Prior art — US Patent 12098063

To identify the most relevant prior art for US patent 12098063, I have consulted the Google Patents entry for US12098063B2, which is the granted patent corresponding to the number US12098063. The patent, titled "Compact tool carrier and mainframes for a self-propelled machine," was published on September 24, 2024, with a filing date of October 7, 2022, and a priority date of February 20, 2015.

The most relevant prior art will generally be those that disclose features closely related to the independent claims of US12098063B2, particularly regarding the mainframe design, loader mechanism, and characteristics of a compact tool carrier. The claims of US12098063B2 relate to a mainframe for a self-propelled machine (Claim 1) and a compact tool carrier (Claim 4). Key features include:

Claim 1 (Mainframe): First and second sides with upward-facing pockets, drive openings, multiple pivot points (front, rear, central), and a hydraulic reservoir housing between the front end and drive openings.
Claim 4 (Compact Tool Carrier): A loader with an arm, a mainframe, first and second linkages, an actuator, and a control station mounted toward the rear for standing/walk-behind operation or remote operation. The compact tool carrier has a mass of less than about 1500 kg.

I have selected five highly relevant patent citations for detailed analysis, prioritizing those cited by the examiner and those with direct relevance to the subject matter.

Most Relevant Prior Art for US12098063

Here are five patent citations considered most relevant, along with their details and potential anticipation analysis:

