DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
1. The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Previous Action Withdrawn
2. The previous office action mailed 6/20/23 has been withdrawn. Please respond to the instant action.
Claim Interpretation
3. Applicant recites “several vertical support beams” in claims 2 and 12. The term “several” is interpreted as including a plurality of vertical support beams.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
4. 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.
5. Claims 1, 6-11, and 13-20 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.
A) Applicant recites “a cradle” in claims 1, 7, 12, 15 and 19. It appears as if applicant is applicant is renaming the same part. Specifically, it appears as if applicant is intending to further describe the “second surface” (recited in at least claim 1) as comprising a “cradle”. For the purpose of examination, it is interpreted as if applicant is intending to further describe the second surface including a cradle.
B) Applicant recites the term “presenting” and “presents” throughout claims 1, 6, 12, 13, 17, 18, and 20. The structure applicant is intending to define by the term “presenting” and “presents” is unclear.
C) Applicant recites “said shaft” in claim 11. The shaft applicant is intending to refer to is unclear. It is unclear whether applicant is intending to refer to the “first shaft” recited in claim 1 line 16, the “second shaft” recited in claim 1 line 19, both the “first shaft” and the “second shaft”, or another “shaft”.
D) Claims 6-11 and 14-20 are rejected as a result of being dependent on a rejected claim.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
6. 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.
7. Claim(s) 1, 6-7, 13-18 and 20 is/are rejected, as best understood in view of the above 112 rejection, under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Heller (US 8,727,661) in view of “How does a Harmonic Drive work? Why are they used?” by Bill Toulas (https://www.engineeringclicks.com/harmonic-drive/)
8. Regarding to Claim 1, Heller discloses a multi-speed boat hoist transmission device (boat lift 100, as can be seen from Figure 1 in Heller) for lifting and lowering a boat [as described in column 1 lines 55-62 in Heller], said multi-speed boat hoist transmission comprising, said multi-speed boat hoist transmission device (100) comprising: a first surface (piling 140, as can be seen from Figure 1 in Heller) for holding a boat [as can be seen from Figure 1 in Heller]; a second surface (boat lift cradle 130, as can be seen from Figure 1 in Heller) connected to said first surface (140) with said first surface (140) movable relative said second surface (130) [Figure 1 in Heller]; at least one gearbox assembly (a first and second open gearbox flat plate drive 150, and a first and second gearbox 160, as described in column 3 lines 38-41 and can be seen from Figures 1-3 in Heller) connected to said second surface (130) [as can be seen from Figures 1-3 in Heller], said at least one gearbox assembly (a first and second 150, a first and second 160) allows use of two inputs and ratios (an first and second speed ratio inputted by an operator during rising and lowering of a boat as described in column 1 lines 55-62), thereby enabling both high speed and low speed operation of said multi-speed boat hoist transmission device (100) to enable to operate at two speeds a high speed when said first surface is empty or when lowering the boat, and low speed when lifting the boat positioned on the first surface [as described in column 1 lines 55-62 and can be seen from Figures 1-7 in Heller];
wherein said first surface (140 in Heller) is further defined by several vertical support beams (a first and second set of plurality of 140 on a first lifting device 110 in Heller) with a first set of said vertical support beams being interconnected by a first upper support beam (a first horizonal beam at an upper portion of a first lifting device 110, as can be seen from Figure 1 in Heller).
wherein said first upper support beam (a first horizonal beam at an upper portion of first lifting device 110) is used to support a first shaft (a first pipe drive shaft 151, as can be seen from Figure 1 and described in column 6 lines 62- column 7 line 4 in Heller) used to wind a pair of cables (a first pair of cables 118, as can be seen from Figure 1 in Heller) for lifting and lowering a cradle (cradle 130) to support the boat positioned thereon [as can be seen from Figure 1 in Heller];
wherein a second set of said vertical support beams (a second set of plurality of 140 on a second lifting device 110 in Heller) is interconnected by a second upper support beam (a second horizontal beam on an upper portion of a second lifting device 110) used to support a second shaft (a second pipe drive shaft 151, as can be seen from Figure 1 and described in column 6 lines 62- column 7 line 4 in Heller) used to wind a second set of cables (a second set of cables 118, as can be seen from Figure 1 in Heller) for lifting and lowering said cradle (130) used to support the boat positioned thereon [as can be seen from Figure 1 in Heller];
wherein said vertical support beams (a first and second set of plurality of 140 on a first lifting device 110 in Heller) each include a first multi-speed boat hoist transmission drive (drive including gear assembly 150, 160, motors 112, 114, and controls, as described in column 3 lines 65-66, column 11 line 51-column 12 line 21, and claim 3 in Heller, and can be seen from Figures 1-7 in Heller).
