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 .
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed on 05/19/2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive.
Argument against primary:
Liu describes an adjusting component 130 that slides along a fixing belt 100, but does not teach or suggest apertures in the slide through which the strap passes, nor raised portions sized relative to such apertures.
Arguments against teaching references:
Rios describes a wire top element clamped around a belt that “cannot be incidentally moved” meaning it is a fixed stop, not a raised portion sized to interact with slide apertures.
Mori described tongue stoppers that limit the movement of a tongue plate to a range between the stoppers; the tongue plate slides between the stoppers, not across them through aperture.
Hobson depicts ridges that interact with a spring-loaded latch mechanism for tightening a strap, which is not a slide with apertures through which a strap passes.
Responses:
Primary:
Liu (US 20220212710 A1)
Teaching:
Rios (DE 10337018 A1)
Mori (US 4223917 A)
Hobson (US-6237999-B1)
The examiner disagrees with the assertion that the adjusting component 130 of Liu does not have one or more apertures. As seen in figures 3-4 adjusting component has apertures for belt 110 to go through. The examiner agrees that the primary reference of Liu fails to disclose raised portions sized relative to the apertures in the component 130, which was indicated in the non-final.
The teaching reference Rios discloses a sliding component (4, fig.1) with aperture (slot 5, fig.1), and a raised portion (stop element 3, fig.1) that is sized relative to the aperture (5) to stop the sliding component from sliding along the belt (1), making the combination of the belt (1) and the raised portion (3) greater in size than the aperture (5).
The teaching reference Mori discloses a sliding component (26, fig.1-2 and 5) with aperture (opening 28, figs.1-2 and 5), and a raised portion (stoppers 38A, 38B, figs.1-2 and 5) that is sized relative to the aperture (28) to stop the sliding component from sliding along the belt (10/12), making the combination of the belt (10/12) and the raised portion (38A,38B) greater in size than the aperture (28).
The teaching reference of Hobson discloses a plurality of embodiments with different straps to secure child car set assemblies. Hobson discloses in figures 1 and 8D a strap (22 and 140, respectively) with raised portions (ridges 23 and 142, respectively), a slide (buckle 146 in fig.8D slides along the strap 140) with aperture to receive the strap (140), and ridges prevent the strap from moving downward in relation to the latch (column 3, lines 54-62) making the combination of the ridges and the strap sized greater than the aperture when not manually lifted.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
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, 4, 6-10, 13, and 15-18 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Liu (US 20220212710 A1) in view of Rios (DE 10337018 A1).
Regarding claims 1 and 10, Liu discloses a harness system (safety belt assembly 10, figs.3-6) for a stroller (fig.1), the harness system comprising: a first strap (belt 110, figs.3-6) affixed to the stroller; and a slide (adjusting component 130, figs.3-6) provided on the first strap, the slide comprising one or more apertures through which the first strap is disposed (adjusting component has apertures for belt 110 to go through as seen in figures 3-4). Liu fails to disclose one or more raised portion, wherein the one or more raised portions provide a resistance against movement of the slide across the one or more raised portions.
However, Rios discloses a sliding component (4, fig.1) with aperture (slot 5, fig.1), and one or more raised portion (3, figs.1-3), wherein the one or more raised portions provide a resistance against movement of the slide across the one or more raised portions (3 provides resistance to 4, figs.1-3), and wherein the one or more raised portions are sized such that a combination of the first strap and the one or more raised portions is equal to or greater than a size of the one or more apertures (stop element 3 in combination with belt 1 stops the sliding component 4 from sliding along the belt 1 past the stop 3, making the combination of stop 3 and belt 1 sized greater than the slot 5).
Liu and Rios are both considered to be analogous to the claimed invention because they are in the same field of harnesses. Therefore, it would have been obvious to someone of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified Liu with the raised portion of Rios with a reasonable expectation of success because it would have combined prior art elements yielding predictable results of limiting movement of the slide to help secure the straps at certain lengths for better safety of the infant in the seat and prevent the straps from overtightening or making to loose.
Regarding claims 4 and 13, Liu in combination with Rios, Rios discloses wherein the one or more raised portions are separate from the first strap and are disposed on the first strap (3 is separate from the strap, figs.1-3).
