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 .
Continued Examination Under 37 CFR 1.114
A request for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, including the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e), was filed in this application after final rejection. Since this application is eligible for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114. Applicant's submission filed on 9/10/2026 has been entered.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
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 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.
Claims 1, 4, 5, and 9-15 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over EP 3 401 134 B1, previously cited by Applicant.
Regarding claims 1, 4, 5, and 9-12, EP 3 401 134 B1 (at least Figs. 1a-5; also see annotated Figs. 1a & 2 attached herewith) discloses
(claim 1) a cabin levelling valve 101 comprising:
a control member 143;
a body 141;
a cover 148 attached to said body 141;
a gasket 152 mounted between said body 141 and said cover 148;
a supply port 142c;
a discharge port 142a, 142b;
at least one exhaust port 3 having a sealing member 158 configured to reduce or prevent ingress of foreign material into the cabin levelling valve 101 (at least paragraph [0044]);
said at least one exhaust port 3 further having a mounting member (see annotated Figs. 1a & 2 attached herewith) affixed (otherwise it would fall off) to said body 141 or said cover 148 to secure said sealing member 158 to said body or said cover; said body 141 or said cover 148 having a mounting structure including a mounting post (see annotated Figs. 1a & 2 attached herewith); said mounting member defining an opening through which said mounting post passes through said mounting member; said mounting member being pushed into engagement with said mounting post to clamp said sealing member between said mounting member and an outer surface of said body 141 or said cover 148 (see annotated Figs. 1a & 2 attached herewith);
said cabin levelling valve 101 being configured to pass pressure gas received at said supply port 142c to said discharge port 142a, 142b for inflation of a pneumatic component 205a, 205b to perform a first levelling operation when said control member 143 is in a first position (at least Fig. 5); and,
said cabin levelling valve 101 being further configured to exhaust gas received from the pneumatic component 205a, 205b at said discharge port 142a, 142b through said at least one exhaust port 3 to perform a second levelling operation when said control member 143 is in a second position (at least Fig. 5);
(claim 4) wherein said sealing member 158 defines a central opening through which said mounting post passes through said sealing member (at least Figs. 1a, 2);
(claim 5) wherein said mounting member (at least Figs. 1a, 2) is engaged with said body 141 or said cover 148 via a friction fit;
(claim 9) wherein said sealing member 158 includes a region biased against a circumferential rim formed on said body 141 or said cover 148;
(claim 10) wherein said sealing member 158 has resilient return characteristics that bias said region of said sealing member 158 against said circumferential rim (at least Figs. 1a, 2);
(claim 11) wherein said body 141 or said cover 148 includes a cylindrical section in which said sealing member 158 and said mounting member (at least Figs. 1a, 2) are arranged;
(claim 12) wherein said gasket 152 is dimensioned to abut on said body 141 and said cover 148 in a close-fitting manner; and, said gasket 152 is arranged in a recess of said cover into which a raised portion of said body projects (at least Figs. 1a, 2).
But EP 3 401 134 B1 (at least Figs. 1a-5; also see annotated Figs. 1a & 2 attached herewith) does not explicitly disclose said mounting member including a clamping ring.
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However, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide said mounting member to include a clamping ring since it was known in the art to employ a clamping ring (or a friction fit) to connect said mounting member onto said mounting structure/post.
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Regarding claim 13, EP 3 401 134 B1 (at least Figs. 1a-5; also see annotated Figs. 1a & 2 attached herewith) discloses a cabin levelling system 200 comprising:
a cabin levelling valve 101 including a control member 143, a body 141, a cover 148 attached to said body 141, a gasket 152 mounted between said body 141 and said cover 148, a supply port 142c, a discharge port 142a, 142b, and at least one exhaust port 3 having a sealing member 158 configured to reduce or prevent ingress of foreign material into said cabin levelling valve 101 (at least paragraph [0044]);
said at least one exhaust port 3 further having a mounting member (see annotated Figs. 1a & 2 attached herewith) affixed (otherwise it would fall off) to said body 141 or said cover 148 to secure said sealing member 158 to said body or said cover; said body 141 or said cover 148 having a mounting structure including a mounting post (see annotated Figs. 1a & 2 attached herewith); said mounting member defining an opening through which said mounting post passes through said mounting member; said mounting member being pushed into engagement with said mounting post to clamp said sealing member between said mounting member and an outer surface of said body 141 or said cover 148 (see annotated Figs. 1a & 2 attached herewith);
said cabin levelling valve 101 being configured to pass pressure gas received at said supply port 142c to said discharge port 142a, 142b for inflation of a pneumatic component 205a, 205b to perform a first levelling operation when said control member 143 is in a first position (at least Fig. 5);
said cabin levelling valve 101 being further configured to exhaust gas received from the pneumatic component 205a, 205b at said discharge port 142a, 142b through said at least one exhaust port 3 to perform a second levelling operation when said control member 143 is in a second position (at least Fig. 5);
a pressure gas source 207 configured to supply the pressure gas to said supply port 142c;
at least one air bag 205a, 205b configured to inflate in the first levelling operation and to deflate in the second levelling operation (at least Fig. 5); and,
a linkage connected to said control member 143 and configured to displace said control member from a neutral position to either said first position or said second position responsive to a change in load acting on a cabin of a vehicle 300 (at least Fig. 5).
