Office Action 5: Notice of Allowance (2025-03-11)

CLAIMS:
AMENDMENT TO THE CLAIMSThis listing of claims will replace all prior listings of claims in the application.

1\. (Previously Presented) A cargo handling system, comprising:a cargo compartment extending from a first longitudinal end at an aft end of a cargo deck of the cargo compartment through an aft section to a second longitudinal end proximate an aft end of a cargo door, longitudinally from the second longitudinal end proximate the aft end of the cargo door to a third longitudinal end proximate a forward end of the cargo door, and longitudinally from the third longitudinal end through a forward section forward to a fourth longitudinal end proximate a forward end of the cargo deck;
a plurality of trays disposed throughout the cargo compartment, the plurality of trays including a first tray and a second tray;
the first tray extending longitudinally from the first longitudinal end to the fourth longitudinal end;
the second tray disposed laterally adjacent to the first tray and extending longitudinally from the first longitudinal end to the fourth longitudinal end, the first tray and the second tray each including a first flange defining a first top mating surface and a second flange defining a second top mating surface; and
a topskin disposed on and mated to the first top mating surface and the second top mating surface of the first tray, the topskin further coupled to the first top mating surface and the second top mating surface of the second tray, wherein:
the first tray and the second tray are disposed entirely below the topskin, and
the plurality of trays are continuously covered from the first longitudinal end to the fourth longitudinal end.
2\. (Original) The cargo handling system of claim 1, further comprising a roller assembly coupled to the topskin and disposed within the first tray.
3\. (Previously Presented) The cargo handling system of claim 1, wherein the topskin extends laterally contiguously from the first top mating surface of the first tray, to the second top mating surface of the first tray, to the first top mating surface of the second tray, to the second top mating surface of the second tray.

4\. (Original) The cargo handling system of claim 1, further comprising a ball transfer unit (BTU) coupled to the topskin and disposed within the first tray.
5\. (Original) The cargo handling system of claim 1, further comprising a power drive unit (PDU) disposed between the first tray and the second tray.
6\. (Previously Presented) The cargo handling system of claim 1, wherein the first tray and the second tray are contiguously covered over an entirety of the first tray and the second tray.
7\. (Original) The cargo handling system of claim 1, wherein:
the first tray and the second tray each comprise a base, a first sidewall extending from the base to the first flange, a second sidewall extending from the base to the second flange, and
the first sidewall, the second sidewall, and the base defining a groove configured to receive at least one of a ball transfer unit (BTU) and a roller assembly.
8\. (Previously Presented) A cargo handling system, comprising,
a cargo compartment extending from a first longitudinal end at an aft end of a cargo deck of the cargo compartment through an aft section to a second longitudinal end proximate an aft end of a cargo door, longitudinally from the second longitudinal end proximate the aft end of the cargo door to a third longitudinal end proximate a forward end of the cargo door, and longitudinally from the third longitudinal end through a forward section forward to a fourth longitudinal end proximate a forward end of the cargo deck;
a plurality of trays, each of the plurality of trays comprising a base, a first sidewall extending from the base to a first flange, a second sidewall extending from the base to a second flange, the first flange extending outward in a first direction from the first sidewall, the second flange extending outward in a second direction from the second sidewall the second direction opposite the first direction, the first flange defining a first top mating surface, the second flange defining a second top mating surface, wherein the plurality of trays are continuously covered from the first longitudinal end to the fourth longitudinal end;

a topskin disposed on and mated to the first top mating surface and the second top mating surface of each of the plurality of trays, wherein the first sidewall, the second sidewall, the base, and the topskin at least partially define a hollow chamber, and wherein each of the plurality of trays is disposed entirely below the topskin;
a roller assembly coupled, and disposed partially within, the hollow chamber, the roller assembly comprising:a fitting including a flange, a tab, and a roller housing, the flange including a bottom surface mated to a top surface of the topskin, the flange disposed entirely above the topskin, the fitting configured to be press fit into the topskin, the tab configured to supply a retaining force against the topskin to couple the fitting to the topskin, the roller housing disposed within the hollow chamber; and
a roller rotatably coupled to the roller housing.

