DETAILED ACTION
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Claim Objections
Claims 1, 9, 12, and 15 are objected to because of the following informalities:
Claim 1, line 4 recites the limitation “the input shaft” which should be changed to “the input-shaft”.
Claim 9, line 1 recites the limitation “each cycloid-disc” which should be changed to “each cycloid disc”.
Claim 12, line 1 recites the limitation “the throughbore tube” which should be changed to “the through-bore tube”.
Claim 15, line 2 recites the limitation “the hollow input shaft” which should be changed to “the hollow input-shaft”.
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 6, 11, and 14 – 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.
Claims 6 and 16 recite the limitation "one of the mid-ring and the outer roller-ring housing" in line 2. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 11, lines 1 – 3 recites the limitation “at least one or more of: cable(s), fluid lines(s), control line(s), communication line(s), and power line(s), however, such limitations with (s) renders the claim indefinite and unclear as to whether there is a singular recitation of the structural limitation or a plurality.
Claim 14, line 20 recites the limitation “it” which renders the claim indefinite and unclear as to what “it” refers to.
Claim 18, line 2 recites the limitation “wherein the joint(s)”, however, such limitations with (s) renders the claim indefinite and unclear as to whether there is a singular recitation of the structural limitation or a plurality.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1 – 5, 7 – 10, 12, and 13 are allowed.
Claims 6, 11, and 14 – 20 would be allowable if rewritten 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 and to include all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims.
The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter: a hollow input-shaft; a through-bore tube sleevingly disposed within the hollow input-shaft; at least one roller bearing mounted on an exterior surface of the input-shaft; at least two cycloid discs, each having an outer edge forming N external lobes and a body formed with a circular arrangement of slots; a mid-ring comprising a set of mid-ring rollers that extend away from the mid-ring to engage the slots; an outer roller-ring comprising a housing and N+1 outer-rollers that engage with the external lobes of the discs.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
US-11131368 – comprising a motor; a circular spline; a constraint ring; and a presser plate;
US-20210023699 – comprising an internally balanced involute-type speed reducer;
US-20150051528 – comprising an actuator comprising a center shaft; a motor stator; a rotor; a gear reduction mechanism; a transmission output; and clutch; and
US-4645472 – comprising a clutch comprising a pressure plate; an input hub; and flange.
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/JACOB D KNUTSON/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3611
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