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 .
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on 01/21/2025 is being considered by the examiner.
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 5, 17 and 18 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 applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention.
CLAIM 5 — INDEFINITE ORIENTATION / UNCLEAR ANTECEDENT BASIS
Claim 5 recites “wherein the slot is configured to be aligned perpendicular to the track.” Claim 1 introduces “a set of railway tracks” and later refers to “one of the tracks,” but claim 5 recites the singular phrase “the track” without clearly identifying whether “the track” refers to the set of railway tracks, one railway track of the set, a rail of a railway track, the longitudinal direction of a rail, the centerline of a railway track, or another structural reference.
Further, the phrase “aligned perpendicular to the track” does not identify the reference line, axis, surface, or plane relative to which the slot must be perpendicular. A railway track includes multiple structures, including rails, ties, and related hardware, and the specification distinguishes the rail, track, gage side, field side, upward/downward direction, and transverse direction. See, e.g., Spec. ¶¶ [0018]-[0020], [0034]. As written, the claim does not reasonably apprise one of ordinary skill in the art whether the claimed slot is perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of a rail, perpendicular to a track centerline, perpendicular to a rail web/flange, perpendicular to the ground plane, or otherwise oriented.
The scope of claim 5 is therefore unclear.
SUGGESTED CORRECTION
Applicant may amend claim 5 to specify the intended structural reference. For example, applicant may clarify whether the slot, or a portion of the slot, “extends in a direction transverse to a longitudinal direction of one of the rails of the railway track,” “extends perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the railway track,” or another definite orientation supported by the specification.
CLAIMS 17 AND 18 — INDEFINITE ORIENTATION AND GRAMMATICAL AMBIGUITY
Claim 17 recites “wherein the slot is configured to aligned perpendicular to a railway track.” The phrase is grammatically incomplete because “configured to aligned” does not form a clear operative limitation. It is unclear whether applicant intended “configured to be aligned,” “configured to align,” “configured to extend,” or another relationship.
Additionally, even if corrected to “configured to be aligned perpendicular to a railway track,” the claim would still fail to identify the specific reference line, axis, surface, or plane of the railway track relative to which the slot is perpendicular. As discussed above with respect to claim 5, the railway track includes multiple possible structural references, and the specification uses more precise directional terminology, including gage side, field side, upward/downward, and transverse direction. See Spec. ¶¶ [0020], [0034]. The phrase does not reasonably apprise one of ordinary skill in the art of the required orientation of the slot.
Claim 18 depends from claim 17 and is rejected for at least the same reasons because it incorporates the indefinite limitation of claim 17.
SUGGESTED CORRECTION
Applicant may amend claim 17 to recite, for example, “wherein at least a portion of the slot extends in a direction transverse to a longitudinal direction of the railway track,” or otherwise define the intended orientation using a definite structural reference supported by the specification.
CLAIM OBJECTIONS / INFORMALITIES
Claims 1 and 15 are objected to because the claims inconsistently use “movable frame” and “moveable frame.” Appropriate correction is required. For consistency with the first introduction of the element and the specification, “moveable frame” should be changed to “movable frame.”
Claims 4 and 7 are objected to because claim 4 recites “an anchor magazine configured to operably coupled to the anchor receiving mechanism.” The phrase appears to omit the word “be.” Appropriate correction is required. A corrected form would be “an anchor magazine configured to be operably coupled to the anchor receiving mechanism” or, if actual coupling is intended, “an anchor magazine operably coupled to the anchor receiving mechanism.” Claim 7 depends from claim 4 and should be reviewed after correction of claim 4.
REFERENCES RELIED UPON
Reference 1: Claas et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0039510 A1, entitled “Railway Anchor Applicator.”
Reference 2: Almaraz et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,584,247, entitled “Rail Clip Applicator.”
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.
Claims 1-20 are rejected under AIA 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Reference 1 in view of Reference 2.
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Claim 1 — Rejected under AIA 35 U.S.C. 103 over Reference 1 in view of Reference 2
A workhead assembly for a railway anchor applicator comprising: a movable frame configured to be disposed between a set of railway tracks; an anchor receiving mechanism configured to be coupled to the movable frame, the anchor receiving mechanism configured to rotate between a first position for receiving an anchor and a second position in proximity to one of the tracks; an anchor clipping mechanism configured to be coupled to the movable frame and the anchor receiving mechanism, the anchor clipping mechanism comprising: an actuator configured to be coupled to the movable frame; an apply lever configured to be coupled to a second end of the actuator, the apply lever having a fulcrum configured to be coupled to the moveable frame; an applicator arm having an elongated body with a first end, a second end at a distal location, and a middle portion between the first end and the second end, wherein the middle portion is configured to be pivotably coupled to the apply lever, and a guide pin is located on the second end; and an apply cam configured to be coupled to the moveable frame, the apply cam having a slot configured to receive the guide pin.