However, Heller does not explicitly disclose the gearbox assembly incorporating a harmonic drive differential transmission. Toulas, however, discloses the use of a harmonic drive [as described on page 1 of the article by Toulas]. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the drive in Heller to include a harmonic drive, as taught by Toulas as a well-known substitution for improvement by providing a drive which lacks backlash, is lightweight and compact, and has improved gear reduction ratios [as described on page 1 of the article by Toulas].
Heller discloses a plurality of gearbox assemblies (a first and second 150 and a first and second 160, Figures 1-3) and having additional motors and controllers [as described in column 3 lines 65-66, column 11 line 51-column 12 line 21, and claim 3 in Heller]. However, Heller does not explicitly disclose the gearbox assemblies being two-speed differential gearboxes. However, the gearbox in Heller has at least two speeds, therefore interpreted as being a two-speed differential gearbox. Furthermore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the gearboxes in Heller to include having a plurality of two-speed differential gearboxes, as a simple substitution for one known element for another to obtain predictable results.
9. Regarding to claim 6, Heller modified by Toulas discloses the multi-speed boat hoist transmission device for lifting vessels at multiple speeds of claim 1 wherein each of said two speed differential gearboxes (a first and second 150 and a first and second 160) present two speed drive arrangement of said gearbox that enables two speed operation thereby lifting the boat at different speeds [as described in column 11 lines column 12 lines 1-28]. Heller modified by Toulas does not explicitly disclose lifting the boat different angles. However, Heller discloses motors having a leading motor and lagging motor and a height difference between two portions of the boat lift cradle, which is therefore inferred as disclosing being lifted at different angles.
10. Regarding to claim 7, Heller modified by Toulas discloses the multi-speed boat hoist transmission device for lifting vessels at multiple speeds of claim 6, wherein said cradle (130) is further defined by a pair of cradle beams (a first and second beam supporting the cradle 130, as can be seen from Figure 1 in Heller) positioned perpendicularly to said upper support beams (first and second horizontal beams on an upper portion of a second lifting device 110), said cradle beams (first and second beam supporting 130) include a pair of bunks (a first and second 130, as can be seen from Figure 1 in Heller) for the boat to rest thereon [as can be seen from Figure 1 in Heller].
11. Regarding to Claim 13, Heller discloses a multi-speed boat hoist transmission device (boat lift 100, as can be seen from Figure 1 in Heller) for lifting and lowering a boat [as described in column 1 lines 55-62 in Heller], said multi-speed boat hoist transmission comprising, said multi-speed boat hoist transmission device (100) comprising: a first surface (piling 140, as can be seen from Figure 1 in Heller) for holding a boat [as can be seen from Figure 1 in Heller]; a second surface (boat lift cradle 130, as can be seen from Figure 1 in Heller) connected to said first surface (140) with said first surface (140) movable relative said second surface (130) [Figure 1 in Heller]; at least one gearbox assembly (a first and second open gearbox flat plate drive 150 and a first and second gearbox 160, as described in column 3 lines 38-41 and can be seen from Figures 1-3 in Heller) connected to said second surface (130) [as can be seen from Figures 1-3 in Heller], said at least one gearbox assembly (a first and second 150, a first and second 160) allows use of two inputs and ratios (a first and second speed ratio inputted by an operator during rising and lowering of a boat as described in column 1 lines 55-62), thereby enabling both high speed and low speed operation of said multi-speed boat hoist transmission device (100) to enable to operate at two speeds a high speed when said first surface is empty or when lowering the boat, and low speed when lifting the boat positioned on the first surface [as described in column 1 lines 55-62 and can be seen from Figures 1-7 in Heller].
However, Heller does not explicitly disclose the gearbox assembly incorporating a harmonic drive differential transmission. Toulas, however, discloses the use of a harmonic drive [as described on page 1 of the article by Toulas]. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the drive in Heller to include a harmonic drive, as taught by Toulas as a well-known substitution for improvement by providing a drive which lacks backlash, is lightweight and compact, and has improved gear reduction ratios [as described on page 1 of the article by Toulas].
