DETAILED ACTION
1. The Amendment filed 06/22/2026 has been entered. Claims 1-15 in the application remain pending. Claims 1 & 6 were amended. Claims 11-15 remain withdrawn from consideration.
2. The text of those sections of Title 35, U.S.C. code not included in this action can be found in a prior Office Action.
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
3. 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 § 102
4. Claims 1-10 are rejected under AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Yang et al. (US 2008/0273255 A1) hereinafter Yang (the terminology of the claims in the application is used, but the references of Yang are included between parentheses).
Examiner is interpreting “coupled” in light of the specification as follows:
[0043] Connection references (e.g., attached, coupled, connected, and joined) are to be construed broadly and may include intermediate members between a collection of elements and relative movement between elements unless otherwise indicated. As such, connection references do not necessarily infer two elements are directly connected and in fixed relation to each other.
As regards to claim 1, Yang discloses an assembly (abs; fig 1-8), comprising:
a top frame (2+3) comprising a plurality of recesses (22+31) each operable to receive an electronic device (41/42) ([0030]-[0031]; [0033]; [0035]; [0037]; [0040]-[0041]; fig 1-8);
a bottom frame (1+4) coupled to the top frame (2+3), wherein the bottom frame (1+4) comprises a plurality of support structures (12+17), and wherein each support structure of the plurality of support structures (12+17) is aligned with a corresponding recess of the plurality of recesses (22+31) ([0029]-[0035]; [0037]; [0041]; fig 1-8); and
a mechanical device (16+33) coupled to the top frame (2+3) and the bottom frame (1+4), wherein the mechanical device (16+33) is operable to bias the top frame (2+3) and the bottom frame (1+4) relative to one another, wherein the mechanical device (16+33) is a slider (see fig 1-5, 16+33, 33 slides onto 16) engaged with a sloped surface (161) of the bottom frame (1+4), and wherein the slider (see fig 1-5, 16+33, 33 slides onto 16) extends through an opening (see fig 1-5, portion between insides of 15) along an underside of the bottom frame (1+4) ([0029]-[0035]; [0037]; [0041]; fig 1-8).
As regards to claim 2, Yang discloses an assembly (abs; fig 1-8), further comprising a side frame (15+perimeter inside and outside portions of 33) coupled to the top frame (2+3) and the bottom frame (1+4) ([0029]-[0035]; [0037]; [0041]; fig 1-8).
As regards to claim 3, Yang discloses an assembly (abs; fig 1-8), wherein the side frame (15+perimeter inside and outside portions of 33) comprises a first frame member (15) and a second frame member (perimeter inside and outside portions of 33), and wherein the mechanical device (16+33) is in direct physical contact with the first frame member (15) or the second frame member (perimeter inside and outside portions of 33) ([0029]-[0035]; [0037]; [0041]; fig 1-8).
As regards to claim 4, Yang discloses an assembly (abs; fig 1-8), wherein the slider (see fig 1-5, 16+33, 33 slides onto 16) extends through a slider opening (34) through the side frame (15+perimeter inside and outside portions of 33) ([0029]-[0035]; [0037]; [0041]; fig 1-8).
As regards to claim 5, Yang discloses an assembly (abs; fig 1-8), wherein the bottom frame (1+4) comprises a base plate (4), and wherein each of the plurality of support structures (12+17) extends from an upper surface of the base plate (4) ([0029]-[0034]; [0041]; fig 1-8).
