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 .
STATUS OF CLAIMS
This Non-Final action is in reply to the application 18/110,713 filed on 03/25/2026.
Claims 1, 3, 5, 6, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17 and 19 are amended
Claims 18 is cancelled
Claim 21 is new
Claims 1 – 17, 19 – 21 are currently pending and have been examined.
Response to arguments
Response to 102 and amended claims
Based upon the amended claims, the examiner states that the current prior art MEIER still reads on the claims. MEIER discloses the recitation of the independent claim 1 12 and 19 as shown in the rejection below.
Claims 1 and 12 MEIER discloses the amended portion:
a first fin of the plurality of fins comprises a radially inner portion with a first width and radially outer portion with a second width and the first width is less than the second width( See fig. 3- where in a fin has a radially inner portion with a first width and radially outer portion with a second with and the first width is less than the second width.)
Claim 19 MEIER discloses the amended portion:
each fin of the plurality of fins comprises a convex curved surface and a concave curved surface that extend from a radially outer portion to a radially inner portion( See figure 2 below, convex and concave curved surface as noted in the figure)
[AltContent: arrow][AltContent: textbox (Concave curved surface)][AltContent: arrow][AltContent: textbox (Convex curved surface)]
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Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
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.
Claim(s) 1 – 4, 7, 9 – 13, 17, 19 – 20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a1)(a2) as being unpatentable by US Patent 9839172 – Meier et al. hereinafter as MEIER
Regarding claim 1
MEIER discloses:
A tilling implement, comprising:
a frame; (fig. 1 – frame 14 )
a row of disc blades coupled to the frame; (fig. 1 – disc blades 18 coupled to frame)
a soil finisher coupled to the frame, wherein the soil finisher comprises a plurality of chopper blades, (fig. 2 – spider tines) a first chopper blade of the plurality of chopper blades comprises a plurality of fins that extend radially from a hub, (col 2 line 59 – 65 – wherein a compressed bearing acts as a hub) a first fin of the plurality of fins comprises a radially inner portion with a first width and radially outer portion with a second width and the first width is less than the second width( See fig. 3- where in a fin has a radially inner portion with a first width and radially outer portion with a second with and the first width is less than the second width.) a first set of the plurality of fins bend in a first direction relative to the hub, and a second set of the plurality of fins bend in a second direction relative to the hub to facilitate tossing soil as the tilling implement travels through a field. ( fig. 2 – wherein the blade extend in a first direction – blade 54 pointing to the left, blade 60 pointing to the right.)
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[AltContent: textbox (Radial outer portion with a second width)]
[AltContent: textbox (Radial Inner portion with a first width)][AltContent: arrow][AltContent: textbox (First Fin)][AltContent: arrow][AltContent: arrow][AltContent: arrow][AltContent: connector][AltContent: connector][AltContent: arrow][AltContent: connector][AltContent: connector]
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Regarding claim 2
MEIER discloses claim 1:
2. The tilling implement of claim 1, wherein the first set of the plurality of fins bend laterally in the first direction relative to the hub, (fig. 2 – fin pointing laterally in a first direction) and the second set of the plurality of fins bend laterally in the second direction relative to the hub (fig. 2 – fin pointing laterally in a first direction) to facilitate tossing soil in the first direction and the second direction as the tilling implement travels through the field.
Regarding Claim 3
MEIER discloses claim 1:
3. The tilling implement of claim 1, wherein the first fin of the plurality of fins is positioned at a compound angle relative to the hub. (See figure 3 – wherein the blade are at a compound angle. See feature 32)
Regarding Claim 4
MEIER discloses claim 3:
The tilling implement of claim 3, wherein the compound angle comprises a respective bend laterally relative to the hub, and a respective curve forward relative to the hub. (fig. 4 - with respect to moving forward in the direction of 20.the compound angle is shown with the blade .)
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Regarding Claim 5
MEIER discloses claim 1:
5. (Currently Amended) The tilling implement of claim 1, wherein each additional fin of the plurality of fins comprises a respective radially inner portion with a respective first width and a respective radially outer portion with a respective second width, and the respective first width is less than the respective second width. ( See fig. 3- where in a fin has a radially inner portion with a first width and radially outer portion with a second with and the first width is less than the second width.)
