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 .
Drawings
The drawings were received on 06/22/2026. These drawings are accepted.
Specification
The specification is objected to as failing to provide proper antecedent basis for the claimed subject matter. See 37 CFR 1.75(d)(1) and MPEP § 608.01(o). Correction of the following is required: "first hinge end group" and “second hinge end group” are not recited in the specification.
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)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claims 1-2, 4-11, and 14-16 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by Lücke (US 20220305965).
As concerns claim 1, Lücke discloses a vehicle seat position adjustment device comprising: a first fixing bracket (Lücke, fig. 4: 12, see annotated fig. 3) and a second fixing bracket (Lücke, fig. 4: 12, see annotated fig. 3) respectively mounted on front ends of a pair of seat rails (Lücke, fig. 2b: 3 and 4); a seat cushion frame (Lücke, fig. 2b: 7) hinged to side frames (Lücke, see annotated fig. 2b) respectively mounted on rear ends of the seat rails (Lücke, fig. 2b: 3 and 4); a first tilting link (Lücke, fig. 2a: 15.2) hinged to the first fixing bracket (Lücke, fig. 4: 12, see annotated fig. 3); a second tilting link (Lücke, fig. 2a: 15.1) hinged to the second fixing bracket (Lücke, fig. 4: 12, see annotated fig. 3); a first front link (Lücke, fig. 2a: 16.2) having one end hinged to the first tilting link (Lücke, fig. 2a: 15.2) and another end hinged to a first front end of the seat cushion frame (Lücke, fig. 2b: 7); a second front link (Lücke, fig. 2a: 16.1) having one end hinged to the second tilting link (Lücke, fig. 2a: 15.1) and another end hinged to a second front end of the seat cushion frame (Lücke, fig. 2b: 7); and a driving device (Lücke, fig. 4: 10) connected to the first tilting link (Lücke, fig. 2a: 15.2) and the second tilting link (Lücke, fig. 2a: 15.1) and configured to transmit, to the first tilting link (Lücke, fig. 2a: 15.2) and the second tilting link (Lücke, fig. 2a: 15.1), rotational force to tilt the seat cushion frame (Lücke, fig. 2b: 7).
As concerns claim 2, Lücke discloses wherein the driving device (Lücke, fig. 4: 10) comprises: a first gear box (Lücke, fig. 2b: 13) hinged to the first tilting link (Lücke, fig. 2a: 15.2) and configured to transmit the rotational force to the first tilting link (Lücke, fig. 2a: 15.2); a first lead screw (Lücke, fig. 3: 13.1) inserted into and coupled to the first gear box (Lücke, fig. 2b: 13) in a forward-and- rearward direction so as to move the first gear box (Lücke, fig. 2b: 13) forwards and rearwards, wherein the first lead screw (Lücke, fig. 3: 13.1) has a rear end hinged to a connection frame (Lücke, fig. 3: 12, see annotated fig. 3) configured to connect the pair of seat rails (Lücke, fig. 2b: 3 and 4); a second gear box (Lücke, fig. 2a: 14) hinged to the second tilting link (Lücke, fig. 2a: 15.1) and configured to transmit the rotational force to the second tilting link (Lücke, fig. 2a: 15.1); a second lead screw (Lücke, fig. 3: 14.1) inserted into and coupled to the second gear box (Lücke, fig. 2a: 14) in the forward- and-rearward direction so as to move the second gear box (Lücke , fig. 2a: 14) forwards and rearwards, wherein the second lead screw (Lücke, fig. 3: 14.1) has a rear end hinged to the connection frame (Lücke, fig. 3: 12, see annotated fig. 3) configured to connect the pair of seat rails (Lücke, fig. 2b: 3 and 4); and a double-shaft motor (Lücke, fig. 3: 30) connected to the first gear box (Lücke, fig. 2b: 13) and the second gear box (Lücke, fig. 2a: 14) so as to transmit the rotational force to the first gear box (Lücke, fig. 2b: 13) and the second gear box (Lücke, fig. 2a: 14).
As concerns claim 4, Lücke discloses wherein the first tilting link (Lücke, fig. 2a: 15.2) has a first hinge end (Lücke, see annotated fig. 3) of a first hinge end group formed at an upper end thereof and hinged to the first gear box (Lücke, fig. 2b: 13), a second hinge end (Lücke, see annotated fig. 3) of the first hinge end group formed at a front end thereof and hinged to the first front link (Lücke, fig. 2a: 16.2), and a third hinge end (Lücke, see annotated fig. 3) of the first hinge end group formed at a lower end thereof and hinged to the first fixing bracket (Lücke, fig. 4: 12, see annotated fig. 3).
