Office Action 3: Non-Final Rejection (2025-09-16)
Rejection types: 103 - Obviousness

CLAIMS:
AMENDMENTS TO THE CLAIMS

This listing of claims replaces all prior versions of claims in the application:

1\. (Currently Amended) A machine comprising:a main body mounted to a chassis;
a swing system for rotating the main body relative to the chassis;
a travel system for driving the machine across a terrain;
an implement system and an implement hydraulic system for operating the implement system; and
a swing-travel hydraulic system comprising:
a swing-travel pump arrangement including a swing pump, a first travel pump,
and a second travel pump coupled to a rotatable drive member to permit operation of the swinqpump, first travel pump, and second travel pump via rotation of the rotatable drive member;a closed loop swinq circuit including the swinq pump and a swing motor arrangement operably mounted to the swing system for rotating the main body;
a closed loop travel circuit includinqa travel motor arrangement operably mounted to the travel system for driving the machine, the travel motor arrangement including at least one left travel motor and at least one right travel motor, the at least one left travel motor and the first travel pump forminq a first closed loop travel circuit, the at least one right travel motor and the second travel pump forminq a second closed loop travel circuit; and
a swing-travel valve system configured to:
selectively fluidly connect the swing motor arrangement to the swing pump of the closed loop swing circuit for rotating the main body in a main body swing operation; \[\[and\]\] selectively fluidly connect the travel motor arrangement to at least one of the first and second travel pumps of the closed loop travel circuit for driving the machine\[\[,\]\] in a machine travel operation; and selectively fluidly connect the swinq motor arrangement to the first travel pump, the second travel pump, and the swinq pump simultaneously to the closed loop swinq circuit for rotating the main body in a main body swing and no travel operation;
wherein pressurised fluids in each of the swing-travel hydraulic system and the implement hydraulic system\[\[s\]\] are fluidly isolated from one another.

2\. (Currently Amended) The machine of claim 1 wherein.

 the swing-travel valve system is configured to:
selectively fluidly connect the at least one left travel motor to the swing-travel pump arrangement in the first closed loop travel circuit; and
selectively fluidly connect the at least one right travel motor to the swing-travel pump arrangement in the second closed loop travel circuit.

3\. (Canceled)

4\. (Previously Presented) The machine of claim 2 wherein the swing-travel valve system is configured to selectively fluidly connect the at least one left travel motor to the first travel pump in the first closed loop travel circuit and selectively fluidly connect the at least one right travel motor to the second travel pump in the second closed loop travel circuit.

5\. (Original) The machine of claim 4 wherein the swing-travel valve system is configured to selectively fluidly connect the first and second closed loop travel circuits for driving in a straight direction and fluidly isolate the first and second closed loop travel circuits for steering the machine whilst driving.

6\. (Previously Presented) The machine of claim 1 wherein the swing-travel valve system is configured to fluidly isolate the closed loop swing and travel circuits from each other such that the swing motor arrangement is controllable independently of the travel motor arrangement.

7\. (Currently Amended) The machine of claim \[\[3\]\]1 wherein the swing-travel valve system is configured to selectively fluidly connect the swing pump to the swing motor arrangement.

8\. (Currently Amended) The machine of claim 7 wherein the swing-travel valve system is configured to selectively fluidly connect the swing pump to the swing motor arrangement in fluid isolation to the first and second travel pumps .

9\. (Previously Presented) The machine of claim 1, the implement hydraulic system comprising:at least one implement actuator;
an implement pump arrangement; and
an implement valve system configured to connect the implement pump arrangement to the at least one implement actuator in an open loop circuit.

10\. (Cancelled)

11\. (Previously Presented) The machine of claim 1 wherein:the travel motor arrangement is mounted to the chassis;
the swing-travel pump arrangement and swing-travel valve system are mounted to the main body; and
the travel motor arrangement is fluidly connected to the swing-travel valve system through the swing system.

12\. (Currently Amended) A method of operating a machine, the machine comprising:a main body mounted to a chassis;
at least one implement, and an implement hydraulic system for operating the at least one implement;
a swing system for rotating the main body relative to the chassis;
a travel system for driving the machine across a terrain; and
a swing-travel hydraulic system comprising:
a swing-travel pump arrangement including a swinq pump, a first travel pump,
and a second travel pump coupled to a rotatable drive member to permit operation of the swinqpump, first travel pump, and second travel pump via rotation of the rotatable drive member;a closed loop swing circuit including the swing pump and a swing motor arrangement operably mounted to the swing system for rotating the main body;
a closed loop travel circuit includinga travel motor arrangement operably mounted to the travel system for driving the machine, the travel motor arrangement including at least one left travel motor and at least one right travel motor, the at least one left travel motor and the first travel pump forminq a first closed loop travel circuit, the at least one right travel motor and the second travel pump forminq a second closed loop travel circuit; and
a swing-travel valve system, wherein the method comprises:

operating the swing-travel valve system to selectively fluidly connect the winq pump of the closed loop swing circuit and operating the swing pumpto selectively direct hydraulic fluid around the closed loop swing circuit to operate the swing system to rotate the main body about the chassis in a main body swing operation; \[\[and\]\] operating the swing-travel valve system to selectively fluidly connect the travel motor arrangement to at least one of the first and second travel pumps of the closed loop travel circuit and selectively operating the at least one of the first and second travel pumps to direct hydraulic fluid around the closed loop travel circuit to operate the travel system to drive the machine across a terrain\[\[,\]\] in a machine travel operation; and selectively fluidly connecting the swing motor arrangement to the first travel pump, the second travel pump, and the swinq pump simultaneously to the closed loop swing circuit for rotating the main body in a main body swing and no travel operation;
wherein during operation pressurised fluids in each of the swing-travel hydraulic system and the implement hydraulic system\[\[s\]\] are fluidly isolated from one another.

