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 Final action is in reply to the application 18/376,036 amendment filed on 04/08/2026.
Claim 1, 3, 5, 7 – 8 are amended
Claim 2 and 6 are cancelled
Claims 1, 3 – 5, 7 – 8 are currently pending and have been examined.
Foreign Priority
The examiner states that the foreign priority is accepted on the PTO 26 and acknowledged.
Response to Arguments
Response to 103
The examiner states that the applicants arguments are not persuasive.
The examiner states the applicant argues that SEOK does not disclose the amended claim,Amended claim one includes the claim limitation of “ the pressure oil in the plurality of pipelines is returned to the hydraulic oil tank by alternating energizing the plurality of solenoid valves provided on both sides of a spool of the service actuator control valve with the electric motor stopped”. The examiner states that this claim limitation is now taught by KURIKUMA ( page 52 paragraph 3 – solenoid and spool of valve and page 57)
Additionally the applicant argues that the claims disclose the following :
"with the first drive unit stopped, the controller uses a pressure in an accumulator and performs a series of control that a spool is reciprocated by the solenoid valve of the control valve for a service actuator to return the hydraulic oil fed to the pipeline for a service actuator to a hydraulic oil tank.
This configuration eliminates the need for a dedicated service pipe and a dedicated
solenoid valve, so that the cost of components can be reduced, the piping layout is simplified, and the pressure oil can be automatically returned. (Paragraph 0008 of US Application Publication) That is, this configuration enables returning the pressure oil in the pipeline for a service actuator more reliably."
KURIKUMA discloses the amended limitation :
drive unit driven by an inverter driving an electric motor to discharge hydraulic oil from a hydraulic pump( page 51 last paragraph and 52 first paragraph –electric motor, inverter, hydraulic pump, hydraulic oil)
a battery supplying dc power to the inverter( page 52, last paragraph – inverter DC power)
a controller signal connected to the inverter( page 54 control unit)
solenoid valves provided on both sides of spool of the service actuator control valve with the electric motor stopped ( page 52 paragraph 3 – solenoid and spool of valve and page 57)
as disclosed in the claims rejection below.
The examiner states that the applicants amended claims do not required the same level of detail as stated in the specification as what is stated in the amended claims. Thus the amended limitations are taught by KURIKUMA as disclosed above in combination with SEOK and TAGUCHI.
With regards to Claim 3, 4 is now taught by KURIKUMA and therefore the applicants arguments are moot.
With regards to claim 5, 7 and 8, this is now taught by HENDRICKS and therefore the applicants arguments are moot.
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) 1 – 4 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over unpatentable KR20180106482 – Seok et al. SEOK in view of JP20235347 – Taguchi et al. hereinafter TAGUCHI in further view of WO2013021988 – Kurikuma et al. hereinafter as KURIKUMA
Regarding Claim 1
SEOK discloses:
A working vehicle comprising:
a control valve unit with a service actuator control valve; ( para. 14 - page 3 - In the exemplary embodiments, the hydraulic pump 110 may be connected to the control valve 130 via the hydraulic line 120. The hydraulic fluid discharged from the hydraulic pump 110 may be supplied to the actuator 10 for actuating the attachment via the control valve 130.)
a first drive unit supplying hydraulic oil to a primary side of the control valve unit; ( para. 11 page 3 - 1, a control system of a construction machine includes a hydraulic pump 110 connected to an engine 100, a control unit 110 for controlling the flow direction of hydraulic fluid discharged from the hydraulic pump 110 to control the actuator 10 of the attachment, A valve 130, and a controller 500 for controlling the operation of the control valve 130 according to an attachment hydraulic control mode.)
an operation unit operated by an operator; ( para. 20 – page 3, The control unit 500 receives an operation signal proportional to the operation amount of the operator from the operation unit 300 and can control the operation of the hydraulic pump 110 and the control valve 120. [ For example, the operation unit 300 may include a joystick, a pedal, and the like. When an operator operates the operation unit 300, an operation signal corresponding to the operation can be generated.)
a trigger-switch for sending a trigger signal according to operation by the operator; ( para. 2 page 4 - The control unit 500 may be connected to the ignition key switch 20 to receive a status signal of the ignition key switch 20. [ The control unit 500 may determine that the engine 100 is stopped when the ignition key switch 20 is in the OFF position and may control the control valve 130 according to the automatic oil pressure control mode. Since the control unit 500 is connected to the battery 30 even when the ignition key switch 20 is in the OFF position, the control unit 500 can receive the constant power supply to perform the automatic hydraulic pressure control mode.)
