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 .
DETAILED ACTION
Election/Restrictions
Applicant's election with traverse of Group I (claims 1-49) in the reply filed on 7/31/2026 is acknowledged. The traversal is on the ground(s) that it would not be serious burden. This is not found persuasive because the examiner stated the reasons for being a serious burden: inventions require a different field of search: searching different classes/subclasses or electronic resources, or employing different search strategies or search queries; it would require searching the transverse support beam and a vertical strut with a lift horn (Group II), the header height control system operable to control a distance between a bottom of the main header frame and a ground level (Group III), and/or first and second lower connecting means includes a fluid suspension for partial suspension (Group IV).
The requirement is still deemed proper and is therefore made FINAL.
Claim Objections
Claim 45 objected to because of the following informalities: claim 45 is duplicate of claim 44 which it depends from. 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 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 1-9, 11-28, 30-47 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Rotole (2020/0128717).
[AltContent: textbox (Dampening / shock absorption between the implement and the at least one lift arm of the propulsion unit)][AltContent: arrow][AltContent: textbox (Mounting/connecting: suspension)][AltContent: arrow][AltContent: arrow]
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“[0041] In one embodiment, the lift cylinder 126 pivots the lift arms 110, 112 between a raised position and a lowered position. The lift cylinder 126 may also allow for adjusting the height 318 of the head when the head is in the lowered position. In this embodiment, the lift cylinder 126 may control the height 318 of the head relative to the underlying surface 136 while the float cylinders 128, 129 may be coupled to each lift arm 110, 112 to provide dampened resistance when the head encounters a movement force. More specifically, the float cylinders 128, 129 may provide a biasing force on the lift arms 110, 112 away from the underlying surface 136. When the lift arms 110, 112 are coupled to the head, the lift cylinder 126 may position the head the desired height away from the underlying surface. The float cylinders 128, 129 may provide the biasing force on the lift arms 110, 112 so the head may more easily rise relative to the underlying surface 136 if it contacts an obstacle thereon. Further, the float cylinders 128, 129 may allow the user to adjust the biasing force of the head relative to the underlying surface by increasing or decreasing a float cylinder force of the respective lift arms 110, 112”
1. An agricultural system comprising:
a propulsion unit comprises at least one, elongated and generally longitudinally extending, lift arm (110);
a generally transversely extending implement comprising a generally transversely extending main frame, said implement having a weight (header, par. 2);
a mounting apparatus located on the at least one lift arm and operable to provide a first support force to support at least a first portion of said weight of said implement (mounting/connecting, marked up);
wherein the mounting apparatus comprises a suspension mechanism operable to provide suspension of said portion of said weight of said implement on said propulsion unit (float cylinder(s) 110, 112, see teaching above).
3. The agricultural system of claim 1, wherein the mounting apparatus is located proximate a distal end region of the at least one lift arm (fig 2).
5. The agricultural system of claim 1, wherein the mounting apparatus is operably located between the at least one lift arm and the main frame of the implement (fig 2).
8. The agricultural system of claim 1, wherein the suspension mechanism comprises a pressurized gas suspension mechanism (as taught in par. 53, 54, can be pneumatic / gas).
12. The agricultural system of claim 1, wherein the suspension mechanism is operable to provide suspension during the transfer of one or both of dynamic forces and static forces, between the implement and the at least one lift arm of the propulsion unit (intended operation is inherent, see quote above).
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13. The agricultural system of claim 1, wherein the mounting apparatus further comprises: a first member releasably coupled to the end region of the lift arm; and a second member pivotally connected to the first member by a first pivotal connection (marked up).
15. The agricultural system of claim 13, wherein the mounting apparatus further comprises a third member pivotally connected to the second member by a second pivotal connection at a first end region of the third member and fixedly connected to the main frame at a second end region of the third member (marked up; NOTE: see cl. 17, the 3rd pivot “can pivot”).
16. The agricultural system of claim 15, wherein the second member can pivot to a limited extent relative to the first member in a first angular direction (capable to pivot, shown/taught above).
17. The agricultural system of claim 16, wherein the third member can pivot to a limited extent relative to the second member in a second angular direction (shown/taught above, par. 39).
18. The agricultural system of claim 13, wherein the lift arm and the first and second members extend generally in a longitudinal direction that is generally orthogonal to the transverse extension of the main frame (fig 2).
23. The agricultural system of claim 13, wherein the suspension mechanism comprises a gas suspension actuator device operationally located between the first member and the second member (in re the “gas” suspension, addressed in re cl. 8, the arrangement is shown/taught in fig 2).
26. The agricultural system of claim 23, wherein an increase in a gas pressure in the gas suspension actuator device creates a lifting force to cause the second member to pivot about the first pivotal connection and lift upwards relative to the first member and the propulsion (intended function / use is inherent, par. 53, 54).
27. The agricultural system of claim 15, wherein the second pivotal connection is positioned in the longitudinal direction proximate to a fore/aft longitudinal direction center of gravity of the implement (2nd pivotal connection is “proximate”, since the arrangement is below the implement; NOTE: the claim does not disclose a definite implement with measurable COG).
