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 .
The amendment filed on 14 April 2026 in response to the non-final office action mailed on 14 January 2026 has been considered. Claim(s) 1-20 is/are pending. Claim(s) 1-20 has/have been examined in this action.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
The text of those sections of Title 35, U.S. Code not included in this action can be found in a prior Office action.
Claim(s) 1-6, 8-11, and 13-19 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over CN 114698966 A to Ye in view of CN 2657487 Y to Cai.
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Claim(s) 1-6, 8-11, and 13-19 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over CN 114698966 A to Ye in view of CN 2657487 Y to Cai.
Regarding claim 1, Ye discloses an attachment system for an office chair back support, comprising: a chair base (See Figure above); a seat back (See Figure above) having a support portion (See Figure above) and an attachment portion (See Figure above), the support portion having a forward surface (See Figure above) for supporting the back of a user; a seat (See Figure above) mounted on the chair base, the seat having an upper surface (See Figure above) for supporting a user; and a locking element (See Figure above) connected between the attachment portion of the seat back and the base, the locking element locking the attachment portion in place with respect to the base (See Figure 5), the locking element capable of toolless attachment to the base (pin is capable of being removed without a tool), wherein, prior to the connection of the locking element, the seat back is pivotable with respect to the chair base between a first and an upright position (Fig.1-3; capable of being rotated to different positions, further the “shipping position” is not defined by the claim), and wherein the connection of the locking element locks the seat back in the upright position (Fig.1).
Ye discloses a rotatable, adjustable seat back but does not specifically disclose wherein the forward surface of the seat back faces the upper surface of the seat in the folded ship position.
Cai discloses an office chair wherein the seat back is capable of being folded such that the seat back surface faces the seat surface (Fig.5).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to have provided the ability to the chair of Ye to be folded flat as taught by Cai so to enable the chair to be stored or shipped in a more compact configuration, thereby saving space and lowering shipping costs.
Regarding claim 2, Cai discloses wherein, prior to the connection of the locking element, the seat back is in the folded position (Fig.5)
Regarding claim 3, Ye discloses wherein the locking element is a pin (See Figure above), the base defining a locking element receptacle (See Figure above), configured to receive the pin (Fig.5).
Regarding claim 4, Ye discloses wherein the pin (locking element, See Figure above) includes a first end (one end of pin), a second end (second end of pin), and a longitudinal length between the ends (length of pin).
Ye discloses an elastic body on the pin to aid in removal prevention but does not disclose wherein the pin has an does not disclose wherein the pin defining a notch along the longitudinal length.
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to have provided a notch along the pin so to aid in locking with the elastic body and thereby preventing unwanted removal of the pin from the assembly.
Regarding claim 5, Ye discloses wherein the base includes a resilient element (fourth resilient body inserted on pin) that extends onto the pin to prevent removal of the pin.
Ye does not disclose wherein the resilient element extends into the notch.
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to have provided the resilient member engaging the notch so to ensure the pin is not mistakenly displaced while in the locked orientation.
Regarding claim 6, wherein the base includes a back support mounting rod (See Figure above), the attachment portion of the seat back connected to the back support mounting rod (attached through support bracket; See Figure above).
Regarding claim 8, Ye discloses a back support attachment system comprising: a chair base (See Figure above) having a lock receptacle (See Figure above); a seat (See Figure above) mounted on the chair base, the seat having an upper surface (See Figure above) for supporting a user; a seat back (See Figure above) having a support portion (See Figure above) and an attachment portion (See Figure above), the support portion having a forward surface (See Figure above) for supporting the back of a user, the seat back pivotally connected to the base (Fig.1-3) such that the seat back is movable between a folded position and an upright position (Fig.1-3); and a locking element (See Figure above) capable of toolless insertion into the lock receptacle to lock the seat back in the upright position (Fig.1).
Ye discloses a rotatable, adjustable seat back but does not specifically disclose wherein the forward surface of the seat back faces the upper surface of the seat in the folded ship position.
Cai discloses an office chair wherein the seat back is capable of being folded such that the seat back surface faces the seat surface (Fig.5).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to have provided the ability to the chair of Ye to be folded flat as taught by Cai so to enable the chair to be stored or shipped in a more compact configuration, thereby saving space and lowering shipping costs.
Regarding claim 9, Ye discloses wherein the chair base includes a lock spring (fourth elastic body engaging the locking pin), the lock spring engaging the locking element upon insertion of the locking element to retain the locking element in the lock receptacle (See Figure above).
Regarding claim 10, Ye discloses wherein the locking element is a lock pin (See Figure above) having a first end (one side of pin), a second end (other side of pin), and a longitudinal length therebetween (length of pin).
Ye discloses an elastic body on the pin to aid in removal prevention but does not disclose wherein the pin defining a notch along the longitudinal length.
