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 1-20, filed 12/3/2024, are pending and are currently being examined.
Drawings
The drawings are objected to because some of the figures are presented in a horizontal/landscape orientation instead of the preferred vertical/portrait orientation and the nature of the drawings does not appear to require the landscape/horizontal orientation used (37 CFR 1.84(h)-(i)). 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 Objections
Claim 5 is objected to because of the following informalities: the claim does not end with a period. 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 17-20 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 pre-AIA the applicant regards as the invention.
Claim 17 recites the limitation “the second inner race” in line 14. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claims 18-20 are therefore rejected as they depend on a rejected claim.
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 1-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by Walthert US Pat. No. 12,553,682.
Walthert teaches:
In Reference to Claim 1
An archery bow (bow 10, Fig. 1-24), comprising:
a riser (20);
a limb coupled to the riser (first limb assembly 30 coupled to the top end of the riser and second limb assembly 40 coupled to the bottom end of the riser, Fig. 1);
a limb hanger coupled to the limb (limb apertures 35/36 with the retaining components at 150 form a hanger coupled at the end of the limb to support the rotatable member at the limb tips);
a cam coupled to the limb hanger, the cam having a bore (cam 50 having a central bore to have cam couple to the limb hanger via the axle and other rotatable components placed between the cam and the limb);
a bearing disposed within the bore, the bearing having an inner race and an outer race (pair of rotatable bearings 54 are placed within the bore, each bearing having an inner race and outer race to support ball bearings therein, ex. Fig. 7); and
a component threadably coupled to the limb hanger, the component contacting the inner race, wherein rotation of the component laterally displaces the cam from the limb hanger (axle 110 has a central threaded portion 118 that contacts the threaded support component 130 at the inner race of the bearings 54 and the bore of the cam to allow the position of the cam to be adjusted laterally along the axle axis towards a respective limb portion of the hanger as desired, Fig. 6-7, 9, Col. 1 lines 41-65, Col. 7 line 10 – Col. 8 line 61).
In Reference to Claim 2
The archery bow of claim 1, wherein: the component is configured to rotate from a first configuration to a second configuration; in the first configuration, the cam is displaced a first distance from the limb hanger; in the second configuration, the cam is displaced a second distance from the limb hanger; and the first distance is less than the second distance (the cam and component 130 are movable via rotation along threaded portion 118 of axle 110 received and movable within the hangar area of the limb tips, the cam and component 130 are movable to different positions/configurations at different distances from the hanger adjustable member 150, wherein a first distance may be closer to the hanger adjustment portion 150 than a second adjusted position/configuration, Fig. 6-7, Col. 7 line 10 – Col. 8 line 61).
In Reference to Claim 3
The archery bow of claim 1, wherein the limb is a first limb, the limb hanger is a first limb hanger, the component is a first component, the archery bow further comprising: a second limb; a second limb hanger coupled to the second limb; and a second component coupled to the second limb hanger (the second limb assembly 40 having a cam assembly 60 which is the same as first limb assembly 30 and cam assembly 50 and adjustment means as described above, Col. 4 lines 38-61, or the second split limb portion 32 has an axle receiving component 74/116 which may form a second hangar at the second limb tip portion of the first limb assembly, Fig. 4-7).
In Reference to Claim 4
The archery bow of claim 3, wherein: the first limb and the second limb define a gap therebetween; and rotation of the component laterally displaces the cam within the gap (the cam and component 130 are movable via rotation along threaded portion 118 of axle 110 received and movable within the hangar area in the gap between the inner surface of the split limb tips 32/34, the cam and component 130 are movable to different positions/configurations at different distances from the hanger adjustable member 150, wherein a first distance may be closer to the hanger adjustment portion 150 than a second adjusted position/configuration within the gap between the split limb tips 32/34, Fig. 6-7, Col. 7 line 10 – Col. 8 line 61).
In Reference to Claim 5
The archery bow of claim 3, wherein: the bearing is a first bearing and the inner race is a first inner race; the archery bow includes a second bearing disposed within the bore, the second bearing having a second inner race; the second component contacts the second inner race (pair of rotatable bearings 54 are placed within the bore of each cam assembly 50/60, each bearing having an inner race and outer race to support ball bearings therein and support the rotatable adjustment component(s) 130/118, ex. Fig. 7).
