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 .
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on 9/27/2022 is in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statement is being considered by the examiner.
Double Patenting
The nonstatutory double patenting rejection is based on a judicially created doctrine grounded in public policy (a policy reflected in the statute) so as to prevent the unjustified or improper timewise extension of the “right to exclude” granted by a patent and to prevent possible harassment by multiple assignees. A nonstatutory double patenting rejection is appropriate where the conflicting claims are not identical, but at least one examined application claim is not patentably distinct from the reference claim(s) because the examined application claim is either anticipated by, or would have been obvious over, the reference claim(s). See, e.g., In re Berg, 140 F.3d 1428, 46 USPQ2d 1226 (Fed. Cir. 1998); In re Goodman, 11 F.3d 1046, 29 USPQ2d 2010 (Fed. Cir. 1993); In re Longi, 759 F.2d 887, 225 USPQ 645 (Fed. Cir. 1985); In re Van Ornum, 686 F.2d 937, 214 USPQ 761 (CCPA 1982); In re Vogel, 422 F.2d 438, 164 USPQ 619 (CCPA 1970); In re Thorington, 418 F.2d 528, 163 USPQ 644 (CCPA 1969).
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Claims 1-20 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-2, 4-9, 13-16 and 119-20 of U.S. Patent No. 11452365. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because
Instant Application: 17892025
U.S. Patent: US 11452365
Claim 1: 1. A grip device for a portable electronic device comprising: a main frame configured to be attached to a surface associated with the portable electronic device via a first surface thereof, the main frame comprising a channel across a second surface thereof; and
a grip element comprising at least one slide element receivable through the channel to movably attach the grip element to the main frame via the channel in accordance with sliding movement of the at least one slide element across the channel based on a force applied to the grip element by a user of the grip device,
wherein, in accordance with the sliding movement of the at least one slide element across the channel: the at least one slide element is aligned along a first direction whereby, in a first configuration of the alignment of the at least one slide element along the first direction:
attachment of the grip device to the portable electronic device by way of the first surface of the grip device and the surface associated with the portable electronic device renders the portable electronic device usable in a portrait orientation thereof via a hand of the user, and
the at least one slide element is aligned along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction whereby,
in a second configuration of the alignment of the at least one slide element along the second direction: the attachment of the grip device to the portable electronic device by way of the first surface of the grip device and the surface associated with the portable electronic device renders the portable electronic device usable in a landscape orientation thereof via the hand of the user,
wherein the channel comprises a linear first channel and a linear second channel, the linear first channel and the linear second channel intersecting perpendicularly to one another in a T-shaped configuration, and wherein the at least one slide element is configured to be received in and slide across the linear first channel and the linear second channel.
Claim 1: A grip device for a portable electronic device comprising: a main frame configured to be attached to a surface associated with the portable electronic device via a first surface thereof, the main frame comprising a channel across a second surface thereof; and
a flexible strap comprising a first slide element and a second slide element proximate a first end and a second end thereof respectively, the first slide element and the second slide element being receivable through the channel to movably attach the flexible strap to the main frame via the channel in accordance with sliding movement of the first slide element and the second slide element relative to one another across the channel based on a force applied to the flexible strap by a user of the grip device
in accordance with the sliding movement of the first slide element and the second slide element relative to one another across the channel: the first slide element and the second slide element are both aligned along a first direction whereby, in a first configuration of the alignment of the first slide element and the second slide element along the first direction:
attachment of the grip device to the portable electronic device byway of the first surface of the grip device and the surface associated with the portable electronic device and insertion of a finger of the user through a first loop formed by the flexible strap render the portable electronic device usable in a portrait orientation thereof via at least one other finger of the user,
the first slide element and the second slide element are both aligned along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction whereby,
in a second configuration of the alignment of the first slide element and the second slide element along the second direction: the attachment of the grip device to the portable electronic device by way of the first surface of the grip device and the surface associated with the portable electronic device and insertion of the finger of the user through a second loop formed by the flexible strap render the portable electronic device usable in a landscape orientation thereof via the at least one other finger of the user,
wherein the channel comprises a linear first channel and a linear second channel, the linear first channel and the linear second channel intersecting perpendicularly to one another in a T-shaped configuration, and wherein the first slide element and the second slide element are both configured to be received in and slide across the linear first channel and the linear second channel.
