Prosecution Insights
Last updated: August 06, 2026
Application No. 18/488,624

BOOSTER SEAT CONFIGURED FOR COMPACT SIDE-BY-SIDE POSITIONING

Non-Final OA §103
Filed
Oct 17, 2023
Priority
Oct 18, 2022 — provisional 63/417,172
Examiner
ABRAHAM, TANIA
Art Unit
3636
Tech Center
3600 — Transportation & Electronic Commerce
Assignee
Diono LLC
OA Round
3 (Non-Final)
72%
Grant Probability
Favorable
3-4
OA Rounds
0m
Est. Remaining
90%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 72% — above average
72%
Career Allowance Rate
604 granted / 833 resolved
+20.5% vs TC avg
Strong +17% interview lift
Without
With
+17.1%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 7m
Avg Prosecution
20 currently pending
Career history
849
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.2%
-39.8% vs TC avg
§103
40.3%
+0.3% vs TC avg
§102
32.2%
-7.8% vs TC avg
§112
24.8%
-15.2% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 833 resolved cases

Office Action

§103
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and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114.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 8-Jun-26 has been entered. Response to Arguments Applicant's arguments filed 8-Jun-26 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive. The rejection of claims 1-6, 8-18 and 20 under 35 USC 103 have been maintained. Upon further consideration, the indicated allowability of claim 11 is withdrawn in view of the references to Basham and Lumley; and a rejection of claim 11 based on these references follow. Applicant argues that the reference to Basham fails to disclose or teach the buckle-accommodating “large open area” recited in claims 1 and 13. However, Basham clearly shows the structure of the rearward region of the lower base in figures 3C-4B and 6B. In its installed position, the rear portion of the left and right base sides curves toward the seat center, thus defining an open area designated 46. Applicant cites Basham’s nesting configuration and shape as failing to define a buckle-clearance configuration at the rearward region. However, similar to the structure of the narrowing walls 36 shown in figure 4 of the instant application, Basham shows a rearward portion of the lower base having lateral walls that curve inward toward the base center such that a space is created. And Basham discloses in paragraph 45 that the open area 46, which is defined by Basham’s narrowing walls, allows the vehicle seatbelt 48 to pass through. Thus, the structure disclosed by Basham meets the limitations defining the “narrowing walls” and the “large open area around the vehicle buckle”. Applicant argues that the reference to Basham fails to disclose or teach the base portion and removable arm portion recited in claim 1. However, given that the limitations merely recite a “base portion being coupled” to a sidewall and a “removable arm portion” being detachably connected with the base portion, the arm-receiving opening shown in the figures as formed in the lower base and the side rail disclosed sufficiently meet the “base portion” and “removable arm portion” as claimed. Applicant argues that the reference to Basham fails to disclose or teach the newly presented limitation in claim 10 defining the structure and frictional engagement of the base portion and the removable arm portion. Claim 10 has been rejected as obvious in light of the combined teachings of Basham, Lumley and Gillet. 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) 1-3 and 11-15 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Basham (US 2008/0191530) in view of Lumley (WO 2011/054063). Claim 1- Basham discloses a booster seat (fig. 1C) for supporting a child in a vehicle having seat buckles (¶ 45), the booster seat comprising: a lower base (30C) having a pair of sidewalls (not designated, figs. 2A & 2D) extending on opposing sides of a central axis (the forward portions of the left and right sides define the pair of sidewalls), and a pair of narrowing walls (not designated, fig. 4B) also extending on opposing sides of the central axis at a rearward region of the lower base (the rearward portions of the left and right sides define the pair of narrowing walls), each of the pair of narrowing walls extending from a corresponding one of the pair of sidewalls in both a rearward direction and in a medial direction toward the central axis (fig. 6B shows that the narrowing walls curve rearward and inward from the left and right sidewalls), the pair of narrowing walls converging to define a narrowed rearward region of the lower base that is narrower than a forward region of the lower base (fig. 4B) to create more space (46) around the seat buckles when the booster seat is installed in the vehicle (¶ 45), the pair of narrowing walls being configured to extend around a vehicle buckle to provide a large open area around the vehicle buckle, at least one segment of each of the pair of narrowing walls being positioned between a pair of planes defined by the pair of sidewalls along the rearward region of the lower base (this structure is clear in figs. 4B & 6B), and a pair of armrests (52/ 53) in opposed relation to each other, each armrest including