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 disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on 1/12/2026 is in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statement is being considered by the examiner.
Applications filed after March 15th 2013
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 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.
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.
(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.
Claims 1, 2, 5, and 14-16 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Kuo (US 2015/0023033).
With regards to Claim 1, Kuo discloses a bike pedal assembly, comprising: a bike pedal (see paragraph 1), including: a first lateral portion defining a first slot (comprising a first slot [14] on a first lateral portion of the bike pedal, see paragraph 28 and Figure 2); and a second lateral portion defining a second slot (comprising a second slot [14] on a second lateral portion of the bike pedal, see paragraph 28 and Figure 2); and an illumination assembly [2] (see paragraph 29 and Figure 2) removably couplable to the bike pedal (see paragraphs 31 and 32 and Figure 2), wherein the illumination assembly [2] comprises: a body, including: a front portion [23] (see paragraph 33 and Figure 2); a first arm (comprising an arm [238] on a first side of the body aligned with the first slot [14], see paragraph 29 and Figure 2) extending from a first lateral side of the front portion [23] and extendable through the first slot [14] (see paragraph 29 and Figures 2 and 4); and a second arm (comprising an arm [238] on a second side of the body aligned with the second slot [14], see paragraph 29 and Figure 2) extending from a second lateral side of the front portion [23] and extendable through the second slot [14] (see paragraph 29 and Figures 2 and 4); and a light source [2381] coupled to the body (see paragraph 29 and Figure 2).
With regards to Claim 2, Kuo discloses the bike pedal assembly as discussed above with regards to Claim 1.
Kuo further discloses the bike pedal further includes: a first flange (comprising a first flange forming slot [15], see paragraph 28 and Figure 2) extending laterally from the first lateral portion and defining a first flange slot [15] (see paragraph 28 and Figure 2); and a second flange (comprising a second flange forming a second slot [15], see paragraph 28 and Figure 2) extending laterally from the second lateral portion and defining a second flange slot [15] (see paragraph 28 and Figure 2).
With regards to Claim 5, Kuo discloses the bike pedal assembly as discussed above with regards to Claim 1.
Kuo further discloses a lens [151] couplable to the body to cover the light source [2381] (see paragraph 28 and Figures 1 and 4).
With regards to Claim 14, Kuo discloses the bike pedal assembly as discussed above with regards to Claim 1.
Kuo further discloses the illumination assembly [2] exhibits a U-shape (see Figure 2; the illumination assembly [2] substantially includes a U-shape).
With regards to Claim 15, Kuo discloses the bike pedal assembly as discussed above with regards to Claim 1.
Kuo further discloses the bike pedal further includes a central portion between the first and second lateral portions and that defines a channel [111] therethrough (see paragraph 28 and Figures 2 and 4), and wherein the bike pedal assembly further includes a shaft assembly [3] removably extendable within the channel [111] and couplable a crank arm of a bike (see paragraphs 30 and 32 and Figures 2 and 4).
With regards to Claim 16, Kuo discloses an illumination assembly [2], comprising: a body, including: a front portion [23] (see paragraph 33 and Figure 2); a first arm (comprising an arm [238] on a first side of the body aligned with the first slot [14], see paragraph 29 and Figure 2) extending from a first lateral side of the front portion [23] and extendable through a first slot [14] of a bike pedal (see paragraph 29 and Figures 2 and 4); and a second arm (comprising an arm [238] on a second side of the body [23] aligned with the second slot [14], see paragraph 29 and Figure 2) extending from a second lateral side of the front portion [23] and extendable through a second slot [14] of a bike pedal (see paragraph 29 and Figures 2 and 4); and a light source[2381] coupled to the body (see paragraph 29 and Figure 2).
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 13 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kuo (US 2015/0023033) in view of Chiu (US 2003/0035295).
With regards to Claim 13, Kuo discloses the bike pedal assembly as discussed above with regards to Claim 1.
Kuo does not explicitly disclose the light source comprises a light emitting diode (LED).
Chiu teaches the light source [33] comprises a light emitting diode (LED) (see paragraph 17).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the light source of Kuo to comprise a light emitting diode (LED), as taught by Chiu. One would have been motivated to do so in order to utilize an energy efficient light source.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 3, 4, 6-12, and 17-20 are objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but would be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims.
The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter:
With regards to Claims 3 and 4, the prior art of record fails to disclose or fairly suggest the body further includes: a first extension extending from the first lateral side of the front portion and alongside the first arm; and a second extension extending from the first lateral side of the front portion and alongside the second arm, in combination with the remaining limitations of the claims from which Claim 3 depends.
With regards to Claim 6 and claims depending therefrom, the prior art of record fails to disclose or fairly suggest the body defines a recess and the illumination assembly further comprises a power source positionable in the recess and couplable to the light source, in combination with the remaining limitations of the claims from which Claim 3 depends.
With regards to Claim 17, the prior art of record fails to disclose or fairly suggest the body further includes: a first extension extending from the first lateral side of the front portion and alongside the first arm, the first tab includes a first tab extendable through a first flange slot of the bike pedal; and a second extension extending from the first lateral side of the front portion and alongside the second arm, and the second extension includes a second tab extendable through a second flange slot of the bike pedal, in combination with the remaining limitations of the claim from which it depends.
With regards to Claim 18 and claims depending therefrom, the prior art of record fails to disclose or fairly suggest the body defines a recess and the illumination assembly further comprises: a power source positionable in the recess and couplable to the light source; a controller positionable in the recess and couplable to the light source and the power source, in combination with the remaining limitations of the claim from which Claim 18 depends.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. In addition to the prior art discussed in this action, the applicant is directed to form 892, and particularly the references de Brun (US 2024/0025504), which discloses at least a bike pedal assembly including a bike pedal having a first lateral portion with a first slot, a second lateral portion with a second slot, and a center portion with a channel extending therethrough, an illumination assembly including a first arm and a second arm, and a light source coupled to the body, Chang (US 2002/0152835), which discloses at least a bike pedal assembly including a bike pedal having a first lateral portion with a first slot, a second lateral portion with a second slot, and a center portion with a channel extending therethrough, an illumination assembly including a first arm and a second arm, and a light source coupled to the body, a lens disposed to cover the light source, Chia-Li (US 2010/0214792), which discloses at least a bike pedal assembly including a bike pedal having a first lateral portion with a first slot, a second lateral portion with a second slot, and a center portion with a channel extending therethrough, an illumination assembly including a body having a front portion, a first arm, and a second arm, and a light source coupled to the body, Xie (CN 210455045), which discloses at least a bike pedal assembly including a bike pedal and illumination assembly coupled to the bike pedal and having a U-shape formed by a front portion, and two arm portions and a light source disposed on the illumination assembly body, and Huang (CN 104973200), which discloses at least a bike pedal assembly including a bike pedal having a first lateral portion with a first slot, a second lateral portion with a second slot, and a center portion with a channel extending therethrough, an illumination assembly including a front portion, a first arm, and a second arm, and a light source coupled to the body.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to ERIN KRYUKOVA whose telephone number is (571)272-3761. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 9a.m. - 4p.m.
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, Jong-Suk (James) Lee can be reached at 5712727044. 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.
/ERIN KRYUKOVA/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2875
Prosecution Insights