Claim 2: wherein, further, in accordance with the sliding movement of the at least one slide element across the channel: alignment of the at least one slide element along a third direction and the attachment of the grip device to the surface associated with the portable electronic device render the portable electronic device supportable on a flat surface by a portion of the grip element contacting the flat surface.
Claim 1: alignment of both the first slide element and the second slide element along a third direction and the attachment of the grip device to the surface associated with the portable electronic device render the portable electronic device supportable on a flat surface by a third loop by way of a portion of the third loop contacting the flat surface
Claim 3: wherein the main frame is attachable to one of: a surface of the portable electronic device and a surface of a case of the portable electronic device as the surface associated with the portable electronic device.
Claim 2: wherein the main frame is attachable to one of: a surface of the portable electronic device and a surface of a case of the portable electronic device as the surface associated with the portable electronic device.
Claim 4: wherein the third direction is one of: the first direction and the second direction.
Claim 5: wherein the third direction is one of: the first direction and the second direction
Claim 5: wherein, based on the alignment of the at least one slide element along the third direction and the attachment of the grip device to the surface associated with the portable electronic device, the portable electronic device is positionable on the flat surface both along a length and a width thereof.
Claim 4: wherein, based on the alignment of both the first slide element and the second slide element along the third direction and the attachment of the grip device to the surface associated with the portable electronic device, the portable electronic device is positionable on the flat surface both along a length and a width thereof.
Claim 6: wherein at least one of: at least a portion of the main frame is made of a magnetic material, and the main frame is couplable to a plate made of the magnetic material such that, based on an appropriate sliding movement of the grip element and a coupling of the plate to the portable electronic device, the portable electronic device is couplable to a magnetic phone stand via the plate even with the grip device still attached to the surface associated with the portable electronic device.
Claim 6: wherein at least one of: at least a portion of the main frame is made of a magnetic material, and the main frame is couplable to a plate made of the magnetic material such that, based on an appropriate sliding movement of the grip element and a coupling of the plate to the portable electronic device, the portable electronic device is couplable to a magnetic phone stand via the plate even with the grip device still attached to the surface associated with the portable electronic device.
Claim 7: wherein: the main frame includes a notch implemented in the channel to remove the grip element by way of the at least one slide element therethrough without separating the main frame from the portable electronic device when the grip device is attached to the portable electronic device.
Claim 6: wherein: the main frame includes a notch implemented in the channel to remove the flexible strap by way of the first slide element and the second slide element therethrough without separating the main frame from the portable electronic device when the grip device is attached to the portable electronic device.
Claim 8: wherein the channel of the main frame comprises a plurality of grooves there along to hold the at least one slide element of the grip element to a specific position along the channel including the first configuration, the second configuration, and the alignment of the at least one slide element along the third direction.
Claim 7: wherein the channel of the main frame comprises a plurality of grooves there along to hold the first slide element and the second slide element of the grip element to a specific position along the channel including the first configuration, the second configuration, and the alignment of the first slide element and the second slide element along the third direction.
Claim 9: A method comprising: providing a main frame attachable to a surface associated with a portable electronic device via a first surface thereof, the main frame comprising a channel across a second surface thereof;
providing a grip element comprising at least one slide element; forming a grip device based on receiving the at least one slide element through the channel to movably attach the grip element to the main frame via the channel in accordance with sliding movement of the at least one slide element across the channel based on a force applied to the grip element by a user of the grip device; and
in accordance with the sliding movement of the at least one slide element across the channel, configuring the grip device such that: the at least one slide element is aligned along a first direction whereby, in a first configuration of the alignment of the at least one slide element along the first direction:
attachment of the grip device to the portable electronic device by way of the first surface of the grip device and the surface associated with the portable electronic device renders the portable electronic device usable in a portrait orientation thereof via a hand of the user, and
the at least one slide element is aligned along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction whereby,
in a second configuration of the alignment of the at least one slide element along the second direction: the attachment of the grip device to the portable electronic device by way of the first surface of the grip device and the surface associated with the portable electronic device renders the portable electronic device usable in a landscape orientation thereof via the hand of the user,
wherein the channel comprises a linear first channel and a linear second channel, the linear first channel and the linear second channel intersecting perpendicularly to one another in a T-shaped configuration, and wherein the at least one slide element is configured to be received in and slide across the linear first channel and the linear second channel.
