DETAILED ACTION
Response to Amendment
This is in response to an amendment/response filed on 6/25/2026
Claims 1,15 have been amended.
Claims 3-4 have been cancelled.
Hereon, claims 1-2,5-21 are currently pending; claims 1-2,5-21 are rejected.
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) 1-2,6-12,15-17,19-21 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Ito et al, (Ito), (USNO.2015/0015205)
As for claim 1, Ito discloses and shows in Figs. 1-3,5-7 a wall-mountable storage system comprising: wall-mountable storage system comprising: a first storage structure configured to mount to a wall (via ref’s coupling parts), the first storage structure including a modular accessory interface (via ref’s terminals) and an alignment interface (via ref’s engaging parts); and a modular accessory configured to engage with and be supported by the modular accessory interface; wherein the first storage structure is configured to receive power from an external power source (ref’s AC adapter) and output power to the modular accessory wherein the modular accessory includes a primary charging module electrically connectable to the first storage structure and configured to couple to and charge a power tool battery pack, wherein the primary charging module is coupleable to a secondary charging module (via chargers) in a direction parallel to the wall, and wherein the primary charging module is configured to provide electrical power from the first storage structure to the secondary charging module (par.[0026-0033,0045])
As for claim 2, Ito discloses and shows in Figs. 1-3,5-7 the first storage structure is configured to align with a second storage structure, the second storage structure includes charging circuitry configured to charge a battery pack, and
the first storage structure is configured to provide power to the second storage structure (par.[0026-0033,0045])
As for claim 4, Ito discloses and shows in Figs. 6 primary charging module is slidably coupleable to a secondary charging module in a vertical direction, and the primary charging module is configured to provide electrical power from the first storage structure to the secondary charging module (par.0030-0031]).
As for claim 6, Ito discloses and shows in Figs. 6 primary charging module is a first primary charging module, the modular accessory includes a second primary charging module configured to engage with and be supported by a second modular accessory interface of the first storage structure, and the second primary charging module is electrically connected to the first primary charging module.
As for claim 7, Ito discloses and shows in Figs. 6 the second primary charging module is electrically connected to the first primary charging module by a cable
As for claim 8, Ito discloses and shows in Figs. 1-3,5-7 primary charging module is a dual bay charging module configured to charge two power tool battery packs
As for claim 9, Ito discloses and shows in Figs. 6,7 removed from the first storage structure, the primary charging module is coupleable to a modular accessory interface of a tool box
As for claim 10, Ito discloses and shows in Figs. 6,7 he modular accessory includes a power tool including a battery, and the first storage structure is configured to charge the battery via the modular accessory interface.
As for claim 11, Ito discloses and shows in Figs. 6,7 modular accessory includes a power tool storage accessory configured to support and charge a power tool
As for claim 12, Ito discloses and shows in Fig. 3 modular accessory includes a shelving unit (via ref’s pockets) including one or more shelves and integrated charging circuitry, the shelving unit configured to receive electrical power from the first storage structure and output electrical power to a power tool
battery pack using the integrated charging circuitry (par.[0026-0033,0045])
As for claim 15, Ito discloses and shows in Figs. 1-3,5-7 a wall-mountable storage system comprising: a first storage structure configured to mount to a wall (via ref’s coupling parts), the first storage structure including integrated charging circuitry (via ref’s charging input part), a battery pack interface configured to charge a battery pack, and an alignment interface (via ref’s engaging parts); wherein the first storage structure is configured to receive power from an external power source (ref’s AC adapter) and output power to a modular accessory, wherein the modular accessory includes a primary charging module electrically connectable to the first storage structure and configured to couple to and charge a power tool battery pack, wherein the primary charging module is coupleable to a secondary charging module in a direction parallel to the wall, and wherein the primary charging module is configured to provide electrical power from the first storage structure to the secondary charging module (via chargers) (par.[0026-0033,0045]).
As for claim 16, Ito discloses and shows in Figs. 3-4 the battery pack interface includes at least one selected from the group consisting of a first battery pack interface configured to engage with a battery pack of a first voltage and a second battery pack interface configured to engage with a battery pack of a second voltage, wherein the first voltage is different from the second voltage
As for claim 17, Ito discloses the battery pack interface is configured to selectively charge a battery pack of a first voltage and a battery pack of a second voltage, wherein the first voltage is different from the second voltage (par.[0044]).
As for claim 19, Ito discloses and shows in Fig. 6 the first storage structure includes an alternating current power output port. (via AC socket)(par.[0045])
As for claim 20, Ito discloses and shows in Fig.6 the first storage structure includes a shelf.
