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and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114.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 04/01/2026 has been entered.
Response to Amendment
Claims 21-41 are pending.
Claims 34-40 are withdrawn.
Clam 41 is newly added.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
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 (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) 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 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.
Claim(s) 21, 23, 27-29, 31, and 41 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Martinez (US 20140166516) in view of Craftsman (CRAFTSMAN V-SERIES Socket Set, Shallow MM, 1/4 Inch Drive, 38 Piece (CMMT45751V); NPL) and Hu (CN 110370226 A).
Regarding claim 21, Martinez A component box (3020) comprising: a multi-function lid tray (Fig. 28; 3028) having an undersurface (Fig. 28) and a compartmentalized tub tray (3024); and an inner tray (3140).
However, Martinez does not disclose, a plurality of storage clips molded onto the undersurface; wherein a tool secured by the clips.
Craftsman discloses, a box comprising a multi-function lid tray (See annotated fig. below) having an undersurface and a plurality of storage clips (See annotated fig. below); a tool (See annotated fig. below) secured between the storage clips.
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified Martinez to incorporate a plurality of storage clips; a tool secured between the storage clips on the lid as taught by Craftsman for the purpose of having additional tools that can easily be accessed.
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However, Martinez as modified does not disclose, a multi-link crank control arm wrench wherein, wherein the crank control arm wrench comprises a box-wrench portion and a flat-head screwdriver portion.
Hu discloses a multi-link crank control arm wrench wherein, wherein the crank control arm wrench comprises a box-wrench portion (Fig. 1; 6) and a flat-head screwdriver portion ( end of 3).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified Martinez to incorporate a tool wherein a multi-link crank control arm wrench comprises a box-wrench portion and a flat-head screwdriver portion as taught by HU as this allows user to have access to a different varieties of tool.
As a result of such modification, Martinez would have a plurality of cranking-arm-wrench storage clips (as annotated above) molded onto the undersurface; a multi-link crank control arm wrench secured between the cranking-arm-wrench storage clips (as shown above) , wherein the crank control arm wrench comprises a box-wrench portion and a flat-head screwdriver portion (Hu, Fig. 1).
Regarding claim 23, Martinez discloses, the inner tray comprises a plurality of storage compartments (Fig. 28; 3140 has plurality of compartment separated by the handle; See annotated fig below ), at least one of the plurality of storage compartments forming a louver-end-caps storage compartment.
The limitation “for louver end-caps, crank-handle couplers, compression-locking plates, and drill bits” is considered to be intended use. Examiner asserts that the recitation of intended use or purpose of the claimed invention must result in a structural difference between the claimed invention and the prior art in order to patentably distinguish the claimed invention from the prior art. If the prior art structure is capable of performing the intended use or fulfilling said purpose, then it meets the claim. Herein, the plurality of trays is capable of being used for louver end-caps, crank-handle couplers, compression-locking plates, and drill bits.
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Regarding claim 27, Martinez discloses, the lid. The limitation “the multi- function lid tray can be inverted to serve as a storage tray during assembly” is considered to be intended use. Examiner asserts that the recitation of intended use or purpose of the claimed invention must result in a structural difference between the claimed invention and the prior art in order to patentably distinguish the claimed invention from the prior art. If the prior art structure is capable of performing the intended use or fulfilling said purpose, then it meets the claim. Herein, the cap can be inverted to be used as a storage tray.
Regarding claim 28, Martinez discloses the compartmentalized tub tray and the inner tray are made of plastic (para 134).
Regarding claim 29, Martinez as modified discloses the crank control arm wrench. While Martinez does not explicitly disclose the screw to be made of metal, the examiner takes official notice that it is known to use metal screws in toolbox as they are stronger, as such it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified screw to be made of metal for improved strength.
Regarding claim 31, Martinez as modified does not disclose, crank-handle couplers snap-locked onto crank-handle-coupler storage stems.
Craftman discloses a container comprising crank-handle couplers snap-locked onto crank-handle-coupler storage stems (See annotated fig. below).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified lid of Martinez to incorporate crank-handle couplers snap-locked onto crank-handle-coupler storage stems as taught by Craftman as these are well known to be part of toolkits.
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Regarding claim 41, Martinez as modified discloses, the box-wrench portion and the flat-head screwdriver portion are located at a common end of the crank control arm wrench (Hu, Fig. 1; area of element 4).
Claim(s) 22, and 26 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Martinez-Craftman-Hu as applied to claim 21 above, and further in view of Gang (NPL; Costco Mirador Louvered Pergola 10x20 Installation).
Regarding claim 22, Martinez discloses a plurality of storage cavities (3148, 3088) as modified does not explicitly disclose a first base-plate cover stacked upside down inside the compartmentalized tub tray; a plurality of base plates respectively stacked inside the first base-plate cover; a second base-plate cover stacked upside down on the first base-plate cover inside the compartmentalized tub tray; a plurality of screws respectively stacked inside the second base-plate cover; a third base-plate cover stacked upside down on the second base-plate cover inside the compartmentalized tub tray; and a fourth base-plate cover stacked right side up on the third base-plate cover inside the compartmentalized tub tray.
Gang discloses (See annotated fig. below, screen-grab at 0:16) a container comprising a first base-plate cover, a plurality of base plates, a second base-plate cover, a plurality of screws, a third base-plate cover, a fourth base-plate cover.
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified Martinez to incorporate a container comprising a first base-plate cover, a plurality of base plates, a second base-plate cover, a plurality of screws, a third base-plate cover, a fourth base-plate cover as taught by Gang as it is known to be put into container box and is used for various types of construction/project.
