Prosecution Insights
Last updated: April 19, 2026
Application No. 18/773,658

Server Information Handling System Peripheral Riser Module System

Non-Final OA §102§103
Filed
Jul 16, 2024
Examiner
THAKER, NIDHI VIVEK
Art Unit
2841
Tech Center
2800 — Semiconductors & Electrical Systems
Assignee
DELL PRODUCTS, L.P.
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
69%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
2y 4m
To Grant
88%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 69% — above average
69%
Career Allow Rate
497 granted / 723 resolved
+0.7% vs TC avg
Strong +20% interview lift
Without
With
+19.7%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 4m
Avg Prosecution
15 currently pending
Career history
738
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§103
51.4%
+11.4% vs TC avg
§102
37.7%
-2.3% vs TC avg
§112
5.0%
-35.0% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 723 resolved cases

Office Action

§102 §103
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 (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) 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. (a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention. Claim(s) 1-12 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1)/102(a)(2) as being anticipated by Hsieh (US 20240314967 A1). Re claim 1: Hsieh discloses a latch component (fastening assembly 12 in figs 1, 5 and paragraph 31) of a peripheral mounting system (main frame 10 in figs 1, 5) for use with an information handling system (server 9 in fig 1), comprising: a latch main housing portion (engagement slide block 123 in fig 5 and paragraph 35); a pin engagement feature (block portions 120 in fig 5 and paragraph 35) physically coupled to the latch main housing portion; and, a travel control feature (operational slide block 121 in fig 5 and paragraph 32) physically coupled (i.e., via 126) to the latch main housing, the travel control feature allowing the latch component to move in the peripheral mounting system between a locked position (fastening position in fig 8 and paragraph 34; i.e., when the movable pin 125 is inserted into the first positioning hole H1 of the first plate 100 of the main frame 10) and an unlocked position (releasing position in fig 9 and paragraph 34; i.e., when the movable pin 125 is inserted into the second positioning hole H2 of the first plate 100). Re claim 2: Hsieh discloses the latch component, further comprising: a handle feature (connection plate 126 in fig 5) physically coupled to the latch main housing portion. Re claim 3: Hsieh discloses the latch component, wherein: the pin engagement feature (120 in fig 5) interacts with a guide pin (engagement recessed portions 82 of the expansion cards 8 in figs 4, 6-7 and paragraph 36) mounted within the information handling system (herein, expansion cards 8 are mounted within server 9). Re claim 4: Hsieh discloses the latch component, wherein: the pin engagement feature (120 in fig 5) comprises a hook structure extending downwardly from the latch main housing portion, an end of the hook structure interacting with the guide pin (82) when the latch component is in a locked position (see fig 6 and paragraph 36). Re claim 5: Hsieh discloses the latch component, wherein: the travel control feature includes position fixing projection (movable pin 125 in fig 5), the position fixing projection mating with a lock recess (H1 in fig 5) defined by the peripheral mounting system when the latch component is in a locked position (fastening position in fig 8 and paragraph 34), the position fixing projection mating with an unlock recess (H2 in fig 5) defined by the peripheral mounting system when the latch component is in an unlocked position (releasing position in fig 9 and paragraph 34). Re claim 6: Hsieh discloses the latch component, wherein: the travel control feature includes a travel channel (first grooves 1210 in fig 5); and, fasteners (first guide components 122 in fig 5 and paragraph 32) coupled to the peripheral mounting system move within the travel channel when the latch component moves in the peripheral mounting system between the locked position (fastening position in fig 8 and paragraph 34; i.e., when the movable pin 125 is inserted into the first positioning hole H1 of the first plate 100 of the main frame 10) and the unlocked position (releasing position in fig 9 and paragraph 34; i.e., when the movable pin 125 is inserted into the second positioning hole H2 of the first plate 100). Re claim 7: Hsieh discloses a peripheral tray system for use with an information handling system (server 9 in figs 1-2) comprising: a chassis (casing 90 in fig 2); and, a