Office Action 1: Non-Final Rejection (2024-09-18)
Rejection types: 112 - Written Description/Enablement

CLAIMS:
CLAIMS

claims 4-9 and a shackle (7), attached to the padlock body (2) and locked in

working position by using a lock cylinder (4).

1\. A method for protecting a padlock (1) from the environment where the padlock (1) comprises a padlock body (2) comprising a cavity (3), holding a lock cylinder (4), and an opening (5), where the opening (5) is provided in a first end (6a) of the padlock body (2) and connecting the cavity (3) with the environment, the lock cylinder (4) is inserted through the opening (5), and a shackle (7), attached to the padlock body (2) in a second end (6b) of the padlock body (2) opposite the first end (6a), to be locked in working position by using the lock cylinder (4), characterised in covering the first end (6a) of the padlock body (2) by using a covering device (8) comprising a sealing device (9) and a locking device (10), by placing the sealing device (9) against the first end (6a) of the padlock body (2) and placing the locking device (10) to cover the sealing device (9) and bringing the locking device (10) into locking cooperation with the padlock body (2) and where the covering is made by pivoting the sealing device (9) in correlation to and towards the padlock body (2) and pivoting the locking device (10) in correlation to and towards the sealing device (9) and towards the padlock body (2).
2\. A method according to claim 1 where, by pivoting the locking device (10) against the sealing device (9) and the padlock body (2), activating a locking function between cooperating first parts (11 a, 11 b) of the locking device (10) and the padlock body (2).
3\. A method according to claim 1 or 2 where, by pivoting the locking device (10) against the sealing device (9), activating a snap/grip function between cooperating second parts (12a, 12b) of the sealing device (9) and the locking device (10).
4\. A padlock body (2) comprising a cavity (3) and an opening (5) at a first end (6a) of the padlock body (2), through which opening a lock cylinder (4) is to be inserted when forming a working padlock (1), and through which the cavity (3) is in communication with the outside, characterised by a covering device (8), attached to the padlock body (2) and covering the first end (6a) of the padlock body (2)

comprising the opening (5), wherein the covering device (8) comprises a sealing device (9) and a locking device (10), the padlock body (2), the sealing device (9) and the locking device (10) comprising cooperating parts (11 a, 11 b) and (12a, 12b), where the sealing device (9), in working position, is placed and held by the cooperating parts (11 a, 11 b) against the first end (6a) of the padlock body (2) by the locking device (10) and where the sealing device (9) is pivotally attached to the padlock body (2) and the locking device (10) is pivotally attached to the sealing device (9).
5\. A padlock body (2) according to claim 4 wherein the cooperating parts (11 a, 11 b) of the locking device (10) and the padlock body (2) are hooked into each other when the locking device (10) is pivoted against the sealing device (9) for activating a locking function between the locking device (10) and the padlock body (2).
6\. A padlock body (2) according to claim 4 or 5 wherein the cooperating parts (12a, 12b) of the sealing device (9) and the locking device (10) snaps/grips into each other when the locking device (10) is pivoted against the sealing device (9), activating a snap/grip function between the sealing device (9) and the locking device (10).
7\. A padlock body (2) according to anyone of claims 4-6 where the sealing device (9) comprises a support part (13) onto which a resilient sealing material device (14) is attached.
8\. A padlock body (2) according to claim 7 where the resilient sealing material device (14) is facing and is pushed against the first end (6a) of the padlock body (2).
9\. A padlock body (2) according to claim 7 or 8 where the resilient sealing material device (14) comprises an elevated formation (15) extending around, along the sides of the resilient sealing material device (14), on an area (16) aimed at the first end (6a) of the padlock body (2).

10\. A padlock (1) comprising a padlock body (2) according to anyone of
11\. A cover device (8) to be attached to a padlock (1) according to A cover device (8) to be attached to a padlock (1) according to
for covering a first end (6a) of a padlock body (2) comprising an opening (5) into a cavity (3) inside the padlock body (2) designed for receiving a lock cylinder (4),characterised by a sealing device (9) and a locking device (10), where the sealing device (9) is placed and held against the first end (6a) of the padlock body (2), covering the opening (5), by the locking device (10).
12\. A cover device (8) according to claim 11 being directly or by use of superstructures connected to the padlock body (2).

