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 .
Status of the Claims
Claims 1-7 are currently pending herein.
Information Disclosure Statement
The listing of references in the specification is not a proper information disclosure statement. 37 CFR 1.98(b) requires a list of all patents, publications, or other information submitted for consideration by the Office, and MPEP § 609.04(a) states, "the list may not be incorporated into the specification but must be submitted in a separate paper." Therefore, unless the references have been cited by the examiner on form PTO-892, they have not been considered.
Drawings
The drawings are objected to under 37 CFR 1.83(a). The drawings must show every feature of the invention specified in the claims. Therefore, the small vertical bars” (Claim 3, element 17?), “circular handle” (Claim 3 – element 21 in the figures does not appear to be circular), and “S-hook lock mechanism system” (Claim 5), “a support bar stand” (Claim 6, element 14?), “handle assembly functionality mechanism” (Claim 7), must all be shown and labeled or the feature(s) canceled from the claim(s). No new matter should be entered.
Corrected drawing sheets in compliance with 37 CFR 1.121(d) are required in reply to the Office action to avoid abandonment of the application. Any amended replacement drawing sheet should include all of the figures appearing on the immediate prior version of the sheet, even if only one figure is being amended. The figure or figure number of an amended drawing should not be labeled as “amended.” If a drawing figure is to be canceled, the appropriate figure must be removed from the replacement sheet, and where necessary, the remaining figures must be renumbered and appropriate changes made to the brief description of the several views of the drawings for consistency. Additional replacement sheets may be necessary to show the renumbering of the remaining figures. Each drawing sheet submitted after the filing date of an application must be labeled in the top margin as either “Replacement Sheet” or “New Sheet” pursuant to 37 CFR 1.121(d). If the changes are not accepted by the examiner, the applicant will be notified and informed of any required corrective action in the next Office action. The objection to the drawings will not be held in abeyance.
Claim Objections
Claims 1-7 are objected to because of the following informalities: the listed letters a, b, c, d, etc. should all be removed. Appropriate correction is required.
Claims 1-7 are objected to because of the following informalities: “comprising of” should be rewritten as “comprising”. Appropriate correction is required.
Claim 1 is objected to because of the following informalities: “the ends” (line 5) should be rewritten as “ends”. Appropriate correction is required.
Claim 1 is objected to because of the following informalities: “ends” (line 6) should be rewritten as “the ends”. Appropriate correction is required
Claim 1 is objected to because of the following informalities: “State” (line 9) should be rewritten as “States”. Appropriate correction is required.
Claim 1 is objected to because of the following informalities: “the ends” (line 11) should be rewritten as “the ends of said longer bars”. Appropriate correction is required.
Claim 1 is objected to because of the following informalities: “said wheel mounting” (line 8) should be rewritten as “said wheel mounting plate”. Appropriate correction is required
Claim 3 is objected to because of the following informalities: “wherein width…equals width” (line 6) should be rewritten as “wherein a width…equals a width”. Appropriate correction is required.
Claim 3 is objected to because of the following informalities: “the inside surface” (line 7-8) should be rewritten as “an inside surface”. Appropriate correction is required.
Claim 3 is objected to because of the following informalities: “the said” (line 12) should be rewritten as “said”. Appropriate correction is required.
Claim 3 is objected to because of the following informalities: “wherein length” (line 11&15) should be rewritten as “wherein a length”. Appropriate correction is required.
Claim 3 is objected to because of the following informalities: “wherein length” (line 16) should be rewritten as “wherein the length”. Appropriate correction is required.
Claim 3 is objected to because of the following informalities: “the outer surface” (line 19) should be rewritten as “an outer surface”. Appropriate correction is required.
Claim 3 is objected to because of the following informalities: “the center” (line 20) should be rewritten as “a center”. Appropriate correction is required.
Claim 3 is objected to because of the following informalities: “whereby circular handle” (line 21) should be rewritten as “whereby said circular handle”. Appropriate correction is required.
Claim 3 is objected to because of the following informalities: “whereby height” (line 7-8) should be rewritten as “whereby a height”. Appropriate correction is required.
