DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application, filed on or after Aug 16, 2022, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Preliminary Amendment
Receipt of the preliminary amendment filed 01/28/2026 is acknowledged. This amendment cancelled claims 2 and amended claims 1, 3, 6, 13 and 16. The Applicant is advised to remove the text content of cancelled claims.
Drawings
The drawings are objected to under 37 CFR 1.83(a). The drawings must show every feature of the invention specified in the claims. Therefore,
In claim 11, line 2: “a ball” is not shown in the figures 1-12.
In claim 18, lines 2-3: “a ball” is not shown in the figures 1-12. Those features must be shown, or the feature(s) canceled from the claim(s). No new matter should be entered.
Corrected drawing sheets in compliance with 37 CFR 1.121(d) are required in reply to the Office action to avoid abandonment of the application. Any amended replacement drawing sheet should include all of the figures appearing on the immediate prior version of the sheet, even if only one figure is being amended. The figure or figure number of an amended drawing should not be labeled as “amended.” If a drawing figure is to be canceled, the appropriate figure must be removed from the replacement sheet, and where necessary, the remaining figures must be renumbered, and appropriate changes made to the brief description of the several views of the drawings for consistency. Additional replacement sheets may be necessary to show the renumbering of the remaining figures. Each drawing sheet submitted after the filing date of an application must be labeled in the top margin as either “Replacement Sheet” or “New Sheet” pursuant to 37 CFR 1.121(d). If the changes are not accepted by the examiner, the applicant will be notified and informed of any required corrective action in the next Office action. The objection to the drawings will not be held in abeyance.
Claim Interpretation
Claim 1
Claim 16, lines 4-5 recites: “supported by one of the camber tube or the frame” is being interpreted as “supported by one of the camber tubes or the frame members.”
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.
Claims 4-5, 10-11 and 18 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.
Claim 4 recites: “the actuator link” but claim 1 recites the limitation "at least one“. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation of claim 4.
Claim 5 recites: “the actuator link”. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation.
Claim 10 recites: “the axle shaft distal end defines a torque transmitting profile having leading and exiting tapers configured to accommodate a relative angle between the axle shaft and the motor output”. The term “a relative angle” is indefinite because the claim does not specify the nature, direction, or magnitude of the angular deviation being accommodated. It is unclear whether “relative angle” refers to axial misalignment, radial misalignment, angular offset in a vertical or horizontal plane, or some other orientation. Without identifying the structural relationship that defines the claimed “relative angle,” one of the ordinary skill in the art cannot determine the boundaries of the claim or the condition which torque-transmitting profile is intended to function. Accordingly, the scope of the claim 10 cannot be determined with reasonable certainty, and the claim is therefore indefinite.
Claim 18 recites the phrase “configured as a ball and detent” is ambiguous because it does not specify the structural relationship between the ball and the detent in any of the figures 1-12 (e.g., which component contains a ball, which contains the detent), and how the mechanism interfaces with the wheel hub. As a result, the scope of the claim “configured as a ball and detent” cannot be determined with reasonable certainty, and the claim is therefore indefinite.
Any claim not specifically addressed under 112(b) is rejected as being dependent on a claim rejected under 112(b).
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action:
A person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
(a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claims 1, 7-13 and 16-19 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) and (a)(2) as being anticipated by Jacobsson (US Pub. 20180133075 A1).
Regarding claim 1, Jacobsson discloses: a wheelchair (2, figs. 1-11and ‘Title’) comprising;
a frame (3 or 4 or 5; figs. 1-2; [0035]);
a camber tube (17 that constitute 18, 19 blocks, fig. 3 and [0036]) attached to the frame (via 3 and 4, fig. 2);
and at least one drive motor (13, 14) supported by one of the frame members (4 or 5, see claim interpretation above) or the camber tube (17), the at least one drive motor (13 or 14) having an output (via 24, 26, fig. 3) connected [ para. 0041 discloses: “a quick release shaft 24 connected to the hub assembly 15, 16”] to a wheel hub (15, 16), the wheel hub (15, 16) includes a release housing (shaft housing 10, [0035 discloses: “a drive shaft housing 10 which is releasably
attached between the two lateral frame elements 4, 5 of the wheelchair 2 and connected to the drive wheels 6, 7”]) defining a hub drive profile (annotated fig. 11 below), and a drive ring (21; note that drive ring is considered to be a component of drive clutch) defines a wheel drive zone (annotated fig. 11 below) that selectively engages the hub drive profile (annotated fig. 11 below) to transmit power from the at least one drive motor to the wheel hub [claim 3 of Jacobsson teaches: “drive unit (1) for a wheelchair (2) according to claim 1, wherein the drive motors (13, 14) are positioned coaxially relative to the respective rotational axis of the drive wheels (6, 7)”; thus, transmit power from the at least one drive motor to the wheel hub.]