9\. (Original) The cargo handling system of claim 8, wherein the roller assembly is disposed in a groove defined by a first tray in the plurality of trays.

10\. (Original) The cargo handling system of claim 8, further comprising a plurality of the roller assembly.

11-13. (Canceled)1212

14\. (Original) The cargo handling system of claim 8, wherein the plurality of trays are made of a composite material.

15\. (Currently Amended) A cargo handling system, comprising:a cargo compartment extending from a first longitudinal end at an aft end of a cargo deck of the cargo compartment through an aft section to a second longitudinal end proximate an aft end of a cargo door, longitudinally from the second longitudinal end proximate the aft end of the cargo door to a third longitudinal end proximate a forward end of the cargo door, and longitudinally from the third longitudinal end through a forward section forward to a fourth longitudinal end proximate a forward end of the cargo deck;

a plurality of trays, each of the plurality of trays extending longitudinally from the first longitudinal end to the fourth longitudinal end, each of the plurality of trays including a first flange defining a first top mating surface and a second flange defining a second top mating surface;
a topskin disposed on and mated to \[\[a\]\] the first top mating surface and the second top mating surface of each of the plurality of trays;
a ball transfer unit (BTU) coupled, and disposed partially within, the topskin, the BTU comprising: a retaining fixture including a flange and a housing, the flange mated to the topskin;
and a spherical ball disposed partially within the housing, wherein:the plurality of trays are contiguously covered over an entirety of the plurality of trays, each of the plurality of trays is disposed entirely below the topskin, and
the plurality of trays are continuously covered from the first longitudinal end to the fourth longitudinal end.

16\. (Original) The cargo handling system of claim 15, wherein the housing of the retaining fixture is disposed at least partially within a first tray in the plurality of trays.

17\. (Canceled)

18\. (Original) The cargo handling system of claim 15, wherein the retaining fixture is configured to be press fit into the topskin.

19\. (Original) The cargo handling system of claim 15, wherein the plurality of trays are made of a composite.

20\. (Original) The cargo handling system of claim 19, wherein the topskin comprises a metal top surface and a composite structure disposed below the metal top surface.

21\. (Previously Presented) The cargo handling system of claim 15, wherein the topskin is configured to form a contiguous flat floor through the cargo compartment.

22\. (Previously Presented) The cargo handling system of claim 15, wherein the flange is disposed entirely above the topskin.

23\. (Currently Amended) The cargo handling system of claim 15, further comprising a plurality of the BTU, wherein each of the plurality of the BTU are disposed throughout and longitudinally between the second longitudinal end and the third longitudinal end .

24\. (Previously Presented) The cargo handling system of claim 23, further comprising a plurality of roller assemblies disposed throughout the forward section and the aft section of the cargo compartment.

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 .
REASONS FOR ALLOWANCE
The following is an examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance:
Regarding Claims 1-10, 14-16 and 18-24, there is no prior art alone or in combination that teaches a cargo handling system that included the combination of recited imitations in Claims 1, 8 and 15. The art alone or in combination did not teach wherein a cargo handling system comprised a cargo compartment, extending from four longitudinal ends; wherein a first tray extends longitudinally from a first to fourth longitudinal end, and a second tray extending longitudinally from a first to fourth longitudinal end, and wherein a top skin is disposed on and mated to the first and second top mating surface of the first and second tray (Claims 1 and 15), and wherein the trays are continuously covered from the first to the fourth longitudinal end, a top skin is disposed on and mated to a first and second top mating surfaces created from a base, sidewalls and flanges of each of the plurality of trays, wherein the flange includes a bottom surface mated to a top surface of the top skin and press fit into the top skin (Claim 8). The closest prior arts of record Huber (United States Patent US 7,556,462 B2) and Huber (United States Patent 6,125,984 A) teach a similar cargo handling system comprising a plurality of trays, a top skin disposed on the trays, and a roller assembly, but fails to teach the relationship between the structure of the cargo compartment and the first and second tray, the mating surfaces and top skin (Claims 1 and 15), and the relationship between the structure of the cargo compartment and the flanges, mating surfaces and top skin (Claim 8). Additionally, no other references, or reasonable combination thereof, could be found which disclose or suggest these features in combination with other limitations in the claims.
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

