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
Claim 1 is objected to because of the following informalities: Line 3, “connecting position” should be replaced with –a connecting position--. Appropriate correction is required.
Claim 1 is objected to because of the following informalities: Line 4, “the spicing member” should be replaced with –the splicing member--. Appropriate correction is required.
Claim 13 is objected to because of the following informalities: Lines 3 and 4, “middle post” should be replaced with –middle posts--. 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 1-14 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.
Regarding Claim 1, Line 4 and 9, it is unclear which side plate is being referred to since there is more than two side plates (Each side plate or just one side plate?).
Regarding Claim 1, Line 4, it is unclear which splicing member is being referred to since there is one or more splicing members (Each splicing member or just one splicing member?).
Regarding Claim 1, lines 10-11; it is unclear what is meant by “at least one two plates”.
Regarding Claim 4, Line 2; it is unclear what is meant by the multi-directional slot matches with two multi-directional pins.
Regarding Claim 7, line 2; it is unclear which splicing member is a straight through splicing member (each splicing member, one splicing member?).
Regarding Claim 8, line 2; it is unclear which splicing member is a corner splicing member (each splicing member, one splicing member?).
Claim 10 recites the limitation "the bottom of the connecting position" in line 3-4. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Applicant is duly reminded that a complete response must satisfy the requirements of 37 C.F. R. 1.111, including: “The reply must present arguments pointing out the specific distinctions believed to render the claims, including any newly presented claims, patentable over any applied references. A general allegation that the claims “define a patentable invention” without specifically pointing out how the language of the claims patentably distinguishes them from the references does not comply with the requirements of this section. Moreover, “The prompt development of a clear Issue requires that the replies of the applicant meet the objections to and rejections of the claims.” Applicant should also specifically point out the support for any amendments made to the disclosure. See MPEP 2163.06 II(A), MPEP 2163.06 and MPEP 714.02. The ''disclosure'' includes the claims, the specification and the drawings.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. U.S. Patent No. 5470139, U.S. Patent No. 4045104, U.S. Patent No. 10085553.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to ELIZABETH J VOLZ whose telephone number is (571)270-5430. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday 11am-7pm est.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, NATHAN JENNESS can be reached at (571)270-5055. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/ELIZABETH J VOLZ/Examiner, Art Unit 3733
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