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Annotated fig. 11 of Jacobsson
Regarding claim 7, Jacobsson further teaches that the motor output (via 13 or 14) is coupled to a drive collar (A2, fig. 11) defining a drive engagement zone having a torque transmitting profile (annotated fig. 11 above) and the drive ring (21) defines a drive ring bore (bore of 21, fig. 11) having a complementary torque transmitting profile (see annotated fig. 11 above where profile constituted by two mating surfaces) that selectively engages the drive collar (A2) to transmit power from the motor (13, 14) to the wheel hub (15, 16).
Regarding claim 8, Jacobsson further teaches that the drive collar (A2) includes a freewheel zone defining a clearance (annotated fig. 11 above) between the drive ring bore (bore of 21) and the drive collar (A2) such that the wheelchair drive wheels (6, 7) rotate freely relative to the output shaft (26, fig. 3) and the wheel hub (15, 16) is mechanically decoupled (fig. 2) from the motor output (24, 26).
Regarding claim 9, Jacobsson further teaches that an axle shaft (24) engages the motor output (at A and B with 26; fig. 10) and defines a proximal end having a torque transmitting profile (annotated fig. 11 above) that engages the drive collar (A2) and a distal end (fig. 11) that connects to the motor output (via output shaft 26 and axle shaft 24).
Regarding claim 10, Jacobsson further teaches that the axle shaft distal end (distal end 12, fig. 2) defines a torque transmitting profile (annotated fig. 11 above) having leading and exiting tapers (leading and exiting taper at 21, fig. 3) configured to accommodate a relative angle between the axle shaft (24; fig. 8 showing a relative angle between the axle shaft) and the motor output (via output shaft 26).
Regarding claim 11, Jacobsson further teaches that the axle shaft distal end (distal end 12; [0035]) defines a quick-release actuator (“quick-release coupling” 11; [0035]) comprising a ball (A, annotated fig. 5 below) that engages a detent to permit the axle shaft (12) and wheel hub (15, 16) to be removed from the motor (13, 14) and camber tube (17 that constitute 18 and19 blocks).
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Annotated fig. 5 of Jacobsson
Regarding claim 12, Jacobsson further teaches that the camber tube (17) supports a camber block (19) configured to define a camber angle (fig. 8) between the wheel hub (15, 16) and the camber tube (17, fig. 8).
Regarding claim 13, Jacobsson further teaches that the camber block (19) includes a pilot (29, fig. 8) that locates relative to a motor tail housing (10) mounted proximate to the camber tube (17 that constitute block 18 and 19) and a camber bore (bore of 17, 18 and 19) to define the camber angle [para. 0039 teaches that the outer diameter of the lateral sleeves 18, 19 essentially corresponds to the inner diameter of the top T of the truncated cones 17a, 17b of the central outer sleeve 17 in such a way that the lateral sleeves 18, 19 may be angled within the central outer sleeve 17 so as to allow an adjustment of the camber angle of the drive wheels 6, 7; thus, a pilot that locates relative to a motor tail housing mounted proximate to the camber tube and a camber bore to define the camber angle.]
