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 .
Drawings
The drawings are objected to as failing to comply with 37 CFR 1.84(p)(4) because reference character “11a” has been used to designate both a hole in Figure 12 and some unknown element in Figures 3, 11 and 13. 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. 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.
The drawings are objected to as failing to comply with 37 CFR 1.84(p)(5) because they include the following reference character(s) not mentioned in the description: 110a in Figures 3, 11, 13. Corrected drawing sheets in compliance with 37 CFR 1.121(d), or amendment to the specification to add the reference character(s) in the description in compliance with 37 CFR 1.121(b) 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. 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 § 102
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.
(a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claims 1 – 15 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) and (a)(2) as being anticipated by Harris (USPGPub 2012/0036620 A1).
Harris discloses an interior material for a helmet, and a helmet comprising the interior material for a helmet (Figures; Abstract) comprising: an interior material body (Figure 1, #114); and a plurality of buffer parts protruding from the interior material body (Figure 1, #112a-d; Paragraph 0031) as in claims 1 and 15. With respect to claim 2, the buffer part includes: a central buffer member located at a center of the interior material body (Figure 2); and an outer buffer member disposed to surround the central buffer member and spaced a certain distance from the central buffer part (Figure 2:Paragraph 0035). Regarding claim 3, an opening hole is formed in the outer buffer member (Figure 2, the openings between the central part and the arms). For claim 4, an opening hole is formed in an area between the central buffer member and the outer buffer member (Figure 2, the openings between the central part and the arms). In claim 5, a protrusion is provided on at least one of the central buffer member and the outer buffer member (Paragraph 0035; #124a-m). With regard to claim 6, the central buffer member is provided with a protrusion, and the outer buffer member includes a first outer buffer member provided with a protrusion and a second outer buffer member not provided with the protrusion (Paragraph 0035; #124a-m, wherein the location of the protrusions may vary). As in claim 7, the first outer buffer member is provided as a plurality of first outer buffer members, and the second outer buffer member is disposed between the first outer buffer members (Paragraph 0035; #124a-m, wherein the location of the protrusions may vary). With respect to claim 8, the protrusion includes a first part having a first height and a second part having a second height that is higher than the first height (Paragraphs 0021, 0034 and 0035, wherein the heights of the protrusions may vary). Regarding claim 9, the protrusion is provided on the outer buffer member, and a distance between the first part and the central buffer member is smaller than a distance between the second part and the central buffer member (Paragraph 0035; #124a-m, wherein the location of the protrusions may vary). For claim 10, the protrusion includes a first part having a first surface area and a second part having a second surface area that is larger than the first surface area (Paragraphs 0024 and 0027, wherein the geometry of the protrusions may vary). In claim 11, the protrusion is provided on the outer buffer member, and a distance between the first part and the central buffer member is smaller than a distance between the second part and the central buffer member (Paragraph 0035; #124a-m, wherein the location of the protrusions may vary). With regard to claim 12, a recessed portion is formed in the protrusion (Paragraphs 0024 and 0027, wherein the geometry of the protrusions may vary). As in claim 14, an inclined surface is formed on the recessed portion (Paragraphs 0024 and 0027, wherein the geometry of the protrusions may vary). With respect to claim 12, the protrusion is provided on the central buffer member (Figure 2, #124m).
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. The additional prior art cited on the PTO-89s is directed towards interior materials that may be used in helmets, wherein the materials is designed to provide buffers between the user’s head and the helmet surface through the use of protrusions and padding materials.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Patricia L Nordmeyer whose telephone number is (571)272-1496. The examiner can normally be reached 10am - 6:30pm EST, Monday - Friday.
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, Alicia Chevalier can be reached at 571-272-1490. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/Patricia L. Nordmeyer/
Primary Examiner
Art Unit 1788
/pln/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1788 July 15, 2026
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