Office Action 1: Ex Parte Quayle Action (2025-04-10)

CLAIMS:
IN THE CLAIMS:

Please amend the claims as follows:

1\. (currently amended) A solar installation comprising:

said support frame supported on the support for pivoting movement about an elevation axis; and
said support frame forming, with respect to the elevation axis, a bottom section of the solar panel on a ground side and an adjoining top section of the solar panel;
said top section and said bottom section each having a respective width extension perpendicular to the elevation axis, wherein the width extension of the top section is greater than the width extension of the bottom section; and
wherein the bottom section is substantially wind-impermeable, and the top section of the solar panel has flow passage openings between groups of the solar modules.

2\. (previously presented) The solar installation according to claim 1, wherein the solar modules are arranged in rows and the flow passage openings extend between the rows of the solar modules.

3\. (previously presented) The solar installation according to claim 1, wherein a wind guiding device is provided on a ground-side edge of the bottom section of the solar panel.
4\. (previously presented) The solar installation according to claim 2, wherein a wind guiding

OFFICE ACTION:
QUAYLE 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 .
This application is in condition for allowance except for the following formal matters:
Claim Objections
Claim 1 is objected to because of the following informalities:
- Claim 1, lines 5-6, it appears “said support frame supported on the support frame on the support” should read --said support frame supported on the support--
Appropriate correction is required.
Allowable Subject Matter
The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter:  Casla Urteaga (US Pat. No. 11,165,386 B2) and Taylor et al. (US Pub. No. 2009/0293861 A1) are considered the closest prior art of record.
Casla Urteaga teaches a solar installation comprising: a support (2) and a support frame (3) supporting solar modules (4.1) that are combined to form a solar panel (4); said support frame supported on the support frame on the support for pivoting movement about an elevation axis (a); and said support frame forming, with respect to the elevation axis, a bottom section (lower 4, Fig. 1) of the solar panel on a ground side and an adjoining top section (upper 4, Fig. 1) of the solar panel; said top section and said bottom section each having a respective width extension perpendicular to the elevation axis; wherein the width extension of the top section is greater than the width extension of the bottom section (e.g.; see Fig. 1); and wherein the top and bottom section are substantially wind-impermeable (i.e.; the top and bottom sections are substantially flat).
Taylor teaches a solar installation comprising: a support (18) and a support frame (49) supporting solar modules (13) that are combined to form a solar panel (12); said support frame supported on the support frame on the support for pivoting movement about an elevation axis (about spindle 56); and said support frame forming, with respect to the elevation axis, a bottom section (lower row of 13, Fig. 3) of the solar panel on a ground side and an adjoining top section (upper two rows of 13, Fig. 3) of the solar panel; said top section and said bottom section each having a respective width extension perpendicular to the elevation axis; wherein the width extension of the top section is greater than the width extension of the bottom section (e.g.; see Fig. 3); and the top and bottom sections of the solar panel have flow passage openings between groups of the solar modules (see gaps between each 13 in Fig. 3).
The prior art of record does anticipate nor make obvious a solar installation having the combination of structural limitations of Applicant’s claimed invention, including having the structural combination of the bottom section being substantially wind-impermeable, and the top section having a greater width extension than the bottom section, with the top section of the solar panel having flow passage openings between groups of the solar modules.  Combining the teachings of Casla Urteaga and Taylor to replace the respective upper and lower sections such that the bottom section is substantially wind-impermeable and the top section of the solar panel has flow passage openings between groups of the solar modules would involve improper hindsight in view of Applicant’s disclosure.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.  Please see the PTO-892 for additional prior art related to Applicant’s disclosure.
Prosecution on the merits is closed in accordance with the practice under Ex parte Quayle, 25 USPQ 74, 453 O.G. 213, (Comm’r Pat. 1935).
A shortened statutory period for reply to this action is set to expire TWO (2) MONTHS from the mailing date of this letter. Extensions of time may be granted under  37 CFR 1.136 but in no case can any extension carry the date for reply to this Office action beyond the maximum period of SIX MONTHS set by statute (35 U.S.C. 133).

