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 .
Status of Claims
This office action is in response to application number 18/388,921 filed on 4/7/2026, in which Claims 1-18 are presented for examination. Applicant amends Claims 1-2, 4-15, and 17-18.
Election/Restrictions
Applicant’s election without traverse of Group I, Claims 1-9 in the reply filed on 4/7/2026 is acknowledged. Applicant also amends the remaining claims, Claims 10-18, to depend from Claim 1. Examiner acknowledges the amendments and interprets the claims as an apparatus comprising a set of features for providing convenience to a disabled person using a wheelchair that, as recited in Claim 10, can include an embodiment where the apparatus is included in a storage system and wherein the apparatus of Claim 1 comprises additional features.
Priority
Acknowledgment is made of applicant’s claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. 119 (a)-(d). Receipt is acknowledged of certified copies of papers required by 37 CFR 1.55, for Application No. KR10-2022-0154482 and KR10-2022-0168464.
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statement filed 4/22/2024 fails to comply with 37 CFR 1.98(a)(3)(i) because it does not include a concise explanation of the relevance, as it is presently understood by the individual designated in 37 CFR 1.56(c) most knowledgeable about the content of the information, of each reference listed that is not in the English language. Specifically, foreign reference one, DE-102019205419-A1, was not considered because it was not filed in English nor was a concise explanation of relevance filed with the reference. It has been placed in the application file, but the information referred to therein has not been considered.
The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on 4/29/2024 has been received and considered by the examiner.
Drawings
The drawings are objected to because:
The figures are difficult to read and need clarity, such as larger images to improve the resolution,
FIG. 1: reference characters 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 are not clearly labeled, for example 100 should state "user input unit",
FIG. 1, pg. 10, para 0067: "rear LIDAR sensor 513" is described for FIG. 1, but only shown in FIG. 2 and should be more clearly indicated, for example "rear LIDAR sensor 513 (as shown in FIG. 2)",
FIG. 5, S160: "Carried" should be "Caregiver",
FIG. 8, pg. 17, para 0127: 2100 should be 2300,
FIG. 9, pg. 18, para 0134: "receive roof safety bar up signal" should be "receive roof safety bar down signal", and
FIG. 9, pg. 18, para 0135: "has floor safety bar" should be "has roof safety bar".
Corrected drawing sheets in compliance with 37 CFR 1.121(d) are required in reply to the Office action to avoid abandonment of the application. Any amended replacement drawing sheet should include all of the figures appearing on the immediate prior version of the sheet, even if only one figure is being amended. The figure or figure number of an amended drawing should not be labeled as “amended.” If a drawing figure is to be canceled, the appropriate figure must be removed from the replacement sheet, and where necessary, the remaining figures must be renumbered and appropriate changes made to the brief description of the several views of the drawings for consistency. Additional replacement sheets may be necessary to show the renumbering of the remaining figures. Each drawing sheet submitted after the filing date of an application must be labeled in the top margin as either “Replacement Sheet” or “New Sheet” pursuant to 37 CFR 1.121(d). If the changes are not accepted by the examiner, the applicant will be notified and informed of any required corrective action in the next Office action. The objection to the drawings will not be held in abeyance.
The drawings are objected to as failing to comply with 37 CFR 1.84(p)(5) because they do not include the following reference sign(s) mentioned in the description:
FIG. 1, pg. 8, para 0059: traveling information detection unit 200,
FIG. 4, pg. 14, para 0101; FIG. 6, pg. 15, para 0112; FIG. 8, pg. 17, para 0126; FIG. 10, pg. 18, para 0142; FIG. 11, pg. 19, para 0154; FIG. 12-14, pg. 20, para 0156; FIG. 17, pg. 22, para 0177; FIG. 18, pg. 23, para 0188; FIG. 19, pg. 23, para 0190: vehicle 1000,
FIG. 4, pg. 15, para 0113: roof safety bar 2500,
FIG. 10, pg. 18, para 0140: a wheelchair storage system 3000, and
FIG. 10, pg. 19, para 0145: safety bar 3900.
