September 15, 2026
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(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 1-10 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, Applicant claims “wherein the waterproof member includes a first impregnated portion with which a back surface material of the first skin material is impregnated, and a second impregnated portion with which a back surface material of the second skin material is impregnated, the waterproof member is attached to the first skin material by the first impregnated portion, and is attached to the second skin material by the second impregnated portion, and the first impregnated portion and the second impregnated portion are disposed at positions where the skin connecting portion is sandwiched between the first impregnated portion and the second impregnated portion.” However, the term “impregnated portion” is unclear and confusing. The claim does not include what the “impregnated portion” is “impregnated” with. The term “impregnated” is defined as “to cause to be filled, imbued, permeated, or saturated” and “to permeate thoroughly”. Applicant does include what the “impregnated portion” is “impregnated” with Applicant refers to “impregnated portions” in claims 2-6 as well.
The aforementioned problems render the claims vague and indefinite. Clarification and/or correction is required.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-10 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.
The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter: The prior art of record fails to teach a waterproof member that includes a first impregnated portion with which a back surface material of the first skin material is impregnated, and a second impregnated portion with which a back surface material of the second skin material is impregnated, the waterproof member is attached to the first skin material by the first impregnated portion, and is attached to the second skin material by the second impregnated portion, and the first impregnated portion and the second impregnated portion are disposed at positions where the skin connecting portion is sandwiched between the first impregnated portion and the second impregnated portion.
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Rodney B. White whose telephone number is (571)272-6863. The examiner can normally be reached 8:30 AM-5:00 PM.
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, David R. Dunn can be reached at (571) 272-6670. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/Rodney B White/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3636
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