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.
Claim 5 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.
For Claim 5, lines 3-4 define “a fitting of an equipment” and line 8 defines “a fitting is provided for mounting the equipment”. It is unclear if this is the same fitting or if these are different fittings. As such the claim is indefinite.
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)(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) 1-3, 5, 7-11, and 14-15 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by Benthien (US PgPub #2014/0131519).
For Claim 1, figures 1-4 and paragraphs [0064, 0065, 0073, and 0098] of Benthien ‘519 disclose an adaptable fixation interface for an aircraft cabin floor, the adaptable fixation interface comprising: a plurality of connection studs (32); wherein the connection studs comprises a mounting foot region (40) and a connection head region (38), wherein the mounting foot region is configured to be inserted into one of a plurality of interface points in a floor arrangement (16); wherein the connection head region is configured to be engaged by a fitting (36) of an equipment to be fixed to the floor arrangement; and wherein the connection studs are configured to be releasably connected to adjacent interface points in the floor arrangement to provide a longitudinally extending fixation interface segment for mounting of the equipment, wherein the mounting foot region comprises at least one lateral protrusion for a form-fitting engagement with radial wall segments (94) of a floor arrangement interface point (34).
For Claim 2, figures 1-4 and paragraphs [0064, 0065, 0073, and 0098] of Benthien ‘519 disclose that the plurality of connection studs are configured to form an adaptable fixation segment when the connection studs are mounted to a floor support structure, and wherein the adaptable fixation segment provides a connecting profile for mounting the equipment, the equipment comprising seats.
For Claim 3, figures 10-12 of Benthien ‘519 disclose that the connection head comprises a flange protrusion (108) for form -fit clamping of an equipment fitting configured to be resting on an upper end face provided by the connection head region.
For Claim 5, figures 1-4 and paragraphs [0064, 0065, 0073, and 0098] of Benthien ‘519 disclose an adaptable fixation interface for an aircraft cabin floor, the adaptable fixation interface comprising: a plurality of connection studs (32); wherein the connection studs comprises a mounting foot region (40) and a connection head region (38), wherein the mounting foot region is configured to be inserted into one of a plurality of interface points in a floor arrangement (16); wherein the connection head region is configured to be engaged by a fitting (36) of an equipment to be fixed to the floor arrangement; and wherein the connection studs are configured to be releasably connected to adjacent interface points in the floor arrangement to provide a longitudinally extending fixation interface segment for mounting of the equipment, wherein a fitting (36) is provided for mounting the equipment to the fixation interface segment of the connection studs, wherein the fitting comprises at least two fitting engaging portions to engage with the at least two flange protrusions of the connection studs.
For Claim 7, figures 1-4 and paragraphs [0064, 0065, 0073, and 0098] of Benthien ‘519 disclose an aircraft floor mounting system comprising: at least one adaptable fixation interface according to claim 1; and at least one longitudinally extending clamping profile, wherein the eat least one longitudinally extending clamping profile comprises at least one outer section (72) for holding an edge of at least one floor panel (22) and a central recessed section for attaching the at least one longitudinally extending clamping profile to a floor support beam (60) of an aircraft cabin; and wherein the connection studs are configured to be provided along the central recess section in a mounted state.
For Claim 8, figures 1-4 and paragraphs [0064, 0065, 0073, and 0098] of Benthien ‘519 disclose that the longitudinally extending clamping profile is configured to be attached to the floor support beam by the connection studs.
For Claim 9, figures 1-4 and paragraphs [0064, 0065, 0073, and 0098] of Benthien ‘519 disclose an aircraft floor arrangement, the floor arrangement comprising: at least one floor support; a plurality of interface points provided on an upper side along at least a part of a floor support beam (16); and at least one adaptable fixation interface according to Claim 1; wherein the interface points are configured to receive the mounting foot region of one of the connection studs (32).
For Claim 10, figures 1-4 and paragraphs [0064, 0065, 0073, and 0098] of Benthien ‘519 disclose that the interface points are provided as blind nuts (34) with an inner thread aligned with through holes in an upper flange segment of the floor support beam, and wherein the blind nuts provide a bore in which the mounting foot region of one of the connection studs is inserted in an engaging manner with the blind nuts.
