Office Action 2: Notice of Allowance (2025-11-18)

CLAIMS:
AMENDMENT TO THE CLAIMS

1\. (Original) A dynamic balance adjusting structure used for a tripod head, wherein the dynamic balance adjusting structure comprises a main body (2) arranged on a tripod head, one side of the main body (2) is provided with a rotatable side cover (3), and the outer side of the side cover (3) is provided with a rotatable knob (5);the main body (2) is internally provided with an inner torsion spring seat (6), a first torsion spring (61) and a second torsion spring (62) are arranged between the inner torsion spring seat (6) and the side cover (3), and inner ends of the first torsion spring (61) and the second torsion spring (62) are fixed on the inner torsion spring seat (6);
the inner side of the side cover (3) is provided with a first outer torsion spring seat (71) and a second outer torsion spring seat (72) which are rotatable, an outer end of the first torsion spring (61) is fixed on the first outer torsion spring seat (71), and an outer end of the second torsion spring (62) is fixed on the second outer torsion spring seat (72);
the side cover (3) is provided with a first substrate component (81) and a second substrate component (82), the first substrate component (81) is provided with a first locating piece (812) for locating the first outer torsion spring seat (71), the second substrate component (82) is provided with a second locating piece (822) for locating the second outer torsion spring seat (72), and the first outer torsion spring seat (71) and the second outer torsion spring seat (72) synchronously rotate along with the side cover (3) when the first outer torsion spring seat (71) and the second outer torsion spring seat (72) are located;
the knob (5) is provided with an executive part, and when the knob (5) rotates, the executive part can drive the first locating piece (812) and/or the second locating piece (822) to move and release the location, so that the first outer torsion spring seat (71) and/or the second outer torsion spring seat (72) can be reset under the elastic force of the corresponding torsion spring.

2\. (Original) The dynamic balance adjusting structure used for a tripod head according to claim 1, wherein the first locating piece (812) is a locating pin arranged in the first substrate component (81), and the locating pin abuts against a first spring (813) in the first substrate component (81); a first deflector rod (811) extends from the first locating piece (812), and the executive part can move the first deflector rod (811) to move the first locating piece (812) to release the location of the first outer torsion spring seat (71).

3\. (Original) The dynamic balance adjusting structure used for a tripod head according to claim 2, wherein the second locating piece (822) is a locating pin arranged in the second substrate component (82), and the locating pin abuts against a second spring (823) in the second substrate component (82); a second deflector rod (821) extends from the second locating piece (822), and the executive part can move the second deflector rod (821) to move the second locating piece (822) to release the location of the second outer torsion spring seat (72).

4\. (Currently Amended) The dynamic balance adjusting structure used for a tripod head according to claim 3, wherein the executive part comprises a first protruding part (51) and a second protruding part (52) which are arranged on the inner side of the knob (5); during the rotation of the knob (5), the first protruding part (51) can guide the first deflector rod (811) to move and the first locating piece (812) can release the location of the first outer torsion spring seat (71), and the second protruding part (52) can guide the second deflector rod (821) to move and the second locating piece (822) can release the location of the second outer torsion spring seat (72).

5\. (Original) The dynamic balance adjusting structure used for a tripod head according to claim 4, wherein a locating hole (711) is formed in the first outer torsion spring seat (71), and the first locating piece (812) is inserted into the first locating hole (711) for realizing location; a second locating hole (721) is formed in the second outer

torsion spring seat (72), and the second locating piece (822) is inserted into the second locating piece (822) for realizing location.

6\. (Original) The dynamic balance adjusting structure used for a tripod head according to claim 3, wherein a first strip-shaped hole (31) for the first deflector rod (811) to pass through and a second strip-shaped hole (32) for the second deflector rod (821) to pass through are formed in the side cover (3).

7\. (Original) The dynamic balance adjusting structure used for a tripod head according to claim 3, wherein one side, facing the knob (5), of the side cover (3) is provided with a protruding structure (33), a limiting groove (331) is formed in the protruding structure (33), the inner side of the knob (5) is provided with a limiting column (54), and the limiting column (54) is placed in the limiting groove (331) for limiting movement.

