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 .
Election/Restrictions
Applicant’s election without traverse of claims 1-8 in the reply filed on 06/22/2026 is acknowledged. Claims 9-14 are withdrawn from further consideration.
Specification
Applicant is reminded of the proper content of an abstract of the disclosure.
A patent abstract is a concise statement of the technical disclosure of the patent and should include that which is new in the art to which the invention pertains. The abstract should not refer to purported merits or speculative applications of the invention and should not compare the invention with the prior art.
If the patent is of a basic nature, the entire technical disclosure may be new in the art, and the abstract should be directed to the entire disclosure. If the patent is in the nature of an improvement in an old apparatus, process, product, or composition, the abstract should include the technical disclosure of the improvement. The abstract should also mention by way of example any preferred modifications or alternatives.
Where applicable, the abstract should include the following: (1) if a machine or apparatus, its organization and operation; (2) if an article, its method of making; (3) if a chemical compound, its identity and use; (4) if a mixture, its ingredients; (5) if a process, the steps.
Extensive mechanical and design details of an apparatus should not be included in the abstract. The abstract should be in narrative form and generally limited to a single paragraph within the range of 50 to 150 words in length.
See MPEP § 608.01(b) for guidelines for the preparation of patent abstracts.
Claim Objections
Claim 3 is objected to because of the following informalities:
Claim 3, line 2, “at least one of the vertical slot”, should read, “at least one of the vertical slots”.
Appropriate correction is required.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
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, 4, and 6-8 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Lytle et al. (US 8544642 B2).
Regarding Claim 1, Lytle et al. teaches a bag (10) for carrying a set of golf clubs (16) while playing golf and while traveling, the bag (10) comprising: at least one golf club (16) holding panel (Left side of 12) comprising a first face (1 in Annotated Figure 5 below) and an opposite second face (2 in Annotated Figure 4 below), the first face (1 in Annotated Figure 5 below) comprising sleeves (18) for insertion of shafts of golf clubs (16); an accessory holding panel (Right side of 12) comprising a third face (3 in Annotated Figure 5 below) and an opposite fourth face (4 in Annotated Figure 4 below), the third face (3 in Annotated Figure 5 below) configured for releasable connection of golf accessories (9 in Annotated Figure 5 below); wherein the at least one golf club holding panel (Left side of 12) and the accessory holding panel (Right side of 12) are connected (within 12) so as to provide a playing mode with the first face (1 in Annotated Figure 5 below) and third face (3 in Annotated Figure 5 below) facing outward (Figure 5), thus providing access to the golf clubs (16) and access to the golf accessories (9 in Annotated Figure 5 below), and so as to provide a travel mode with the first face (1 in Annotated Figure 5 below) and the third face (3 in Annotated Figure 5 below) facing inward (Figure 3), to thus protecting the golf clubs (16) and golf accessories while travelling (9 in Annotated Figure 5 below). (Figs. 1-13: Col. 3, Lines 11-51)
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Regarding Claim 4, Lytle et al. further teaches wherein the accessory holding panel (12) further comprises an array of openings (98) for removably mounting golf accessories (112). (Fig. 13; Co. 7, Lines 25-32)
Regarding Claim 6, Lytle et al. further teaches wherein the golf accessories (112) are selected from the group consisting of golf ball (112) holders (98 and 9 in Annotated Figure 5 above), rangefinder holders, beverage holders, tee holders, glove holders, 18 umbrellas, towel holders, golf club headcover holders, ball retriever holders, scorecard holders, sunglasses holders, sunscreen holders, first aid kit holders, and combinations thereof. (Wherein the cubbies 98 could hold a plurality of items). (Figs. 5, 13; Co. 7, Lines 25-32)
Regarding Claim 7, Lytle et al. further teaches a third panel (Left side of 14), having a fifth face (5 in Annotated Figure 5 above) and an opposite sixth face (6 in Annotated Figure 6 above), the fifth face (5 in Annotated Figure 5 above) comprising sleeves (18) for insertion of shafts of golf clubs (16). (Figs. 1, 5, 8, 9; Col. 3, Lines 16-25)
Regarding Claim 8, Lytle et al. further teaches a fourth panel (Right side of 14), having a seventh face (7 in Annotated Figure 5 above) and an opposite eighth face (8 in Annotated Figure 5 above), the seventh face (7 in Annotated Figure 5 above) comprising sleeves (18) for insertion of shafts of golf clubs (16). (Figs. 1, 5, 8, 9; Col. 3, Lines 16-25)
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made.
