Office Action 2: Final Rejection (2025-08-27)
Rejection types: 103 - Obviousness

CLAIMS:
In the Claims:

1\. (currently amended) A mount for attaching multiple accessories to a firearm defining a vertical medial plane, the mount comprising:
the body having a first mounting facility configured to removably connect the body to the firearm;
the body having a first receptacle configured to receive a first accessory;
the body having a second mounting facility configured to removably receive a second mount portion associated with a second accessory offset from the vertical medial plane;
the second mounting facility including a pocket defined by the body and defining an insertion axis, the pocket having an internal passage and a flared opening; and
the flared opening being offset with respect to the insertion axis by an acute angle .

2\. (original) The mount of claim 1 wherein the body has a third mounting facility configured to removably receive the second accessory.

3\. (original) The mount of claim 2 wherein the third mounting facility is configured to removably receive a sight.

4\. (original) The mount of claim 1 wherein the first receptacle is aligned with the vertical medial plane.

5\. (original) The mount of claim 1 including a hole associated with the pocket and configured to receive a threaded fastener, and a threaded hole configured to receive the threaded fastener on the protrusion.

6\. (original) The mount of claim 5 wherein the hole associated with the pocket is surrounded by the flared opening.

7\. (original) The mount of claim 1 wherein the pocket has a mouth, and wherein the flared surface is at the mouth.

8\. (original) The mount of claim 1 wherein the flared surface is a chamfer.

9\. (canceled)

10\. (original) The mount of claim 1 wherein the flared opening includes planar surfaces that are each offset 45 degrees from the insertion axis.

11\. (original) The mount of claim 1 configured to receive a second mount portion having a protrusion having a tapered surface configured to be received in the flared opening.

OFFICE ACTION:
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 Rejections - 35 USC § 103
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 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made.
Claim(s) 1-8 and 11 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Zimmer (US 9,441,915) in view of Roberson (US 11,067365; based on the filing date of Provisional Application No. 62/889,604). Zimmer discloses a mount for attaching multiple accessories to a firearm defining a vertical medial plane, the mount comprising:
a body (105);
the body having a first mounting facility (109) configured to removably connect the body to the firearm;
the body having a first receptacle (113) configured to receive a first accessory;
the body having a second mounting facility (150) configured to removably receive a second mount portion associated with a second accessory offset from the vertical medial plane; the second mounting facility including a pocket defined by the body and defining an insertion axis, the pocket having an internal passage (See Fig. 2A). Zimmer discloses the claimed invention but does not expressly disclose the second mounting facility including a flared opening; and
the flared opening being offset with respect to the insertion axis by an acute, however Roberson does. Roberson teaches a mount for mounting accessories to a firearm wherein the second mounting facility (140) includes a flared opening (holes for fasteners 160 and sides of surface 142); and
the flared opening being offset with respect to the insertion axis by an acute angle (Figs. 4-6) (Figs. 200-600 provisional application). The claim would have been obvious because the substitution of one known element for another would have yielded the predictable results of allowing the second mounting facility to securely and snuggly fit the desired accessory of an Aimpoint® Micro optical sight (Zimmer col. 3, lines 55-65; Roberson col. 3, lines 30-31) and there would have been a reasonable expectation of success.
2. The mount of claim 1 wherein the body has a third mounting facility configured to removably receive the second accessory. (Roberson 192)
3. The mount of claim 2 wherein the third mounting facility is configured to removably receive a sight. (Roberson 190)
4. The mount of claim 1 wherein the first receptacle is aligned with the vertical medial plane. (Fig. 5)
5. The mount of claim 1 including a hole associated with the pocket and configured to receive a threaded fastener, and a threaded hole configured to receive the threaded fastener on the protrusion. (Zimmer 155, Roberson @ 160)
6. The mount of claim 5 wherein the hole associated with the pocket is surrounded by the flared opening. (Roberson @ 160)
7. The mount of claim 1 wherein the pocket has a mouth, and wherein the flared surface is at the mouth. (Roberson Figs. 4-6) (Figs. 200-600 provisional application)
8. The mount of claim 1 wherein the flared surface is a chamfer. (Roberson Figs. 4-6) (Figs. 200-600 provisional application)
11. The mount of claim 1 configured to receive a second mount portion having a protrusion having a tapered surface configured to be received in the flared opening. (see, at least, Fig. 5 Roberson)
Claim(s) 10 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Zimmer in view of Roberson as applied to claim 1 above. Zimmer and Roberson disclose the claimed invention but do not expressly disclose wherein the flared opening includes planar surfaces that are each offset 45 degrees from the insertion axis. It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art to make the planar surfaces offset 45 degrees from the insertion axis, since it has been held that discovering an optimum value of a result effective variable involves only routine skill in the art. In re Boesch, 617 F.2d 272, 205 UPSQ 215 (CCPA 1980).
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action.