peripheral mounting system (main frame 10 in figs 1-2, 5) mounted to the chassis, the peripheral mounting system comprising a riser tray housing (see riser card 11 accommodated in main frame 10 in fig 5 and paragraph 28); and, a latch component (fastening assembly 12 in figs 1, 5 and paragraph 31), the latch component comprising a latch main housing portion (engagement slide block 123 in fig 5 and paragraph 35); a pin engagement feature (block portions 120 in fig 5 and paragraph 35) physically coupled to the latch main housing portion; and, a travel control feature (operational slide block 121 in fig 5 and paragraph 32) physically coupled (i.e., via 126) to the latch main housing, the travel control feature allowing the latch component to move in the peripheral mounting system between a locked position (fastening position in fig 8 and paragraph 34; i.e., when the movable pin 125 is inserted into the first positioning hole H1 of the first plate 100 of the main frame 10) and an unlocked position (releasing position in fig 9 and paragraph 34; i.e., when the movable pin 125 is inserted into the second positioning hole H2 of the first plate 100). Re claim 8: Hsieh discloses the peripheral tray system, wherein the latch component further comprise a handle feature (connection plate 126 in fig 5) physically coupled to the latch main housing portion. Re claim 9: Hsieh discloses the peripheral tray system, wherein: the pin engagement feature (120 in fig 5) interacts with a guide pin (engagement recessed portions 82 of the expansion cards 8 in figs 4, 6-7 and paragraph 36) mounted within the information handling system (herein, expansion cards 8 are mounted within server 9). Re claim 10: Hsieh discloses the peripheral tray system, wherein: the pin engagement feature (120 in fig 5) comprises a hook structure extending downwardly from the latch main housing portion, an end of the hook structure interacting with the guide pin (82) when the latch component is in a locked position (see fig 6 and paragraph 36). Re claim 11: Hsieh discloses the peripheral tray system, wherein: the travel control feature includes position fixing projection (movable pin 125 in fig 5), the position fixing projection mating with a lock recess (H1 in fig 5) defined by the peripheral mounting system when the latch component is in a locked position (fastening position in fig 8 and paragraph 34), the position fixing projection mating with an unlock recess (H2 in fig 5) defined by the peripheral mounting system when the latch component is in an unlocked position (releasing position in fig 9 and paragraph 34). Re claim 12: Hsieh discloses the peripheral tray system, wherein the travel control feature includes a travel channel (first grooves 1210 in fig 5); and, fasteners (first guide components 122 in fig 5 and paragraph 32) coupled to the peripheral mounting system move within the travel channel when the latch component moves in the peripheral mounting system between the locked position (fastening position in fig 8 and paragraph 34; i.e., when the movable pin 125 is inserted into the first positioning hole H1 of the first plate 100 of the main frame 10) and the unlocked position (releasing position in fig 9 and paragraph 34; i.e., when the movable pin 125 is inserted into the second positioning hole H2 of the first plate 100). 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) 13-18 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Hsieh (US 20240314967 A1) in view of Jau et al. (US 20130039001 A1). Re claim 13: Hsieh discloses a system (server 9 in figs 1-2) comprising: a chassis (casing 90 in fig 2); a peripheral mounting system (main frame 10 in figs 1-2, 5) comprising a riser tray housing (see riser card 11 accommodated in main frame 10 in fig 5 and paragraph 28); and, a latch component (fastening assembly 12 in figs 1, 5 and paragraph 31), the latch component comprising a latch main housing portion (engagement slide block 123 in fig 5 and paragraph 35); a pin engagement feature (block portions 120 in fig 5 and paragraph 35) physically coupled to the latch main housing portion; and, a travel control feature (operational slide block 121 in fig 5 and paragraph 32) physically coupled (i.e., via 126) to the latch main housing, the travel control feature allowing the latch component to move in the peripheral mounting system between a locked position (fastening position in fig 8 and paragraph 34; i.e., when the movable pin 125 is inserted into the first positioning hole H1 of the first plate 100 of the main frame 10) and an unlocked position (releasing position in fig 9 and paragraph 34; i.e., when the movable pin 125 is inserted into the