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.
Claim 1 is 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.
The claims are replete with indefinite language too numerous to mention specifically, and should be revised carefully. For example only, in claim 1, line 2, “two flaps” should be changed to --two side covers-- to provide proper antecedent basis for line 6. In claim 1, the phrases “the rifle stock” on line 3, “the sock seat” on line 5, “the centre”, “the case” on line 6, “the case” on line 7 lacks proper antecedent basis. In claim 1, the terms “A.”, “B.”, and “C.” should be replaced with --A), B), and C)-- respectively. In claim 1, line 9, the term “leg (5).” should be replaced with --leg (5); --. In claim 1, line 12, “release.” should be replaced with --release; and--. In claim 1, the phrase “the cover” (three places) on lines 14, 15 and 16 should be replaced with --the side cover--. In claim 1, line 16, “a shooting” should be replaced with --the shooting--.
The term “conventional” in claim 1 is a relative term which renders the claim indefinite. The term “conventional” is not defined by the claim, the specification does not provide a standard for ascertaining the requisite degree, and one of ordinary skill in the art would not be reasonably apprised of the scope of the invention. It is unclear what features are encompassed in a “conventional rigid rifle case”.
The claim(s) must be in one sentence form only. Note the format of the claims in the patent(s) cited.
The applicant is required to make corrections to the claim wherever appropriate in order to clarify same. If applicant continues to prosecute the application, revision of the specification and claim to present the application in proper form is required. While an application can be amended to make it clearly understandable, no subject matter can be added that was not disclosed in the application as originally filed.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claim 1 would be allowable if rewritten or amended 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.
This application is in condition for allowance except for the following formal as indicate above. Therefore, prosecution on the merits is closed.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to LUAN K BUI whose telephone number is (571)272-4552. The examiner can normally be reached Generally M-F, 7-4.
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/LUAN K BUI/
Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3736