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 .
Specification
The disclosure is objected to because of the following informalities:
Paragraph [0032] of the specification discloses the engagement between 170 and the 160. This disclosure needs to incorporate 128 as the direction of 170 is changed via 128 which allows for the linkage to be moved in the proper direction to move shaft 146. 170 extends in and moves in the longitudinal direction and the transverse direction. Without movement in both directions, it is unclear how the 160 and 146 will move in the transverse direction to disengage the gears. This needs to be added so the disclosure is clear on how 170 works.
Appropriate correction is required.
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 1-20 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 pre-AIA the applicant regards as the invention.
With regards to claim 1, the phrase “movement of the actuating member along the longitudinal direction selectively engages or disengages the compound gear and the first gear” is unclear. It is unclear what structure allows for movement of 170 in longitudinal direction alone to allow for the gears to engage/disengage. As discussed in the specification objection directed at interface 128 above, 170 extends in the longitudinal direction 103 but also appears to extend through interface 128 in the direction 104 that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction 103. The structure allowing for the gears to engage/disengage requires movement of the actuating member 170 in both the longitudinal direction and the transverse direction. Movement alone in the longitudinal direction alone does not appear to allow for this function to take place. The specification needs to acknowledge this structural setup as well. Replacing the phrase “movement of the actuating member along the longitudinal direction and the transverse direction translates the shaft and selectively engages or disengages the compound gear and the first gear” overcomes the rejection.
With regards to claim 2, it is unclear what structure allows for the relationship between the linkage, the actuating member and the shaft to result in movement of the shaft along the transverse direction. As discussed above, the actuating member extends in the transverse direction via interface 128 (Fig. 2) in addition to extending in the longitudinal direction. Movement in the transverse direction does not appear to be possible without interface 128 (Fig. 2) and the actuating member extending in both directions. Claim 8 has the same issue.
With regards to claim 12, the phrase “gear mesh arrangement” is unclear. It is unclear if this arrangement represents the same or a different relationship than the selectively coupled relationship between the first gear and the compound gear of claim 1. Also, what structure allows for the “gear mesh arrangement” to exist when the compound/second gear is disengaged from the first gear?
With regards to claim 17, it is unclear what structure allows for the gears to be in the first position and the second position without the actuating member interacting with interface 128 (Fig. 2). Claims 18 and 19 have the same issue with “movement along the transverse direction”.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-20 would be allowable if rewritten or amended to overcome the rejection(s) under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), 2nd paragraph, set forth in this Office action.
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed 5-26-26 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive. The remaining 112 rejections have not been addressed.
Conclusion
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.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to JASON DANIEL PRONE whose telephone number is (571)272-4513. The examiner can normally be reached on Monday-Friday: 7:00 am-3:00 pm.
Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Boyer D Ashley can be reached on (571)272-4502. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
Information regarding the status of an application may be obtained from the Patent Application Information Retrieval (PAIR) system. Status information for published applications may be obtained from either Private PAIR or Public PAIR. Status information for unpublished applications is available through Private PAIR only. For more information about the PAIR system, see http://pair-direct.uspto.gov. Should you have questions on access to the Private PAIR system, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative or access to the automated information system, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000.
12 June 2026
/Jason Daniel Prone/
Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3724
Prosecution Insights