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 § 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 23-24 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 23, lines 3-5, the recitations of “a sealing device and a locking device” are redundant since claim 16, from which claim 23 depends, already recites these elements. Accordingly, it is unclear if these are additional sealing and locking elements or the same, rendering the scope of the claims difficult to ascertain.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-22 are allowed.
The prior art of record, while teaching various singular known elements of the claimed padlock cover, fails to teach or suggest combining all of the elements to arrive at applicant’s instant invention, absent improper hindsight reasoning.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.

APPLICANT REBUTTAL: REMARKS
This Amendment is filed in response to the Office Action dated September 18, 2024. In the Office Action, all of Claims 13-24 were indicated as pending, with Claims 13-22 indicated as allowed in their originally presented form and Claims 23-24 rejected. In a singular place, reference was made to Claims 1-22 being allowed; Applicant presumes the intention was to refer to Claims 13-22 as allowed.
In this Amendment, dependent Claim 23 is amended to remove the perceived indefiniteness therein. Specifically, the amended claim no longer positively recites "a sealing device and a locking device," feature already appearing in Claim 16, from which Claim 23 depends. Clarifying amendments to the claim language for readability are also provided, all without any introduction of any new matter. Acceptance and entry of these claim amendments is thus respectfully requested. With these considered to fully address and overcome the perceived indefiniteness not only in Claim 23, but also Claim 24 which depends further thereon, Applicant respectfully requests mailing of a Notice of Allowance for all pending Claims 13-24. Should any issues remain, the Examiner is encouraged to contact Applicant's undersigned attorney at
chris.li
g
htneralston.com
or 404-881-7882 to resolve the same and facilitate an immediate and timely allowance.
It is not believed that extensions of time or fees for net addition of claims are required, beyond those that may otherwise be provided for in documents accompanying this paper. If, however, additional extensions of time are necessary to allow consideration of this paper, such extensions are hereby petitioned under 37 CFR §1.136(a), and any fee required therefore (including fees for net addition of claims) is hereby authorized to be charged to Deposit Account No. 16-0605.
Respectfully submitted,

NEXT OFFICE 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 .
Reasons for Allowance
The following is an examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance:
The prior art of record fails to teach or suggest the pivoting padlock keyway cover comprising a pivoting sealing device and pivoting locking device as claimed. While cited prior art discloses a single pivoting cover, none teach or suggest a second pivoting element comprising a locking device attached thereto and pivoting therefrom. Accordingly, claims 13-24 are allowable over the prior art of record.
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.”
Conclusion