APPLICANT REBUTTAL: REMARKS
Claims 1-10, 14-16 will be pending after entry of the present paper. Claims 1-10, 14-16, and 18-24 were previously pending. Claims 1-10, 14 and 14 are allowed. Claims 15-16 and 18- 24 are rejected. Claim 15 and 23 are amended and no new claims are added. Applicant requests reconsideration of the present application in light of the foregoing amendments and following remarks.
Allowed Claims
Applicant thanks the Examiner for her indication that claims 1-10 and 14 are allowed.
Re
jection under 35 U.S.C. 103
The Examiner rejects claims 15, 16, 18, and 21-24 under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being
unpatentable over U.S. Patent No. 7,556,462 (Huberl) in view of U.S. Patent No. 6,125,984 (Huber2). Applicant respectfully disagrees; however, Applicant amends claim 15 solely to expedite prosecution. Applicant amends independent claim 15 to recite "a plurality of trays eac
of
the plurality of
trays extending longitudinally from the first longitudinal end to the fourth longitudinal end, each of
the plurality of
trays including a first flange defining a first top mating surface and a second flange defining a second top mating surface"
and "a topskin disposed on and mated to [[a]]
the first
top
mating
surface
and the second top mating surface
of each of the plurality of trays." Applicant asserts that Huber1 and Huber2 fail to disclose, contemplate, or render obvious at least these limitations in addition to the other elements of claim 15. Accordingly, Applicant asserts that the rejection should be withdrawn and all pending claims are in condition for allowance.
CONCLUSION