Analysis
Reference 1 discloses a workhead assembly for a railway anchor applicator. Specifically, Reference 1 discloses railway anchor applicator 10 for applying railway anchor 12 to rail 14 of track 20, and workhead assembly 48 mounted on the applicator for carrying out anchor receiving, positioning, and clipping operations.
Reference 1 discloses a movable frame configured to be disposed between a set of railway tracks. Reference 1 discloses frame 22 supported for movement along rails 14 by wheels 24, with work frame 42, moving frame/workhead support structure 47, and workhead assembly 48 mounted for movement relative to rail 14. The workhead structure is positioned in the work area adjacent the gage side of the rail and is configured to operate relative to rails 14 of track 20. Thus, Reference 1 teaches the claimed movable frame at least through work frame 42/moving frame 47 in the rail-track work area.
Reference 1 discloses an anchor receiving mechanism configured to be coupled to the movable frame. Reference 1 discloses anchor receiving mechanism 50, including anchor receiving arm 92 and anchor holder 86. Anchor holder 86 includes support block 96, seat 98, retaining wall 100, clamp 102, opposing wall 104, hydraulic activator 105, recess 106, and plunger rod 108. Anchor receiving mechanism 50 is mounted to workhead assembly 48 and is therefore coupled to the movable workhead frame structure.
Reference 1 discloses that the anchor receiving mechanism is configured to rotate between a first position for receiving an anchor and a second position in proximity to one of the tracks. Reference 1 discloses anchor input 56, anchor magazine 58, and chute 60 for delivering anchors 12 to anchor holder 86. First actuator 90 rotates anchor receiving arm 92 about major pivot point 94 so that anchor holder 86 receives anchor 12 from the anchor input and then moves the anchor to a position adjacent rail 14 for installation. The receiving and applying positions correspond to the claimed first position for receiving an anchor and second position in proximity to one of the tracks.
Reference 1 discloses an anchor clipping mechanism configured to be coupled to the movable frame and the anchor receiving mechanism. Reference 1 discloses anchor clipping mechanism 54, including bar clamp arm 130, main pivot arm 128, large arm 132, minor arm 134, rail stop 146, actuators 136, second actuator 138, and third actuator 140. Anchor clipping mechanism 54 is mounted to workhead assembly 48 and operates in coordination with anchor receiving mechanism 50 and anchor holder 86 to clip anchor 12 onto rail 14.
Reference 1 discloses an actuator configured to be coupled to the movable frame. Reference 1 discloses fluid-power actuators 136, including actuator 140, coupled to the workhead structure and configured to drive the anchor clipping components. Actuator 140 is coupled to the workhead frame structure and applies force to move the linkage and bar clamp arm assembly.
Reference 1 discloses an apply lever configured to be coupled to a second end of the actuator, the apply lever having a fulcrum configured to be coupled to the moveable frame. Reference 1 discloses lever-like pivoting force-transfer members including main pivot arm 128, large arm 132, and minor arm 134. These members are coupled with actuators 136/140 and pivot about fixed workhead pivot locations, including frame pivot point 142 and major pivot point 94. Under the broadest reasonable interpretation, main pivot arm 128 and/or minor arm 134 constitute the claimed apply lever because they receive force from the actuator, pivot about a fulcrum coupled to the workhead frame, and transmit force to the clipping arm.
Reference 1 discloses an applicator arm having an elongated body with a first end, a second end at a distal location, and a middle portion between the first end and the second end. Reference 1 discloses bar clamp arm 130 as an elongated arm that extends from a linkage region to a rail/anchor-engaging region. Bar clamp arm 130 includes distal end 148 carrying rail stop 146 and clipping surface 152, and a proximal/linkage region coupled to the force-transmitting linkage. The body of bar clamp arm 130 has a middle portion between its ends.
Reference 1 discloses that the middle portion is configured to be pivotably coupled to the apply lever. Reference 1 discloses bar clamp arm 130 operatively linked to main pivot arm 128 through large arm 132 and minor arm 134, with the linkage pivoting to move bar clamp arm 130 through path P. The pivoted linkage connection between bar clamp arm 130 and the force-transmitting arms corresponds to the claimed middle portion pivotably coupled to the apply lever.
Reference 1 does not expressly disclose that a guide pin is located on the second end of the applicator arm or that an apply cam coupled to the movable frame has a slot configured to receive the guide pin. Reference 2 discloses the missing cam-guided path structure in a closely analogous rail maintenance applicator. Reference 2 discloses rail clip applicator machine 500, backstop arm 752, hydraulic cylinder 768, cam grooves 770 and 772 formed in housing section 756, and cam rollers 774 and 776 mounted on backstop arm 752 and received in cam grooves 770 and 772. The cam grooves guide the cam rollers so that backstop arm 752 follows a predetermined motion path, including forward/downward and horizontal movement.
