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 .
Continued Examination Under 37 CFR 1.114
A request for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, including the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e), was filed in this application after final rejection. Since this application is eligible for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114. Applicant's submission filed on 05/26/2026 has been entered.
Specification
The title of the invention is not descriptive. A new title is required that is clearly indicative of the invention to which the claims are directed.
Therefore, the current “Interchangeable tool attachment and system” is not is clearly indicative of the invention to which the claims are directed.
The following title is suggested: “An outdoor power tool”.
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.
Claims 1-10 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by McLain (US 9636817).
Claim 1, McLain shows an outdoor power tool (Figure 1) comprising:
a power head (13) including a handle (Figure 1, where the user’s hand holds a power drill 13) and a user interface (the power drill intrinsically includes a trigger, see the user’s finger presses thereon as seen in Figure 1);
a motor (Col. 3, lines 1-10 “a motor”) positioned within the power head, the motor rotatable in response to the user interface to rotate an output shaft (the motor is inherent having an output shaft that connects to a chucked connector 34) extending therefrom (the output shaft is inherent because a motor has an output shaft to delivery rotation force or torque to a cutter head);
a tool attachment unit (a tiller 1, Figure 1) comprising an attachment stem (36/39/48) removably couplable to the power head at a first end and a tool head (Figures 2-3) including a cutter (blades 9) at a second end of the attachment stem;
a transmission shaft (35, Figure 12) positioned within the attachment stem and configured to rotate in response to rotation of the output shaft (this is inherently limitation, in order to drive the cutter, Figure 1);
a drive shaft (41, Figure 12) rotatable about a drive axis in response to rotation of the transmission shaft;
a transmission (Figure 12) supporting a geared connection (38) between the transmission shaft and the drive shaft; and
a cover (14, Figures 1 and 11) receivable on the attachment stem between the tool attachment unit and the power head, the cover including an aperture (54) and wherein a projection (53, 58) extends from an exterior surface of the attachment stem for engagement with the aperture along the attachment stem (see Figure 10).
Regarding claim 2, McLain shows that the tool attachment unit is a tine assembly (see blades 9 having tines or tiller blades 42, Figure 10) configured to cultivate soil (see Col. 2, lines 16-22).
Regarding claim 3, McLain shows that the motor is battery operated (see Col. 3, line 6 “a battery pack”).
Regarding claim 4, McLain shows that a length of the attachment stem defines a longitudinal axis about which the transmission shaft rotates (see Figure 1 and the discussion the drive shaft above), and wherein the cover further includes a retention mechanism (61) selectively closed to limit an amount the cover may move relative the cutter along the longitudinal axis (see Figures 10-11, the cover 14 having a long adjusting slot 54 for stand or kneel).
Regarding claim 5, McLain shows that the cutter is a first blade (a first blade of 6 blades 9, Figure 10) in a plurality of blades (9) each rotatable about the drive axis, wherein at least one of the plurality of blades has a first radius (see Figure 10).
Regarding claim 6, McLain shows that the projection (53, 58, Figure 10) is positioned on the attachment stem a predetermined distance away from the drive axis along the longitudinal axis, and wherein the projection is received in the aperture to inhibit the cover from traversing the predetermined distance and thereby contacting the plurality of blades (see Figures 7-9).
Regarding claim 7, McLain shows that the predetermined distance is greater than the first radius (this is inherently set a position of the cover 14, in order to allow the cover NOT tough to the blades).
Regarding claim 8, McLain shows that the projection is receivable in the aperture along the longitudinal axis to inhibit rotation of the cover about the longitudinal axis (see Figures 7-9).
Regarding claim 9, McLain shows that the projection is a screw (see Figure 9 and the stud 58 is a threaded stud) and the aperture is a slotted recess (see the slot 54), and wherein the screw is receivable in the slotted recess along the longitudinal axis to inhibit rotation of the cover about the longitudinal axis and limit movement of the cover along the longitudinal axis (see Figures 7-9, the slot 54 is limited).
Regarding claim 10, McLain shows that the tool attachment unit includes a plurality of stiff bristles configured to clear a surface (see teeth of each blade 9).
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments with respect to claims have been considered but are moot because the new ground of rejection does not rely on any reference applied in the prior rejection of record for any teaching or matter specifically challenged in the argument. See the new art above.
Applicant has amended to the claim, the previous 112b is mooted.
However, if Applicant still believes that the claimed invention’s apparatus/method different from the prior art’s apparatus/method or needs to discuss the rejections above or suggestion amendments that can be overcome the current rejections, Applicant should feel free to call the Examiner to schedule an interview.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. EP3987907 teaches a tiller having a cover 90 attached on a stem of a tiller head. US 20180317396 A1 teaches a tiller having a cover 134 attached on a stem of a tiller head. US 2016/0227694 teaches a plurality of cutting heads including a tiller head.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to NHAT CHIEU Q DO whose telephone number is (571)270-1522. The examiner can normally be reached 8AM-5PM EST.
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, Boyer Ashley can be reached at (571) 272-4502. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/NHAT CHIEU Q DO/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3724 6/9/2026
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