DETAILED ACTION
Continued Examination Under 37 CFR 1.114
A request for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, including the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e), was filed in this application after final rejection. Since this application is eligible for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114. Applicant's submission filed on 19 March 2026 has been entered.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action:
A person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claim(s) 31 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being unpatentable over Chiang (US 2011/0123762 A1).
Regarding claim 31, the combination of Chiang discloses a furniture connector (31-34) for establishing attachment between two pre- manufactured furniture parts (1-2), said furniture connector comprising
a screw (31-33), and
a washer (34) configured to receive the screw and comprising a plate bent to form a semi-cylindrical body (see Fig. 1) that curves around an outer cylindrical portion of a cylindrical body (1), and a through hole arranged in said plate (see Fig. 2).
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made.
Claim(s) 1-13, 15-18, 24-27 and 29-30 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Chiang (US 2011/0123762 A1) in view of Lemuhot (FR 917003 A).
Regarding claim 1, Chiang discloses a furniture connector for establishing attachment between two pre-manufactured furniture parts (see Fig. 2), said furniture connector comprising
a screw (31-33), and
a washer (34) configured to receive the screw and comprising a plate bent to form a semi-cylindrical body that curves (see Figs. 1-2) configured to curve around an outer cylindrical portion of a cylindrical body (1) and having a radius (see Fig. 1), and a through hole arranged in said plate (see Figs. 1-2).
Chiang fails to disclose as claimed wherein the periphery of said through hole extends into a truncated cone in a direction away from said plate.
However, Lemuhot teaches a washer (see Fig. 4) wherein the periphery of said through hole (2a in Fig. 4) extends into a truncated cone (see Fig. 4) in a direction away from said plate (see Fig. 4), in order to provide a washer having an opening that can accommodate the head of a fastener inserted therein such that the head is flush mounted, providing less snags and an aesthetically pleasing design.
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the washer Chiang, with Lemuhot, such that it comprises the washer truncated cone recess of Lemuhot, in order to provide a washer having an opening that can accommodate the head of a fastener inserted therein such that the head is flush mounted, providing less snags and an aesthetically pleasing design.
Regarding claim 2, the combination of Chiang and Lemuhot teaches wherein the plate (34 of Chiang) of the washer (34 of Chiang) is circular, rectangular, square, triangular or elliptical (see Figs. 1-2 of Chiang).
Regarding claim 3, the combination of Chiang and Lemuhot teaches a plate (34 of Chiang) having a diameter (see Figs. 1-2 of Chiang), but fails to teach as claimed wherein the diameter of the plate is between 1.5 and 4 cm.
Applicant is reminded that it has been held that where the general conditions of a claim (i.e. plate diameter) are disclosed in the prior art, discovering the optimum or working ranges involves only routine skill in the art. In re Aller, 220 F.2d 454, 456, 105 USPQ 233, 235 (CCPA 1955).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the combination of Chiang and Lemuhot, such that it comprises a plate with a diameter between 1.5 and 4 cm, in order to provide a washer that sufficient in diameter to cover the necessary opening on Chiang without comprising a waste of material and unnecessary weight.
Regarding claim 4, the combination of Chiang and Lemuhot teaches a truncated cone (2a in Fig. 4 of Lemuhot) having an apex angle, but fails to teach as claimed that the apex angle of the truncated cone of the washer is between 40 degrees and 80 degrees.
Applicant is reminded that it has been held that where the general conditions of a claim (i.e. apex angle) are disclosed in the prior art, discovering the optimum or working ranges involves only routine skill in the art. In re Aller, 220 F.2d 454, 456, 105 USPQ 233, 235 (CCPA 1955).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the combination of Chiang and Lemuhot, such that it comprises the apex angle of the truncated cone of the washer being between 40 degrees and 80 degrees, in order to provide a washer that allows the fastener to be countersunk within the washer without the fastener passing through the washer unobscured by the washer.
Regarding claim 5, the combination of Chiang and Lemuhot teaches a washer (34 of Chiang) comprising a truncated cone (2a in Fig. 4 of Lemuhot) having a length, but fails to teach as claimed that the length of the truncated cone of the washer is between 2 and 10 mm.