Heller discloses a plurality of gearbox assemblies (a first and second 150 and a first and second 160, Figures 1-3) and having additional motors and controllers [as described in column 3 lines 65-66, column 11 line 51-column 12 line 21, and claim 3 in Heller]. However, Heller does not explicitly disclose the gearbox assemblies being two-speed differential gearboxes. However, the gearbox in Heller has at least two speeds, therefore interpreted as being a two-speed differential gearbox. Furthermore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the gearboxes in Heller to include having a plurality of two-speed differential gearboxes, as a simple substitution for one known element for another to obtain predictable results.
12. Regarding to Claim 14, Heller modified by Toulas discloses the multi-speed boat hoist transmission device for lifting vessels at multiple speeds of claim 13, wherein said first surface (140 in Heller) is further defined by several vertical support beams (a first plurality of 140 on a first lifting device 110 in Heller) with a first set of said vertical support beams being interconnected by a first upper support beam (a first horizonal beam at an upper portion of a first lifting device 110, as can be seen from Figure 1 in Heller).
13. Regarding to Claim 15, Heller modified by Toulas discloses the multi-speed boat hoist transmission device for lifting vessels at multiple speeds of claim 13, wherein said first upper support beam (a first horizonal beam at an upper portion of first lifting device 110) is used to support a first shaft (a first pipe drive shaft 151, as can be seen from Figure 1 and described in column 6 lines 62- column 7 line 4 in Heller) used to wind a pair of cables (a first pair of cables 118, as can be seen from Figure 1 in Heller) for lifting and lowering a cradle (cradle 130) to support the boat positioned thereon [as can be seen from Figure 1 in Heller].
14. Regarding to Claim 16, Heller modified by Toulas discloses multi-speed boat hoist transmission device for lifting vessels at multiple speeds of claim 13, wherein a second set of said vertical support beams (a second plurality of 140 on a second lifting device 110 in Heller) is interconnected by a second upper support beam (a second horizontal beam on an upper portion of a second lifting device 110) used to support a second shaft (a second pipe drive shaft 151, as can be seen from Figure 1 and described in column 6 lines 62- column 7 line 4 in Heller) used to wind a second set of cables (a second set of cables 118, as can be seen from Figure 1 in Heller) for lifting and lowering said cradle (130) used to support the boat positioned thereon [as can be seen from Figure 1 in Heller].
15. Regarding to Claim 17, Heller modified by Toulas discloses multi-speed boat hoist transmission device for lifting vessels at multiple speeds of claim 13, wherein said support beams (a first and second set of plurality of 140 on a first lifting device 110 in Heller) each include a first multi-speed boat hoist transmission drive (drive including gear assembly 150, 160, motors 112, 114, and controls, as described in column 3 lines 65-66, column 11 line 51-column 12 line 21, and claim 3 in Heller, and can be seen from Figures 1-7 in Heller).
Heller discloses a plurality of gearbox assemblies (a first and second 150 and a first and second 160, Figures 1-3) and having additional motors and controllers [as described in column 3 lines 65-66, column 11 line 51-column 12 line 21, and claim 3 in Heller]. However, Heller does not explicitly disclose the gearbox assemblies being two-speed differential gearboxes. However, the gearbox in Heller has at least two speeds, therefore interpreted as being a two-speed differential gearbox. Furthermore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the gearboxes in Heller to include having a plurality of two-speed differential gearboxes, as a simple substitution for one known element for another to obtain predictable results.
16. Regarding to claim 18, Heller modified by Toulas discloses the multi-speed boat hoist transmission device for lifting vessels at multiple speeds of claim 5 wherein each of said two speed differential gearboxes (a first and second 150 and a first and second 160) present two speed drive arrangement of said gearbox that enables two speed operation thereby lifting the boat at different speeds [as described in column 11 lines column 12 lines 1-28]. Heller modified by Toulas does not explicitly disclose lifting the boat different angles. However, Heller discloses motors having a leading motor and lagging motor and a height difference between two portions of the boat lift cradle, which is therefore inferred as disclosing being lifted at different angles.
