal Disclaimer may be filled out completely online using web-screens. An eTerminal Disclaimer that meets all requirements is auto-processed and approved immediately upon submission. For more information about eTerminal Disclaimers, refer to www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/applying-online/eterminal-disclaimer.
Claims 1 – 6 & 8 – 20 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1 – 21 of U.S. Patent No. 11,432,639 B2. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because U.S. Patent No. 11,432,639 B2 and the instant patent application 18/493,998 BOTH set forth:
“A versatile sling system comprising:
a strap having a first end, a second end, a width, and an adjustable length, the first end of the strap and the second end of the strap being coupled such that the strap forms a loop;
a hub coupled to the strap such that the hub is suspended from the loop, the hub configured to releasably attach at least one accessory to the hub; and
at least one accessory, the at least one accessory characterized by a handle and/or a leash configured to attach to the hub; the system configured to allow the wearer of the strap to transfer at least a portion of the weight and/or force of an item or animal being carried by the wearer and/or attached to the at least one accessory to the torso and shoulder of the wearer;
wherein the hub, the first end of the strap, and the second end of the strap are coupled by a substantially circular shaped ring;
wherein the strap includes an attachment system coupled to the strap, the attachment system including at least one of a loop, ring, button, hook-and-loop fastener, and/or zipper;
wherein the hub comprises: a proximal end, the proximal end suspended from the loop; a distal end, the distal end having a recess configured to receive an accessory having a protrusion with a plurality of teeth extending from the outer perimeter of the protrusion; and a middle, the middle comprising a locking mechanism, wherein the locking mechanism retains an accessory to the hub by a rotatable element that encircles the protrusion below the plurality of teeth;
wherein the strap is constructed of a flexible material, the flexible material including a fabric, leather, nylon, rope, plastic, and/or combinations thereof;
wherein the handle includes a rod, loop, hook, clip, carabiner, or combinations thereof.”
“A versatile sling apparatus, comprising:
a strap having a first end, a second end, a width, and an adjustable length, the first end of the strap being coupled to the second end of the strap to form a loop; and
a hub having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the hub being coupled to the strap such that the hub is suspended from the loop, the distal end of the hub configured to be releasably attached to an accessory;
wherein the hub further comprises a locking mechanism;
wherein the strap comprises: a first elongate flexible member having a length, a width, an outer surface, and an inner surface, and a second elongate flexible member having a length, a width, an outer surface and an inner surface, the width of the second elongate flexible member being less than the width of the first elongate flexible member, and wherein the second elongate member is coupled to the outer surface of the first elongate flexible member to form a plurality of loops;
wherein the second elongate flexible member is coupled to the outer surface of the first elongate flexible member substantially along a centerline of the first elongate flexible member;
wherein the first elongate flexible member is padded;
wherein the strap is constructed of fabric, leather, nylon, rope, plastic, and/or combinations thereof;
wherein the first end of the strap, the second end of the strap, and the hub, are coupled by a substantially circular shaped ring;
wherein the maximum width of the strap is approximately 5 inches and the minimum width of the strap is approximately 2 inches;
the strap includes an attachment system coupled to the strap, the attachment system including at least one of a loop, ring, button, hook-and-loop fastener, and/or zipper;
wherein the length of the strap is adjustable via at least one buckle.”
“A hub, comprising: a proximal end, the proximal end configured to allow coupling to a first object; a distal end, the distal end having a recess configured to receive a second object, the second object having a protrusion with a plurality of teeth extending from the outer perimeter of the protrusion; and a middle, the middle comprising a locking mechanism, wherein the locking mechanism retains the second object to the hub via a rotatable element that encircles the protrusion below the plurality of teeth;
wherein the distal end further comprises at least one elongate protrusion; and
wherein the outer surface of the distal end and the outer surface of the middle each include at least one notch, wherein the notches are aligned when the hub is in the locked position.”
Drawings
The drawings are objected to under 37 CFR 1.83(a). The drawings must show every feature of the invention specified in the claims. Therefore, (“wherein the strap is incorporated into a garment” as recited in Claim 7) must be shown or the feature(s) canceled from the claim(s). No new matter should be entered.
Corrected drawing sheets in compliance with 37 CFR 1.121(d) are required in reply to the Office action to avoid abandonment of the application. Any amended replacement drawing sheet should include all of the figures appearing on the immediate prior version of the sheet, even if only one figure is being amended. The figure or figure number of an amended drawing should not be labeled as “amended.” If a drawing figure is to be canceled, the appropriate figure must be removed from the replacement sheet, and where necessary, the remaining figures must be renumbered and appropriate changes made to the brief description of the several views of the drawings for consistency. Additional replacement sheets may be necessary to show the renumbering of the remaining figures. Each drawing sheet submitted after the filing date of an application must be labeled in the top margin as either “Replacement Sheet” or “New Sheet” pursuant to 37 CFR 1.121(d). If the changes are not accepted by the examiner, the applicant will be notified and informed of any required corrective action in the next Office action. The objection to the drawings will not be held in abeyance.
