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 .
Status of Claims
Claims 1-22, filed 10/9/2024, are pending and are currently being examined.
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on 1/2/2025 was filed before the mailing date of the first office action on the merits. The submission is in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statement is being considered by the examiner.
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 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 1-22 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Martin US Pat. No. 4,781,167.
Martin teaches:
In Reference to Claim 1
A timing adjustment assembly (adjustable timing anchor assemblies 26, Fig. 1-9, 70, Fig. 10-11) for a compound archery bow comprising a riser and at least one power cable extending between two pulley assemblies (compound bow 10 having a riser 12, power cable(s) 22/24 extending between pulley assemblies 18), the timing adjustment assembly comprising:
a coupler component (anchor/coupler body 32); and
an adjustable yoke moveably connected to the coupler component and configured to selectively move relative to the coupler component between two or more different positional arrangements (yoke 34 is adjustably movable within cavity 40 of the coupler body 32 to different positional arrangements (ex. Fig. 2 vs. 3 (adjustment position shown via markings 68)), col. 3 lines 14-17, col. 3 line 52 – col. 4 line 39);
wherein the timing adjustment assembly is incorporated along a path of the at least one power cable (timing adjustment members 26/70 are placed along a path of each power cable 22/24 between the cam assemblies 18, Fig. 1);
wherein each positional arrangement of the two or more different positional arrangements of the adjustable yoke imparts a different effective length of the at least one power cable while the compound archery bow is in a brace position (each adjustable anchor assembly is adjustable to a different yoke positions within the coupler components to impart a different effective length of the respective power cable during use and in the brace position, col. 3 lines 14-17, col. 3 line 52 – col. 4 line 39).
In Reference to Claim 2
The timing adjustment assembly of claim 1, wherein the adjustable yoke is configured to be continuously adjustable relative to the coupler component between the two or more different positional arrangements (the adjustable yoke member 34 is continuously adjustable via continuous adjustment of set screw member 46, Fig. 2-3, col. 3 lines 14-17, col. 3 line 52 – col. 4 line 39).
In Reference to Claim 3
The timing adjustment assembly of claim 1, wherein the coupler component includes a slot, and wherein the adjustable yoke is positioned at least partially within the slot and is selectively moveable within the slot (adjustable yoke 34 is movably positioned within slot/cavity 40 of the coupler body 32, Fig. 2-5, col. 3 lines 1-42, col. 3 line 1 – col. 4 line 39).
In Reference to Claim 4
The timing adjustment assembly of claim 1 further comprising an adjustment fastener extending into the coupler component and configured for engagement with the adjustable yoke, wherein the adjustment fastener is configured to selectively change the position of the adjustable yoke between the two or more different positional arrangements (the adjustable yoke member 34 is continuously adjustable within the coupler body via continuous adjustment of set screw member 46, Fig. 2-3, col. 3 lines 14-17, col. 3 line 52 – col. 4 line 39).
In Reference to Claim 5
The timing adjustment assembly of claim 4, wherein the coupler component includes a slot that at least partially receives the adjustable yoke, and wherein movement of the adjustment fastener imparts translational movement of the adjustable yoke within the slot (the adjustable yoke 34 is movably positioned within slot/cavity 40 of the coupler body 32 and translates within the slot when the set screw fastener 46 is rotated, Fig. 2-5, col. 3 lines 1-42, col. 3 line 1 – col. 4 line 39).
In Reference to Claim 6
The timing adjustment assembly of claim 1 further comprising a locking fastener configured to selectively secure the adjustable yoke relative to the coupler component (set screw fastener 46 is configured to secure the adjustable yoke 34 in place relative to the coupler body 32, col. 3 line 52 – col. 4 line 18).
In Reference to Claim 7
The timing adjustment assembly of claim 1 further comprising a first set of positional indicators provided on the coupler component and a second set of positional indicators provided on the adjustable yoke, wherein the first set and second set of positional indicators provide visual indication of a selected positional arrangement of the adjustable yoke relative to the coupler component (indicia markers 68 are provided on adjustable yoke 34 which move relative to first position indicators (shaped slot 45 has a top surface, and two side surfaces that act as positional indicators to a viewer to see where the yoke 34 is positioned relative to the coupler body), which may provide indication of preselected positional arrangements between the yoke and coupler components, Fig. 2-3, col. 4 lines 10-18).