CITED REFERENCE SUMMARIES: Ref USD942243S: [content unavailable]
Ref US10801233B2: Claims:
A locking device guard comprising: a guard head comprising: a fluid absorber; a frame shaped to receive the fluid absorber; and a fastening mechanism; a guard body coupled with an electronic lock, the guard body comprising: an aperture configured to: expose a face of the electronic lock, and receive the fluid absorber together with at least a portion of the frame of the guard head; and a fastening receiver configured to mate with the fastening mechanism; a hinge connecting the guard head and the guard body and configured to define an open position and a closed position of the locking device guard.
a guard head comprising: a fluid absorber; a frame shaped to receive the fluid absorber; and a fastening mechanism;
a fluid absorber;
a frame shaped to receive the fluid absorber; and
a fastening mechanism;
a guard body coupled with an electronic lock, the guard body comprising: an aperture configured to: expose a face of the electronic lock, and receive the fluid absorber together with at least a portion of the frame of the guard head; and a fastening receiver configured to mate with the fastening mechanism;
an aperture configured to: expose a face of the electronic lock, and receive the fluid absorber together with at least a portion of the frame of the guard head; and
expose a face of the electronic lock, and
receive the fluid absorber together with at least a portion of the frame of the guard head; and
a fastening receiver configured to mate with the fastening mechanism;
a hinge connecting the guard head and the guard body and configured to define an open position and a closed position of the locking device guard.
The locking device guard of claim 1 , wherein the fluid absorber is configured to absorb at least 3 times its weight in fluid.
The locking device guard of claim 1 , wherein the fluid absorber comprises a synthetic polymer.
The locking device guard of claim 1 , wherein the fluid absorber comprises polyvinyl alcohol.
The locking device guard of claim 1 , wherein the fluid absorber comprises an antimicrobial agent.
The locking device guard of claim 5 , wherein the antimicrobial agent comprises silver.
The locking device guard of claim 1 , wherein the locking device guard comprises a resilient material.
The locking device guard of claim 1 , wherein the locking device guard comprises silicone.
The locking device guard of claim 1 , wherein the guard body further comprises a rim surrounding at least a portion of the aperture.
The locking device guard of claim 1 , wherein the guard head further comprises a fastening body that defines an air outlet, the air outlet providing fluid communication between an exterior of the locking device guard in a closed position and a locking device.
The locking device guard of claim 1 , wherein the locking device guard has a length and a width, the length being greater than the width.
The locking device guard of claim 1 , wherein the fastening mechanism is disposed near a distal end of the guard head in relation to the hinge.
The locking device guard of claim 1 , wherein the aperture is configured to receive the fluid absorber so as to permit the fluid absorber to contact the face of the electronic lock and to thereby permit absorption of fluid off of the face of the electronic lock.
The locking device guard of claim 1 , wherein a shape of the fluid absorber comprises a disk.
A locking device guard head comprising: a fluid absorber configured to: be inserted into a cup of a face of a lock, and absorb fluid from the face of the lock; a frame shaped to substantially surround the fluid absorber and configured to be inserted into an aperture of a guard body and to be positioned adjacent the cup of the face of the lock; and a fastening mechanism; wherein the locking device guard head is configured to prevent a flow of fluid from an exterior of the guard head to the face of the lock.
a fluid absorber configured to: be inserted into a cup of a face of a lock, and absorb fluid from the face of the lock;
be inserted into a cup of a face of a lock, and
absorb fluid from the face of the lock;
a frame shaped to substantially surround the fluid absorber and configured to be inserted into an aperture of a guard body and to be positioned adjacent the cup of the face of the lock; and
wherein the locking device guard head is configured to prevent a flow of fluid from an exterior of the guard head to the face of the lock.
The locking device guard head of claim 15 , further comprising a hinge configured to connect to a guard body, the guard head configured to define an open position and a closed position.
The locking device guard head of claim 16 , wherein fluid absorber is configured to fit into an aperture of the guard body.
The locking device guard head of claim 15 , wherein the lock comprises an electronic lock.
A locking device guard for use on an access panel of an access box, the locking device guard comprising: a latch of the access panel; a guard door attached to the latch of the access panel, the guard door comprising a fluid absorber; a guard base attached to the access panel of the access box, the guard base comprising: an aperture configured to: expose a face of an electronic lock disposed within the access panel; and receive the fluid absorber together with at least a portion of a frame of the guard door so as to permit the fluid absorber to contact the face of the electronic lock and to thereby permit absorption of fluid off of the face of the electronic lock; and a flange disposed at least partially about the aperture; and a hinge connecting the guard base and the guard door and configured to define an open position and a closed position of the locking device guard.
a latch of the access panel;
a guard door attached to the latch of the access panel, the guard door comprising a fluid absorber;
a guard base attached to the access panel of the access box, the guard base comprising: an aperture configured to: expose a face of an electronic lock disposed within the access panel; and receive the fluid absorber together with at least a portion of a frame of the guard door so as to permit the fluid absorber to contact the face of the electronic lock and to thereby permit absorption of fluid off of the face of the electronic lock; and a flange disposed at least partially about the aperture; and
an aperture configured to: expose a face of an electronic lock disposed within the access panel; and receive the fluid absorber together with at least a portion of a frame of the guard door so as to permit the fluid absorber to contact the face of the electronic lock and to thereby permit absorption of fluid off of the face of the electronic lock; and