a plurality of solenoid valves of the service actuator control valve; ( para. 18 Page 3 - The first and second electromagnetic proportional pressure reducing valves 200 and 202 are provided on both sides of the spool of the control valve 130 to selectively supply the pilot signal pressure for controlling the position of the spool.)
a plurality of pipelines connected to the service actuator control valve; ( para. 5 -page 4 – The actuator 10 having the pressure higher than the pressure of the atmospheric pressure or the hydraulic tank T and the hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic line connected to the actuator 10 are released by the control valve 130 to be drained to the hydraulic tank T, Can be removed. Accordingly, during the replacement operation of the attachment, it is possible to prevent the operator from splashing hydraulic oil or damaging the hydraulic line or the attachment coupling due to the residual pressure of the hydraulic oil remaining on the attachment.)
a hydraulic oil tank; and ( para. 5 – page 4 - The actuator 10 having the pressure higher than the pressure of the atmospheric pressure or the hydraulic tank T and the hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic line connected to the actuator 10 are released by the control valve 130 to be drained to the hydraulic tank T)
a controller, wherein the controller performs control that, in a case where the controller receives the trigger signal from the trigger-switch to release the lock of the quick hitch, the pressure oil in the plurality of pipelines is returned to the hydraulic oil tank by energizing the plurality of solenoid valves with the first drive unit stopped. ( para. 15, page 4 - The first and second electromagnetic proportional control valves 200 and 202 can open the control valve 130 by supplying a pilot signal pressure proportional to the intensity of the applied control signal current to the spool of the control valve 130 have. The spool of the control valve 130 can be controlled to move in the lateral direction by the secondary signal pressure applied from the first and second electromagnetic proportional control valves 200 and 202)
SEOK does not explicitly disclose:
a travel unit;
a lower body provided with the travel unit;
an upper body slewably disposed on the lower body;
a second drive unit causing the upper body to slew;
a cab disposed in the upper body;
a plurality of work units and a plurality of hydraulic traveling motors driven by pressure oil from secondary side of the control valve unit;
However SEOK discloses of a controller for an excavator wherein these elements of the operation of an excavator are known. Therefore it would be obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art at the time of the invention that SEOK discloses these particular elements of an excavator ( working vehicle) as it is well known element within the skill in the art.
SEOK discloses of a work unit but does not explicitly disclose :
a quick hitch that is driven by the pressure oil to lock in a state of being attached to an arm of the working unit;
an attachment that comes to connect to the arm in response to the locking;
TAGUCHI discloses a quick hitch that is driven by the pressure oil to lock in a state of being attached to an arm of the working unit (para. 7 page 3, high pressure pipe for oil to lock mechanism)
an attachment that comes to connect to the arm in response to the locking; (para. 7 page 3, high pressure pipe for oil to lock mechanism)
It would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date for SEOK’s working unit to utilize the quick hitch that is driven by the pressure oil to lock in a state of being attached to an arm of the working unit of TAGUCHI. Doing so merely constitutes the substitution of one known working Unit mechanism for another to produce the predictable result of a Quick release tool (MPEP 2143, subsection I, B).
SEOK / TAGUCHI disclose the of a hydraulic pump. KURIKUMA discloses of an excavator that discloses a pump and dc inverter with solenoid valves, KURIKUMA further discloses:
drive unit driven by an inverter driving an electric motor to discharge hydraulic oil from a hydraulic pump( page 51 last paragraph and 52 first paragraph –electric motor, inverter, hydraulic pump, hydraulic oil)
a battery supplying dc power to the inverter( page 52, last paragraph – inverter DC power)
a controller signal connected to the inverter( page 54 control unit)
solenoid valves provided on both sides of spool of the service actuator control valve with the electric motor stopped ( page 52 paragraph 3 – solenoid and spool of valve and page 57)
It would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the applicants invention for SEOK’s excavator with a drive unit and controller, to include a drive unit driven by an inverter driving an electric motor to discharge hydraulic oil from a hydraulic pump as taught by KURKUMA. Doing so merely constitutes the substitution of one known hydraulic pump type for another to produce the predictable result of a hydraulic pump that utilizes a dc inverter (MPEP 2143, subsection I, B).
Regarding Claim 3
SEOK / TAGUCHI / KURIKUMA disclose of claim 1
SEOK / TAGUCHI discloses of working vehicle a control valve unit with solenoid valves to operate the lock of the quick hitch KURIKUMA discloses :
wherein the controller performs control that the electric motor is operated to energize a solenoid valve to release the lock and the lock is released after a first term required for returning the pressure oil has elapsed. ( page 52, para. 6 – wherein controller, for energize lock valve to switch to lowering position, additionally, For example, when the lock switch 47 is closed, the solenoid portion of the lock valve 46 is energized via the lock switch 47, and the lock valve 46 is switched to the lower switching position )
It would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the applicants invention for SEOK / TAGUCHI’s excavator working vehicle a control valve unit with solenoid valves to wherein the controller performs control that the electric motor is operated to energize a solenoid valve to release the lock and the lock is released after a first term required for returning the pressure oil has elapsed as taught by KURKUMA. This would allow SEOK to improve the activating a lock release by energizing a solenoid.
