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 .
Drawings
The drawings are objected to under 37 CFR 1.83(a). The drawings must show every feature of the invention specified in the claims. Therefore, the “movable arm” (Claim 1, Claim 9) and “loading machine” (Claim 9) must be shown or the feature(s) canceled from the claim(s). No new matter should be entered.
Corrected drawing sheets in compliance with 37 CFR 1.121(d) are required in reply to the Office action to avoid abandonment of the application. Any amended replacement drawing sheet should include all of the figures appearing on the immediate prior version of the sheet, even if only one figure is being amended. The figure or figure number of an amended drawing should not be labeled as “amended.” If a drawing figure is to be canceled, the appropriate figure must be removed from the replacement sheet, and where necessary, the remaining figures must be renumbered and appropriate changes made to the brief description of the several views of the drawings for consistency. Additional replacement sheets may be necessary to show the renumbering of the remaining figures. Each drawing sheet submitted after the filing date of an application must be labeled in the top margin as either “Replacement Sheet” or “New Sheet” pursuant to 37 CFR 1.121(d). If the changes are not accepted by the examiner, the applicant will be notified and informed of any required corrective action in the next Office action. The objection to the drawings will not be held in abeyance.
Claim Objections
Claims 12 and 13 are objected to because of the following informalities:
In Claim 12, lines 1-2 recite “the damping valve core” twice.
Appropriate correction is required.
Claim 13 is objected to by virtue of its dependence of an objected to claim.
Claim Interpretation
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(f):
(f) Element in Claim for a Combination. – An element in a claim for a combination may be expressed as a means or step for performing a specified function without the recital of structure, material, or acts in support thereof, and such claim shall be construed to cover the corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the specification and equivalents thereof.
The following is a quotation of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph:
An element in a claim for a combination may be expressed as a means or step for performing a specified function without the recital of structure, material, or acts in support thereof, and such claim shall be construed to cover the corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the specification and equivalents thereof.
The claims in this application are given their broadest reasonable interpretation using the plain meaning of the claim language in light of the specification as it would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The broadest reasonable interpretation of a claim element (also commonly referred to as a claim limitation) is limited by the description in the specification when 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is invoked.
As explained in MPEP § 2181, subsection I, claim limitations that meet the following three-prong test will be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph:
(A) the claim limitation uses the term “means” or “step” or a term used as a substitute for “means” that is a generic placeholder (also called a nonce term or a non-structural term having no specific structural meaning) for performing the claimed function;
(B) the term “means” or “step” or the generic placeholder is modified by functional language, typically, but not always linked by the transition word “for” (e.g., “means for”) or another linking word or phrase, such as “configured to” or “so that”; and
(C) the term “means” or “step” or the generic placeholder is not modified by sufficient structure, material, or acts for performing the claimed function.
Use of the word “means” (or “step”) in a claim with functional language creates a rebuttable presumption that the claim limitation is to be treated in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph. The presumption that the claim limitation is interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is rebutted when the claim limitation recites sufficient structure, material, or acts to entirely perform the recited function.
Absence of the word “means” (or “step”) in a claim creates a rebuttable presumption that the claim limitation is not to be treated in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph. The presumption that the claim limitation is not interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is rebutted when the claim limitation recites function without reciting sufficient structure, material or acts to entirely perform the recited function.
Claim limitations in this application that use the word “means” (or “step”) are being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, except as otherwise indicated in an Office action. Conversely, claim limitations in this application that do not use the word “means” (or “step”) are not being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, except as otherwise indicated in an Office action.
Examiner note:
The preambles in Claims 1 and 9, and likewise their dependent claims, have been considered as limiting to the structure of the invention (MPEP 2111.02 I).
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, 2, 9, and 10 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by (KR 200389672, machine translation accompanies this office action), hereinafter KR672, as evidenced by Takada (US 10286894).
Regarding Claim 1,
A movable arm damping system for a loading machine, comprising:
a multi-way valve assembly (14, 15), a movable arm oil cylinder (18), a movable arm damping valve assembly (with 22, 22) and a damping lock valve (23); wherein
the multi-way valve assembly comprises a movable arm valve core (15) and a bucket valve core (14), a first movable arm oil port of the movable arm valve core is configured to communicate with a rod cavity of the movable arm oil cylinder (via 19b, Fig. 1), a second movable arm oil port of the movable arm valve core is configured to communicate with a rodless cavity of the movable arm oil cylinder (via 19a, Fig. 1), the rod cavity of the movable arm oil cylinder is configured to communicate with the movable arm damping valve assembly (Fig. 1), and the rodless cavity of the movable arm oil cylinder is configured to communicate, via the damping lock valve, with the movable arm damping valve assembly (Fig. 1); and
the damping lock valve is provided with a damping connection position and a damping disconnection position (Fig. 1), and a switching oil port of the damping lock valve is configured to communicate with a switching oil port of the bucket valve core (via 17c) such that when a pressure at the switching oil port of the damping lock valve reaches a preset pressure during a bucket unloading process, the damping lock valve switches from the damping connection position to the damping disconnection position.