As concerns claim 5, Lücke discloses wherein the second tilting link (Lücke, fig. 2a: 15.1) has a first hinge end (Lücke, see annotated fig. 3) of a second hinge end group formed at an upper end thereof and hinged to the second gear box (Lücke, fig. 2a: 14), a second hinge end (Lücke, see annotated fig. 3) of the second hinge end group formed at a front end thereof and hinged to the second front link (Lücke, fig. 2a: 16.1), and a
As concerns claim 6, Lücke discloses wherein the first lead screw (Lücke , fig. 3: 13.1) passing through the first gear box (Lücke, fig. 2b: 13) and the second lead screw (Lücke , fig. 3: 14.1) passing through the second gear box (Lücke , fig. 2a: 14) have stopper nuts (Lücke, fig. 3, see annotated fig. 3) respectively coupled to front ends thereof, wherein each of the stopper nuts (Lücke, fig. 3, see annotated fig. 3) limits a maximum forward distance of the first gear box (Lücke , fig. 2b: 13) and the second gear box (Lücke , fig. 2a: 14).
As concerns claim 7, Lücke discloses wherein the double-shaft motor (Lücke, fig. 3: 30) has a support plate (Lücke, fig. 3, see annotated fig. 3) mounted thereon, wherein the support plate (Lücke, fig. 3, see annotated fig. 3) is connected to the first gear box (Lücke, fig. 2b: 13) and the second gear box (Lücke, fig. 2a: 14) and supports the double-shaft motor (Lücke, fig. 3: 30).
As concerns claim 8, Lücke discloses wherein the first gear box (Lücke, fig. 2b: 13) has a first cover bracket (Lücke, fig. 3: G) mounted on a circumferential portion thereof, wherein the first cover bracket (Lücke, fig. 3: G) comprises an outer plate hinged to an upper end of the first tilting link (Lücke, fig. 2a: 15.2) and a connection end coupled to one end of the support plate (Lücke, fig. 3, see annotated fig. 3).
As concerns claim 9, Lücke discloses wherein the second gear box (Lücke, fig. 2a: 14) has a second cover bracket (Lücke, fig. 3: G) mounted on a circumferential portion thereof, wherein the second cover bracket (Lücke, fig. 3: G) comprises an outer plate hinged to an upper end of the second tilting link (Lücke, fig. 2a: 15.1) and a connection end coupled to another end of the support plate (Lücke, fig. 3, see annotated fig. 3).
As concerns claim 10, Lücke discloses wherein the connection frame (Lücke, fig. 3: 12, see annotated fig. 3) has hinge brackets mounted thereon and respectively hinged to the rear end of the first lead screw (Lücke , fig. 3: 13.1) and the rear end of the second lead screw (Lücke , fig. 3: 14.1).
As concerns claim 11, Lücke discloses wherein a flexible cable (Lücke, paragraph 0040, lines 8-9) is adopted for a first rotation transmission shaft (Lücke, fig. 3: 14.3) and a second rotation transmission shaft (Lücke, fig. 3: 13.3), wherein the first rotation transmission shaft (Lücke, fig. 3: 14.3) connects one output part of the double-shaft motor (Lücke, fig. 3: 30) to an input part of the first gear box (Lücke, fig. 2b: 13), and the second rotation transmission shaft (Lücke, fig. 3: 13.3) connects the other output part of the double-shaft motor (Lücke, fig. 3: 30) to an input part of the second gear box (Lücke, fig. 2a: 14).
As concerns claim 14, Lücke discloses a vehicle seat comprising the vehicle seat adjustment device (Lücke, paragraph 0003).
As concerns claim 15, Lücke discloses a vehicle comprising the vehicle seat adjustment device (Lücke, paragraph 0003).
