DETAILED ACTION
This is the first Office action on the merits based on the 19/151,987 application filed on 07/29/2025. The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA . The effective filing date of the present application is 09/27/2023. Claims 1-8, as originally filed, are currently pending and considered below.
Priority
Receipt is acknowledged of certified copies of papers submitted under 35 U.S.C. 119(a)-(d), which papers have been placed of record in the file.
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statements (IDS) submitted on 01/28/2026 and 04/03/2026 were in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statements are being considered by the examiner.
However, the listing of references (CN 217246498 U) in the specification, as originally filed, paragraph 0003, is not a proper information disclosure statement. 37 CFR 1.98(b) requires a list of all patents, publications, or other information submitted for consideration by the Office, and MPEP § 609.04(a) states, “the list may not be incorporated into the specification but must be submitted in a separate paper.” Therefore, unless the references have been cited by the examiner on form PTO-892, they have not been considered.
Drawings
The drawings are objected to under 37 CFR 1.83(a). The drawings must show every feature of the invention specified in the claims. Therefore, the following details must be shown or the features canceled from the claim(s), and no new matter should be entered:
“when the handle (1) is rotated, the position locking plate (26) overcomes the elastic force of the locking plate spring (27) and moves from the previous position notch (39) to the next position notch (39)” (claim 3, lines 17-19; emphasis added); and
“the locking portion (38) engages with the locking groove (34), so that the position locking plate (26) is immobilized, and the locking head (37) engages with the position notch (39) to lock the turnplate (6)” (claim 3, lines 22-24).
Corrected drawing sheets in compliance with 37 CFR 1.121(d) are required in reply to the Office action to avoid abandonment of the application. Any amended replacement drawing sheet should include all of the figures appearing on the immediate prior version of the sheet, even if only one figure is being amended. The figure or figure number of an amended drawing should not be labeled as “amended.” If a drawing figure is to be canceled, the appropriate figure must be removed from the replacement sheet, and where necessary, the remaining figures must be renumbered and appropriate changes made to the brief description of the several views of the drawings for consistency. Additional replacement sheets may be necessary to show the renumbering of the remaining figures. Each drawing sheet submitted after the filing date of an application must be labeled in the top margin as either “Replacement Sheet” or “New Sheet” pursuant to 37 CFR 1.121(d). If the changes are not accepted by the examiner, the applicant will be notified and informed of any required corrective action in the next Office action. The objection to the drawings will not be held in abeyance.
Claim Objections
Claims 1, 2, 6, and 7 are objected to because of the following informalities:
In claim 1, line 1, “An weight-adjustable kettlebell” should be --- A weight-adjustable kettlebell ---.
In claim 1, line 4, “and fixedly connected” should be --- and is fixedly connected ---.
In claim 1, line 5, “the weight plates” should be --- the plurality of weight plates ---.
In claim 1, lines 6-7, “the weight plates” should be --- the plurality of weight plates ---.
In claim 1, line 9, “the weight plates” should be --- the plurality of weight plates ---.
In claim 1, line 12, “the weight plates” should be --- the plurality of weight plates ---.
In claim 1, line 13, “the weight plates” should be --- the plurality of weight plates ---.
In claim 1, line 14, “when the handle” should be --- wherein when the handle ---.
In claim 1, lines 15-16, “the corresponding weight plates” should be --- the corresponding plurality of weight plates ---.
In claim 2, lines 1-2, “the weight plates” should be --- the plurality of weight plates ---.
In claim 2, line 4, “the top of the guide rod” should be --- a top of the guide rod ---.
In claim 2, line 5, “the uppermost weight plate” should be --- an uppermost weight plate of the plurality of weight plates ---.
In claim 2, lines 6-7, “the number of the anti-rotation locating grooves” should be --- a number of the anti-rotation locating grooves ---.
In claim 2, lines 7-8, “the number of weight adjustment positions” should be --- a number of the weight adjustment positions ---.
In claim 2, line 12, “the weight plates (3) for weight adjustment” should be --- the plurality of weight plates (3) for the weight adjustment ---.
In claim 2, line 13, “the weight locking block (25)” should be --- the weight plate locking block (25) ---.
In claim 2, line 15, “the weight plate (3)” should be --- the plurality of weight plates (3) ---.
In claim 6, line 2, “the weight plates” should be --- the plurality of weight plates ---.
In claim 7, line 4, “the weight” should be --- a selected weight ---.
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 1-8 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.
