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 .
In view of applicant’s argument on page 8, second paragraph that “[I]n particular, the furniture fitting 9 of Fig. 8 also includes a first fitting portion 1 and a second fitting portion 2 fixedly connected to each other by two connecting regions 17 so as to strictly prevent a pivotal movement of the first fitting portion 1 and the second fitting portion 2 relative to each other”, the following is a Non-Final Office action from the examiner in charge of this application. Any inconvenience is regretted.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
The text of those sections of Title 35, U.S. Code not included in this action can be found in a prior Office action.
The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows:
1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness.
Claim(s) 1-11, 13-17, and 20-22 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over USP 10188209 to Hoffmann et al (hereinafter Hoffmann) in view of USP 5478146 to Grabher and US 2012/0210558 to Logan et al (hereinafter Logan).
Hoffmann discloses (Claim 1). A furniture fitting for movably supporting at least one furniture part on a furniture carcass 9, the method comprising (such as shown in Figs. 1a-1b and 3) comprising: at least one base body 4; at least one collar (see attached annotated Fig. 3), wherein the at least one collar protrudes from the at least one base body 4; at least one further component 20 of the furniture fitting mounted to the at least one base body 4 so as to be pivotally supported on the at least one collar having an axis of rotation A; (Claim 13). A furniture fitting for movably supporting at least one furniture part on a furniture carcass 9, the furniture fitting comprising (such as shown in Figs. 1a-1b and 3): at least one base body 4, wherein the at least one base body 4 includes at least one collar (see attached annotated Fig. 3), wherein the at least one collar protrudes from the at least one base body 4; and at least one further component 20 of the furniture fitting which is pivotally fixed to the at least one collar about an axis of rotation A, wherein the furniture fitting is a drawer pull-out guide; (Claim 20). The method according to claim 1, wherein: in the providing of the at least one base body 4, the at least one base body 4 is plate-shaped; (Claim 21). The method according to claim 2, wherein in the providing of the at least one base body 4, the at least one base body 4 is a flat sheet; (Claim 22). The furniture fitting according to claim 13, wherein: the at least one base body 2 is plate-shaped; or the opening 12 is cylindrical.
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The differences being that Hoffmann fails to clearly disclose the limitations in (i) claim 1 of an opening in the at least one base body 4, the at least one collar surrounding the opening, after the mounting of the at least one further component 20, at least partially heating the at least one collar; and while the at least one collar is in a heated condition, widening the at least one collar in at least one radial direction by mechanical forming to form a bulge so as to pivotally fix the at least one further component to the at least one collar, wherein the bulge and the at least one collar define a radially inner opening which is continuous with the opening in the at least one base body, wherein the at least one further component remains pivotally fixed to the at least one collar after the mounting of the at least one further component, the at least partially heating of the at least one collar and the widening of the at least one collar; (ii) claims 2 and 21 of the flat sheet is a sheet metal made of steel; (iii) claims 3-11, 15-17; (iv) claim 13 of the at least one base body 4 includes an opening, the at least one collar surrounding the opening, wherein the at least one collar includes at least one bulge extending in at least one radial direction; (v) claim 14; (vi) the method steps of claims 1-11, 20-21.
Grabher discloses a furniture fitting for movably supporting at least one furniture part on a furniture carcass, the furniture fitting comprising: at least one base body 5, wherein the at least one base body includes an opening having at least one collar 6 surrounding the opening, wherein the at least one collar 6 protrudes from the at least one base body, wherein the at least one collar includes at least one bulge (such as shown in Fig. 2) extending in at least one radial direction, wherein the bulge and the at least one collar 6 define a radially inner opening which is continuous with the opening in the at least one base body 5, and wherein the furniture fitting is a drawer pull-out guide; wherein the at least one bulge is formed on an end of the at least one collar 6, the end of the at least one collar 6 being spaced from the at least one base body 5; wherein at least one hollow cylindrical portion is arranged on the at least one collar 6 between the at least one bulge and the at least one base body 5, the at least one hollow cylindrical portion having a smaller diameter than the at least one bulge (Fig. 2); wherein at least one further component 4 is supported on the at least one collar 6; wherein: the at least one base body 5 is plate-shaped; or the opening is cylindrical; or the at least one bulge is ring-shaped.
