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 .
Information Disclosure Statement
The information referred to in the IDS filed June 17, 2026 has been considered.
The information referred to in the IDS filed May 1, 2025 has been considered.
Priority
Receipt is acknowledged of certified copies of papers required by 37 CFR 1.55.
Drawings
The drawings are objected to under 37 CFR 1.83(a). The drawings must show every feature of the invention specified in the claims. Therefore, the following limitations must be shown or the feature(s) canceled from the claim(s). No new matter should be entered. Note as follows:
A step unit (claims 22, 23, 40 and 41);
A convex unit formed in the concave between the sensor and the step unit (claim 23);
The sensor disposed on a virtual line that connects the cutouts (claim 25);
A connector disposed in a position avoiding the virtual line that connects the cutouts (claim 26);
A connector disposed in a position orthogonal to the virtual line (claim 27);
An opening provided in a position avoiding the engaging unit (claim 30);
The sensor being latched to an upper surface side of the concave of the board-shaped member by a latching unit (claims 31 and 36);
The opening provided in a position avoiding the engaging unit (claim 35);
The latching unit protruding to the front and performing latching (claims 37 and 39);
The board-shaped member being indirectly supported by the seat cushion frame (claim 40); and
A blower (claim 40).
Corrected drawing sheets in compliance with 37 CFR 1.121(d) are required in reply to the Office action to avoid abandonment of the application. Any amended replacement drawing sheet should include all of the figures appearing on the immediate prior version of the sheet, even if only one figure is being amended. The figure or figure number of an amended drawing should not be labeled as “amended.” If a drawing figure is to be canceled, the appropriate figure must be removed from the replacement sheet, and where necessary, the remaining figures must be renumbered and appropriate changes made to the brief description of the several views of the drawings for consistency. Additional replacement sheets may be necessary to show the renumbering of the remaining figures. Each drawing sheet submitted after the filing date of an application must be labeled in the top margin as either “Replacement Sheet” or “New Sheet” pursuant to 37 CFR 1.121(d). If the changes are not accepted by the examiner, the applicant will be notified and informed of any required corrective action in the next Office action. The objection to the drawings will not be held in abeyance.
Specification
The status of any related application must be updated on page 1 of the specification, where appropriate.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of the first paragraph of 35 U.S.C. 112(a):
(a) IN GENERAL.—The specification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and use the same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor or joint inventor of carrying out the invention.
The following is a quotation of the first paragraph of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112:
The specification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and use the same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention.
Claims 22-41 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(a) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), first paragraph, as failing to comply with the written description requirement. The claim(s) contains subject matter which was not described in the specification in such a way as to reasonably convey to one skilled in the relevant art that the inventor or a joint inventor, or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the inventor(s), at the time the application was filed, had possession of the claimed invention.
Claim 22 recites the limitation “a step unit is disposed in the concave toward a rear side of the engaging unit” in line 9. The limitation is not supported by the originally filed disclosure (see U.S. Application No. 15/855,132). This subject matter is not disclosed, identified, or shown in the originally filed disclosure. As such, the limitation represents new matter. Similarly note recitations of the “step unit” in each of claims 23, 40, and 41.
Claim 23 recites the limitation “a convex unit is formed in the concave” in line 2. The limitation is not supported by the originally filed disclosure (see U.S. Application No. 15/855,132). This subject matter is not disclosed, identified, or shown in the originally filed disclosure. As such, the limitation represents new matter. Similarly note recitation of the “convex unit” in line 4 of claim 23.
Claim 25 recites the limitation “the sensor is disposed on a virtual line that connects the cutouts” in line 4. The limitation is not supported by the originally filed disclosure (see U.S. Application No. 15/855,132). This subject matter is not disclosed, identified, or shown in the originally filed disclosure. As such, the limitation represents new matter.
Claim 26 recites the limitation “a connector is disposed in a position avoiding the virtual line that connects the cutouts” in lines 1 to 2. The limitation is not supported by the originally filed disclosure (see U.S. Application No. 15/855,132). This subject matter is not disclosed, identified, or shown in the originally filed disclosure. As such, the limitation represents new matter.
Claim 27 recites the limitation “the connector is disposed in a position orthogonal to the virtual line. This limitation is not supported by the originally filed disclosure (see U.S. Application No. 15/855,132). This subject matter is not disclosed, identified, or shown in the originally filed disclosure. As such, the limitation represents new matter.
Claim 30 recites the limitation “the opening is provided in a position avoiding the engagement unit” in line 3. The limitation is not supported by the originally filed disclosure (see U.S. Application No. 15/855,132). This subject matter is not disclosed, identified, or shown in the originally filed disclosure. As such, the limitation represents new matter. Similarly note claim 35.
Claim 31 recites the limitation of “a latching unit” in line 4. This limitation is not supported by the originally filed disclosure (see U.S. Application No. 15/855,132). This subject matter is not disclosed, identified, or shown in the originally filed disclosure. As such, the limitation represents new matter.
Claim 32 recites the limitation “the latching unit protrudes to the front and performs latching. The limitation is not supported by the originally filed disclosure (see U.S. Application No. 15/855,132). This subject matter is not disclosed, identified, or shown in the originally filed disclosure. As such, the limitation represents new matter. Similarly note claims 37 and 39.
Claim 36 recites the limitation “the sensor is latched to an upper surface side of the concave of the boar-shaped member by a latching unit” in lines 3 to 4 The limitation is not supported by the originally filed disclosure (see U.S. Application No. 15/855,132). This subject matter is not disclosed, identified, or shown in the originally filed disclosure. As such, the limitation represents new matter. Similarly note claim 38.