30. The agricultural system of claim 1, wherein the at least one lift arm comprises a first lift arm, and wherein the at least one lift arm further comprises a second elongated, generally longitudinally extending lift arm, the first lift arm being transversely spaced from the second lift arm, the second lift arm having an end region and being transversely spaced from the first lift arm; and wherein the mounting apparatus comprises a first mounting apparatus at a distal end region of the first lift arm, and wherein the system further comprises a second mounting apparatus located at a distal end region of the second lift arm and operable to provide a second support force for carrying a second portion of said weight of said implement; and wherein the second mounting apparatus includes a frame gas suspension mechanism operable to at least partly provide suspension to said second support force carrying said second portion of said weight of said implement on said propulsion unit (as shown/taught in fig 2, there are two arms & mounting apparatus, and claim 8, in re the gas suspension).
32. The agricultural system of claim 30, wherein said first and second mounting apparatuses provide first and second lower operational connections between said implement and said first and second lift arms respectively, and wherein said agricultural system further comprises an upper connection apparatus operationally connecting said propulsion unit and said implement at a third operational connection above said first and second operational connections (see in re cl. 15-17, 1st & 2nd members, and upper 3rd connections, camp pivot connections 134).
33. The agricultural apparatus of claim 32, wherein said upper connection apparatus and said first and second lower mounting apparatuses are configured in a generally triangular shaped three-point arrangement (shown/taught above, fig 2).
36. The agricultural system of claim 1, wherein said implement is a swather header (windrower, title).
37. The agricultural system of claim 1, wherein said propulsion unit is a tractor, and wherein said at least one lift arm comprises part of a three-point hitch of said tractor (par. 50; fig 2).
38. The agricultural system of claim 1, wherein said implement is a swather header, and wherein said propulsion unit is a tractor, and wherein said at least one lift arm comprises part of a rearwardly positioned three-point hitch of said tractor (addressed in cl. 36, 37).
39. The agricultural system of claim 30, wherein each of the first and second mounting apparatuses further comprises: a first member releasably coupled to the end region of the lift arm; and a second member pivotally connected to the first member by a first pivotal connection (addressed in re cl. 15-17, 30-31).
40. The agricultural system of claim 39, wherein each of the first and second mounting apparatuses further comprises a third member pivotally connected to the second member by a second pivotal connection at a first end of the third member and fixedly connected to the main frame at a second end of the third member (addressed in re cl. 15-17, 30-31).
41. The agricultural system of claim 40, wherein the first lift arm and the first and second members of the first mounting apparatus extend generally in a longitudinal direction that is generally orthogonal to the transverse extension of the main frame; and wherein the second lift arm and the first and second members of the second mounting apparatus also extend generally in said longitudinal direction that is generally orthogonal to the transverse extension of the main frame (addressed in re cl. 30-31).
42. The agricultural system of claim 41, wherein the frame gas suspension mechanisms of the first and second mounting apparatuses each comprise a frame gas suspension actuator device operationally located between the respective first member and second member of the respective first and second mounting apparatuses (see in re cl. 30).
43. The agricultural system of claim 42, wherein during operation of the first mounting apparatus, an increase in a gas pressure in the frame gas actuator device of the first mounting apparatus creates a lifting force to cause the second member of the first mounting apparatus to pivot about the first pivotal connection and lift upwards relative to the first member of the first mounting apparatus and the propulsion unit; and wherein during operation of the second mounting apparatus, an increase in a gas pressure in the frame gas actuator device of the second mounting apparatus creates a lifting force to cause the second member of the second mounting apparatus to pivot about the first pivotal connection of the second mounting apparatus and lift upwards relative to the first member of the second mounting apparatus and the propulsion unit (see in re cl. 8, use of gas / pneumatic actuators, and controller for manipulating / repositioning, par. 53).
44. The agricultural system of claim 40, wherein the lift force is applied proximate to a fore/aft longitudinal direction center of gravity of the implement (see in re cl. 27).
45. The agricultural system of claim 44, wherein the lift force is applied proximate to a fore/aft longitudinal direction center of gravity of the implement (duplicate claim of 44).
46. The agricultural system of claim 39, wherein each of the first and second mounting apparatuses further comprises a third member pivotally connected to the second member by a second pivotal connection at a first end of the third member and fixedly connected to the main frame at a second end of the third member; and the lift force is applied proximate to a fore/aft position of each second pivotal connection (see in re cl. 15).
47. The agricultural system of claim 46, wherein the second pivotal connection of each of the first and second mounting apparatus is positioned in the longitudinal direction proximate to a longitudinal center of gravity of implement (see in re cl. 27).
The following are already addressed above, unless otherwise noted:
2. An agricultural system comprising:
a propulsion unit comprises at least one, generally longitudinally extending, lift arm;
a generally transversely extending implement comprising a generally transversely extending main frame, said implement having a weight;
wherein said at least one lift arm is operable to support at least a first portion of said weight of said implement;
a connection apparatus operable to connect the at least one lift arm to the implement and transmit forces between said implement and said least one lift arm;
wherein the connection apparatus comprises a suspension mechanism operable to any one or more of, support, isolate, resist, cushion, absorb and dampen static forces and/or dynamic forces during the transmission of said static and/or dynamic forces between the implement and the at least one lift arm of the propulsion unit (cl. 1; see quote above).
