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 .
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 1-6 and 9-15 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.
In claim 1, lines 7-8, “at least one slider (320) provided on one of the torsion bars” is confusing and is ambiguous. It is not clear whether the “at least one slider” (including an embodiment having exactly one, two or more sliders) is provided on only one of the two torsion bars (i.e., one or two or more sliders attached to one SINGLE torsion bar) or the “at least one slider” is provided on any one or both of the torsion bars (i.e., one or two or more sliders attached to one or each of the torsion bars, respectively).
In claim 1, lines 12-13, “each of the torsion bar (310) comprises an operating part (312) and a leg part (214) which extends in an upward or downward direction from the operating part” is confusing. The claim language suggests three embodiments: (1) each torsion bar having an upward extending leg part, (2) each torsion bar having a downward extending leg part, and (3) one torsion bar having an upward extending leg part and the other torsion bar having a downward extending leg part. The latter has its leg parts extending in opposite directions. Consequently, it is not clear exactly how the torsion bars are connected and fixed by “at least one case (330)” structurally, without the presence of a second case and a second leg part.
In claim 1, lines 15-16, “the direction of the operation axis” lacks antecedent basis.
In claim 2, lines 3-5, it is not clear exactly how “an operating part” and “a leg part” are related/linked to the same elements stated in claim 1, lines 12-18. The claim cannot be fully understood.
In claim 3, lines 1-2, it is not clear whether the slider is provided in one torsion bar or is provided on each of the torsion bars, i.e., it is not clear which of the torsion bars (referring to as “an operating part”) receives the slider.
In claim 10, line 1, “the bend part” lacks proper antecedent basis.
In claim 11, it is not clear how the case is related/linked to “the leg part (314) and the bend part (316) of the torsion bar (310)”, since there are multiple leg parts and bend parts. Perhaps, “the torsion bar” (lines 2-3 of claim 11, as well as line 2 of both claims 9 and 10) should have been “each torsion bar”.
Note that other claims, depending from the rejected claims, are also considered vague and indefinite.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-6 and 9-15 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.
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed 05/13/2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive. (1) the amendment overcomes the rejection under 35 USC 102(a)(1). (2) the amendment does not overcome the rejection under 35 USC 112(b). See explanation of the rejection in paragraph 3 above.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. No new reference is attached to this Office Action.
THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. 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 CHUCK MAH whose telephone number is (571)272-7059. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 7:00-3:00.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Jason San can be reached at 571-272-6531. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/CHUCK Y MAH/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3677
CM June 16, 2026
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