13\. (Currently Amended) The method of claim 12 wherein:
 the method further comprises:
operating the swing-travel valve system to selectively fluidly connect the at least one left travel motor to the swing-travel pump arrangement in the first closed loop travel circuit and operating the swing-travel pump arrangement to direct hydraulic fluid around the first closed loop travel circuit to drive the machine across a terrain in a right direction of travel; and
operating the swing-travel valve system to selectively fluidly connect the at least one right travel motor to the swing-travel pump arrangement in \[\[a\]\]the second closed loop travel circuit and operating the swing-travel pump arrangement to direct hydraulic fluid around the second closed loop travel circuit to drive the machine across a terrain in a left direction of travel.

14\. (Currently Amended) The method of claim 12 comprising operating the swing-travel valve system to fluidly isolate the closed loop swing and travel circuits from each

other and thereby operate the swing motor arrangement independently of the travel motor arrangement.

15\. (Previously Presented) The method of claim 12 wherein the implement hydraulic system further comprises:at least one implement actuator;
an implement pump arrangement; and
an implement valve system,
wherein the method further comprises operating the implement valve system to fluidly connect the implement pump arrangement to the at least one implement actuator in an open loop circuit.

OFFICE ACTION:
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 09/02/2025 has been entered.
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments with respect to the claim(s) have been considered but are moot because the new ground of rejection does not rely on the primary reference applied in the prior rejection of record for any teaching or matter specifically challenged in the argument.
Claim 1 recites “a first travel pump, and a second travel pump coupled to a rotatable drive member”. It is unclear whether only the second travel pump is couple to the rotatable drive member, or if both the first and second travel pump are coupled to the rotatable drive member.
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.
Claim(s) 1, 2, 4, 6-8, 11, 12, 13, 14 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Knussman (US 8943819).
Knussman renders obvious:
1. (Currently Amended) A machine comprising: a main body 18 mounted to a chassis 39; a swing system (61) for rotating the main body relative to the chassis;
a travel system (59, 60, 42L, 42R) for driving the machine across a terrain;
an implement system (12) and an implement hydraulic system (58) for operating the implement system; and
a swing-travel hydraulic system (59, 60, 61) comprising:
a swing-travel pump arrangement including a swing pump (pump 66 in circuit 61), a first travel pump (pump 66 in circuit 60), and a second travel pump (pump 66 in circuit 59) coupled to a rotatable drive member (see rotatable shaft symbol coupled to all pumps 66 in Fig. 2) to permit operation of the swing pump, first travel pump, and second travel pump via rotation of the rotatable drive member;
a closed loop swing circuit (61) including the swing pump and a swing motor arrangement (43) operably mounted to the swing system for rotating the main body;
a closed loop travel circuit including a travel motor arrangement (42L 42R) operably mounted to the travel system for driving the machine, the travel motor arrangement including at least one left travel motor (42L) and at least one right travel motor (42R), the at least one left travel motor and the first travel pump forming a first closed loop travel circuit (circuit 59), the at least one right travel motor and the second travel pump forming a second closed loop travel circuit (circuit 60); and
a swing-travel valve system (76A,B,C,D,F) configured to: selectively fluidly connect the swing motor arrangement to the swing pump of the closed loop swing circuit for rotating the main body in a main body swing operation (valve 76F controls main body swing operation);
selectively fluidly connect the travel motor arrangement to at least one of the first and second travel pumps of the closed loop travel circuit for driving the machine in a machine travel operation (valves 76B, 76C control machine travel operation); and
selectively fluidly connect the swing motor arrangement to the first travel pump, the second travel pump, and the swing pump simultaneously to the closed loop swing circuit for rotating the main body in a main body swing and no travel operation (valves 107A, 107C would be opened so that pumps 66 in circuits 59, 60, and 61 all provide pressurized fluid to the swing motor 43 through valve 76F during a no travel operation as rendered obvious by Col. 10, Col 16 lines 1-25, Col. 17 lines 43-48 disclose opening various combinations of combining valves to provide combined flow to a single or plural actuators, during travel or nontravel operations and discloses that similar control strategies to those previously discussed with respect to the hydraulic cylinders may be employed to provide a combined flow to the swing motor 43;
In light of the teachings above, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was filed to have either recognized or modified the device of Knussman to have used a non-travel, swing only operation with combined flow coming from a plurality of circuits such that combining valves 107A and 107C are open so that combined fluid from circuits 59, 60, and 61 are combined to operate the swing motor 43, while keeping valve 107B closed so that the implement actuator 48 and its implement hydraulic circuit 58 remains fluidly isolated from the swing-travel hydraulic system 59, 60, 61, to yield a work machine with flexible fluid distribution that allows for increased fluid flow/pressure to specified actuated hydraulic fluid consumers when desired);
wherein pressurised fluids in each of the swing-travel hydraulic system and the implement hydraulic system are fluidly isolated from one another (when valve 107B is closed, the swing travel hydraulic system which is interpreted to include circuits 59, 60, 61 is fluidly isolated from the implement hydraulic system which is interpreted to be 58).
2. (Currently Amended) The machine of claim 1 wherein the swing-travel valve system is configured to: selectively fluidly connect the at least one left travel motor to the swing-travel pump arrangement in the first closed loop travel circuit; and selectively fluidly connect the at least one right travel motor to the swing-travel pump arrangement in the second closed loop travel circuit (see Fig. 2, valves 76B, 76C selectively fluidly connect the travel motors to their pumps 66 in closed loop travel circuits 59, 60).
4. (Previously Presented) The machine of claim 2 wherein the swing-travel valve system is configured to selectively fluidly connect the at least one left travel motor to the first travel pump in the first closed loop travel circuit and selectively fluidly connect the at least one right travel motor to the second travel pump in the second closed loop travel circuit (see Fig. 2, valves 76B, 76C selectively fluidly connect the travel motors to their pumps 66 in closed loop travel circuits 59, 60).
