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 .
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 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 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Sheldon (US 7243966).
Sheldon discloses a unified carrier cargo rack and storage system for a vehicle comprising: a receiver unit installed in the rear of the vehicle (140); and a modular carrier rack, wherein the carrier rack further comprises: a transitional carrier bar (20), having distal and proximal ends, wherein the proximal end is operable to engage the receiver unit and provide immobilization for cargo (see Figs. 2, 3) and the distal end is operable to engage a secondary bar (40) or a cargo carrier bar, wherein a distal end of the secondary bar engages the cargo carrier bar (50) and at a height sufficient to provide clearance from the ground for cargo (see Figs. 2, 3); a cargo carrier bar (50) operable to engage the secondary bar or the transitional carrier bar (see Figs. 2, 3), wherein the cargo carrier bar is further operable to engage and immobilize cargo (functional/intended use limitation); wherein the carrier rack is lightweight and compactable such that the transitional carrier bar, secondary bar, and cargo carrier bar can be folded into a secure, telescopic arrangement (see Fig. 3 for folded compact arrangement).
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to PETER N. HELVEY whose telephone number is (571)270-1423. The examiner can normally be reached on Monday-Friday 10am-7pm EST.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Nathan Newhouse can be reached on 571-272-4544. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/PETER N HELVEY/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3734
December 2, 2025