8\. (Original) The dynamic balance adjusting structure used for a tripod head according to claim 3, wherein one side, facing the knob (5), of the side cover (3) is provided with a protruding structure (33), a gear hole (335) is formed in the protruding structure (33), the inner side of the knob (5) is provided with a gear ball (55), and the gear ball (55) is placed in the gear hole (335) for realizing gear feedback.

9\. (Currently Amended) The dynamic balance adjusting structure used for a tripod head according to claim 3, wherein when the tripod head is at \[\[the\]\] an initial position, the first substrate component (81) and the second substrate component (82) are located at the upper end and the lower end of the side cover (3); the first protruding part (51) and the second protruding part (52) on the inner side of the knob (5) are arranged at asymmetric positions on the circumference.

10\. (Original) The dynamic balance adjusting structure used for a tripod head according to claim 1, wherein the center of the inner torsion spring seat (6) is provided with a central column (66) towards the direction of the side cover (3), the second outer torsion spring seat (72) sleeves the central column (66) and rotates, and the first outer

Y-007.P004 torsion spring seat (71) sleeves an outer ring of the second outer torsion spring seat (72) and can rotate.

OFFICE ACTION:
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 .
Amendment filed 10/10/2025 has been entered.  Claims 1-10 remain pending in the present application.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-10 are allowable over the prior art of record.
The following is an examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance: In the Non-Final Rejection dated 7/16/2025, the Examiner objected to claim 9 for including an informality and rejected claim 4 as being indefinite.  Applicant has amended claims 9 and 4 to overcome the issues set forth by the Examiner.  Re. Cl. 1, the specific limitation of “inner ends of the first torsion spring (61) and the second torsion spring (62) are fixed on the inner torsion spring seat (6); the inner side of the side cover (3) is provided with a first outer torsion spring seat (71) and a second outer torsion spring seat (72) which are rotatable, an outer end of the first torsion spring (61) is fixed on the first outer torsion spring seat (71), and an outer end of the second torsion spring (62) is fixed on the second outer torsion spring seat (72); the side cover (3) is provided with a first substrate component (81) and a second substrate component (82), the first substrate component (81) is provided with a first locating piece (812) for locating the first outer torsion spring seat (71), the second substrate component (82) is provided with a second locating piece (822) for locating the second outer torsion spring seat (72), and the first outer torsion spring seat (71) and the second outer torsion spring seat (72) synchronously rotate along with the side cover (3) when the first outer torsion spring seat (71) and the second outer torsion spring seat (72) are located” are not anticipated or rendered obvious by the prior art of record.  Ishikawa US 5413295 discloses a known dynamic balance adjusting structure which comprises a main body (B) arranged on a tripod head (A), one side of the main body is provided with a rotatable side cover (44), and the outer side of the side cover is provided with a rotatable knob (55); the main body is internally provided with an inner torsion spring seat (35), a first torsion spring (25) and a second torsion spring (24) are arranged between the inner torsion spring seat and the side cover, the knob (55) is provided with an executive part (52), and when the knob rotates, the executive part can drive the first locating piece (42) and/or the second locating piece (43) to move and release the location, so that the first outer torsion spring seat and/or the second outer torsion spring seat can be reset under the elastic force of the corresponding torsion spring: (see Fig. 12; Col. 6 Line 44-Col. 7, Line 6).  Jaumann US 2008/0258022 discloses another known dynamic adjusting structure which has torsion springs (20-25) which are reset using a knob (41) but lacks disclosure of the limitations cited above.  In other words, Ishikawa and Jaumann are relevant prior art references but do not disclose to specific manner of carrying out the function of adjusting the spring force of the device.  Therefore, it is the Examiner’s position that the claims define over the prior art and are in condition for allowance.
Any comments considered necessary by applicant must be submitted no later than the payment of the issue fee and, to avoid processing delays, should preferably accompany the issue fee.  Such submissions should be clearly labeled “Comments on Statement of Reasons for Allowance.”