Corrected drawing sheets in compliance with 37 CFR 1.121(d) are required in reply to the Office action to avoid abandonment of the application. Any amended replacement drawing sheet should include all of the figures appearing on the immediate prior version of the sheet, even if only one figure is being amended. Each drawing sheet submitted after the filing date of an application must be labeled in the top margin as either “Replacement Sheet” or “New Sheet” pursuant to 37 CFR 1.121(d). If the changes are not accepted by the examiner, the applicant will be notified and informed of any required corrective action in the next Office action. The objection to the drawings will not be held in abeyance.
Specification
Applicant is reminded of the proper language and format for an abstract of the disclosure.
The abstract should be in narrative form and generally limited to a single paragraph on a separate sheet within the range of 50 to 150 words in length. The abstract should describe the disclosure sufficiently to assist readers in deciding whether there is a need for consulting the full patent text for details.
The language should be clear and concise and should not repeat information given in the title. It should avoid using phrases which can be implied, such as, “The disclosure concerns,” “The disclosure defined by this invention,” “The disclosure describes,” etc. In addition, the form and legal phraseology often used in patent claims, such as “means” and “said,” should be avoided.
The abstract of the disclosure is objected to because line 1 states "Disclosed herein". A corrected abstract of the disclosure is required and must be presented on a separate sheet, apart from any other text. See MPEP § 608.01(b).
The disclosure is objected to because of the following informalities:
Pg. 5, para 9931: "Accord6ing" should be "According",
Pg. 14, para 0099: there is an icon covering the text, and
Pg. 17, para 0128: "loop safety bar 2500" should be "roof safety bar 2500".
Appropriate correction is required.
Claim Objections
Claims 1 and 10 are objected to because of the following informalities:
Claim 1 (lines 14-20) recites: "wherein the processor is configured to: secure the wheelchair […]; control at least one of the floor safety bar or the roof safety bar […]; and control at least one of the back and forth moving seat or a pop-up seat […]" and instead, should recite something similar to "wherein the process is configured to secure the wheelchair […] by: controlling […] and; by controlling […]."
Claim 10 (lines 5-6): recites “a safety bar disposed on a floor of the vehicle to move up towards a position in front of a wheelchair,” which aligns with the description of the “floor safety bar” recited in Claim 1 (line 6), “a floor safety bar disposed on a floor of the vehicle to move up towards a wheelchair.” Based on the application disclosure, specifically FIG. 6 showing floor safety bar 2400 and FIG. 9 showing safety bar 3900, the ”floor safety bar” and “safety bar disposed on a floor” are interpreted as the same thing. For examination purposes, Claim 10 (lines 5-6) will be read as “a safety bar disposed on a floor of the vehicle to move up towards a position in front of a wheelchair” is removed. Further Claim 10 (lines 10-12 and 15) Claim 18 (line 2) will be read as "the floor safety bar" and Claim 18 (line 3) will be read as "a floor safety bar control signal."
Claim 10 (line 7) recites “to raise the wheelchair into air” it would be more clear if the claim recited something similar to “to raise the wheelchair” or “to raise the wheelchair off the wheelchair holding plate.”
Appropriate correction is required.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
(b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph:
The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention.
Claims 1-18 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention.
Claims 1 (line 12) and 10 (line 12) recite the limitation "the holding plate." There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. For examination purposes, “the holding plate” will be read as “the wheelchair holding plate.”
Claim 7 (line recites the limitation "the backrest position.” There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. Whereas, Claim 9 (line 2) recites the limitation "a backrest position.” “A preset backrest position” is already defined in Claim 4 (line 4). For clarity, Claim 7 (line 3) should recite “the preset backrest position.” For examination purposes, “preset backrest position” of Claims 4 and 5 and “backrest position” of Claims 7 and 9 will be read as the same. The claim language should be updated to clarify the terms.
Claim 10 (line 5) recites “a floor of the vehicle.” “A floor of the vehicle” is already defined in Claim 1 (line 5). For clarity, Claim 10 should recite “the floor of the vehicle.”
Claim 10 (line 7) recites “a roof of the vehicle.” “A roof of the vehicle” is already defined in Claim 1 (line 6). For clarity, Claim 10 should recite “the roof of the vehicle.”
Claim 10 (line 13) recites “a caregiver.” “A caregiver” is already defined in Claim 1 (line 13). For clarity, Claim 10 should recite “the caregiver.”
Claims 2-6, 8, and 11-18 are rejected by dependency on at least Claim 1, respectively.