17. Regarding to claim 20, Heller modified by Toulas discloses the multi-speed boat hoist transmission device for lifting vessels at multiple speeds of claim 3, wherein each said cradle beams (a first and second beam supporting cradle 130, as can be seen from Figure 1 in Heller) includes a pair of pulleys (a first and second pulley 132, as can be seen from Figure 1 in Heller) positioned at terminal ends of each of said cradle beams (a first and second beam supporting cradle 130, as can be seen from Figure 1 in Heller) wherein each of said cables (118) are each engage their respective pulleys (130) to lower and lift each said cradle beams (a first and second beam supporting cradle 130, as can be seen from Figure 1 in Heller) [as can be seen from Figure 1 in Heller], wherein each of said multi-speed boat hoist transmission drive presenting said two-speed differential gearbox (a first and second open gearbox flat plate drive 150, and a first and second gearbox 160). However, the combination of Heller and Toulas, does not explicitly disclose the gearboxes including a first housing and a second housing wherein a first worm gear shaft extends through one of said housings and drives a worm gear wheel that drives the input to the high ratio differential. However, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the gearboxes in the combination of Heller and Toulas to include a first and second housing and a first work gear shaft extending through one of the housings and drives a work gear wheel that drives input to a high ratio differential, as a simple substitution of one known element for another to obtain predictable results.
Toulas further discloses a shaft driving a wave generator of a harmonic gearset [Figures in Toulas], which also includes a circular spline or a harmonic circular spline and a flex spline [as can be seen from the figures in Toulas]. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the drive in the combination of Heller and Toulas to include a wave generator of a harmonic gearset including a circular spline or a harmonic circular spline and a flex spline, as taught by Toulas, as a simple substitution of one known element for another to obtain predictable results.
18. Claim(s) 8-12 and 19 is/are rejected, as best understood in view of the above 112 rejection, under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Heller (US 8,727,661) in view of “How does a Harmonic Drive work? Why are they used?” by Bill Toulas (https://www.engineeringclicks.com/harmonic-drive/), as applied to claim 1 above, in further view of Kellogg et al. (US 2019/0276123).
19. Regarding to claim 8, Heller modified by Toulas discloses the multi-speed boat hoist transmission device for lifting vessels at multiple speeds of claim 7, having a cradle beam (a first and second beam supporting cradle 130). However, the combination of Heller modified by Toulas does not explicitly disclose the cradle beams include a pair of spaced post. Kellogg et al., however discloses a lift system having a cradle assembly (112) having a plurality of spaced post (106) [as described in paragraph 0022-0023 and can be seen from Figure 1 in Heller]. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the cradle in Heller to include having a pair of spaced post, as taught by Kellogg et al. which would hold the boat therewithin and prevent frictional engagements between the boat and said cradle beams, to guide a watercraft and ensure alignment [as described in paragraph 0022-023 and can be seen from Figure 1 in Kellogg et al.].
20. Regarding to claim 9, the combination of Heller, Toulas, and Kellogg et al. discloses for lifting vessels at multiple speeds of claim 8, wherein each said cradle beams (a first and second beam supporting cradle 130, as can be seen from Figure 1 in Heller) includes a pair of pulleys (a first and second pulley 132, as can be seen from Figure 1 in Heller) positioned at terminal ends of each of said cradle beams (a first and second beam supporting cradle 130, as can be seen from Figure 1 in Heller) wherein each of said cables (118) are each engage their respective pulleys (130) to lower and lift each said cradle beams (a first and second beam supporting cradle 130, as can be seen from Figure 1 in Heller) [as can be seen from Figure 1 in Heller].
21. Regarding to claim 10, the combination of Heller, Toulas, and Kellogg et al. discloses for lifting vessels multi-speed boat hoist transmission device for lifting vessels at multiple speeds of claim 9, wherein each of said multi-speed boat hoist transmission drive presenting said two-speed differential gearbox (a first and second open gearbox flat plate drive 150, and a first and second gearbox 160). However, the combination of Heller, Toulas, and Kellogg et al. does not explicitly disclose the gearboxes including a first housing and a second housing wherein a first worm gear shaft extends through one of said housings and drives a worm gear wheel that drives the input to the high ratio differential. However, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the gearboxes in the combination of Heller, Toulas, and Kellogg et al. to include a first and second housing and a first work gear shaft extending through one of the housings and drives a work gear wheel that drives input to a high ratio differential, as a simple substitution of one known element for another to obtain predictable results.
22. Regarding to claim 11, the combination of Heller, Toulas, and Kellogg et al. discloses the multi-speed boat hoist transmission device for lifting vessels at multiple speeds of claim 6. Toulas further discloses a shaft driving a wave generator of a harmonic gearset [Figures in Toulas], which also includes a circular spline or a harmonic circular spline and a flex spline [as can be seen from the figures in Toulas]. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the drive in the combination of Heller, Toulas, and Kellogg et al. to include a wave generator of a harmonic gearset including a circular spline or a harmonic circular spline and a flex spline, as taught by Toulas, as a simple substitution of one known element for another to obtain predictable results.