Claim(s) 4 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over unpatentable KR20180106482 – Seok et al. SEOK in view of JP20235347 – Taguchi et al. hereinafter TAGUCHI in further view of WO2013021988 – Kurikuma et al. hereinafter as KURIKUMA in further view of WO2018164152 – Sumitomo et al. hereinafter as SUMITOMO
Regarding Claim 4
SEOK / TAGUCHI / KURIKUMA disclose of claim 2
SEOK discloses of the service actuator connected to the service actuator control valve, but doesn’t explicitly disclose:
wherein the controller performs control that operation of a service actuator connected to the service actuator control valve is not received in a second term in which the trigger-switch is operated.
SUMITOMO does disclose:
wherein the controller performs control that operation of a service actuator connected to the service actuator control valve (The control valve 17 is a hydraulic control device that controls the hydraulic system in the excavator PS. The control valve 17 can selectively supply hydraulic oil discharged from the main pump 14 to hydraulic actuators such as a boom cylinder 7, an arm cylinder 8, a bucket cylinder 9, a traveling hydraulic motor, and a turning hydraulic motor, for example. It is configured. The turning hydraulic motor may be replaced with a turning electric motor as an electric actuator.) is not received in a second term in which the trigger-switch is operated. ( para. 17 - page 8 – where in a controller performs the control operation of an actuator connected to the service actuator control valve, is not received in a second term in which trigger switch is operated. Such that, when switch is determined that the gate lock lever 49 is depressed (YES in step ST12B), the controller 30 causes the display device 40 to display the ICT setting screen in the same manner as when the ICT setting screen display operation is performed. (Step ST13). This is because the movement of the attachment is prohibited, and it can be determined that there is no safety problem even if the ICT setting screen is displayed instead of the camera image. At this time, the controller 30 may display a reference point setting screen (screen when the tab “Y” is selected) instead of the dimension setting screen (screen when the tab “V” is selected)
It would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the applicants invention for SEOK’s control of the actuator and control values to utilize SUMITOMO’s wherein the controller performs control that operation of a service actuator connected to the service actuator control valve is not received in a second term in which the trigger-switch is operated as taught by SUMITOMO. For SEOK, Utilizing these types of activated switching would prevent the excavator from being erroneously operated( para. 15 Page 3, is a mechanism that prevents the excavator PS from being erroneously operated)
Claim(s) 5, 7, 8 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over unpatentable KR20180106482 – Seok et al. SEOK in view of JP20235347 – Taguchi et al. hereinafter TAGUCHI in further view of WO2013021988 – Kurikuma et al. hereinafter as KURIKUMA in further view of WO2018164152 – Sumitomo et al. hereinafter as SUMITOMO in view of US PG Pub 20210324610 – Hendricks et al. hereinafter as HENDRICKS
Regarding Claim 5
SEOK / TAGUCHI disclose of claim 1
SEOK discloses of activating buttons SUMITOMO disclose wherein the trigger-switch includes a first button and a second button that are provided in the cab, and the trigger-switch sends the trigger signal in response to both the first button and the second button pressed, SUMITOMO further discloses:
wherein the trigger-switch includes a first button and a second button that are provided in the cab, and the trigger-switch sends the trigger signal in response to both the first button and the second button pressed. ( para. 3 - page 8 The “predetermined condition” is, for example, when the switch button 26S (for example, the bucket bench set button 26S4) is pressed for a long time, two buttons (for example, the horn button 26S3 and the bucket bench) constituting the switch button 26S. This is satisfied when the set button 26S4) is pressed simultaneously. Further, “when the predetermined condition is satisfied” may be when the gate lock lever 49 is pushed down. In addition, a button other than the bucket bench set button 26S4 may be switchably assigned with a function of switching the screen displayed on the display device 40 to the ICT setting screen.)
It would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the applicants invention for SEOK’s button activations control of the actuator and control values to utilize SUMITOMO’s wherein the trigger-switch includes a first button and a second button that are provided in the cab, and the trigger-switch sends the trigger signal in response to both the first button and the second button pressed as taught by SUMITOMO. This would allow for SEOK to pressing buttons simultaneously may switch function to improve useability for operators ( para. 6, page 9 - Alternatively, the controller 30 may switch the screen displayed on the display device 40 to the ICT setting screen when a plurality of push buttons among the switch buttons 26S are pressed simultaneously.)