Applicant is reminded that it has been held that where the general conditions of a claim (i.e. truncated cone length) are disclosed in the prior art, discovering the optimum or working ranges involves only routine skill in the art. In re Aller, 220 F.2d 454, 456, 105 USPQ 233, 235 (CCPA 1955).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the combination of Chiang and Lemuhot, such that it comprises the length of the truncated cone of the washer being between 2 and 10 mm, in order to provide a truncated cone sufficient to accept and protect the entire head of the fastener countersunk therein.
Regarding claim 6, the combination of Chiang and Lemuhot teaches a plate (34 of Chiang) having a radius, but fails to teach as claimed that the radius of the plate is between 5 and 35 mm.
Applicant is reminded that it has been held that where the general conditions of a claim (i.e. plate radius) are disclosed in the prior art, discovering the optimum or working ranges involves only routine skill in the art. In re Aller, 220 F.2d 454, 456, 105 USPQ 233, 235 (CCPA 1955).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the combination of Chiang and Lemuhot, such that it comprises the radius of the plate being between 5 and 35 mm, in order to provide a washer that sufficient in radius to cover the necessary opening on Chiang without comprising a waste of material and unnecessary weight.
Regarding claim 7, the combination of Chiang and Lemuhot teaches wherein the screw (31-33 of Chiang) comprises a screw head (32 of Chiang), a threaded portion (33 of Chiang), and a non-threaded portion (31 of Chiang) arranged between the screw head and the threaded portion (see Fig. 1 of Chiang).
Regarding claim 8, the combination of Chiang and Lemuhot teaches wherein the screw head (32 of Chiang) is countersunk (see example of countersunk screw taught by Lemuhot in Fig. 6 of Lemuhot).
Regarding claim 9, the combination of Chiang and Lemuhot teaches a non-threaded portion (31 of Chiang), but fails to teach as claimed that the length of the non-threaded portion is between 5 and 30 mm.
Applicant is reminded that it has been held that where the general conditions of a claim (i.e. non-threaded length) are disclosed in the prior art, discovering the optimum or working ranges involves only routine skill in the art. In re Aller, 220 F.2d 454, 456, 105 USPQ 233, 235 (CCPA 1955).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the combination of Chiang and Lemuhot, such that it comprises a non-threaded portion length being between 5 and 30 mm, in order to provide a screw having sufficient length without being exceedingly long and allowing the screw to be countersunk when fully fastened.
Regarding claim 10, the combination of Chiang and Lemuhot teaches a screw (31-33 of Chiang) having a thread pitch (see Fig. 1 of Chiang), but fails to teach as claimed wherein the thread pitch of the threaded portion of the screw is between 2 and 4 mm.
Applicant is reminded that it has been held that where the general conditions of a claim (i.e. thread pitch) are disclosed in the prior art, discovering the optimum or working ranges involves only routine skill in the art. In re Aller, 220 F.2d 454, 456, 105 USPQ 233, 235 (CCPA 1955).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the combination of Chiang and Lemuhot, such that it comprises a screw thread pitch being between 2 and 4mm, in order to provide a fastener having sufficiently aggressive threads without comprising excess weight from the threads.
Regarding claim 11, the combination of Chiang and Lemuhot teaches a screw (31-33 of Chiang) having a major thread diameter (see Fig. 1 of Chiang), but fails to teach as claimed that the major diameter of the threads of the screw is between 4 and 8 mm.
Applicant is reminded that it has been held that where the general conditions of a claim (i.e. thread major diameter) are disclosed in the prior art, discovering the optimum or working ranges involves only routine skill in the art. In re Aller, 220 F.2d 454, 456, 105 USPQ 233, 235 (CCPA 1955).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the combination of Chiang and Lemuhot, such that it comprises the thread major diameter being between 4 and 8 mm, in order to provide threads that interact with the receiving member of Chiang without requiring excessive force.