Examiner note: KR672 uses the term “boom”. In loaders, the terms “boom” and “arm” are each sometimes used to describe same structure, as evidenced by Takada (Col. 3, lines 38-42, Figs. 1-3 for example). Accordingly, KR672 discloses the claimed invention.
Regarding Claim 2,
The movable arm damping system for the loading machine according to claim 1, further comprising an energy accumulator (21) and an oil tank pipeline (noted second 22 valve leading to tank, Fig. 1, annotated below), wherein the energy accumulator communicates with the rodless cavity of the movable arm oil cylinder via the movable arm damping valve assembly and the damping lock valve (Fig. 1); and the oil tank pipeline is configured to communicate with the movable arm damping valve assembly, the movable arm valve core and the bucket valve core for supplying oil (Fig. 1).
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Regarding Claim 9,
A loading machine (“wheel loader”), comprising a movable arm damping system for the loading machine, the movable arm damping system for the loading machine comprising:
a multi-way valve assembly (14, 15), a movable arm oil cylinder (18), a movable arm damping valve assembly (with 22, 22) and a damping lock valve (23); wherein
the multi-way valve assembly comprises a movable arm valve core (15) and a bucket valve core (14), a first movable arm oil port of the movable arm valve core is configured to communicate with a rod cavity of the movable arm oil cylinder (via 19b, Fig. 1), a second movable arm oil port of the movable arm valve core is configured to communicate with a rodless cavity of the movable arm oil cylinder (via 19a, Fig. 1), the rod cavity of the movable arm oil cylinder is configured to communicate with the movable arm damping valve assembly (Fig. 1), and the rodless cavity of the movable arm oil cylinder is configured to communicate, via the damping lock valve, with the movable arm damping valve assembly (Fig. 1); and
the damping lock valve is provided with a damping connection position and a damping disconnection position (Fig. 1), and a switching oil port of the damping lock valve is configured to communicate with a switching oil port of the bucket valve core (via 17c) such that when a pressure at the switching oil port of the damping lock valve reaches a preset pressure during a bucket unloading process, the damping lock valve switches from the damping connection position to the damping disconnection position.
Examiner note: KR672 uses the term “boom”. In loaders, the terms “boom” and “arm” are each sometimes used to describe same structure, as evidenced by Takada (Col. 3, lines 38-42, Figs. 1-3 for example). Accordingly, KR672 discloses the claimed invention.
Regarding Claim 10,
The loading machine according to claim 9, wherein the movable arm damping system for the loading machine further comprises an energy accumulator (21) and an oil tank pipeline (noted second 22 valve leading to tank, Fig. 1, annotated below),
the energy accumulator communicates with the rodless cavity of the movable arm oil cylinder via the movable arm damping valve assembly and the damping lock valve (Fig. 1); and
the oil tank pipeline is configured to communicate with the movable arm damping valve assembly, the movable arm valve core and the bucket valve core for supplying oil (Fig. 1).
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Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
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 3-8, 11-16 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over KR672 in view of Lee et al. (KR 20070066757, machine translation accompanies this office action).
Regarding Claim 3, KR672 discloses
The movable arm damping system for the loading machine according to claim 2, wherein the movable arm damping valve assembly comprises a damping valve core (part of 22).
KR672 does not disclose
and the damping valve core is provided with a first damping oil port and a second damping oil port, the first damping oil port is configured to communicate the rod cavity of the movable arm oil cylinder with the oil tank pipeline and the second damping oil port is configured to communicate the rodless cavity of the movable arm oil cylinder with the energy accumulator.
KR672 teaches two valves 22, 22 as valves for the movable arm damping valve assembly.
Lee teaches
The movable arm damping system for the loading machine according to claim 2, wherein the movable arm damping valve assembly (Fig. 2) comprises a damping valve core (of 27); and the damping valve core is provided with a first damping oil port (to 24 with rod cavity 23B of 23) and a second damping oil port (to 26 with rodless cavity 23A of 23), the first damping oil port is configured to communicate the rod cavity of the movable arm oil cylinder with the oil tank pipeline (to T) and the second damping oil port is configured to communicate the rodless cavity of the movable arm oil cylinder with the energy accumulator (to 25).
