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 replacement drawing to Fig. 6 in the response filed on 4/13/2026 has been entered.
New Objections
Claim Rejections
Claim 6 is objected to because of the following informalities:
Claim 6, line 5 recites the phrase “from exterior surface” which should recite “from an exterior surface.”
Appropriate correction is required.
New Grounds of Rejection
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 5-6 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 5, line 2 recites the phrase “target bag inserts” which lacks antecedent basis.
Claim 5, line 3 recites the limitation “said target” which is generally unclear and indefinite. It is unclear whether “said target” refers to the “target mounting inserts” or “punching targets.”
Claim 6 line 2 recites “said access insert panel assemblies” which lacks antecedent basis. The phrase should recite “said insert panel assemblies.”
Claim 6 line 2 recites “said target mounted inserts” which lacks antecedent basis. The phrase should recite “said target mounting inserts.”
Appropriate correction is required.
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.
Claims 1 and 3 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Haselrig (US PG Pub. No. 2016/0023078, Jan. 28, 2016).
Regarding claim 1, as broadly interpreted, Haselrig teaches a sports training apparatus assembly comprising, a plurality of target mounting inserts (i.e., interpreted to be the channels/passages/recess 214, see para. [0048], and Figs. 7-8 below) within a punching bag 200 (see para. [0048], and Figs. 7-8 below), a plurality of punching targets (i.e., arms 202,203 and/or speed bags 204,205, see Figs. 7-8 below and paras. [0048]-[0049]) selectively secured within said target mounting inserts 214 padded closure (i.e., securing via screwing or attaching a portion of 202,203 and/or speed bags 204,205 within the inserts 214, where the inserts 214 are padded because they are internal and part of the punching bag 200), insert panel assemblies (i.e., connecting device 224, see para. [0049], and Fig. 8 below) removably secured to said respective target mounting inserts 214 (i.e., removably secured via external threads 226, see para. [0049]).
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Regarding claim 3, as broadly interpreted, Haselrig teaches the sports training apparatus assembly set forth in claim 1 wherein said punching targets (i.e., arms 202,203 and/or speed bags 204,205, see Figs. 7-8 above and paras. [0048]-[0049]) comprise, a target (i.e., padded sleeve 216, see para. [0049], and Fig. 8 above), a resilient member (i.e., deformable spring 220, see para. [0049] and Fig. 8 above) extending from said target 216 engaging and retained in said target mounting inserts 214 in said punching bag 200.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claim 2, 5, and 6 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.
Regarding claim 2, none of the prior art either alone or in combination teach or suggest the sports training apparatus set forth in claim 1, said target mounting inserts comprise, an open support enclosure, target attachment fittings within said support enclosure and retainment straps for securing said support enclosures within said punching bag.
Claim 5 depends from claim 2.
Regarding claim 6, none of the prior art either alone or in combination teach or suggest the sports training apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein said access insert panel assemblies and said target mounting inserts comprises, respectively a padded surface interengaging retainment element within said target mounting inserts, and engagement lugs extending from exterior surface for engagement with spiral channels in said target mounted inserts.
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments filed on 04/13/2026 have been considered but are moot because the new ground of rejection does not rely on any reference applied in the prior rejection of record for any teaching or matter specifically challenged in the argument.
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 ANDREW S LO whose telephone number is (571)270-1702. The examiner can normally be reached Mon. - Fri. (9:30 am - 5:30 pm EST).
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, LoAn Jimenez can be reached at (571) 272-4966. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/ANDREW S LO/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3784
