DETAILED ACTION
This is the first office action for US Application 18/966,313 for a Suspension System.
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 § 112
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
(b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph:
The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention.
Claims 1-16 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention.
Claim 1 recites the limitation "the damping provided by the passive portion" in line 33. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 7 recites the limitation "the vehicle speed" in lines 1 and 2. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 7 recites the limitation "the suspension apparatus velocity" in line 2. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claim 1 would be allowable if rewritten or amended to overcome the rejection(s) under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), 2nd paragraph, set forth in this Office action. Claims 2-16 would be allowable if rewritten to overcome the rejection(s) under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), 2nd paragraph, set forth in this Office action and to include 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 does not disclose or suggest a suspension apparatus for a payload that includes a guide system comprising on passive components that couples a supported frame to a base frame, comprising at least one guide configured to movably couple the base frame to the support frame that is free to move as the supported frame and base frame move closer to and farther away from each other, a mechanical assembly comprised of only passive components configured to convert the relative displacement in a generally vertical direction between the base frame and supported frame into a generally horizontal displacement, a fine suspension device comprising coupled to the mechanical assembly to provide damping to the horizontal displacement from the mechanical assembly, the fine suspension device comprising a passive portion comprising only passive components and a semi-active portion comprising a sensor and controller configured to further contribute to damping provided by the passive portion only while the sensor determines that a sensed operation parameter falls within a predetermined range, wherein the damping provided by the fine suspension device and the mechanical assembly varies in a non-linear manner such that the damping provided when the relative displacement in the generally vertical direction between the base frame and the supported frame by a given amount X below the neutral height is different than the damping provided when the relative displacement in the generally vertical direction between the frame and the supported frame by a given amount X above the neutral height.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
US 2021/0178943 to Dotzler
US 2020/0108750 to Dotzler
US 8616644 to Lorey
US 6550740 to Burer
US 4382573 to Aondetto
US 10542817 to Swartz
US 5058852 to Meier
EP 2163425 to Hammasrkjold
The above prior art discloses various suspension apparatus for supporting a payload.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to STEVEN M MARSH whose telephone number is (571)272-6819. The examiner can normally be reached Mon-Thurs 9 am-7:30 pm.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Terrell McKinnon can be reached at 571-272-4797. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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STEVEN M. MARSH
Primary Examiner
Art Unit 3632
/STEVEN M MARSH/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3632