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 2, 4, 11 & 14 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 “substantially” in claim 2 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 2 recites: “wherein the hub, the first end of the strap, and the second end of the strap are coupled to a “substantially” circular shaped ring.
The term “substantially” is a relative term that is unclear what it actually encompasses and how much of the ring is required to be circular in order to be considered being “substantially” circular shaped ring.
Therefore, the language as set forth in Claim 2 is unclear.
Claim 4 recites the limitation "the outer perimeter" in Claim 4, line 4. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
The term “substantially” in claim 11 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 11 recites: “wherein the second elongated flexible member is coupled to the outer surface of the first elongate flexible member “substantially” along a centerline of the first elongate flexible member.”
The term “substantially” is a relative term that is unclear what it actually encompasses and how close to the centerline of the first elongate flexible member does the second elongate flexible member coupled to the outer surface of the first elongate flexible member have to be in order to be considered “substantially” along the centerline.
Therefore, the language as set forth in Claim 11 is unclear.
The term “substantially” in claim 14 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 14 recites: “wherein the hub, the first end of the strap, and the second end of the strap are coupled to a “substantially” circular shaped ring.
The term “substantially” is a relative term that is unclear what it actually encompasses and how much of the ring is required to be circular in order to be considered being “substantially” circular shaped ring.
Therefore, the language as set forth in Claim 14 is unclear.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
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 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 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.
Claim(s) 1 & 6 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by (U.S. Patent Publication Number 2017 / 0064928 A1) to Seuk.
Regarding claim 1, Seuk discloses the versatile sling system (100) comprising:
the strap (130) having the first end (i.e. Left End Portion of Belt (130) Adjacent (134) in Figure 3), the second end (i.e. Right End Portion of Belt (130) Adjacent (134) in Figure 3), the width, and an adjustable length (i.e. via (138) in Figure 3), the first end (115) of the strap (130) and the second end (117) of the strap (130) being coupled (i.e. via (134) in Figures 1, 2 & 3) such that the strap (130) forms the loop (See Figures 3 & 5);
the hub (140) coupled to the strap (130) such that the hub (140) is suspended from the loop (See Figure 3), the hub (140) configured to releasably attach at least one accessory (150) to the hub (140) (See Figure 5); and
at least one accessory (150), the at least one accessory (150) characterized by a handle (158) and/or
the leash (See Figure 5) configured to attach to the hub (140);
the system (100) configured to allow the wearer of the strap (130) to transfer at least a portion of the weight and/or force of an item or animal being carried by the wearer and/or attached to the at least one accessory (150) to the torso and shoulder of the wearer (See Figure 1).
Regarding claim 6, Seuk discloses wherein the handle (158) includes the loop or combinations thereof (See Figures 4 – 6).
Claim(s) 1 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by (U.S. Patent Publication Number 2017 / 0360009 A1) to Anderson.
Regarding claim 1, Anderson discloses the versatile sling system (10) comprising:
the strap (12) having the first end, the second end, the width, and an adjustable length (i.e. via (20) in Figures 2 & 4), the first end of the strap (12) and the second end of the strap (12) being coupled (i.e. via (22 & 24) in Figures 2 & 4) such that the strap (12) forms the loop (See Figure 1);
the hub (36) coupled to the strap (12) such that the hub (36) is suspended from the loop (See Figure 1), the hub (36) configured to releasably attach at least one accessory (i.e. Animal Leash) to the hub (36); and
at least one accessory (i.e. Animal Leash), the at least one accessory (i.e. Animal Leash) characterized by a handle and/or
the leash (See Figure 1) configured to attach to the hub (36);
the system (10) configured to allow the wearer of the strap (12) to transfer at least a portion of the weight and/or force of an item or animal being carried by the wearer and/or attached to the at least one accessory (i.e. Animal Leash) to the torso and shoulder of the wearer (See Figure 1).
Claim(s) 1, 3, 5, 8 & 16 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by (U.S. Patent Publication Number 2008 / 0203127 A1) to Castillo-Garrison.