As for claim 21, Ito discloses and shows in Fig. 6 the wall is at least one selected from a group consisting of a wall of a building, a wall of vehicle, a wall of a trailer, a wall of a tool box (via ref’s carrying case).
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.
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.
This application currently names joint inventors. In considering patentability of the claims the examiner presumes that the subject matter of the various claims was commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the claimed invention(s) absent any evidence to the contrary. Applicant is advised of the obligation under 37 CFR 1.56 to point out the inventor and effective filing dates of each claim that was not commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the later invention in order for the examiner to consider the applicability of 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) for any potential 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) prior art against the later invention.
Claim(s) 13 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Ito in view of Van Der Linde et al, (Van Der Linde), (USNO.2015/0041464)
As for claim 13, Ito discloses all limitations, but differs from the claimed invention because he does not explicitly disclose a shelving unit includes a work light configured to receive electrical power from at least one selected from a group consisting of the first storage structure and a power tool battery pack
Van Der Linde discloses a shelving unit includes a work light configured to receive electrical power from at least one selected from a group consisting of the first storage structure and a power tool battery pack (par.[0063])
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of the invention was made to have modified the teachings of Ito by using a shelving unit includes a work light configured to receive electrical power from at least one selected from a group consisting of the first storage structure and a power tool battery pack for advantages such as providing user convenience (par.[0041]), as taught by Van Der Linde.
Claim(s) 14 and 18 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Ito in view of Wong et al, (Wong), (USNO.2015/0253818).
As for claims 14 and 18, Ito discloses all limitations, but differs from the claimed invention because he does not explicitly disclose a wall least one selected from a group consisting of a wall of a building, a wall of vehicle. Furthermore, differs from the claimed invention because he does not explicitly disclose first storage structure includes a universal serial bus port.
Wong discloses and shows in Fig.5 a wall least one selected from a group consisting of a wall of a building, a wall of vehicle. Furthermore, Wong discloses first storage structure includes a universal serial bus (ref’s connectors; Fig. 6) (par.[0060])
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of the invention was made to have modified the teachings of Ito by using a wall least one selected from a group consisting of a wall of a building, a wall of vehicle. Furthermore, differs from the claimed invention because he does not explicitly disclose first storage structure includes a universal serial bus port for advantages such as providing user device accessibility (par.[0060]), as taught by Wong.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claim 5 is 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.
The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter: the secondary charging module includes a foldable leg configured to support the secondary charging module against a wall., in combination with the remaining limitations of independent claims
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed 6/25/2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive.
In response to applicants’ argument that
Independent claim 1 has been amended to include the subject matter of previous dependent claims 3 and 4. Amended independent claim 1 recites, in relevant part, "the modular accessory includes a primary charging module electrically connectable to the first storage structure and configured to couple to and charge a power tool battery pack, wherein the primary charging module is coupleable to a secondary charging module in a direction parallel to the wall, and wherein the primary charging module is configured to provide electrical power from the first storage structure to the secondary charging module." (Emphasis added). Ito fails to teach or suggest the subject matter of amended independent claim 1.
The examiner respectfully disagree and submits,
Ito discloses and shows in Figs. 1-3,5-7 a wall-mountable storage system comprising: wall-mountable storage system comprising: a first storage structure configured to mount to a wall (via ref’s coupling parts), the first storage structure including a modular accessory interface (via ref’s terminals) and an alignment interface (via ref’s engaging parts); and a modular accessory configured to engage with and be supported by the modular accessory interface; wherein the first storage structure is configured to receive power from an external power source (ref’s AC adapter) and output power to the modular accessory wherein the modular accessory includes a primary charging module electrically connectable to the first storage structure and configured to couple to and charge a power tool battery pack, wherein the primary charging module is coupleable to a secondary charging module (via chargers) in a direction parallel to the wall, and wherein the primary charging module is configured to provide electrical power from the first storage structure to the secondary charging module (par.[0026-0033,0045]), as claimed above that was nescciated by amended.
For at least the reasons provided above, the applicant arguments regarding independent claims are not persuasive. The applicant argues that dependent claims are patentable for similar reasons and are also not persuasive. The applicant further argues that since dependent claims depend on the argued independent claim; they are patentable at least by virtue of their dependencies. Since the applicant's arguments regarding independent claims are not persuasive, the applicant's arguments regarding dependent claims are also not persuasive.
Accordingly, the rejection is still proper and thus maintained.
Conclusion
THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. 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 extension fee 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 ARUN C WILLIAMS whose telephone number is (571)272-9765. The examiner can normally be reached on M-F 9 a.m. - 6 p.m..
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Julian Huffman can be reached on 571-272-2147. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/ARUN C WILLIAMS/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2859
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