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 .
DETAILED ACTION
Priority
This application discloses and claims only subject matter disclosed in prior Application No. 18/132,765, filed April 10, 2023, and names the inventor or at least one joint inventor named in the prior application. Accordingly, this application constitutes a continuation.
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 and 11 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.
Re Claim 2, the claim recites the limitation "the head-receiving portion" in Line 2. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim, because there is no initial mentioning of a head-receiving portion prior to this initial mentioning.
Re Claim 11, the claim recites the limitation "the locking system" in Line 1. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim, because there is no initial mentioning of a locking system prior to this initial mentioning.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-18 appear to have allowable subject matter. The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter.
Re Claim 1, the prior art discloses most of the claimed invention. However, the prior art does not expressly disclose that the track has at least one insertion point within the track, wherein the insertion point defines a cavity configured to receive the at least one post; and at least one retention region within the track, wherein the at least one retention region is configured to retain the at least one post within the ring.
Claims 2 and 11 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.
Re Claim 14, the prior art discloses most of the claimed invention. However, the prior art does not expressly disclose that the at least one retention region defines a head receiving portion and a neck receiving portion, wherein the neck receiving portion defines a smaller width than the head.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to ROBERT J HICKS whose telephone number is (571)270-1893. The examiner can normally be reached Mon - Fri 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, Orlando Aviles-Bosques can be reached at 571-270-5531. 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.
/ROBERT J HICKS/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3736