Claim 4 is objected to because of the following informalities: “sliding out off” (line 12) should be rewritten as “sliding out of”. Appropriate correction is required
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 1-7 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 pre-AIA the applicant regards as the invention. Claims 1-7 include the following limitations which are unclear and therefore render the claims indefinite for which appropriate correction is required (emphasis added, all highlighted portions require appropriate correction and/or removal):
Claim 1: A trolley chassis system, comprising of: a. a pair of longer bars of equal length and square cross section placed horizontally parallel to each other at a predefined distance, b. a set number of flat rectangular planks of predefined dimensions attached from under to the ends of said longer bars, c. a pair of vertical rectangular planks of predefined dimension attached to ends of said longer bars, one in front, and one in the back, wherein outer edges of said vertical rectangular planks align with outer edges of said longer bars, d. whereby said flat rectangular planks hold packages and United State Postal Service (USPS) daily mail containers on top, wherein said longer bars and said vertical rectangular planks provide support on the ends to prevent packages and USPS daily mail containers from falling or sliding off when said trolley chassis system is in motion.
Claim 2: The trolley chassis system according to claim 1, further including a wheel assembly system attached under at each corner of said trolley chassis system, comprising of: a. a wheel attached below a wheel mounting plate of rectangular shape with predefined length and width having four holes on top, b. a rectangular block of predefined dimension in length, width, and thickness, wherein said rectangular block has four holes on top that align with the four holes present on said wheel mounting plate, c. whereby said rectangular block is placed on top of said wheel mounting with the four holes align with each other, d. three screws of set dimension pass from under through holes of said wheel mounting plate and said rectangular block to attach the wheel at the corner to both longer bar and vertical rectangular plank of said trolley chassis system, e. a single machine screw of predefined dimension passes through the fourth hole of said wheel mounting plate and said rectangular block to attach on top to a wing nut, wherein said wing nut rests on top of said rectangular block, f. whereby said rectangular block tightly holds onto said wheel mounting plate to absorb daily shocks that occur as said trolley chassis system travels onto different surfaces such as concrete, asphalt, brick, wood, carpet, and tile, in turn preventing breakages in said wheel mounting plate and said wheels.
Claim 3: The trolley chassis system according to claim 1, further including a handle assembly, comprising of: a. a pair of small vertical bars of equal height and square cross section placed parallel to each other at a predefined distance apart, b. a pair of longer vertical bars of equal height and rectangular cross section, wherein width of said longer vertical bar equals width of said small vertical bar, whereby each longer vertical bar is attached in parallel to the inside surface of said small vertical bar using a single screw, c. a lower support bar of rectangular cross section attached horizontally from under to the ends of said longer vertical bars using L-brackets and small screws, wherein length of said lower support bar equals the predefined distance between the said small vertical bars, d. a middle support bar of rectangular cross section attached in between said longer vertical bars using L-brackets and small screws at the ends, wherein length of middle support bar equals distance between the longer vertical bars, e. whereby length of said middle support bar forces said longer vertical bars to stay in parallel at the predefined distance between said small vertical bars, f. a circular handle attached on top in-between said longer vertical bars using a pair of long screws on the ends, wherein said long screw passes through the outer surface of said longer vertical bar to enter the center of circular handle, whereby circular handle stays fixed in between said longer vertical bars, g. said longer vertical bars connect with all parts-small vertical bar, lower support bar, middle support bar, and circular handle, whereby creating a single unit handle assembly for use in said trolley chassis system, h. whereby height of said longer vertical bar allows an operator to hold and pull said circular handle to control the movement of said trolley chassis system.