Claim 40 recites the limitation “a board-shaped member that is provided below the cushion pad and that is indirectly supported by the seat cushion frame” in lines 7 to 8. This limitation is not supported by the originally filed disclosure (see U.S. Application No. 15/855,132). This subject matter is not disclosed, identified, or shown in the originally filed disclosure. As such, the limitation represents new matter.
Claims 30, 35 and 40 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(a) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), first paragraph, as failing to comply with the enablement requirement. The claim(s) contains subject matter which was not described in the specification in such a way as to enable one skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and/or use the invention.
Claim 30 recites the limitation “the opening is provided in a position avoiding the engaging unit” in line 3. Figures 4-6 appear to show portions 2g, 2h of the engaging unit 2 as extending into the opening 18A of the board-shaped member 18. It cannot be ascertained how the opening is considered as “avoiding” the engaging unit when portions of the engaging unit are explicitly shown as extending into the opening. Such renders the claim as non-enabling. Similarly note claim 35.
Claim 40 recites the limitation “a board-shaped member that is provided below the cushion pad and that is indirectly supported by the seat cushion frame” in lines 7 to 8. Figure 12 appears to show board member 18 directly supported on and engaging the seat cushion frame 17. It cannot be ascertained how the board member is considered as “indirectly” supported by the seat cushion frame when it has direct engagement therewith. Such renders the claim as non-enabling.
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 26, 27, 30, 32, 35, 37, 39 and 40 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 26 recites the limitation “disposed in a position avoiding the virtual line” in line 2. It cannot be ascertained what Applicant intends to define, thereby rendering the claim as vague. The metes and bounds cannot be determined.
Claim 30 recites the limitation “avoiding” in line 3. It cannot be ascertained what Applicant intends to define, thereby rendering the claim as vague. The metes and bounds cannot be determined. Similarly note claims 35 and 40
Claim 32 recites the limitation "the front" in line 2. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. Similarly note claims 37 and 39.
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) 22, as best understood with the rejection(s) under 35 U.S.C. 112, is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by JP2017033780A.
Note a sensor disposition structure in a seat, comprising: a cushion pad (see page 5 of the translation, under the heading “Rubber Dome 20”); and a board-shaped member (30) which is disposed under the cushion pad, wherein: a concave (between 50 and 50) is formed in an upper surface of the board-shaped member and a sensor (10) is disposed in the concave, the sensor includes an engaging unit (12) and the sensor is engaged in the concave by the engaging unit, and a step unit (20 or 40) is disposed in the concave toward a rear side of the engaging unit.
Claim(s) 22, and 25-39, as best understood with the rejection(s) under 35 U.S.C. 112, is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by Nakazaki et al (US10486551).
Note a sensor disposition structure in a seat, comprising: a cushion pad (SC); and a board-shaped member (2) which is disposed under the cushion pad, wherein: a concave (see Fig. 2) is formed in an upper surface of the board-shaped member and a sensor (3, 4, 5) is disposed in the concave, the sensor includes an engaging unit (3) and the sensor is engaged in the concave by the engaging unit, and a step unit (31) is disposed in the concave and extends toward (i.e. is disposed toward) a rear side of the engaging unit (see Fig. 1).
Regarding claim 25, note cutouts (23) are formed in a surface (21S) that supports a bottom surface of the sensor, the cutouts are provided in positions corresponding to both sides of the sensor, and the sensor is disposed on a virtual line (extending between 23-23 at the front of 2) that connects the cutouts. See Fig. 1.
Regarding claim 26, note a connector (35 or rearmost 36) is disposed in a position avoiding the virtual line that connects the cutouts. See Fig. 1.
Regarding claim 27, note the connector (rearmost 36) is disposed in a position orthogonal to the virtual line.
Regarding claim 28, note the engaging unit (3) is engaged to an engaging hole (23) formed in a surface (21S) that supports a bottom surface of the sensor.
Regarding claim 29, note the engaging unit is provided along an outer peripheral surface of the sensor. See Figs. 2 and 3.
Regarding claim 30, note an opening is provided in the board-shaped member, and the opening is provided in a position avoiding the engaging unit. Note at 22, as shown in Fig. 1.
Regarding claim 31, note the sensor is attached to a surface (21S) that supports a bottom surface of the sensor, and the sensor is latched to an upper surface side of the concave of the board-shaped member by a latching unit (36).
Regarding claim 32, note the latching unit protrudes to the front and performs latching. See Fig. 1.
Regarding claim 33, note the engaging unit is engaged to an engaging hole (23) formed in the surface (21S) that supports the bottom surface of the sensor.
Regarding claim 34, note the engaging unit is provided along an outer peripheral surface of the sensor. See Figs. 3 and 4.
Regarding claim 35, note an opening is provided in the board-shaped member, and the opening is provided in a position avoiding the engaging unit. Note at 22, as shown in Fig. 1.
Regarding claim 36, note the sensor is attached to the surface (21S) that supports the bottom surface of the sensor, and the sensor is latched to an upper surface side of the concave of the board-shaped member by a latching unit (36).
Regarding claim 37, note the latching unit protrudes to the front and performs latching. See Fig. 1.
Regarding claim 38, note the sensor is attached to the surface (21S) that supports the bottom surface of the sensor, and the sensor is latched to an upper surface side of the concave of the board-shaped member by a latching unit (36).
Regarding claim 39, note the latching unit (36) protrudes to the front and performs latching. See Fig. 1.
Conclusion
Claims 23, 24, 40 and 41 have not been rejected in view of the prior art, however these claims are not considered allowable in view of rejections under 35 U.S.C. 112(a) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), first paragraph and/or second paragraph.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to MILTON NELSON JR whose telephone number is (571)272-6861. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 5:30am-1:30pm.
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.
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.
mn /MILTON NELSON JR/September 11, 2026 Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3636
Prosecution Insights