APPLICANT REBUTTAL: REMARKS
Claims 1-10 are pending in the present application. Claims 4 and 9 are currently amended. No claim has been canceled.
Office Action of July 16, 2025
Applicant has carefully reviewed and considered the Office Action of July 16, 2025. Applicant hereby requests entry of this Response and further consideration of the present application in view of the following remarks.
In the Office Action, claim 9 was objected to for a claim construction informality.
Claims 4-5 were rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) as being indefinite.
Applicant respectfully traverses these grounds of rejection and requests reconsideration thereof.
Claims 1-10 are allowable.
Obj
ection to the Claims
Claim 9
The Office Action objected to claim 9 for a claim construction informality. Specifically, the phrase "the initial position" in line 2 has no antecedent basis. Applicant has amended this limitation to "an initial position" and requests withdrawal of the objection.
Rej
ection Under 35 U.S.C.
X
Claims 4-5
The Office Action rejected claims 4-5 under 35 U.S.C. §112(b) as being
indefinite. Specifically, claim 4 recites "executive parts" plural whereas the parent claims all recite "executive part" singular. Applicant has amended claim 4 to the singular and requests withdrawal of the rejection.
Conclusion


CITED REFERENCE SUMMARIES: Ref US1898469A: [content unavailable]
Ref US2719690A: [content unavailable]
Ref US4955568A: Claims:
A panhead for supporting an instrument comprising, in combination, a housing, a tilt drum having a substantially horizontal tilt shaft defining a horizontal tilt axis, means for mounting said tilt drum in said housing for rotation about said horizontal tilt axis, a vertical pan shaft defining a vertical pan axis, means for mounting said housing on said vertical pan shaft for rotation about said vertical pan axis, at least two springs mounted in perpendicular planes to said horizontal tilt axis, first means for mounting one end of each of said springs along a common horizontal axis, said common axis lying in a vertical plane containing said tilt axis, second means for mounting the opposite end of each said spring at an equal angle to said vertical plane on opposite sides of said plane, means for securing against rotation relative to the tilt axis one end of each said spring having the same type means for mounting, means for coupling the opposite ends of each said spring to said tilt drum for rotation therewith, such that said springs exert a restoring torque on the tilt down when said tilt axis and said common axis do not coincide, at least one drag assembly for exerting a drag force against rotation of one said shaft, said drag assembly including a circular drag disk assembly mounted to said shaft for rotation therewith, at least two sector assemblies pivotally mounted in said housing about the circumference of said drag disk assembly so that said sector assemblies pivot about axes which are parallel to said axis, said sector assemblies being mounted in said housing substantially adjacent to said drag disk assembly so as to define a space therebetween, each of said sector assemblies being substantially equally distant from said disk assembly, means for pivoting one said sector assembly about its axis, means for coupling said sector assemblies together so that pivoting one said sector assembly causes each said sector assembly to pivot an equal distance from said disk assembly, a viscous fluid disposed in said space between said sector assemblies and said disk assembly whereby rotation of said shaft and said drag disk assembly exerts a drag force against rotation.
a tilt drum having a substantially horizontal tilt shaft defining a horizontal tilt axis,
means for mounting said tilt drum in said housing for rotation about said horizontal tilt axis,
a vertical pan shaft defining a vertical pan axis,
means for mounting said housing on said vertical pan shaft for rotation about said vertical pan axis,
at least two springs mounted in perpendicular planes to said horizontal tilt axis,
first means for mounting one end of each of said springs along a common horizontal axis, said common axis lying in a vertical plane containing said tilt axis,
second means for mounting the opposite end of each said spring at an equal angle to said vertical plane on opposite sides of said plane,
means for securing against rotation relative to the tilt axis one end of each said spring having the same type means for mounting,
means for coupling the opposite ends of each said spring to said tilt drum for rotation therewith,
such that said springs exert a restoring torque on the tilt down when said tilt axis and said common axis do not coincide,
at least one drag assembly for exerting a drag force against rotation of one said shaft, said drag assembly including
a circular drag disk assembly mounted to said shaft for rotation therewith,
at least two sector assemblies pivotally mounted in said housing about the circumference of said drag disk assembly so that said sector assemblies pivot about axes which are parallel to said axis, said sector assemblies being mounted in said housing substantially adjacent to said drag disk assembly so as to define a space therebetween, each of said sector assemblies being substantially equally distant from said disk assembly,