It would have been obvious to modify Reference 1 by providing bar clamp arm 130 with a guide pin or cam roller at a distal guide end and by providing the movable workhead frame with an apply cam or cam plate having a slot/groove configured to receive the guide pin, as taught by Reference 2. The modified structure would allow the Reference 1 applicator arm to follow the desired anchor-clipping movement path P using a predictable cam-slot and guide-pin arrangement.
Motivation
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filling date of the claimed invention, to combine Reference 1 and Reference 2 because Reference 1 already requires bar clamp arm 130 to move through a controlled path P underneath, upwardly toward, and transversely relative to rail 14 to clip anchor 12. Reference 2 teaches a known rail-workhead solution for controlling an arm path using cam grooves 770/772 and cam rollers 774/776. Using the cam-slot/guide-pin arrangement of Reference 2 in Reference 1 would have predictably improved path control, repeatability, compact packaging, and alignment under hydraulic loading while performing the same rail-maintenance function of driving or positioning a clip/anchor component relative to a rail. The substitution would have been a predictable use of a known mechanical guide arrangement to control the movement of a known rail-workhead arm.
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Claim 2 — Rejected under AIA 35 U.S.C. 103 over Reference 1 in view of Reference 2
The workhead assembly of claim 1, wherein the anchor receiving mechanism is configured to be operably coupled to the apply lever.
Analysis
Reference 1 discloses anchor receiving mechanism 50, anchor receiving arm 92, anchor holder 86, first actuator 90, major pivot point 94, main pivot arm 128, large arm 132, minor arm 134, bar clamp arm 130, and actuators 136/140. Anchor receiving mechanism 50 is operably coordinated with the pivoting linkage and clipping mechanism because anchor holder 86 receives and positions anchor 12 at the location where bar clamp arm 130 and rail stop 146 apply force to clip the anchor onto rail 14. The pivoting arms and actuators cooperate so that the receiving mechanism places the anchor in the correct position before the apply lever/linkage drives bar clamp arm 130.
In the modified combination, the apply lever remains the force-transmitting lever structure corresponding to main pivot arm 128 and/or minor arm 134, and anchor receiving mechanism 50 remains operably coupled to that lever through the coordinated workhead motion and shared anchor-clipping operation.
Motivation
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filling date of the claimed invention, to have retained the operative coupling between anchor receiving mechanism 50 and the apply lever/linkage because the receiving mechanism must deliver and hold anchor 12 in the correct position before the clipping arm applies force. The Reference 2 cam-slot modification would not eliminate the need for this coupling; it would merely guide the arm path more repeatably while preserving the coordinated anchor receiving and anchor clipping sequence taught by Reference 1.
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Claim 3 — Rejected under AIA 35 U.S.C. 103 over Reference 1 in view of Reference 2
The workhead assembly of claim 2, wherein the applicator arm is configured to move in a path based at least in part on the shape of the slot.
Analysis
Reference 1 discloses bar clamp arm 130 moving through path P during the anchor clipping operation. Reference 1 therefore teaches an applicator arm that must follow a defined installation path relative to rail 14.
Reference 2 expressly teaches that cam grooves 770 and 772 receive cam rollers 774 and 776 mounted on backstop arm 752. The shape of cam grooves 770 and 772 controls the motion of backstop arm 752, including an initial forward/downward component and a subsequent horizontal component. Thus, Reference 2 teaches an arm path based at least in part on the shape of a cam slot/groove.
In the proposed combination, the slot/groove in the apply cam would be shaped to cause guide pin/cam roller movement corresponding to Reference 1’s desired clipping path P. Therefore, the modified applicator arm would move in a path based at least in part on the shape of the slot.
Motivation
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filling date of the claimed invention, to define the movement of Reference 1’s bar clamp arm 130 by the shape of a cam slot because Reference 1 requires precise movement of the arm relative to rail 14 and anchor 12. Reference 2 teaches that cam grooves can be shaped to produce a desired compound arm motion. Applying that teaching to Reference 1 would have provided predictable control over path P, reduced variation in anchor installation, and improved repeatable engagement between rail stop 146/clipping surface 152 and anchor 12.
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Claim 4 — Rejected under AIA 35 U.S.C. 103 over Reference 1 in view of Reference 2
The workhead assembly of claim 2, further comprising an anchor magazine configured to operably coupled to the anchor receiving mechanism, the anchor magazine configured to supply the anchor to the anchor receiving mechanism.
Analysis
Reference 1 discloses anchor input 56, anchor magazine 58, chute 60, and drop-off point 62. Anchor magazine 58 stores anchors 12 and supplies anchors through chute 60 to anchor receiving mechanism 50. Anchor receiving mechanism 50, including anchor receiving arm 92 and anchor holder 86, receives anchors from the magazine and rotates the anchor into position near rail 14.
Although the claim phrase “configured to operably coupled” appears grammatically incomplete, to the extent the claim is interpreted as “configured to be operably coupled,” Reference 1 discloses the feature because anchor magazine 58 is operably coupled to anchor receiving mechanism 50 through anchor input 56/chute 60 and supplies anchors 12 to holder 86.