US9970176B2
- Full Citation: US9970176B2, "Utility loader with high lift loader arms and unifying hand grip for dual traction control levers," by Nordick et al., assigned to The Toro Company.
- Publication/Filing Date: Priority date: February 20, 2015. (Notably, this is the same priority date as US12098063B2).
- Brief Description: This patent discloses a utility loader featuring high lift loader arms that provide a vertical lift path, allowing attachments to be lifted higher and further forward. It includes an articulating attachment and a unifying hand grip for dual traction control levers. The mainframe incorporates a bottom frame, side walls, and internal walls forming hydraulic and fuel tanks. An engine compartment is located at the rear. The machine is configured for walk-behind or stand-on operation.
- Potential Anticipation for US12098063B2 Claims:
  - Claim 4 (Compact tool carrier): This patent directly addresses a utility loader with a loader arm, a mainframe, and a control station for stand-on/walk-behind operation, consistent with the definition of a compact tool carrier. The disclosure of a "vertical lift path" for the loader is a key feature also highlighted as an advantage in US12098063B2.
  - Claim 1 (Mainframe): The mainframe described includes internal walls forming hydraulic tanks, which is similar to the "hydraulic reservoir housing" of Claim 1. The general structure of a mainframe supporting loader arms with pivot points is also present.
  - Claims 5, 6 (Engine bracket, engine): An "engine compartment at the rear" suggests an engine bracket and an engine.
  - Claims 8, 9 (Second loader arm, second actuator): Utility loaders typically feature dual loader arms and associated actuators.
  - Claim 10 (Drive mechanism): As a self-propelled utility loader, it would include a drive mechanism (e.g., tracks or wheels).
  - Claim 11 (Hydraulic cylinder): Lift arms in such machines typically use hydraulic cylinders as actuators.
  - Claims 13, 14 (Operator pocket/platform): As a stand-on machine, it would have an operator platform.
US9321386B1
- Full Citation: US9321386B1, "Low profile compact tool carriers," by Thomas et al., assigned to Vermeer Manufacturing Company.
- Publication/Filing Date: Priority date: February 20, 2015.
- Brief Description: This patent is a direct parent patent in the same family as US12098063B2, sharing the same inventors and assignee. It describes a compact tool carrier with a low-profile mainframe, achieved by positioning pivot points relatively low on the mainframe. This design aims to reduce mass, improve visibility, and lower the center of gravity. It specifies the mainframe as a single weldment, includes a drive mechanism (tracks or wheels), a loader with arms and linkages, and a control station for standing or walk-behind operation. The patent also details specific dimensional relationships for the pivot points relative to the rotational axis and the mainframe bottom (e.g., D2, D3, D4 less than 1.5 times D1). The compact tool carrier has an operating mass of less than 1500 kg.
- Potential Anticipation for US12098063B2 Claims: As a direct parent patent, US9321386B1 discloses and enables many, if not all, of the features claimed in US12098063B2, especially if the claims in US12098063B2 are narrower continuations of those in the parent.
  - Claim 1 (Mainframe): Explicitly describes a mainframe with first and second sides, pivot points (forward, rear, central), drive openings, and a hydraulic reservoir housing. The concept of "upward-facing pockets" can be inferred from the detailed description of bracket portions for pivot linkages.
  - Claim 2 (Engine bracket): Describes an engine bracket as part of the mainframe.
  - Claim 3 (Single weldment): Explicitly states the mainframe is a "single weldment".
  - Claim 4 (Compact tool carrier): Fully anticipates this claim, as it describes a compact tool carrier with a loader, mainframe, linkages, actuator, control station for standing/walk-behind operation, and a mass of less than 1500 kg.
  - Claims 5, 6 (Engine bracket, engine): Explicitly described.
  - Claim 7 (Mainframe single weldment): Explicitly described.
  - Claims 8, 9 (Second loader arm, second actuator): Explicitly shows two loader arms and discusses actuators.
  - Claim 10 (Drive mechanism): Explicitly described as comprising tracks or wheels.
  - Claim 11 (Hydraulic cylinder): The actuator is shown as a hydraulic cylinder.
  - Claims 13, 14 (Operator pocket/platform): Features an operator platform.
US6325589B1
- Full Citation: US6325589B1, "Loader with a controlled vertical path of a working implement," by Kim, assigned to Daewoo Heavy Industries Ltd.
- Publication/Filing Date: Priority date: March 31, 1999.
- Brief Description: This patent introduces a loader for a wheel loader designed to move a working implement (e.g., a bucket) along a controlled vertical path. This vertical movement is achieved through a specific linkage mechanism, including a main boom, a bell crank lever, and a bucket link, operated by hydraulic cylinders. The invention aims to enhance the efficiency and stability of loading and unloading tasks.
- Potential Anticipation for US12098063B2 Claims:
  - Claims 4, 8, 9, 11 (Loader, linkages, actuator, vertical path): This patent clearly anticipates the concept of a loader with a working implement moving along a "controlled vertical path," a key advantage emphasized in US12098063B2 ("The vertical travel path of the loader 8 is more effective relative to conventional travel paths"). It discloses a loader (working implement), loader arm (main boom), linkages, and actuators (hydraulic cylinders) to achieve this.
  - It is less likely to anticipate the specific definition of a "compact tool carrier" (mass, standing/walk-behind/remote operation) as it describes a "wheel loader," typically a larger machine with a seated operator. It also does not specifically detail the mainframe's internal structure (pockets, hydraulic reservoir placement, engine bracket) as claimed in US12098063B2.
US5169278A
- Full Citation: US5169278A, "Vertical lift loader boom," by Ziemann, assigned to Clark Equipment Company.
- Publication/Filing Date: Priority date: September 5, 1990.
- Brief Description: This patent describes a vertical lift loader boom for a skid steer loader. The boom is raised and lowered by a main lift cylinder and guided by a lift link, employing a four-bar linkage mechanism to maintain a substantially vertical path for the loader bucket.
- Potential Anticipation for US12098063B2 Claims:
  - Claims 4, 8, 9, 11 (Loader, linkages, actuator, vertical path): This patent strongly anticipates the feature of a loader boom operating with a "vertical lift path," using a main lift cylinder (actuator) and linkages, directly relevant to the advantages cited in US12098063B2.
  - Similar to US6325589B1, it describes a "skid steer loader," which US12098063B2 explicitly distinguishes from its definition of a compact tool carrier due to size and operator position (seated vs. standing/walk-behind). Therefore, it would likely not anticipate the specific "compact tool carrier" characteristics or the detailed mainframe structure of US12098063B2.
US6695568B2
- Full Citation: US6695568B2, "Low profile lift arm for small skid steer loader," by Riewer et al., assigned to Clark Equipment Company.
- Publication/Filing Date: Priority date: November 1, 2001.
- Brief Description: This patent discloses a lift arm assembly specifically designed for a "small skid steer loader" to achieve a low profile. It utilizes a pair of lift arms, a pivot mount, and a lift cylinder, with the strategic positioning of the pivot mount being crucial for the low-profile design.
- Potential Anticipation for US12098063B2 Claims:
  - Claims 1, 4 (Low profile, mainframe pivot points): This patent is highly relevant for the "low profile" aspect of the mainframe and lift arm arrangement, which is a significant advantage claimed by US12098063B2. It describes positioning pivot points to enable a low profile. It includes lift arms, pivot points, and a lift cylinder (actuator).
  - The patent targets a "small skid steer loader," which is closer in size and function to a "compact tool carrier" than a full-size skid steer. However, it may still differ in the specific definition of a "compact tool carrier" regarding operating mass (<1500 kg) and operator position (standing/walk-behind/remote vs. potentially seated). It would require a detailed comparison of the specific structural elements of Claim 1, such as the "upward-facing pockets" and precise dimensional relationships of pivot points.