Regarding claim 12, the combination of Chiang and Lemuhot teaches a screw (31-33 of Chiang) having a minor thread diameter (see Fig. 1 of Chiang), but fails to teach as claimed that the minor diameter of the threads of the screw is between 3 and 6 mm.
Applicant is reminded that it has been held that where the general conditions of a claim (i.e. thread minor diameter) are disclosed in the prior art, discovering the optimum or working ranges involves only routine skill in the art. In re Aller, 220 F.2d 454, 456, 105 USPQ 233, 235 (CCPA 1955).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the combination of Chiang and Lemuhot, such that it comprises the thread minor diameter being between 3 and 6 mm, in order to provide a thread minor diameter that prevents the threads from being fragile due to lack of structural support.
Regarding claim 13, the combination of Chiang and Lemuhot teaches a kit for forming a furniture joint (see Fig. 1 of Chiang), the kit comprising a furniture connector according to claim 1 (see rejection of claim 1 above), a first furniture part (1 of Chiang), and a second furniture part (2 of Chiang), wherein the screw of the furniture connector is arranged to be inserted in a pre- drilled hole (11-12 of Chiang) of the first furniture part and to be screwed into a pre-drilled hole of the second furniture part (22-23 of Chiang and A in annotated Figure 2 below), thereby attaching the first furniture part to the second furniture part (see Figs. 1-2 of Chiang).
Applicant is reminded that "[E]ven though product-by-process claims are limited by and defined by the process, determination of patentability is based on the product itself. The patentability of a product does not depend on its method of production. If the product in the product-by-process claim is the same as or obvious from a product of the prior art, the claim is unpatentable even though the prior product was made by a different process." In re Thorpe, 777 F.2d 695, 698, 227 USPQ 964, 966 (Fed. Cir. 1985).
Accordingly, all the process limitations of pre-drilled hole are given limited patentable weight, all that is required of claim 13 is that the hole is capable of being pre-drilled.
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Figure 1. Annotated Figure 2.
Regarding claim 15, the combination of Chiang and Lemuhot teaches wherein the pre-drilled hole (11-12 of Chiang) of the first furniture part (1 of Chiang) is extending in a radial direction of a rounded portion of the first furniture part (see Fig. 1 of Chiang).
Regarding claim 16, the combination of Chiang and Lemuhot teaches wherein the screw (31-33 of Chiang) is extending in the radial direction of a rounded portion (see Fig. 1 of Chiang) of the first furniture part (1 of Chiang), the rounded portion being tilted an angle (B in annotated Figure 1 below) from being perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the screw (see Fig. 1 of Chiang and B in annotated Figure 1 below).
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Figure 2. Annotated Figure 1.
Regarding claim 17, the combination of Chiang and Lemuhot teaches wherein the pre-drilled hole of the second furniture part (22-23 of Chiang and A in annotated Figure 2 above) is extending in a radial direction of a rounded part (see Figs. 1-2 of Chiang) of the second furniture part (2 of Chiang).
Regarding claim 18, the combination of Chiang and Lemuhot teaches wherein the pre-drilled hole of the second furniture part (22-23 of Chiang and A in annotated Figure 2 above) is extending in an axial direction (see Fig. 2 of Chiang) of the second furniture part (2 of Chiang).
Regarding claim 24, the combination of Chiang and Lemuhot teaches wherein the second furniture part (2 of Chiang) is provided with a dowel (4 of Chiang) extending across the path of the pre-drilled hole (22-23 of Chiang and A in annotated Figure 2 above) of the second furniture part (see Fig. 2 of Chiang).
Regarding claim 25, the combination of Chiang and Lemuhot teaches wherein at least one of said first furniture part (1 of Chiang) and said second furniture part (2 of Chiang) is made of bamboo, but fails to teach as claimed that the first and second furniture parts are at least partly made of rattan.
Applicant is reminded that it has been held to be within the general skill of a worker in the art to select a known material on the basis of its suitability for the intended use as a matter of obvious design choice. In re Leshin, 277 F.2d 197, 125 USPQ 416 (CCPA 1960).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the combination of Chiang and Lemuhot, such that it comprises the first and second furniture parts being at least partly made of rattan, in order to provide a strong and functional material for construction situations involving bamboo being scarce or more expensive than a rattan alternative.