In Reference to Claim 8
The timing adjustment assembly of claim 1, wherein the coupler component includes a groove for receiving a looped end of the at least one power cable to anchor the at least one power cable to the coupler component (groove 50 is formed in the coupler body to receive the looped end 50 of the power cable 24 therein, Fig. 2-5 or 80, Fig. 10-11).
In Reference to Claim 9
The timing adjustment assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one power cable comprises: a first portion extending between a first of the two pulley assemblies and the coupler component (first portion of the power cable 22/24 extends between the pulley assemblies 18); and a second portion extending between the adjustable yoke and a second of the two pulley assemblies (a second portion 36 is held by the adjustable yoke and extends to the axle of the opposite pulley assembly, Fig. 1-3).
In Reference to Claim 10
An archery bow (10, Fig. 1-11) comprising:
a riser (12);
first and second bow limbs secured to opposing ends of the riser (14/16);
first and second pulley assemblies (18);
a draw cable (20);
at least one power cable extending between the first and second pulley assemblies (22/24); and
a timing adjustment assembly (adjustable timing anchor assemblies 26, Fig. 1-9, 70, Fig. 10-11) comprising:
a coupler component (anchor/coupler body 32); and
an adjustable yoke component moveably connected to the coupler component and configured to selectively move relative to the coupler component between two or more different positional arrangements (yoke 34 is adjustably movable within cavity 40 of the coupler body 32 to different positional arrangements (ex. Fig. 2 vs. 3 (adjustment position shown via markings 68)), col. 3 lines 14-17, col. 3 line 52 – col. 4 line 39);
wherein the adjustable yoke component is coupled to the at least one power cable (the adjustable yoke 34 holds the split end portion of the power cable 36 to the anchor body and is indirectly coupled to the looped end 52 of the power cable, Fig. 1-5);
wherein each positional arrangement of the two or more different positional arrangements of the adjustable yoke component imparts a different effective length of the at least one power cable while the compound archery bow is in a brace position (each adjustable anchor assembly is adjustable to a different yoke positions within the coupler components to impart a different effective length of the respective power cable during use and in the brace position, col. 3 lines 14-17, col. 3 line 52 – col. 4 line 39).
In Reference to Claim 11
The archery bow of claim 10, wherein the adjustable yoke component has a groove for engaging a portion of the at least one power cable (yoke 34 has a groove 54 to receive cable portion 36 therein).
In Reference to Claim 12
The archery bow of claim 10, wherein the coupler component has a slot and the adjustable yoke component is positioned at least partially within the slot (adjustable yoke 34 is movably positioned within slot/cavity 40 of the coupler body 32, Fig. 2-5, col. 3 lines 1-42, col. 3 line 1 – col. 4 line 39).
In Reference to Claim 13
The archery bow of claim 12, wherein the adjustable yoke component is selectively movable within the slot (adjustable yoke 34 is movably positioned within slot/cavity 40 of the coupler body 32, Fig. 2-5, col. 3 lines 1-42, col. 3 line 1 – col. 4 line 39).
In Reference to Claim 14
The archery bow of claim 12 further comprising an adjustment fastener, wherein the adjustment fastener is configured for insertion into the slot of the coupler component and engagement with the adjustable yoke component, wherein adjustment of the adjustment fastener within the slot selectively changes the position of the adjustable yoke component between the two or more different positional arrangements (the adjustable yoke member 34 is continuously adjustable within the slot of the coupler body via continuous adjustment of set screw member 46, Fig. 2-3, col. 3 lines 14-17, col. 3 line 52 – col. 4 line 39).
In Reference to Claim 15
The archery bow of claim 10 further comprising a locking fastener configured to selectively secure the adjustable yoke component relative to the coupler component (set screw fastener 46 is configured to secure the adjustable yoke 34 in place relative to the coupler body 32, col. 3 line 52 – col. 4 line 18).
