Office Action 2: Notice of Allowance (2024-12-23)

CLAIMS:
AMENDMENTS TO THE CLAIMS

1-12. (Cancelled)211

13\. (Previously Presented) A method for protecting a padlock from the environment where the padlock comprises a padlock body comprising a cavity, holding a lock cylinder, and an opening, where the opening is provided in a first end of the padlock body and connecting the cavity with the environment, the lock cylinder is inserted through the opening, and a shackle, attached to the padlock body in a second end of the padlock body opposite the first end, to be locked in working position by using the lock cylinder, wherein the first end of the padlock body is covered by using a covering device comprising a sealing device and a locking device, by placing the sealing device against the first end of the padlock body and placing the locking device to cover the sealing device and bringing the locking device into locking cooperation with the padlock body and where the covering is made by pivoting the sealing device in correlation to and towards the padlock body and pivoting the locking device in correlation to and towards the sealing device and towards the padlock body.
14\. (Previously Presented) The method according to claim 13 where, by pivoting the locking device against the sealing device and the padlock body, activating a locking function between cooperating first parts of the locking device and the padlock body.
15\. (Previously Presented) The method according to claim 13 where, by pivoting the locking device against the sealing device, activating a snap/grip function between cooperating second parts of the sealing device and the locking device.
16\. (Previously Presented) A padlock body comprising a cavity and an opening at a first end of the padlock body, through which opening a lock cylinder is to be inserted when forming a working padlock, and through which the cavity is in communication with the outside, and comprising a covering device, attached to the padlock body and covering the first end of the padlock body comprising the opening, wherein the covering device comprises a sealing device

SVG {EMBED HERE} 0.0870.033

and a locking device, the padlock body, the sealing device and the locking device comprising cooperating parts, where the sealing device, in working position, is placed and held by the cooperating parts against the first end of the padlock body by the locking device and where the sealing device is pivotally attached to the padlock body and the locking device is pivotally attached to the sealing device.
17\. (Previously Presented) The padlock body according to claim 16, wherein the cooperating parts of the locking device and the padlock body are hooked into each other when the locking device is pivoted against the sealing device for activating a locking function between the locking device and the padlock body.
18\. (Previously Presented) The padlock body according to claim 16, wherein the cooperating parts of the sealing device and the locking device snaps/grips into each other when the locking device is pivoted against the sealing device, activating a snap/grip function between the sealing device and the locking device.
19\. (Previously Presented) The padlock body according to claim 16, wherein the sealing device comprises a support part onto which a resilient sealing material device is attached.
20\. (Previously Presented) The padlock body according to claim 19, wherein the resilient sealing material device is facing and is pushed against the first end of the padlock body.
21\. (Previously Presented) The padlock body according to claim 19, wherein the resilient sealing material device comprises an elevated formation extending around, along the sides of the resilient sealing material device, on an area aimed at the first end of the padlock body.
22\. (Previously Presented) A padlock comprising the padlock body according to claim 16 and a shackle, attached to the padlock body and locked in working position by using a lock cylinder.

SVG {EMBED HERE} 0.0870.033

23\. (Currently Amended) A cover device attachable to the padlock according to claim 22, wherein the cover device covers a first end of the \[\[a\]\] padlock body comprising the\[\[an\]\] opening into the\[\[a\]\] cavity inside the padlock body that is designed for receiving a lock cylinde .
24\. (Previously Presented) The cover device according to claim 23, wherein the cover device is directly, or by use of superstructures, connected to the padlock body.
SVG {EMBED HERE} 0.0870.033

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

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,