Claim 1 recites the limitation “the outer face of weight plates (3) are provided with arc-shaped engagement ridges (11) corresponding to the hanging members (21)” in lines 7-9. There is insufficient antecedent basis for the outer face of weight plates in this limitation in the claim. Applicant is suggested to amend the limitation to --- an outer face of each of the plurality of weight plates (3) is provided with arc-shaped engagement ridges (11) corresponding to the hanging members (21) ---. Refer to Figures 1, 7, and 9.
Claims 2-8 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, by virtue of their dependency on claim 1, which is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, see above.
Regarding claim 3, which depends directly from claims 1 or 2, the following limitations are recited in lines 1-24:
“wherein the turnplate (6) is fixedly provided with a bottom cover (30), and a turnplate position locking device (14) is arranged between the turnplate (6) and the bottom cover (30); the turnplate position locking device (14) comprises a position locking plate (26), a locking plate spring (27), a locking pin (28) and a locking pin spring (29), the central alignment base (5) is provided with position notches (39) matching the weight adjustment positions, and the position locking plate (26) is provided with locking grooves (34) and locking heads (37) engaging with the position notches (39) to achieve locking; the locking pin (28) is provided with a straight pin portion (35) movable relative to the locking groove (34) at the upper part, and an immobilized locking portion (38) matching the locking groove (34) at the lower part; the position locking plate (26) is horizontally arranged on the turnplate (6) through the locking plate spring (27), the locking pin (28) is arranged in the locking groove (34) and longitudinally arranged between the turnplate (6) and the bottom cover (30) through the locking pin spring (29), and the straight pin portion (35) of the locking pin (28) protrudes from the straight pin hole of the turnplate (6) to engage with the housing; when the housing is pressed against the straight pin portion (35), the locking pin (28) moves downward, the position locking plate (26) can move outward relative to the straight pin portion (35) and release the locking of the turnplate (6), then when the handle (1) is rotated, the position locking plate (26) overcomes the elastic force of the locking plate spring (27) and moves from the previous position notch (39) to the next position notch (39), and the housing and the turnplate (6) rotate synchronously to achieve weight adjustment; when the housing disengages from the straight pin portion (35), the locking pin (28) is propelled upward under the action of the elastic force of the locking pin spring (29), the locking portion (38) engages with the locking groove (34), so that the position locking plate (26) is immobilized, and the locking head (37) engages with the position notch (39) to lock the turnplate (6).”
The limitations render the claim indefinite because it is unclear:
whether or not applicant intends to claim that a single position locking plate (26) is provided with a plurality of locking grooves (34) and locking heads (37) (claim 3, lines 6-8);
whether or not “the central alignment base (5)” (claim 3, line 5) is the same as, different from, in addition to, and/or part of the center positioning seat (5) recited in claim 1, lines 12-13 (refer to the specification, as originally filed, paragraph 00026, and Figure 7);
to which structure(s) the upper and lower parts (claim 3, lines 9-10) refer(s); and
whether or not applicant intends to claim that “the locking head (37) engages with one of the position notches (39) to lock the turnplate (6)” (claim 3, lines 23-24) is interpreted to mean that the locking head engages with “the previous position notch (39)” (claim 3, line 19), “the next position notch (39)” (claim 3, line 19), and/or a different one of the position notches (39) (claim 3, lines 6-8) to lock the turnplate (6).
In addition, there is insufficient antecedent basis for the following limitations in the claim:
“the central alignment base (5)” (claim 3, line 5);
“the upper part” (claim 3, line 9);
“the lower part” (claim 3, line 10); and
“the straight pin hole of the turnplate (6)” (claim 3, line 14).