Regarding claims 6 and 15, Liu in combination with Rios, Liu discloses further comprising: a second strap (adjusting belt 120, figs.3-6) provided through the slide (adjusting component 130, figs.3-6), wherein the second strap is configured to be inserted into a buckle (500, figs.3-6) of the harness system.
Regarding claims 7 and 16, Liu in combination with Rios, Liu discloses wherein the second strap is configured to increase or decrease in tightness as the slide is moved along the first strap (adjusting belt 120 increases and decreases the tightness as adjusting component 130 is moved along the belt 110, figs.3-6).
Regarding claims 8 and 17, Liu in combination with Rios, Liu discloses wherein the first strap is affixed to the stroller at a first end of the first strap and a second end of the first strap (fixing belt 110 is affixed to the seat 40 of the stroller, figs.1-6, paragraphs [0059-0060, 0068]).
Regarding claims 9 and 18, Liu in combination with Rios, Rios discloses wherein the one or more raised portions extend outwards from a front side of the first strap and a back side of the first strap (3 extends on the front and back side of the strap as seen in figures 1-3).
Claim(s) 1-4, 6-8, 10-13, 15-17, and 19-20 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Liu (US 20220212710 A1) in view of Mori (US 4223917 A).
Regarding claims 1, 10, and 19, Liu discloses a harness system (safety belt assembly 10, figs.3-6) for a stroller (fig.1), the harness system comprising: a first strap (belt 110, figs.3-6) affixed to the stroller; and a slide (adjusting component 130, figs.3-6) provided on the first strap, and the slide comprising one or more apertures through which the first strap is disposed (adjusting component has apertures for belt 110 to go through as seen in figures 3-4). Liu fails to disclose one or more raised portion, wherein the one or more raised portions provide a resistance against movement of the slide across the one or more raised portions
However, Mori discloses a sliding component (26, fig.1-2 and 5) with aperture (opening 28, figs.1-2 and 5), and one or more raised portion (stoppers 38A and 38B, figs.1-2 and 5), wherein the one or more raised portions provide a resistance against movement of the slide across the one or more raised portions (stoppers 38A and 38B provide resistance against movement of the plate 26 across, figs.1-2 and 5), and wherein the one or more raised portions are sized such that a combination of the first strap and the one or more raised portions is equal to or greater than a size of the one or more apertures (stoppers 38A,38B in combination with belt 10/12 stop the sliding component 26 from sliding along belt 10/12 past the stoppers, making the combination of the stoppers and the belt greater than the opening).
Liu and Mori are both considered to be analogous to the claimed invention because they are in the same field of harnesses. Therefore, it would have been obvious to someone of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified Liu with the stoppers of Mori with a reasonable expectation of success because it would have combined prior art elements yielding predictable results of results of limiting movement of the slide to help secure the straps at certain lengths for better safety of the infant in the seat and prevent the straps from overtightening or making to loose.
Regarding claims 2, 11, and 19, Liu in combination with Mori, Mori discloses wherein the one or more raised portions are provided along the first strap at designed intervals (stoppers 38A and 38B are at design intervals for plate 26, figs.1-2 and 5).
Regarding claims 3, 12, and 20, Liu in combination with Mori, Mori discloses wherein the one or more raised portions comprise stitching into the first strap (stoppers 38A and 38B are sewn by sewing threads 40, fig.5).
Regarding claims 4, 13, and 20, Liu in combination with Mori, Mori discloses wherein the one or more raised portions are separate from the first strap and are disposed on the first strap (stoppers 38A and 38B, figs.1-2 and 5).
Regarding claims 6 and 15, Liu in combination with Mori, Liu discloses further comprising: a second strap (adjusting belt 120, figs.3-6) provided through the slide (adjusting component 130, figs.3-6), wherein the second strap is configured to be inserted into a buckle (500, figs.3-6) of the harness system.
Regarding claims 7 and 16, Liu in combination with Mori, Liu discloses wherein the second strap is configured to increase or decrease in tightness as the slide is moved along the first strap (adjusting belt 120 increases and decreases the tightness as adjusting component 130 is moved along the belt 110, figs.3-6).
