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
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, 12, 15, and 19 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102a1 as being anticipated by Lebender et al. (US 2021/0284459).
In regard to claim 1, Lebender shows a mobile aggregate processing plant 10 that includes a mobile chassis 11 and aggregate handling equipment mounted on the chassis in tool receiver 13 (see paragraph 0036 mention of a crusher). The plant 10 has an aggregate material input end 21 and at least one aggregate material output end 23 creating a longitudinal material direction. A first conveyor 20 is mounted on the chassis by an adjustable mounting support 30/50 for movement between a transport position against the chassis (see paragraph 0038) and an operative position extending from a side of the chassis (see paragraph 0037). The mounting support 30/50 is such that the first conveyor has a moveable center of rotation relative to the chassis (the location of a center of rotation axis 40.1 or 60.1 is moved relative to the chassis as the mounting support 30/50 is swung away from the chassis).
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In regard to claim 2, the mounting support 30/50 has a first center of rotation 60.1 with the chassis and a second parallel center of rotation 40.1 with the first conveyor.
In regard to claim 3, the mounting support 30/50 is connected near one end of the first conveyor 20 at 60 and connected near the other end of the first conveyor at 40.
In regard to claim 4, the center of rotation 60.1 of the first conveyor 20 is near one end of the first conveyor 20.
In regard to claim 5, the mounting support 30/50 includes a cantilevered support arm 34 for mounting the first conveyor 20 on the chassis.
In regard to claim 6, the mounting support 30/50 is operable to pivot the first conveyor 20 about at least two rotational axes 40.1 and 60.1.
In regard to claim 7, the mounting support 30/50 is pivotable about a first rotational axis 30.1 with the chassis at receiving element 30, and pivotable about a second rotational axis 40.1 with the first conveyor 20 at receiving element 30.
In regard to claim 8, the least two rotational axes 30.1 and 40.1 are parallel.
In regard to claim 9, the mounting support 30/50 is operable to pivot the first conveyor 20 from a transport position to an operable position using a first rotational axis 30.1, and is operable to pivot the first conveyor from one operable position to another operable position using a second rotational axis 40.1 or 60.1.
In regard to claim 10, the first conveyor 20 is moveable from a transport position into an operative position in which an infeed end 21 of the first conveyor 20 is positioned for reception of aggregate material discharged from the aggregate handling equipment (see paragraph 0037 discussion of rocks provided by the material processing device that may be onto the conveyor belt 20 by a further conveyor belt).
In regard to claim 12, the first conveyor 20 is moveable into an operative position wherein a discharge end of the first conveyor is positioned to discharge aggregate material to an inlet 15 of the aggregate handling equipment (see figure 1).
In regard to claim 15, an inlet feed end of the first conveyor 21 includes a funnel-shaped material collector 22.
In regard to claim 19, the position of the first conveyor 20 is adjusted by the mounting support 30/50 so that a first center of rotation 40.1 is moved to pivot the first conveyor 20 from a transport position to an operable position and so that a second center of rotation 60.1 is moved to pivot the first conveyor 20 from one operable position to another operable position (see the discussion in paragraph 0058 of the more inclined working position).
Claims 1-8, 10-15 and 19 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102a1 as being anticipated by Voigt et al. (US 12,311,380).
In regard to claim 1, Voigt shows a mobile aggregate processing plant 100 that includes a mobile chassis 110 and aggregate handling equipment mounted 300. The plant 100 has an aggregate material input end 200/210 and at least one aggregate material output end 130/140 creating a longitudinal material direction. A first conveyor 150 is mounted on the chassis by an adjustable mounting support 112 for movement between a transport position against the chassis (see column 1, lines 50-55) and an operative position extending from a side of the chassis (see figure 2). The mounting support 112 is such that the first conveyor has a moveable center of rotation relative to the chassis (the location of a center of rotation axis B is moved relative to the chassis as the mounting support 112 is swung away from the chassis).
In regard to claim 2, the mounting support 112 has a first center of rotation A with the chassis and a second parallel center of rotation B with the first conveyor.
In regard to claim 3, the mounting support 112 is connected near one end of the first conveyor 150.
In regard to claim 4, the center of rotation B of the first conveyor 150 is near one end of the first conveyor 150.
In regard to claim 5, the mounting support 112 includes a cantilevered support arm 112 for mounting the first conveyor 150 on the chassis.
In regard to claim 6, the mounting support 112 is operable to pivot the first conveyor about at least two rotational axes A and B.
In regard to claim 7, the mounting support 112 is pivotable about a first rotational axis A with the chassis and pivotable about a second rotational axis B with the first conveyor 150.
In regard to claim 8, the least two rotational axes A and B are parallel.
In regard to claim 10, the first conveyor 150 is moveable from a transport position into an operative position in which an infeed end 21 of the first conveyor 20 is positioned for reception of aggregate material discharged from the aggregate handling equipment by conveyor 140.
In regard to claim 11, a discharge conveyor 140 is operable in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the chassis to provide the aggregate material discharged from the aggregate handling equipment 300 onto the first conveyor 150.
In regard to claim 12, the first conveyor 150 is moveable into an operative position wherein a discharge end of the first conveyor 150 is positioned to discharge aggregate material to an inlet 200/210 of the aggregate handling equipment.
In regard to claim 13, the mounting support 112 includes one or more actuating means 1457 for movement of the first conveyor 150 (see column 2, lines 10-15).
In regard to claim 14, the mounting support 112 includes a first actuating means (see actuator discussed in column 2, lines 5-10) and a second separate actuating means 157 for movement of the first conveyor 150.
In regard to claim 15, an inlet feed end of the first conveyor 150 includes a funnel-shaped material collector F (see the annotated figure below).
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In regard to claim 19, the position of the first conveyor 150 is adjusted by the mounting support 112 so that a first center of rotation B is moved to pivot the first conveyor 20 from a transport position to an operable position and so that a second center of rotation 155 is moved to pivot the first conveyor 150 from one operable position to another operable position (see the discussion of the actuator 157 in column 2, lines 10-20 raising the head of the conveyor 150).
Claims 16 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102a1 as being anticipated by Brock et al. (US 2005/0263626).
In regard to claim 16, Brock et al shows a mobile aggregate processing plant 18 with a mobile chassis 68 and aggregate handling equipment 42 mounted on the chassis (see paragraph 0033) A first conveyor 44/48/52 is mounted on the chassis by an adjustable mounting support 84/87 for movement between a transport position against the chassis (see the dashed lines in figure 3), and an operative position extending from a side of the chassis (see the solid lines in figure 3). In that the operative position of the first conveyor is able to extend in an arc of more than 90° relative to the chassis as it moves from the transport position to the operative position.
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Allowable Subject Matter
Claim 18 is allowed.
Claims 17 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.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to MARK A DEUBLE whose telephone number is (571)272-6912. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday flex schedule.
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, Gene Crawford can be reached at 571-272-6911. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/MARK A DEUBLE/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3651
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