Regarding claim 16, Jacobsson teaches: A wheelchair (2, figs. 1-11and ‘Title’) comprising:
a frame (3 or 4 or 5; figs. 1-2; [0035]);
a camber tube (17 that constitute block 18 and 19, fig. 3 and [0036]) attached to the frame (via 3 and 4, fig. 2), the camber tube (17) defining a hollow section (Fig. 3 shows hollow section);
and at least one drive motor (13, 14) supported by one of the camber tubes (18 or 19) or the frame members (4 or 5; see claim interpretation above), the at least one drive motor (13 or 14) having an output engaged with an axle shaft (via out shaft 26 to axle shaft 24) at a distal end (12, fig. 3) thereof, a proximal end (12) of the axle shaft (24) having a torque transmitting profile (annotated fig. 11 above) that engages a wheel hub (15, 16) to transmit a rotary output of the drive motor (via output shaft 26, fig. 3) to the wheel hub (15, 16).
Regarding claim 17, Jacobsson further teaches that a coupling is connected to the motor output (via 26), the coupling having a torque-transmitting profile (annotated fig. 11 above) that engages with a mating torque-transmitting profile (fig. 11) of the axle shaft distal end (distal end of 26 as depicted in fig. 8), the mating torque-transmitting profile configured with an apex (fig. 3), a leading taper and an exiting taper (leading and exiting taper at 21, fig. 3) that permit an angular adjustment or deviation (fig. 8) of the axle shaft (24) relative to the output shaft (26).
Regarding claim 18, Jacobsson further teaches that one of the axle shaft proximal end or axle shaft distal end (distal end 12; [0035]) defines a quick-release attachment (“quick-release coupling” 11; [0035]) configured as a ball (A, annotated fig. 5 above) and detent (detent at 12; see 35 USC 112(b) rejection above) that is configured to release the wheel hub (15, 16) from the wheelchair (fig. 2).
Regarding claim 19, Jacobsson teaches: a wheelchair comprising:
a frame (3 or 4 or 5; figs. 1-2; [0035]);
a camber tube (17 that constitute 18, 19 blocks, fig. 3 and [0036]) attached to the frame (via 3 and 4, fig. 2) and supporting at least one drive motor (13, 14) having an output (via 24, 26, fig. 3);
a wheel hub (15, 16) supporting a drive wheel (6, 7) for rotation relative to the frame (3, 4), the wheel hub having a hub drive profile (annotated fig. 11 above) connected to the drive motor (13, 14) output by a drive ring (21) configured for selectively engaging the hub drive profile to transmit power (via motor and drive unit) from the at least one drive motor (13 or 14) to the drive wheel (6, 7).
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
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.
The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows:
1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
4.Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or no obviousness.
Claims 3-6 and 20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Jacobsson in view of McBridge et al. (US20220176813 A1; hereinafter, “McBridge”).
Regarding claim 3, Jacobsson further teaches the drive ring and the wheel drive zone transfers power from the motor; however fails to explicitly teach that the drive ring is connected to a transfer ring by at least one actuator link, the transfer ring is selectively actuated by a control knob to move the drive ring between an engaged position where the wheel drive zone transfers power from the motor to the wheel hub and a disengaged position where the motor output is mechanically decoupled from the wheel hub; however,
McBridge in another wheel disconnect clutch similar to Jacobsson teaches that the drive ring (132; [0024]) is connected to a transfer ring (96, fig.4; [0024]) by at least one actuator link (“actuator ring 130”; [0024]), the transfer ring (96 that includes pin 138 via 130 and the drive pin that engages the actuator link 130 via 156, 158, fig. 4) is selectively actuated by a control knob (actuator 122 of arrangement 120; [0023 teaches: “an actuator arrangement 120 is configured to engage and disengage the disconnect clutch 90. The actuator arrangement 120 includes an actuator 122 that is operably coupled to the clutch sleeve 96”; thus, the transfer ring is selectively actuated by a control knob]) to move the drive ring (132) between an engaged position (via 176 on 172 as depicted in fig. 6A) where the wheel drive zone transfers power from the motor to the wheel hub (74, [0023]) and a disengaged position where the motor output is mechanically decoupled from the wheel hub [ para. 0023 teaches: “The drive ring 132 and the actuator ring 130 include cooperating features that are configured to urge the rings apart in response to rotation of the actuator ring 130 in a first direction and to move together due to the force of the resilient member 112 when the ring 130 is rotated in a second direction. The clutch 90 may be engaged by extending the rod 124 towards the wheel hub 74 causing the actuator ring 130 to rotate and push the drive ring 132 thus sliding the clutch sleeve 96 into engagement with wheel hub 74; see fig. 6A and para. 0029].
