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 .
Election/Restrictions
Applicant’s election without traverse of Group I, Figures 1-11, claims 1-5 and 7-26, in the reply filed March 12, 2026, is acknowledged. Non-elected claim 6 has been withdrawn from further consideration.
Drawings
The drawings filed December 20, 2023 are approved.
Information Disclosure Statement
The information referred to in the IDS filed December 20, 2023 has been considered.
The information referred to in the IDS filed April 30, 2025 has been considered.
The information referred to in the IDS filed September 4, 2025 has been considered.
The information referred to in the IDS filed December 29, 2025 has been considered.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
(b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph:
The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention.
Claims 2-5, 7-21, 25 and 26 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention.
Claim 2 recites “wherein it further comprises” in line 2. It is unclear what structure is intended to be represented by the term “it”. Clarification in the claim language is required. Note such throughout other listed claims. Additionally claims are rejected as being dependent on an indefinite claim.
Claim 11 recites the limitation “comprises auxiliary resilient members” in line 2, and “the auxiliary resilient member” in lines 3 and 4. It is unclear if Applicant intends to define a single auxiliary resilient member or plural auxiliary resilient members.
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 (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 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.
Claim(s) 1-4, 8, 10-14 and 22, as best understood with the above cited indefiniteness, is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Smith (US2308315).
Note a safety seat including a base (1) including a fixing portion (8, 10, 12, 14), wherein the base is adapted to be selectively fixed to a car seat through the fixing portion; a body (3) assembled on the base; and a supporting foot (26, 29) slidably and pivotably connected to the base, wherein the supporting foot and the fixing portion are arranged (see Figure 2) on opposite sides of the base, respectively.
Regarding claim 2, note in that it further comprises a sliding member (31, 32), wherein the sliding member is slidably disposed on the base, and the supporting foot is pivotally connected (at 33) to the sliding member.
Regarding claim 3, note a latching member (35, 36, 37), wherein the latching member is pivotally connected to or slidably disposed on the base, the sliding member includes a positioning portion (31), and the latching member is selectively latched to the positioning portion.
Regarding claim 4, note the sliding member is slidable in respect to the base along a longitudinal direction (fore-aft), the supporting foot is pivotally connected (at 33) to a front end of the sliding member in the longitudinal direction, and the latching member and the positioning portion are arranged (see Figure 4) at a rear end of the sliding member in the longitudinal direction.
Regarding claim 8, note the base includes at least one limiting member (35), the sliding member is formed with at least one sliding slot (34), and the limiting member is slidably disposed in the sliding slot.
Regarding claim 10, note the base further includes a bracket (laterally located, reversed C shape portion of 1), and the sliding member is slidably disposed on the bracket. See Figures 4 and 6.
Regarding claim 11, note auxiliary resilient member (37), the auxiliary resilient member is connected to the base and the sliding member, and an extension direction of the auxiliary resilient member is parallel to an extension direction (lateral extension of the top wall) of the bracket. See Figure 5.
Regarding claim 12, note a stopping member, and the stopping member (35) is slidably disposed on the sliding member and selectively abuts against the bracket. See Figure 5.
Regarding claim 13, note a resilient member (37) for stopping, wherein the resilient member for stopping is connected to the sliding member and the stopping member (35). See Figure 5.
Regarding claim 14, note a reinforcement member, and the reinforcement member (37) is arranged between the bracket and the sliding member.
Regarding claim 22, note the base is formed with an accommodating space (between 16 and 17, as shown in Figure 1), and at least one part of the supporting foot is selectively received in the accommodating space.
Claim(s) 1-3, 5, 8-11, 14, 22 and 23, as best understood with the above cited indefiniteness, is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by JP2001239868A.
Note a safety seat including a base (16) including a fixing portion (92), wherein the base is adapted to be selectively fixed to a car seat through the fixing portion; a body (14) assembled on the base; and a supporting foot (56, 54) slidably and pivotably connected to the base, wherein the supporting foot and the fixing portion are arranged on opposite sides of the base, respectively.
Regarding claim 2, note in that it further comprises a sliding member (52, 82), wherein the sliding member is slidably disposed on the base, and the supporting foot is pivotally connected to the sliding member.
Regarding claim 3, note a latching member (81), wherein the latching member is pivotally connected to or slidably disposed on the base, the sliding member includes a positioning portion (74), and the latching member is selectively latched (spring forced forwardly) to the positioning portion.
Regarding claim 5, note the supporting foot includes an unlatching portion (56A), and the latching member is arranged on a pivoting path (path from 60 to 62) of the unlatching portion.
Regarding claim 8, note the base includes at least one limiting member (102), the sliding member is formed with at least one sliding slot (interior of 104), and the limiting member is slidably disposed in the sliding slot.
Regarding claim 9, note the sliding member is formed with an opening (space between 52A and 52A) and a part (portion of 56A immediately adjacent to and below 62; see Figure 3) of the supporting foot is selectively accommodated in the sliding member through the opening.
Regarding claim 10, note the base further includes a bracket (102), and the sliding member is slidably disposed on the bracket. See Figure 6.