Regarding claims 8 and 17, Liu in combination with Mori, Liu discloses wherein the first strap is affixed to the stroller at a first end of the first strap and a second end of the first strap (fixing belt 110 is affixed to the seat 40 of the stroller, figs.1-6, paragraphs [0059-0060, 0068]).
Claim(s) 1-2, 6-8, 10-11, 15-17, and 19 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Liu (US 20220212710 A1) in view of Hobson (US 6237999 B1).
Regarding claims 1, 10, and 19, Liu discloses a harness system (safety belt assembly 10, figs.3-6) for a stroller (fig.1), the harness system comprising: a first strap (belt 110, figs.3-6) affixed to the stroller; and a slide (adjusting component 130, figs.3-6) provided on the first strap, and the slide comprising one or more apertures through which the first strap is disposed (adjusting component has apertures for belt 110 to go through as seen in figures 3-4). Liu fails to disclose one or more raised portion, wherein the one or more raised portions provide a resistance against movement of the slide across the one or more raised portions
However, Hobson discloses in figures 1 and 8D a slide (buckle 146 in fig.8D slides along the strap 140) with aperture to receive the strap (140), and one or more raised portion (ridges 23 and 142, figs.1 and 8D), wherein the one or more raised portions provide a resistance against movement of the slide across the one or more raised portions (ridges 23 and 142 provide resistance to the buckle 26 and 146 across the strap 22 and 140, fig.1), and wherein the one or more raised portions are sized such that a combination of the first strap and the one or more raised portions is equal to or greater than a size of the one or more apertures (ridges prevent the strap from moving downward in relation to the latch, column 3, lines 54-62, making the combination of the ridges and the strap sized greater than the aperture when not manually lifted).
Liu and Hobson are both considered to be analogous to the claimed invention because they are in the same field of harnesses. Therefore, it would have been obvious to someone of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified Liu with the ridges of Hobson with a reasonable expectation of success because it would have combined prior art elements yielding predictable results of results of better securing the slide at different intervals for better safety of the infant in the seat and prevent the straps from overtightening or to loose.
Regarding claims 2, 11, and 19, Liu in combination with Hobson, Hobson discloses wherein the one or more raised portions are provided along the first strap at designed intervals (ridges 23 and 142 are at design intervals as seen in figures 1 and 8D).
Regarding claims 6 and 15, Liu in combination with Hobson, Liu discloses further comprising: a second strap (adjusting belt 120, figs.3-6) provided through the slide (adjusting component 130, figs.3-6), wherein the second strap is configured to be inserted into a buckle (500, figs.3-6) of the harness system.
Regarding claims 7 and 16, Liu in combination with Hobson, Liu discloses wherein the second strap is configured to increase or decrease in tightness as the slide is moved along the first strap (adjusting belt 120 increases and decreases the tightness as adjusting component 130 is moved along the belt 110, figs.3-6).
Regarding claims 8 and 17, Liu in combination with Hobson, Liu discloses wherein the first strap is affixed to the stroller at a first end of the first strap and a second end of the first strap (fixing belt 110 is affixed to the seat 40 of the stroller, figs.1-6, paragraphs [0059-0060, 0068]).
Claim(s) 5 and 14 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Liu (US 20220212710 A1) in view of Rios (DE 10337018 A1) or Mori (US 4223917 A) or Hobson (US 6237999 B1), and in further view of In re Seid, 161 F.2d 229, 73 USPQ 431.
Regarding claims 5 and 14, Liu in combination with Rios or Mori or Hobson discloses the harness system with one or more raised portions but fails to disclose wherein the one or more raised portions comprise a different color than the first strap.
However, In re Seid discloses that matters relating to ornamentation only which have no mechanical function cannot be relied upon to patentably distinguish the claimed invention from the prior art. Having the color of the raised portion be different that the first strap is and aesthetic choice and has no mechanical function to patentably distinguish the claimed invention from the prior art. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date to have the raised portion a different color than the strap as an aesthetic design choice.
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.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to IAN BRYCE SHELTON whose telephone number is (571)272-6501. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday 8:00-5:00.
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, Allen Shriver can be reached at (303)-297-4337. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/IAN BRYCE SHELTON/Examiner, Art Unit 3613
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