Claim 4: The handle assembly according to claim 3, wherein attachment of handle assembly onto trolley chassis system according to claim 1, comprises of: a. a pair of long machine screws of predefined length and diameter, b. a pair of fixed nuts with diameter equal to diameter of long machine screw, c. said handle assembly is placed behind the front vertical rectangular plank in between the longer bars of said trolley chassis system, d. wherein a hole is made on either end on the outer surface of said longer bars, e. whereby said long machine screw enters through the hole on either end of said longer bar to pass through and then enters a hole at the bottom of the small vertical bar of said handle assembly, f. wherein said long machine screw extends inside to fasten onto said fixed nut, g. whereby said fixed nut prevents said long machine screw from sliding out off the holes of said handle assembly and said longer bars to securely attach said handle assembly in between said trolley chassis system, h. wherein the diameter of holes on said longer bar and said handle assembly are larger than the diameter of said long machine screw allowing rotation of said long machine screw one either ends, i. whereby said handle assembly can be rotated using the circular handle within said trolley chassis system, j. wherein said handle assembly can rotate to a vertical standing position in parallel to the front vertical rectangular plank during operating condition, or can rotate to a horizontal storage position to rest on top of the flat rectangular planks of said trolley chassis system during non-operating condition.
Claim 5: The handle assembly according to claim 3, wherein attachment of handle assembly according to claim 4 onto trolley chassis system according to claim 1, wherein functionality of handle assembly comprises of: a. a pair of S-shaped hooks of predefined length, b. two pairs of S-shaped holes of predefined diameter, c. a S-hook lock mechanism system, wherein diameter of said S-shaped holes ensures said S-shaped hooks can enter to stay fixed and locked within, d. said S-shaped hook is attached onto the front surface of each small vertical bar of said handle assembly, e. a pair of S-shaped holes are attached on the ends of front vertical rectangular plank, and a single S-shaped hole is attached onto each said longer bar, f. whereby when S-shaped hooks of said small vertical bars enter into S-shaped holes of front vertical rectangular plank, S-shaped holes restrict movement of S-shaped hooks to keep said handle assembly in vertical standing position in parallel to front vertical rectangular plank during operating condition, g. whereby allowing the operator to hold and pull circular handle of said handle assembly, wherein wheels attached at the corners under said trolley chassis system get into motion, whereby allowing operator to control movement and direction of said trolley chassis system during operating condition, h. wherein during non operating condition, the operator holds onto said circular handle and releases S-shaped hooks of said small vertical bars from S-shaped holes on said front vertical rectangular plank, whereby allowing operator to rotate said handle assembly from vertical standing position to horizontal storage position, wherein said longer vertical bars and said middle support bar of said handle assembly rest on top of said flat rectangular planks, i. wherein S-shaped hooks on said small vertical bars of said handle assembly are inserted into S-shaped holes of said longer bars, to restrict movement of said S-shaped hooks, in turn restricting rotational movement of said handle assembly, whereby allowing secure storage of said trolley chassis system in horizontal position during non operating condition.
Claim 6: The trolley chassis system according to claim 1, wherein handle assembly according to claim 3, wherein said handle assembly set in horizontal storage position according to claim 5, wherein method to store said trolley chassis system in vertical position, comprises of: a. a support bar stand of predefined length and square cross section, b. wherein said support bar stand is attached horizontally parallel to the outer edge of one said longer bar using a said long machine screw, c. wherein diameter of holes on said longer bar and said support bar stand are kept larger than diameter of said long machine screw, whereby allowing rotational movement of said long machine screw and said support bar stand, d. whereby during non operating condition, operator holds onto said longer bar opposite of said support bar stand to lift said trolley chassis system in vertical position, to allow rotation of said support bar stand, e. whereby operator turns said support bar stand to a set angle, wherein said set angle is a predefined acute angle (under 90 degrees) measured on the bottom surface in between said support bar stand and said longer bar moving toward the back-side vertical rectangular plank of said trolley chassis system, f. wherein once said set angle is an acute angle, said support bar stand supports said trolley chassis system in vertical storage position resting onto a floor, g. whereby allowing postal and parcel workers to store said trolley chassis system in vertical position by the edge of a wall within a work truck, while leaving room in the truck to store mail and packages on their daily routes, h. whereby vertical storage of said trolley chassis system allows safe storage of said trolley chassis system by the edge of a wall within a work facility to avoid blockages of pathways and hallways.