Regarding claim 11, note auxiliary resilient member (88), the auxiliary resilient member is connected to (by way of the sliding member) the base and the sliding member, and an extension direction (fore-aft) of the auxiliary resilient member is parallel to an extension direction (lateral extension of the top wall) of the bracket. See Figures 4 and 6.
Regarding claim 14, note a reinforcement member (104), and the reinforcement member is arranged between the bracket and the sliding member.
Regarding claim 22, note the base is formed with an accommodating space (102), and at least one part of the supporting foot is selectively received in the accommodating space.
Regarding claim 23, note the supporting foot includes a sleeve (56) and an extending portion (54), and a least one part of the extending portion is inserted into the sleeve portion.
Claim(s) 1, 22 and 23 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Hou et al (US20140327281).
Note a safety seat including a base (1) including a fixing portion (12), wherein the base is adapted to be selectively fixed to a car seat through the fixing portion; a body (20) assembled on the base; and a supporting foot (2) slidably and pivotably connected to the base, wherein the supporting foot and the fixing portion are arranged (see Figure 2) on opposite sides of the base, respectively.
Regarding claim 22, note the base is formed with an accommodating space (underside), and at least one part of the supporting foot is selectively received in the accommodating space. See Figure 2.
Regarding claim 23, note the supporting foot includes a sleeve (upper portion) and an extending portion (lower portion), and a least one part of the extending portion is inserted into the sleeve portion. See Figures 5 and 6.
Claim(s) 1-2, 8-9, 15-16, and 19-22, as best understood with the above cited indefiniteness, is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by KR20170001118U.
Note a safety seat including a base (200) including a fixing portion (see line 2 of the abstract in the translation), wherein the base is adapted to be selectively fixed to a car seat through the fixing portion; a body (30) assembled on the base; and a supporting foot (350, or 350 and 330) slidably and pivotably connected to the base, wherein the supporting foot and the fixing portion are arranged on opposite sides of the base, respectively.
Regarding claim 2, note in that it further comprises a sliding member (330), wherein the sliding member is slidably disposed on the base, and the supporting foot is pivotally connected to the sliding member.
Regarding claim 8, note the base includes at least one limiting member (pin in the elongated, longitudinal slot; see Figure 7), the sliding member is formed with at least one sliding slot (elongated, longitudinal slot), and the limiting member is slidably disposed in the sliding slot.
Regarding claim 9, note the sliding member is formed with an opening (formed by the H shaped member; see Figure 3), and a part of the supporting foot is selectively accommodated int eh sliding member through the opening.
Regarding claim 15, note a positioning lock (275), wherein the positioning lock is arranged on the base and includes a locking portion, the supporting foot has a locked portion (381), and the locking portion and the locked portion are selectively latched to each other.
Regarding claim 16, note at least one of the locking portion and the locked portion is formed with a guiding portion (380), and the locking portion and the locked portion are abutted against and latched to each other through the guiding portion.
Regarding claim 19, note a positioning portion (333), wherein the position portion is arranged on the sliding member, wherein, when the sliding member slides in respect to the base to an unfolded position, a gap (at 337) is formed between the sliding member and the base, and the positioning portion is selectively latched in the gap and abuts against the sliding member and/or the base.
Regarding claim 20, note a resilient member (spring connected to 331; see Figure 7) for positioning, and the resilient member for positioning is arranged between the positioning portion and the sliding member.
Regarding claim 21, note a resilient member (315) for pivoting, and the resilient member for pivoting is arranged between the supporting foot and the sliding member.
Regarding claim 22, note the base is formed with an accommodating space (270), and at least one part of the supporting foot is selectively received in the accommodating space.
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) 1-2, 7-8, 10, 14, 22 and 23, as best understood with the above cited indefiniteness, is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over CN211892932U in view of Barker (US20060055218).
The primary reference shows all claimed features of the instant invention with the exception of a fixing portion, wherein the base is adapted to be selectively fixed to a car seat through the fixing portion; wherein the fixing portion is arranged on a opposite side of the base from the supporting foot (claim 1); wherein the supporting foot includes a sleeve and an extending portion, and a least one part of the extending portion is inserted into the sleeve portion (claim 23).
In the primary reference, note a safety seat including a base, a body (safety seat as referred to in line 1 of the “Technical Field” on page 1 of the translation) assembled on the base; and a supporting foot (21) slidably and pivotably connected to the base.
Regarding claim 2, note in that it further comprises a sliding member (8), wherein the sliding member is slidably disposed on the base, and the supporting foot is pivotally connected to the sliding member.
Regarding claim 7, note a protective member (22), and the protective member is pivotally connected to the sliding member and arranged between the supporting foot and the sliding member.
Regarding claim 8, note the base includes at least one limiting member (5), the sliding member is formed with at least one sliding slot (83), and the limiting member is slidably disposed in the sliding slot.
Regarding claim 10, note the base further includes a bracket (5, 6), and the sliding member is slidably disposed on the bracket.
Regarding claim 14, note a reinforcement member (51 or 52), and the reinforcement member is arranged between the bracket and the sliding member.