APPLICANT REBUTTAL: REMARKS
The Examiner has issued an ex parte Quayle action identifying a typographical error in claim 1.
Claim 1 has here been amended as suggested by the Examiner, and the application is now believed to be allowable.
Formal allowance is respectfully solicited.
Should any questions arise, the Examiner is invited to telephone attorney for applicants
at 212-490-3285.
Respectfully submitted, April 10, 2025

NEXT OFFICE ACTION: Allowable Subject Matter
The following is an examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance: Casla Urteaga (US Pat. No. 11,165,386 B2) and Taylor et al. (US Pub. No. 2009/0293861 A1) are considered the closest prior art of record.
Casla Urteaga teaches a solar installation comprising: a support (2) and a support frame (3) supporting solar modules (4.1) that are combined to form a solar panel (4); said support frame supported on the support frame on the support for pivoting movement about an elevation axis (a); and said support frame forming, with respect to the elevation axis, a bottom section (lower 4, Fig. 1) of the solar panel on a ground side and an adjoining top section (upper 4, Fig. 1) of the solar panel; said top section and said bottom section each having a respective width extension perpendicular to the elevation axis; wherein the width extension of the top section is greater than the width extension of the bottom section (e.g.; see Fig. 1); and wherein the top and bottom section are substantially wind-impermeable (i.e.; the top and bottom sections are substantially flat).
Taylor teaches a solar installation comprising: a support (18) and a support frame (49) supporting solar modules (13) that are combined to form a solar panel (12); said support frame supported on the support frame on the support for pivoting movement about an elevation axis (about spindle 56); and said support frame forming, with respect to the elevation axis, a bottom section (lower row of 13, Fig. 3) of the solar panel on a ground side and an adjoining top section (upper two rows of 13, Fig. 3) of the solar panel; said top section and said bottom section each having a respective width extension perpendicular to the elevation axis; wherein the width extension of the top section is greater than the width extension of the bottom section (e.g.; see Fig. 3); and the top and bottom sections of the solar panel have flow passage openings between groups of the solar modules (see gaps between each 13 in Fig. 3).
The prior art of record does anticipate nor make obvious a solar installation having the combination of structural limitations of Applicant’s claimed invention, including having the structural combination of the bottom section being substantially wind-impermeable, and the top section having a greater width extension than the bottom section, with the top section of the solar panel having flow passage openings between groups of the solar modules.  Combining the teachings of Casla Urteaga and Taylor to replace the respective upper and lower sections such that the bottom section is substantially wind-impermeable and the top section of the solar panel has flow passage openings between groups of the solar modules would involve improper hindsight in view of Applicant’s disclosure.
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.”