Regarding claim 1, Castillo-Garrison discloses the versatile sling system (100) comprising:
the strap (A) having the first end (i.e. Right End Portion of (A) in Figure 4), the second end (i.e. Left End Portion of (A) w/ (B) in Figure 4), the width, and an adjustable length (i.e. via (I) in Figure 1), the first end of the strap (A) and the second end of the strap (A) being coupled such that the strap (A) forms the loop (See Figures 1 & 7);
the hub (D & M) coupled to the strap (A) such that the hub (D & M) is suspended from the loop (See Figures 1 & 7), the hub (D & M) configured to releasably attach at least one accessory (F) to the hub (D & M) (See Figures 4 & 7); and
at least one accessory (F) (i.e. Bottle Holder), the at least one accessory (F) (i.e. Bottle Holder) characterized by a handle (L) (i.e. Hand Lock) and/or
the leash (K) (i.e. Cord) configured to attach to the hub (D & M);
the system (100) configured to allow the wearer of the strap (A) to transfer at least a portion of the weight and/or force of an item (i.e. Bottle) or animal being carried by the wearer and/or attached to the at least one accessory (F) (i.e. Bottle Holder) to the torso and shoulder of the wearer (See Figures 1 & 7).
Regarding claim 3, Castillo-Garrison discloses wherein the strap (A) includes an attachment system (C) coupled to the strap (A), the attachment system (C) including at least one of a loop (See Table 1) (See Figures 1, 6 & 7).
Regarding claim 5, Castillo-Garrison discloses wherein the strap (A) is constructed of a flexible material, the flexible material including a fabric, leather, nylon rope, plastic (i.e. Polypropylene), and/or combinations thereof (See Paragraph 0030).
Regarding claim 8, Castillo-Garrison discloses the versatile sling apparatus (100), comprising:
the strap (A) having the first end (i.e. Right End Portion of (A) in Figure 4), the second end (i.e. Left End Portion of (A) w/ (B) in Figure 4), the width, and an adjustable length (i.e. via (I) in Figure 1), the first end (i.e. Right End Portion of (A) in Figure 4) of the strap (A) being coupled to the second end (i.e. Left End Portion of (A) w/ (B) in Figure 4) of the strap (A) to form the loop (See Figure 1 & 7); and
the hub (D & M) having the proximal end and the distal end (See Figure 1), the proximal end of the hub (D & M) being coupled to the strap (A) such that the hub (D & M) is suspended from the loop (See Figures 1 & 7), the distal end of the hub (D & M) configured to be releasably attached to an accessory (F, K & L) (See Figures 1 & 4).
Regarding claim 16, Castillo-Garrison discloses wherein the strap (A) includes an attachment system (C) coupled to the strap (A), the attachment system (C) including at least one of the loop (See Figure 1, 6 & 7).
Claim(s) 8, 9, 13, 14 & 17 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by (U.S. Patent Number 5,409,151) to Freimark.
Regarding claim 8, Freimark discloses the versatile sling apparatus (See Figure 3), comprising: the strap (14) having the first end (14A), the second end (14B), the width, and an adjustable length (i.e. via (15) in Figure 2), the first end (14A) of the strap (14) being coupled to the second end (14B) of the strap (14) to form the loop (See Figure 3); and
the hub (11) having the proximal end and the distal end (See Figure 5), the proximal end (13) of the hub (11) being coupled to the strap (14) such that the hub (11) is suspended from the loop (See Figures 3, 4, 5 & 6), the distal end of the hub (11) configured to be releasably attached to an accessory (10) (See Figures 3, 4, 5 & 7).
Regarding claim 9, Freimark discloses wherein the hub (11) further comprises the locking mechanism (i.e. Inner Fastening Threads in Figure 7).
Regarding claim 13, Freimark discloses wherein the strap (14) is constructed of fabric, leather, nylon, rope, plastic, and/or combinations thereof (See Column 2, lines 54 – 56).
Regarding claim 14, Freimark discloses wherein the first end (14A) of the strap (14), the second end (14B) of the strap (14), and the hub (11), are coupled by a substantially circular shaped ring (17) (See Figures 4 & 5).
Regarding claim 17, Freimark discloses wherein the length of the strap (14) is adjustable via at least one buckle (15) (See Column 2, lines 62 – 65) (See Figure 2).
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 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.
The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows:
1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness.
Claim 2 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over (U.S. Patent Publication Number 2008 / 0203127 A1) to Castillo-Garrison in view of (U.S. Patent Number 5,409,151) to Freimark.
Regarding claim 2, Castillo-Garrison discloses the hub (D & M), the first end (i.e. Right End Portion of (A) in Figure 4) of the strap (A), and the second end (i.e. Left End Portion of (A) w/ (B) in Figure 4) of the strap (A) are coupled (See Figures 1 & 4).
However, Castillo-Garrison does not explicitly disclose the substantially circular shaped ring.
