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 § 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, 2, 4, 6, 7, 15 and 17-19 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Bassett (US 2018/0317381).
As concerns claims 1 and 15, Bassett shows a control system for an agricultural tillage implement (10), comprising: a controller (50) comprising a memory and a processor, wherein the controller is configured to: receive a pressure sensor signal (51) indicative of a fluid pressure within a cylinder (31), wherein the cylinder is configured to couple to a main frame (Fig. 1: frame assembly that supports the tools & attached to linkage assembly 13) of the agricultural tillage implement and to a gauge device frame (Fig. 1: support arm that carries gauge wheel 15); and control a tilt force applied by a tilt actuator (30) to the main frame to maintain the fluid pressure within a threshold fluid pressure range of a target fluid pressure (paragraph 0012 & 0017-0019), wherein the tilt actuator is configured to couple to a hitch assembly (12; paragraph 0011) of the agricultural tillage implement and to apply the tilt force to the main frame (Fig. 1).
As concerns claims 2 and 19, Bassett shows a pressure sensor (51) communicatively coupled to the controller (50), wherein the pressure sensor is configured to output the pressure sensor signal indicative of the fluid pressure within the cylinder (Fig. 1).
As concerns claim 4, Bassett shows wherein the tilt actuator comprises a hydraulic cylinder (30), and the controller (50) is configured to control a tilt fluid pressure at each end of the hydraulic cylinder to control the tilt force and a stiffness of the tilt actuator (Fig. 1).
As concerns claims 6 and 17, Bassett shows a user interface communicatively coupled to the controller, wherein the user interface is configured to receive an input indicative of the target fluid pressure (paragraph 0019).
As concerns claims 7 and 18, Bassett shows wherein the controller is configured to limit the tilt force applied by the tilt actuator to a maximum tilt force (paragraph 0019).
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 8-14 are allowed over the prior art of record.
Claims 3, 5, 16 and 20 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.
The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter: the prior art of record does not appear to anticipate and/or render obvious:
a) a control system for an agricultural tillage implement, comprising: a controller comprising a memory and a processor, wherein the controller is configured to: receive a pressure sensor signal indicative of a fluid pressure within a rolling basket cylinder, an angle sensor signal indicative of an angle of a rolling basket frame relative to a main frame of the agricultural tillage implement, or a combination thereof, wherein the rolling basket cylinder is configured to couple to the main frame and to the rolling basket frame; and control a tilt force applied by a tilt actuator to the main frame to maintain the fluid pressure within a threshold fluid pressure range of a target fluid pressure, to maintain the angle of the rolling basket frame within a threshold angle range of a target angle, or a combination thereof, wherein the tilt actuator is configured to couple to a hitch assembly of the agricultural tillage implement and to apply the tilt force to the main frame; and an angle sensor communicatively coupled to the controller, wherein the angle sensor is configured to output the angle sensor signal indicative of the angle of the rolling basket frame relative to the main frame.
b) a control system for an agricultural tillage implement, comprising: a controller comprising a memory and a processor, wherein the controller is configured to: receive a pressure sensor signal indicative of a fluid pressure within a rolling basket cylinder, an angle sensor signal indicative of an angle of a rolling basket frame relative to a main frame of the agricultural tillage implement, or a combination thereof, wherein the rolling basket cylinder is configured to couple to the main frame and to the rolling basket frame; and control a tilt force applied by a tilt actuator to the main frame to maintain the fluid pressure within a threshold fluid pressure range of a target fluid pressure, to maintain the angle of the rolling basket frame within a threshold angle range of a target angle, or a combination thereof, wherein the tilt actuator is configured to couple to a hitch assembly of the agricultural tillage implement and to apply the tilt force to the main frame; and wherein the controller is configured to determine the target angle of the rolling basket frame relative to the main frame based on the target fluid pressure within the rolling basket cylinder and an angle/fluid pressure calibration.
The prior art of record shows a control system for an agricultural tillage implement, comprising: a controller comprising a memory and a processor, wherein the controller is configured to: receive a pressure sensor signal indicative of a fluid pressure within a cylinder, wherein the cylinder is configured to couple to a main frame of the agricultural tillage implement and to a gauge device frame; and control a tilt force applied by a tilt actuator to the main frame to maintain the fluid pressure within a threshold fluid pressure range of a target fluid pressure, wherein the tilt actuator is configured to couple to a hitch assembly of the agricultural tillage implement and to apply the tilt force to the main frame. However, the prior art of record does not show a tillage implement, comprising: a main frame configured to support a plurality of disc blades; a rolling basket frame pivotally coupled to the main frame, wherein the rolling basket frame is configured to support a rolling basket; a hitch assembly pivotally coupled to the main frame; a wheel frame pivotally coupled to the hitch assembly, wherein the wheel frame is configured to support a plurality of wheels; a rolling basket cylinder coupled to the main frame and to the rolling basket frame; a tilt actuator coupled to the hitch assembly and to the main frame, wherein the tilt actuator is configured to apply a tilt force to the main frame; and a control system comprising a controller having a memory and a processor, wherein the controller is communicatively coupled to the tilt actuator, and the controller is configured to: receive a pressure sensor signal indicative of a fluid pressure within the rolling basket cylinder, an angle sensor signal indicative of an angle of the rolling basket frame relative to the main frame, or a combination thereof; and control the tilt force applied by the tilt actuator to the main frame to maintain the fluid pressure within a threshold fluid pressure range of a target fluid pressure, to maintain the angle of the rolling basket frame within a threshold angle range of a target angle, or a combination thereof.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Peterson et al. (US 2018/0220574) shows an agricultural tillage implement including a frame having a hitch extending in a travel direction, at least one gauge wheel coupled to the frame, at least one first actuator coupled to the at least one gauge wheel and configured to adjust a position of the at least one gauge wheel and thereby a control depth, a second actuator coupled to the hitch and configured to adjust a down force, and a pressure control system, wherein the pressure control system includes a first sensor coupled to the at least one gauge wheel and a second sensor coupled to the second actuator, and wherein the pressure control system also includes a controller in communication with the first and second sensors and configured to automatically adjust the at least one first actuator and the second actuator.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to MATTHEW R BUCK whose telephone number is (571)270-3653. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Thursday 6:30-5.
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, Nicole Coy can be reached at (571)272-5405. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Center and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about filing in DOCX format. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000.
/MATTHEW R BUCK/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3672
Prosecution Insights