DETAILED ACTION
Response to Amendment
Responsive to the claims filed December 2, 2024. Claims 1-20 are pending. The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
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.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
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)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claims 1-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by Fletcher et al (US 2017/0002542).
As per claim 1, Fletcher et al teach a utility vehicle for moving a material comprising:
a frame including a first motion detection apparatus; a work tool movably coupled with an arm, where the arm is movably coupled with the frame; a second motion detection apparatus coupled with the work tool (see at least fig 2, paragraphs [0020, 0024-0027]);
a vibration apparatus coupled with the work tool; and a controller in communication with the motion detection apparatus and the vibration apparatus, wherein the controller includes a processor and a memory having a work tool vibration algorithm stored thereon (see at least paragraphs [0007, 0034, 0049]),
wherein the processor is operatable to execute the work tool vibration algorithm to: receive motion data from the motion detection apparatus, analyze the motion data to determine if the motion data represents a movement of the motion detection apparatus that drops below a threshold movement level, actuate the vibration apparatus to vibrate the work tool (see at least paragraphs [0031, 0034, 0049]).
As per claim 2, Fletcher et al teach wherein analyzing the motion data to determine if the motion data represents a movement of the motion detection apparatus drops below a threshold movement level includes analyzing a commanded cylinder velocity with a delivered cylinder velocity (see at least paragraphs [0031, 0049], fig 5).
As per claim 3, Fletcher et al teach wherein the tool comprises a bucket (see at least fig 1).
As per claim 4, Fletcher et al teach wherein the vibration apparatus comprises a hydraulic cylinder commanded to oscillate to alternate between extension and retraction (see at least paragraphs [0032, 0040-0042]).
As per claim 5, Fletcher et al teach wherein the vibration apparatus comprises an electric actuator (non-functional descriptive language, however, see at least paragraphs [0015, 0018, 0025]). The limitation is non-functional descriptive language that does not actively recite a function and therefore does not add any meaningful limitations to the scope of the claim. “A claim term is functional when it recites a feature by what it does not what it is" (MPEP 2173.05g). Non-functional descriptive material does not impart a patentable distinction to a claim. Patentable weight will only be given when such descriptive material has a functional relationship to the substrate (MPEP 2111.05).
As per claim 6, Fletcher et al teach wherein the motion detection apparatus comprises an inertial measurement unit (IMU) (non-functional descriptive language). The limitation is non-functional descriptive language that does not actively recite a function and therefore does not add any meaningful limitations to the scope of the claim. “A claim term is functional when it recites a feature by what it does not what it is" (MPEP 2173.05g). Non-functional descriptive material does not impart a patentable distinction to a claim. Patentable weight will only be given when such descriptive material has a functional relationship to the substrate (MPEP 2111.05).
As per claim 7, Fletcher et al teach wherein the pressure sensor is coupled with a hydraulic cylinder coupled with the work tool (non-functional descriptive language, however, see fig 2). The limitation is non-functional descriptive language that does not actively recite a function and therefore does not add any meaningful limitations to the scope of the claim. “A claim term is functional when it recites a feature by what it does not what it is" (MPEP 2173.05g). Non-functional descriptive material does not impart a patentable distinction to a claim. Patentable weight will only be given when such descriptive material has a functional relationship to the substrate (MPEP 2111.05).
As per claim 8, Fletcher et al teach wherein the motion detection apparatus comprises a pressure sensor (non-functional descriptive language, however, see at least paragraph [0020]). The limitation is non-functional descriptive language that does not actively recite a function and therefore does not add any meaningful limitations to the scope of the claim. “A claim term is functional when it recites a feature by what it does not what it is" (MPEP 2173.05g). Non-functional descriptive material does not impart a patentable distinction to a claim. Patentable weight will only be given when such descriptive material has a functional relationship to the substrate (MPEP 2111.05).
Claims 9-20 contain similar limitations as the claims above and therefore are rejected under the same rationale.
Conclusion
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RAMSEY REFAI
Primary Examiner
Art Unit 3664
/RAMSEY REFAI/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3664
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