Motivation
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filling date of the claimed invention, to have retained anchor magazine 58 in the Reference 1 system when adding the Reference 2 cam-slot guide because the magazine provides automatic or sequential anchor supply to the workhead. The cam-slot modification affects the arm path, not the anchor supply function. Maintaining magazine 58 would preserve the productivity and continuous anchor-feeding function of Reference 1 while improving the guided clipping motion.
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Claim 5 — Rejected under AIA 35 U.S.C. 103 over Reference 1 in view of Reference 2
The workhead assembly of claim 1, wherein the slot is configured to be aligned perpendicular to the track.
Analysis
Reference 1 discloses that bar clamp arm 130 moves along path P to apply anchor 12 relative to rail 14. The figures identify gage-side and field-side directions GG and FD, showing that the clipping action includes movement transverse to the rail and toward the rail. Reference 1 therefore teaches that the relevant clipping motion occurs across, rather than along, the rail.
Reference 2 teaches cam grooves 770 and 772 that guide cam rollers 774 and 776 mounted on backstop arm 752. In adapting the cam-groove structure of Reference 2 to the transverse anchor-clipping path of Reference 1, the slot/groove would have been aligned to produce the required transverse movement. To the extent claim 5 is interpreted as requiring the slot to be perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the railway track or rail, the modified slot would be aligned perpendicular/transverse to rail 14 so that guide pin/cam roller movement drives bar clamp arm 130 toward the anchor-installing position.
Motivation
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filling date of the claimed invention, to have oriented the apply cam slot perpendicular or transverse to rail 14 because Reference 1’s anchor-clipping force is applied transversely across the rail. Such orientation would be the predictable mechanical layout needed for the guide pin and slot to generate the desired transverse component of path P. Aligning the slot with the required working direction would have improved force transfer and maintained the intended anchor installation movement.
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Claim 6 — Rejected under AIA 35 U.S.C. 103 over Reference 1 in view of Reference 2
The workhead assembly of claim 1, wherein the actuator is a hydraulic piston.
Analysis
Reference 1 discloses fluid-power actuators 136, including actuators 90, 138, and 140, used to move the anchor receiving and clipping structures. The actuator used to drive the clipping mechanism is therefore a hydraulic/fluid-power piston or cylinder.
Reference 2 likewise discloses hydraulic cylinder 768 for driving backstop arm 752 along cam grooves 770 and 772. Thus, both references teach using hydraulic piston/cylinder actuation in rail-workhead mechanisms requiring high installation forces.
Motivation
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filling date of the claimed invention, to have used a hydraulic piston for the actuator because railway anchor installation requires substantial, controlled force in a rugged track-maintenance environment. Reference 1 already uses hydraulic/fluid-power actuators for the anchor applicator, and Reference 2 confirms the suitability of hydraulic actuation for cam-guided rail applicator arms. The selection would have been predictable and consistent with the force and durability requirements of the workhead.
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Claim 7 — Rejected under AIA 35 U.S.C. 103 over Reference 1 in view of Reference 2
The workhead assembly of claim 4, wherein the anchor receiving mechanism further comprises a clamp configured to hold the anchor.
Analysis
Reference 1 discloses anchor holder 86 as part of anchor receiving mechanism 50. Anchor holder 86 includes support block 96, retaining wall 100, opposing wall 104, clamp 102, hydraulic activator 105, recess 106, and plunger rod 108. Clamp 102 holds anchor 12 in the anchor holder while the anchor receiving arm 92 moves the anchor from the receiving position to the installation position.
The Reference 2 cam-slot modification would not alter the anchor holding function. The modified workhead would continue to include clamp 102 for holding anchor 12 during transfer and clipping.
Motivation
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filling date of the claimed invention, to have retained clamp 102 because anchor 12 must remain positioned in anchor holder 86 while the receiving mechanism rotates and while bar clamp arm 130 applies force. The clamp prevents anchor misalignment or loss during workhead movement. Maintaining the clamp in the modified cam-guided system would have been necessary for reliable anchor placement and predictable installation.
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Claim 8 — Rejected under AIA 35 U.S.C. 103 over Reference 1 in view of Reference 2
The workhead assembly of claim 1, further comprising a rail coupler configured to be coupled to the first end of the applicator arm.
Analysis
Reference 1 discloses rail stop 146 coupled to distal end 148 of bar clamp arm 130. Rail stop 146 includes clipping surface 152 and is positioned to engage the anchor/rail region during clipping. Under the broadest reasonable interpretation, rail stop 146 constitutes a rail coupler or rail-engaging coupler because it is coupled to the working end of the applicator arm and provides the rail/anchor engagement surface used during installation.
Reference 2 also teaches rail-coupling/reaction structures in a rail applicator environment, including workhead structures that engage rail components during clip application. However, Reference 1 alone sufficiently teaches the claimed rail coupler through rail stop 146 at the end of bar clamp arm 130.