The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows:
1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness.
This application currently names joint inventors. In considering patentability of the claims the examiner presumes that the subject matter of the various claims was commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the claimed invention(s) absent any evidence to the contrary. Applicant is advised of the obligation under 37 CFR 1.56 to point out the inventor and effective filing dates of each claim that was not commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the later invention in order for the examiner to consider the applicability of 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) for any potential 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) prior art against the later invention.
Claims 2-3, and 5 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Lytle et al. (US 8544642 B2), in view of Filip (US 20170319920 A1).
Regarding Claim 2, Lytle et al. teaches all of the elements of the invention described in claim 1 above except; wherein the accessory holding panel comprises vertical slots for removably mounting golf accessories.
Wherein Lytle et al. teaches a vertical slot (9 in Annotated Figure 5 above) for removably holding golf accessories (112). (Figs. 5, 13; Co. 7, Lines 25-32)
Filip further teaches wherein an accessory holding panel (24) comprises vertical slots (26) for removably mounting golf accessories (42). (Fig. 2A; [0082])
It would have been prima facie obvious for a person having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to take suitcase as taught by Lytle et al., and provide for a plurality of vertical slots for mounting golf accessories as taught by Filip. Wherein through use of a known technique to a known device ready for improvement to yield predictable results; one would be motivated to provide for a plurality of vertical slots, in order for the user to mount a plurality of golf accessories.
Regarding Claim 3, Lytle et al. teaches all of the elements of the invention described in claim 1 above except; wherein the golf accessories each include a tab that is removable inserted into at least one of the vertical slots to position the golf accessories on the accessory holding panel.
Filip further teaches wherein the golf accessories (42) each include a tab (36) that is removable inserted into at least one of the vertical slots (26) to position the golf accessories (42) on the accessory holding panel (24). (Figs. 2A-3A; [0083])
It would have been prima facie obvious for a person having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to take suitcase as taught by Lytle et al., and provide for tabs for mounting golf accessories as taught by Filip. Wherein through use of a known technique to a known device ready for improvement to yield predictable results; one would be motivated to provide for tabs with golf accessories, in order for the user to mount a plurality of golf accessories.
Regarding Claim 5, Lytle et al. teaches all of the elements of the invention described in claim 1 above except; wherein the accessory holding panel further comprises an array of clips for attaching golf accessories.
Filip further teaches wherein the accessory holding panel (24) further comprises an array of clips (50) for attaching golf accessories (42). (Figs. 4A-4G; [0084])
It would have been prima facie obvious for a person having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to take suitcase as taught by Lytle et al., and provide for an array of clips for mounting golf accessories as taught by Filip. Wherein through use of a known technique to a known device ready for improvement to yield predictable results; one would be motivated to provide an array of clips for mounting golf accessories, in order for the user to mount a plurality of golf accessories.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to the applicant’s disclosure.
Sung (US 20130098787 A1), teaches golf club storage case.
Horning (US 7712752 B2), teaches a sports equipment storage device.
Tan (US 20080135431 A1), teaches a bi-parting golf bag.
Jung (US 6659447 B2), teaches a parting golf bag.
Miura (US 6352154 B1), teaches a parting golf club rack unit.
Bowdy (US 5168992 A), teaches a golf club case.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to JUSTIN R CAUDILL whose telephone number is (303)297-4349. The examiner can normally be reached on Monday-Friday 8:30-5:30 MT.
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, NATHAN JENNESS can be reached on (571) 270-5055. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
Information regarding the status of an application may be obtained from the Patent Application Information Retrieval (PAIR) system. Status information for published applications may be obtained from either Private PAIR or Public PAIR. Status information for unpublished applications is available through Private PAIR only. For more information about the PAIR system, see https://ppair-my.uspto.gov/pair/PrivatePair. Should you have questions on access to the Private PAIR system, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative or access to the automated information system, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000.
/JUSTIN CAUDILL/
Examiner, Art Unit 3733
/NATHAN J JENNESS/
Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 3733
8 September 2026
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