DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
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) 1-7, 9, 10, and 11 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over JP 2020-104768, as cited by applicant, in view of WO 2018/150153.
Regarding claim 1, JP ‘768 teaches a working equipment arranged to be mounted to a vehicle, 1, the working equipment comprising:
- a movable arm, A3, for loading and unloading a load carrying object, X, such as a container, to/from said vehicle, wherein the movable arm has a first end connected to said vehicle and a second end arranged to connect the movable arm to the load carrying object during the loading or unloading, see figure 14;
- a lift frame assembly, E, comprising a lift frame with an attachment part, E2, arranged to be attached to the second end of the movable arm, A3, a pair of upper connectors, E4 and E5, mounted at opposite sides of an upper part of the lift frame, and a pair of lower connectors, E6, mounted at opposite sides of a lower part of the lift frame, see figures 5, wherein said pairs of upper and lower connectors are adapted to attach said upper and lower parts of the lift frame to a corresponding upper part and lower part, respectively, of the load carrying object, see figure 7;
- an actuator system, A10, arranged to operate movements of the working equipment;
- a sensor system, arranged to monitor the movements of the working equipment, see figure 11 and the English translation, reproduced below which states:
“FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the control procedure of the cargo handling arm in this embodiment. The procedure shown in FIG. 11 is executed by the control device G2 when mounting the standard container X on the chassis 3 and storing the used adapter E when mounting the adapter E on the stand of the support post A11. The sequence control is performed. The procedure of FIG. 11 starts when the standard container X is pulled up onto the chassis and is in a horizontal posture, and then the slide cylinder A12 extends to a predetermined stroke, for example. The predetermined stroke is, for example, a value at which the distance between the adapter E and the support post A11 becomes a predetermined distance. The arrival of the predetermined stroke can be detected by an appropriate sensor such as a stroke sensor that detects the stroke of the slide cylinder A12, a proximity sensor that detects that the adapter E or the hook arm A8 has passed a predetermined position, or a distance sensor.”, and
- a control unit, G2, configured to generate control instructions to control the operation of the actuator system in response to a loading/unloading command for the loading and/or unloading of the load carrying object and sensor signals received from the sensor system,
-wherein the lift frame assembly comprises a set of manual actuators, E3, configured to change the positions of the upper connectors, E4 and E5, relative to the attachment part along parallel movement axes close to the opposite sides of the lift frame, and parallel to a symmetry axis of the lift frame, see figure 5.
The JP ‘768 reference does not teach that the control unit, G2, controls said actuators. WO ‘153 teaches a lift frame for a container with connectors for connecting the lift frame to the container. WO ‘153 further teaches that the attachments can be actuated to spread, and the actuators are controlled by a control unit that is configured to generate instructions to control said set of actuators to change the positions of the upper connectors along the movement axes during an attachment procedure for attaching said lift frame to said load carrying object in response of an attachment command, and sensor signals from the sensor system, see quoted portion of reference below:
“The present invention adaptor 50 uses electronic controls with wired and/or wireless communications from crane driver to devices that need operation.”
”It is important to be sure that all eight of the connectors 4 are engaged with the corner fittings 8 before the containers start to be lifted. This is achieved by all the connectors being fitted with known blocking pins 46 and with electronic switches that signal to a main control box that they have engaged correctly before lifting.” See page 17, paragraph 3+.
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was filed to replace the manual actuators, E3, taught by JP ‘768, with the automatically controlled actuators of WO ‘153 in order to achieve the predictable result of enabling automatic control of the lift frame by an operator from the cab of the vehicle.
Regarding claim 2, WO ‘153 teaches wherein the attachment procedure is performed in dependence of sensor signals obtained from the sensor system regarding the positions of the connectors relative the load carrying object, and wherein said sensor signals include one or many of image signals, distance signals, and movement signals, see cited paragraph above.
Regarding claim 3, WO ‘153 further teaches during the attachment procedure, the changing of the positions of the connectors along the movement axes until the connectors are in positions to be attached, or one or both upper connectors already being attached, to the load carrying object, are performed by individually changing the positions of the upper connectors such that they are at the same level, either before attachment or when one or both upper connectors are attached, see quoted portion of the reference below:
“… whereas the connectors 4 are in general controlled and operated together with one instruction, it is envisaged that additional controls would be provided to enable the connectors 49 to be operated independently of connectors 4 or similarly connectors 4" be operated independently of connectors 4.” See page 16, paragraph 3+.