Claim 7: The trolley chassis system according to claim 1, wherein wheel assembly system according to claim 2, wherein handle assembly according to claim 3, wherein attachment of handle assembly according to claim 4, wherein handle assembly functionality mechanism according to claim 5, comprises of: a. no complex designed machined metal parts, b. wherein only industry standard metal, wood, screws, nuts, and bolts available at any hardware store are used to build said trolley chassis system, c. whereby allowing an operator to easily fix problems such as tightening screws using a standard screwdriver on the job to reduce loss of time, d. whereby an operator can replace broken screws, nuts, or bolts using standard parts available at any hardware store, in turn reducing loss of time due to unexpected service interruption during work hours.
Claims 3-7 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 pre-AIA the applicant regards as the invention. Specifically, the claims include multiple dependencies and limitations which provide for antecedent basis issues (e.g., Claim 4 includes limitations "The handle assembly according to claim 3, wherein attachment of handle assembly onto trolley chassis system according to claim 1”) which are unclear and therefore render the claim indefinite. For purposes of prosecution herein, the Claims 3-7 will all be assumed to depend from Claims 2-6 (i.e., the immediately proceeding claim) in order to provide proper dependency for the provided limitations), However appropriate correction is required (e.g., Claim 7: “The trolley chassis system according to claim 1, wherein wheel assembly system according to claim 2, wherein handle assembly according to claim 3, wherein attachment of handle assembly according to claim 4, wherein handle assembly functionality mechanism according to claim 5, comprises of:”, should most likely be rewritten as: “The trolley chassis system according to claim 6, further comprising:”).
Claims 4-7 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 pre-AIA the applicant regards as the invention. Claims 4-7 include the limitations "front vertical rectangular plank”, which is of unclear antecedent basis and therefore renders the claim indefinite. Applicant may be referring back to Claim 1: “a pair of vertical rectangular planks…one in front and one in back” however the limitation in Claim 1 should be rewritten as: : “a pair of vertical rectangular planks…a front vertical rectangular plank in the front of the trolley and a back vertical rectangular plank in the back of the trolley”, to make subsequent claim limitations more clear. Appropriate correction is required
Claims 5-7 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 pre-AIA the applicant regards as the invention. Claim 5 includes limitations "a S-hook lock mechanism system”, which is unclear and therefore renders the claim indefinite. Appropriate correction is required.
Claims 6-7 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 pre-AIA the applicant regards as the invention. Claim 6 includes limitations "wherein method to store”, which is unclear and therefore renders the claim indefinite. Appropriate correction is required.
Claim 7 is 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 pre-AIA the applicant regards as the invention. Claim 7 includes limitations "handle assembly functionality mechanism”, which is unclear and therefore renders the claim indefinite. Appropriate correction is required.
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.
Claim(s) 1 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Gronholm et al. (US 12,179,824 B2).
[Claim 1] Regarding Claim 1, Gronholm discloses: A trolley chassis system (See, e.g., Fig.1-4, 100), comprising of:
a. a pair of longer bars (See, e.g., Fig.1-4, 110) of equal length and square cross section placed horizontally parallel to each other at a predefined distance (See, e.g., Fig.1-4),
b. a set number of flat rectangular planks (See, e.g., Fig.1-4, 110) of predefined dimensions attached from under to the ends of said longer bars (See, e.g., Fig.1-4),
c. a pair of vertical rectangular planks (See, e.g., Fig.1-4, 110) of predefined dimension attached to ends of said longer bars, one in front, and one in the back (See, e.g., Fig.1-4), wherein outer edges of said vertical rectangular planks align with outer edges of said longer bars (See, e.g., Fig.1-4),
d. whereby said flat rectangular planks hold packages and United State Postal Service (USPS) daily mail containers on top, wherein said longer bars and said vertical rectangular planks provide support on the ends to prevent packages and USPS daily mail containers from falling or sliding off when said trolley chassis system is in motion (See, e.g., Fig.1-4).
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.
The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows:
1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness.
Claim(s) 2 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Gronholm.