a base portion (attachment openings in lower base, not designated), and a removable arm portion (52/53), the base portion being coupled to a respective one of the pair of sidewalls (the attachment openings shown are formed in the forward portions defining the sidewalls and thus are “coupled” via integral formation) and the removable arm portion being configured to be detachably engaged with the base portion (¶ 47); a seatback frame (51) connectable to the lower base (¶ 47) and having a plurality of slots formed therein (the seatback also includes attachment openings formed therein for receipt of the removable arm portion); and a padding module (32) optionally engageable with the seatback frame and lower base, the padding module including a pad and cloth (¶ 43). Basham does not teach the seat comprises: a plurality of padding modules detachably engageable with the seatback frame, each padding module including a pad, a connecting pin coupled to the pad, and a locking flange coupled to the connecting pin, each of the plurality of padding modules being insertable into a respective one of the plurality of slots to facilitate engagement between the plurality of padding modules and the seatback frame, each locking flange engaging the seatback frame when the corresponding padding module is inserted in the slot. Lumley teaches a variety of child seats including a booster seat (figs. 13-15), the booster child seat comprising: a lower base (4), a seatback frame (6) connectable to the lower base (fig. 2) and having a plurality of slots formed therein (figs. 3-4), and a plurality of padding modules (22) detachably engageable with the seatback frame (fig. 2); wherein each padding module (22) includes a pad (30), a connecting pin coupled to the pad (the fasteners 32, 34 comprise an insert portion that is a connecting pin, figs. 3-4), and a locking flange coupled to the connecting pin (the fasteners comprise a flange portion extending perpendicularly to the insert portion to secure the pad in position, figs. 3-4), each of the plurality of padding modules being insertable into a respective one of the plurality of slots to facilitate engagement between the plurality of padding modules and the seatback frame (figs. 3-4 show that the seatback frame’s headrest shell 8 includes a slot for receiving each fastener therethrough), each locking flange engaging the seatback frame when the corresponding padding module is inserted in the slot (figs. 3-4 show that each fastener has an end portion that extends perpendicularly to abut with the shell and define the locking flange portion). Basham teaches the seatback frame (51) is attachable (figs. 6A-6B); wherein apertures (54) are provided in the lower base (30A) for attaching the seatback or the pair of removable armrest portions (side rails 52/53); and wherein the seatback is simply illustrated as a block structure. Lumley teaches that the seatback frame (6) is ergonomically structured to receive the upper body of a child, having sidewalls and a top portion comprising a headrest shell (8) that defines a pair of opposing slots for receiving the pad’s (30) locking structure therethrough; and further teaches the headrest shell being configured to absorb impact energy for providing impact protection in the child seat. Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the seatback frame of Basham with a top portion having a plurality of detachable padding modules, as taught by Lumley, in order to yield the predictable result of providing suitable impact energy absorption to protect the head of a child occupant in the event of an impact. Claim 2- Basham and Lumley teach the booster seat recited in claim 1, wherein the seatback (51) of Basham is detachably connectable to the lower base (30A). Claim 3- Basham and Lumley teach the booster seat recited in claim 1, and Basham further teaches wherein the pair of sidewalls (front wall portions) defining a maximum width therebetween (shown best in fig. 4B) and the pair of narrowing walls (rear wall portions) defining a minimum width therebetween (fig. 4B), the minimum width being less than the maximum width. Claim 12- Basham and Lumley teach the booster seat recited in claim 1, wherein Basham teaches the lower base includes an upper pad (the pad of the padding module 32 which would extend along the upper side of the lower base) extending between the sidewalls, and Lumley further teaches the lower base would have a padded covering (fig. 1) and a pair of lateral wings common to booster seats that extend up from the lower base (fig. 2) and also have a padded covering (fig. 1); as such, Lumley’s configuration teaches that it would have been obvious to include padded lateral wings on Basham’s lower base, extending up from the primary padding module (padded covering 32), which would fully encompass the limitation “hip pads extending from opposed side portions of the upper pad”. Claim 11- Basham discloses a booster seat (fig. 1C) for supporting a child in a vehicle, the booster seat comprising: a lower base (30C) having a pair of sidewalls (not designated, figs. 2A & 2D) extending on opposing sides of a central axis (the forward portions of the left and right