In Reference to Claim 6
The archery bow of claim 1, wherein: the cam is rotatable about an axis; and the component is configured to translate along the axis (the cam 50 rotates about the rotation axis of the axle and is moved during adjustment with component portion 130 along the rotation/adjustment axis of the axle, Fig. 4-7, Col. 8 lines 4-45).
In Reference to Claim 7
The archery bow of claim 1, wherein laterally displacing the cam from the limb hanger alters a moment induced on the cam (lateral movement of the cam inherently changes a torque/moment placed on the cam as the loaded bow string forces are applied different to the connected limb tips due to the new position of the cam on the axle).
In Reference to Claim 8
The archery bow of claim 1, further comprising a locking fastener coupled to the component and configured to retain the component in a fixed position relative to the limb hanger (axle locking fastener 70 and clamp fastener 72 lock the cam position within the clamp 150 and adjustable components in fixed positions during use, col. 7 line 47 col. 8 line 3).
In Reference to Claim 9
The archery bow of claim 1, wherein the component includes a first aperture (component 130 holds threaded axle 118 in a threaded aperture, 150 has an aperture area to hold the axle and component therein, and the limb tip/hangar has an aperture that the axle end 117 extends through, the axle end 117 having an aperture at the distal end that fastener 70 holds the axle in the hangar area of the limb tip).
In Reference to Claim 10
The archery bow of claim 9, wherein the limb hanger defines a second aperture and the component is partially disposed within the second aperture (component 130 is placed within an aperture/end of hangar area 150, and axle end 117 is placed within the aperture 35 of the limb tip/hangar, Fig. 6-7).
In Reference to Claim 11
An archery bow (bow 10, Fig. 1-24), comprising:
a riser (20);
a limb (first limb assembly 30 coupled to the top end of the riser and second limb assembly 40 coupled to the bottom end of the riser, Fig. 1);
a limb hanger coupled to the limb (limb apertures 35/36 with the retaining components at 150 form a hanger coupled at the end of the limb to support the rotatable member at the limb tips);
a cam coupled to the limb hanger, the cam having a bore (cam 50 having a central bore to have cam couple to the limb hanger via the axle and other rotatable components placed between the cam and the limb);
a bearing disposed within the bore, the bearing having an inner race and an outer race (pair of rotatable bearings 54 are placed within the bore, each bearing having an inner race and outer race to support ball bearings therein, ex. Fig. 7); and
a component threadably coupled to the limb hanger, wherein: the component is configured to contact the inner race (axle 110 has a central threaded portion 118 that contacts the threaded support component 130 at the inner race of the bearings 54 and the bore of the cam to allow the position of the cam to be adjusted laterally along the axle axis towards a respective limb portion of the hanger as desired, Fig. 6-7, 9, Col. 1 lines 41-65, Col. 7 line 10 – Col. 8 line 61);
the component is configured to rotate from a first configuration to a second configuration; in the first configuration, the cam is displaced a first distance from the limb hanger; in the second configuration, the cam is displaced a second distance from the limb hanger; and the first distance is less than the second distance (the cam and component 130 are movable via rotation along threaded portion 118 of axle 110 received and movable within the hangar area of the limb tips, the cam and component 130 are movable to different positions/configurations at different distances from the hanger adjustable member 150, wherein a first distance may be closer to the hanger adjustment portion 150 than a second adjusted position/configuration, Fig. 6-7, Col. 7 line 10 – Col. 8 line 61).
In Reference to Claim 12
The archery bow of claim 11, wherein the limb is a first limb, the limb hanger is a first limb hanger, the component is a first component, the archery bow further comprising: a second limb; a second limb hanger coupled to the second limb; and a second component coupled to the second limb hanger (the second limb assembly 40 having a cam assembly 60 which is the same as first limb assembly 30 and cam assembly 50 and adjustment means as described above, Col. 4 lines 38-61, or the second split limb portion 32 has an axle receiving component 74/116 which may form a second hangar at the second limb tip portion of the first limb assembly, Fig. 4-7).
In Reference to Claim 13
The archery bow of claim 11, wherein: the component translates along an axis; and the cam is rotatable about the axis (the cam 50 rotates about the rotation axis of the axle and is moved during adjustment with component portion 130 along the rotation/adjustment axis of the axle, Fig. 4-7, Col. 8 lines 4-45).
In Reference to Claim 14
The archery bow of claim 11, further comprising a locking fastener coupled to the component, the locking fastener configured to retain the component in a fixed position relative to the limb hanger (axle locking fastener 70 and clamp fastener 72 lock the cam position within the clamp 150 and adjustable components in fixed positions during use, col. 7 line 47 col. 8 line 3).