CITED REFERENCE SUMMARIES: Ref US7556462B2: Claims:
A cargo deck for a cargo hold of an aircraft comprising: a plurality of mounting profiles, which are installed in parallel in a longitudinal direction of said aircraft and in which functional elements comprising at least one of rollers, ball elements, latches, and power drive units can be mounted; and a plurality of identically sized floor elements comprising at least one of a ball mat and a floor plate, wherein said mounting profiles, as viewed over a width of said cargo hold, are located at identical distances from one another in order that said identically sized floor elements can be mounted between them with an exact fit, and said cargo deck comprises, in total, an odd number of said mounting profiles.
a plurality of mounting profiles, which are installed in parallel in a longitudinal direction of said aircraft and in which functional elements comprising at least one of rollers, ball elements, latches, and power drive units can be mounted; and
a plurality of identically sized floor elements comprising at least one of a ball mat and a floor plate, wherein
said mounting profiles, as viewed over a width of said cargo hold, are located at identical distances from one another in order that said identically sized floor elements can be mounted between them with an exact fit, and
said cargo deck comprises, in total, an odd number of said mounting profiles.
The cargo deck according to claim 1 , wherein said mounting profiles all have the same width.
The cargo deck according to claim 1 , wherein a central mounting profile of said plurality of mounting profiles is provided with a subdivided roller unit comprising a first roller and a second roller installed in such a way that a first item of freight can stand with its edge on one of said first and second rollers and another item of freight can be transported with its edge on the other of said first and second rollers.
The cargo deck according to claim 1 , comprising: one or more lateral guide strips, each of which is provided adjacent a respective one of said plurality of mounting profiles, wherein each of said one or more lateral guide strips is spaced from said respective adjacent one of said plurality of mounting profiles such that a profile at an edge of a freight container that strikes the respective guide strip is situated above said respective adjacent one of said plurality of said mounting profiles.
one or more lateral guide strips, each of which is provided adjacent a respective one of said plurality of mounting profiles, wherein
each of said one or more lateral guide strips is spaced from said respective adjacent one of said plurality of mounting profiles such that a profile at an edge of a freight container that strikes the respective guide strip is situated above said respective adjacent one of said plurality of said mounting profiles.
The cargo deck according to claim 1 , wherein said plurality of mounting profiles are arranged such that two freight containers, which each extends over half a width of said cargo deck and which are uniformly loaded, each has its center of gravity situated above one of said plurality of mounting profiles when said freight containers are adjacently arranged on said cargo deck so as to extend across said width.
An aircraft cargo deck for a cargo hold of an aircraft comprising: a plurality of mounting profiles, which are installed in a longitudinal direction of said aircraft and in which functional elements comprising at least one of rollers, ball elements, latches, and power drive units can be mounted; and a plurality of identically sized floor elements comprising at least one of a ball mat and a floor plate, wherein said mounting profiles, as viewed over a width of said cargo hold, are located at identical distances from one another in order that said identically sized floor elements can be mounted between them with an exact fit, said cargo deck comprises, in total, an odd number of said mounting profiles, and a central mounting profile of said plurality of mounting profiles is provided with a subdivided roller unit comprising a first roller and a second roller installed in such a way that a first item of freight can stand with its edge on one of said first and second rollers and another item of freight can be transported with its edge on the other of said first and second rollers.
a plurality of mounting profiles, which are installed in a longitudinal direction of said aircraft and in which functional elements comprising at least one of rollers, ball elements, latches, and power drive units can be mounted; and
said mounting profiles, as viewed over a width of said cargo hold, are located at identical distances from one another in order that said identically sized floor elements can be mounted between them with an exact fit,
said cargo deck comprises, in total, an odd number of said mounting profiles, and
a central mounting profile of said plurality of mounting profiles is provided with a subdivided roller unit comprising a first roller and a second roller installed in such a way that a first item of freight can stand with its edge on one of said first and second rollers and another item of freight can be transported with its edge on the other of said first and second rollers.
A cargo deck for a cargo hold of an aircraft comprising: a plurality of mounting profiles, which are installed in a longitudinal direction of said aircraft and in which functional elements comprising at least one of rollers, ball elements, latches, and power drive units can be mounted; and a plurality of identically sized floor elements comprising at least one of a ball mat and a floor plate, wherein said mounting profiles, as viewed over a width of said cargo hold, are located at identical distances from one another such that said identically sized floor elements can be mounted between them with an exact fit, and said cargo deck comprises, in total, an odd number of said mounting profiles.
said mounting profiles, as viewed over a width of said cargo hold, are located at identical distances from one another such that said identically sized floor elements can be mounted between them with an exact fit, and said cargo deck comprises, in total, an odd number of said mounting profiles.
Ref US6125984A: Claims:
A ball mat for the loading deck of an aircraft to support carbo and assist the movement thereof, wherein the ball mat comprises: a cover plate (11) defining a plurality of apertures (18), a floor plate (12) extending substantially parallel to and spaced from said cover plate (11), and a plurality of holders (13) inserted in said apertures (18) for receiving ball elements (15) and said holders (13) being seated between said cover plate (11) and said floor plate (12) to act as spacing elements between said cover plate (11) and said floor plate (12) and to stiffen said ball mat and side profiles (31, 32, 33 and 34) extending between said cover plate (11) and said floor plate (12) to define rectangular openings (30).