6. (Previously Presented) The machine of claim 1 wherein the swing-travel valve system is configured to fluidly isolate the closed loop swing and travel circuits from each other such that the swing motor arrangement is controllable independently of the travel motor arrangement (when valves 107A and 107C and closed, the swing circuit 61 is fluidly isolated from the travel circuits 59, 60).
7. (Currently Amended) The machine of claim 1 wherein the swing-travel valve system is configured to selectively fluidly connect the swing pump to the swing motor arrangement (valve 76F selectively fluidly connects the swing pump 66 to the swing motor 43 in circuit 61).
8. (Currently Amended) The machine of claim 7 wherein the swing-travel valve system is configured to selectively fluidly connect the swing pump to the swing motor arrangement in fluid isolation to the first and second travel pumps (when valve 107C is closed, valve 76F selectively fluidly connects the swing pump 66 to the swing motor 43 in circuit 61 in fluid isolation to the first and second travel pumps).
11. (Previously Presented) The machine of claim 1 wherein: the travel motor arrangement is mounted to the chassis (Col. 3-4, see Fig. 1); the swing-travel pump arrangement and swing-travel valve system are mounted to the main body (Col. 3-4, see Fig. 1); and the travel motor arrangement is fluidly connected to the swing-travel valve system through the swing system (see Fig. 2; all valves, motors, and structures are mounted on the work machine and therefore are mounted either directly or indirectly to the main body, swing system, and chassis).
12. (Currently Amended) A method of operating a machine, the machine comprising: a main body mounted to a chassis;
at least one implement, and an implement hydraulic system for operating the at least one implement;
a swing system for rotating the main body relative to the chassis;
a travel system for driving the machine across a terrain; and
a swing-travel hydraulic system comprising:
a swing-travel pump arrangement including a swing pump, a first travel pump, and a second travel pump coupled to a rotatable drive member to permit operation of the swing pump, first travel pump, and second travel pump via rotation of the rotatable drive member;
a closed loop swing circuit including the swing pump and a swing motor arrangement operably mounted to the swing system for rotating the main body;
a closed loop travel circuit including a travel motor arrangement operably mounted to the travel system for driving the machine, the travel motor arrangement including at least one left travel motor and at least one right travel motor, the at least one left travel motor and the first travel pump forming a first closed loop travel circuit, the at least one right travel motor and the second travel pump forming a second closed loop travel circuit (see claim 1 rejection for equivalent claim limitation mapping and discussion); and a swing-travel valve system, wherein the method comprises:
operating the swing-travel valve system to selectively fluidly connect the swing pump of the closed loop swing circuit and operating the swing pump to selectively direct hydraulic fluid around the closed loop swing circuit to operate the swing system to rotate the main body about the chassis in a main body swing operation (valve 76F selectively fluidly connects the swing pump to the swing motor 43, Col. 4, etc.);
operating the swing-travel valve system to selectively fluidly connect the travel motor arrangement to at least one of the first and second travel pumps of the closed loop travel circuit and selectively operating the at least one of the first and second travel pumps to direct hydraulic fluid around the closed loop travel circuit to operate the travel system to drive the machine across a terrain in a machine travel operation (valve 76B, 76C selectively fluidly connects the travel motors to the travel pumps, Col. 15 lines 16-38, etc.); and
wherein during operation pressurised fluids in each of the swing-travel hydraulic system and the implement hydraulic system are fluidly isolated from one another (when valve 107B is closed, the swing travel hydraulic system which is interpreted to include circuits 59, 60, 61 is fluidly isolated from the implement hydraulic system which is interpreted to be 58);
selectively fluidly connecting the swing motor arrangement to the first travel pump, the second travel pump, and the swing pump simultaneously to the closed loop swing circuit for rotating the main body in a main body swing and no travel operation (apparent from Fig. 2, valves 107A, 107C would be opened so that pumps 66 in circuits 59, 60, and 61 all provide pressurized fluid to the swing motor 43 through valve 76F during a no travel operation as rendered obvious by Col. 10, Col 16 lines 1-25, Col. 17 lines 43-48 as they  disclose opening various combinations of combining valves to provide combined flow to a single or plural actuators, during travel or nontravel operations and discloses that similar control strategies to those previously discussed with respect to the hydraulic cylinders may be employed to provide a combined flow to the swing motor 43;
In light of the teachings above, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was filed to have either recognized or modified the device of Knussman to have used a non-travel, swing only operation with combined flow coming from a plurality of circuits such that combining valves 107A and 107C are open so that combined fluid from circuits 59, 60, and 61 are combined to operate the swing motor 43, while keeping valve 107B closed so that the implement actuator 48 and its implement hydraulic circuit 58 remains fluidly isolated from the swing-travel hydraulic system 59, 60, 61, to yield a work machine with flexible fluid distribution that allows for increased fluid flow/pressure to specified actuated hydraulic fluid consumers when desired).
13. (Currently Amended) The method of claim 12 wherein:
the method further comprises:
operating the swing-travel valve system to selectively fluidly connect the at least one left travel motor to the swing-travel pump arrangement in the first closed loop travel circuit and operating the swing-travel pump arrangement to direct hydraulic fluid around the first closed loop travel circuit to drive the machine across a terrain in a right direction of travel; and operating the swing-travel valve system to selectively fluidly connect the at least one right travel motor to the swing-travel pump arrangement in the second closed loop travel circuit and operating the swing-travel pump arrangement to direct hydraulic fluid around the second closed loop travel circuit to drive the machine across a terrain in a left direction of travel (Col. 4 lines 26-39, Col. 5 lines 39-67, Col. 6).
14. (Currently Amended) The method of claim 12 comprising operating the swing-travel valve system to fluidly isolate the closed loop swing and travel circuits from each other and thereby operate the swing motor arrangement independently of the travel motor arrangement (when valve 107C is closed, the travel circuits 59, 60 are fluidly isolated and operated independently of the swing motor circuit 61 that drives the swing motor 43).
Claim(s) 5 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Knussman in view of Asakage et al. (US 2006/0266029), hereinafter ‘Asakage’.
