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 .
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 (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 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 – 5 and 7 – 20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) and 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by patent number US 5,456,332 A to Borenstein.
Regarding claim 1 – 5 and 7 – 13, Borenstein discloses a vehicle (vehicle 40), comprising:
[Claim 1] a frame (chassis 41 and 42);
a first set of wheels (wheels 50 and 51) configured to rotate about a first rotational axis (indicated by the dashed line going through wheels 50 and 51), wherein each wheel in the first set of wheels is independently motor controlled (respectively associated drive motors 52 and 53; Col. 9, Lns. 61 – 64), wherein the first set of wheels are pivotably mounted to the frame such that the first set of wheels spin about a first steering axis (pivot 43), and wherein the first steering axis is orthogonal to the first rotational axis; and
a second set of wheels (wheels 55 and 56) configured to rotate about a second rotational axis (indicated by the dashed line going through wheels 55 and 56, Fig. 4), wherein the second set of wheels are pivotably mounted to the frame such that the second set of wheels spin about a second steering axis, wherein the second steering axis is orthogonal to the second rotational axis, and wherein the second steering axis is offset from the first steering axis (See Fig. 4);
[Claim 2] wherein the second steering axis (pivot 44) is parallel to and offset from the first steering axis (pivot 43; See Fig. 4), wherein the first steering axis is substantially vertical (See Fig. 4), wherein the second steering axis (pivot 44) is substantially vertical, (See Fig. 4) wherein the first rotational axis (indicated by the dashed line going through wheels 50 and 51) is substantially horizontal (See Fig. 4), and wherein the second rotational axis (indicated by the dashed line going through wheels 55 and 56, Fig. 4) is substantially horizontal (See Fig. 4);
[Claim 3] wherein the first rotational axis (indicated by the dashed line going through wheels 50 and 51; Fig. 4) is parallel to the second rotational axis (indicated by the dashed line going through wheels 55 and 56, Fig. 4);
[Claim 4] wherein the second rotational axis (indicated by the dashed line going through wheels 55 and 56, Fig. 4) is orthogonal to the first steering axis (pivot 43; See Fig. 4) and wherein the first rotational axis (indicated by the dashed line going through wheels 50 and 51; See Fig. 4) is orthogonal to the second steering axis (pivot 44; See Fig. 4);
[Claim 5] wherein the first rotational axis (indicated by the dashed line going through wheels 50 and 51) bisects the first steering axis (pivot 43) and does not bisect the second steering axis (pivot 44; See Fig. 4);
[Claim 7] wherein the first set of wheels include (wheels 50 and 51) a first wheel (wheel 50) and a second wheel (wheel 51), wherein the first wheel includes a first motor (drive motor 52) and a first controller (the drive motor inherently has an internal controller to start, stop, reverse, etc. the wheel), wherein the second wheel includes a second motor (drive motor 53) and a second controller (the drive motor inherently has an internal controller to start, stop, reverse, etc. the wheel), wherein the first controller provides first control signals to the first motor, and wherein the second controller provides second control signals to the second motor (Col. 9, Lns. 61 through Col. 10, Lns 1 – 3);
[Claim 8] wherein the first controller and the second controller operate autonomously (Col. 1, Lns. 15 – 23);
[Claim 9] wherein the first controller and the second controller coordinate with one another and operate based on control signals received from a remote controller (“controlling the relative velocities of the drive wheels”, Col. 9, Ln. 65 through Col. 10, Ln. 3);
[Claim 10] wherein a first wheel (wheel 50) in the first set of wheels (wheels 50 and 51) is capable of being driven in a first direction by a first motor (drive motor 52) and a second wheel (wheel 51) in the first set of wheels is capable of being driven in a second direction by a second motor (drive motor 53) that opposes the first direction to rotate the first set of wheels about the first steering axis (pivot 43) without imparting motion to the frame (chassis 41 and 42; “…chassis…rotating…” Col. 9, Lns. 65 thru Col. 10, Lns. 1 – 3);
[Claim 11] further comprising:
a limiter (“trajectory interpolator means”, Claim 25) that prohibits the first set of wheels (wheels 50 and 51) from pivoting more than a predetermined amount about the first steering axis (pivot 43; Col. 8, Lns. 45 – 48);
[Claim 12] wherein each wheel in the first set of wheels (wheels 50 and 51) is connected to the frame (chassis 41 and 42) by a common rotatable mount (pivot 43); and
[Claim 13] wherein each wheel in the first set of wheels (wheels 50 and 51) is connected to the frame (chassis 41 and 42) by a different rotatable mount (each wheel 50 and 51 are mounted by a corresponding drive motor 52 and 53, respectively).