expose a face of an electronic lock disposed within the access panel; and
receive the fluid absorber together with at least a portion of a frame of the guard door so as to permit the fluid absorber to contact the face of the electronic lock and to thereby permit absorption of fluid off of the face of the electronic lock; and
a flange disposed at least partially about the aperture; and
a hinge connecting the guard base and the guard door and configured to define an open position and a closed position of the locking device guard.
The locking device guard of claim 19 , wherein the guard base further comprises a gasket configured to create a seal between the locking device guard and the face of the electronic lock.
Ref US10584517B2: Claims:
A locking device, comprising: a body having an inner chamber; a locking mechanism configured within the inner chamber of the body wherein a key slot of the locking mechanism is exposed at bottom surface of the body; a shackle comprising a heel portion moveably secured with the locking mechanism and a toe portion wherein the shackle is movable between an unlocked position and a locked position; and a cover being rotatably mounted on the bottom surface of the body, wherein the cover is rotatable between a first position and a second position wherein in the first position, the cover is adapted to close the exposed key slot to prevent access of the key slot and in the second position, the cover is adapted to expose the key slot; the cover and body being provisioned to secure the cover in the first position by means of a secondary locking device thereby preventing the rotation of the cover from the first position to the second position, wherein a plurality of flanges extend laterally outwardly from the body and each of the flanges has a hole.
a body having an inner chamber;
a locking mechanism configured within the inner chamber of the body wherein a key slot of the locking mechanism is exposed at bottom surface of the body;
a shackle comprising a heel portion moveably secured with the locking mechanism and a toe portion wherein the shackle is movable between an unlocked position and a locked position; and
a cover being rotatably mounted on the bottom surface of the body, wherein the cover is rotatable between a first position and a second position wherein in the first position, the cover is adapted to close the exposed key slot to prevent access of the key slot and in the second position, the cover is adapted to expose the key slot;
the cover and body being provisioned to secure the cover in the first position by means of a secondary locking device thereby preventing the rotation of the cover from the first position to the second position,
wherein a plurality of flanges extend laterally outwardly from the body and each of the flanges has a hole.
The locking device, as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the cover comprises a plurality of holes alignable with the holes of the flanges of the body in the first position of the cover.
The locking device as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the aligned holes are adapted to receive the secondary locking device to secure the cover in the first position.
The locking device as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the secondary locking device is a padlock.
A locking device, comprising: a body having an inner chamber; a locking mechanism configured within the inner chamber of the body wherein a key slot of the locking mechanism is exposed at bottom surface of the body; a shackle comprising a heel portion moveably secured with the locking mechanism and a toe portion wherein the shackle is movable between an unlocked position and a locked position; and a cover being rotatably mounted on the bottom surface of the body, wherein the cover is rotatable between a first position and a second position wherein in the first position, the cover is adapted to close the exposed key slot to prevent access of the key slot and in the second position, the cover is adapted to expose the key slot;
the cover and body being provisioned to secure the cover in the first position by means of a secondary locking device thereby preventing the rotation of the cover from the first position to the second position, wherein the cover comprises multiple portions with each of the portions being adapted to rotate relative to the other portion of the cover.
wherein the cover comprises multiple portions with each of the portions being adapted to rotate relative to the other portion of the cover.
Ref US9670699B2: Claims:
A padlock, comprising: a shackle; a lock body, the lock body comprising: drillings for both ends of the shackle; a cylinder drilling; a lock cylinder placed in the cylinder drilling; latch drillings between the drillings and the cylinder drilling; latch organs placed in the latch drillings; and a threaded cover with an external thread for positioning the lock cylinder into the body, the threaded cover being attached into the lock body by the external thread, the threaded cover comprising: a key channel; and a recess with inner wings around the key channel on an outer surface side of the threaded cover; gasket rings, which are disposed inside the lock body in the drillings in the vicinity of the shackle; and a cap, the cap comprising: a twisting part; a cylinder projection with outer wings, the outer wing being arranged to be inserted in the inner wing of the threaded cover; and second gasket rings on the cylinder projection side part of the twisting part, wherein an entirety of the gasket rings are disposed inside the lock body in the drillings.
a lock body, the lock body comprising: drillings for both ends of the shackle; a cylinder drilling; a lock cylinder placed in the cylinder drilling; latch drillings between the drillings and the cylinder drilling; latch organs placed in the latch drillings; and a threaded cover with an external thread for positioning the lock cylinder into the body, the threaded cover being attached into the lock body by the external thread, the threaded cover comprising: a key channel; and a recess with inner wings around the key channel on an outer surface side of the threaded cover;
drillings for both ends of the shackle;
a cylinder drilling;
a lock cylinder placed in the cylinder drilling;
latch drillings between the drillings and the cylinder drilling;
latch organs placed in the latch drillings; and
a threaded cover with an external thread for positioning the lock cylinder into the body, the threaded cover being attached into the lock body by the external thread, the threaded cover comprising: a key channel; and a recess with inner wings around the key channel on an outer surface side of the threaded cover;