CITED REFERENCE SUMMARIES: Ref US11976687B2: Claims:
A bearing assembly of a power generation structure comprising: an adapter fixed to and rotatable with a rail; and a housing adapted to support the adapter and the rail; wherein the housing comprises a fixed housing portion attached to a support column, and an adjustable housing portion attached to the adapter and rail, wherein a low friction material is present at an interface between an exterior surface of adaptor and an interior surface of the adjustable housing portion, wherein the adjustable housing portion is capable of self-aligning adjustment of at least a portion of the adapter and rail out of alignment with a central axis of the support column, wherein the adjustable housing portion is capable of adjusting at least a portion of the adapter out of alignment with a central axis of the support column at an angle, α, of at least −60° and not greater than +60°.
an adapter fixed to and rotatable with a rail; and
a housing adapted to support the adapter and the rail; wherein the housing comprises a fixed housing portion attached to a support column, and an adjustable housing portion attached to the adapter and rail, wherein a low friction material is present at an interface between an exterior surface of adaptor and an interior surface of the adjustable housing portion, wherein the adjustable housing portion is capable of self-aligning adjustment of at least a portion of the adapter and rail out of alignment with a central axis of the support column, wherein the adjustable housing portion is capable of adjusting at least a portion of the adapter out of alignment with a central axis of the support column at an angle, α, of at least −60° and not greater than +60°.
The bearing assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the adaptor has an interior surface for engaging a rail, wherein the interior surface has a cross-sectional shape that is non-circular.
The bearing assembly according to claim 1 , wherein an exterior surface of the rail has a cross-sectional shape that is non-circular.
The bearing assembly according to claim 3 , wherein the non-circular cross section of the interior surface of the adaptor is complementary to the non-circular cross section of the exterior surface of the rail so as to fix the two components.
The bearing assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the adjustable housing portion comprises a first housing member and a second housing member adapted to function as a clamp around the adaptor.
The bearing assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the low friction material is fixed to an exterior surface of the adapter.
The bearing assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the low friction material is fixed to an interior surface of the adjustable housing portion.
The bearing assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the low friction material comprises a material strip and wherein an exterior surface of the adapter comprises a groove adapted to accommodate the material strip.
The bearing assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the low friction material is preformed according to the shape of the adapter.
The bearing assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the low friction material comprises a thermoplastic polymer.
The bearing assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the low friction material comprises a fluoropolymer.
The bearing assembly according to claim 1 , further comprising a fastener for rotationally fastening the fixed housing portion to the adjustable housing portion.
The bearing assembly according to claim 12 , wherein the fastener comprises at least one of screws, bolts, clamps, clasps, clips, latches, pins, rivets, ties, or nails.
The bearing assembly according to claim 1 , further comprising a column fastener for fastening the fixed housing portion to the support column.
The bearing assembly according to claim 14 , wherein the fastener comprises at least one of screws, bolts, clamps, clasps, clips, latches, pins, rivets, ties, or nails.
The bearing assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the fixed housing portion is uniform with the support column.
The bearing assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the fixed housing portion comprises a framed hood.
The bearing assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the rail is adapted to rotatably support a photovoltaic panel.
A bearing assembly of a power generation structure comprising: a rail; and a housing adapted to support the rail; wherein the housing comprises a fixed housing portion attached to a support column, and an adjustable housing portion attached to rail, wherein a low friction material is present at an interface between an exterior surface of rail and an interior surface of the adjustable housing portion, wherein the adjustable housing portion is capable of self-aligning adjustment of at least a portion of the rail out of alignment with a central axis of the support column, wherein the adjustable housing portion is capable of adjusting at least a portion of the rail out of alignment with a central axis of the support column at an angle, α, of at least −60° and not greater than +60°.
a housing adapted to support the rail; wherein the housing comprises a fixed housing portion attached to a support column, and an adjustable housing portion attached to rail, wherein a low friction material is present at an interface between an exterior surface of rail and an interior surface of the adjustable housing portion, wherein the adjustable housing portion is capable of self-aligning adjustment of at least a portion of the rail out of alignment with a central axis of the support column, wherein the adjustable housing portion is capable of adjusting at least a portion of the rail out of alignment with a central axis of the support column at an angle, α, of at least −60° and not greater than +60°.
A bearing assembly of a power generation structure comprising: an adapter; and a housing comprising a fixed housing portion attached to a support column, and an adjustable housing portion attached to the adapter, wherein a low friction material is present at an interface between an exterior surface of adaptor and an interior surface of the adjustable housing portion, wherein the adjustable housing portion is capable of adjusting at least a portion of the adapter out of alignment with a central axis of the support column at an angle, α, of at least −60° and not greater than +60°.