Therefore, it would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have hub drive profile, the drive ring and the motor power from the motor to the wheel hub of the Jacobsson drive unit to incorporate the teaching of McBridge in order to advantageously provide the engagement structures that are actuated through a transfer ring linked to an actuator element and moved by a control knob because doing so provides a predictable and user-friendly mechanism for shifting between engaged and disengaged states, improves accessibility for users with limited hand strength and represents well understood design choice for implementing selective mechanical coupling in compact mobility-assist system, such as wheelchair.
Regarding claim 4, Jacobsson does not appear to explicitly teach that the actuator link is integrally connected to the transfer ring, the transfer ring including at least one drive wedge having a tapered profile, and the control knob includes mating actuation recess having a complementary tapered profile; however,
McBridge teaches that the actuator link is integrally connected to the transfer ring (96 that includes pin 138 via 130 and the drive pin that engages the actuator link 130 via 156, 158, fig. 4), the transfer ring including at least one drive wedge (168, fig. 4) having a tapered profile (168 shows tapered profile), and the control knob (122, fig. 6B) includes mating actuation recess (174) having a complementary tapered profile [fig. 6B shows 174 is positioned with tapered profile].
Therefore, it would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have the modified Jacobsson to incorporate the teaching of McBridge and provide an actuator link integrally formed with the transfer ring and to provide the transfer ring with a tapered drive wedge cooperating with a complementary tapered recess of a control knob. The use of integrally formed linkages and tapered wedge-and-recess interface for translating rotational input into axial displacement is a well-known design choice that predictably improves manufacturability, reduce parts count, and provide reliable mechanical engagement. Accordingly, the claimed configuration represents no more than the predictable use of known mechanical actuation features to achieve the expected result of selectively moving the transfer ring.
Regarding claim 5, Jacobsson as modified above further teaches that the transfer ring (96) includes a drive pin (138 via 130) that engages (via 156, 158) the actuator link (130; [see claim rejection 3 above]).
Regarding claim 6, Jacobsson does not appear to explicitly teach that a resilient member biases the transfer ring into the engaged position; however,
McBridge teaches that a resilient member (“resilient member 112; [0022]) biases the transfer ring into the engaged position [claim 12 of McBridge teaches that a resilient member biasing the drive ring towards to the actuator ring; thus, a resilient member biases the transfer ring into the engaged position; also see para. 0022.]
Therefore, it would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have the modified Jacobsson to incorporate the teaching of McBridge and provide a resilient member to bias an engagement component towards the engaged state. It would have been obvious to ordinary skill in the art to include the known biasing member to ensure reliable default engagement and predictable operation of the selective-drive mechanism.
Regarding claim 20, Jacobsson further teaches the drive ring and at least one drive motor but fails to teach that the drive ring is moved by a control knob between an engaged position where the drive motor power rotates the drive wheel and a disengaged position where the drive wheel is mechanically disconnected from and freely rotates relative to the at least one drive motor; however,
McBridge in another wheel disconnect clutch similar to Jacobsson teaches that the drive ring (132; [0024]) is moved by a control knob (actuator 122 of actuation arrangement 120; [0023-0024]) between an engaged position (fig. 6B) where the drive motor (15, 16) power rotates the drive wheel (52, 58, [0018]) and a disengaged position (fig. 6B) where the drive wheel is mechanically disconnected from and freely rotates relative to the at least one drive motor (“electric motor 28”; [0016])
Therefore, it would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have the modified Jacobsson to incorporate the teaching of McBridge and provide the control mechanism, such that the drive ring is moved by a control knob between an engaged position where the drive motor power rotates the drive wheel and a disengaged position where the drive wheel is mechanically disconnected from and freely rotates relative to the at least one drive motor in order to advantageously provide the engagement structures that are actuated through a drive ring and the transfer ring linked to an actuator element and moved by a control knob because doing so provides a predictable and user-friendly mechanism for shifting between engaged and disengaged states, improves accessibility for users with limited hand strength and represents well understood design choice for implementing selective mechanical coupling in compact mobility-assist system, such as wheelchair.
