Claim Objections
Examiner notes that the claims fail to comply with 37 CFR 1.75(g) because the least restrictive claim, claim 18, is not presented as claim number 1. However, in accordance with 37 CFR 1.126, claim numbering must be preserved during prosecution. Therefore correction will be held in abeyance.
Election/Restrictions
Claims 3, 5-6, 10 & 15-16 are withdrawn from further consideration pursuant to 37 CFR
1.142(b) as being drawn to a nonelected species, there being no allowable generic or linking
claim. Election of the coupler shown in Figs. 2-9 (Species I) was made without traverse in the reply filed on June 24, 2026.
In the reply filed September 1, 2026, applicant argues claim 3 reads on Species 1 because it recites features pertaining to Figs. 11-12. However, Figs. 11-12 depict unelected species.
Examiner notes that claim 10 should be canceled because it fails to further limit the claim from which it depends.
If applicant intends to argue that claims 3, 5-6 & 15-16 should be rejoined then applicant must affirm that claim 1 as amended continues to read on the unelected species to which those claims are directed.
Specification
The disclosure is objected to as failing to comply with 37 CFR 1.74 because the detailed description of the invention fails to refer to Figs. 2-8 where the features recited in claim 10 are described in the detailed description of the invention.
Examiner notes that in the reply filed September 1, 2026, applicant states the features of claim 10 are shown in Figs. 2-8.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
Claims 9 & 11 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(a) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), first paragraph, as failing to comply with the written description requirement. The claim(s) contains subject matter which was not described in the specification in such a way as to reasonably convey to one skilled in the relevant art that the inventor or a joint inventor, or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the inventor(s), at the time the application was filed, had possession of the claimed invention.
Claim 9 recites the limitation, “wherein a coupling position at which the removal force receiver is coupled to the elastic support is located near a downstream side [and an upstream side] of the elastic support in the insertion direction.” Applicant has not pointed out where this limitation is supported, nor does there appear to be a written description of the limitation in the application as originally filed.
Claim 11 recites the limitation, “wherein a coupling position at which the removal force receiver is coupled to the elastic support is located at a position overlapped with the hook in a direction orthogonal to the insertion direction of the insertion portion and a direction orthogonal to a direction in which the hook is displaced inward of the opening due to an elastic displacement of the elastic support by the removal force [and is coupled to the elastic support is located near an upstream side of the elastic support in the insertion direction].” Applicant has not pointed out where this limitation is supported, nor does there appear to be a written description of the limitation in the application as originally filed.
Claims 1-2, 4, 7-9, 11-14 & 17 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 1 recites the limitation "the multiple hooks" in lines 19 & 22. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 1 recites the limitation "the respective hook" in line 20. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 7 recites the limitation "multiple hooks”. It is unclear if these multiple hooks are the same as or different from those previously recited.
Claim 14 recites the limitation "the hook”. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim because none of the previously recited hooks is identified as “the hook”.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-2, 4, 7-8, 12-14 & 17 would be allowable if rewritten or amended 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.
Claims 18-20 are allowed.
Conclusion
Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Greg Binda whose telephone number is (571)272-7077. The examiner can normally be reached 9:30-5:30 et.
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/Greg Binda/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3679
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