Claim 8: A method comprising: providing a main frame attachable to a surface associated with a portable electronic device via a first surface thereof, the main frame comprising a channel across a second surface thereof:
providing a flexible strap comprising a first slide element and a second slide element proximate a first end and a second end thereof respectively; forming a grip device based on receiving the first slide element and the second slide element through the channel to movably attach the flexible strap to the main frame via the channel in accordance with sliding movement of the first slide element and the second slide element relative to one another across the channel based on a force applied to the flexible strap by a user of the grip device; and
further, in accordance with the sliding movement of the first slide element and the second slide element of the flexible strap relative to one another across the channel, configuring the grip device such that: the first slide element and the second slide element are both aligned along a first direction whereby, in a first configuration of the alignment of the first slide element and the second slide element along the first direction:
attachment of the grip device to the portable electronic device by way of the first surface of the grip device and the surface associated with the portable electronic device and insertion of a finger of the user through a first loop formed by the flexible strap render the portable electronic device usable in a portrait orientation thereof via at least one other finger of the user
the first slide element and the second slide element are both aligned along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction whereby,
in a second configuration of the alignment of the first slide element and the second slide element along the second direction: the attachment of the grip device to the portable electronic device by way of the first surface of the grip device and the surface associated with the portable electronic device and insertion of the finger of the user through a second loop formed by the flexible strap render the portable electronic device usable in a landscape orientation thereof via the at least one other finger of the user
wherein the channel comprises a linear first channel and a linear second channel, the linear first channel and the linear second channel intersecting perpendicularly to one another in a T-shaped configuration, and wherein the first slide element and the second slide element are both configured to be received in and slide across the linear first channel and the linear second channel.
Claim 10: in accordance with the sliding movement of the at least one slide element across the channel: alignment of the at least one slide element along a third direction and the attachment of the grip device to the surface associated with the portable electronic device rendering the portable electronic device supportable on a flat surface by a portion of the grip element contacting the flat surface.
Claim 8: alignment of both the first slide element and the second slide element along a third direction and the attachment of the grip device to the surface associated with the portable electronic device render the portable electronic device supportable on a flat surface by a third loop by way of a portion of the third loop contacting the flat surface
Claim 11: the main frame being attachable to one of: a surface of the portable electronic device and a surface of a case of the portable electronic device as the surface associated with the portable electronic device.
Claim 9: herein the main frame of the grip device is attachable to one of: a surface of the portable electronic device and a surface of a case of the portable electronic device as the surface associated with the portable electronic device.
Claim 12: comprising at least one of: the third direction being one of: the first direction and the second direction; and based on the alignment of the at least one slide element along the third direction and the attachment of the grip device to the surface associated with the portable electronic device, the portable electronic device being positionable on the flat surface both along a length and a width thereof.
Claim 8: alignment of both the first slide element and the second slide element along a third direction and the attachment of the grip device to the surface associated with the portable electronic device render the portable electronic device supportable on a flat surface by a third loop by way of a portion of the third loop contacting the flat surface
Claim 13: comprising at least one of: at least a portion of the main frame being made of a magnetic material; and the main frame being couplable to a plate made of the magnetic material such that, based on an appropriate sliding movement of the grip element and a coupling of the plate to the portable electronic device, the portable electronic device is couplable to a magnetic phone stand via the plate even with the grip device still attached to the surface associated with the portable electronic device.