means for pivoting one said sector assembly about its axis,
means for coupling said sector assemblies together so that pivoting one said sector assembly causes each said sector assembly to pivot an equal distance from said disk assembly,
a viscous fluid disposed in said space between said sector assemblies and said disk assembly whereby rotation of said shaft and said drag disk assembly exerts a drag force against rotation.
A panhead as claimed in claim 1 comprising two said drag assemblies, one being mounted along said horizontal tilt axis, the other being mounted along said vertical pan axis.
A panhead as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for coupling said sector assemblies together comprises at least two links and means for pivotally coupling the ends of said links to said sector assemblies such that pivoting one said sector assembly causes the ends of said links coupled to said sector assembly to rotate about said sector assembly pivot axis so that the opposite ends of said links coupled to another said sector assembly exert a force on said other sector assembly to cause said other sector assembly to rotate about its sector assembly pivot axis.
A panhead as claimed in claim 1, which further comprises means for varying the distance between said common axis and said tilt axis.
A counterbalance mechanism for a panhead comprising, in combination, a tilt drum mounted for rotation about a substantially horizontal tilt axis, at least two springs mounted in perpendicular planes to said tilt axis, first means for mounting one end of each said spring along a common horizontal axis, said common axis lying in a vertical plane containing said tilt axis, second means for mounting the opposite end of each said spring at an equal angle to said vertical plane on opposite sides of said plane, means for securing against rotation relative to said tilt axis one end of each said spring having the same type means for mounting, means for coupling the opposite ends of each said spring to said tilt drum for rotation therewith, such that said springs exert a restoring torque on the tilt drum when said tilt axis and said common axis do not coincide.
a tilt drum mounted for rotation about a substantially horizontal tilt axis,
at least two springs mounted in perpendicular planes to said tilt axis,
first means for mounting one end of each said spring along a common horizontal axis, said common axis lying in a vertical plane containing said tilt axis,
means for securing against rotation relative to said tilt axis one end of each said spring having the same type means for mounting,
means for coupling the opposite ends of each said spring to said tilt drum for rotation therewith, such that said springs exert a restoring torque on the tilt drum when said tilt axis and said common axis do not coincide.
A counterbalance mechanism as claimed in claim 5, which further comprises means for varying the distances between said common axis and said tilt axis.
A counterbalance mechanism as claimed in claim 6, wherein said second means for mounting the opposite end of each said spring at an angle is secured against rotation relative to the tilt axis.
A counterbalance mechanism as claimed in claim 6, wherein said means for varying the distance includes a block and a housing, said block being coupled to said common axis, said block being slidably mounted along a vertical axis in said housing, whereby sliding said block in said housing causes said horizontal common axis to move within said vertical plane.
A counterbalance mechanism as claimed in claim 8, wherein said means for varying the distance further includes an adjustment screw and an adjustment knob, said adjustment screw extending through an opening in said housing and being threadably coupled to said block, whereby rotation of said adjustment knob causes said block to slide in said housing.
A counterbalance mechanism as claimed in claim 6, wherein said first means for mounting one end of each said spring along a common horizontal axis is secured against rotation relative to the tilt axis.
A counterbalance mechanism as claimed in claim 7, further comprising at least two support shafts and a crank pin, said crank pin lying along the common horizontal axis, each said spring being mounted to said crank pin along the common horizontal axis, the opposite end of each said spring being mounted to said support shafts, said support shafts being coupled to said tilt drum for rotation therewith.
A counterbalance mechanism as claimed in claim 11 wherein said first and second means for mounting include whiffle trees which are rotatably mounted on said support shafts and said crank pin, said spring ends being mounted to said whiffle trees.
A counterbalance mechanism as claimed in claim 12, wherein said springs are disposed in parallel pairs, the ends of each of said springs in said pairs being mounted to the same whiffle trees.
A counterbalance mechanism as claimed in claim 13, having four pairs of springs, two pairs of said springs being mounted at an angle to said vertical plane along one side of said vertical plane and two pairs of said springs being mounted at an equal angle to said vertical plane along the other side of said vertical plane.