As regards to claim 6, Yang discloses an assembly (abs; fig 1-8), comprising:
a top frame (2+3) comprising a plurality of recesses (22+31) each operable to receive an electronic device (41/42) ([0030]-[0031]; [0033]; [0035]; [0037]; [0040]-[0041]; fig 1-8);
a bottom frame (1+4) coupled to the top frame (2+3), wherein the bottom frame (1+4) comprises a plurality of support structures (12+17), and wherein each support structure of the plurality of support structures (12+17) is aligned with a corresponding recess of the plurality of recesses (22+31) ([0029]-[0035]; [0037]; [0041]; fig 1-8); and
a slider (see fig 1-5, 16+33, 33 slides onto 16) coupled to the top frame (2+3) and the bottom frame (1+4), wherein the slider (see fig 1-5, 16+33, 33 slides onto 16) is operable to bias the top frame (2+3) and the bottom frame (1+4) relative to one another,
wherein the slider (see fig 1-5, 16+33, 33 slides onto 16) is engaged with a sloped surface (161) of the bottom frame (1+4), and wherein the slider (see fig 1-5, 16+33, 33 slides onto 16) extends through an opening (see fig 1-5, portion between insides of 15) along an underside of the bottom frame (1+4) ([0029]-[0035]; [0037]; [0041]; fig 1-8).
As regards to claim 7, Yang discloses an assembly (abs; fig 1-8), further comprising a side frame (15+perimeter inside and outside portions of 33) coupled to the top frame (2+3) and the bottom frame (1+4) ([0029]-[0035]; [0037]; [0041]; fig 1-8).
As regards to claim 8, Yang discloses an assembly (abs; fig 1-8), wherein the side frame (15+perimeter inside and outside portions of 33) comprises a first frame member (15) and a second frame member (perimeter inside and outside portions of 33), and wherein the slider (see fig 1-5, 16+33, 33 slides onto 16) is in direct physical contact with the first frame member (15) or the second frame member (perimeter inside and outside portions of 33) ([0029]-[0035]; [0037]; [0041]; fig 1-8).
As regards to claim 9, Yang discloses an assembly (abs; fig 1-8), wherein the slider (see fig 1-5, 16+33, 33 slides onto 16) extends through a slider opening (34) through the side frame (15+perimeter inside and outside portions of 33) ([0029]-[0035]; [0037]; [0041]; fig 1-8).
As regards to claim 10, Yang discloses an assembly (abs; fig 1-8), wherein the bottom frame (1+4) comprises a base plate (4), and wherein each of the plurality of support structures (12+17) extends from an upper surface of the base plate (4) ([0029]-[0034]; [0041]; fig 1-8).
Response to Arguments
5. Applicant's arguments filed 06/22/2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive.
Applicant’s principal arguments are:
(a) Applicant submits that Yang fails to teach or suggest each and every element of claim 1 and similarly recited independent claim 6, namely, wherein the mechanical device is a slider engaged with a sloped surface of the bottom frame, and wherein the slider extends through an opening along an underside of the bottom frame.
(b) It is believed that claims 1-15 are in condition for allowance.
6. In response to applicant’s arguments, please consider the following comments.
(a) In view of Applicant' s amendments to claim 1 and various claims depending therefrom, Examiner has reevaluated the teachings of Yang as a whole for what they disclose or fairly suggest.
As already discussed above in detail in regards to claim 1, Yang teaches wherein the slider (see fig 1-5, 16+33, 33 slides onto 16) extends through an opening (see fig 1-5, portion between insides of 15) along an underside of the bottom frame (1+4) ([0029]-[0035]; [0037]; [0041]; fig 1-8). That is, as clearly seen in fig 1-5, the portion between insides of 15 along the bottom side surface portion 1 of the bottom frame (1+4) creates an opening which allows the portion 33 of the slider (see fig 1-5, 16+33, 33 slides onto 16) to extend therethrough.
(b) In view of the foregoing, Examiner respectfully contends the limitations of claims 1 & 6 are indeed satisfied. Claims 2-5 & 7-10 are rejected at least based on their dependency from claims 1 & 6, as well as for their own rejections on the merits, respectively. Claims 11-15 remain withdrawn from consideration.
Conclusion
7. Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). 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 extension fee 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 date of this final action.
8. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Jethro M Pence whose telephone number is (571)270-7423. The examiner can normally be reached M-TH 8:00 A.M. - 6:30 P.M..
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/Jethro M. Pence/
Primary Examiner
Art Unit 1717
Prosecution Insights