Motivation
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filling date of the claimed invention, to have retained rail stop 146 at the first end of bar clamp arm 130 because the arm must engage and react against the rail/anchor region to apply the anchor. The Reference 2 cam-slot modification guides the movement of the arm, while rail stop 146 provides the necessary working interface. Retaining the rail coupler would have preserved the intended force application and alignment function of Reference 1.
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Claim 9 — Rejected under AIA 35 U.S.C. 103 over Reference 1 in view of Reference 2
The workhead assembly of claim 1, wherein the elongated body comprises a clevis opening configured for receiving the apply lever and the apply cam, the clevis opening formed from the middle portion through the second end.
Analysis
Reference 1 discloses elongated bar clamp arm 130 coupled to lever/linkage structures including main pivot arm 128, large arm 132, and minor arm 134. Reference 1 therefore teaches an elongated applicator arm requiring pivoted mechanical connection with force-transmitting arm structures and, in the proposed modification, with a stationary apply cam/slot structure.
Reference 2 teaches clevis construction in a rail clip applicator environment. Reference 2 discloses clevis 166 extending upwardly from horizontal plate 160 and pivotally connected to clip retainer 158 by pivot pin 168. Reference 2 also discloses cam grooves 770 and 772 formed in housing section 756 on opposite sides of backstop arm 752, with cam rollers 774 and 776 mounted on the movable arm and riding in the cam grooves. These teachings show the use of forked/clevis and opposed-side support arrangements to receive and support pivoting rail-applicator components and cam-guided arm components.
It would have been obvious to form Reference 1’s bar clamp arm 130 with a clevis opening extending from the middle portion toward the guide end so the arm could receive or straddle the apply lever and the apply cam/slot structure. Such a clevis opening would allow pivot pins, guide pins, and cam plates to be packaged within the arm envelope while providing balanced support on both sides of the moving arm.
Motivation
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filling date of the claimed invention, to use a clevis opening in the modified Reference 1 arm to provide a compact and robust connection between bar clamp arm 130, the apply lever/linkage, and the apply cam. Reference 2 teaches clevis and opposed cam-groove support structures in rail applicator mechanisms. Applying this arrangement to Reference 1 would have reduced twisting of the bar clamp arm, improved load distribution around the pivot and guide pin, allowed the cam and lever to fit within the workhead envelope, and provided predictable support for the high-force hydraulic clipping motion.
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Claim 10 — Rejected under AIA 35 U.S.C. 103 over Reference 1 in view of Reference 2
A method of applying a railway anchor to a railway track comprising: supplying an anchor to an anchor receiving mechanism; rotating the anchor receiving mechanism from a first position located above the track to a second position below the track; applying a force to an anchor clipping mechanism coupled to the anchor receiving mechanism, the anchor clipping mechanism comprising: an applicator arm having an elongated body with a first end, a second end at a distal location, and a middle portion between the first end and the second end, wherein the middle portion is adapted to receive the applying force, and the second end comprises a guide pin; and an apply cam having a slot configured to receive the guide pin.
Analysis
Reference 1 discloses a method of applying railway anchor 12 to railway rail 14 of track 20 using railway anchor applicator 10 and workhead assembly 48.
Reference 1 discloses supplying an anchor to an anchor receiving mechanism. Specifically, Reference 1 discloses anchor input 56, anchor magazine 58, and chute 60 for supplying anchors 12 to anchor receiving mechanism 50, including anchor holder 86.
Reference 1 discloses rotating the anchor receiving mechanism from a first position located above the track to a second position below or adjacent the track. Anchor receiving arm 92 and anchor holder 86 receive anchor 12 from anchor input 56/chute 60 and are rotated by actuator 90 about major pivot point 94 to position anchor 12 adjacent rail 14 for installation. To the extent “below the track” is interpreted as below the rail head or in the lower rail/anchor installation region, Reference 1 teaches moving the anchor from the upper receiving location to the lower applying location proximate rail 14 and tie plate 16.
Reference 1 discloses applying a force to an anchor clipping mechanism coupled to the anchor receiving mechanism. Reference 1 discloses anchor clipping mechanism 54, including bar clamp arm 130, rail stop 146, clipping surface 152, main pivot arm 128, large arm 132, minor arm 134, and actuators 136/140. These components apply force to clip anchor 12 onto rail 14 after anchor receiving mechanism 50 positions the anchor.
Reference 1 discloses an applicator arm having an elongated body with a first end, a second end at a distal location, and a middle portion between the first end and the second end. Bar clamp arm 130 is an elongated applicator arm having a rail/anchor-engaging end with rail stop 146 and a linkage/guide end coupled to the pivoting force-transfer mechanism. The middle portion receives applied force through the lever/linkage structure.