A drag mechanism for a camera panhead comprising, in combination, a housing, a shaft mounted for rotation with respect to said housing about an axis of rotation, a circular drag disk assembly mounted to said shaft for rotation therewith, at least two sector assemblies pivotally mounted in said housing so that said sector assemblies pivot about axes which are parallel to said axis of rotation, said sector assemblies being mounted in said housing about the circumference of said disk assembly substantially adjacent to said disk assembly so as to define a space therebetween, means for variably pivoting one said sector assembly about its axis, means for coupling said sector assemblies together so that pivoting one said sector assembly causes each said sector assembly to pivot to an equal distance from said disk assembly, a viscous fluid disposed in the space between the sector assemblies and the disk assembly, whereby relative rotation of said shaft and said circular drag disk assembly with respect to said housing and said at least two sector assemblies exerts a drag force against rotation.
a shaft mounted for rotation with respect to said housing about an axis of rotation,
at least two sector assemblies pivotally mounted in said housing so that said sector assemblies pivot about axes which are parallel to said axis of rotation, said sector assemblies being mounted in said housing about the circumference of said disk assembly substantially adjacent to said disk assembly so as to define a space therebetween,
means for variably pivoting one said sector assembly about its axis,
means for coupling said sector assemblies together so that pivoting one said sector assembly causes each said sector assembly to pivot to an equal distance from said disk assembly,
a viscous fluid disposed in the space between the sector assemblies and the disk assembly,
whereby relative rotation of said shaft and said circular drag disk assembly with respect to said housing and said at least two sector assemblies exerts a drag force against rotation.
A drag mechanism as claimed in claim 15, wherein said means for coupling said sector assemblies comprises at least two links and means for pivotally coupling the ends of said links to said sector assemblies such that pivoting one said sector assembly causes the ends of said links coupled to said sector assembly to rotate about said sector assembly pivot axis so that the opposite ends of said links coupled to another said sector assembly exert a force on said other sector assembly to cause said other sector assembly to rotate about its sector assembly pivot axis.
A drag mechanism as claimed in claim 16, wherein said means for variably pivoting one said sector assembly comprises, a driver link pivotally mounted to said one sector assembly, a crank arm pivotally mounted to said driver link and to said housing, means for variably pivoting said crank arm with respect to said housing, such that pivoting said crank arm with respect to said housing exerts a force on said driver link which causes said one sector assembly to pivot about its axis to adjust the space between said sector assembly and said disk assembly.
a driver link pivotally mounted to said one sector assembly,
a crank arm pivotally mounted to said driver link and to said housing,
means for variably pivoting said crank arm with respect to said housing, such that pivoting said crank arm with respect to said housing exerts a force on said driver link which causes said one sector assembly to pivot about its axis to adjust the space between said sector assembly and said disk assembly.
A drag mechanism as claimed in claim 17, wherein said means for variably pivoting said crank arm with respect to said housing includes a control shaft secured to said crank arm, and a lever secured to said control shaft.
A drag mechanism as claimed in claim 17, wherein said means for variably pivoting said crank arm with respect to said housing includes a first control shaft secured to said crank arm, a gear secured to said first control shaft, a second control shaft disposed at an angle to said first control shaft, a worm gear secured to said second control shaft and disposed to mesh with said gear, and an adjustment knob secured to said second control shaft, such that rotation of said adjustment knob rotates said second control shaft and said worm gear, and rotation of said worm gear causes rotation of said gear and said first control shaft and pivoting of said crank arm.
A drag mechanism as claimed in claim 16, wherein each said sector assembly includes at least one sector and at least one sector spacer, said sector spacer being smaller in size than said sector, said sector and said sector spacer being secured together to prevent relative motion therebetween, and said drag disk assembly includes at least one drag disk and at least one drag disk spacer, said sector assemblies being mounted in said housing to define radial spaces between said sectors and said drag disk spacer, and between said sector spacers and said drag disk.
Ref US5389972A: Claims:
