DETAILED ACTION
In the response to this office action, the examiner respectfully requests that support be shown for language added to any original claims on amendment and any new claims. That is, indicate support for newly added claim language by specifically pointing to page(s) and line numbers in the specification and/or drawing figure(s). This will assist the examiner in prosecuting this application.
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 .
Claim Objections
Claims 1, 2, and 5 are objected to because of the following informalities:
Claim 1 refers to “a hitch receiver” and then “the hitch reciever” (letter i before e). This second instance should be “the receiver” (letter e before i) for consistency.
Claims 2 and 5 are rejected as inheriting the problems as above.
Appropriate correction is required.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
(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) 1, 2, and 5 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Campbell et al. (US 20100065593 A1).
Regarding claim 1, Campbell discloses an entertainment device for use in a vehicle tow hitch assembly including a hitch receiver (88 of figure 1B) and an electrical power connector (98 of figure 1B) integrally connected to a vehicle electrical system (of truck 10, paragraph [0032]), the entertainment device comprising:
an audio/visual (A/V) unit (generically housing 52 contains A/V equipment and is thus an “A/V unit”, paragraph [0033], “one or more cargo or cubby holes 126 can be incorporated into housing 52 for storing a DVD player, video gaming unit, or like element”, paragraph [0007], “storage areas for such things as ice, silverware, a DVD player or video gaming unit”, paragraph [0003], “These accessories can include such items as electric coolers and ice boxes, power generators, stereo and other sound systems, televisions, etc.”); and
a hitch bar (arm 85, see figure 1B) extending from the A/V unit for detachably connecting and suspending (see figures 1, no additional supports needed) the A/V unit from the hitch receiver, the hitch bar is adapted to seat within the hitch receiver (paragraph [0030], “the distal end 87 of the support arm 84 inserts into a trailer hitch 88”).
Regarding claim 2, Campbell discloses where the A/V unit (at least 52) includes a wired connector (96 of figure 1B) adapted to operatively connect the A/V to the vehicle electrical system (paragraph [0032], “the cable 94 is further configured to transfer electric power from the vehicle 10 to one or more electric outlets 102 incorporated into the housing 52”).
Regarding claim 5, Campbell discloses wherein the A/V unit is detachably mounted to the hitch bar (hitch bar consisting of at least 84 and 80 and the A/V unit being at least 52, paragraph [0030], “system 50 also includes a support platform 80 attached, secured, or adhered to the housing 52, preferably to the base portion 54 by way of bolts 82“).
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed August 25th, 2025 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive.
Applicant’s amendments have overcome the previous drawing, specification, and claim objections.
In general applicant argues that the amendments to the previous claims are not found in prior art (see applicant’s arguments dated August 25th, 2025, page 3). A new ground of rejection has been established as above.
Conclusion
Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to DOUGLAS JOHN SUTHERS whose telephone number is (571)272-0563. The examiner can normally be reached M-F, 8 am -5 pm.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Vivian Chin can be reached on 571-272-7848. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/DOUGLAS J SUTHERS/ Examiner, Art Unit 2695
/VIVIAN C CHIN/ Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2695