sides define the pair of sidewalls), a pair of narrowing walls (not designated, fig. 4B) also extending on opposing sides of the central axis (the rearward portions of the left and right sides define the pair of narrowing walls), each of the pair of narrowing walls including at least one segment that is positioned between a pair of planes defined by the pair of sidewalls (this structure is clear in figs. 4B & 6B), and a pair of armrests (52/ 53) in opposed relation to each other, each armrest including a base portion (attachment openings in lower base, not designated) and a removable arm portion (52/53), the base portion being coupled to a respective one of the pair of sidewalls (the attachment openings shown are formed in the forward portions defining the sidewalls and thus are “coupled” via integral formation) and the removable arm portion being configured to be detachably engaged with the base portion (¶ 47); a seatback frame (51) connectable to the lower base (¶ 47) and having a plurality of slots formed therein (the seatback also includes attachment openings formed therein for receipt of the removable arm portion); and a padding module (32) optionally engageable with the seatback frame and lower base, the padding module including a pad and cloth (¶ 43). Basham does not teach the seat comprises: a plurality of padding modules detachably engageable with the seatback frame, each padding module including a pad, a connecting pin coupled to the pad, and a locking flange coupled to the connecting pin, each of the plurality of padding modules being insertable into a respective one of the plurality of slots to facilitate engagement between the plurality of padding modules and the seatback frame, each locking flange engaging the seatback frame when the corresponding padding module is inserted in the slot. Lumley teaches a variety of child seats including a booster seat (figs. 13-15), the booster child seat comprising: a lower base (4), a seatback frame (6) connectable to the lower base (fig. 2) and having a plurality of slots formed therein (figs. 3-4), and a plurality of padding modules (22) detachably engageable with the seatback frame (fig. 2); wherein each padding module (22) includes a pad (30), a connecting pin coupled to the pad (the fasteners 32, 34 comprise an insert portion that is a connecting pin, figs. 3-4), and a locking flange coupled to the connecting pin (the fasteners comprise a flange portion extending perpendicularly to the insert portion to secure the pad in position, figs. 3-4), each of the plurality of padding modules being insertable into a respective one of the plurality of slots to facilitate engagement between the plurality of padding modules and the seatback frame (figs. 3-4 show that the seatback frame’s headrest shell 8 includes a slot for receiving each fastener therethrough), each locking flange engaging the seatback frame when the corresponding padding module is inserted in the slot (figs. 3-4 show that each fastener has an end portion that extends perpendicularly to abut with the shell and define the locking flange portion). Basham teaches the seatback frame (51) is attachable (figs. 6A-6B); wherein apertures (54) are provided in the lower base (30A) for attaching the seatback or the pair of removable armrest portions (side rails 52/53); and wherein the seatback is simply illustrated as a block structure. Lumley teaches that the seatback frame (6) is ergonomically structured to receive the upper body of a child, having sidewalls and a top portion comprising a headrest shell (8) that defines a pair of opposing slots for receiving the pad’s (30) locking structure therethrough; and further teaches the headrest shell being configured to absorb impact energy for providing impact protection in the child seat. Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the seatback frame of Basham with a top portion having a plurality of detachable padding modules, as taught by Lumley, in order to yield the predictable result of providing suitable impact energy absorption to protect the head of a child occupant in the event of an impact. Claim 13- Basham discloses a booster seat (fig. 1C) for supporting a child in a vehicle having seat buckles (¶ 45), the booster seat comprising: a lower base (30C) having a pair of sidewalls (not designated, figs. 2A & 2D) extending on opposing sides of a central axis (the forward portions of the left and right sides define the pair of sidewalls), and a pair of narrowing walls (not designated, fig. 4B) also extending on opposing sides of the central axis at a rearward region of the lower base (the rearward portions of the left and right sides define the pair of narrowing walls), each of the pair of narrowing walls extending from a corresponding one of the pair of sidewalls in both a rearward direction and in a medial direction toward the central axis (fig. 6B shows that the narrowing walls curve rearward and inward from the left and right sidewalls), the pair of narrowing walls converging to define a narrowed rearward region of the lower base that is narrower than a forward region of the lower base (fig. 4B) to create more space (46) around the seat buckles when