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 Objections
Claims 2-1 are objected to because of the following informalities: Claims 2-14 recites “A tactical uniform lock,” and it appears it should recite “The tactical uniform.” Appropriate correction is required.
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 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.
Claims 1-11 recites the term “it” which renders the claims indefinite and unclear on the structure that the term is referencing because “it” can reference any number of recited structure.
Claim 1 recites the limitation "these parts" in line 7. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 1 recites the limitation "the central connection protrusion" in line 8. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 1 recites the limitation "the central connection gap" in line 9. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 1 recites the limitation "the central connection protrusion" in line 8. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 1 recites the limitation "the two parts" in line 10. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 1 recites the limitation "the parts" in line 14. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 1 recites the limitation "the lock mechanism" in line 15. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 3 recites the limitation "the entire wall" in line 2. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 6 recites the limitation "the rope connection element" in line 2. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 8 recites the limitation "the lock latch fixing part" in line 2. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 10 recites the limitation "the secondary lock latch" in line 2. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 10 recites the limitation "the secondary lock latch gap" in line 3. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 11 recites the limitation "the secondary lock latch gap" in line 3. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
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.
Claim(s) 1-4 and 6 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Fildan (U.S. 5,377,394).
As for Claim 1, as best understood, Fildan discloses an invention comprises; the central connection protrusion (43) formed on the primary part (13) and the central connection gap (gap between 40 and 41) formed on the secondary part (12), which are configured so that the rotational movement of the two parts (12, 13) relative to each other will be possible when the connection protrusion and central connection gap (gap between 40 and 41 are connected;
at least one lock bolt (34) formed on at least one of the parts that fix the lock mechanism by being connected as a result of the rotational movement of the two parts on each other's axis (see Figs. 1-2), and at least one bolt locking housing (housing of 41) formed on at least another one of the parts (12).
Re: Claim 2 (original) A tactical uniform lock according to Claim 1, characterized in that it comprises the central connection gap defining a hole (see Fig. 2) with a circular cross-sectional area and the central connection protrusion (43) in a cylindrical form (see Fig. 1).
Re: Claim 3 (original) A tactical uniform lock according to Claim 2, characterized in that it comprises the central connection gap extending along the entire wall of the primary part (see Fig. 2).
Re: Claim 4. (original) A tactical uniform lock according to Claim 1, characterized in that it comprises the lock bolt formed on the primary part (see Fig. 1) and the bolt locking housing formed on the secondary part (see Fig. 1).
Re: Claim 6. (original) A tactical uniform lock according to Claim 1, characterized in that it comprises the rope connection element (aperture in 12).
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure:
Zook et al. (U.S. 2023/0329399).
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to DAVID M UPCHURCH whose telephone number is (571)270-7957. The examiner can normally be reached 6AM-3PM EST M-F.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Jason San can be reached at (571)272-6531. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/DAVID M UPCHURCH/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3677
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