DETAILED ACTION
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and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114.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 August 03, 2026, has been entered.
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s amendments to the claims and accompanying arguments, filed August 03, 2026, with respect to the outstanding 112(a) & 103 rejections have been fully considered and are persuasive. As such, the above-mentioned rejections have been withdrawn and Claims 1, 10 & 18 are allowable. It is noted that the application still has pending Claims 2, 4-8, 11-17 & 19-20. In view of the allowability of Claim 1, the withdrawn claims may be considered for rejoinder. In order for rejoinder to occur, applicant is advised that the withdrawn claims should be amended during prosecution to require the limitations of the allowable claim(s). Failure to do so may result in no rejoinder. Additionally, it is noted that withdrawn (yet pending) Claims 4-8 & 11-17 are actually dependent, either directly or indirectly, upon Canceled Claim 3. As such, Claims 4-8 & 11-17 would technically be indefinite under 112(b) purposes if rejoined for prosecution purposes presently. The examiner is requesting that 1) applicant correct the dependencies of the affected claims and 2) cancel any of the withdrawn claims that are not readily incorporable within the allowable scope of Claim 1, i.e., withdrawn claims that would conflict and/or not have support directed towards the elected embodiment of Figures 5-11. Upon receiving applicant’s reply, the examiner will make the final determination as to which, if any, of the withdrawn claims are in compliance for rejoinder.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1, 10 & 18 are presently allowed.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure – see the attached Form PTO-892 showing a tool box with lockable cover.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to JAMES O HANSEN whose telephone number is (571)272-6866. The examiner can normally be reached Mon-Fri 8 am - 4:30 pm.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Daniel Troy can be reached at 571-270-3742. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
JOH
August 28, 2026
/James O Hansen/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3637
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