APPLICANT REBUTTAL: REMARKSIn the specification, paragraph [00018] has been amended to correct a duplicated drawing element.In amended Fig. 4, the previously omitted element numeral 114 has been added to replace the duplicated element numeral 58.Claims 1-8, 10, and 11 remain in the application. Claim 9 has been canceled.Claim 1 has been amended to provide clarity and avoid needless limitation with respect to the specified angle to address the claim rejections under 35 U.S.C. 112(a). Therefore, applicant respectfully requests the rejections be withdrawn.The application is now believed to be in condition for allowance. Reconsideration of the application is respectfully requested.The undersigned invites a telephonic interview at the initiation of the examiner at any time to facilitate prosecution of the case.Respectfully submitted, LANGLOTZ PATENT & TRADEMARK WORKS, LLC/bennet Langlotz/ Bennet K. Langlotz Attorney for Applicant Registration No. 35,928 Langlotz Patent & Trademark Works, LLC PO Box 660675 #37585 Dallas, TX 75266-0675 Telephone 888 852 4246 Facsimile 888 852 4246 Email: patent@langlotz.com -6-

NEXT OFFICE ACTION: 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 .
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-8, 10 and 11 are allowed.
The following is an examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance: the prior art of record fails to disclose or fairly suggest the claimed mount for attaching multiple accessories to a firearm defining a vertical medial plane, the mount comprising: a body; the body having a first mounting facility configured to removably connect the body to the firearm; the body having a first receptacle configured to receive a first accessory; the body having a second mounting facility configured to removably receive a second mount portion associated with a second accessory offset from the vertical medial plane; the second mounting facility including a pocket defined by the body and defining an insertion axis, the pocket having an internal passage and a flared opening; and the flared opening being offset with respect to the insertion axis by an acute angle, and the flared opening entirely encompassing the pocket.
Any comments considered necessary by applicant must be submitted no later than the payment of the issue fee and, to avoid processing delays, should preferably accompany the issue fee.  Such submissions should be clearly labeled “Comments on Statement of Reasons for Allowance.”