Regarding claim 26, the combination of Chiang and Lemuhot teaches a piece of furniture (see paragraph [0002]), comprising at least one kit for forming a furniture joint according to claim 13 (see rejection of claim 13 above).
Regarding claim 27, the combination of Chiang and Lemuhot teaches wherein the first (1 of Chiang) and/or the second (2 of Chaing) furniture part forms part of a pre-manufactured furniture module (see paragraph [0003] of Chiang), and wherein the furniture module has a planar shape (see NOTE below).
NOTE: See in Figs. 1-2 of Chiang that the furniture parts are assembled and extend within a plane. Therefore, the module has a planar shape.
Regarding claim 29, the combination of Chiang and Lemuhot teaches a method for manufacturing a piece of furniture (see paragraph [0002] of Chiang) suitable for being flat-packed, comprising
providing at least two pre-manufactured furniture modules (1-2 of Chiang), wherein at least one furniture module comprises a first furniture part (1 of Chiang), and at least one furniture module comprises a second furniture part (2 of Chiang), and
providing at least one furniture connector according claim 1 (see rejection of claim 1 above), wherein said first and second furniture parts are configured to be connected by means of said at least one furniture connector (31-34 of Chiang).
Regarding claim 30, the combination of Chiang and Lemuhot teaches wherein the plate (34 of Chiang) has a bent curvature (see Fig. 1 of Chiang) with the radius similar to that of the furniture part (1 of Chiang) to which the furniture connector is to be mounted (see Fig. 1 of Chiang).
Claim(s) 14 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Chiang (US 2011/0123762 A1) and Lemuhot (FR 917003 A), as applied to claim 13, and further in view of Meicke (US 6,179,510 B1).
Regarding claim 14, the combination of Chiang and Lemuhot teaches wherein the pre-drilled hole (11-12 of Chiang) of the first furniture part (1 of Chiang) has an exterior end (11 of Chiang) arranged to be opposite to the second furniture part (see Fig. 1 of Chiang); and a cone of the washer (2a of Lemuhot).
The combination of Chiang and Lemuhot fails to teach as claimed that pre-drilled hole of the first furniture part opposite the second furniture part has a conical shape, and wherein the cone of the washer is configured to be received by the exterior end of the pre-drilled hole of the first furniture part.
However, Meicke teaches an exterior hole of a first part having a conical shape (26 in Fig. 11) to receive an angled washer member (see Fig. 3), in order to further assist in insertion and alignment of components (see Column 5 lines 1-5).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the combination of Chiang and Lemuhot, with Meicke, such that it comprises the conical shaped exterior hole entrance of Meicke on the first part of Chiang, in order to further assist in insertion and alignment of components (see Column 5 lines 1-5 of Meicke).
Claim(s) 19-23 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Chiang (US 2011/0123762 A1) and Lemuhot (FR 917003 A), as applied to claim 18, and further in view of McGuire (US 3,297,063 A).
Regarding claim 19, the combination of Chiang and Lemuhot teaches wherein the pre-drilled hole of the second furniture part (22-23 of Chiang and A in annotated Figure 2 above) extends from an axial end of the second furniture part (2 of Chiang, see Fig. 2 of Chiang). The combination of Chiang and Lemuhot fails to teach as claimed that said axial end of the second furniture part has a conical shape.
However, McGuire teaches a furniture joint comprising first (12) and second (10) furniture parts, wherein the second furniture part comprises a conical shape (13, see Column 2 lines 55-57), in order to provide a joint that allows the second furniture part to be easily inserted within the abutting first furniture part while still providing a friction fit once fully inserted as such a joint increases the strength and durability of the furniture.
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the combination of Chiang and Lemuhot, with McGuire, such that Chiang comprises the conical insertion and receiving portions of McGuire, in order to provide a joint that allows the second furniture part to be easily inserted within the abutting first furniture part while still providing a friction fit once fully inserted as such a joint increases the strength and durability of the furniture.
