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 .
The following correspondence is a non-final Office Action for application no. 18/941,582 for a FLOOR MAT HANGER, filed on 11/8/2024. Claims 1-16 are pending.
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 1-16 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.
Claim 1 recites the limitation "the front-back" therein. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. Claims 2-16 are rejected for the same reasons as dependent on claim 1.
Regarding claim 1, the phrase "rod-like" renders the claim(s) indefinite because the claim(s) include(s) elements not actually disclosed (those encompassed by "rod-like"), thereby rendering the scope of the claim(s) unascertainable. See MPEP § 2173.05(d). Claims 2-16 are rejected for the same reasons as dependent on claim 1.
Claim 3 recites the limitation "the respective pins" and “the respective pin” therein. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Regarding claim 9, the phrase "rod-like" renders the claim(s) indefinite because the claim(s) include(s) elements not actually disclosed (those encompassed by "rod-like"), thereby rendering the scope of the claim(s) unascertainable. See MPEP § 2173.05(d). Claim 10 is rejected for the same reasons as dependent on claim 9.
Regarding claim 10, the phrase "rod-like" renders the claim(s) indefinite because the claim(s) include(s) elements not actually disclosed (those encompassed by "rod-like"), thereby rendering the scope of the claim(s) unascertainable. See MPEP § 2173.05(d).
Claim 12 recites the limitation "the rest" therein. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 13 recites the limitation "the hook" therein. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. Claim 14 is rejected for the same reasons as dependent on claim 13.
Claim 14 recites the limitation "the hook" therein. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
The term “sufficient” in claim 15 is a relative term which renders the claim indefinite. The term “sufficient” is not defined by the claim, the specification does not provide a standard for ascertaining the requisite degree, and one of ordinary skill in the art would not be reasonably apprised of the scope of the invention. Thus, the term “sufficient for the middle member” is rendered indefinite.
Claim 16 recites the limitation "the respective end cap" therein. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
The term “essentially” in claims 1, 5 and 14, is a relative term which renders the claim indefinite. The term “essentially” is not defined by the claim, the specification does not provide a standard for ascertaining the requisite degree, and one of ordinary skill in the art would not be reasonably apprised of the scope of the invention. Thus, the terms “essentially flat front surface,” “essentially symmetrically,” “essentially flat back surface,” “essentially parallel,” “essentially perpendicular,” “essentially equal” and “essentially 45°” are rendered indefinite. Claims 2-16 are rejected for the same reasons as dependent on claim 1.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claim 1 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.
Claims 2-16 would be allowable if rewritten 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 and to include all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. USP 9301625, 10758064, 9004276 (hanger for floor mats).
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to NKEISHA J. SMITH whose telephone number is (571)272-5781. The examiner can normally be reached Normal hours: M/Th 7-4; T 9-5; W 7-3; F 7-4.
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, Terrell McKinnon can be reached at 571-272-4797. 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.
/NKEISHA SMITH/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3632 January 23, 2026
Prosecution Insights