“As described above, according to the boom buffer device of the wheel loader of the present
invention, the boom buffer function can be maintained by the pressure of the accumulator
supplemented to the boom cylinder, the boom buffer responsiveness can be adjusted by
adjusting the opening area of the orifice, the circuit is protected by preventing the circuit from
being suddenly subjected to excessive pressure by a relief valve, and in case the boom buffer
pressure needs to be removed due to damage to a component, the pressure remaining inside
the circuit can be simply removed, making repair work easy.” - p. 12 of translation.
Since both references are directed to damping systems for loading machines, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the system of KR672 by replacing the valves 22, 22 with the damping valve assembly as taught by Lee in order to provide the boom buffer function can be maintained by the pressure of the accumulator supplemented to the boom cylinder, the boom buffer responsiveness can be adjusted by adjusting the opening area of the orifice, the circuit is protected by preventing the circuit from being suddenly subjected to excessive pressure by a relief valve, and in case the boom buffer pressure needs to be removed due to damage to a component, the pressure remaining inside the circuit can be simply removed, making repair work easy.
Regarding Claim 4,
The movable arm damping system for the loading machine according to claim 3, wherein the damping valve core has a first working position (29), a second working position (30) and a fourth working position (28) ; the fourth working position (28) is configured for connection of the first damping oil port and connection of the second damping oil port, at the fourth working position, the first damping oil port communicates the rod cavity of the movable arm oil cylinder with the oil tank pipeline, and the second damping oil port communicates the rodless cavity of the movable arm oil cylinder with the energy accumulator; the first working position (29) is configured for connection of the second damping oil port and disconnection of the first damping oil port, at the first working position, the rod cavity of the movable arm oil cylinder disconnects with the oil tank pipeline, and the second damping oil port communicates the rodless cavity of the movable arm oil cylinder with the energy accumulator; and the second working position (30) is configured for disconnection of the first damping oil port and disconnection of the second damping oil port, at the second working position, the rod cavity of the movable arm oil cylinder disconnects with the oil tank pipeline, and the rodless cavity of the movable arm oil cylinder disconnects with the energy accumulator.
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Regarding Claim 5,
The movable arm damping system for the loading machine according to claim 4, wherein the damping valve core further has a third working position (31) for connecting the energy accumulator and the oil tank pipeline.
Regarding Claim 6,
The movable arm damping system for the loading machine according to claim 3, wherein the movable arm damping valve assembly further comprises a one-way throttle valve group (33) and a solenoid directional valve (34); and a switching oil port of the damping valve core is configured to communicate, via the one-way throttle valve group, with the solenoid directional valve, and the solenoid directional valve has two working positions for connecting or disconnecting the rodless cavity of the movable arm oil cylinder and the energy accumulator (Fig. 2).
Regarding Claim 7,
The movable arm damping system for the loading machine according to claim 3, wherein the movable arm damping valve assembly further comprises an overflow valve (37); the first damping oil port is configured to communicate, via the overflow valve, with the energy accumulator, and the overflow valve is used for limiting the pressure of the energy accumulator (Fig. 2).
Examiner note: The limitation “the first damping oil port is configured to communicate, via the overflow valve, with the energy accumulator” is true for certain positions of the valve 33 in applicant’s disclosure and likewise KR672 as modified by Lee is likewise true for certain positions of the valve 27.
Regarding Claim 8,
The movable arm damping system for the loading machine according to claim 3, wherein the movable arm damping valve assembly further comprises a switch valve (39); the second damping oil port is configured to communicate, via the switch valve, with the first damping oil port, the switch valve has a connection position for connecting the first damping oil port and the second damping oil port, and a disconnection position for disconnecting the first damping oil port and the second damping oil port.
Examiner note: The limitations “the second damping oil port is configured to communicate, via the switch valve, with the first damping oil port, the switch valve has a connection position for connecting the first damping oil port and the second damping oil port, and a disconnection position for disconnecting the first damping oil port and the second damping oil port” are true for certain positions of the valve 33 in applicant’s disclosure and likewise KR672 as modified by Lee is likewise true for certain positions of the valve 27.
Regarding Claim 11, KR672 discloses
The loading machine according to claim 10, wherein the movable arm damping valve assembly comprises a damping valve core (part of 22).
KR672 teaches two valves 22, 22 as valves for the movable arm damping valve assembly.
KR672 does not disclose
and the damping valve core is provided with a first damping oil port and a second damping oil port, the first damping oil port is configured to communicate the rod cavity of the movable arm oil cylinder with the oil tank pipeline and the second damping oil port is configured to communicate the rodless cavity of the movable arm oil cylinder with the energy accumulator.