A support head for television or motion-picture cameras adapted to perform horizontal and azimuthal panning shots, and comprising a balancing member and devices for controlling and adjusting horizontal and azimuthal movements, respectively, said device for controlling and adjusting azimuthal movement including a first braking element, and a first braked element assembled on a same axis and each comprising a plurality of concentric rings staggered so as to define spaces therebetween, the concentric rings of said first braking element engaging in the spaces defined between adjacent concentric rings of said first braked element; a high viscosity fluid being provided in said spaces between said concentric rings of said first braking element and said first braked element, said high viscosity fluid being contained in a tight seal space inside said support head; screw control means for actuating said first braking element arranged outside said support head, and rotating inside a longitudinally slidable hollow shaft element having on its outer surface slots receiving axially slidable first radial pin means, said first pin means engaging with an outer surface of said first braking element and further comprising adjusting means for interengagement of a second braking element and a second braked element for control of horizontal movement, said adjusting means being constituted by second pin means slidable in slots provided on a drive ring nut, wherein said support head comprises a balancing member constituted by bearing means assembled on an eccentric section of a horizontal axis of said support head, elastic means, and hinge contact means between said elastic means and said bearing means, said elastic means being assembled on a longitudinally slidable support element comprising means for causing and controlling displacement of said support element along its own axis.
a high viscosity fluid being provided in said spaces between said concentric rings of said first braking element and said first braked element, said high viscosity fluid being contained in a tight seal space inside said support head;
screw control means for actuating said first braking element arranged outside said support head, and rotating inside a longitudinally slidable hollow shaft element having on its outer surface slots receiving axially slidable first radial pin means, said first pin means engaging with an outer surface of said first braking element and further comprising adjusting means for interengagement of a second braking element and a second braked element for control of horizontal movement, said adjusting means being constituted by second pin means slidable in slots provided on a drive ring nut, wherein said support head comprises a balancing member constituted by bearing means assembled on an eccentric section of a horizontal axis of said support head, elastic means, and hinge contact means between said elastic means and said bearing means, said elastic means being assembled on a longitudinally slidable support element comprising means for causing and controlling displacement of said support element along its own axis.
The support head according to claim 1, wherein said elastic element of said balancing member consists of steel springs.
The support head according to claim 1, wherein said elastic element of said balancing member consists of a hard rubber block.
The support head according to claim 1, wherein said slidable support element which supports said hinge contact means is adjusted, through said means for controlling and putting into motion, by screw means arranged on an outer portion of said support.
The support head according to claim 1, wherein said first pin means are arranged at 120Â° with respect to each other.
The support head according to claim 1, wherein said second pin means are arranged at 120Â° with respect to each other.
Ref US20080258022A1: [content unavailable]
Ref US5413295A: Claims:
A weight balancer for a tripod head, said weight balancer being concentrically connected to a tilting shaft of the tripod head, said weight balancer comprising: a plurality of spring units; a respective case for each of said spring units; a plurality of spiral springs having different elastic forces incorporated in the spring units; first ends of said spiral springs fixed on said tilting shaft of the tripod head; other ends of said spiral springs fixed to the respective case; recesses on a side of each said case arranged around at least one circle with respect to one another, said recesses being positioned on an outer side of each said case; a respective check pin for each of said cases, said respective check pin being freely insertable into and removable from said recesses of the respective case; a righting moment switchover mechanism means including a check pin driving member which causes each of said check pins to stepwise insert into and remove from the respective recesses.
a plurality of spring units;
a respective case for each of said spring units;
a plurality of spiral springs having different elastic forces incorporated in the spring units;
first ends of said spiral springs fixed on said tilting shaft of the tripod head;
other ends of said spiral springs fixed to the respective case;
recesses on a side of each said case arranged around at least one circle with respect to one another, said recesses being positioned on an outer side of each said case;
a respective check pin for each of said cases, said respective check pin being freely insertable into and removable from said recesses of the respective case;
a righting moment switchover mechanism means including a check pin driving m
[Truncated to input limit]