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 .
Drawings
The drawings were received on 7/09/2026. These drawings are acceptable
Claim Interpretation
The examiner is interpreting the term “bearing” to mean supporting or stabilizing the item.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
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) 1-15 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by US Patent 10,470,561 to Clegg.
Clegg teaches
1. A table comprising: at least one work surface (14, 22, 2432A,32B); at least two legs (28A, 28B) bearing the work surface; the table being characterized in that the legs are telescopic such that the table is adjustable between a bottom position (Figure 2A) and a top position (figure 2C); at least one first handle (300,400) bearing to at least a first one of the legs (as best seen in figure 1A, the handle stabilizes and keeps the spacing between the legs; the handle supports the height adjustable portion of the leg; the handle also can be griped when lifting the table and supports the table in that position; and therefore the examiner considers that the handles bears the legs); and at least one second handle (300,400) bearing to at least a second one of the legs (as best seen in figure 1A), the first and second handles being pivotably mounted relative to the work surface about a first axis and a second axis (208A, 208B), respectively, such that the legs may be moved, when the table is in the bottom position between a rest position (Figure 1C, 1D) in which the legs are arranged along the work surface and a service position (figure 1A) in which the legs are offset from the work surface.
2.wherein the work surface is formed of comprises at least two tabletops (22/32A, 24/32B) pivotable relative to one another along a third axis (34) so as to be able to fold the work surface when the legs are in the resting position, the table being adjustable between a folded state in which the work surface is folded and the legs are in the resting position and an unfolded state in which the work surface is unfolded and the legs are in the service position (As best seen in figures 1A-D).
3. wherein the first axis, the second axis, and the third axis are parallel to one another (as best seen in figure 1B).
4. further comprising: a temporary closure system to at least temporarily secure the table in the its folded state (figure 1C, clasp attached to the axel 208A).
5. wherein the table is shaped such that in its folded state it may be stored in a backpack or a bag (As best seen in figure 1D, the table is square shaped and could be placed in a bag).
6. wherein the first and second axes are at the work surface (as best seen in figure 1C, the axis 208A, 208B are within the cavity of the worksurface).
7. wherein the work surface is connected to the first and second handles (via the legs) and the work surface includes a notch (as best seen in figure 1D) on at least one of its sides.
8. wherein at least one of the first and second handles includes an actuator (figure 4A-9) configured to allow retraction of at least one of the legs (230A, 230B).
9. wherein the table comprises a locking mechanism (as best seen in figure 1B, struts/braces attach the between the legs and the worksurface to limit rotation) that limits the rotation of at least one of the first and second handles.
10. wherein at least one of the legs comprises a pair of uprights (230A,230B) and at least one crossbar (204) connecting the pair of uprights.
11. wherein at least one of the legs comprises a pair of uprights (230A,230B), at least one of the uprights comprising at least one hole (228A, 228B; as best seen in figure 1B, 2A, and 2C) and at least one of the uprights bears a lug (922) capable of engaging the hole to keep both uprights extended relative to one another (as best seen in figures 2A and 2C).
12. wherein at least one of the legs is coupled to a foot assembly (200) comprising a base element (226A,226B) and at least one strut (as best seen in figure 1B) movably mounted on the base element, the strut movable between a folded position (figure 1C) and an extended position (figure 1B).
13. wherein the strut is rotatable relative to the base element (as best seen in figures 1B, 1C).
14. further comprising; a stabilization system (foot cap as best seen in figure 2A or struts/braces attach the between the legs and the worksurface to limit rotation).
15. wherein the work surface is movable between a top position (figure 2A) and a bottom position (figure 2C) and the legs are configured to adjust a height of the work surface at various intermediate levels between the bottom and top positions (Figure 2B and extra hole in the leg as best seen in figure 1A).
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed 7/09/2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive. The applicant argues that the handles of Clegg do not bear the legs and pivotally mounted relative to the work surface. The examiner disagrees since the handle (300) of Clegg is pivotally mounted to the work surface with/via the upper portion of the leg (226A, 226B); the upper portion could be considered part of the handle. The lower portion of the legs (230A, 230B) bear on the handle via the height adjustment mechanism (400). The cross member (208A, 208B) could considered to be part of the handle or separate and acts to stabilizes and strengthen the legs which is considered to be within the meaning of the term “bearing”.
Conclusion
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 nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) 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 mailing date of this final action.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to TIMOTHY MICHAEL AYRES whose telephone number is (571)272-8299. The examiner can normally be reached Monday - Friday 11:30-8.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Dan 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.
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/T.M.A/ Examiner, Art Unit 3637 /DANIEL J TROY/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 3637
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