Regarding claims 14 – 20 , Borenstein discloses a steering system for a vehicle (vehicle 40), the steering system comprising:
[Claim 14] a rotatable mount (chassis 41) connected to a frame (chassis 41 and 42) of the vehicle (vehicle 40), wherein the rotatable mount pivots about a steering axis (pivot 43);
a first set of wheels (wheels 50 and 51) that are independently motor controlled and connected to the rotatable mount (Col. Lns. 61 – 64), wherein the first set of wheels are configured to rotate about a rotational axis (indicated by the dashed ling going through wheels 50 and 52, See Fig. 4) that is orthogonal to the steering axis (Fig. 4);
a second rotatable mount (chassis 42) connected to the frame (chassis 41 and 42), wherein the second rotatable mount pivots about a second steering axis (pivot 44); and
a second set of wheels (wheels 55 and 56) connected to the second rotatable mount (chassis 42), wherein the second set of wheels are configured to rotate about a second rotational axis (indicated by the dashed line going through wheels 55 and 56, Fig. 4) that is orthogonal to the second steering axis (pivot 44), wherein the second steering axis is offset from the first steering axis (pivot 43; See Fig. 4);
[Claim 15] wherein the first set of wheels (wheels 50 and 51) include a first wheel (wheel 50) and a second wheel (wheel 51), both of which rotate about the rotational axis (indicated by the dashed ling going through wheels 50 and 52, See Fig. 4);
[Claim 16] wherein the first wheel (wheel 50) is capable of spinning in a first direction and the second wheel (wheel 51) is capable of spinning in a second direction, opposite the first direction, to cause the first set of wheels (wheels 50 and 51) to pivot about the steering axis (pivot 43; Col. 9, Lns. 65 thru Col. 10, Lns. 1 – 3);
[Claim 17] wherein the second steering axis (pivot 44) is parallel to and offset from the first steering axis (pivot 43), wherein the first steering axis (pivot 43) is substantially vertical (Fig. 4), wherein the second steering axis (pivot 44) is substantially vertical (Fig. 4), wherein the first rotational axis (indicated by the dashed line going through wheels 50 and 51) is substantially horizontal (See Fig. 4), and wherein the second rotational axis (indicated by the dashed line going through wheels 55 and 56, Fig. 4) is substantially horizontal (See Fig. 4);
[Claim 18] further comprising:
a sensor (“displacement monitoring signal”, Col. 7, Lns. 1 – 12; “ultrasonic sensor”, Col. 14, Ln. 31); and
a controller (“steering controller”, Col. 7, Lns. 3 – 12/ “vehicle controller”, Col. 7, Lns. 47 – 57) that receives input from the sensor and controls rotation of at least one wheel in the first set of wheels based on the input received from the sensor (“displacement monitoring signal”, Col. 7, Lns. 3 – 12; Col. 7, Lns. 47 – 57; Col. 14, Lns. 25 – 33);
[Claim 19] wherein the sensor (ultrasonic sensor, Col. 14, Ln. 31) I capable of providing input to the controller indicating an amount by which the first set of wheels has pivoted about the steering axis and wherein the sensor comprises at least one of a proximity sensor, a motion sensor, an accelerometer, a force sensor, a LIDAR sensor, an image sensor, a speed sensor, and a rotation sensor (ultrasonic sensors are used to measure speed and distance using sound waves); and
[Claim 20] wherein the first set of wheels (wheels 50 and 51) comprise at least a first motor (drive motor 52) and a second motor (drive motor 53) that are independently controlled by a first controller and a second controller, respectively (Col. 7, Lns. 3 – 12; Col. 7, Lns. 47 – 56;“…by controlling the relative velocities of the drive wheels.”; Col. 9, Lns. 61 thru Col. 10, Lns. 1 – 3).
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 6 is objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but would be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims.
Regarding claim 6, Borenstein discloses the vehicle of claim 1, but does not disclose wherein the first rotational axis neither bisects the first steering axis nor the second steering axis. In addition, it is not obvious to modify Borenstein to be configured as claimed.
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments with respect to claims 1 – 5 and 7 – 20 have been considered but are moot because the new ground of rejection does not rely on any reference applied in the prior rejection of record for any teaching or matter specifically challenged in the argument.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
US 9,475,522 B2 to Van Meijl et al. Vehicle and method for moving such a vehicle, and transport system for objects such as items of luggage
US 2023/0277397 A1 to Monson Patient support apparatus having motorized wheels
US 2021/0016764 A1 to Deschamps Steering assembly for a vehicle and vehicle comprising the same and method for controlling motion of a vehicle using a steering assembly
US 2007/0240928 A1 to Coltson Compact construction vehicle with improved mobility
US 2007/0080000 A1 to Tobey Modular dual wheel drive assembly, wheeled devices that include modular dual wheel drive assembly and methods for moving and/or maneuvering wheeled devices using modular dual wheel drive assemblies
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 Felicia L Brittman-Alabi whose telephone number is (313)446-6512. The examiner can normally be reached M-F, 9-6.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Valentin Neacsu can be reached at (571)272-6265. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/Felicia L. Brittman-Alabi/ Examiner, Art Unit 3611
/VALENTIN NEACSU, Ph.D./ Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 3611
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