As concerns claim 16, Lücke discloses a method of operating a vehicle seat position adjustment device, the method comprising: providing a vehicle seat position adjustment device comprising: a first fixing bracket (Lücke, fig. 4: 12, see annotated fig. 3) and a second fixing bracket (Lücke, fig. 4: 12, see annotated fig. 3) respectively mounted on front ends of a pair of seat rails (Lücke, fig. 2b: 3 and 4); a seat cushion frame (Lücke, fig. 2b: 7) hinged to side frames (Lücke, see annotated fig. 2b) respectively mounted on rear ends of the seat rails (Lücke, fig. 2b: 3 and 4); a tilting link (Lücke, fig. 2a: 15.1and 15. 2) comprising a first tilting link (Lücke, fig. 2a: 15.2) hinged to the first fixing bracket (Lücke, fig. 4: 12, see annotated fig. 3) and a second tilting link (Lücke, fig. 2a: 15.1) hinged to the second fixing bracket (Lücke, fig. 4: 12, see annotated fig. 3); a first front link (Lücke, fig. 2a: 16.2) having one end hinged to the first tilting link (Lücke, fig. 2a: 15.2) and another end hinged to a first front end of the seat cushion frame (Lücke, fig. 2b: 7); a second front link (Lücke, fig. 2a: 16.1) having one end hinged to the second tilting link (Lücke, fig. 2a: 15.1) and another end hinged to a second front end of the seat cushion frame (Lücke, fig. 2b: 7); and a driving device (Lücke, fig. 4: 10) connected to the first tilting link (Lücke, fig. 2a: 15.2) and the second tilting link (Lücke, fig. 2a: 15.1) and configured to transmit, to the first tilting link (Lücke, fig. 2a: 15.2) and the second tilting link (Lücke, fig. 2a: 15.1), rotational force to tilt the seat cushion frame (Lücke, fig. 2b: 7); performing a tilting operation of a seat cushion by rotating a tilting link (Lücke, fig. 2a: 15.1 and 15.2) hinged to a gear box (Lücke , fig. 2b: 13 and fig. 2b:14) in a standing direction of the seat cushion frame (Lücke, fig. 2b: 7) while the gear box (Lücke , fig. 2b: 13 and fig. 2b:14) is moved rearwards along a lead screw (Lücke , fig. 2b: 13.1 and 14.1); pushing up a front link (Lücke, fig. 2a: 16.1 and 16.2) hinged to the tilting link (Lücke, fig. 2a: 15.2) while the tilting link (Lücke, fig. 2a: 15.1 and 15.2) is rotated in the standing direction of the seat cushion frame (Lücke, fig. 2b: 7), and allowing the front link (Lücke, fig. 2a: 16.1 and 16.2) to push up a front end of the seat cushion frame (Lücke, fig. 2b: 7).
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.
Claims 12-13 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Lücke (US 20220305965) in view of Susko (US 12179636).
As concerns claim 12, Lücke teaches the seat cushion frame (Lücke, fig. 2b: 7) and lower ends respectively hinged to opposite rear ends of the side frames (Lücke , see annotated fig. 2b).
Lücke does not teach the first and second height adjustment links, a sector gear, a height adjustment motor, and a pinion.
However, Susko teaches first and second height adjustment links (Susko, fig. 5: 136) having upper ends respectively hinged to opposite rear ends; a sector gear (Susko, fig. 5: 148) formed at a front portion of the upper end of the first height adjustment link (Susko, fig. 5: 136); a height adjustment motor (Susko, fig. 3: 132) mounted on one rear end of the seat cushion frame; and a pinion (Susko, see annotated figure 5) mounted on an output shaft of the height adjustment motor (Susko, fig. 3: 132) and engaged with the sector gear (Susko, fig. 5: 148).
It would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date to the invention, to modify Lucke with teachings of Susko in order to provide the seat with a rear actuator to allow the seat to be moved to different positions to provide better comfort. While Susko only shows one side of the seat, it would have been obvious to provide a height adjustment link on both sides of the seat, such that there are two links, to better support the seat and control the position of the seat.
As concerns claim 13, Lücke teaches the seat cushion frame (Lücke, fig. 2b: 7) as discussed above.
Lücke does not teach the first height adjustment link having a curved slot, wherein the curved slot limits a lifting distance of the seat cushion frame.
However, Susko does teach the first height adjustment link (Susko, fig. 5: 136) has a curved slot (Susko, fig. 7: 144) formed at an upper portion thereof and formed to penetrate the upper portion, wherein the curved slot (Susko, fig. 7: 144) limits a lifting distance of the seat cushion frame has a guidance pin (Susko, fig. 7: 140) formed to protrude from the one rear end thereof and movably inserted into the curved slot (Susko, fig. 7: 144).
It would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date to the invention, to modify Lucke with teachings of Susko in order to provide the seat with a rear actuator to allow the seat to be moved to different positions to provide better comfort. While Susko only shows one side of the seat, it would have been obvious to provide a height adjustment link on both sides of the seat, such that there are two links, to better support the seat and control the position of the seat.
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Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed 06/22/2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive. While applicant argues that Lucke et al. does not disclose a “front link” that is “simply connected between a tilting link and a seat cushion frame,” the claim does not require a direct, single-member connection absent explicit language to that effect. Under the broadest reasonable interpretation, Lucke’s upper link arm (16), in combination with the lower link arm (15), forms a linkage that transmits motion from the actuator (tilting link) to the seat cushion frame, satisfying the claimed “front link.” The fact that Lucke uses a four-bar linkage, rather than a three-bar linkage, does not distinguish the claimed invention unless the claim is amended to require a direct connection or to exclude intermediate members. Therefore, the claimed limitation is met by Lucke et al.
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 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 JESSICA K THOMPSON whose telephone number is (571)272-3620. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday 8:30-5:00 ET.
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JESSICA K THOMPSON
Examiner
Art Unit 3636
/DAVID R DUNN/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 3636
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