23. Regarding to claim 12, Heller discloses a multi-speed boat hoist transmission device (boat lift 100, as can be seen from Figure 1 in Heller) for lifting and lowering a boat [as described in column 1 lines 55-62 in Heller], said multi-speed boat hoist transmission comprising:
several vertical support beams (a first and second set of plurality of 140 on a first lifting device 110 in Heller) with a first set of said vertical support beams being interconnected by a first upper support beam (a first horizonal beam at an upper portion of a first lifting device 110, as can be seen from Figure 1 in Heller); said first upper support beam (a first horizonal beam at an upper portion of first lifting device 110) is used to support a first shaft (a first pipe drive shaft 151, as can be seen from Figure 1 and described in column 6 lines 62- column 7 line 4 in Heller) used to wind a pair of cables (a first pair of cables 118, as can be seen from Figure 1 in Heller) for lifting and lowering a cradle (cradle 130) to support the boat positioned thereon [as can be seen from Figure 1 in Heller];
wherein a second set of said vertical support beams (a second set of plurality of 140 on a second lifting device 110 in Heller) is interconnected by a second upper support beam (a second horizontal beam on an upper portion of a second lifting device 110) used to support a second shaft (a second pipe drive shaft 151, as can be seen from Figure 1 and described in column 6 lines 62- column 7 line 4 in Heller) used to wind a second set of cables (a second set of cables 118, as can be seen from Figure 1 in Heller) for lifting and lowering said cradle (130) used to support the boat positioned thereon [as can be seen from Figure 1 in Heller];
wherein said vertical support beams (a first and second set of plurality of 140 on a first lifting device 110 in Heller) each include a first multi-speed boat hoist transmission drive (drive including gear assembly 150, 160, motors 112, 114, and controls, as described in column 3 lines 65-66, column 11 line 51-column 12 line 21, and claim 3 in Heller, and can be seen from Figures 1-7 in Heller);
a second surface (boat lift cradle 130, as can be seen from Figure 1 in Heller) connected to said first surface (140) with said first surface (140) movable relative said second surface (130) [Figure 1 in Heller];
wherein said cradle (130) is further defined by a pair of cradle beams (a first and second beam supporting the cradle 130, as can be seen from Figure 1 in Heller) positioned perpendicularly to said upper support beams (first and second horizontal beams on an upper portion of a second lifting device 110), said cradle beams (first and second beam supporting 130) include a pair of bunks (a first and second 130, as can be seen from Figure 1 in Heller) for the boat to rest thereon [as can be seen from Figure 1 in Heller].
wherein each said cradle beams (a first and second beam supporting cradle 130, as can be seen from Figure 1 in Heller) includes a pair of pulleys (a first and second pulley 132, as can be seen from Figure 1 in Heller) positioned at terminal ends of each of said cradle beams (a first and second beam supporting cradle 130, as can be seen from Figure 1 in Heller) wherein each of said cables (118) are each engage their respective pulleys (130) to lower and lift each said cradle beams (a first and second beam supporting cradle 130, as can be seen from Figure 1 in Heller) [as can be seen from Figure 1 in Heller].
at least one gearbox assembly (a first and second open gearbox flat plate drive 150, and a first and second gearbox 160, as described in column 3 lines 38-41 and can be seen from Figures 1-3 in Heller) connected to said second surface (130) [as can be seen from Figures 1-3 in Heller], said at least one gearbox assembly (a first and second 150, a first and second 160) allows use of two inputs and ratios (an first and second speed ratio inputted by an operator during rising and lowering of a boat as described in column 1 lines 55-62), thereby enabling both high speed and low speed operation of said multi-speed boat hoist transmission device (100) to enable to operate at two speeds a high speed when said first surface is empty or when lowering the boat, and low speed when lifting the boat positioned on the first surface [as described in column 1 lines 55-62 and can be seen from Figures 1-7 in Heller];
wherein each of said two speed differential gearboxes (a first and second 150 and a first and second 160) present two speed drive arrangement of said gearbox that enables two speed operation thereby lifting the boat at different speeds [as described in column 11 lines column 12 lines 1-28]. Heller modified by does not explicitly disclose lifting the boat different angles. However, Heller discloses motors having a leading motor and lagging motor and a height difference between two portions of the boat lift cradle, which is therefore inferred as disclosing being lifted at different angles;
However, Heller does not explicitly disclose the gearbox assembly incorporating a harmonic drive differential transmission. Toulas, however, discloses the use of a harmonic drive [as described on page 1 of the article by Toulas]. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the drive in Heller to include a harmonic drive, as taught by Toulas as a well-known substitution for improvement by providing a drive which lacks backlash, is lightweight and compact, and has improved gear reduction ratios [as described on page 1 of the article by Toulas].