Applicant is suggested to amend the limitations in claim 3, lines 1-24, to:
--- wherein the turnplate (6) is fixedly provided with a bottom cover (30), and a turnplate position locking device (14) is arranged between the turnplate (6) and the bottom cover (30); the turnplate position locking device (14) comprises a position locking plate (26), a locking plate spring (27), a locking pin (28) and a locking pin spring (29), the center positioning seat (5) is provided with position notches (39) matching the weight adjustment positions, and the position locking plate (26) is provided with a locking groove (34) and a locking head (37) engaging with the position notches (39) to achieve locking; the locking pin (28) is provided with a straight pin portion (35) movable relative to the locking groove (34) at an upper part thereof, and an immobilized locking portion (38) matching the locking groove (34) at a lower part thereof; the position locking plate (26) is horizontally arranged on the turnplate (6) through the locking plate spring (27), the locking pin (28) is arranged in the locking groove (34) and longitudinally arranged between the turnplate (6) and the bottom cover (30) through the locking pin spring (29), and the straight pin portion (35) of the locking pin (28) protrudes from a straight pin hole of the turnplate (6) to engage with the housing; when the housing is pressed against the straight pin portion (35), the locking pin (28) moves downward, the position locking plate (26) can move outward relative to the straight pin portion (35) and release the locking of the turnplate (6), then when the handle (1) is rotated, the position locking plate (26) overcomes an elastic force of the locking plate spring (27) and moves from a previous position notch (39) to a next position notch (39), and the housing and the turnplate (6) rotate synchronously to achieve the weight adjustment; when the housing disengages from the straight pin portion (35), the locking pin (28) is propelled upward under an action of the elastic force of the locking pin spring (29), the immobilized locking portion (38) engages with the locking groove (34), so that the position locking plate (26) is immobilized, and the locking head (37) engages with one of the position notches (39) to lock the turnplate (6) ---. Refer to Figures 5 and 7.
Claims 4, 7, and 8 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, by virtue of their dependency on claim 3, which is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, see above.
Regarding claim 4, which depends from claims 1-3, the following limitations are recited in lines 1-9:
“wherein the weight support frame (20) is fixedly provided with a center locating member (18), the weight plate (3) is provided with a center locating groove (9) at the upper part and a weight plate locating block at the bottom, the center positioning seat (5) is provided with weight plate locating grooves (12), the center locating member (18) on the weight support frame (20) rotatably engages with the center locating groove (9) of the topmost weight plate (3), the weight plate locating block of the bottommost weight plate (3) engages with the weight plate locating groove (12) on the center positioning seat (5), and the weight plates (3) engage with the center locating groove (9) through the weight plate locating blocks to achieve locating.”
The limitations render the claim indefinite because it is unclear:
whether or not each weight plate (3) is provided with a center locating groove (9) and a weight plate locating block (claim 4, lines 2-3);
to which structure(s) the upper part and the bottom (claim 4, lines 2-3) refer(s);
whether or not “the upper part” (claim 4, line 3) is the same as, different from, and/or in addition to “the upper part” recited in claim 3, line 9); and
whether or not the center positioning seat (5) is provided with a plurality of “weight plate locating grooves (12)” (claim 4, lines 3-4) or a single “weight plate locating groove (12)” (claim 4, lines 7-8).
In addition, there is insufficient antecedent basis for the following limitations in the claim:
“the upper part” (claim 4, line 3);
“the bottom” (claim 4, line 3);
“the topmost weight plate (3)” (claim 4, line 6); and
“the bottommost weight plate (3)” (claim 4, lines 6-7).
Applicant is suggested to amend the limitations in claim 4, lines 1-9, to:
--- wherein the weight support frame (20) is fixedly provided with a center locating member (18), each of the plurality of weight plates (3) is provided with a center locating groove (9) at an upper part thereof and a weight plate locating block at a bottom thereof, the center positioning seat (5) is provided with a weight plate locating groove (12), the center locating member (18) on the weight support frame (20) rotatably engages with the center locating groove (9) of a topmost weight plate of the plurality of weight plates (3), the weight plate locating block of a bottommost weight plate of the plurality of weight plates (3) engages with the weight plate locating groove (12) on the center positioning seat (5), and the plurality of weight plates (3) respectively engage with the center locating grooves (9) through the weight plate locating blocks to achieve locating ---. Refer to Figures 1, 2, and 7-9.
Claims 7 and 8 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, by virtue of their dependency on claim 4, which is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, see above.
Claim 7 recites the limitation “the weight adjustment position angle” in line 2. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. Applicant is suggested to amend the limitation to --- a weight adjustment position angle ---.
Claim 8 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, by virtue of its dependency on claim 7, which is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, see above.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-8 would be allowable if rewritten or amended to overcome the rejections 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 (Liu (CN 107773908 A); Cai (CN 201710879 U)), alone or in combination, fails to teach or render obvious a weight-adjustable kettlebell, as a whole invention, in combination with all of the elements and structural and functional relationships as claimed and further including:
the structure of the weight support frame and the position of the hanging members, the position of the arc-shaped engagement ridges of the plurality of weight plates, and the structure for achieving the weight adjustment (claim 1).
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to GARY D URBIEL GOLDNER whose telephone number is (313)446-6554. The examiner can normally be reached between 9AM and 5PM, Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, LoAn B Jimenez can be reached on (571)272-4966. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is (571)273-8300.
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/GARY D URBIEL GOLDNER/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3784
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