Freimark teaches the hub (11), the first end (14A) of the strap (14), and the second end (14B) of the strap (14) are coupled by the substantially circular shaped ring (17) (See Figures 1, 3 & 4).
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art at the time of the invention as effectively filed to make the hub, the first end of the strap, and the second end of the strap coupled by the substantially circular shaped ring as taught by Freimark with the versatile sling system of Castillo-Garrison because the motivation only requires a simple substitution of one known equivalent strap fastening method for another to obtain predictable results.
Claim 7 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over (U.S. Patent Publication Number 2017 / 0064928 A1) to Seuk in view of (U.S. Patent Number 3,973,643) to Hutchinson.
Regarding claim 7, Seuk does not explicitly disclose wherein the strap is incorporated into a garment (See Figure 5).
Hutchinson teaches the strap (16) is incorporated into the garment (11) (See Figures 1 & 2) for the purpose of allowing the strap to be held in a stored position against the inside of the coat when not in use (See Abstract).
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was effectively filed to make the strap incorporated into the garment as taught by Hutchinson with the versatile sling system of Seuk in order to allow the strap to be held in a stored position against the inside of the garment when not in use (See Abstract).
Claim 15 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over (U.S. Patent Number 5,409,151) to Freimark in view of (U.S. Patent Number 9,872,554) to Galloway.
Regarding claim 15, Freimark does not explicitly disclose wherein the maximum width of the strap and the minimum width of the strap.
Galloway teaches the variation in the strap wherein the maximum width of the strap and the minimum width of the strap (See Figures 2 & 3).
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was effectively filed to make the variation in the strap wherein the maximum width of the strap and the minimum width of the strap as taught by Galloway with the versatile sling system of Freimark because the motivation only requires a simple substitution of one known equivalent strap for another to obtain predictable results.
However, Freimark as modified by Galloway does not explicitly disclose the maximum width of the strap is approximately 5 inches and the minimum width of the strap is approximately 2 inches.
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was effectively filed to make the maximum width of the strap is approximately 5 inches and the minimum width of the strap is approximately 2 inches, since it has been held that where the general conditions of a claim are disclosed in the prior art, discovering the optimum or workable ranges involves only routine skill in the art. In re Aller, 105 USPQ 233.
Claims 10, 11 & 12 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over (U.S. Patent Number 5,409,151) to Freimark in view of (U.S. Patent Number 5,941,438) to Price.
Regarding claim 10, Freimark does not disclose wherein the strap comprises: the first elongate flexible member having the length, the width, an outer surface, and an inner surface, and the second elongate flexible member having the length, the width, an outer surface and an inner surface, the width of the second elongate flexible member being less than the width of the first elongate flexible member, and wherein the second elongate member is coupled to the outer surface of the first elongate flexible member to form a plurality of loops.
Price teaches wherein the strap (10) comprises: the first elongate flexible member (12 & 14) having a length, a width, an outer surface, and an inner surface, and the second elongate flexible member (22) having a length, a width, an outer surface and an inner surface, the width of the second elongate flexible member (22) being less than the width of the first elongate flexible member (12 & 14) (See Figures 1, 3 & 4), and wherein the second elongate member (22) is coupled to the outer surface of the first elongate flexible member (12) to form the plurality of loops (See Figures 1 – 4).
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was effectively filed to make the strap comprises: a first elongate flexible member having a length, a width, an outer surface, and an inner surface, and a second elongate flexible member having a length, a width, an outer surface and an inner surface, the width of the second elongate flexible member being less than the width of the first elongate flexible member, and wherein the second elongate member is coupled to the outer surface of the first elongate flexible member to form the plurality of loops as taught by Price with the apparatus of Freimark in order to strengthen and stiffen the first elongated flexible member and to allow the user to carry additional items with the loops.
Regarding claim 11, Freimark as modified by Price discloses wherein the second elongate flexible member (22) is coupled to the outer surface of the first elongate flexible member (12 & 14) substantially along the centerline of the first elongate flexible member (12 & 14) (See Figure 1).
Regarding claim 12, Freimark as modified by Price discloses wherein the first elongate flexible member (12 & 14) is padded (i.e. via Foam) (See Column 2, lines 34 – 41).
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
(U.S. Patent Number 5,425,485) to Carlo teaches the versatile sling system (See Figures 1 & 4).
(U.S. Patent Number 6,315,179 B1) to Hillis teaches the versatile sling system (See Figure 1).
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to LESTER L VANTERPOOL whose telephone number is (571)272-8028. The examiner can normally be reached 8:30-5:00.
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, Nathan J. Newhouse can be reached on 571-272-4544. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/L.L.V/Examiner, Art Unit 3734
/NATHAN J NEWHOUSE/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 3734