Lee teaches
The movable arm damping system for the loading machine according to claim 2, wherein the movable arm damping valve assembly (Fig. 2) comprises a damping valve core (of 27); and the damping valve core is provided with a first damping oil port (to 24 with rod cavity 23B of 23) and a second damping oil port (to 26 with rodless cavity 23A of 23), the first damping oil port is configured to communicate the rod cavity of the movable arm oil cylinder with the oil tank pipeline (to T) and the second damping oil port is configured to communicate the rodless cavity of the movable arm oil cylinder with the energy accumulator (to 25).
“As described above, according to the boom buffer device of the wheel loader of the present
invention, the boom buffer function can be maintained by the pressure of the accumulator
supplemented to the boom cylinder, the boom buffer responsiveness can be adjusted by
adjusting the opening area of the orifice, the circuit is protected by preventing the circuit from
being suddenly subjected to excessive pressure by a relief valve, and in case the boom buffer
pressure needs to be removed due to damage to a component, the pressure remaining inside
the circuit can be simply removed, making repair work easy.” - p. 12 of translation.
Since both references are directed to damping systems for loading machines, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the system of KR672 be replacing the valves 22, 22 with the damping valve assembly as taught by Lee in order to provide the boom buffer function can be maintained by the pressure of the accumulator supplemented to the boom cylinder, the boom buffer responsiveness can be adjusted by adjusting the opening area of the orifice, the circuit is protected by preventing the circuit from being suddenly subjected to excessive pressure by a relief valve, and in case the boom buffer pressure needs to be removed due to damage to a component, the pressure remaining inside the circuit can be simply removed, making repair work easy.
Regarding Claim 12,
The loading machine according to claim 11, wherein the damping valve core has a first working position (29), a second working position (30) and a fourth working position (28) ; the fourth working position (28) is configured for connection of the first damping oil port and connection of the second damping oil port, at the fourth working position, the first damping oil port communicates the rod cavity of the movable arm oil cylinder with the oil tank pipeline, and the second damping oil port communicates the rodless cavity of the movable arm oil cylinder with the energy accumulator; the first working position (29) is configured for connection of the second damping oil port and disconnection of the first damping oil port, at the first working position, the rod cavity of the movable arm oil cylinder disconnects with the oil tank pipeline, and the second damping oil port communicates the rodless cavity of the movable arm oil cylinder with the energy accumulator; and the second working position (30) is configured for disconnection of the first damping oil port and disconnection of the second damping oil port, at the second working position, the rod cavity of the movable arm oil cylinder disconnects with the oil tank pipeline, and the rodless cavity of the movable arm oil cylinder disconnects with the energy accumulator.
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Regarding Claim 13,
The loading machine according to claim 12, wherein the damping valve core further has a third working position (31) for connecting the energy accumulator and the oil tank pipeline.
Regarding Claim 14,
The loading machine according to claim 11, wherein the movable arm damping valve assembly further comprises a one-way throttle valve group (33) and a solenoid directional valve (34); and a switching oil port of the damping valve core is configured to communicate, via the one-way throttle valve group, with the solenoid directional valve, and the solenoid directional valve has two working positions for connecting or disconnecting the rodless cavity of the movable arm oil cylinder and the energy accumulator (Fig. 2).
Regarding Claim 15,
The loading machine according to claim 11, wherein the movable arm damping valve assembly further comprises an overflow valve (37); the first damping oil port is configured to communicate, via the overflow valve, with the energy accumulator, and the overflow valve is used for limiting the pressure of the energy accumulator (Fig. 2).
Examiner note: The limitation “the first damping oil port is configured to communicate, via the overflow valve, with the energy accumulator” is true for certain positions of the valve 33 in applicant’s disclosure and likewise KR672 as modified by Lee is likewise true for certain positions of the valve 27.
Regarding Claim 16,
The loading machine according to claim 11, wherein the movable arm damping valve assembly further comprises a switch valve (39); the second damping oil port is configured to communicate, via the switch valve, with the first damping oil port, the switch valve has a connection position for connecting the first damping oil port and the second damping oil port, and a disconnection position for disconnecting the first damping oil port and the second damping oil port.
Examiner note: The limitations “the second damping oil port is configured to communicate, via the switch valve, with the first damping oil port, the switch valve has a connection position for connecting the first damping oil port and the second damping oil port, and a disconnection position for disconnecting the first damping oil port and the second damping oil port” are true for certain positions of the valve 33 in applicant’s disclosure and likewise KR672 as modified by Lee is likewise true for certain positions of the valve 27.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Drake on the 892 teaches elements of the instant invention.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to MICHAEL QUANDT whose telephone number is (571)272-1247. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Wednesday 10am-4pm.
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, NATHANIEL WIEHE can be reached at (571)272-8648. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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MICHAEL QUANDT
Examiner
Art Unit 3745
/MICHAEL QUANDT/Examiner, Art Unit 3745
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