Reference 1 does not expressly disclose that the second end comprises a guide pin and that an apply cam has a slot configured to receive the guide pin. Reference 2 teaches cam grooves 770/772 receiving cam rollers 774/776 mounted on movable backstop arm 752. It would have been obvious to modify the method of Reference 1 so that the force applied to bar clamp arm 130 is guided by a guide pin/cam roller on the arm received in a slot/cam groove of an apply cam mounted to the workhead frame, as taught by Reference 2.
Motivation
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filling date of the claimed invention, to have modified the method of Reference 1 to include the cam-slot and guide-pin guidance of Reference 2 because the Reference 1 method requires controlled movement of bar clamp arm 130 through path P during anchor installation. Reference 2 teaches that a cam groove and cam roller can define the movement of a rail applicator arm under hydraulic force. The modification would have predictably improved control of the anchor clipping path, reduced misalignment, and maintained reliable installation of anchor 12 onto rail 14.
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Claim 11 — Rejected under AIA 35 U.S.C. 103 over Reference 1 in view of Reference 2
The method of claim 10, wherein applying a force further comprises moving the applicator arm in a path defined by the slot.
Analysis
Reference 1 discloses moving bar clamp arm 130 through path P during the anchor clipping operation. Reference 2 teaches cam grooves 770 and 772 that define the path of cam rollers 774 and 776 mounted on backstop arm 752. The cam-groove shape dictates the arm’s forward/downward and horizontal movement.
In the modified method, applying force to the anchor clipping mechanism causes bar clamp arm 130 to move with the guide pin/cam roller constrained by the slot/cam groove. Therefore, the applicator arm moves in a path defined by the slot.
Motivation
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filling date of the claimed invention, to have used the slot to define the path of bar clamp arm 130 because Reference 1 requires a specific arm path P for anchor clipping. Reference 2 teaches using cam grooves to convert actuator force into a predetermined arm motion. This would have produced repeatable anchor installation and reduced reliance on unconstrained or more complex linkage-only motion.
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Claim 12 — Rejected under AIA 35 U.S.C. 103 over Reference 1 in view of Reference 2
The method of claim 10, wherein applying a force to the anchor clipping mechanism further comprises actuating a hydraulic actuator operably coupled to the applicator arm through an apply lever.
Analysis
Reference 1 discloses hydraulic/fluid-power actuators 136, including actuators 138 and 140, operably coupled to pivoting lever/linkage structures including main pivot arm 128, large arm 132, and minor arm 134. These structures transmit actuator force to bar clamp arm 130 during anchor clipping.
Reference 2 likewise discloses hydraulic cylinder 768 operably coupled to backstop arm 752 and driving the arm along cam grooves 770/772. Thus, the combined references teach actuating a hydraulic actuator coupled to an applicator arm through a lever/linkage arrangement.
Motivation
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filling date of the claimed invention, to have actuated the modified Reference 1 applicator arm using a hydraulic actuator through an apply lever because Reference 1 already uses hydraulic actuation for the high-force rail-anchor workhead, and Reference 2 confirms that hydraulic cylinders are suitable for driving cam-guided rail applicator arms. The modification would have provided controlled, repeatable force transmission while preserving the mechanical advantage of the lever/linkage system.
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Claim 13 — Rejected under AIA 35 U.S.C. 103 over Reference 1 in view of Reference 2
The method of claim 12, further comprising applying a force to an anchor through the applicator arm, wherein the force applied to the anchor attaches the anchor to the railway track.
Analysis
Reference 1 discloses applying force to anchor 12 through bar clamp arm 130. Rail stop 146 and clipping surface 152 engage the anchor/rail region so that anchor 12 is forced onto rail 14. Anchor clipping mechanism 54 compresses and applies anchor 12 relative to rail 14, thereby attaching the anchor to the railway track.
The Reference 2 cam-slot modification would guide bar clamp arm 130 while it performs the same anchor-force application taught by Reference 1.
Motivation
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filling date of the claimed invention, to have applied force to anchor 12 through the applicator arm because that is the fundamental purpose of Reference 1’s anchor clipping mechanism 54. The cam-slot guidance of Reference 2 would have improved the path of force application without changing the intended result of attaching the anchor to rail 14.
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Claim 14 — Rejected under AIA 35 U.S.C. 103 over Reference 1 in view of Reference 2
The method of claim 11, wherein moving the applicator arm further comprises an upward rotation of the applicator arm from a position below the railway track and a transverse translation of the applicator arm with respect to the railway track.
Analysis
Reference 1 discloses bar clamp arm 130 moving along path P during anchor installation. The depicted and described motion places the arm under/near rail 14 and then moves the arm upwardly and toward the rail in the gage-field direction to clip anchor 12. The movement includes an upward component and a transverse component relative to rail 14.
Reference 2 teaches cam grooves 770 and 772 having differently oriented portions that move backstop arm 752 through a compound path, including a forward/downward component and a horizontal component. This demonstrates that cam grooves/slots can be shaped to create combined rotational/translational movement in a rail applicator workhead.
In the modified method, the apply cam slot would be shaped and oriented so that the guide pin on bar clamp arm 130 produces the upward and transverse movement required by Reference 1’s path P.