Regarding claim 5, Knussman discloses the machine of claim 4 but does not disclose wherein the swing-travel valve system is configured to selectively fluidly connect the first and second closed loop travel circuits for driving in a straight direction and fluidly isolate the first and second closed loop travel circuits for steering the machine whilst driving.
However, Asakage discloses a work machine similar to Knussman and the present application and therefore constitutes analogous art. Asakage discloses a swing control valve 56, a left travel motor 18L controlled by valve 42, a right travel motor 18R controlled by valve 52, wherein the left travel motor is normally supplied fluid with P2 and the right travel motor is normally supplied fluid with P1 in separate circuit sections. Asakage teaches merging flows from the two separate pumps P1 and P2 in separate circuit sections with a merge valve 60 during straight travel operation to ensure constant straight travel by preventing unequal fluid flow and pressures to the left and right travel motors (paragraph [0039], [0055]). While Asakage is directed towards open loop circuits, the teaching of merging flows from unconnected circuits supplied by separate pumps using a merge valve still applies to closed circuits for the same benefits.
Since ensuring straight travel operations is beneficial, and Knussman discusses that “straight travel may be facilitated by generating substantially equal output speeds and rotational directions from left and right-travel motors 42L, 42R”; Knussman Col. 4 lines 35-39 states that straight travel may be facilitated by generating substantially equal output speeds and rotational directions, which one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize as supplying equal fluid pressures to both travel motors at the same setting, and thus opening valve 107A would facilitate equal pressure being supplied to both travel motors and thus would have been an obvious control operation, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was filed to have modified the system of Knussman to have merged fluid between the two circuit sections driving the left and right travel motors to combine the fluid output of the two separate pumps so that the amount of fluid and pressure supplied to both travel motors are equal to ensure straight travel operations as taught by Asakage. Knussman already discloses two separate circuits 59, 60 that include the left and right travel motors 42L, 42R, and a merge valve 107A that would be opened when straight travel is desired by the operator in light of the teachings from Asakage to ensure that the two travel motors operate at the same speed and thus travels straight. The proposed modification results in a system wherein the swing-travel valve system is configured to selectively fluidly connect the first and second closed loop travel circuits (Knussman 59 and 60) for driving in a straight direction and fluidly isolate the first and second closed loop travel circuits for steering the machine whilst driving (The implemented merge valve of Asakage is taught to be closed while driving the machine in a turning operation, paragraph [0050], [0052] discloses independent travel motor valve control).
Claim(s) 9 and 15 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Knussman in view of Asakage and Wetzel et al. (US 2004/0060747), hereinafter ‘Wetzel’.
Regarding claim 9, Knussman discloses the machine of claim 1 and the method of claim 12, and further discloses the implement hydraulic system comprising: at least one implement actuator 48; an implement pump arrangement (pump 66 in circuit 58); and an implement valve system 76E configured to connect the implement pump arrangement to the at least one implement actuator.
Knussman does not disclose to connect the implement pump arrangement to the at least one implement actuator in an open loop circuit.
However, Asakage discloses an open loop implement pump arrangement to the at least one implement actuator in an open loop circuit (Asakage Fig. 1).
Further, Wetzel discloses a hydraulic machine similar to Knussman and the present application and therefore constitutes analogous art. Wetzel discloses a closed loop travel motor circuit (Wetzel Fig. 3) used in the same machine as an open loop implement hydraulic circuit having its own implement pump supplying fluid to an implement 301 through valves 305 (Wetzel Fig. 4, paragraph [0023]). Wetzel teaches that having separate circuits allow for significantly less effects between the travel systems and implement operation (Wetzel paragraph [0023)).
Since using a closed loop circuits for operating travel motors of a hydraulic work machine in combination with an open loop circuit for operating implements is a known configuration in the art, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was filed to have further modified the system of Knussman in view of Asakage to have an implement system and an implement hydraulic system, the implement hydraulic system comprising: at least one implement actuator; an implement pump arrangement; and an implement valve system configured to connect the implement pump arrangement to the at least one implement actuator in an open loop circuit as taught by Wetzel. When applying the teachings of Wetzel to the system of Knussman, implement circuit 64 would be modified to be an open loop circuit as taught by Wetzel as a matter of simple substitution of one known configuration for another to yield only the expected result of a functioning implement hydraulic circuit that is able operate an implement hydraulic cylinder.
The combination of Knussman, Asakage, and Wetzel further renders obvious:
15. (Currently Amended) The method of claims 12 wherein the machine further comprises: at least one implement; and an implement hydraulic system comprising: at least one implement actuator; an implement pump arrangement; and an implement valve system, wherein the method further comprises operating the implement valve system to fluidly connect the implement pump arrangement to the at least one implement actuator in an open loop circuit, wherein during operation pressurised fluids in each of the swing-travel and implement hydraulic systems are fluidly isolated from one another (see previous claim 9 rejection, etc. for equivalent limitation mapping and discussion, the combination of Knussman, Asakage, and Wetzel renders obvious claim 15, the system of Knussman has an implement circuit 64 and the teaching from Wetzel renders obvious using an open loop circuit for the implement circuit 64 instead of a closed loop circuit as a matter of simple substitution; further Knussman Col. 6 lines 19-23 states “”additional and/or different configurations of circuits may be included within hydraulic system 56, such as configurations in which each of the disclosed actuators may be fluidly connected to a dedicated source of pressurized fluid” which indicates individual circuits)
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Opdenbosch (US 9068578), Opdenbosch et al. (US 8978373), Opdenbosch et al. (US 8978374)  Knussman et al. (US 8893490), Knussman et al. (US 8910474), Izumi et al. (US 4369625), Edler et al. (US 2013/0098013), Kuehn et al. (US 8973358) all disclose pertinent hydraulic systems having various circuit configurations and relevant structures

