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 . This action is in response to Application #19/159,678 filed on 26 August 2025.
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 1-9 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 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being incomplete for omitting essential elements, such omission amounting to a gap between the elements. See MPEP § 2172.01. The omitted elements are: a structure to facilitate an “independently sprung tensioning mechanism”. It appears some structure would be required in order for the tensioning mechanism to properly function as claimed. The claim requires “…indexing pin slidingly arranged through the aperture in the tensioning block and independently spring from the tensioning block…when depressed by the lever, both the tensioning block and the indexing pin are disengaged from…”; and since a function is claimed in which there is movement of some parts relative to others, there is a need for a structure to enable this limitation in the claim (such as a spring).
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 10-20 are allowed.
The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter: The prior art fails to disclose or fairly teach an adjustable stock comprising, among other limitations, a tensioning mechanism comprising a tensioning body, indexing pin and a first spring within the pin, a first and second retaining pin and second spring as claimed.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Please see attached PTO-892 for pertinent art.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to JOHN D COOPER whose telephone number is (571)270-3998. The examiner can normally be reached M-F: 7:30 - 4:30 MST.
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/JOHN COOPER/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3641