Meanwhile, Logan discloses a method for coupling a plurality of parts together comprising (such as shown in Figs. 1 & 4-7): a plate-shaped base body 10 having a collar 16 protruding from the base body 10, the collar 16 being at least partially heated (heating element 36) to be widened by mechanical forming in at least one radial direction to a ring-shaped budge; wherein the at least one collar 16 is discolored in the heated region ([0032]: “a heating element 36 can be operably connected to the tool 30 to increase the temperature of the head 32”, which would discolored the heated region of the at least one collar); wherein the at least one collar 16 has at least one front face, wherein the at least one collar is heated at least on the at least one front face; wherein the at least one collar 16 is heated by at least one rotating tool 30; wherein the tool 30 is at least partially introduced into the at least one collar; wherein the tool 30 includes at least one ring-shaped elevation which is brought into contact with the at least one collar 16 (such as shown in Figs. 5-6).
Therefore, regarding (i), (iii)-(iv), it would have been obvious and well within the level of one skilled in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, in view of Grabher and Logan, to modify Hoffmann to include the limitations in (i) claim 1 of an opening in the at least one base body 4, the at least one collar surrounding the opening, after the mounting of the at least one further component 20, at least partially heating the at least one collar; and while the at least one collar is in a heated condition, widening the at least one collar in at least one radial direction by mechanical forming to form a bulge so as to pivotally fix the at least one further component to the at least one collar, wherein the bulge and the at least one collar define a radially inner opening which is continuous with the opening in the at least one base body, wherein the at least one further component remains pivotally fixed to the at least one collar after the mounting of the at least one further component, the at least partially heating of the at least one collar and the widening of the at least one collar; (iii) claims 3-11, 15-17 of: claim 3 of wherein in the forming of the opening, the at least one collar is produced by collar forming, or the opening is formed in the base body by drilling; claim 4 of wherein in the at least partially heating of the at least one collar, the at least one collar is discolored in a heated region; claim 5 wherein the at least one collar has at least one front face, and wherein in the at least partially heating of the at least one collar, the at least one collar is heated at least on the at least one front face; claim 6 of wherein in the at least partially heating of the at least one collar, the at least one collar is heated by at least one rotating tool; claim 7 of wherein the at least one rotating tool is at least partially introduced into the at least one collar or into the opening; claim 8 of wherein the at least one rotating tool includes at least one ring-shaped elevation which is brought into contact with the at least one collar in the at least partially heating of the at least one collar; claim 9 of wherein in the widening of the at least one collar, the bulge is formed by at least one tool, and wherein a pressure is applied in at least one axial direction of the at least one collar by the at least one tool; claim 10 of wherein in the widening of the at least one collar, the bulge is formed on an end of the at least one collar, the end of the at least one collar being spaced from the at least one base body; claim 11 of wherein in the widening of the at least one collar, at least one hollow-cylindrical portion remains on the at least one collar between the bulge and the at least one base body, the at least one hollow-cylindrical portion having a smaller diameter than the bulge; claim 15 of wherein the at least one bulge has a discolored portion that is different from a color of the base body; claim 16 of wherein the at least one bulge is formed on an end of the at least one collar, the end of the at least one collar being spaced from the at least one base body; claim 17 of wherein at least one hollow cylindrical portion is arranged on the at least one collar between the at least one bulge and the at least one base body, the at least one hollow cylindrical portion having a smaller diameter than the at least one bulge; (iv) claim 13 of the at least one base body 4 includes an opening, the at least one collar surrounding the opening, wherein the at least one collar includes at least one bulge extending in at least one radial direction with a reasonable expectation of success in order to increase the overall versatility of the furniture fitting.
Regarding (ii) claims 2 and 21 of the sheet metal is made of steel, and (v) claim 14, since punching is a well-known method and steel is well-known and commercially available product for a furniture fitting, it would have been obvious and well within the level of one skilled in the art to form a base body by punching from a flat sheet metal; wherein in the providing of the at least one base body, the sheet metal is a flat sheet metal made of steel with a reasonable expectation of success in order to increase the overall versatility of the furniture fitting.
Regarding (vi) the method steps, since Hoffmann, as modified, discloses all the structural limitations recited therein, it would have been obvious and well within the level of one skilled in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to perform the method steps recited therein.
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments, see pages 8-9, filed 2/18/2026, with respect to the rejection(s) of claim(s) 1 and 13 under 35 U.S.C. 103 have been fully considered and are persuasive. Therefore, the rejection has been withdrawn. However, upon further consideration, a new ground(s) of rejection is made in view of Hoffmann, Grabher and Logan.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure, and all show structures similar to various elements of applicant’s disclosure.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to HANH VAN TRAN whose telephone number is (571)272-6868. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday 9:00-5:30.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, DANIEL TROY can be reached at (571)270-3742. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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HVT
April 7, 2026
/HANH V TRAN/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3637
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