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 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 1-20 and 25-26 rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Hildebrandt U.S. 3,893,210.
As for Claim 1, Hildebrandt discloses a slide for securing a flat strap through one of two open ends (open ends of 16) and by folding the flat strap (18) and wedging through an opening (opening of 16), the slide comprising:
a body section (body of 60), the body section sized to receive the flat strap;
a ridge (64a), the ridge on the body section;
a first and second overhang (62a and 62b) 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 Fig. 4).
2. The slide of claim 1, wherein the overhangs fold over like an upside-down G-shape in relation to the ridge (see Fig. 4).
3. The slide of claim 2, wherein the overhangs are knobbed (rounded corners of 62a and 62b or rounded edge of 62c).
4. The slide of claim 3, wherein the overhangs and the ridge intersect on an imaginary line (imaginary line running through 62c) running across the device (see Figs. 4-6).
5. The slide of claim 3, wherein a void is included on either side of the ridge, such that the flat strap is foldable down into the void for loading and unloading (see void in 16 disclosed in Figs. 5-6).
6. The slide of claim 5, wherein the ridge is raised in respect to the voids and a bottom edge of the slide (see Figs. 5-6).
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. 5).
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. 5).
9. The slide of claim 8, further comprising an opening between the first and second overhangs (opening in 16, see Figs. 5-6).
10. The slide of claim 9, wherein the opening is aligned with the ridge (see Figs. 5-6).
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 Figs. 5-6).
As for Claim 12, Hildebrandt discloses a slide for securing a flat strap, the slide comprising:
a body section (body of 16), the body section sized to receive the flat strap by sliding the flat strap through an open end (open end of 16);
a ridge (64a), the ridge on the body section;
a first and second overhang (62a and 62b), having an opening between them (opening of 16), the opening configured to receive a the flat strap (18) 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 Figs.4-6) .
13. The slide of claim 12, wherein the overhangs and the ridge intersect on an imaginary line (imaginary line running through 62c) running across the device (see Figs.5-6).
14. The slide of claim 12, wherein the overhangs and the ridge extend towards each other nearing an imaginary line running across the device. (see Figs. 5-6)
15. The slide of claim 12, wherein the overhangs and the ridge extend towards each other passing beyond an imaginary line running across the device (see Figs. 5-6).
As for Claim 16, a method of using a slide, the method comprising:
providing a slide (16), the slide including
a body section (body of 16), the body section sized to receive the flat strap (18) by sliding the flat strap through an open end (see Fig. 1);
a ridge (64a), the ridge on the body section;
a first and second overhang (62a and 62b), having an opening (see opening of 16) between them, the opening configured to receive the flat strap by folding the flat strap and wedging through (see Fig. 1), 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 Figs. 4-6); folding a first section of a flat strap (68a, see Fig. 1)); inserting the first section of the flat strap through an opening between the first and second overhangs (see Figs. 1 and 4-6).
17. The method of claim 16, further comprising: folding a second section of the flat strap (68); inserting the second section of the flat strap through an opening between the first and second overhangs (see Figs. 1 and 4-6).
18. The method of claim 17, further comprising: pulling of the flat strap; flattening the flat strap as a result of the pulling; providing force against the first and second overhangs and the ridge which translates to friction against removal as a result of the flattening (see Figs. 4-6).
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 Figs. 1-2 and 4-6).
As for 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 Figs. 1-2 and 4-6).
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed 12/10/2025 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive.
In response to Applicant’s argument that Hildebrandt does not discloses an additional opening for receiving the flat strap, the recitation appears to by be further limiting than the claim language. Claims 1, 12, and 16 only discloses recites one opening and nor more than one opening.
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 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