Motivation
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filling date of the claimed invention, to have used a shaped cam slot to produce upward and transverse movement because Reference 1 requires bar clamp arm 130 to approach the anchor/rail region from below and then move toward the rail to apply anchor 12. Reference 2 teaches that a cam-groove path can create controlled compound motion of a rail applicator arm. The modification would have allowed the arm to clear adjacent rail/tie structure and then apply the anchor along the proper transverse installation direction.
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Claim 15 — Rejected under AIA 35 U.S.C. 103 over Reference 1 in view of Reference 2
An anchor clipping mechanism coupled to a movable frame of a railway anchor applicator, the anchor clipping mechanism comprising: an actuator configured to couple to the movable frame; an apply lever configured to couple to a second end of the actuator, the apply lever having a fulcrum configured to couple to the moveable frame; an applicator arm having an elongated body with a first end, a second end at a distal location, and a middle portion between the first end and the second end, wherein the middle portion is configured to pivotably couple to the apply lever, and a guide pin is located on the second end; and an apply cam configured to couple to the moveable frame, the apply cam having a slot configured to receive the guide pin.
Analysis
Reference 1 discloses an anchor clipping mechanism coupled to a movable frame of a railway anchor applicator. Specifically, Reference 1 discloses railway anchor applicator 10, workhead assembly 48, work frame 42/moving frame structure 47, and anchor clipping mechanism 54 mounted to the workhead for clipping anchor 12 onto rail 14.
Reference 1 discloses an actuator configured to couple to the movable frame. Actuators 136, including actuator 140, are coupled to the workhead frame structure and drive the clipping components.
Reference 1 discloses an apply lever configured to couple to a second end of the actuator, the apply lever having a fulcrum configured to couple to the moveable frame. Main pivot arm 128, large arm 132, and minor arm 134 are lever-like linkage members coupled to actuators 136/140 and pivoted relative to the workhead frame at pivot locations including frame pivot point 142 and major pivot point 94. These members receive actuator force and transmit that force to bar clamp arm 130.
Reference 1 discloses an applicator arm having an elongated body with a first end, a second end at a distal location, and a middle portion between the first end and the second end. Bar clamp arm 130 is an elongated arm having a rail/anchor-engaging end with rail stop 146/clipping surface 152, a second/linkage or distal guide end, and a middle portion between the ends. The middle portion is pivotably coupled to the apply lever/linkage through the pivoting arm arrangement.
Reference 1 does not expressly disclose a guide pin located on the second end of the applicator arm or an apply cam having a slot configured to receive the guide pin. Reference 2 discloses cam grooves 770 and 772 formed in housing section 756, cam rollers 774 and 776 mounted on backstop arm 752, and hydraulic cylinder 768 driving the arm along the cam grooves. It would have been obvious to provide Reference 1’s bar clamp arm 130 with a guide pin/cam roller at the second end and to provide an apply cam with a slot/groove coupled to the movable frame for receiving and guiding the guide pin.
Motivation
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filling date of the claimed invention, to have modified Reference 1’s anchor clipping mechanism using Reference 2’s cam-groove/cam-roller structure to control the path of bar clamp arm 130 during anchor clipping. The modification would have predictably constrained the arm to the desired path P, improved installation repeatability, reduced misalignment, and provided a robust rail-workhead guide arrangement suitable for hydraulic actuation.
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Claim 16 — Rejected under AIA 35 U.S.C. 103 over Reference 1 in view of Reference 2
The anchor clipping mechanism of claim 15, wherein the applicator arm moves in a path based at least in part on the shape of the slot.
Analysis
Reference 1 discloses bar clamp arm 130 moving along path P during anchor installation. Reference 2 discloses that cam grooves 770 and 772 receive cam rollers 774 and 776 on backstop arm 752 and define the arm motion. The groove/slot geometry controls the movement of the arm.
In the modified Reference 1 clipping mechanism, the slot in the apply cam would define the guide pin movement and thereby cause bar clamp arm 130 to move in a path based at least in part on the slot shape.
Motivation
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filling date of the claimed invention, to have shaped the slot to define the movement of the applicator arm because Reference 1 needs a controlled path P for anchor installation, and Reference 2 teaches that cam groove geometry can define compound motion of a rail applicator arm. The result would have been improved repeatability and controlled force application.
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Claim 17 — Rejected under AIA 35 U.S.C. 103 over Reference 1 in view of Reference 2
The anchor clipping mechanism of claim 16, wherein the slot is configured to aligned perpendicular to a railway track.
Analysis
To the extent claim 17 is interpreted as “wherein the slot is configured to be aligned perpendicular to a railway track,” Reference 1 discloses transverse anchor-clipping movement relative to rail 14. Reference 1 identifies gage-side and field-side directions GG and FD and shows bar clamp arm 130 moving along path P across the rail region, not longitudinally along the rail.