In Reference to Claim 16
The archery bow of claim 10 further comprising a first set of positional indicators provided on the coupler component and a second set of positional indicators provided on the adjustable yoke component, wherein the first set and second set of positional indicators provide visual indication of a selected positional arrangement of the adjustable yoke component relative to the coupler component (indicia markers 68 are provided on adjustable yoke 34 which move relative to first position indicators (shaped slot 45 has a top surface, and two side surfaces that act as positional indicators to a viewer to see where the yoke 34 is positioned relative to the coupler body), which may provide indication of preselected positional arrangements between the yoke and coupler components, Fig. 2-3, col. 4 lines 10-18).
In Reference to Claim 17
The archery bow of claim 10, wherein the coupler component includes a groove for receiving a looped end of the at least one power cable to anchor the at least one power cable to the coupler component (groove 50 is formed in the coupler body to receive the looped end 50 of the power cable 24 therein, Fig. 2-5 or 80, Fig. 10-11).
In Reference to Claim 18
The archery bow of claim 10, wherein the at least one power cable comprises: a first portion extending between a first of the pulley assemblies and the coupler component (first portion of the power cable 22/24 extends between the pulley assemblies 18); and a second portion extending between the adjustable yoke component and a second of the pulley assemblies (a second portion 36 is held by the adjustable yoke and extends to the axle of the opposite pulley assembly, Fig. 1-3).
In Reference to Claim 19
A power cable and timing adjustment assembly for a compound archery bow, power cable and timing adjustment assembly (adjustable timing anchor assemblies 26 for power cables 22/24 of a compound bow 10, Fig. 1-9, 70, Fig. 10-11) comprising:
a timing adjustment assembly (adjustable timing anchor assemblies 26, Fig. 1-9, 70, Fig. 10-11) comprising:
a first component (anchor/coupler body 32); and
a second component moveably connected to the first component and configured to selectively move relative to the first component between two or more different positional arrangements (yoke 34 is adjustably movable within cavity 40 of the coupler body 32 to different positional arrangements (ex. Fig. 2 vs. 3 (adjustment position shown via markings 68)), col. 3 lines 14-17, col. 3 line 52 – col. 4 line 39);
a power cable (22/24) comprising:
a first portion configured for extending between a first pulley assembly of the bow and the first component of the timing adjustment assembly (first portion of the power cable 22/24 extends between the pulley assemblies 18); and
a second portion extending between the second component of the timing adjustment assembly and a second pulley assembly of the bow (a second portion 36 is held by the adjustable yoke of the anchor body and extends to the axle of the opposite pulley assembly, Fig. 1-3).
In Reference to Claim 20
The power cable and timing adjustment assembly of claim 19, wherein: the first component of the timing adjustment assembly is a coupler component (anchor/coupler body 32); and the second component of the timing adjustment assembly is a yoke component (a second portion 36 is held by the adjustable yoke of the anchor body and extends to the axle of the opposite pulley assembly, Fig. 1-3).
In Reference to Claim 21
The power cable and timing adjustment assembly of claim 19, wherein each positional arrangement of the two or more different positional arrangements of the second component is imparts a different effective length of the power cable (each adjustable anchor assembly is adjustable to a different yoke positions within the coupler components to impart a different effective length of the respective power cable during use and in the brace position, col. 3 lines 14-17, col. 3 line 52 – col. 4 line 39).
In Reference to Claim 22
The power cable and timing adjustment assembly of claim 19, wherein the second portion of the power cable comprises: a first cable end coupled to a first side of the second pulley assembly; and a second cable end coupled to a second side of the second pulley assembly (split ends 36 are coupled to first and second sides of the respective pulley assembly at axle 38, Fig. 1-3).
Brief Discussion of Other Prior Art References
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. See the references cited page for publications that are noted for containing similar subject matter as the applicant. For example, Wenzel (5,606,963), Mitchell (5,381,777), Larson (4,909,231), Martin (4,733,648), Darlington (4,524,750), and Simonds (4,440,142) teach similar adjustable anchors or yokes for bow power cables.
Conclusion
If the applicant or applicant’s representation has any questions or concerns regarding this office action or the application they are welcome to contact the examiner at the phone number listed below and schedule and interview to discuss the outstanding issues and possible amendments to expedite prosecution of this application.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to ALEXANDER R NICONOVICH whose telephone number is (571)270-7419. The examiner can normally be reached Mon - Fri 8-6 MST.
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/ALEXANDER R NICONOVICH/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3711
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