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 .
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 1-18 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, line 1, “for arm or tool” is alternative and indefinite. First, it is not clear when it would be used for the alternative uses. Second, the term “arm” is unclear because it is not clear how the claimed invention would be useful on a user’s arm but it is not clearly claimed here as being used for a firearm. Also, it is not clear how it could be used on another type of arm, such a pole arm.
In claim 1, line 2, “being connected to a firearm body” is unclear in view of the preamble, since the invention can be drawn to a tool instead of a firearm.
In claim 1, line 4, “an arm of the intake tube configured to serve as a housing for the intake tube” is vague and unclear. It is not possible for an element to serve as a housing for itself (and in this case the arm is clearly a part of the intake tube itself).
In claim 1, 10, “in contact with both the intake tube arm;” is vague and indefinite since it claims contact with two elements (i.e. both) but only specifies one element.
In claim 11, “the second braking spring … is arranged in a higher position relative to the second braking spring” is unclear because it claims a contradiction, i.e. an element cannot be higher than itself.
In claim 13, “slide on an outside or on an inside of said butt plate” is alternative and indefinite. It is not clear when or how the choice is made where the body will slide.
In claim 17, “a butt locking mechanism is configured to block recoil absorption” is vague and indefinite. It is not clear how the claimed element will fulfill the claimed function.
It is also not clear what exactly is being locked.
Claim 18 is unclear and indefinite since it allow the butt to comprise a part of a tool, but the base claim 1 specifically calls for allowing connection to only a firearm.
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Moretti, Boccamazzo et al, and Rigler are cited as being of interest since they disclose stock buffers.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to J. WOODROW ELDRED whose telephone number is (571)272-6901. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 9:00-5:30.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Troy Chambers can be reached at 571-272-6874. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/J. Woodrow Eldred/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3641
JWE