APPLICANT REBUTTAL: REMARKS
Claims 1-2, 4-6, 8-9, and 11-15 are pending. Claim 7 is canceled herein. Claims 3 and 10 were previously canceled.
Interview Summary
Applicant thanks Examiner Nguyen for the time and attention given to this matter during the telephonic interview conducted on November 5, 2025. During the interview, the Examiner, Jonathan Urbanek, and Jacqueline Thompson discussed proposed amendments to claim 1 with respect to the rejections under 35 U.S.C. § 103. As agreed during the interview, amended claim 1 presented herein overcomes the rejections under 35 U.S.C. § 103 although further search and consideration would be required. Claim 1 is revised to recite
"a third confi
g
uration that simultaneously
fluidly connects the swing motor arrangement
of the closed loo
p
swin
g
circuit
to the first travel pump" to make the claim easier to read.
Claim 12 is amended similarly to claim 1. Applicant respectfully submits that claim 12 likewise overcomes the rejections.
Claim Re
j
ections 35 USC
Claims 1, 2, 4, 6-8, 11, 12, 13, 14 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Knussman (US 8943819) ("Knussman").
Claim 5 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Knussman in view of Asakage (US 2006/0266029) ("Asakage").
Claims 9 and 15 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Knussman in view of Asakage and Wetzel (US 2004/0060747) ("Wetzel").
Applicant respectfully traverses these rejections. As discussed during the examiner interview, the amendments to claim 1 overcome the art rejections. Independent claim 12 is amended to incorporate amendments similar to those made to claim 1. Accordingly, Applicant submits that claims 1 and 12 and the claims that depend therefrom are allowable.
Conclusion