Regarding claim 4, JP ‘768 teaches the attachment procedure is adapted to the type of load carrying object, e.g. the height of the load carrying object, where the actuators, E3, are used to change the height of the connectors, e$ and E5, based on the location of the corresponding upper part of the load carrying object.
Regarding claim 5, JP ‘768 teaches the second end is provided with a hook, F, and the attachment part is a bar, E2, and wherein the lift frame is arranged to be stowed at the vehicle, see support post A11, during transport, or when the hook is used to load a load carrying object to the vehicle.
Regarding claim 6, the combination of JP ‘768 and WO ‘153 teaches said attachment procedure is part of an autonomous or semiautonomous loading sequence, using the control device, G2, taught by JP ‘768 and the attachment control taught by the WO ‘153 reference.
Regarding claim 7, JP ‘768 teaches said lift frame is an H-shaped lift frame, see figure 5.
Regarding claim 9, JP ‘768 teaches said symmetry axis is parallel to the opposite sides of the lift frame (16) and in a plane defined by the upper and lower parts of the lift frame, see figure 5.
Regarding claim 10, JP ‘768 teaches the attachment procedure comprises:
-attaching the upper connectors, E4 and E5, to the load carrying object, X;
-changing the positions of the upper connectors along movement axes until the lower connectors, E6, are in positions to be attached to the load carrying object, and
-attaching the lower connectors to the load carrying object, see quoted portion of reference below:
”Specifically, in the process in which the adapter E descends at the rear of the vehicle as the cargo handling arm A3 rotates, the upper connecting members E4 and E5 of the adapter E are first hooked in the recess X1 on the front side of the standard container X. When it is confirmed that the upper connecting members E4 and E5 have been hooked, the lift cylinder A10 is further extended, and the left and right lower connecting members E6 are extended when the left and right expansion/contraction mechanisms E3 are extended and the stopper E8 hits the bottom plate of the standard container X. Is manually connected to the standard container X.”
Regarding claim 11, the combination of JP ‘768 and WO ‘153 teaches the attachment procedure is specifically intended to determine the type of the load carrying object, and comprises:
- adapting the distances between said upper connectors and said attachment part to fit the size, e.g. the height, of said load carrying object;
- attaching the upper connectors to the load carrying object, and
-attaching the lower connectors to the load carrying object.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 8, 12-14 are objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but would be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims.
Regarding claims 8 and 12, the prior art was not found to teach a control unit that during attachment of the lift frame to the load carrying object the lift frame lifts a front end of the object from the ground, as claimed. The JP ‘768 reference does not teach this, nor does any other prior art.
Regarding claims 13 and 14, the examiner was unable to find a control procedure for individually adjusting the connectors of the lift frame, as claimed.
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed 27 May 2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive.
Applicant’s arguments were solely focused on the rejection of claim 1 as being unpatentable over JP 2020-104768, as cited by applicant, in view of WO 2018/150153.
Applicant argues that “On pages 3-4, the Office Action acknowledges that JP2020104768A does not disclose that the control unit G2 controls the actuators E3. In particular, the Office Action states that "[t]he JP '768 reference does not teach that the control unit, G2, controls said actuators." Accordingly, JP2020104768A does not disclose at least the claimed feature that "the control unit is further configured to generate instructions to control said set of actuators to change the positions of the upper connectors along the movement axes M during an attachment procedure." The examiner is relying on the JP’768 reference to teach expandable and contractable lift frame assembly that can change the position of upper connects. Under the broadest reasonable interpretation of the term “actuator” the examiner contends that the expansion/contraction mechanism, E3, which change the position of connecting member E4 and E5, read on the claimed “set of actuators configured to change the positions of the upper connectors”. The examiner concedes that these actuators are not controlled by the control unit G2.
The office relied upon WO ‘153 to teach a container holder with a lift frame with corner connectors, where the distance between the corner connectors can be changed by controlling actuators to expand the lift frame. The lift frame of WO ‘153 is designed in the same manner as that of the JP ‘768 reference in that the connectors are attached to a rod that slide within a tube, see figure 2B. The WO ‘153 teaches a powered actuator, see page 12, paragraph reproduced below.