the booster seat is installed in the vehicle (¶ 45), the pair of narrowing walls being configured to extend around a vehicle buckle to provide a large open area around the vehicle buckle, (seen best in fig. 6B), and at least one segment of each of the pair of narrowing walls being positioned between a pair of planes defined by the pair of sidewalls along the rearward region of the lower base (this structure is clear in figs. 4B & 6B); a seatback frame (51) connectable to the lower base (¶ 47); and a padding module (32) optionally engageable with the seatback frame and lower base, the padding module including a pad and cloth (¶ 43). Basham does not disclose the seatback frame having a plurality of padding modules operatively coupled to the seatback frame, each padding module including a pad and a respective cover, at least one of the pad or the cover configured to be removable from the seatback frame. Lumley teaches a variety of child seats, including a booster seat (figs. 13-15), a child seat comprising: a lower base (4), a seatback frame (6) connected to the lower base (fig. 2); and a plurality of padding modules (22) operatively coupled to the seatback frame (fig. 2), each padding module (22) including a pad (30) and a respective cover (pg. 5- ¶ 4), at least one of the pad or the cover configured to be removable from the seatback frame (the pad 30 is configured with clips to be removable, figs. 3-4, pg. 5- ¶ 5). Basham teaches the seatback frame (51) is attachable (fig. 6A-6B), wherein apertures (54) are provided in the lower base (30A) for attaching the seatback or a pair of side rails (52, 53), and wherein the seatback is simply illustrated as a block structure. Lumley teaches that the seatback frame (6) is ergonomically structured to receive the upper body of a child, having sidewalls and a top portion comprising a headrest shell (8) that includes the plurality of padding modules (22), wherein the pads (30) are configured to be removably secured to the shell. Lumley teaches including a covered headrest shell portion configured to absorb impact energy for providing impact protection in the child seat, wherein an alternative embodiment of the structural configuration yields removable securement. Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the seat of Basham with a top portion having a plurality of removably secured pads, as taught by Lumley, in order to yield the predictable result of providing suitable impact energy absorption to protect the head of a child occupant in the event of an impact, that can also be removably secured. Claim 14- Basham and Lumley teach the booster seat recited in claim 13, and Lumley teaches wherein each pad is detachably engageable with the seatback frame. While Lumley does not explicitly recite each pad cover is fixedly connected, the specific type of cover connection for a seatback pad is considered a matter of design choice since the various connection types yield the predictable result of providing a covering material to improve comfort of the seat for its occupant. Therefore, providing a fixed cover for each pad is an obvious expedient. Claim 15- Basham and Lumley teach the booster seat recited in claim 13, and Lumley teaches wherein each pad is fixedly coupled to the seatback frame (pg. 5- ¶ 4). While Lumley does not explicitly recite each pad cover is removable from the corresponding pad, the specific type of cover connection for a seatback pad is considered a matter of design choice since the various connection types yield the predictable result of providing a covering material to improve comfort of the seat for its occupant. Therefore, providing a removable cover for each pad is an obvious expedient. Claim(s) 4-6, 8-9, 16-18 and 20 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Basham and Lumley as applied to claims 1 and 13 above, and further in view of Genoway (US 2018/0050615). The reference to Lombardi (US 2017/0259720) is incorporated-by-reference to Genoway (¶ [0044]). Claim 4- Basham and Lumley teach the booster seat recited in claim 1, and Basham teaches the seat would further comprise at least one recess (34) formed in the lower base, the recess extending into the base from a top surface (fig. 2A shows the lower base having a pair of recesses at the lateral forward ends of the base). Basham and Lumley do not teach that the recess can be formed to extend into the lower base from a respective sidewall of the base. Genoway teaches a booster seat comprising: a lower base (100) having a pair of opposing sidewalls (112, 114), a seatback frame (200), and at least one recess (110) formed in the lower base (fig. 1A), the at least one recess extending into the lower base from a respective one of the pair of sidewalls (shown, not designated, fig. 1A). Basham teaches providing the recesses (34, 34) to be cupholder apertures, as an optional feature of the booster seat (¶ 43). Genoway teaches providing the recesses, via the reference to Lombardi (¶ 22-31), for forming a static cupholder (110) configured to receive a portion of a cup therein (¶ 22) and for supporting a rotating cupholder (112) configured to yield an adjustable cupholder (109) when mounted to the static cupholder (¶ 25, 31). Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the lower base of Basham, as taught by Genoway, in order to include an adjustable cupholder which facilitates temporary securement of a variety of cups and beverage containers. Claim 5- Basham, Genoway and Lumley teach the booster seat recited in claim 4, further comprising a cupholder insert (112), taught by Genoway, configured to be removably received within a respective one of the at least one recess (Lombardi, ¶ 31-33). Claim 6- Basham, Genoway and Lumley teach the booster seat recited in claim 5, wherein the cupholder insert (112) includes a lower body (304) defining a cup-holding recess (Lombardi, fig. 3A) and an upper portion (312) defining a plate extending radially outward from the cup-holding recess (the handle 312 structurally defines a plate portion for gripping). Claim 8- Basham, Genoway and Lumley teach the booster seat recited in claim 4, wherein the at least one recess (110) defines an arclength less than or equal to 180 degrees (Lombardi, ¶ 24). Claim 9- Basham, Genoway and Lumley teach the booster seat recited in claim 4, wherein the at least one recess (110) would include a pair of recesses positioned in opposed relation to each other (Genoway shows a pair of recesses in fig. 1A, and Basham teaches each lower base includes a pair of recesses 34). Claim 16- Basham and Lumley teach the booster seat recited in claim 13, and Basham teaches the seat would further comprise at least one recess (34) formed in the lower base, the recess extending into the base from a top surface (fig. 2A shows the lower base having a pair of recesses at the lateral forward ends of the base). Basham and Lumley do not teach that the recess can be formed to extend into the lower base from a respective sidewall of the base. Genoway teaches a booster seat comprising: a lower base (100) having a pair of opposing sidewalls (112, 114), a seatback frame (200), and at least one recess (110) formed in the lower base (fig. 1A), the at least one recess extending into the lower base from a respective one of the pair of sidewalls (shown, not designated, fig. 1A). Basham teaches providing the recesses (34, 34) to be cupholder apertures, as an optional feature of the booster seat (¶ 43). Genoway teaches providing the recesses, via the reference to Lombardi (¶ 22-31), for forming a static cupholder (110) configured to receive a portion of a cup therein (¶ 22) and for supporting a rotating cupholder (112) configured to yield an adjustable cupholder (109) when mounted to the static cupholder (¶ 25, 31). Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the lower base of Basham, as taught by Genoway, in order to include an adjustable cupholder which facilitates temporary securement of a variety of cups and beverage containers. Claim 17- Basham, Genoway and Lumley teach the booster seat recited in claim 16, further comprising a cupholder insert (112), taught by Genoway, configured to be removably received within a respective one of the at least one recess (Lombardi, ¶ 31-33). Claim 18- Basham, Genoway and Lumley teach the booster seat recited in claim 17, wherein the cupholder insert (112) includes a lower body (304) defining a cup-holding recess (Lombardi, fig. 3A) and an upper portion (312) defining a plate extending radially outward from the cup-holding recess (the handle 312 structurally defines a plate portion for gripping). Claim 20- Basham and Lumley teach the booster seat recited in claim 13, further comprising: a primary recess (34) taught by Basham formed near one of the sidewalls and configured such that when the booster seat lower base (30A) is positioned next to an adjacent booster seat (30B) having a lateral recess (34) formed therein (fig. 1C), the primary recess (34) and the lateral recess (34) are in close proximity to each other (figs. 2A, 4) and each define a cupholder; the seatback frame (6) taught by Lumley having a plurality of slots formed therein (figs. 3-4); and the plurality of padding modules (22) taught by Lumley being detachably engageable with the seatback frame (fig. 2); wherein each padding module (22) includes a connecting feature coupled to the pad (the fasteners 32, 34 comprise an insert portion that is a connecting feature, figs. 3-4), and a locking flange coupled to the connecting feature (the fasteners 32, 34 comprise a flange portion extending perpendicularly to the insert portion to secure the pad in position, figs. 3-4), each of the plurality of padding modules being insertable into a respective one of the plurality of slots to facilitate engagement between the plurality of padding modules and the seatback frame (figs. 3-4 show that the seatback frame’s headrest shell 8 includes a slot for receiving each fastener therethrough), each locking flange engaging the seatback frame when the corresponding padding module is inserted in the slot (figs. 3-4 show that each fastener has an end portion that extends perpendicularly to abut with the shell and define the locking flange portion). Basham teaches the primary and lateral recesses are configured such that they each extend into the base from a top surface (fig. 2A shows the