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 .
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and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114.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 6/4/2026 has been entered.
Specification
The title of the invention is not descriptive. A new title is required that is clearly indicative of the invention to which the claims are directed.
The following title is suggested: A slide for securing a flat strap.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
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 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 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.
Claims 1, 5-12, and 16-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Ackerman (U.S. 2,986,787).
As for Claim 1, Ackermann discloses a slide for securing a flat strap through one of two open ends (see Annotated Fig.) and by folding the flat strap and wedging through an opening, the slide comprising:
a body section (see Annotated Fig.), the body section sized to receive the flat strap;
a ridge (see Annotated Fig.), the ridge on the body section (see Annotated Fig.);
a first and second overhang (see Annotated Fig.) on either side of the ridge and opposing the ridge such that the first and second overhang cooperate with the ridge to impart friction to the flat strap and prevent removal, the opening between the first and second overhang (see Annotated Fig.) wherein the overhangs fold over like an upside-down G-shape in relation to the ridge (see Annotated Fig.), the overhangs are knobbed (see Annotated Fig.), and bottom edges of the overhangs and a top of the ridge intersect on an imaginary line running across the device (see Annotated Fig.).
Re: Claim 5. The slide of claim 1, wherein a void (see Annotated Fig.) is included on either side of the ridge, such that the flat strap is foldable down into the void for loading and unloading (see Annotated Fig.).
Re: Claim 6. The slide of claim 5, wherein the ridge is raised in respect to the voids and a bottom edge of the slide (see Annotated Fig.).
Re: Claim 7. The slide of claim 6, wherein when two sections of the flat strap are in the slide fiction of the knobbed overhangs and ridge against the flat strap prevent removal (see Fig. 1).
Re: Claim 8. The slide of claim 7, wherein as tension is applied to the flat strap, the flat strap tends to flatten, providing force against the first and second overhangs and the ridge which translates to friction against removal (see Fig. 1).
Re: Claim 9. The slide of claim 8, further comprising an opening between the first and second overhangs (see Annotated Fig.).
Re: Claim 10. The slide of claim 9, wherein the opening is aligned with the ridge (see Annotated Fig.).
Re: Claim 11. The slide of claim 10, wherein the flat strap is loadable through the opening by folding the flat strap and sliding edges of the flat strap into the voids on either side of the ridge (see Annotated Fig.).
As for Claim 12, Ackermann discloses a slide for securing a flat strap, the slide comprising:
a body section (see Annotated Fig.), the body section sized to receive the flat strap by sliding the flat strap through an open end (see Annotated Fig.),
a ridge (see Annotated Fig.), the ridge on the body section;
a first and second overhang (see Annotated Fig.), having an opening between them (see Annotated Fig.), the opening configured to receive a the flat strap (see Annotated Fig.) by folding the flat strap and wedging through (see Fig. 1), the first and second overhang on either side of the ridge and opposing the ridge such that the first and second overhang cooperate with the ridge to impart friction to the flat strap and prevent removal, wherein the overhangs fold over like an upside-down G-shape in relation to the ridge and the overhangs are knobbed (see Annotated Fig.), and the bottom edges of the overhangs and a top of the ridge intersect on an imaginary line running across the device (see Annotated Fig.).
As for Claim 16, Ackermann discloses a method of using a slide, the method comprising:
providing a slide (see Annotated Fig.), the slide including
a body section (see Annotated Fig.), the body section sized to receive the flat strap by sliding the flat strap through an open end (see Fig. 1);
a ridge (see Annotated Fig.), the ridge on the body section;
a first and second overhang (62a and 62b), having an opening (see Annotated Fig.) between them, the opening configured to receive the flat strap by folding the flat strap and wedging through (see Annotated Fig.), the first and second over hang on either side of the ridge and opposing the ridge such that the first and second overhang cooperate with the ridge to impart friction to the flat strap and prevent removal, wherein the overhangs fold over like an upside-down G-shape in relation to the ridge and the overhangs are knobbed (see Annotated Fig.); bottom edges of the overhangs and a top of the ridge intersect on an imaginary line running across the device (see Annotated Fig.);
folding a first section of a flat strap (see Annotated Fig.);
inserting the first section of the flat strap through an opening between the first and second overhangs (see Annotated Fig.).
Re: Claim 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising: folding a second section of the flat strap (see Annotated Fig.); inserting the second section of the flat strap through an opening between the first and second overhangs (see Annotated Fig.).
Re: Claim 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising: pulling of the flat strap (see Annotated Fig.); flattening the flat strap as a result of the pulling (see Annotated Fig.); providing force against the first and second overhangs and the ridge which translates to friction against removal as a result of the flattening (see Annotated Fig.).
Re: Claim 19. The method of claim 18, further comprising: folding the second section of the flat strap; removing second section of the flat strap through the opening (see Annotated Fig.).
Re: Claim 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:
folding the first section of the flat strap; removing first section of the flat strap through the opening (see Annotated Fig.).
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Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments with respect to claim(s) 1, 5-12, and 16-20 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
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to DAVID M UPCHURCH whose telephone number is (571)270-7957. The examiner can normally be reached 6AM-3PM EST M-F.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Jason San can be reached at (571)272-6531. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/DAVID M UPCHURCH/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3677
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