[Claim 2] Regarding Claim 2, Gronholm discloses: further including a wheel assembly system (See, e.g., Fig.1-4, 111) attached under at each corner of said trolley chassis system (See, e.g., Fig.1-4), comprising of: a. a wheel (See, e.g., Fig.1-4, 111) attached below a wheel mounting plate of rectangular shape (See, e.g., Fig.1-4, above 111) with predefined length and width (See, e.g., Fig.1-4), b. a rectangular block of predefined dimension in length, width, and thickness (See, e.g., Fig.1-4, above 111), c. whereby said rectangular block is placed on top of said wheel mounting (See, e.g., Fig.1-4), said wheel mounting plate and said rectangular block to attach the wheel at the corner to both longer bar and vertical rectangular plank of said trolley chassis system (See, e.g., Fig.1-4) whereby said rectangular block tightly holds onto said wheel mounting plate to absorb daily shocks that occur as said trolley chassis system travels onto different surfaces such as concrete, asphalt, brick, wood, carpet, and tile, in turn preventing breakages in said wheel mounting plate and said wheels (See, e.g., Fig.1-4).
Gronholm fails to explicitly teach: wherein the wheel mounting plate has four holes on top and the rectangular block has four holes on top that align with the four holes present on said wheel mounting plate whereby said rectangular block is placed on top of said wheel mounting with the four holes align with each other three screws of set dimension pass from under through holes of said wheel mounting plate and said rectangular block to attach the wheel at the corner to both longer bar and vertical rectangular plank of said trolley chassis system a single machine screw of predefined dimension passes through the fourth hole of said wheel mounting plate and said rectangular block to attach on top to a wing nut, wherein said wing nut rests on top of said rectangular block.
However, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to modify the wheel assembly of Gronholm to provide various fasteners and holes for connecting the elements taught by Granholm with a reasonable expectation of success because it would have been a quick and secure method of joining components together commonly used in metal frame connection in factories. Moreover, the modification is obvious as no more than the use of familiar elements according to known methods in a manner that achieves predictable results. (See, e.g., KSR Int'/ Co. v. Teleflex Inc., 550 U.S. 398,416 (2007)).
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 3-7 would be allowable if rewritten to overcome the rejection(s) under 35 U.S.C. 112(a/b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), 1st/2nd paragraph, set forth in this Office action and to include all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims.
The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter: The prior art of record when taken alone or in combination with another does not teach or fairly suggest at this time at least, among other limitations: further including a handle assembly, comprising of: a. a pair of small vertical bars of equal height and square cross section placed parallel to each other at a predefined distance apart, b. a pair of longer vertical bars of equal height and rectangular cross section, wherein width of said longer vertical bar equals width of said small vertical bar, whereby each longer vertical bar is attached in parallel to the inside surface of said small vertical bar using a single screw, c. a lower support bar of rectangular cross section attached horizontally from under to the ends of said longer vertical bars using L-brackets and small screws, wherein length of said lower support bar equals the predefined distance between the said small vertical bars, d. a middle support bar of rectangular cross section attached in between said longer vertical bars using L-brackets and small screws at the ends, wherein length of middle support bar equals distance between the longer vertical bars, e. whereby length of said middle support bar forces said longer vertical bars to stay in parallel at the predefined distance between said small vertical bars, f. a circular handle attached on top in-between said longer vertical bars using a pair of long screws on the ends, wherein said long screw passes through the outer surface of said longer vertical bar to enter the center of circular handle, whereby circular handle stays fixed in between said longer vertical bars, g. said longer vertical bars connect with all parts-small vertical bar, lower support bar, middle support bar, and circular handle, whereby creating a single unit handle assembly for use in said trolley chassis system, h. whereby height of said longer vertical bar allows an operator to hold and pull said circular handle to control the movement of said trolley chassis system, as claimed in Claim 3 (emphasis added to allowable limitations not suggested or taught by the prior art).
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure, and can be found on the attached Notice of References Cited.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to JAMES M DOLAK whose telephone number is (571)270-7757. The examiner can normally be reached on 9-530 EST Monday-Friday.
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, J ALLEN SHRIVER can be reached on 303-297-4337. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
Information regarding the status of an application may be obtained from the Patent Application Information Retrieval (PAIR) system. Status information for published applications may be obtained from either Private PAIR or Public PAIR. Status information for unpublished applications is available through Private PAIR only. For more information about the PAIR system, see http://pair-direct.uspto.gov. Should you have questions on access to the Private PAIR system, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative or access to the automated information system, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000.
/JAMES M DOLAK/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3613