NEXT OFFICE ACTION: 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 .
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments, see remarks, filed 11/25/2025, with respect to U.S.C. 103 rejections have been fully considered and are persuasive.  The rejections of the office action dated 09/16/2025 have been withdrawn.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-2, 4-6, 8-9, 11-15 are allowed.
The following is an examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance:
The prior art does not disclose nor render obvious the machine or method including the articulated implement system, closed loop swing circuit, closed loop travel circuit, a swing-travel valve system, with the specified valve configuration and operation with the interconnections of the various circuits, etc. as claimed in claim 1 and 12.
The dependent claims are allowed because they depend from an allowed base claim.
While the prior art discloses various configurations of closed loop circuits for implements, travel, and swing operations, etc., the articulated swing-travel valve system including its operating configurations appear to be novel and non-obvious. The specification states that the claimed invention enables increased flexibility in terms of the pumps to operate the swing function selectively each time to produce even wear across them.
Any comments considered necessary by applicant must be submitted no later than the payment of the issue fee and, to avoid processing delays, should preferably accompany the issue fee.  Such submissions should be clearly labeled “Comments on Statement of Reasons for Allowance.”
Conclusion

CITED REFERENCE SUMMARIES: Ref US8943819B2: Claims:
A hydraulic system, comprising: a variable displacement first pump; a first linear actuator fluidly connected to the first pump via a first closed-loop circuit; a variable displacement second pump; second and third linear actuators fluidly connected to the second pump in parallel via a second closed-loop circuit; a variable displacement third pump; a fourth linear actuator fluidly connected to the third pump via a third closed-loop circuit; a variable displacement fourth pump; a first rotary actuator fluidly connected to the fourth pump via a fourth closed-loop circuit; a second rotary actuator fluidly connected to the second pump in parallel with the second and third linear actuators; a third rotary actuator fluidly connected to the third pump in parallel with the fourth linear actuator; and a first combining valve configured to selectively combine fluid from the second and third circuits, a second combining valve configured to selectively combine fluid from the first and second circuits, and a third combining valve configured to selectively combine fluid from the third and fourth circuits, wherein the second combining valve is moveable between a flow-passing position and a flow blocking position, the second combining valve directing fluid from the first and second circuits to at least one of the first, second, and third linear actuators and the second rotary actuator in the flow-passing position.
a variable displacement first pump;
a first linear actuator fluidly connected to the first pump via a first closed-loop circuit;
a variable displacement second pump;
second and third linear actuators fluidly connected to the second pump in parallel via a second closed-loop circuit;
a variable displacement third pump;
a fourth linear actuator fluidly connected to the third pump via a third closed-loop circuit;
a variable displacement fourth pump;
a first rotary actuator fluidly connected to the fourth pump via a fourth closed-loop circuit;
a second rotary actuator fluidly connected to the second pump in parallel with the second and third linear actuators;
a third rotary actuator fluidly connected to the third pump in parallel with the fourth linear actuator; and
a first combining valve configured to selectively combine fluid from the second and third circuits, a second combining valve configured to selectively combine fluid from the first and second circuits, and a third combining valve configured to selectively combine fluid from the third and fourth circuits, wherein the second combining valve is moveable between a flow-passing position and a flow blocking position, the second combining valve directing fluid from the first and second circuits to at least one of the first, second, and third linear actuators and the second rotary actuator in the flow-passing position.
The system of claim 1 , further comprising a first switching valve associated with the first linear actuator, a second switching valve associated with the second and third linear actuators, and a third switching valve associated with the second rotary actuator, each of the switching valves being configured to selectively switch a flow direction of fluid passing through the respective actuators.
The system of claim 2 , wherein the second switching valve is configured to reduce a speed of the second and third linear actuators during regeneration of the second and third linear actuators.
The system of claim 2 , wherein the second combining valve is configured to form a combined flow of fluid including fluid from the first and second circuits, during simultaneous operation of the first linear actuator with the second and third linear actuators and the second rotary actuator, in response to a combined demand of the second and third linear actuators and the second rotary actuator exceeding a capacity of the second pump.
The system of claim 4 , wherein the second switching valve is configured to variably restrict passage of the combined flow through the second and third linear actuators, during simultaneous operation of the first linear actuator with the second and third linear actuators and the second rotary actuator.
The system of claim 4 , wherein the first switching valve is configured to selectively switch a flow direction of fluid passing through the first linear actuator independent of a flow direction of the combined flow passing through the second and third actuators, during simultaneous operation of the first linear actuator with the second and third linear actuators and the second rotary actuator.
The system of claim 4 , wherein the third switching valve is configured to selectively switch a flow direction of fluid passing through the second rotary actuator independent of a flow direction of the combined fluid passing through the second and third actuators, during simultaneous operation of the first linear actuator with the second and third linear actuators and the second rotary actuator.