CITED REFERENCE SUMMARIES: Ref US9441915B2: [content unavailable]
Ref US11067365B2: Claims:
An offset optic mount that can be detachably mounted at its proximal end to an accessory rail of a firearm in a cantilevered fashion with its distal end extending laterally from the firearm, the offset optic mount comprising: a base and a clamp member on the proximal end, the base is adapted to be mounted to the accessory rail by the clamp member; an optic adapter plate on the distal end, the optic adapter plate is configured so that an optical sight can be attached thereto, the optic adapter plate is offset at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the base; and a stem adapted to connect the optic adapter plate to the base, the stem is a reversable piece used to set and change the offset angle of the optic adapter plate relative to the longitudinal axis of the base.
a base and a clamp member on the proximal end, the base is adapted to be mounted to the accessory rail by the clamp member;
an optic adapter plate on the distal end, the optic adapter plate is configured so that an optical sight can be attached thereto, the optic adapter plate is offset at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the base; and
a stem adapted to connect the optic adapter plate to the base, the stem is a reversable piece used to set and change the offset angle of the optic adapter plate relative to the longitudinal axis of the base.
The offset optic mount of claim 1 , wherein the stem can be fixed in two orientations between the base and the optic adapter plate, each orientation of the stem changes the offset angle of the optic adapter plate relative to the longitudinal axis of the base.
The offset optic mount of claim 1 , wherein the stem includes a top surface adapted to interface with a bottom of the optic adapter plate and a bottom surface adapted to interface with an offset portion of the base, the top surface lies at an angle between 2.5 and 10 degrees with respect to the bottom surface.
The offset optic mount of claim 3 , wherein the top surface of the stem includes a recess therein that is configured to receive a recoil lug extending from the bottom of the optic adapter plate.
An offset optic mount that can be detachably mounted at its proximal end to an accessory rail of a firearm in a cantilevered fashion with its distal end extending laterally from the firearm, the offset optic mount comprising: a base and a clamp member on the proximal end, the base is adapted to be mounted to the accessory rail by the clamp member; an optic adapter plate on the distal end, the optic adapter plate is configured so that an optical sight can be attached thereto, the optic adapter plate is offset at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the base; and a stem adapted to connect the optic adapter plate to the base, the stem is a reversable piece used to set the offset angle of the optic adapter plate relative to the longitudinal axis of the base; wherein the stem can be fixed in two orientations between the base and the optic adapter plate; when the stem is in a first orientation, the optic adapter plate is offset at a first angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the base; and when the stem is in a second orientation, the optic adapter plate is offset at a second angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the base.
a stem adapted to connect the optic adapter plate to the base, the stem is a reversable piece used to set the offset angle of the optic adapter plate relative to the longitudinal axis of the base;
wherein the stem can be fixed in two orientations between the base and the optic adapter plate; when the stem is in a first orientation, the optic adapter plate is offset at a first angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the base; and when the stem is in a second orientation, the optic adapter plate is offset at a second angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the base.
The offset optic mount of claim 5 wherein the first angle and the second angle are not the same.
The offset optic mount of claim 5 , wherein the stem includes a top surface adapted to interface with a bottom of the optic adapter plate and a bottom surface adapted to interface with an offset portion of the base, the top surface lies at an angle between 2.5 and 10 degrees with respect to the bottom surface.
The offset optic mount of claim 7 , wherein the top surface of the stem includes a recess therein that is configured to receive a recoil lug extending from the bottom of the optic adapter plate.
An offset optic mount that can be detachably mounted at its proximal end to an accessory rail of a firearm in a cantilevered fashion with its distal end extending laterally from the firearm, the offset optic mount comprising: a base and a clamp member on the proximal end, the base is adapted to be mounted to the accessory rail by the clamp member; an optic adapter plate on the distal end, the optic adapter plate is configured so that an optical sight can be attached thereto, the optic adapter plate is offset at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the base; and a stem adapted to connect the optic adapter plate to the base, the stem can be fixed in two orientations between the base and the optic adapter plate, positioning the stem in a first orientation offsets the optic adapter plate at a first angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the base, and positioning the stem in a second orientation offsets the optic adapter plate at a second angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the base.
a stem adapted to connect the optic adapter plate to the base, the stem can be fixed in two orientations between the base and the optic adapter plate, positioning the stem in a first orientation offsets the optic adapter plate at a first angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the base, and positioning the stem in a second orientation offsets the optic adapter plate at a second angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the base.
The offset optic mount of claim 9 wherein the first angle and the second angle are not the same.
The offset optic mount of claim 9 , wherein the stem includes a top surface adapted to interface with a bottom of the optic adapter plate and a bottom surface adapted to interface with an offset portion of the base, the top surface lies at an angle between 2.5 and 10 degrees with respect to the bottom surface.
The offset optic mount of claim 11 , wherein the top surface of the stem includes a recess therein that is configured to receive a recoil lug extending from the bottom of the optic adapter plate.
Ref US9441915: Claims:
1. A modular scope mount assembly comprising:
a longitudinally extending member having a top side and an underside, the top side having a first mounting location and a second mounting location thereon;
a first base comprising a bottom side and a top side, the bottom side is configured to secure to a firearm mounting interface, the top side includes a first cutout and a second cutout thereon separated by a protruding member positioned therebetween, the top side is configured to interface with and be removably secured to the underside of the longitudinally extending member;
the first base further comprises an offset mounting surface extending from a side thereof;
a second base comprising a bottom side and a top side, the bottom side is configured to secure to a firearm mounting interface, the top side includes a first cutout and a second cutout thereon separated by a protruding member positioned therebetween, the top side is configured to interface with and be removably secured to the underside of the longitudinally extending member;
a first scope ring and a second scope ring, wherein the first scope ring is configured to be removably secured to the first mounting location and the second scope ring is configured to be removably secured to the second mounting location on the top side of the longitudinally extending member; and
a first adaptor plate configured to secure to the offset mounting surface of the first base, the first adaptor plate comprises a mounting surface configured to receive a reflex sight thereon.
2. The modular scope mount assembly of claim 1, wherein the second base further comprises an offset mounting surface extending from a side thereof; the modular scope mount assembly further comprises a second adaptor plate configured to secure to the offset mounting surface of the second base, the second adaptor plate comprises a mounting surface configured to receive a reflex sight thereon.
3. The modular scope mount assembly of claim 1, wherein the first mounting location and the second mounting location each comprise a first side wall and a second side wall that define an opening therebetween, the opening between the first side wall and the second side wall of the first mounting location is configured to receive therein a portion of the first scope ring and the opening between the first side wall and the second side wall of the second mounting location is configured to receive therein a portion of the second scope ring.
4. The modular scope mount assembly of claim 3, wherein the second base further comprises an offset mounting surface extending from a side thereof; the modular scope mount assembly further comprises a second adaptor plate configured to secure to the offset mounting surface of the second base, the second adaptor plate comprises a mounting surface configured to receive a reflex sight thereon.
5. A method of assembling the modular scope mount assembly of claim 1, the method comprising:
orienting the offset mounting surface of the first base towards a first side of the modular scope mount assembly;
securing the first base to the bottom side of the longitudinally extending member; and
securing the first adaptor plate to the offset mounting surface of the first base.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the second base further comprises an offset mounting surface extending from a side thereof; the modular scope mount assembly further comprises a second adaptor plate configured to secure to the offset mounting surface of the second base, the second adaptor plate comprises a mounting surface configured to receive a reflex sight thereon, the method further comprising:
orienting the offset mounting surface of the second base towards a second side of the modular scope mount assembly;
securing the second base to the bottom side of the longitudinally extending member; and
securing the second adaptor plate to the offset mounting surface of the second base.
7. A modular scope mount assembly comprising:
a longitudinally extending member having a top side and an underside, the top side having a first scope ring and a second scope ring extending therefrom;
a first base comprising a bottom side and a top side, the bottom side is configured to secure to a firearm mounting interface, the top side includes a first cutout and a second cutout thereon separated by a protruding member positioned therebetween, the top side is configured to interface with and be removably secured to the underside of the longitudinally extending member;
the first base further comprises an offset mounting surface extending from a side thereof;
a second base comprising a bottom side and a top side, the bottom side is configured to secure to a firearm mounting interface, the top side includes a first cutout and a second cutout thereon separated by a protruding member positioned therebetween, the top side is configured to interface with and be removably secured to the underside of the longitudinally extending member; and
a first adaptor plate configured to secure to the offset mounting surface of the first base, the first adaptor plate comprises a mounting surface configured to receive a reflex sight thereon.
8. The modular scope mount assembly of claim 7, wherein the second base further comprises an offset mounting surface extending from a side thereof; the modular scope mount assembly further comprises a second adaptor plate configured to secure to the offset mounting surface of the second base, the second adaptor plate comprises a mounting surface configured to receive a reflex sight thereon.
9. A modular scope mount assembly comprising:
a longitudinally extending member having a top side and an underside, the top side having a first mounting location and a second mounting location thereon;
a first base comprising a bottom side and a top side, the bottom side is configured to secure to a firearm mounting interface, the top side includes a first cutout and a second cutout thereon separated by a protruding member positioned therebetween, the top side is configured to interface with and be removably secured to the underside of the longitudinally extending member;
a second base comprising a bottom side and a top side, the bottom side is configured to secure to a firearm mounting interface, the top side includes a first cutout and a second cutout thereon separated by a protruding member positioned therebetween, the top side is configured to interface with and be removably secured to the underside of the longitudinally extending member; and
a first scope ring and a second scope ring, wherein the first scope ring is configured to be removably secured to the first mounting location and the second scope ring is configured to be removably secured to the second mounting location on the top side of the longitudinally extending member;