Heller discloses a plurality of gearbox assemblies (a first and second 150 and a first and second 160, Figures 1-3) and having additional motors and controllers [as described in column 3 lines 65-66, column 11 line 51-column 12 line 21, and claim 3 in Heller]. However, Heller does not explicitly disclose the gearbox assemblies being two-speed differential gearboxes. However, the gearbox in Heller has at least two speeds, therefore interpreted as being a two-speed differential gearbox. Furthermore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the gearboxes in Heller to include having a plurality of two-speed differential gearboxes, as a simple substitution for one known element for another to obtain predictable results.
However, the combination of Heller modified by Toulas does not explicitly disclose the cradle beams include a pair of spaced post. Kellogg et al., however discloses a lift system having a cradle assembly (112) having a plurality of spaced post (106) [as described in paragraph 0022-0023 and can be seen from Figure 1 in Heller]. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the cradle in Heller to include having a pair of spaced post, as taught by Kellogg et al. which would hold the boat therewithin and prevent frictional engagements between the boat and said cradle beams, to guide a watercraft and ensure alignment [as described in paragraph 0022-023 and can be seen from Figure 1 in Kellogg et al.].
The combination of Heller, Toulas, and Kellogg et al. discloses each of said multi-speed boat hoist transmission drive presenting said two-speed differential gearbox (a first and second open gearbox flat plate drive 150, and a first and second gearbox 160). However, the combination of Heller, Toulas, and Kellogg et al. does not explicitly disclose the gearboxes including a first housing and a second housing wherein a first worm gear shaft extends through one of said housings and drives a worm gear wheel that drives the input to the high ratio differential. However, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the gearboxes in the combination of Heller, Toulas, and Kellogg et al. to include a first and second housing and a first work gear shaft extending through one of the housings and drives a work gear wheel that drives input to a high ratio differential, as a simple substitution of one known element for another to obtain predictable results.
Toulas further discloses a shaft driving a wave generator of a harmonic gearset [Figures in Toulas], which also includes a circular spline or a harmonic circular spline and a flex spline [as can be seen from the figures in Toulas]. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the drive in the combination of Heller, Toulas, and Kellogg et al. to include a wave generator of a harmonic gearset including a circular spline or a harmonic circular spline and a flex spline, as taught by Toulas, as a simple substitution of one known element for another to obtain predictable results.
24. Regarding to claim 19, Heller modified by Toulas discloses the multi-speed boat hoist transmission device for lifting vessels at multiple speeds of claim 6, wherein said cradle (130) is further defined by a pair of cradle beams (a first and second beam supporting the cradle 130, as can be seen from Figure 1 in Heller) positioned perpendicularly to said upper support beams (first and second horizontal beams on an upper portion of a second lifting device 110), said cradle beams (first and second beam supporting 130) include a pair of bunks (a first and second 130, as can be seen from Figure 1 in Heller) for the boat to rest thereon [as can be seen from Figure 1 in Heller].
However, the combination of Heller modified by Toulas does not explicitly disclose the cradle beams include a pair of spaced post. Kellogg et al., however discloses a lift system having a cradle assembly (112) having a plurality of spaced post (106) [as described in paragraph 0022-0023 and can be seen from Figure 1 in Heller]. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the cradle in Heller to include having a pair of spaced post, as taught by Kellogg et al. which would hold the boat therewithin and prevent frictional engagements between the boat and said cradle beams, to guide a watercraft and ensure alignment [as described in paragraph 0022-023 and can be seen from Figure 1 in Kellogg et al.].
Response to Arguments
25. Applicant’s arguments with respect to claim(s) 1 and 6-20 have been considered but are moot because the new ground of rejection does not rely on any reference applied in the prior rejection of record for any teaching or matter specifically challenged in the argument. Examiner has added a new grounds of rejection, the instant action is therefore Non-Final.
Conclusion
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/NIRVANA DEONAUTH/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3726