a cover plate (11) defining a plurality of apertures (18),
a floor plate (12) extending substantially parallel to and spaced from said cover plate (11), and
a plurality of holders (13) inserted in said apertures (18) for receiving ball elements (15) and
said holders (13) being seated between said cover plate (11) and said floor plate (12) to act as spacing elements between said cover plate (11) and said floor plate (12) and to stiffen said ball mat and
side profiles (31, 32, 33 and 34) extending between said cover plate (11) and said floor plate (12) to define rectangular openings (30).
A ball mat according to claim 1 wherein said holders (13) include devices (37, 29) for sealing tightly against at least one of said cover plate (11) and said floor plate (12).
A ball mat according to claim 1 wherein said holder (13) includes an annular projection (29) encircling the holder for bearing against floor plate (12).
A ball mat according to claim 1 including a latch (35) disposed in at least one of said openings (30) for anchoring the ball mat to a floor of an aircraft.
A ball mat according to claim 1 wherein said side profiles (31, 32, 33 34), in side openings (30) include a groove (36) extending in the long direction of said side profiles (31, 32, 33 34).
A ball mat according to claim 1 including a ball element (15) disposed in each of said holders (13).
A ball mat for the loading deck of an aircraft comprising; a cover plate (11) defining a plurality of circular apertures (18) and a plurality of rectangular openings (30), a floor plate (12) defining a plurality of rectangular openings (30) aligned with said rectangular openings (30) in said cover plate (11), rectangular profile walls (31, 32, 33 34) extending between said cover plate (11) and said floor plate (12) about the periphery of said rectangular openings (30) to space said plates (11, 12) apart to define a space therebetween, a holder (13) disposed in each of said circular apertures (18) and extending between said plates (11, 12) to interconnect and reinforce said plates (11, 12), a ball element (15) disposed in each of said holders (13), side profile walls (19, 20, 21, 22) extending about the periphery of said plates (11, 12) and interconnecting said plates (11, 12) and a latch device disposed in at least one of said rectangular openings (30) for attachment to the deck of an aircraft.
a cover plate (11) defining a plurality of circular apertures (18) and a plurality of rectangular openings (30),
a floor plate (12) defining a plurality of rectangular openings (30) aligned with said rectangular openings (30) in said cover plate (11),
rectangular profile walls (31, 32, 33 34) extending between said cover plate (11) and said floor plate (12) about the periphery of said rectangular openings (30) to space said plates (11, 12) apart to define a space therebetween,
a holder (13) disposed in each of said circular apertures (18) and extending between said plates (11, 12) to interconnect and reinforce said plates (11, 12),
a ball element (15) disposed in each of said holders (13),
side profile walls (19, 20, 21, 22) extending about the periphery of said plates (11, 12) and interconnecting said plates (11, 12) and
a latch device disposed in at least one of said rectangular openings (30) for attachment to the deck of an aircraft.
Ref US20170313423A1: Claims:
A system for moving loads, comprising: a cargo compartment floor; at least one roller track comprising a plurality of rollers arranged one behind the other in the cargo compartment floor; at least one guideway provided in the cargo compartment floor and extending substantially parallel to the at least one roller track; and at least one transport vehicle removably accommodated in the guideway and being movable along the guideway, and comprising at least one connecting element movable between a first operating position and a second operating position, in the first operating position, the connecting element being arranged in such a way that the transport vehicle accommodated in the guideway is positionable beneath a load arranged on the at least one roller track, and in the second operating position, the connecting element being arranged so as to interact with the load in order to connect the load to the transport vehicle, so that the load is entrained when the transport vehicle moves along the guideway, and the transport vehicle further comprising a drive mechanism to move the transport vehicle along the guideway.
a cargo compartment floor;
at least one roller track comprising a plurality of rollers arranged one behind the other in the cargo compartment floor;
at least one guideway provided in the cargo compartment floor and extending substantially parallel to the at least one roller track; and
at least one transport vehicle removably accommodated in the guideway and being movable along the guideway, and comprising at least one connecting element movable between a first operating position and a second operating position, in the first operating position, the connecting element being arranged in such a way that the transport vehicle accommodated in the guideway is positionable beneath a load arranged on the at least one roller track, and in the second operating position, the connecting element being arranged so as to interact with the load in order to connect the load to the transport vehicle, so that the load is entrained when the transport vehicle moves along the guideway, and the transport vehicle further comprising a drive mechanism to move the transport vehicle along the guideway.
in the first operating position, the connecting element being arranged in such a way that the transport vehicle accommodated in the guideway is positionable beneath a load arranged on the at least one roller track, and
in the second operating position, the connecting element being arranged so as to interact with the load in order to connect the load to the transport vehicle, so that the load is entrained when the transport vehicle moves along the guideway, and
the transport vehicle further comprising a drive mechanism to move the transport vehicle along the guideway.
The system according to claim 1 , wherein the drive mechanism comprises an electric motor and wherein the electric motor obtains current from a rechargeable battery.