Claim 13: wherein at least one of at least a portion of the main frame of the grip device is made of a magnetic material, the main frame of the grip device is couplable to a plate made of the magnetic material such that, based on an appropriate sliding movement of the flexible strap of the grip device and a coupling of the plate to the portable electronic device, the portable electronic device is couplable to a magnetic phone stand via the plate even with the grip device still attached to the surface associated with the portable electronic device,
Claim 14: further comprising at least one of: the main frame including a notch implemented in the channel to remove the grip element by way of the at least one slide element therethrough without separating the main frame from the portable electronic device when the grip device is attached to the portable electronic device; and the channel of the main frame comprising a plurality of grooves there along to hold the at least one slide element of the rip element to a specific position along the channel including the first configuration, the second configuration, and the alignment of the at least one slide element along the third direction.
Claim 13: the main frame of the grip device includes a notch implemented in the channel to remove the flexible strap by way of the first slide element and the second slide element therethrough without separating the grip device from the portable electronic device when the grip device is attached to the portable electronic device.
Claim 14: wherein the channel of the main frame of the grip device comprises a plurality of grooves there along to lock at least one of: the first slide element and the second slide element of the flexible strap of the grip device to a specific position along the channel including the first configuration, the second configuration, and the alignment of both the first slide element and the second slide element along the third direction.
Claim 15: A system comprising: a portable electronic device; and a grip device comprising: a main frame configured to be attached to a surface associated with the portable electronic device via a first surface thereof, the main frame comprising a channel across a second surface thereof; and
a grip element comprising at least one slide element receivable through the channel to movably attach the grip element to the main frame via the channel in accordance with sliding movement of the at least one slide element across the channel based on a force applied to the grip element by a user of the grip device,
wherein, in accordance with the sliding movement of the at least one slide element across the channel: the at least one slide element is aligned along a first direction whereby,
in a first configuration of the alignment of the at least one slide element along the first direction: attachment of the grip device to the portable electronic device by way of the first surface of the grip device and the surface associated with the portable electronic device renders the portable electronic device usable in a portrait orientation thereof via a hand of the user,
and the at least one slide element is aligned along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction whereby,
in a second configuration of the alignment of the at least one slide element along the second direction: the attachment of the grip device to the portable electronic device by way of the first surface of the grip device and the surface associated with the portable electronic device renders the portable electronic device usable in a landscape orientation thereof via the hand of the user,
wherein the channel comprises a linear first channel and a linear second channel, the linear first channel and the linear second channel intersecting perpendicularly to one another in a T-shaped configuration, and wherein the at least one slide element is configured to be received in and slide across the linear first channel and the linear second channel.
Claim 15: A system comprising: a portable electronic device; and a grip device comprising: a main frame configured to be attached to a surface associated with the portable electronic device via a first surface thereof, the main frame comprising a channel across a second surface thereof;
a flexible strap comprising a first slide element and a second slide element proximate a first end and a second end thereof respectively, the first slide element and the second slide element being receivable through the channel to movably attach the flexible strap to the main frame via the channel in accordance with sliding movement of the first slide element and the second slide element relative to one another across the channel based on a force applied to the flexible strap by a user of the portable electronic device
in accordance with the sliding movement of the first slide element and the second slide element relative to one another across the channel: the first slide element and the second slide element are both aligned along a first direction whereby,
in a first configuration of the alignment of the first slide element and the second slide element along the first direction: attachment of the grip device to the portable electronic device by way of the first surface of the grip device and the surface associated with the portable electronic device and insertion of a finger of the user through a first loop formed by the flexible strap render the portable electronic device usable in a portrait orientation thereof via at least one other finger of the user,
the first slide element and the second slide element are both aligned along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction whereby,
in a second configuration of the alignment of the first slide element and the second slide element along the second direction: the attachment of the grip device to the portable electronic device by way of the first surface of the grip device and the surface associated with the portable electronic device and insertion of the finger of the user through a second loop formed by the flexible strap render the portable electronic device usable in a landscape orientation thereof via the at least one other finger of the user
wherein the channel comprises a linear first channel and a linear second channel, the linear first channel and the linear second channel intersecting perpendicularly to one another in a T-shaped configuration, and wherein the first slide element and the second slide element are both configured to be received in and slide across the linear first channel and the linear second channel.