4. The agricultural system of claim 2, wherein the connection apparatus is operably located proximate a distal end region of the at least one lift arm (cl. 3).
6. The agricultural system of claim 2, wherein the connection apparatus is operable to connect the at least one lift arm to the main frame of the implement (cl. 5).
7. The agricultural system of claim 4, wherein the connection apparatus is operable to releasably connect the at least one lift arm to the main frame of the implement (latch 120 taught above).
9. The agricultural system of claim 2, wherein the suspension mechanism comprises a pressurized gas suspension mechanism (cl. 8).
11. The agricultural system of claim 9, wherein the suspension mechanism comprises at least one of a coil spring, a leaf spring, a pressurized gas bag spring, a hydraulic spring, a cylindrical a helix spring, a conical helix spring, a disc spring, a tension spring, turn spring, a spiral spring, a tape spring, a magnetic spring, a torsion spring, and a rubber spring (both gas & hydraulic taught above, par. 53-54).
14. The agricultural system of claim 2, wherein the connection apparatus further comprises: a first member releasably coupled to the end region of the lift arm; and a second member pivotally connected to the first member by a first pivotal connection (cl. 13).
19. The agricultural system of claim 14, wherein the connection apparatus further comprises a third member pivotally connected to the second member by a second pivotal connection at a first end region of the third member and fixedly connected to the main frame at a second end region of the third member (cl. 15).
20. The agricultural system of claim 19, wherein the second member can pivot to a limited extent relative to the first member in a first angular direction (cl. 16).
21. The agricultural system of claim 20, wherein the third member can pivot to a limited extent relative to the second member in a second angular direction (cl. 17).
22. The agricultural system of claim 19, wherein the lift arm and the first and second members extend generally in a longitudinal direction that is generally orthogonal to the transverse extension of the main frame (cl. 18).
24. The agricultural system as claimed in claim 19, wherein said gas suspension actuator device is operable to provide for an elastic spring movement between said main frame and said at least one lift arm (intended use / capability: par. 41, dampened resistance).
25. The agricultural system as claimed in claim 19, wherein said gas suspension actuator device is operable to provide for a dampened elastic spring movement between said implement and said lift arm (see cl. 24).
31. The agricultural system of claim 2, wherein the at least one lift arm comprises a first lift arm, and wherein the at least one lift arm further comprises a second elongated, generally longitudinally extending lift arm, the first lift arm being transversely spaced from the second lift arm, the second lift arm having an end region and being transversely spaced from the end region of first lift arm; and wherein the connection apparatus comprises a first connection apparatus located at an end region of the first lift arm, and the suspension mechanism comprises a first suspension mechanism, and wherein the system further comprises a second connection apparatus located at the distal end region of the second lift arm and operable to connect the second lift arm to the implement and transmit forces between said implement and said second lift arm; and wherein the second connection apparatus includes a second suspension mechanism operable to one or more of support, isolate, resist, cushion, absorb and dampen forces during the transmission of static and/or dynamic forces between the implement and the second lift arm of the propulsion unit (cl. 30).
34. The agricultural system of claim 31, wherein said first and second connection apparatuses provide first and second lower operational connections between said implement and said first and second lift arms respectively, and wherein said agricultural system further comprises an upper connection apparatus operationally connecting said propulsion unit and said implement at a third operational connection above said first and second operational connections (cl. 32).
35. The agricultural apparatus of claim 34, wherein said upper connection apparatus and said first and second lower mounting apparatuses are configured in a generally triangular shaped three-point arrangement (cl. 33).
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) 10 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Rotole (2020/0128717), in view of Thomas et al (2021/0185881).
The factual inquiries set forth in Graham v. John Deere Co., 383 U.S. 1, 148 USPQ 459 (1966), that are applied 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.
Rotole teaches the pneumatic / gas embodiment for the suspension apparatus, however the specifics, i.e. “gas bag” as claimed is not shown/taught:
10. The agricultural system of claim 8, wherein the pressurized gas suspension mechanism comprises a flexible and/or expandable gas bag operable to contain a pressurized gas therein.
Thomas teaches that it has been known to use gas bags / air bags (302) for a suspension / support system (par. 27).
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide the pneumatic apparatus of Rotole with the teachings of Thomas, with a reasonable expectation of success since it would not have been outside to one skilled in the art to pick and choose among the well known dampening means, including using a well known air bag / gas bas to more effectively dampen upward forces on the implement.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claim(s) 28-29, 48-49 is/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.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. See form 892.
Nelson (8919789) teaches for a suspension system (45) having a stabilizing link (78), that a shock loading known to be prevented by using a pneumatic shock absorbers (76).
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/ARPAD FABIAN-KOVACS/
Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3671
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