A hydraulic system, comprising: a variable displacement first pump; a first linear actuator fluidly connected to the first pump via a first closed-loop circuit: a variable displacement second pump; second and third linear actuators fluidly connected to the second pump in parallel via a second closed-loop circuit; a variable displacement third pump; a fourth linear actuator fluidly connected to the third pump via a third closed-loop circuit; a variable displacement fourth pump; a first rotary actuator fluidly connected to the fourth pump via a fourth closed-loop circuit; a second rotary actuator fluidly connected to the second pump in parallel with the second and third linear actuators; a third rotary actuator fluidly connected to the third pump in parallel with the fourth linear actuator; a first combining valve configured to selectively combine fluid from the second and third circuits, a second combining valve configured to selectively combine fluid from the first and second circuits, and a third combining valve configured to selectively combine fluid from the third and fourth circuits; and a first switching valve associated with the first linear actuator, a second switching valve associated with the second and third linear actuators, and a third switching valve associated with the second rotary actuator, each of the switching valves being configured to selectively switch a flow direction of fluid passing through the respective actuators, wherein at least one of the switching valves comprises a variable position four-way valve.
a first linear actuator fluidly connected to the first pump via a first closed-loop circuit:
a third rotary actuator fluidly connected to the third pump in parallel with the fourth linear actuator;
a first combining valve configured to selectively combine fluid from the second and third circuits, a second combining valve configured to selectively combine fluid from the first and second circuits, and a third combining valve configured to selectively combine fluid from the third and fourth circuits; and
a first switching valve associated with the first linear actuator, a second switching valve associated with the second and third linear actuators, and a third switching valve associated with the second rotary actuator, each of the switching valves being configured to selectively switch a flow direction of fluid passing through the respective actuators, wherein at least one of the switching valves comprises
a variable position four-way valve.
A hydraulic system, comprising: a variable displacement first Pump; a first linear actuator fluidly connected to the first pump via a first closed-loop circuit: a variable displacement second pump; second and third linear actuators fluidly connected to the second pump in parallel via a second closed-loop circuit; a variable displacement third pump; a fourth linear actuator fluidly connected to the third pump via a third closed-loop circuit; a variable displacement fourth pump; a first rotary actuator fluidly connected to the fourth pump via a fourth closed-loop circuit; a second rotary actuator fluidly connected to the second pump in parallel with the second and third linear actuators; a third rotary actuator fluidly connected to the third pump in parallel with the fourth linear actuator; and a first combining valve configured to selectively combine fluid from the second and third circuits, a second combining valve configured to selectively combine fluid from the first and second circuits, and a third combining valve configured to selectively combine fluid from the third and fourth circuits, wherein the first and second combining valves are configured to combine fluid from the first, second, and third circuits, during simultaneous operation of the second, third, and fourth linear actuators, in response to a combined demand of the second and third linear actuators exceeding a combined capacity of the first and second pumps.
a variable displacement first Pump;
a first combining valve configured to selectively combine fluid from the second and third circuits, a second combining valve configured to selectively combine fluid from the first and second circuits, and a third combining valve configured to selectively combine fluid from the third and fourth circuits,
wherein the first and second combining valves are configured to combine fluid from the first, second, and third circuits, during simultaneous operation of the second, third, and fourth linear actuators, in response to a combined demand of the second and third linear actuators exceeding a combined capacity of the first and second pumps.
The system of claim 9 , wherein the third combining valve is configured to combine fluid from the fourth circuit with fluid from the first, second, and third circuits, during simultaneous operation of the second, third, and fourth linear actuators, in response to a combined demand of the second and third actuators exceeding a combined capacity of the first, second, and third pumps.
A hydraulic system, comprising: a variable displacement first pump; a first hydraulic cylinder associated with a work tool of a machine, the first hydraulic cylinder being fluidly connected to the first pump via a first closed-loop circuit; a variable displacement second pump; second and third hydraulic cylinders associated with a boom of the machine, the second and third hydraulic cylinders being fluidly connected to the second pump in parallel via a second closed-loop circuit; a variable displacement third pump; a fourth hydraulic cylinder associated with a stick of the machine, the fourth hydraulic cylinder being fluidly connected to the third pump via a third closed-loop circuit; a variable displacement fourth pump; a swing motor associated with a body of the machine, the swing motor being fluidly connected to the fourth pump via a fourth closed-loop circuit; a first travel motor associated with a first traction device of the machine, the first travel motor being fluidly connected to the second pump in parallel with the second and third hydraulic cylinders; a second travel motor associated with a second traction device of the machine, the second travel motor being fluidly connected to the third pump in parallel with the fourth hydraulic cylinder; a first combining valve configured to selectively combine fluid from the second and third circuits; a second combining valve configured to selectively combine fluid from the first and second circuits; and a third combining valve configured to selectively combine fluid from the third and fourth circuits, wherein the first hydraulic cylinder is configured to operate simultaneously with at least one of the second and third hydraulic cylinders and the first travel motor while fluid from the first and second circuits is combined by the second combining valve.
a first hydraulic cylinder associated with a work tool of a machine, the first hydraulic cylinder being fluidly connected to the first pump via a first closed-loop circuit;
second and third hydraulic cylinders associated with a boom of the machine, the second and third hydraulic cylinders being fluidly connected to the second pump in parallel via a second closed-loop circuit;
a fourth hydraulic cylinder associated with a stick of the machine, the fourth hydraulic cylinder being fluidly connected to the third pump via a third closed-loop circuit;
a swing motor associated with a body of the machine, the swing motor being fluidly connected to the fourth pump via a fourth closed-loop circuit;
a first travel motor associated with a first traction device of the machine, the first travel motor being fluidly connected to the second pump in parallel with the second and third hydraulic cylinders;