The system according to claim 2 , wherein the drive mechanism comprises at least one driven drive roller, which interacts with base region of the guideway.
The system according to claim 3 , wherein the drive roller is an integral part of a drive unit of the drive mechanism, and the drive unit further comprises an electric motor driving the drive roller.
The system according to claim 4 , wherein the electric motor comprises an output shaft, and a rotational axis of the output shaft and a rotational axis of the drive roller extend substantially parallel to one another.
The system according to claim 4 , wherein the electric motor and the drive roller are coupled to one another via a belt drive.
The system according to claim 3 , wherein the transport vehicle comprises at least two drive units arranged on opposite sides of the transport vehicle and arranged in diagonally opposing corner regions of the transport vehicle.
The system according to claim 1 , wherein the transport vehicle comprises at least one non-driven roller which interacts with a base region of the guideway.
The system according to claim 1 , wherein the transport vehicle further comprises at least one guide roller configured to interact with a side wall region of the guideway, and the transport vehicle comprises at least two guide rollers arranged on opposite sides of the transport vehicle.
The system according to claim 1 , wherein the transport vehicle comprises at least one transport device designed to move a load positioned over the transport vehicle relative to the transport vehicle.
The system according to claim 10 , wherein the transport device is configured to at least one of move the load essentially along a movement axis of the transport vehicle rotate the load relative to the transport vehicle.
The system according to claim 10 , wherein the transport device comprises at least one driven transport roller which comprises an omnidirectional roller.
The system according to claim 12 , wherein the transport roller is drivable to rotate about a rotational axis that extends at an angle to the movement axis of the transport vehicle.
The system according to claim 1 , wherein the transport vehicle comprises individual modules that can be separated from one another, and each individual module comprises the drive mechanism wherein the drive mechanism comprises an electric motor and wherein the electric motor obtains current from a rechargeable battery.
The system according to claim 1 , wherein the transport vehicle comprises individual modules that can be separated from one another, and each individual module comprises at least one non-driven roller which interacts with a base region of the guideway.
The system according to claim 1 , wherein the transport vehicle comprises individual modules that can be separated from one another, and each individual module comprises at least one guide roller configured to interact with a side wall region of the guideway, and the transport vehicle comprises at least two guide rollers arranged on opposite sides of the transport vehicle.
The system according to claim 1 , wherein the transport vehicle comprises individual modules that can be separated from one another, and each individual module comprises at least one transport device designed to move a load positioned over the transport vehicle relative to the transport vehicle.
A cargo compartment comprising a system for moving loads according to claim 1 .
Ref US7472867B2: Claims:
Support roller arrangement comprising: a mounting profile mounted to a floor of an aircraft cargo hold, the mounting profile comprising side walls defining an interior space wherein latch elements can be mounted in order to secure an item of freight; and an axle that passes through the side walls of the mounting profile and on each end of which an external roller is rotatably mounted outside the interior space of the mounting profile, wherein an internal roller is mounted on the axle within the interior space of the mounting profile.
a mounting profile mounted to a floor of an aircraft cargo hold, the mounting profile comprising side walls defining an interior space wherein latch elements can be mounted in order to secure an item of freight; and
an axle that passes through the side walls of the mounting profile and on each end of which an external roller is rotatably mounted outside the interior space of the mounting profile, wherein
an internal roller is mounted on the axle within the interior space of the mounting profile.
Support roller arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein each of the external rollers is mounted in a respective support cage, each support cage having a first side and a second side opposite said first side, said first side is fastened to an adjacent one of said side walls of the mounting profile, and said second side comprises an outer wall that supports a respective end of the axle.
each of the external rollers is mounted in a respective support cage, each support cage having a first side and a second side opposite said first side,
said first side is fastened to an adjacent one of said side walls of the mounting profile, and
said second side comprises an outer wall that supports a respective end of the axle.
Support roller arrangement according to claim 2 , wherein the support cage defines an upper surface with a central opening through which the external roller mounted therein extends outward.
Support roller arrangement according to claim 3 , wherein the upper surface of the support cage is constructed so that it slopes upward toward the external roller mounted in said support cage.
Support roller arrangement according to claim 3 , wherein the upper surface of the support cage has a rounded outer contour with side flanks that diverge in the direction toward the adjacent side wall part of the mounting profile to which the support cage is attached.
Support roller arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein the length of the external rollers is substantially smaller than the width of the internal space of the mounting profile.
Support roller arrangement according to claim 1 when installed in the middle of a cargo hold of an aircraft to operate as a roller conveyor, transverse latch elements being mounted in the internal space of the mounting profile to lock into place pairs of freight items along the middle of the floor of the cargo hold.
Support roller arrangement according to claim 2 , wherein said fastening of said first side of said support cage to said adjacent one of said side walls of said mounting profile provides essentially all support for said support cage relative to said f
[Truncated to input limit]