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 .
Election/Restrictions
Claim 20 is withdrawn from further consideration pursuant to 37 CFR 1.142(b) as being drawn to a nonelected group, there being no allowable generic or linking claim. Election was made without traverse in the reply filed on 8/6/26.
Applicant’s election without traverse of claims 1 – 19 in the reply filed on 8/6/26 is acknowledged.
Claim Objections
Claims 1 and 19 are objected to because of the following informalities:
Claim 1, line 6 recites the limitation “each having” which should be changed to “each motor”.
Claim 1, line 25 recites the limitation “so as to” which should be changed to “so as to be configured to”.
Claim 19, line 6 recites the limitation “each having” which should be changed to “each motor”.
Claim 19, line 25 recites the limitation “so as to” which should be changed to “so as to be configured to”.
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.
Claim 1 - 19 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 1 recites the limitation "the first and second output shafts" in lines 10 – 11. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 19 recites the limitation "the first and second output shafts" in lines 10 – 11. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1 and 19 would be allowable if rewritten or amended to overcome the rejections under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), 2nd paragraph, set forth in this Office action.
Claims 2 – 18 would be allowable if rewritten to overcome the rejections 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: the prior art fails to disclose
For claims 1 – 19: first and dual-shaft electric motors; first and second traction wheels rotatably attached to first and second outboard shafts, respectively, via respective first and second wheel clutches; first and second module gears rotatably attached to first and second inboard shafts, respectively, via respective first and second motor clutches; first and second generally tubular vertical apertures formed in the housing and having respective first and second top openings defined at a top of the housing and respective first and second bottom openings opposite the respective first and second top openings and situated adjacent the first and second module gears, respectively
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
US-20220117806 – comprising a self-leveling platform comprising a specialized latching mechanism; a control stick; and a releasable wheelchair attachment means;
CN-106005096 – comprising an AGV vehicle device comprising a driving wheel; a first and second speed reducer; driving motor; lifting plate; and overrunning clutch;
US-8684113 – comprising an apparatus comprising a wheel; a crossbar; an upper tilt assembly; and a steering mechanism assembly; and
US-5494126 – comprising an apparatus comprising a detachable motorized unit; a mounting frame; a steering control rod assembly; and a steering handle.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Jacob D. Knutson whose telephone number is (571)270-5576. The examiner can normally be reached 8:00 am - 4:00 pm.
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/JACOB D KNUTSON/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3611
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