a second travel motor associated with a second traction device of the machine, the second travel motor being fluidly connected to the third pump in parallel with the fourth hydraulic cylinder;
a first combining valve configured to selectively combine fluid from the second and third circuits;
a second combining valve configured to selectively combine fluid from the first and second circuits; and
a third combining valve configured to selectively combine fluid from the third and fourth circuits, wherein the first hydraulic cylinder is configured to operate simultaneously with at least one of the second and third hydraulic cylinders and the first travel motor while fluid from the first and second circuits is combined by the second combining valve.
The system of claim 11 , further comprising a first switching valve associated with the first hydraulic cylinder, a second switching valve associated with the second and third hydraulic cylinders, and a third switching valve associated with the second travel motor, the first, second, and third switching valves being configured to selectively switch a flow direction of fluid passing through the first hydraulic cylinder, the second and third hydraulic cylinders, and the second travel motor, respectively.
The system of claim 12 , wherein during simultaneous operation of the first, second, and third hydraulic cylinders while the machine is stationary, the first combining valve is configured to form a combined flow of fluid, including fluid from the first and second circuits, in response to a combined demand of the second and third hydraulic cylinders exceeding a capacity of the second pump, the second switching valve being configured to restrict passage of the combined flow through the second and third hydraulic cylinders.
The system of claim 13 , wherein the second switching valve is configured to change a speed of the second and third hydraulic cylinders, independent of a speed of the first hydraulic cylinder, while the second switching valve receives the combined flow of fluid.
A method of controlling a hydraulic system, comprising: providing fluid to a first linear actuator with a variable displacement first pump via a first closed-loop circuit; providing fluid to second and third linear actuators, in parallel, with a variable displacement second pump via a second closed-loop circuit; providing fluid to a fourth linear actuator with a variable displacement third pump via a third closed-loop circuit; providing fluid to a first rotary actuator with a variable displacement fourth pump via a fourth closed-loop circuit; providing fluid to a second rotary actuator, in parallel with the second and third linear actuators, with the second pump; providing fluid to a third rotary actuator, in parallel with the fourth linear actuator, with the third pump; forming a combined flow of fluid in response to a combined demand of the second and third linear actuators exceeding a capacity of the second pump, the combined flow comprising fluid from the second circuit and fluid from at least one of the first, third, and fourth circuits; and directing the combined flow to the second and third linear actuators while providing fluid to the actuator of the at least one of the first, third, and fourth circuits such that the second and third linear actuators operate simultaneously with the actuator of the at least one of the first, third, and fourth circuits.
providing fluid to a first linear actuator with a variable displacement first pump via a first closed-loop circuit;
providing fluid to second and third linear actuators, in parallel, with a variable displacement second pump via a second closed-loop circuit;
providing fluid to a fourth linear actuator with a variable displacement third pump via a third closed-loop circuit;
providing fluid to a first rotary actuator with a variable displacement fourth pump via a fourth closed-loop circuit;
providing fluid to a second rotary actuator, in parallel with the second and third linear actuators, with the second pump;
providing fluid to a third rotary actuator, in parallel with the fourth linear actuator, with the third pump;
forming a combined flow of fluid in response to a combined demand of the second and third linear actuators exceeding a capacity of the second pump, the combined flow comprising fluid from the second circuit and fluid from at least one of the first, third, and fourth circuits; and
directing the combined flow to the second and third linear actuators while providing fluid to the actuator of the at least one of the first, third, and fourth circuits such that the second and third linear actuators operate simultaneously with the actuator of the at least one of the first, third, and fourth circuits.
The method of claim 15 , wherein the combined flow comprises fluid from the first, second, and third circuits, the combined flow being formed in response to the combined demand of the second and third linear actuators exceeding a combined capacity of the first and second pumps.
The method of claim 15 , further comprising variably restricting flow of the combined flow through the second and third linear actuators during simultaneous operation of the second and third linear actuators and the actuator of the at least one of the first, third, and fourth circuits.
The method of claim 15 , further comprising changing at least one of a speed and a direction of the second and third linear actuators independent of a speed and a direction of the actuator of the at least one of the first, third, and fourth circuits during simultaneous operation of the second and third linear actuators and the actuator of the at least one of the first, third, and fourth circuits.
Ref US20060266029A1: Claims:
A working machine comprising: left and right traveling units operating by means of the supply of hydraulic fluid from a hydraulic fluid supply source; and a hydraulic pressure supply apparatus, the hydraulic pressure supply apparatus including: a first hydraulic pump serving as a hydraulic fluid supply source for supplying hydraulic fluid to the left traveling unit; a second hydraulic pump serving as a hydraulic fluid supply source for supplying hydraulic fluid to the right traveling unit; a first travel control valve disposed between the left traveling unit and the first hydraulic pump, the first travel control valve having a neutral position for directly leading the hydraulic fluid supplied from the first hydraulic pump to a tank-side flow channel, the first travel control valve leading an amount of the hydraulic fluid from the first hydraulic pump in proportion to an operational amount of the first travel control valve from the neutral position to another position to the left traveling unit; a second travel control valve disposed between the right traveling unit and the second hydraulic pump, the second travel control valve having a neutral position for directly leading the hydraulic fluid supplied from the second hydraulic pump to a tank-side flow channel, the second travel control valve leading an amount of the hydraulic fluid from the second hydraulic pump in proportion to an operational amount of the second control valve from the neutral position to another position to the right traveling unit; 
[Truncated to input limit]