SEOK / TAGUCHI / SUMITOMO disclose of a first button and second button, HENDRICKS discloses of hand button and a foot button, HENRICKS further discloses:
Hand button, Foot button ( para. 0016 – wherein within the operator cab control devices can be buttons and be configured to buttons within the operator cab)
As a result it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was filed to modify the placement of the sensor to be located on the cab as the rearrangement of parts has been held to be an obvious design choice provided that the rearrangement does not meaningfully change the operation of the device , wherein HENDRICKS further supports the placement being a design choice ( MPEP 2144.04, Subsection VI, C)
Regarding Claim 7
SEOK / TAGUCHI disclose of claim 3
SEOK discloses of activating buttons but doesn’t explicitly disclose::
The working vehicle according to wherein the trigger-switch includes a first button and a second button that are provided in the cab, and the trigger-switch sends the trigger signal in response to both the first button and the second button pressed. ( para. 3 - page 8)
The “predetermined condition” is, for example, when the switch button 26S (for example, the bucket bench set button 26S4) is pressed for a long time, two buttons (for example, the horn button 26S3 and the bucket bench) constituting the switch button 26S. This is satisfied when the set button 26S4) is pressed simultaneously. Further, “when the predetermined condition is satisfied” may be when the gate lock lever 49 is pushed down. In addition, a button other than the bucket bench set button 26S4may be switchably assigned with a function of switching the screen displayed on the display device 40 to the ICT setting screen.)
It would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the applicants invention for SEOK’s button activations control of the actuator and control values to utilize SUMITOMO’s wherein the trigger-switch includes a first button and a second button that are provided in the cab, and the trigger-switch sends the trigger signal in response to both the first button and the second button pressed as taught by SUMITOMO. For SEOK, pressing buttons simultaneously may switch function ( para. 6, page 9 - Alternatively, the controller 30 may switch the screen displayed on the display device 40 to the ICT setting screen when a plurality of push buttons among the switch buttons 26S are pressed simultaneously.)
SEOK / TAGUCHI / SUMITOMO disclose of a first button and second button, HENDRICKS discloses of hand button and a foot button, HENRICKS further discloses:
Hand button, Foot button ( para. 0016 – wherein within the operator cab control devices can be buttons and be configured to buttons within the operator cab)
As a result it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was filed to modify the placement of the sensor to be located on the cab as the rearrangement of parts has been held to be an obvious design choice provided that the rearrangement does not meaningfully change the operation of the device , wherein HENDRICKS further supports the placement being a design choice ( MPEP 2144.04, Subsection VI, C)
Regarding Claim 8
SEOK / TAGUCHI disclose of claim 4
SEOK discloses of activating buttons but doesn’t explicitly disclose::
The working vehicle according to wherein the trigger-switch includes a first button and a second button that are provided in the cab, and the trigger-switch sends the trigger signal in response to both the first button and the second button pressed. ( para. 3 - page 8)
The “predetermined condition” is, for example, when the switch button 26S (for example, the bucket bench set button 26S4) is pressed for a long time, two buttons (for example, the horn button 26S3 and the bucket bench) constituting the switch button 26S. This is satisfied when the set button 26S4) is pressed simultaneously. Further, “when the predetermined condition is satisfied” may be when the gate lock lever 49 is pushed down. In addition, a button other than the bucket bench set button 26S4may be switchably assigned with a function of switching the screen displayed on the display device 40 to the ICT setting screen.)
It would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the applicants invention for SEOK’s button activations control of the actuator and control values to utilize SUMITOMO’s wherein the trigger-switch includes a first button and a second button that are provided in the cab, and the trigger-switch sends the trigger signal in response to both the first button and the second button pressed as taught by SUMITOMO. For SEOK, pressing buttons simultaneously may switch function ( para. 6, page 9 - Alternatively, the controller 30 may switch the screen displayed on the display device 40 to the ICT setting screen when a plurality of push buttons among the switch buttons 26S are pressed simultaneously.)
SEOK / TAGUCHI / SUMITOMO disclose of a first button and second button, HENDRICKS discloses of hand button and a foot button, HENRICKS further discloses:
Hand button, Foot button ( para. 0016 – wherein within the operator cab control devices can be buttons and be configured to buttons within the operator cab)
As a result it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was filed to modify the placement of the sensor to be located on the cab as the rearrangement of parts has been held to be an obvious design choice provided that the rearrangement does not meaningfully change the operation of the device , wherein HENDRICKS further supports the placement being a design choice ( MPEP 2144.04, Subsection VI, C)
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.
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/A.H.T/Examiner, Art Unit 3671
/CHRISTOPHER J SEBESTA/ Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 3671