lower base having a pair of recesses at the lateral forward ends of the base). Basham and Lumley do not teach that the recesses can be configured such that they cooperatively define a cupholder recess sized to receive a cupholder when the booster seat and adjacent booster seat are positioned adjacent to each other. Genoway teaches a booster seat comprising: a lower base (100) having a pair of opposing sidewalls (112, 114), a seatback frame (200), a primary recess (shown, not designated, fig. 1A) extending from one (112) of the pair of sidewalls, and a lateral recess (shown, not designated, fig. 1A) extending from the other (114) of the sidewalls; each recess being configured to receive a cupholder (134, 136). Genoway teaches providing the recesses, via the reference to Lombardi (¶ 22-31), for forming a static cupholder (110) configured to receive a portion of a cup therein (¶ 22) and for supporting a rotating cupholder (112) configured to yield an adjustable cupholder (109) when mounted to the static cupholder (¶ 25, 31). Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the lower base of Basham, as taught by Genoway, in order to include an adjustable cupholder which facilitates temporary securement of a variety of cups and beverage containers. Based on these teachings, the booster seat of Basham, Genoway and Lumley would yield a lower base of a booster seat being positioned next to an adjacent booster seat, wherein the primary recess of the booster seat would be adjacent to the lateral recess of the adjacent booster seat such that their structural configuration would be capable of cooperatively defining a cupholder recess sized to receive a cupholder therebetween (Genoway’s recesses and corresponding cupholders 134, 136 are configured with semicircular lower portions that would be capable of forming a full cupholder when positioned in Basham’s side-by-side arrangement). Claim(s) 10 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Basham and Lumley as applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of Gillett (US 2012/0175922). Claim 10- Basham and Lumley teach the booster seat recited in claim 1, Basham further teaches wherein each base portion (attachment openings in lower base, not designated) defines a cavity and the removable arm portion (52) includes a bent front-end portion substantially defining a shaft configured to be received in the cavity. Basham does not explicitly set forth that the shaft is configured to frictionally engage with the base portion. However, Gillet teaches a booster seat comprising a pair of armrests (104) in opposed relation to each other (fig. 1A), each armrest including a base portion (115), and a removable arm portion (fig. 1C), the base portion being coupled to a respective one of a pair of sidewalls of the lower base and the removable arm portion being configured to be detachably engaged (130, 116) with the base portion; wherein each base portion (115) defines a cavity (fig. 1C) and the removable arm portion includes a shaft (104A) configured to be received in the cavity to frictionally engage with the base portion (¶ 43). Gillet teaches providing the detachable engagement in order to provide a compact configuration of the booster seat during non-use. Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the booster seat of Basham and Lumley with a friction connection, as taught by Gillet, in order to facilitate disassembling of the booster seat for compact storage during non-use. Allowable Subject Matter Claims 7 and 19 are objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but would be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims. Conclusion The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to TANIA ABRAHAM whose telephone number is (571)272-2635. The examiner can normally be reached 9 am - 5:30 pm. Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice. If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, DAVID DUNN can be reached at 571-272-6670. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300. Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Center and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about filing in DOCX format. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000. /T.A./Examiner, Art Unit 3636 /DAVID R DUNN/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 3636
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Oct 17, 2023
Application Filed
Nov 04, 2025
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §103
Feb 03, 2026
Response Filed
Mar 09, 2026
Final Rejection mailed — §103
Jun 08, 2026
Request for Continued Examination
Jun 12, 2026
Response after Non-Final Action
Jul 13, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §103 (current)

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Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

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Prosecution Projections

3-4
Expected OA Rounds
72%
Grant Probability
90%
With Interview (+17.1%)
2y 7m (~0m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
High
PTA Risk
Based on 833 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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