Allowable Subject Matter
Independent Claim 1 would be allowable if rewritten or amended to overcome the rejection(s) under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), 2nd paragraph, set forth in this Office action.
Dependent Claims 7 and 9-10 would be allowable if rewritten to overcome the rejection(s) under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), 2nd paragraph, set forth in this Office action and by dependency on Claim 1 if also rewritten or amended to overcome the rejection(s) under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), 2nd paragraph, as stated above.
Dependent Claims 2-6, 8, and 11-18 would be allowable dependency on Claim 1.
As allowable subject matter has been indicated, applicant's reply must either comply with all formal requirements or specifically traverse each requirement not complied with. See 37 CFR 1.111(b) and MPEP § 707.07(a).
The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter:
The arts of record, especially Faruque et al., Patent No. US-11,577,680-B1, and Strong, PG Pub US-2005/0214104-A1 do not singularly or in combination disclose the apparatus for providing convenience to a disabled person using a wheelchair comprising a wheelchair holding plate, a position recognition sensor, a floor safety bar, a roof safety bar, a back and forth moving seat, a first manipulator in the back and forth seat configured to input commands to the floor safety bar, the roof safety bar, or the back and forth moving seat, and a first processor configured to control the wheelchair holding plate, the floor safety bar, the roof safety bar, and the back and forth moving seat, wherein the first processor controls the wheelchair holding plate to secure the wheelchair when a caregiver and the disabled person enter the vehicle, controls the floor safety bar or roof safety bar in response to a command from the first manipulator when the caregiver is in the back and forth moving seat, and controls the back and forth moving seat or a pop up seat as recited in independent Claim 1.
The uniqueness of the claimed invention is, as recited in Claim 1, a back and forth seat that includes a manipulator which has the capability to input commands to the floor safety bar or the roof safety bar.
Faruque being one of the closest prior art discloses an assembly including a base on a vehicle floor and bar with a tray that can be controlled to automatically telescope up and in front of a wheelchair situated on the base, wherein the tray includes an airbag for restraining the wheelchair. Strong being one of the closest prior art discloses a lift mechanism for a chair, wherein the lift mechanism is attached to rails situated on the side of the vehicle and can be used to move the wheelchair into and out of the vehicle. The lift mechanism includes controls for operating an actuator of the lift while seated. However, there are no teachings in Faruque or Strong pertaining to the claimed combination of a floor safety bar, a roof safety bar, and a back and forth seat, wherein the back and forth seat includes a manipulator which has the capability to input commands to the floor safety bar or the roof safety bar, while a caregiver is seated in the back and forth seat.
Therefore, the allowable subject matter found in the claims that has not been found to have been taught or disclosed in the prior art found at this time is all the claimed limitations of independent Claim 1. All the dependent claims, Claims 2-18, also contain allowable subject matter by virtue of their dependency on their base claim.
Therefore, Claims 2-18 would also be allowable by dependency on Claim 1.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Reference B, Giardin et al., PG Pub US-2020/0323713-A1, discuses an automated securement system for locking a wheeled mobility device in a vehicle that includes variants of gripping members which can extend and retract to secure the mobility device in place by using sensors and controllers.
Reference C, Farooq et al., PG Pub US-2022/0242358-A1, discuses a seating area for securing a passenger using anchors and a set of cross bars attached to the roof of the vehicle which can extend in front of the seated passenger and can include an airbag.
Reference N, Steber et al., EP-2085064-A2, discuses a restraint device including a lifting mechanism and a lockable wheelchair, wherein the device includes a pivoting plate for locking the wheelchair in place, position sensors for aiding in positioning of the wheelchair, and a remote control for adjusting the position.
Reference O, Xu, CN-215552677-U, discuses an automatic lifting auxiliary seat attached to a vehicle body and includes a control box, control unit, and switch for moving the auxiliary seat.
Reference P, Martini et al., DE-102019205419-A1, discuses a device for securing goods or a mobility aid in a vehicle, wherein two securing elements are moved in place and filled with air to grip the goods or mobility aid to be transported.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to ERIN MARIE HARTMANN whose telephone number is (571)272-5309. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 7-5.
Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Kito Robinson can be reached at (571) 270-3921. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/E.M.H./Examiner, Art Unit 3664
/KITO R ROBINSON/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 3664
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