In Reference to Claim 15
The archery bow of claim 11, wherein the component defines a first aperture (component 130 holds threaded axle 118 in a threaded aperture, 150 has an aperture area to hold the axle and component therein, and the limb tip/hangar has an aperture that the axle end 117 extends through, the axle end 117 having an aperture at the distal end that fastener 70 holds the axle in the hangar area of the limb tip).
In Reference to Claim 16
The archery bow of claim 11, wherein the limb hanger defines a second aperture, the component partially disposed within the second aperture (component 130 is placed within an aperture/end of hangar area 150, and axle end 117 is placed within the aperture 35 of the limb tip/hangar, Fig. 6-7).
In Reference to Claim 17
An archery bow (bow 10, Fig. 1-24), comprising:
a riser (20);
a first limb; a second limb (first limb assembly 30 coupled to the top end of the riser and second limb assembly 40 coupled to the bottom end of the riser, Fig. 1);
a first limb hanger coupled to the first limb (limb apertures 35/36 with the retaining components at 150 form a hanger coupled at the end of the limb to support the rotatable member at the limb tips);
a second limb hanger coupled to the second limb (the second limb assembly 40 having a cam assembly 60 which is the same as first limb assembly 30 and cam assembly 50 and adjustment means as described above, Col. 4 lines 38-61, or the second split limb portion 32 has an axle receiving component 74/116 which may form a second hangar at the second limb tip portion of the first limb assembly, Fig. 4-7);
a cam coupled to the first limb hanger and the second limb hanger, the cam having a bore (cam 50 having a central bore to have cam couple to the limb hangers between the split limb tips 32/34 via the axle and other rotatable components placed between the cam and the limb);
a first bearing disposed within the bore, the first bearing having a first inner race (pair of rotatable bearings 54 are placed within the bore, each bearing having an inner race and outer race to support ball bearings therein, ex. Fig. 7);
a first component threadably coupled to the first limb hanger, the first component contacting the first inner race, wherein rotation of the first component laterally displaces the cam from the first limb hanger (the cam and component 130 are movable via rotation along threaded portion 118 of axle 110 received and movable within the threaded hangar area of the limb tips (ex. threaded locking fastener 70, etc.), the cam and component 130 are movable to different positions/configurations at different distances from the hanger adjustable member 150, wherein a first distance may be closer to the hanger adjustment portion 150 than a second adjusted position/configuration, Fig. 6-7, Col. 7 line 10 – Col. 8 line 61); and
a second component disposed within the second limb hanger, the second component contacting the second inner race (portions 74/116 extend from the threaded portion 118 which engages the inner race of each bearing 54 via 130, Fig. 4-7).
In Reference to Claim 18
The archery bow of claim 17, further comprising a locking fastener coupled to the first component, the locking fastener configured to retain the first component in a fixed position relative to the first limb hanger (axle locking fastener 70 and clamp fastener 72 lock the cam position within the clamp 150 and adjustable components in fixed positions during use, col. 7 line 47 col. 8 line 3).
In Reference to Claim 19
The archery bow of claim 17, wherein: the first component translates along an axis; and the cam is rotatable about the axis (the cam 50 rotates about the rotation axis of the axle and is moved during adjustment with component portion 130, Fig. 4-7, Col. 8 lines 4-45).
In Reference to Claim 20
The archery bow of claim 17, wherein the first limb hanger includes an aperture, the first component partially disposed within the aperture (component 130 is placed within an aperture/end of hangar area 150, and axle end 117 is placed within the aperture 35 of the limb tip/hangar, Fig. 6-7).
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, Strother (12,467,712) teaches a very similar adjustable cam assembly bearing (but does not qualify as prior art), Grace (12,163,757, 11,536,532, 10,126,087), Hayes (12,130,112), Hansen (11,821,708), McPherson (11,486,674, 9,528,788), Romero (2020/0158461), and Yehle (9,683,806) teach similar adjustable cam assemblies.
Further, it is noted that the prior art used in the rejection generally uses an integral hangar in the limb tip vs. an additional hangar/block, however adding or modification to include a separate block/hangar member to the limb tip to hold the rotatable cam assembly is well-known and not a patentable distinction without significant unique definition of the hangar/block assembly that would be different from all the relevant cited prior art.
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.
Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Nicholas Weiss can be reached at (571) 270-1775. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/ALEXANDER R NICONOVICH/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3711
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