“In figure 2B there is seen a perspective view of one beam 2 of the adaptor 50. To drive the second portions 5, 6 in and out of the first portion 7 an actuator means is provided in the form of screws 15, 16 which are driven for rotation by a motor 19 mounted on a gear box 20 fixed to central portion 7. Nuts 17, 18 are fixed to second portions 5, 6 via brackets 42 which extend through slots 43 in the side of central second portion 7. Thus rotation of the screws 15, 16 within nuts 17, 18 causes the second portions 5, 6 to move horizontally in or out of the central portion 7 enabling the gap A between the containers to be enlarged or narrowed.
Other forms of actuator means can be used to move second portions 5 and 6 in and out of the first portion 7 of beam 2. For example, various other mechanical drives could be used such as rack and pinion gears and chain drives. These could be powered electrically or hydraulically. Alternatively hydraulic rams could be connected between the first portion 7 and the second portions 5 and 6 replacing motor 19, screws 15, 16 gear box 20. The actuators described can be located inside the portions 7, 5, 6 or outside as illustrated.”
As already stated in the rejection above, combining the powered actuators of WO ‘153 with the frame of JP ‘768 is motivated by enabling the expansion/contraction mechanism of the JP ‘768 to be automatically controlled.
Applicant then argues that the JP ‘768 and WO ‘153 relates to a different purpose and different solution. Broadly, both inventions related to connecting a lifting frame to the corners of containers in order to securely lift the containers via the frames/lifting adaptors. The examiner contends that these are in fact analogous art and the direction of the connectors, horizontal versus vertical orientation, is immaterial. The WO ‘153 reference is relied on to teach automatically controlling actuators to adjust the position of corner connectors with respect to a container in order to securely attach to the container. The automatically controlled adaptor feature is what is being combined with the lifting frame of the JP ‘768 reference. The fact that the lifting frame of WO ‘153 can also change the space between containers does not preclude the fact that the main effect of the controlled actuators of the WO ‘153 moves the member of the lifting frame to move the connectors in the same manner as that of the JP ‘768 reference.
Applicant further argues that the cited prior art does not teach a control unit is configured to generate instructions to control “said set of actuators to change the positions of the upper connectors along the movement axes M during an attachment procedure”.
WO ‘153 teaches that the spacing between connectors, 4, which are attached to the corner fittings of containers are adjusted according to the spacing requirements of known shipping containers.
“Figure 2A shows in perspective view one arrangement of the adaptor 50 comprising beams 2, 2' with their second portions second portion5, 6 in an extended position from first portion 7. The parent spreader 1 not shown in this figure has been removed from its engagement with aperture plates 13 in beams 2, 2'. The first portions 7 of beams 2, 2' each comprise a rectangular hollow section of welded steel in which the second portions 5 and 6 of similar section are mounted for horizontal sliding action so that the two second portions 5 and 6 can telescope in an out of the ends 14 of first portion 7 of each beam 2, 2'. The pair of connectors 4 mounted on each second portion 5, 6 are spaced apart to fit the spacing requirements of known shipping containers such as 9' seen in dotted line to be able to enter and engage with the sockets 95 in corner fittings 8 as described above.” See page 11, paragraph 3+.
It is clear that this adjustment happens during an attachment procedure to initially line up the connectors with the corner fittings. Furthermore, information from sensors is used to determine whether an attachment has been correctly made, which is during an attachment procedure.
“The present invention adaptor 50 uses electronic controls with wired and/or wireless communications from crane driver to devices that need operation.”
”It is important to be sure that all eight of the connectors 4 are engaged with the corner fittings 8 before the containers start to be lifted. This is achieved by all the connectors being fitted with known blocking pins 46 and with electronic switches that signal to a main control box that they have engaged correctly before lifting.” See page 17, paragraph 3+.
Applicant’s arguments are not persuasive. Claims 1-7, 9, 10, and 11 remain rejected.
Conclusion
THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. 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 KAITLIN S JOERGER whose telephone number is (571)272-6938. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 7:30-5 (CST).
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, Ernesto Suarez can be reached at (571)270-5565. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/KAITLIN S JOERGER/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3655
26 June 2026
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