But EP 3 401 134 B1 (at least Figs. 1a-5; also see annotated Figs. 1a & 2 attached herewith) does not explicitly disclose said mounting member including a clamping ring.
However, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide said mounting member to include a clamping ring since it was known in the art to employ a clamping ring (or a friction fit) to connect said mounting member onto said mounting structure/post.
Regarding claim 14, EP 3 401 134 B1 (at least Figs. 1a-5; also see annotated Figs. 1a & 2 attached herewith) discloses a commercial vehicle 300 comprising:
a cabin;
the cabin levelling system 200 of claim 13;
wherein said at least one air bag 205a, 205b is configured such that inflation of said at least one air bag causes a part of said cabin to be raised and deflation of said at least one air bag causes said part of said cabin to be lowered (at least Fig. 5).
Regarding claim 15, EP 3 401 134 B1 (at least Figs. 1a-5; also see annotated Figs. 1a & 2 attached herewith) discloses a method of assembling a cabin levelling valve 101 having a control member 143, a body 141, a cover 148 attached to said body 141, a gasket 152 mounted between said body 141 and said cover 148, a supply port 142c, a discharge port 142a, 142b, and at least one exhaust port 3 having a sealing member 158 configured to reduce or prevent ingress of foreign material into said cabin levelling valve 101 (at least paragraph [0044]); the at least one exhaust port 3 further having a mounting member (see annotated Figs. 1a & 2 attached herewith) affixed (otherwise it would fall off) to the body 141 or the cover 148 to secure said sealing member 158 to said body or said cover; the body 141 or the cover 148 having a mounting structure including a mounting post (see annotated Figs. 1a & 2 attached herewith); the mounting member defining an opening through which the mounting post passes through the mounting member; the mounting member being pushed into engagement with the mounting post to clamp the sealing member between the mounting member and an outer surface of the body 141 or the cover 148 (see annotated Figs. 1a & 2 attached herewith); said cabin levelling valve 101 being configured to pass pressure gas received at said supply port 142c to said discharge port 142a, 142b for inflation of a pneumatic component 205a, 205b to perform a first levelling operation when said control member 143 is in a first position (at least Fig. 5); said cabin levelling valve 101 being further configured to exhaust gas received from the pneumatic component 205a, 205b at said discharge port 142a, 142b through said at least one exhaust port 3 to perform a second levelling operation when said control member 143 is in a second position (at least Fig. 5); the method comprising:
assembling the body 101 and the cover 148; and,
mounting the sealing member 158 to the body or the cover, including securing the sealing member 158 via the mounting member that is pushed into engagement with the body or the cover to clamp the sealing member between the mounting member and the body or the cover (at least Figs. 1a, 2).
But EP 3 401 134 B1 (at least Figs. 1a-5; also see annotated Figs. 1a & 2 attached herewith) does not explicitly disclose the mounting member including a clamping ring.
However, 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 mounting member to include a clamping ring since it was known in the art to employ a clamping ring (or a friction fit) to connect said mounting member onto said mounting structure/post.
Claims 1, 4, 5, and 9-15 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by EP 3 401 133 B1, previously cited by Applicant.