Claim 14 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Jacobsson in view of Weege (DE 4136456 C1).
Regarding claim 14, Jacobsson as modified above further teaches that the camber block (18 or 19) includes a camber bore (bore of 18 or 19), but fails to teach that orients at least one support bearing to establish the camber angle, the at least one support bearing configured to orient the axle shaft to the camber angle; however,
Weege in another rear wheels on wheelchair-have adjustable camber similar to Jacobsson teaches that a camber bore (19, fig. 7; [0022]) that orients at least one support bearing (22) to establish the camber angle (fig. 7), the at least one support bearing (22) configured to orient the axle shaft (9) to the camber angle [“have adjustable camber with hub bearing on angled rotatable holders as disclosed by the ‘title’.]
Therefore, it would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have the modified Jacobsson to incorporate the teaching of Weege and provide a camber that orients at least one support bearing, such as support bearing of Weegein order to advantageously establish the camber angle and at least one support bearing configured to orient the axle shaft to the camber angle. In doing so, camber can be changed due to the lowering movement and the rear wheels could easily acquire a toe-out, such that the wheels tend to run apart when driving straight ahead [ 0019 of Weege].
Claim 15 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Jacobsson in view of Patterson et al. (US Pub. 20040251656 A1; hereinafter, “Patterson”).
Regarding claim 15, Jacobsson further teaches a power pack, such as battery pack [0017] for providing a source of electrical power is configured (“connection with control unit”; [0017]), but fails to explicitly teach that a power pack for providing a source of electrical power is configured to slide into a battery slot of a docking station, the battery slot including a contact port configured to make an electrical connection between the power pack and a wheelchair electrical system and an ejector configured to resiliently bias the power pack toward a disconnected state where no electrical connection is formed with the wheelchair electrical system; however,
Patterson teaches that a power pack (116) for providing a source of electrical power is configured to slide into a battery slot (“mating portion”; [0066], “plug” and “receiver” in [0076]) of a docking station (“docking station”; [0066]), the battery slot including a contact port (via male plug 124; [0075])configured to make an electrical connection between the power pack and a wheelchair electrical system and an ejector (“locking pin” in [0076]) configured to resiliently bias (via male 124 and female receiver 122; [0075]) the power pack toward a disconnected state where no electrical connection is formed ( when plug is removed) with the wheelchair electrical system [ see para. 0075].
Therefore, it would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have the modified Jacobsson to incorporate the teaching of Patterson and provide the battery slot with a contact port and a resilient ejector as recited in claim 15, since biasing the plug or and ejector mechanism and sliding battery interfeces are well-known design choices used to ensure reliable electrical connection and facilitate removal of a power pack. In corporation such a conventional feature into the wheelchair power system would have been a predictable modification yielding no unexpected result.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
US Pat. 11131294 B1 to Bauman discloses: Spline-Slide Actuator System 100 may comprise an element of a Ring Drive, or may operate on its own and that a plurality of Spline-Slide Actuator Systems 100 or a Ring Drive may utilize a plurality of SMT's to provide rotary motion in either direction, and indefinitely without reciprocating effects detracting from delivered output.
US Pat. 8931796 B2 to Nasser discloses: the manually operable mobility device and a disengaged position in which the cam lever mechanism permits rotation of the planet carrier relative to the frame and a quick-release pin movable between an engaged position in which the quick-release pin rotatably fixes the hand rim to the wheel hub and a disengaged position in which the quick-release pin permits rotation of the hand rim relative to the wheel hub.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to NABIN KUMAR SHARMA whose telephone number is (703)756-4619. The examiner can normally be reached Mon - Friday: 8:00am - 5 PM EST.
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/NABIN KUMAR SHARMA/Examiner, Art Unit 3612
/VIVEK D KOPPIKAR/Supervisory Patent Examiner
Art Unit 3612
February 12, 2026