a housing comprising a fixed housing portion attached to a support column, and an adjustable housing portion attached to the adapter, wherein a low friction material is present at an interface between an exterior surface of adaptor and an interior surface of the adjustable housing portion, wherein the adjustable housing portion is capable of adjusting at least a portion of the adapter out of alignment with a central axis of the support column at an angle, α, of at least −60° and not greater than +60°.
Ref US11855581B2: Claims:
A solar panel system comprising: a photovoltaic solar panel having a panel frame, a photovoltaic cell for absorbing solar energy; a panel support apparatus including: a support frame for supporting the panel frame and for positioning the panel frame adjacent to a post pivot connection on a longitudinal pivot axis ( 30 ) of the support frame; a support post pivotally coupled to the support frame at the post pivot connection and anchored to an adjacent supporting surface, the support post for positioning the support frame above the adjacent supporting surface, the support post defining a support axis ( 34 ) transverse to the longitudinal pivot axis ( 30 ); a table bracket mounted on the support post and extending from the support post, such that the post pivot connection is positioned on the table bracket, the post pivot connection including an angular adjustment mechanism having multiple degrees of freedom to facilitate adjustment of an angle ( 54 ) between the support axis and the longitudinal pivot axis; and a linear actuator including a housing, the linear actuator coupled at a proximal end to the support post by a support pivot connection with the housing, the housing having an extension member operable between an extended state and a retracted state, the linear actuator coupled at a distal end by a frame pivot connection between the extension member and the support frame, the post pivot connection and the frame pivot connection spaced apart from one another on the support frame; a drive shaft coupled to the linear actuator, such that rotation of the drive shaft provides for a change in a length of the linear actuator; wherein said change in the length of the linear actuator results in pivoting of the support frame about the post pivot connection about the longitudinal pivot axis; wherein the drive shaft is flexible along its length to facilitate the drive shaft to follow changes in grading between either side of the support post.
a photovoltaic solar panel having a panel frame, a photovoltaic cell for absorbing solar energy;
a panel support apparatus including: a support frame for supporting the panel frame and for positioning the panel frame adjacent to a post pivot connection on a longitudinal pivot axis ( 30 ) of the support frame; a support post pivotally coupled to the support frame at the post pivot connection and anchored to an adjacent supporting surface, the support post for positioning the support frame above the adjacent supporting surface, the support post defining a support axis ( 34 ) transverse to the longitudinal pivot axis ( 30 ); a table bracket mounted on the support post and extending from the support post, such that the post pivot connection is positioned on the table bracket, the post pivot connection including an angular adjustment mechanism having multiple degrees of freedom to facilitate adjustment of an angle ( 54 ) between the support axis and the longitudinal pivot axis; and a linear actuator including a housing, the linear actuator coupled at a proximal end to the support post by a support pivot connection with the housing, the housing having an extension member operable between an extended state and a retracted state, the linear actuator coupled at a distal end by a frame pivot connection between the extension member and the support frame, the post pivot connection and the frame pivot connection spaced apart from one another on the support frame; a drive shaft coupled to the linear actuator, such that rotation of the drive shaft provides for a change in a length of the linear actuator; wherein said change in the length of the linear actuator results in pivoting of the support frame about the post pivot connection about the longitudinal pivot axis; wherein the drive shaft is flexible along its length to facilitate the drive shaft to follow changes in grading between either side of the support post.
a support frame for supporting the panel frame and for positioning the panel frame adjacent to a post pivot connection on a longitudinal pivot axis ( 30 ) of the support frame;
a support post pivotally coupled to the support frame at the post pivot connection and anchored to an adjacent supporting surface, the support post for positioning the support frame above the adjacent supporting surface, the support post defining a support axis ( 34 ) transverse to the longitudinal pivot axis ( 30 );
a table bracket mounted on the support post and extending from the support post, such that the post pivot connection is positioned on the table bracket, the post pivot connection including an angular adjustment mechanism having multiple degrees of freedom to facilitate adjustment of an angle ( 54 ) between the support axis and the longitudinal pivot axis; and
a linear actuator including a housing, the linear actuator coupled at a proximal end to the support post by a support pivot connection with the housing, the housing having an extension member operable between an extended state and a retracted state, the linear actuator coupled at a distal end by a frame pivot connection between the extension member and the support frame, the post pivot connection and the frame pivot connection spaced apart from one another on the support frame;
a drive shaft coupled to the linear actuator, such that rotation of the drive shaft provides for a change in a length of the linear actuator;
wherein said change in the length of the linear actuator results in pivoting of the support frame about the post pivot connection about the longitudinal pivot axis;
wherein the drive shaft is flexible along its length to facilitate the drive shaft to follow changes in grading between either side of the support post.
The solar panel system of claim 1 further comprising a support bracket connected to the support post adjacent to the supporting surface, such that the support pivot connection is on the support bracket and spaced apart from the support post, the support bracket having a plate having an angled portion, the angled portion providing for angular adjustment of the support pivot connection with the linear actuator.
The solar panel system of claim 1 , wherein the support pivot connection and the drive shaft are non-concentric with one another.
The solar panel system of claim 1 further comprising the linear actuator having the extension member configured for the extension and the retraction in order to provide for said change in the length.