Reference 2 teaches a cam groove/slot structure for controlling arm movement. In the modified Reference 1 mechanism, the slot would have been oriented perpendicular or transverse to the longitudinal direction of the rail/track so that the guide pin causes bar clamp arm 130 to move toward the rail/anchor installation position.
Motivation
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filling date of the claimed invention, to have aligned the slot perpendicular or transverse to the rail because the anchor installation force in Reference 1 is applied transversely relative to rail 14. This orientation would have been the predictable arrangement for converting actuator and lever motion into the required transverse movement of the applicator arm.
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Claim 18 — Rejected under AIA 35 U.S.C. 103 over Reference 1 in view of Reference 2
The anchor clipping mechanism of claim 17, wherein the actuator is a hydraulic piston.
Analysis
Reference 1 discloses fluid-power/hydraulic actuators 136, including actuator 140, for moving the anchor clipping mechanism. Reference 2 discloses hydraulic cylinder 768 for moving cam-guided backstop arm 752. Thus, the modified anchor clipping mechanism includes a hydraulic piston/cylinder actuator.
Motivation
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filling date of the claimed invention, to have used a hydraulic piston because the rail anchor clipping operation requires controlled high force in a track maintenance environment. Reference 1 already uses hydraulic actuation for the primary anchor applicator, and Reference 2 confirms hydraulic actuation with a cam-guided rail applicator arm. The selection would have been predictable and suitable for the required operating loads.
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Claim 19 — Rejected under AIA 35 U.S.C. 103 over Reference 1 in view of Reference 2
The anchor clipping mechanism of claim 15, further comprising a rail coupler configured to couple to the first end of the applicator arm.
Analysis
Reference 1 discloses rail stop 146 coupled to distal end 148 of bar clamp arm 130. Rail stop 146 includes clipping surface 152 and is configured to engage the rail/anchor region during anchor installation. Under the broadest reasonable interpretation, rail stop 146 constitutes the claimed rail coupler because it is coupled to an end of the applicator arm and provides the rail/anchor-engaging working interface.
The Reference 2 cam-slot modification would guide bar clamp arm 130 while retaining rail stop 146 as the rail coupler.
Motivation
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filling date of the claimed invention, to have retained rail stop 146 on the applicator arm because the arm must engage the rail/anchor region to apply the anchor. The rail coupler provides the working contact surface, while the Reference 2 cam slot provides path control. Keeping both features would have predictably produced a guided arm capable of applying the required clipping force.
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Claim 20 — Rejected under AIA 35 U.S.C. 103 over Reference 1 in view of Reference 2
The anchor clipping mechanism of claim 19, wherein the elongated body comprises a clevis opening configured for receiving the apply lever and the apply cam, the clevis opening formed from the middle portion through the second end.
Analysis
Reference 1 discloses elongated bar clamp arm 130 coupled to lever/linkage structures including main pivot arm 128, large arm 132, and minor arm 134. In the modified mechanism, bar clamp arm 130 would also cooperate with an apply cam/slot coupled to the movable workhead frame.
Reference 2 teaches clevis and opposed support structures in a rail applicator mechanism. Reference 2 discloses clevis 166 and pivot pin 168 for receiving and pivotally supporting clip retainer 158. Reference 2 also discloses cam grooves 770 and 772 formed in housing section 756 and receiving cam rollers 774 and 776 mounted on backstop arm 752. These structures teach the use of clevis-like openings and opposed supports to receive pivoting and cam-guided components in a rail applicator workhead.
It would have been obvious to configure Reference 1’s elongated bar clamp arm 130 with a clevis opening extending from the middle portion through the second end so that the arm could receive/straddle both the apply lever/linkage and the apply cam. The clevis opening would support the guide pin/cam follower, provide clearance for the cam plate or slot structure, and maintain compact packaging in the workhead.
Motivation
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filling date of the claimed invention, to have used a clevis opening in the modified Reference 1 applicator arm to provide balanced support around the apply lever and cam structure, reduce side loading and twisting, improve load distribution through the pivot and guide pin, and fit the arm, lever, and cam within the limited space of the rail workhead. Reference 2 teaches clevis and opposed cam-groove support arrangements in a rail applicator, making the modification predictable and mechanically advantageous.
CONCLUSION
U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0039511 A1 was reviewed but not relied upon. It is relevant to the anchor magazine and anchor holding features, but Reference 1 already discloses anchor magazine 58, chute 60, anchor holder 86, and clamp 102. The reference is therefore cumulative for the claim limitations at issue.
U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020/0109521 A1 was reviewed but not relied upon. It is relevant generally to rail anchor applicator workheads, hydraulic actuation, and rail maintenance machinery, but it does not provide a more direct teaching of the claimed apply cam/slot and guide-pin path-control arrangement than Reference 2. It was therefore omitted to keep the rejection focused.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to JASON C SMITH whose telephone number is (703)756-4641. The examiner can normally be reached Monday - Friday 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM.
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/Jason C Smith/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3615
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