Regarding Claim 6
(Currently Amended) The tilling implement of claim 1, wherein each the first fin of the plurality of fins comprises a convex curved surface and a concave curved surface that extend from [[a]] the radially outer portion to [[a]] the radially inner portion.( See figure 2 below, convex and concave curved surface as noted in the figure)
[AltContent: arrow][AltContent: textbox (Convex curved surface)][AltContent: textbox (Concave curved surface)][AltContent: arrow]
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Regarding Claim 7
MEIER discloses claim 1:
The tilling implement of claim 1, wherein the plurality of chopper blades are mounted on a shaft that extends laterally across at least a portion of the tilling implement. (Fig. 1 – blades mounted on shaft 34 that extend laterally of tilling equipment)
Regarding Claim 9
MEIER discloses claim 1:
The tilling implement of claim 1, wherein the soil finisher is a rear-most ground- engaging structure of the tilling implement relative to a forward direction of travel. (fig. 1 – wherein the soil finisher is the rear most ground engaging tool of the tillage equipment)
Regarding Claim 10
MEIER discloses claim 1:
The tilling implement of claim 1, wherein the plurality of chopper blades are configured to roll along the soil as the tilling implement travels through a field. ( fig. 1 where in the blades are non powered implement tools)
Regarding Claim 11
MEIER discloses claim 1:
The tilling implement of claim 1, wherein the row of disc blades comprises pairs of solid disc blades. ( Fig. 1 – disc blades 18 )
Regarding Claim 12
A soil finisher for a tilling implement, the soil finisher comprising:
a frame; (fig. 1 – frame 14 )
a mounting bracket coupled to the frame; (fig. 1 – The curve shaped bracket is mounted to frame as shown in the diagram below)
a shaft coupled to the mounting bracket; (fig. 1 – shaft 34 wherein it is attached to the bracket as shown in the diagram below.)
a plurality of chopper blades disposed on the shaft(fig. 2 – chopper blade 32), wherein a first chopper blade of the plurality of chopper blades comprises a hub and a plurality of fins circumferentially disposed about the hub relative to a rotational axis of the hub,( col 2 line 59 – 67 – wherein a compressed bearing can be mounted to the tines , such that it acts as a hub) a first fin of the plurality of fins comprises a radially inner portion with a first width and radially outer portion with a second width and the first width is less than the second width( See fig. 3- where in a fin has a radially inner portion with a first width and radially outer portion with a second with and the first width is less than the second width.) a first set of the plurality of fins bend laterally in a first direction relative to the hub, and a second set of the plurality of fins bend laterally in a second direction relative to the hub to facilitate tossing soil in the first direction and the second direction as the tilling implement travels through a field. ( fig. 2 – wherein the blade extend in a first direction – blade 54 pointing to the left, blade 60 pointing to the right.)
Regarding Claim 13
MEIER discloses claim 12:
The soil finisher of claim 12, wherein the first fin of the plurality of fins is positioned at a compound angle relative to the hub. (See figure 3 – wherein the blade are at a compound angle. See feature 32)
Regarding Claim 14
MEIER discloses claim 12:
The soil finisher of claim 12, wherein each additional fin of the plurality of fins comprises a respective radially inner portion with a respective first width and a respective radially outer portion with a respective second width, and the respective first width is less than the respective second width. ( See fig. 3- where in a fin has a radially inner portion with a first width and radially outer portion with a second with and the first width is less than the second width.)
