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 Objections
Claim 6 objected to because of the following informalities: claim 1 has already claimed an accessory. Appropriate correction is required.
Claim 10 objected to because of the following informalities: claim 10 should recite “…consisting of…” instead of “…comprises….” See MPEP 2173.05(h). 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.
Claim(s) 1, 2, 6, 7, 9, and 12 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Teague et al. (US 2021/0364248), hereinafter (“Teague”). Teague discloses a modular firearm frame comprising: a frame having a length which is straight at a top and wherein the straight length then extends downward to form a grip; wherein the frame comprises a recessed socket face (Fig 2, dovetail groove at 28) located at a position in the straight length of the frame at least partially above a trigger guard location and on at least one side of the frame below a barrel; a removable finger interface (Fig 1, 42) configured to fit within and attach to the recessed socket face wherein the removable finger interface is configured to further comprise an accessory (50); wherein the frame is a frame for a handgun.
Claim(s) 1, 10, and 11 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Kirchhoff (US 9,470,480). Kirchhoff (Fig 4A) discloses a modular firearm frame comprising: a frame having a length which is straight at a top and wherein the straight length then extends downward to form a grip; wherein the frame comprises a recessed socket face (18) located at a position in the straight length of the frame at least partially above a trigger guard location and on at least one side of the frame below a barrel; a removable finger interface (Fig 5) configured to fit within and attach to the recessed socket face wherein the removable finger interface is configured to further comprise an accessory (Title); wherein the frame is a frame for a handgun.
Claim(s) 1 and 3-5 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Arachequesne (US 2007/0211105). Arachequesne (Fig 3) discloses a modular firearm frame comprising: a frame having a length which is straight at a top and wherein the straight length then extends downward to form a grip; wherein the frame comprises a recessed socket face (Fig 4, 26) located at a position in the straight length of the frame at least partially above a trigger guard location and on at least one side of the frame below a barrel; a removable finger interface (29) configured to fit within and attach to the recessed socket face wherein the removable finger interface is configured to further comprise an accessory (30); wherein the frame is a frame for a handgun.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claim 8 objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but would be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims.
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments with respect to claim(s) 1-12 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
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 REGINALD S TILLMAN, JR whose telephone number is (571)270-7010. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 830-530.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Troy Chambers can be reached at 571-272-6874. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/REGINALD S TILLMAN, JR/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3641
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