Claim 16: wherein, further, in accordance with the sliding movement of the at least one slide element across the channel of the main frame of the grip device: alignment of the at least one slide element along a third direction and the attachment of the grip device to the surface associated with the portable electronic device render the portable electronic device supportable on a flat surface by a portion of the grip element contacting the flat surface.
Claim 15: alignment of both the first slide element and the second slide element along a third direction and the attachment of the grip device to the surface associated with the portable electronic device render the portable electronic device supportable on a flat surface by a third loop by way of a portion of the third loop contacting the flat surface
Claim 17: wherein the main frame of the grip device is attachable to one of: a surface of the portable electronic device and a surface of a case of the portable electronic device as the surface associated with the portable electronic device.
Claim 16: herein the main frame of the grip device is attachable to one of: a surface of the portable electronic device and a surface of a case of the portable electronic device as the surface associated with the portable electronic device.
Claim 18: wherein at least one of: the third direction is one of: the first direction and the second direction, and based on the alignment of the at least one slide element of the grip element of the grip device along the third direction and the attachment of the grip device to the surface associated with the portable electronic device, the portable electronic device is positionable on the flat surface both along a length and a width thereof.
Claim 15: alignment of both the first slide element and the second slide element along a third direction and the attachment of the grip device to the surface associated with the portable electronic device render the portable electronic device supportable on a flat surface by a third loop by way of a portion of the third loop contacting the flat surface
Claim 19: wherein at least one of: at least a portion of the main frame of the grip device is made of a magnetic material, and the main frame is couplable to a plate made of the magnetic material such that, based on an appropriate sliding movement of the grip element of the grip device and a coupling of the plate to the portable electronic device, the portable electronic device is couplable to a magnetic phone stand via the plate even with the grip device still attached to the surface associated with the portable electronic device.
Claim 19: wherein at least one of at least a portion of the main frame of the grip device is made of a magnetic material, the main frame of the grip device is couplable to a plate made of the magnetic material such that, based on an appropriate sliding movement of the flexible strap of the grip device and a coupling of the plate to the portable electronic device, the portable electronic device is couplable to a magnetic phone stand via the plate even with the grip device still attached to the surface associated with the portable electronic device,
Claim 20: wherein at least one of: the main frame of the grip device includes a notch implemented in the channel to remove the grip element by way of the at least one slide element therethrough without separating the main frame from the portable electronic device when the grip device is attached to the portable electronic device, and
the channel of the main frame of the grip device comprises a plurality of grooves therealong to hold the at least one slide element of the grip element to a specific position along the channel including the first configuration, the second configuration, and the alignment of the at least one slide element along the third direction.
Claim 19: the main frame of the grip device includes a notch implemented in the channel to remove the flexible strap by way of the first slide element and the second slide element therethrough without separating the grip device from the portable electronic device when the grip device is attached to the portable electronic device.
Claim 20: wherein the channel of the main frame of the grip device comprises a plurality of grooves there along to lock at least one of: the first slide element and the second slide element of the flexible strap of the grip device to a specific position along the channel including the first configuration, the second configuration, and the alignment of both the first slide element and the second slide element along the third direction.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-20 are objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but would be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims.
Claim 1 recites “wherein the channel comprises a linear first channel and a linear second channel, the linear first channel and the linear second channel intersecting perpendicularly to one another in a T-shaped configuration, and wherein the at least one slide element is configured to be received in and slide across the linear first channel and the linear second channel” and is considered allowable subject matter. Nielsen US 10396841 discloses two channels where a grip element is slidable. However, the channels do not intersect and form a perpendicular T shaped configuration. Curran US 9397717 also discloses multiple channels than have semi- perpendicular intersections. The T-shaped configuration is not taught, but a L, or U, or C shaped configuration is taught. There is not prior art found in the search that could be modified or have the motivation to make the channels with a perpendicular T shaped cross section.
Claims 9 and 15 distinguishes themselves in the same manner as in claim 1.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Kannaka US 20120187706 discloses channels but they do not teach the orientation control and the configuration discloses by applicant.
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/Andrew J Marien/Examiner, Art Unit 3745