Regarding Claim 15
The soil finisher of claim 12, wherein the first fin of the plurality of fins comprises a convex curved surface and a concave curved surface that extend from the radially outer portion to the radially inner portion.( See figure 2 below, convex and concave curved surface as noted in the figure)
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Regarding Claim 17
MEIER discloses claim 12:
17. The soil finisher of claim 12, wherein the soil finisher is configured to be a rear- most ground-engaging structure of the tilling implement relative to a forward direction of travel. (fig. 1 – wherein the soil finisher is the rear most ground engaging tool of the tillage equipment)and the plurality of chopper blades are configured to roll along the soil as the tilling implement travels through the field. ( Fig. 1 – wherein the soil finisher is the rear most ground engaging tool of the tillage equipment)
Regarding Claim 19
MEIER discloses:
19. An agricultural system, comprising: a work vehicle;( col 2 line 50 – 51) tow vehicle and a tilling implement configured to couple to the work vehicle( col 2 line 35 – 51 – tow vehicle with tillage implement), wherein the tilling implement comprises:
a frame; (fig. 1 – frame 14 )
a row of disc blades coupled to the frame; (fig. 1 – disc blades 18 coupled to frame)
a soil finisher coupled to the frame rearward of the row of disc blades relative to a forward direction of travel of the agricultural system(fig. 1 – wherein the soil finisher is the rear most ground engaging tool of the tillage equipment), wherein the soil finisher comprises a plurality of chopper blades(fig. 2 – spider tines), each chopper blade of the plurality of chopper blades comprises a plurality of fins that extend radially from a hub, (col 2 line 59 – 65 – wherein a compressed bearing acts as a hub) each fin of the plurality of fins comprises a convex curved surface and a concave curved surface that extend from a radially outer portion to a radially inner portion( See figure 2 below, convex and concave curved surface as noted in the figure)
a first fin of the plurality of fins bends in a first direction relative to the hub, and a second fin of the plurality of fins bends in a second direction relative to the hub to facilitate tossing soil as the tilling implement travels through a field. ( fig. 2 – wherein the blade extend in a first direction – blade 54 pointing to the left, blade 60 pointing to the right.)
Regarding Claim 20
MEIER discloses:
20. The agricultural system of claim 19, wherein each fin of the plurality of fins is positioned at a compound angle relative to the hub. (See figure 3 – wherein the blade are at a compound angle. See feature 32)
Regarding Claim 21
MEIER discloses:
The agricultural system of claim 19, wherein each fin of the plurality of fins comprises the radially inner portion with a first width and the radially outer portion with a second width, and the first width is less than the second width. ( See fig. 3- where in a fin has a radially inner portion with a first width and radially outer portion with a second with and the first width is less than the second width.)
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
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 (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) 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 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made.
Claim(s) 8 and 16 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a1)(a2) as being unpatentable by US Patent 9839172 – Meier et al. hereinafter as MEIER in view of US PG Pubs 20190261549 – Christie et al. hereinafter as CHRISTIE
Regarding Claim 8
MEIER discloses claim 7:
MEIER discloses of a plurality of blades that are mounted on a shaft, MEIER doesn’t explicitly disclose the plurality of blades mounted on the shaft are at a rotational offset relative to each other, however CHRISTIE discloses:
The tilling implement of claim 7, wherein the plurality of chopper blades are mounted on the shaft to be rotationally offset relative to one another. (para. 0174 is shaft driven, para. 0193 - where in the blades are rotationally offset one is a leading blade and one is trailing blade)
MEIER and CHRISTIE are all considered to be analogous to the claimed invention because they are in the same field of endeavor and usable together. Therefore, it would have been obvious to someone of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified MEIER to incorporate teachings of CHRISTIE and Operate the shaft with chopper blades wherein the plurality of chopper blades are mounted on the shaft to be rotationally offset relative to one another. One would have made this combination in order to allow the an offset of the chopper blades of MEIER to be offset using CHRISTIE as this would allow MEIER to break soil and increase width of penetration into the soil. ( para. 0193)
Regarding Claim 16
MEIER discloses claim 12:
MEIER discloses of a plurality of blades that are mounted on a shaft, MEIER doesn’t explicitly disclose the plurality of blades mounted on the shaft are at a rotational offset relative to each other, however CHRISTIE discloses:
The soil finisher of claim 12, wherein the plurality of chopper blades are mounted on the shaft to be rotationally offset relative to one another. (para. 0174 is shaft driven, para. 0193 - where in the blades are rotationally offset one is a leading blade and one is trailing blade)
MEIER and CHRISTIE are all considered to be analogous to the claimed invention because they are in the same field of endeavor and usable together. Therefore, it would have been obvious to someone of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified MEIER to incorporate teachings of CHRISTIE and Operate the shaft with chopper blades wherein the plurality of chopper blades are mounted on the shaft to be rotationally offset relative to one another. One would have made this combination in order to allow the an offset of the chopper blades of MEIER to be offset using CHRISTIE as this would allow MEIER to break soil and increase width of penetration into the soil. ( para. 0193)
Conclusion
Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to ALFRED H TSUI whose telephone number is (571)272-9511. The examiner can normally be reached 9:00am - 5:00pm.
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, Chris Sebesta can be reached on 5712720547. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/A.H.T/Examiner, Art Unit 3671
/CHRISTOPHER J SEBESTA/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 3671
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