Regarding claims 1, 4, 5, and 9-12, EP 3 401 133 B1 (at least Figs. 1a-3; also see annotated Fig. 1a attached herewith) discloses
(claim 1) a cabin levelling valve 101 comprising:
a control member 143;
a body 141;
a cover 148 attached to said body 141;
a gasket 152 mounted between said body 141 and said cover 148;
a supply port 142c;
a discharge port 142a, 142b;
at least one exhaust port 3 having a sealing member 158 configured to reduce or prevent ingress of foreign material into the cabin levelling valve 101 (at least paragraph [0047]);
said at least one exhaust port 3 further having a mounting member (see annotated Fig. 1a attached herewith) affixed (otherwise it would fall off) to said body 141 or said cover 148 to secure said sealing member 158 to said body or said cover; said body 141 or said cover 148 having a mounting structure including a mounting post (see annotated Fig. 1a attached herewith); said mounting member defining an opening through which said mounting post passes through said mounting member; said mounting member being pushed into engagement with said mounting post to clamp said sealing member between said mounting member and an outer surface of said body 141 or said cover 148 (see annotated Fig. 1a attached herewith);
said cabin levelling valve 101 being configured to pass pressure gas received at said supply port 142c to said discharge port 142a, 142b for inflation of a pneumatic component 205a, 205b to perform a first levelling operation when said control member 143 is in a first position (at least Fig. 5); and,
said cabin levelling valve 101 being further configured to exhaust gas received from the pneumatic component 205a, 205b at said discharge port 142a, 142b through said at least one exhaust port 3 to perform a second levelling operation when said control member 143 is in a second position (at least Fig. 5);
(claim 4) wherein said sealing member 158 defines a central opening through which said mounting post passes through said sealing member (at least Fig. 1a);
(claim 5) wherein said mounting member (at least Fig. 1a) is engaged with said body 141 or said cover 148 via a friction fit;
(claim 9) wherein said sealing member 158 includes a region biased against a circumferential rim formed on said body 141 or said cover 148;
(claim 10) wherein said sealing member 158 has resilient return characteristics that bias said region of said sealing member 158 against said circumferential rim (at least Fig. 1a);
(claim 11) wherein said body 141 or said cover 148 includes a cylindrical section in which said sealing member 158 and said mounting member (at least Fig. 1a) are arranged;
(claim 12) wherein said gasket 152 is dimensioned to abut on said body 141 and said cover 148 in a close-fitting manner; and, said gasket 152 is arranged in a recess of said cover into which a raised portion of said body projects (at least Fig. 1).
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But EP 3 401 133 B1 (at least Figs. 1a-3; also see annotated Fig. 1a attached herewith) does not explicitly disclose said mounting member including a clamping ring.
However, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide said mounting member to include a clamping ring since it was known in the art to employ a clamping ring (or a friction fit) to connect said mounting member onto said mounting structure/post.
Regarding claim 13, EP 3 401 133 B1 (at least Figs. 1a-3; also see annotated Fig. 1a attached herewith) discloses a cabin levelling system 200 comprising:
a cabin levelling valve 101 including a control member 143, a body 141, a cover 148 attached to said body 141, a gasket 152 mounted between said body 141 and said cover 148, a supply port 142c, a discharge port 142a, 142b, and at least one exhaust port 3 having a sealing member 158 configured to reduce or prevent ingress of foreign material into said cabin levelling valve 101 (at least paragraph [0047]);
said at least one exhaust port 3 further having a mounting member (see annotated Fig. 1a attached herewith) affixed (otherwise it would fall off) to said body 141 or said cover 148 to secure said sealing member 158 to said body or said cover; said body 141 or said cover 148 having a mounting structure including a mounting post (see annotated Fig. 1a attached herewith); said mounting member defining an opening through which said mounting post passes through said mounting member; said mounting member being pushed into engagement with said mounting post to clamp said sealing member between said mounting member and an outer surface of said body 141 or said cover 148 (see annotated Fig. 1a attached herewith);
said cabin levelling valve 101 being configured to pass pressure gas received at said supply port 142c to said discharge port 142a, 142b for inflation of a pneumatic component 205a, 205b to perform a first levelling operation when said control member 143 is in a first position (at least Fig. 5);
said cabin levelling valve 101 being further configured to exhaust gas received from the pneumatic component 205a, 205b at said discharge port 142a, 142b through said at least one exhaust port 3 to perform a second levelling operation when said control member 143 is in a second position (at least Fig. 5);
a pressure gas source 207 configured to supply the pressure gas to said supply port 142c;
at least one air bag 205a, 205b configured to inflate in the first levelling operation and to deflate in the second levelling operation (at least Fig. 5); and,
a linkage connected to said control member 143 and configured to displace said control member from a neutral position to either said first position or said second position responsive to a change in load acting on a cabin of a vehicle 300 (at least Fig. 5).
But EP 3 401 133 B1 (at least Figs. 1a-3; also see annotated Fig. 1a attached herewith) does not explicitly disclose said mounting member including a clamping ring.
However, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide said mounting member to include a clamping ring since it was known in the art to employ a clamping ring (or a friction fit) to connect said mounting member onto said mounting structure/post.
