CTNF 18/592,641 CTNF 76104 DETAILED ACTION The Information Disclosure Statement filed on September 30, 2024 has been reviewed and considered by the Examiner. Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status 07-03-aia AIA 15-10-aia The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103 07-20-aia AIA 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. 07-21-aia AIA Claim (s) 1-20 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Xiao (CN 115557174 A) in view of Manuel (FR 2670252 A1) . Xiao discloses an automation system comprised of a track assembly, shown generally in figures 1 and 2 and a moveable component that is configured to move in relation to the track assembly, in the form of an automated trolley, wherein the track assembly defines a horizontal direction, a vertical direction, and a transverse direction. The track assembly comprising a track comprising a hole for accepting bolts to attach side plates 11 and sealing plates 13. Xiao discloses the track and covers as disclosed above. However, Xiao does not show the plates to have a clip that fits into a first hole of the tracks and a flange that fits into a second hole of the track. Manuel discloses a plate 19 having a clip 1, with first and second arms 3 to be press fit into a first hole 13. A flange 21 is positioned on an end of the plate and fits into a second hole 23 securing the plate 19 in place on a surface element 15. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to have utilized a plate with a clip and flange, like that of Manuel, and apply it to a track system, like that of Xiao with the expected result of making the protective plate easier to attach and detach so as to make maintenance easier and more efficient for workers maintaining or repairing the system. Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Robert J McCarry Jr. whose telephone number is (571)272-6683. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday 7:00-3:00. 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, S. Joseph Morano can be reached at 571-272-6684. 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. /Robert J McCarry Jr/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3615 RJM May 14, 2026 Application/Control Number: 18/592,641 Page 2 Art Unit: 3615 Application/Control Number: 18/592,641 Page 3 Art Unit: 3615 Application/Control Number: 18/592,641 Page 4 Art Unit: 3615
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