second positioning hole H2 of the first plate 100). Hsieh fails to explicitly disclose a processor contained within the chassis of the server. However, Hsieh discloses a riser card (11 in fig 3 and paragraph 28) including an electrical connector portion (CP in fig 3) that is inserted into a connection slot of a motherboard of the server (9), and expansion cards (8 in fig 5 and paragraph 24) are inserted into connection slots (110 in fig 5) of the riser card. It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide the motherboard of the server with a processor in order to communicate data between the expansion cards connected to the riser card and the motherboard. Hsieh fails to disclose a data bus coupled to the processor. Jau discloses a server system (1 in fig 2A), wherein a power supply module (12 in fig 2A) of the server system is electrically connected to server units (16 in fig 2A) via data bus connections (see paragraph 39). It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to couple a data bus to the processor of the server in order to transmit power to the server from a power supply module on a server rack by bus bars, so as to maintain automatic power balance. Re claim 14: Hsieh in view of Jau discloses the system, wherein the latch component further comprises a handle feature (Hsieh: connection plate 126 in fig 5) physically coupled to the latch main housing portion. Re claim 15: Hsieh in view of Jau discloses the system, wherein: the pin engagement feature (Hsieh: 120 in fig 5) interacts with a guide pin (Hsieh: engagement recessed portions 82 of the expansion cards 8 in figs 4, 6-7 and paragraph 36) mounted within the information handling system (Hsieh: herein, expansion cards 8 are mounted within server 9). Re claim 16: Hsieh in view of Jau discloses the system, wherein: the pin engagement feature (Hsieh: 120 in fig 5) comprises a hook structure extending downwardly from the latch main housing portion, an end of the hook structure interacting with the guide pin (Hsieh: 82) when the latch component is in a locked position (Hsieh: see fig 6 and paragraph 36). Re claim 17: Hsieh in view of Jau discloses the system, wherein: the travel control feature includes position fixing projection (Hsieh: movable pin 125 in fig 5), the position fixing projection mating with a lock recess (Hsieh: H1 in fig 5) defined by the peripheral mounting system when the latch component is in a locked position (Hsieh: fastening position in fig 8 and paragraph 34), the position fixing projection mating with an unlock recess (Hsieh: H2 in fig 5) defined by the peripheral mounting system when the latch component is in an unlocked position (Hsieh: releasing position in fig 9 and paragraph 34). Re claim 18: Hsieh in view of Jau discloses the system, wherein the travel control feature includes a travel channel (Hsieh: first grooves 1210 in fig 5); and, fasteners (Hsieh: first guide components 122 in fig 5 and paragraph 32) coupled to the peripheral mounting system move within the travel channel when the latch component moves in the peripheral mounting system between the locked position (Hsieh: fastening position in fig 8 and paragraph 34; i.e., when the movable pin 125 is inserted into the first positioning hole H1 of the first plate 100 of the main frame 10) and the unlocked position (Hsieh: releasing position in fig 9 and paragraph 34; i.e., when the movable pin 125 is inserted into the second positioning hole H2 of the first plate 100). Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Nidhi Thaker whose telephone number is (571)270-3408. The examiner can normally be reached M, TH, F 10am-6pm. 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, Imani Hayman can be reached at 571-270-5528. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300. Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Center and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about filing in DOCX format. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000. /NIDHI THAKER/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2841
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Prosecution Timeline

Jul 16, 2024
Application Filed
Feb 26, 2026
Non-Final Rejection — §102, §103 (current)

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Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

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Prosecution Projections

1-2
Expected OA Rounds
69%
Grant Probability
88%
With Interview (+19.7%)
2y 4m
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 723 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allow rate.

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