The solar panel system of claim 4 further comprising a lead screw coupled to a drive shaft and a threaded travel member connected to the extension member, such that threads of the lead screw and of the threaded travel member are mated with one another.
The solar panel system of claim 1 , wherein the drive shaft comprises two drive shaft sub-sections, the solar panel support apparatus further comprising a coupling for operatively connecting serially arranged drive shaft ends of the two drive shaft sub-sections together such that rotation of one of the two drive shaft sub-sections imparts a rotation of the other one of the two drive shaft sub-sections.
The solar panel system of claim 6 , wherein said coupling comprises a tube sized to receive within a tube interior the serially arranged drive shaft ends.
The solar panel system of claim 7 , wherein the serially arranged drive shaft ends are rigidly connected to the tube.
The solar panel system of claim 7 , wherein the two drive shaft sub-sections each comprise an exterior drive shaft profile, and the tube interior comprises an inner tube profile configured to mate with the exterior drive shaft profile.
The solar panel support apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the inner tube profile about a first tube end is configured to be compressibly mated with the exterior drive shaft profile of one of the serially arranged drive shaft ends, and the tube interior at an opposite tube end comprises an inner profile configured to be slideably mated with the exterior drive shaft profile of the other one of the serially arranged drive shaft ends.
The solar panel support apparatus of claim 6 , wherein one of the serially arranged drive shaft ends comprises an interior section configured to slidably receive the other one of the serially arranged drive shaft ends, and a clamp to secure the other one of the serially arranged drive shaft ends within the interior section.
The solar panel support apparatus of claim 6 , wherein said coupling comprises a joint comprising a joint interior configured to slideably and pivotally receive one of the serially arranged drive shaft ends and a joint exterior configured to be rigidly received within an interior portion of the other one of the serially arranged drive shaft ends.
The solar panel system of claim 1 , wherein both the post pivot connection and the frame pivot connection are positioned directly on the support frame, such that both the post pivot connection and the frame pivot connection are spaced apart from one another, wherein the support frame is structurally separate from the panel frame.
The solar panel system of claim 13 , wherein the panel frame is removable from the support frame while maintaining the frame pivot connection between the linear actuator and the support frame.
The solar panel system of claim 13 , wherein the support frame further comprises a lateral support member positioned laterally to a longitudinal axis of the support frame, wherein both the post pivot connection and the frame pivot connection are positioned on the lateral support member.
The solar panel system of claim 1 , wherein the support frame is directly connected to the post pivot connection and provides a planar platform for receiving the panel frame of the photovoltaic solar panel.
The solar panel system of claim 1 , wherein the support frame further includes a lateral support member positioned laterally to a longitudinal axis of the support frame, wherein the post pivot connection is positioned between opposite ends of the lateral support member and the panel frame is connected to both of the opposite ends of the lateral support member on either side of the post pivot connection.
The solar panel system of claim 1 , wherein the angular adjustment mechanism is a pivot support coupling having a ball and socket connection.
The solar panel system of claim 1 , wherein the angular adjustment mechanism is a pivot support coupling as a pin bushing coupling.
A solar panel system comprising: a photovoltaic solar panel having a panel frame, a photovoltaic cell for absorbing solar energy; the a panel support apparatus including: a support frame for supporting the panel frame and for positioning the panel frame adjacent to a post pivot connection on a longitudinal pivot axis ( 30 ) of the support frame; a support post pivotally coupled to the support frame at the post pivot connection and anchored to an adjacent supporting surface, the support post for positioning the support frame above the adjacent supporting surface, the support post defining a support axis ( 34 ) transverse to the longitudinal pivot axis ( 30 ); a table bracket mounted on the support post and extending from the support post, such that the post pivot connection is positioned on the table bracket, the post pivot connection including an angular adjustment mechanism having multiple degrees of freedom to facilitate adjustment of an angle ( 54 ) between the support axis and the longitudinal pivot axis; and a linear actuator including a housing, the linear actuator coupled at a proximal end to the support post by a support pivot connection with the housing, the housing having an extension member operable between an extended state and a retracted state, the linear actuator coupled at a distal end by a frame pivot connection between the extension member and the support frame, the post pivot connection and the frame pivot connection spaced apart from one another on the support frame; a first gear coupled to a drive shaft and a second gear coupled to the linear actuator, the first gear and the second gear being operatively coupled to one another, such that co-rotation of the first gear and the second gear provide for a change in a length of the linear actuator; wherein said change in the length of the linear actuator results in pivoting of the support frame about the post pivot connection about the longitudinal pivot axis; wherein the first gear is slidably coupled to the drive shaft to allow the drive shaft to translate relative to the first gear along a longitudinal axis of the drive shaft.
a photovoltaic solar panel having a panel frame, a photovoltaic cell for absorbing solar energy; the
a panel support apparatus including: a support frame for supporting the panel frame and for positioning the panel frame adjacent to a post pivot connection on a longitudinal pivot axis ( 30 ) of the support frame; a support post pivotally coupled to the support frame at the post pivot connection and anchored to an adjacent supporting surface, the support post for positioning the support frame above the adjacent supporting surface, 
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