For Claim 11, figures 1-4 and paragraphs [0064, 0065, 0073, and 0098] of Benthien ‘519 disclose at least one floor panel (22) resting on the floor support beam (16); and at least one clamping profile (60 and 72); wherein the clamping profile is configured to hold an upper lateral edge of the floor panel in a clamping manner; and wherein the clamping profile is configured to be attached to the floor support beam by the connection studs.
For Claim 14, figures 1-4 and paragraphs [0064, 0065, 0073, and 0098] of Benthien ‘519 disclose an aircraft, comprising a fuselage, and a wing arrangement attached to the fuselage; wherein an aircraft cabin is provided within the fuselage, the aircraft cabin comprising a cabin floor, and wherein the cabin floor comprises the aircraft floor mounting system according to claim 7.
For Claim 15, figures 1-4 and paragraphs [0064, 0065, 0073, and 0098] of Benthien ‘519 disclose a method for providing a fixation interface for an aircraft cabin floor, comprising: providing a plurality of connection studs each having a mounting foot region (40) and a connection head region (38) that is configured to be engaged by a fitting of an equipment to be fixed to the floor arrangement; providing a floor arrangement with a plurality of interface points; and inserting the mounting foot regions into adjacent interface points, wherein the connection head regions provide a longitudinally extending fixation interface segment for mounting of the equipment, the mounting foot region comprises at least one lateral protrusion for a form-fitting engagement with radial wall segments (94) of a floor arrangement interface point (34).
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) 4, 6 and 12-13 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Benthien (US PgPub #2014/0131519) in view of Applicant Admitted Prior Art (AAPA).
For Claim 4, while figures 3 and 13 of Benthien ‘519 disclose a flange protrusion with a half circular shape of the connection head (38) that is connected to a support beam (16), it is silent about it having two abutment edges and two opposite edges. However, AAPA teaches that it is well known in the art to have flange protrusions that are square so as to provide lateral straight edges for connection. Therefore it would have been obvious to someone of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date to modify Benthien ‘519 with a square flange head region as taught by AAPA. The motivation to do so would be to have a straight connection edge.
For Claim 6, while Benthien ‘519 is silent about the connection studs being configured as an electric interface, AAPA teaches that it is well known in the art to provide studs that are metallic to allow for transmitting electric energy or can be provided with a specific electrical interface connection so as to contain electrical wiring within the stud. Therefore it would have been obvious to someone of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date to modify Benthien ‘519 with an electrical interface on the studs as taught by AAPA. The motivation to do so would be to provide a known electrical connection to provide electricity to the monument.
For Claim 12, while Benthien ‘519 is silent about the specific material choice of the floor support and the clamping profile, AAPA teaches that it is well known in the art to use a noncorroding material for an object when it is near or touch a corrosive material so as to stop the corrosion of the material. Therefore it would have been obvious to someone of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date to modify Benthien ‘519 with the corrosive and noncorroding material combinations as taught by AAPA. The motivation to do so would be to use a cheaper material for the large support while avoiding corrosion of it with having connections that are noncorroding.
For Claim 13, while Benthien ‘519 discloses that clamping profile having a central recess of the interface points, it is silent about a filler to contour with the recess. However, AAPA teaches that it is well known in the art to close a void with a filler. Therefore it would have been obvious to someone of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date to modify Benthien ‘519 with a filler as taught by AAPA. The motivation to do so would be to close up an open area so that objects cannot fall in the void.
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed 5/14/2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive. The Applicant argues that Benthien ‘519 does not teach that the mounting foot region comprises at least one lateral protrusion for a form-fitting engagement with radial wall segments of a floor arrangement interface point. However, the Examiner respectfully disagrees. The Examiner holds that Benthien ‘519 disclose wherein the mounting foot region (40) comprises at least one lateral protrusion for a form-fitting engagement with radial wall segments (94) of a floor arrangement interface point (34)
The Applicant has not argued the Official Notice of Claims 4, 6, and 12-13. Per MPEP 2144.03 this is now taken to be Applicant Admitted Prior Art (AAPA).
Conclusion
THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. 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 PHILIP J BONZELL whose telephone number is (571)270-3663. The examiner can normally be reached 9-5.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Joshua Michener can be reached at 571-272-1467. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/PHILIP J BONZELL/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3642 5/29/2026
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