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 .
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on February 20, 2025 is in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statement is being considered by the examiner.
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 1-11 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, line 6, “the same degree of freedom” appears to lack proper antecedent basis.
In claim 1, line 10, “the last distal hinge joint” appears to lack proper antecedent basis.
In claim 1, line 11, “the first hinge joint” appears to lack proper antecedent basis.
In claim 1, line 13, applicant claims “the link”. There is a prior mention of a plurality of “links” (line 5) and it is unclear as to which specific “link” is being referred. The lack of clarity renders the claimed subject matter indefinite.
Note: To refer to the “number of links” (line 5) as –a first link--, -a second link--, etc. and then to subsequently refer back to –said first link--, etc. as appropriate, would overcome the lack of clarity.
In claim 3, line 2, “the two hinge joints” appears to lack proper antecedent basis.
In claim 5, line 3, applicant employs the phrase “it being possible to attach”. As employed, the phrase is inherently unclear in that it is not known if the limitations following the phrase are being positively claimed as “attached”. The lack of clarity renders the claimed subject matter indefinite.
Claims 2, 4 and 6-11 are rejected based on their claim dependencies.
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.
Claims 2-11 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 and to include all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Fesi et al. (USP 11,255,072) discloses an excavating device employing an articulated tube support.
Wahlgren et al. (USPGPub 2023/0374751) discloses a dredging system having several hinged joints attaching allied links.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to ROBERT ERIC PEZZUTO whose telephone number is (703)756-1320. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday 7am-3:30pm.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Joseph M. Rocca can be reached at 571-272-8971. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/ROBERT E PEZZUTO/Examiner, Art Unit 3671
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