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(d):
(d) REFERENCE IN DEPENDENT FORMS.—Subject to subsection (e), a claim in dependent form shall contain a reference to a claim previously set forth and then specify a further limitation of the subject matter claimed. A claim in dependent form shall be construed to incorporate by reference all the limitations of the claim to which it refers.
The following is a quotation of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, fourth paragraph:
Subject to the following paragraph [i.e., the fifth paragraph of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112], a claim in dependent form shall contain a reference to a claim previously set forth and then specify a further limitation of the subject matter claimed. A claim in dependent form shall be construed to incorporate by reference all the limitations of the claim to which it refers.
Claim 13 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(d) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, 4th paragraph, as being of improper dependent form for failing to further limit the subject matter of the claim upon which it depends, or for failing to include all the limitations of the claim upon which it depends. Claim 13 depends on claim 12, and claim 12 includes all limitations of claim 13. Therefore, claim 13 fails to further limit the subject matter of the claim upon which it depends. Applicant may cancel the claim(s), amend the claim(s) to place the claim(s) in proper dependent form, rewrite the claim(s) in independent form, or present a sufficient showing that the dependent claim(s) complies with the statutory requirements.
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.
Claim(s) 1, 3-8 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Hunsinger US 1,112,800
Re claim 1, Hunsinger discloses a wrench, comprising:
a wrench body [1, 1a, 8, 9, 10];
a wrench head [2, 2a], wherein the wrench head is pivotally attached to the wrench body [fig. 3]; and
a wrench shaft [3, 3a], wherein the wrench shaft is pivotally attached to the wrench body [fig. 3].
Re claim 3, wherein the wrench body defines a plurality of head apertures [two apertures in crank arm 9] and the wrench head 2a defines a first body aperture [at pin 5].
Re claim 4, wherein a head pivoting pin 5 is reversibly inserted through one of the plurality of head apertures and the first body aperture to create a pivoting connection between the wrench head 2a and the wrench body.
Re claim 5, wherein the wrench body defines at least one shaft pivot aperture and the wrench shaft 3a defines a second body aperture [at the end connection of lever 3a].
Re claim 6, wherein a shaft pivoting pin [pin connecting between 3a and 8] is inserted through the shaft pivot aperture and the second body aperture to create a pivoting connection between the wrench shaft 3a and the wrench body 8.
Re claim 7, wherein the wrench body defines a plurality of shaft locking apertures [connection for pin 6 at 1 and 1a] and the wrench shaft defines a third body aperture, wherein a shaft locking pin 6 is reversibly inserted through the shaft locking aperture and the third body aperture to lock the relative angle between the wrench shaft and the wrench body.
Re claim 8, wherein the wrench body comprises a head angle adjustment pin 8 within an adjustment aperture in the wrench body [connection between link 8 and crank arm 9] and the wrench head 2a comprises a head angle adjustment pin contact portion [it is noted that there is no mechanical connection in the claim between the head angle adjustment pin contact portion and the head angle adjustment pin and/or the adjustment aperture, therefore the head angle adjustment pin contact portion is construed as the contact portion between elements 1, 1a and the wrench head 2].
Claim(s) 1-6, 8-13 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Chen 2021/0347015 A1
Re claim 1, Chen discloses a wrench [figs. 2-3], comprising:
a wrench body [132, 182];
a wrench head 110, wherein the wrench head is pivotally attached to the wrench body [by transfer apparatus 182]; and
a wrench shaft [linkage member 142], wherein the wrench shaft is pivotally attached to the wrench body 132 [figs. 2-3].
Re claim 2, wherein the wrench head is profiled for a gas meter barrel nut [fig. 1].
Re claim 3, wherein the wrench body 182 defines a plurality of head apertures [apertures for pins 184, 192] and the wrench head 112 defines a first body aperture [at handle 116].
Re claim 4, wherein a head pivoting pin [184, 192] is reversibly inserted through one of the plurality of head apertures and the first body aperture to create a pivoting connection between the wrench head 112 and the wrench body.
Re claim 5, wherein the wrench body 132 defines at least one shaft pivot aperture and the wrench shaft 142 defines a second body aperture [at the connection between the tool assembly and the linkage member].
Re claim 6, wherein a shaft pivoting pin is inserted through the shaft pivot aperture and the second body aperture to create a pivoting connection between the wrench shaft 142 and the wrench body 132.
Re claim 8, wherein the wrench body 132 comprises a head angle adjustment pin 174 within an adjustment aperture in the wrench body.
Re claim 9, wherein the head angle adjustment pin 174 is a threaded rod and the adjustment aperture is internally threaded.
Re claim 10, wherein rotating the head angle adjustment pin 174 is rotated to adjust the angle between the wrench head and the wrench body.
Re claim 11, wherein the wrench head comprise a finger [construed as handle 116], wherein the finger comprises the head angle adjustment pin contact portion.
Re claim 12, wherein the head angle adjustment pin 174 is rotatably connected to the wrench body.
Re claim 13, wherein the head angle adjustment pin 174 is connected to the wrench body.
Contact Information
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Carlos A. Rivera whose telephone number is (571)270-5697. The examiner can normally be reached 9AM -4PM.
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C. A. R.
Primary Patent Examiner
Art Unit 3723
/C. A. RIVERA/Primary Patent Examiner, Art Unit 3723
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