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 .
Election/Restrictions
Applicant's election with traverse of Species II in the reply filed on 4/29/2026 is acknowledged. The traversal is on the ground(s) that Species I and II share common technical features and a common purpose. This is not found persuasive because Species I and II do not share the same special technical features (under PCT rule 13.2). The special technical features of Species I are the auxiliary platforms and joints. The special technical features of Species II are the box and guide for the springs.
The requirement is still deemed proper and is therefore made FINAL.
Claims 15-16 and 20-22 are withdrawn from further consideration pursuant to 37 CFR 1.142(b), as being drawn to a nonelected species, there being no allowable generic or linking claim. Applicant timely traversed the restriction (election) requirement in the reply filed on 4/29/2026.
Claim Objections
Claim 17 is objected to because of the following informalities: claim 17 is missing a transitional phrase. Please see MPEP 2111.03. 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 17-19 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.
Regarding claim 17, the recitation “a spring” from limitation “g” is indefinite because it is unclear if that recitation is the same or different from the “at least two pre-tensed springs” from limitations “c” and “d”. The species in Figs 2a-3b only disclose one set of springs.
The recitation “to regulate a movement speed of the platform based on a flow speed of the liquid through an opening” is indefinite because it is unclear what or where the “opening” actually is. The Examiner suggest amending the recitation to recite “through an opening in the guide”.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 17-19 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.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. US 20100117374 A1 to Geletka is considered the closest prior art to the present invention. Geletka discloses a mass (Fig. 2: 32) and a platform (11). The weight of the mass causes vertical reciprocating movement of the platform and translates energy to transmission means (14) for generator (13).
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/VIET P NGUYEN/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2834
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