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to have provided a notch along the pin so to aid in locking with the elastic body and thereby preventing unwanted removal of the pin from the assembly.
Regarding claim 11, Ye discloses wherein the base includes a back support mounting rod (See Figure above), the attachment portion of the seat back connected to the back support mounting rod (attached through the support bracket; See Figure above).
Regarding claim 13, Ye discloses a method of installing a seat back on an office chair, comprising the steps of: providing an office chair base (See Figure above) having an upper surface (See Figure above), a seat back support rod (See Figure above) and a lock receptacle (See Figure above); mounting a seat on the office chair base (Fig.1), the seat extending over at least a portion of the upper surface of the base (Fig.1), the seat having an upper surface (See Figure above) for supporting a user; attaching a support bracket (See Figure above) to the support rod such that the support bracket is pivotable about the support rod (pivots about the rod); providing a seat back (See Figure above) having a support portion (See Figure above) and an attachment portion (See Figure above), the support portion having a user support surface (See Figure above); connecting the seat back attachment portion to the support bracket (See Figure above) such that the seat back is pivotable about the support rod (See Figure above); pivoting the seat back to a position (Fig. 1-3); and providing a lock element (See Figure above) with the office chair, wherein upon pivoting the seat back from the position to an upright position, the lock element is insertable into the lock receptacle to retain the seat back in the upright position and prevent pivoting of the seat back to the ship position (Fig.1).
Ye discloses a rotatable, adjustable seat back but does not specifically disclose wherein the forward surface of the seat back faces the upper surface of the seat in the folded ship position.
Cai discloses an office chair wherein the seat back is capable of being folded such that the seat back surface faces the seat surface (Fig.5).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to have provided the ability to the chair of Ye to be folded flat as taught by Cai so to enable the chair to be stored or shipped in a more compact configuration, thereby saving space and lowering shipping costs.
Regarding claim 14, Ye discloses wherein the lock receptacle extends through the base (See Figure above), and the support bracket (See Figure above), such that the insertion of the lock element includes insertion of the lock element through the chair base and at least one of the seat back and the support bracket (Fig.1).
Regarding claim 15, Ye discloses wherein the lock element is an elongated pin (See Figure above).
Regarding claim 16, including the step of providing a lock retainer on the base (fourth elastic body), the lock retainer engaging the lock element upon insertion of the lock element to prevent removal of the lock element (elastic body is inserted into the locking element).
Regarding claim 17, Ye discloses an elastic body on the pin to aid in removal prevention but does not disclose wherein the pin defining a notch along the longitudinal length.
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to have provided a notch along the pin so to aid in locking with the elastic body and thereby preventing unwanted removal of the pin from the assembly.
Regarding claim 18, Ye discloses wherein the lock retainer is a spring element that snaps onto lock retainer, but does not specifically disclose wherein the retainer is steel nor wherein the retainer engages the notch.
Ye does not disclose wherein the resilient element extends into the notch.
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to have provided the resilient member engaging the notch so to ensure the pin is not mistakenly displaced while in the locked orientation.
Further forming a spring from steel is a relatively well known concept. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to have formed the resilient body of Ye from steel so to ensure the spring is strong, durable, and resilient which will ensure a long lasting resilient lock retainer member.
Regarding claim 19, Ye discloses wherein the step of connecting the seat back attachment portion to the support bracket includes extending a fastener through the seat back attachment portion and the support bracket (See Figure above).
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed 14 April 2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive.
Applicant argues one of ordinary skill in the art would not have been motivated for the modification of Ye since Ye does not disclose a simple hinge. This is not found to be persuasive. Although the hinge of Ye may not be deemed a “simple” hinge by Applicant, the modification of the hinge mechanism would be obvious to one of skill in the art. The mechanism would be altered in a known way such as adding additional position holes, forming the movement limiting means on a different portion of the mechanism etc. in order to allow the seat back to fold forward.
Applicant further argues that the seat back would hit the seat and therefore would require further modifications. All of the modifications needed would be of ordinary skill in the art. A simple medication to the shape or location of the mechanisms would allow the seat back to fold forward, or even further a sliding slot as taught by Cai would also allow the seatback to avoid hitting the seat.
Lastly, Applicant argues that Cai’s folded forward position is merely an intermediate state that is not necessary with Ye’s locking configuration. This is not found to be persuasive. Although Cai’s folded forward state may be an intermediate state, the folded forward position would allow a compact footprint of the folding chair of Ye, thereby allowing a smaller profile for storing, moving, shipping, placing beneath a desk, etc. Therefore, although Ye does not teach “needing” or “requiring” a folded forward position, providing a folded forward position would indeed be useful to the chair of Ye and to the users of the chair.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 7, 12, and 20 are allowed.
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.
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RDK
/RYAN D KWIECINSKI/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3635
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