Regarding claim 22, note the base is formed with an accommodating space (12), and at least one part of the supporting foot is selectively received in the accommodating space.
The secondary reference conventionally teaches providing a child safety seat assembly with a fixing portion (note the rear end, as shown in Figure 1), wherein a base is adapted to be selectively fixed to a car seat through the fixing portion; wherein the fixing portion is arranged on a opposite side of the base from a supporting foot (7). As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the supporting foot includes a sleeve and an extending portion, and at least one part of the extending portion is inserted into the sleeve portion.
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the pertinent art before the effective filing date of the instant invention to modify the primary reference in view of the teachings of the secondary reference by adding to the base a fixing portion, thereby adapting the base to be selectively fixed to a car seat through the fixing portion for enhance user protection. The fixing portion is to added as arranged on a opposite side of the base from the supporting foot to provide stability at both ends of the assembly. Regarding claim 23, it would have additionally have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the pertinent art before the effective filing date of the instant invention to use the teachings of the secondary reference to configure the supporting foot as including a sleeve and an extending portion, wherein at least one part of the extending portion is inserted into the sleeve portion. This modification enhances selectively adjustment of the assembly to fit a user’s needs, and is representative of applying a known technique to a known device ready for improvement to yield predictable results.
Claim(s) 1-2, 15-16, and 22-24, as best understood with the above cited indefiniteness, is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over CN210792893U in view of Smith (US2308315).
The primary reference shows all claimed features of the instant invention with the exception of the supporting foot being slidably connected to the base (claim 1); a sliding member slidably disposed on the base, wherein the supporting foot is pivotally connected to the sliding member (claim 2).
In the primary reference, note a safety seat including a base (1) including a fixing portion (at the rear of the base, as shown in Figure 1; also note the description of the ISOFIX assembly in the BACKGROUND in the translation), wherein the base is adapted to be selectively fixed to a car seat through the fixing portion; a body (note the automobile child safety seat, as referred to throughout the translation, for use with the support structure) assembled on the base; and a supporting foot (3) pivotably connected to the base, wherein the supporting foot and the fixing portion are arranged (see Figure 1) on opposite sides of the base, respectively.
Regarding claim 15, note a positioning lock (one of the members 28), wherein the positioning lock is arranged on the base and includes a locking portion (upper surface of the horizontal leg of 28), the supporting foot has a locked portion (outer surface of the supporting foot which engages 28), and the locking portion and the locked portion are selectively latched to each other.
Regarding claim 16, note at least one of the locking portion and the locked portion is formed with a guiding portion (beveled edge at the bottom of 28, as shown in Figure 6), and the locking portion and the locked portion are abutted against and latched to each other through the guiding portion.
Regarding claim 22, note the base is formed with an accommodating space (26), and at least one part of the supporting foot is selectively received in the accommodating space.
Regarding claim 23, note the supporting foot includes a sleeve and an extending portion, and a least one part of the extending portion is inserted into the sleeve portion. See Figure 5.
Regarding claim 24, note the supporting foot is detachably connected to the base, by way of the assembly shown in Figures 3 and 4.
The secondary reference teaches configuring a safety seat assembly with a supporting foot that is slidably connected to a base, and a sliding member that is slidably disposed on the base, wherein the supporting foot is pivotally connected to the sliding member. Note as described in the rejection under 35 USC 102, above.
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the pertinent art before the effective filing date of the instant invention to modify the primary reference in view of the teachings of the secondary reference by configuring the supporting foot as slidably connected to the base (regarding claim 1); and providing a sliding member that is slidably disposed on the base, and pivotally connecting the supporting foot to the sliding member (regarding claim 2). These modifications enhance selective adjustability of the assembly to meet the needs of an individual user, and is representative of applying a known technique to a known device ready for improvement to yield predictable results.
Claim(s) 23, as best understood with the above cited indefiniteness, is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over KR20170001118U. in view of Barker (US20060055218).
The primary reference shows all claimed features of the instant invention with the exception of the supporting foot including a sleeve and an extending portion, and a least one part of the extending portion is inserted into the sleeve portion.
The secondary reference conventionally teaches providing a child safety seat assembly with a supporting foot including a sleeve and an extending portion, and at least one part of the extending portion is inserted into the sleeve portion.
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the pertinent art before the effective filing date of the instant invention to modify the primary reference in view of the teachings of the secondary reference by configuring the supporting foot as including a sleeve and an extending portion, wherein at least one part of the extending portion is inserted into the sleeve portion. This modification enhances selectively adjustment of the assembly to fit a user’s needs, and is representative of applying a known technique to a known device ready for improvement to yield predictable results.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 17, 18, 25 and 26 would be allowable if rewritten to overcome the rejection(s) under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), 2nd paragraph, set forth in this Office action and to include 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. A child safety seat having an adjustable supporting portion is shown by each of EP1477356A1, Chen (US11884189), FR3089166A1, and CN103085690B.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to MILTON NELSON JR whose telephone number is (571)272-6861. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 5:30am-1:30pm.
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mn /MILTON NELSON JR/April 23, 2026 Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3636
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