While Martinez as modified does not disclose the order of a first base-plate cover stacked upside down inside the compartmentalized tub tray; a plurality of base plates respectively stacked inside the first base-plate cover; a second base-plate cover stacked upside down on the first base-plate cover inside the compartmentalized tub tray; a plurality of screws respectively stacked inside the second base-plate cover; a third base-plate cover stacked upside down on the second base-plate cover inside the compartmentalized tub tray; and a fourth base-plate cover stacked right side up on the third base-plate cover inside the compartmentalized tub tray, It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified Martinez to have the stacking in such order as they are simple rearrangement of parts and is placed for maximum efficiency of toolbox space. It has been held that rearranging parts of an invention involves only routine skill in the art. See MPEP 2144.04(VI)(C)
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Regarding claim 26, While Martinez does not explicitly disclose, corner caps stored in a dedicated corner-caps storage cavity in the compartmentalized tub tray.
Gang discloses a container comprising corner caps (See annotated fig. below)stored in a dedicated corner-caps storage cavity in the compartmentalized tub tray.
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified Martinez to incorporate corner caps stored in a dedicated corner-caps storage cavity in the compartmentalized tub tray as taught by Gang as it is well known to incorporate tools such as caps and screws in toolbox for installation of various articles.
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Claim(s) 24 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Martinez-Craftman as applied to claim 21 above, and further in view of OMRY (US 20190210213).
Regarding claim 24, Martinez as modified does not explicitly disclose, leveling screws inserted into corresponding storage cavities in the compartmentalized tub tray.
Omry discloses a box comprising leveling screws (para 15, “circular holders 46 that are configured to receive and secure drill bits. Those skilled in the art will recognize that accessory cup may be configured to hold other accessories such as screws, nails, or any accessory.” screws can be used for leveling) inserted into corresponding storage cavities (46) in the compartmentalized tub tray (Fig. 2)
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified Martinez to incorporate leveling screws inserted into corresponding storage cavities in the compartmentalized tub tray as taught by Omry for the purpose of efficiently utilizing space within the tub while also allowing easy access to the screw.
Claim(s) 25 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Martinez-Craftman-Hu as applied to claim 21 above, and further in view of Gwynn (US 8833557).
Regarding claim 25, Martinez discloses screw drivers (3192 is placed in cavity) are placed in designated storage cavities within the compartmentalized tub tray (Fig. 28).
Gwynn discloses the use of Allen wrench, and a screw driver (para 11)in a cavity and placing them both or either of them is simply a matter of design choice.
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified Martinez to incorporate a Allen wrench instead of screw driver as taught by Gwynn and this is simply a matter choice and is dictated by desire. They both are used for handling screws/nuts and placed within toolbox as needed.
Claim(s) 30 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Martinez-Craftman-Hu as applied to claim 23 above, and further in view of Gang (NPL; Costco Mirador Louvered Pergola 10x20 Installation).
Regarding claim 30, While Martinez does not explicitly disclose, louver-end-caps storage compartments but does not disclose louver end-caps secured in the louver-end-caps storage compartments.
Gang discloses a container comprising louver end-caps secured in the louver-end-caps storage compartments. (See annotated fig. below; also can be seen at video 2:18).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified Martinez to incorporate louver end-caps secured in the louver-end-caps storage compartments as taught by Gang as it is well known to incorporate tools such as caps and screws in toolbox for installation of various articles.
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When louver end-caps are placed in the louver end-caps compartment as annotated in Martinez, they would be secured in the tray as the lid in closed.
Claim(s) 32 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Martinez-Craftman-Hu as applied to claim 23 above, and further in view of Allan (US 20040020809).
Regarding claim 32, Martinez does not explicitly disclose, compression-locking plates secured in compression-locking-plates storage compartments.
Allan discloses a toolbox/kit comprising compression-locking plate (28; para 34) secured in compression-locking-plates storage compartment.
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified Martinez to have compression-locking plate secured in compression-locking-plates storage compartment as taught by Allan since such tools allow for easy connection two bodies and are well known to be part of toolkit.
With regards to having plurality of compression-locking plates , It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art to have plurality of compression-locking plate in order to usage in multiple area, since such a modification would amount to a mere duplication of parts. It has been held that mere duplication of the essential working parts of a device involves only routine skill in the art. St. Regis Paper Co. v. Bemis Co., 193 USPQ 8.
Claim(s) 33 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Martinez-Craftman-Hu as applied to claim 23 above, and further in view of Hallee (US 20040144671).
Regarding claim 33, Martinez does not disclose, drill bits snap-locked between drill-bit clips.
Hallee disclose a toolbox/kit comprising drill bits (134) snap-locked between drill-bit clips (clips in between each drill bits).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified Martinez to incorporate drill bits snap-locked between drill-bit clips as taught by Hallee as it is well known to carry drill bits in tool case/kit for easy usage with drills.
Response to Arguments
Applicants argument with regards to Craftman failing to disclose crack control arm is considered but not persuasive since this tool is disclosed by newly incorporated prior art of Hu.
The applicant argues that the prior art of Martines fails to disclose, “ molded onto the undersurface” since it is a soft sided flexible backpack to that the examiner respectfully disagrees. The office action relies on fig. 28 wherein the tool storage 3020 is made of rigid plastic (para 134).
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to SANJIDUL ISLAM whose telephone number is (571)272-7670. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday 8:30 -5:00.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Orlando E. Aviles can be reached at 571-270-5531. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/SANJIDUL ISLAM/Examiner, Art Unit 3736
Prosecution Insights