Regarding claim 14, EP 3 401 133 B1 (at least Figs. 1a-3; also see annotated Fig. 1a attached herewith) discloses a commercial vehicle 300 comprising:
a cabin;
the cabin levelling system 200 of claim 13;
wherein said at least one air bag 205a, 205b is configured such that inflation of said at least one air bag causes a part of said cabin to be raised and deflation of said at least one air bag causes said part of said cabin to be lowered (at least Fig. 5).
Regarding claim 15, EP 3 401 133 B1 (at least Figs. 1a-3; also see annotated Fig. 1a attached herewith) discloses a method of assembling a cabin levelling valve 101 having a control member 143, a body 141, a cover 148 attached to said body 141, a gasket 152 mounted between said body 141 and said cover 148, a supply port 142c, a discharge port 142a, 142b, and at least one exhaust port 3 having a sealing member 158 configured to reduce or prevent ingress of foreign material into said cabin levelling valve 101 (at least paragraph [0047]); the at least one exhaust port 3 further having a mounting member (see annotated Fig. 1a attached herewith) affixed (otherwise it would fall off) to the body 141 or the cover 148 to secure said sealing member 158 to said body or said cover; the body or cover having a mounting structure including a mounting post (see annotated Fig. 1a attached herewith); the mounting member (see annotated Fig. 1a attached herewith) defining an opening through which the mounting post passes through the mounting member; the mounting member being pushed into engagement with the mounting post to clamp the sealing member between the mounting member and an outer surface of the body 141 or the cover 148 (see annotated Fig. 1a attached herewith); said cabin levelling valve 101 being configured to pass pressure gas received at said supply port 142c to said discharge port 142a, 142b for inflation of a pneumatic component 205a, 205b to perform a first levelling operation when said control member 143 is in a first position (at least Fig. 5); said cabin levelling valve 101 being further configured to exhaust gas received from the pneumatic component 205a, 205b at said discharge port 142a, 142b through said at least one exhaust port 3 to perform a second levelling operation when said control member 143 is in a second position (at least Fig. 5); the method comprising:
assembling the body 101 and the cover 148; and,
mounting the sealing member 158 to the body or the cover, including securing the sealing member 158 via the mounting member that is pushed into engagement with the body or the cover to clamp the sealing member between the mounting member and the body or the cover (at least Fig. 1a).
But EP 3 401 133 B1 (at least Figs. 1a-3; also see annotated Fig. 1a attached herewith) does not explicitly disclose the mounting member including a clamping ring.
However, 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 mounting member to include a clamping ring since it was known in the art to employ a clamping ring (or a friction fit) to connect the mounting member onto the mounting structure/post.
Claims 7 and 8 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over EP 3 401 134 B1, previously cited by Applicant.
Regarding claims 7 and 8, EP 3 401 134 B1 (at least Figs. 1a-5) discloses the claimed invention,
(claim 7) wherein said at least one exhaust port 3 defines a through opening extending from an inner surface to an outer surface of said body 141 or said cover 148; and, said through opening is in fluid communication with an inner cavity between said body 141 and said cover 148;
(claim 8) wherein said sealing member 158 is dimensioned to cover said through opening on said outer surface of said body 141 or said cover 148.
But EP 3 401 134 B1 (at least Figs. 1a-5) does not explicitly disclose said at least one exhaust port 3 defining a plurality of through openings.
However, providing a plurality of through openings represents a change in number, not in kind and as such, would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art. In re Harza, 124 USPQ 378.
Claims 7 and 8 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over EP 3 401 133 B1, previously cited by Applicant.
Regarding claims 7 and 8, EP 3 401 133 B1 (at least Figs. 1-3) discloses the claimed invention,
(claim 7) wherein said at least one exhaust port 3 defines a through opening extending from an inner surface to an outer surface of said body 141 or said cover 148; and, said through opening is in fluid communication with an inner cavity between said body 141 and said cover 148;
(claim 8) wherein said sealing member 158 is dimensioned to cover said through opening on said outer surface of said body 141 or said cover 148.
But EP 3 401 133 B1 (at least Figs. 1-3) does not explicitly disclose said at least one exhaust port 3 defining a plurality of through openings.
However, providing a plurality of through openings represents a change in number, not in kind and as such, would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art. In re Harza, 124 USPQ 378.
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed 9/10/2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive.
In response to Applicant’s arguments, Examiner respectfully disagrees. It is the Examiner’s position that the claims are still sufficiently broad that the rejections made above are proper (also see annotated figures attached herewith).
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 JOSELYNN Y SLITERIS whose telephone number is (571)272-6675. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday 8:30am - 5:00pm EST.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Jason D. Shanske can be reached at 571-270-5985. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/JOSELYNN Y SLITERIS/Examiner, Art Unit 3614
/JASON D SHANSKE/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 3614
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