wherein the first mounting location and the second mounting location each comprise a first side wall and a second side wall that define an opening therebetween, the opening between the first side wall and the second side wall of the first mounting location is configured to receive therein a portion of the first scope ring and the opening between the first side wall and the second side wall of the second mounting location is configured to receive therein a portion of the second scope ring.
10. The modular scope mount assembly of claim 9, wherein the first base further comprises an offset mounting surface extending from a side thereof; the modular scope mount assembly further comprises a first adaptor plate configured to secure to the offset mounting surface of the first base, the first adaptor plate comprises a mounting surface configured to receive a reflex sight thereon.
11. The modular scope mount assembly of claim 10, wherein the second base further comprises an offset mounting surface extending from a side thereof; the modular scope mount assembly further comprises a second adaptor plate configured to secure to the offset mounting surface of the second base, the second adaptor plate comprises a mounting surface configured to receive a reflex sight thereon.
12. A method of assembling the modular scope mount assembly of claim 10, the method comprising:
orienting the offset mounting surface of the first base towards a first side of the modular scope mount assembly;
securing the first base to the bottom side of the longitudinally extending member; and
securing the first adaptor plate to the offset mounting surface of the first base.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the second base further comprises an offset mounting surface extending from a side thereof; the modular scope mount assembly further comprises a second adaptor plate configured to secure to the offset mounting surface of the second base, the second adaptor plate comprises a mounting surface configured to receive a reflex sight thereon, the method further comprising:
orienting the offset mounting surface of the second base towards a second side of the modular scope mount assembly;
securing the second base to the bottom side of the longitudinally extending member; and
securing the second adaptor plate to the offset mounting surface of the second base.
Ref US11067365: Claims:
The invention claimed is: 1. An offset optic mount that can be detachably mounted at its proximal end to an accessory rail of a firearm in a cantilevered fashion with its distal end extending laterally from the firearm, the offset optic mount comprising: a base and a clamp member on the proximal end, the base is adapted to be mounted to the accessory rail by the clamp member; an optic adapter plate on the distal end, the optic adapter plate is configured so that an optical sight can be attached thereto, the optic adapter plate is offset at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the base; and a stem adapted to connect the optic adapter plate to the base, the stem is a reversable piece used to set and change the offset angle of the optic adapter plate relative to the longitudinal axis of the base. 2. The offset optic mount of claim 1, wherein the stem can be fixed in two orientations between the base and the optic adapter plate, each orientation of the stem changes the offset angle of the optic adapter plate relative to the longitudinal axis of the base. 3. The offset optic mount of claim 1, wherein the stem includes a top surface adapted to interface with a bottom of the optic adapter plate and a bottom surface adapted to interface with an offset portion of the base, the top surface lies at an angle between 2.5 and 10 degrees with respect to the bottom surface. 4. The offset optic mount of claim 3, wherein the top surface of the stem includes a recess therein that is configured to receive a recoil lug extending from the bottom of the optic adapter plate. 5. An offset optic mount that can be detachably mounted at its proximal end to an accessory rail of a firearm in a cantilevered fashion with its distal end extending laterally from the firearm, the offset optic mount comprising: a base and a clamp member on the proximal end, the base is adapted to be mounted to the accessory rail by the clamp member; an optic adapter plate on the distal end, the optic adapter plate is configured so that an optical sight can be attached thereto, the optic adapter plate is offset at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the base; and a stem adapted to connect the optic adapter plate to the base, the stem is a reversable piece used to set the offset angle of the optic adapter plate relative to the longitudinal axis of the base; wherein the stem can be fixed in two orientations between the base and the optic adapter plate; when the stem is in a first orientation, the optic adapter plate is offset at a first angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the base; and when the stem is in a second orientation, the optic adapter plate is offset at a second angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the base. 6. The offset optic mount of claim 5 wherein the first angle and the second angle are not the same. 7. The offset optic mount of claim 5, wherein the stem includes a top surface adapted to interface with a bottom of the optic adapter plate and a bottom surface adapted to interface with an offset portion of the base, the top surface lies at an angle between 2.5 and 10 degrees with respect to the bottom surface. 8. The offset optic mount of claim 7, wherein the top surface of the stem includes a recess therein that is configured to receive a recoil lug extending from the bottom of the optic adapter plate. 9. An offset optic mount that can be detachably mounted at its proximal end to an accessory rail of a firearm in a cantilevered fashion with its distal end extending laterally from the firearm, the offset optic mount comprising: a base and a clamp member on the proximal end, the base is adapted to be mounted to the accessory rail by the clamp member; an optic adapter plate on the distal end, the optic adapter plate is configured so that an optical sight can be attached thereto, the optic adapter plate is offset at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the base; and a stem adapted to connect the optic adapter plate to the base, the stem can be fixed in two orientations between the base and the optic adapter plate, positioning the stem in a first orientation offsets the optic adapter plate at a first angle relative to the longitu
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