a key channel; and
a recess with inner wings around the key channel on an outer surface side of the threaded cover;
gasket rings, which are disposed inside the lock body in the drillings in the vicinity of the shackle; and
a cap, the cap comprising: a twisting part; a cylinder projection with outer wings, the outer wing being arranged to be inserted in the inner wing of the threaded cover; and second gasket rings on the cylinder projection side part of the twisting part,
a twisting part;
a cylinder projection with outer wings, the outer wing being arranged to be inserted in the inner wing of the threaded cover; and
second gasket rings on the cylinder projection side part of the twisting part,
wherein an entirety of the gasket rings are disposed inside the lock body in the drillings.
The padlock according to claim 1 , wherein the cap comprises an outer part, an inner part and a spring, which are arranged to be attached to each other, and wherein the inner part has projections placed against recesses of the outer part.
wherein the inner part has projections placed against recesses of the outer part.
A padlock, comprising: a shackle; a lock body, the lock body comprising: drillings for both ends of the shackle; a cylinder drilling; a lock cylinder placed in the cylinder drilling; latch drillings between the drillings and the cylinder drilling; latch organs placed in the latch drillings; and a threaded cover with an external thread for positioning the lock cylinder into the body, the threaded cover being attached into the lock body by the external thread, the threaded cover comprising: a key channel; and a recess with inner wings around the key channel on an outer surface side of the threaded cover; gasket rings, which are disposed inside the lock body in the drillings in the vicinity of the shackle; and a cap, the cap comprising: a twisting part; a cylinder projection with outer wings, the outer wing being arranged to be inserted in the inner wing of the threaded cover; and second gasket rings on the cylinder projection side part of the twisting part, wherein the threaded cover further comprises a cavity for receiving an attachment screw to lock the threaded cap into the lock body.
a cap, the cap comprising: a twisting part; a cylinder projection with outer wings, the outer wing being arranged to be inserted in the inner wing of the threaded cover; and
wherein the threaded cover further comprises a cavity for receiving an attachment screw to lock the threaded cap into the lock body.
Ref USD724931S: [content unavailable]
Ref USD702103S: [content unavailable]
Ref US7581423B2: Claims:
A protective cover for a keyway disposed on an end surface of a lock, the protective cover comprising: a housing, adapted to be assembled over the end surface, the housing including an opening that surrounds the keyway when the housing is assembled over the end surface; at least one door, disposed in the housing opening, the at least one door having an edge adapted to align with the keyway in a key insertion position, wherein the at least one door is adapted to move away from the keyway when a key is pressed against the at least one door, such that a key opening in the housing opening is provided for insertion of the key into the keyway; at least one door biasing member that engages the at least one door and biases the edge of the at least one door toward the keyway; a pivot member disposed in the housing opening, the at least one door being mounted on the pivot member, wherein the pivot member and the at least one door are adapted to pivot within the housing opening when the key is inserted into the keyway and turned in the lock; and at least one pivot biasing member that engages the pivot member to hold the edge of the at least one door in rotational alignment with the keyway when the keyway is in the key insertion position; wherein the pivot member comprises at least one detent that aligns with and receives at least a portion of the at least one pivot biasing member when the edge of the at least one door is aligned with the keyway in the key insertion position.
a housing, adapted to be assembled over the end surface, the housing including an opening that surrounds the keyway when the housing is assembled over the end surface;
at least one door, disposed in the housing opening, the at least one door having an edge adapted to align with the keyway in a key insertion position, wherein the at least one door is adapted to move away from the keyway when a key is pressed against the at least one door, such that a key opening in the housing opening is provided for insertion of the key into the keyway;
at least one door biasing member that engages the at least one door and biases the edge of the at least one door toward the keyway;
a pivot member disposed in the housing opening, the at least one door being mounted on the pivot member, wherein the pivot member and the at least one door are adapted to pivot within the housing opening when the key is inserted into the keyway and turned in the lock; and
at least one pivot biasing member that engages the pivot member to hold the edge of the at least one door in rotational alignment with the keyway when the keyway is in the key insertion position;
wherein the pivot member comprises at least one detent that aligns with and receives at least a portion of the at least one pivot biasing member when the edge of the at least one door is aligned with the keyway in the key insertion position.
The protective cover of claim 1 , wherein the edge of the at least one door is chamfered.
The protective cover of claim 1 , wherein the protective cover is adapted to limit movement of the at least one door to a direction substantially parallel to the lock end surface.
The protective cover of claim 1 , comprising two doors and two door biasing members, wherein the door biasing members bias the doors towards each other to cover the keyway.
The protective cover of claim 1 , comprising two pivot biasing members and two corresponding detents.
The protective cover of claim 1 , wherein the at least one door biasing member comprises a compression spring.
The protective cover of claim 1 , wherein the at least one door biasing member comprises a flat wire spring.
The protective cover of claim 1 , wherein the at least one pivot biasing member comprises a compression spring.
The protective cover of claim 1 , wherein the at least one pivot biasing member comprises a flat wire spring.
The protective cover of claim 1 , wherein the pivot member is assemble
[Truncated to input limit]