February 6, 2026
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 § 112
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
(b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph:
The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention.
Claims 1-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention.
In claims 1, 4, 7-8, 11, and 15, Applicant claims a “first mounting block” and a “second mounting block”. However, Applicant fails to define where or to what either of the “first mounting block” and a “second mounting block” is mounted. In Claims 4 and 11, Applicant claims “the catch subassembly further comprises a bezel, and the second mounting block is mounted in the bezel” but still does not define where or to what the “bezel” is mounted for one to understand where the “second mounting block” is mounted. In claim 7, Applicant claims that “the first mounting block and the second mounting block are attached or integrally formed” However, Applicant does not describe how or where they are attached in the “latching assembly” for one to understand how they are attached or integrally formed. The claims read as if the “first mounting block”, “second mounting block”, and even the “bezel” are floating without being attached or secured to any other structure, other than the “second mounting block” being “mounted in the bezel”. But still, it is not clear where the aforementioned structures are interconnected in the “latching assembly” for one to understand how they operate or for one of ordinary skill in the art to make and or use the invention.
The aforementioned problems render the claims vague and indefinite. Clarification and/or correction is required.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-20 would be allowable if rewritten or amended to overcome the rejection(s) under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), 2nd paragraph, set forth in this Office action.
The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter: Ackeret et al. (U.S. Patent No. 8,881,659 B2) teach a latch assembly for securing a passenger seat tray table (see Figures 17-18) but is silent as to whether or not the latch assembly show in Figures 17-18 includes a spring-loaded latch slidably mounted to the first mounting block; and a tab mounted to the spring-loaded latch; and a catch subassembly, including: a second mounting block; and a spring-loaded catch pivotally mounted to the second mounting block; wherein the spring-loaded latch interacts with the spring-loaded catch such that, when the spring-loaded latch is closed, the tab engages the spring-loaded catch to prevent the spring-loaded catch from pivoting open; and wherein the spring-loaded catch interacts with the spring-loaded latch such that, when the spring-loaded catch is open, the tab engages the spring-loaded catch to prevent the spring-loaded latch from sliding closed, as defines in Claims 1, 8, and 15.
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure because it teaches structures and concepts similar to those of the present invention.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Rodney B. White whose telephone number is (571)272-6863. The examiner can normally be reached 8:30 AM-5:00 PM.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, David R. Dunn can be reached at (571) 272-6670. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/Rodney B White/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3636