Regarding claim 20, the combination of Chiang, Lemuhot, and McGuire teaches wherein the pre-drilled hole of the first furniture part (11-12 of Chiang) has an interior end arranged adjacent to the second furniture part (2 of Chiang) and having a conical shape (taught by McGuire, see Fig. 4 of McGuire), and wherein the axial end of the second furniture part is arranged to be at least partly received by the interior end of the pre- drilled hole of the first furniture part (1 of Chiang, see tapered connection taught by McGuire in Fig. 4 of McGuire).
Regarding claim 21, the combination of Chiang, Lemuhot, and McGuire teaches wherein a conical friction engagement (taught by McGuire, see Fig. 4 of McGuire) is provided between the conically shaped (taught by McGuire, see Fig. 4 of McGuire) axial end of the second furniture part (2 of Chiang) and the conically shaped interior end of the pre-drilled hole (11-12 of Chiang) of the first furniture part (1 of Chiang).
Regarding claim 22, the combination of Chiang, Lemuhot, and McGuire teaches wherein the conically shaped (taught by McGuire, see Fig. 4 of McGuire) axial end of the second furniture part (2 of Chiang) and the conically shaped (taught by McGuire, see Fig. 4 of McGuire) interior end of the pre-drilled hole of the first furniture part (11-12 of Chiang) are designed such that after mounting (see Figs. 1-2 of Chiang), an axial gap is provided between the edge of the axial end and the inner end of the interior end (taught by McGuire, see Fig. 4 of McGuire).
Regarding claim 23, the combination of Chiang, Lemuhot, and McGuire teaches an axial gap (taught by McGuire, see Fig. 4 of McGuire) between the first (1 of Chiang) and second (2 of Chiang) parts having an axial length (see Fig. 4 of McGuire), but fails to teach that the axial length of the axial gap is in the range of 0.5-4 mm.
Applicant is reminded that it has been held that where the general conditions of a claim (i.e. axial gap length) are disclosed in the prior art, discovering the optimum or working ranges involves only routine skill in the art. In re Aller, 220 F.2d 454, 456, 105 USPQ 233, 235 (CCPA 1955).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the combination of Chiang, Lemuhot, and McGuire, such that it comprises an axial gap being between 0.5-4 mm, in order to provide an axial gap that allows for further tightening when materials shrink or expand while further reducing excessive wasted space.
Claim(s) 28 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Chiang (US 2011/0123762 A1) and Lemuhot (FR 917003 A), as applied to claim 26, and further in view of Ervin (US 4,261,667 A)
Regarding claim 28, the combination of Chiang and Lemuhot teaches a pre-manufactured furniture module (see Figs. 1-2 of Chiang), wherein the at least one furniture module comprises a first furniture part (1 of Chiang), and at least one furniture module comprises a second furniture part (2 of Chiang).
The combination of Chiang and Lemuhot fails to teach as claimed comprising a plurality of pre-manufactured furniture modules forming a seat, a back piece, and two side pieces, respectively, and wherein at least one furniture module comprises a first furniture part, and at least one furniture module comprises a second furniture part.
However, Ervin teaches that it is well known to use abutted joints in furniture (see Fig. 1) and further teaches a plurality of pre-manufactured furniture modules (see Fig. 1) each having two elongated members perpendicularly mounted (see Figs. 1, 3, and 5) forming a seat (see Fig. 1), a back piece (see Fig. 1), and two side pieces (see Fig. 1), respectively, in order to provide a functional and strong chair for a consumer or user.
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the combination of Chiang and Lemuhot, with Ervin, such that the furniture module of Chiang is used in a chair assembly as taught by Ervin, in order to provide a functional and strong chair for a consumer or user.
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments with respect to claim(s) 1-30 have been considered but are moot because the new ground of rejection does not rely on any reference applied in the prior rejection of record for any teaching or matter specifically challenged in the argument.
Conclusion
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/ZAH/Examiner, Art Unit 3678
/AMBER R ANDERSON/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 3678
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