Office Action 1: Non-Final Rejection (2023-12-22)
Rejection types: 102 - Lack of Novelty, 103 - Obviousness, 112 - Written Description/Enablement

CLAIMS:
Claims

1\. An aircraft passenger seat unit, configured for use adjacent an aisle of an aircraft cabin, wherein the seat unit comprises:
\- a seat,
\- a footrest, and
\- a movable panel, movable with respect to the footrest between a closed position in which the movable panel at least partially encloses a side of the footrest and an open position in which the movable panel at least partially
exposes the side of the footrest such that, in use, when the panel is in the open position, a passenger can access the seat from an aisle through the partially exposed side of the footrest.

2\. An aircraft passenger seat unit according to claim 1, wherein the seat comprises a seat pan and backrest, the seat having an upright sitting configuration in which the backrest is substantially upright, and wherein the seat is movable in the upright sitting configuration between a first position in which the seat pan is spaced apart from the footrest by a first distance, and a second position in which the seat pan is spaced apart from the footrest by a second distance, the second distance being less than the first distance.

3\. An aircraft passenger seat unit according to claim 2, wherein the second distance is no more than 15 centimetres.

4\. An aircraft passenger seat unit according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the seat faces in a direction defining a seat axis, and wherein the seat is movable along the seat axis towards or away from the footrest when the seat is moved between the first and second positions.

5\. An aircraft passenger seat unit according to any preceding claim, wherein the seat unit has an aisle side that is configured to be adjacent an aisle in use, and
wherein the movable panel is positioned along the aisle side of the seat unit when in the closed position such that movable panel at least partially encloses the side of the footrest to block access to the side of the footrest from the aisle, and such that when the panel is in the open position a passenger can access the at least partially exposed side of the footrest from the aisle.

6\. An aircraft passenger seat unit according to any preceding claim further comprising a wall, wherein the wall at least partially encloses a side of the seat when the seat is in the first position, the wall thereby blocking access to the seat from an aisle when in the first position, and wherein the wall does not enclose the side of the seat when the seat is in the second position so that a passenger can access the seat from an aisle when the seat is in the second position.

7\. An aircraft passenger seat unit according to claim 6, wherein the movable panel and wall are spaced apart along a first side of the seat unit and the space between the movable panel and wall defines an access path that provides passenger access into the seat unit from the first side of the seat unit, and
wherein the seat is adjacent to the access path when in the second position so that a passenger can access the seat from a first side of the seat unit via the access path when the seat is in the second position.

8\. An aircraft passenger seat unit according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the seat unit comprises a console comprising a table surface for use by a passenger of the seat unit and wherein the console is at least partially formed by the wall.

9\. An aircraft passenger seat unit according to claim 8, wherein the aircraft passenger seat unit is configured to be positioned directly adjacent to and in front of a further, substantially identical aircraft seat unit, and wherein the console is at least partially formed by the movable panel of the further seat unit.

10\. An aircraft passenger seat unit according to claim 9 further comprising a shell, wherein the shell forms the console of the seat unit and the movable panel of the further seat unit.

11\. An aircraft passenger seat unit according to any preceding claim, wherein the movable panel is movably mounted via a hinge.

12\. An aircraft passenger seat unit according to claim 11, wherein the movable panel is mounted via a hinge and configured to be moved between the closed position and open position about a horizontal axis located towards a bottom of the panel.

13\. An aircraft passenger seat unit according to claim 11, wherein the movable panel is mounted via a hinge and configured to be moved between the closed position and open position about a vertical axis located towards a side of the panel.

14\. An aircraft passenger seat unit according to any preceding claim, wherein the seat unit comprises a locking system configured to lock the movable panel in the closed position, the lock system comprising:
\- a plurality of latches positioned on the movable panel and configured to engage with a structure of the seat unit to lock the movable panel in the
closed position, or
\- a plurality of latches positioned on the structure of the seat unit and configured to engage with the movable panel to lock the movable panel in the closed position.

15\. An aircraft passenger seat unit according to claim 14, wherein the lock system comprises an actuatable member operable to disengage the latches so that the movable panel can be moved from the closed position to the open position.

16\. An aircraft passenger seat unit according to claim 15, wherein the actuatable member is positioned on a surface of the movable panel that is adjacent the footrest when the panel is in the closed position.
17\. A shell suitable for use as the shell of claim 10, wherein the shell comprises a movable panel, a footrest, and a console, wherein the movable panel and footrest are suitable for forming the movable panel and footrest of a first seat unit, the movable panel being movable with respect to the footrest between a closed position in which the movable panel at least partially encloses a side of the footrest at a first side of the shell and an open position in which the panel at least partially exposes the side of the footrest at the first side of the shell, and
wherein the console is suitable for forming the console of a second, directly adjacent seat unit, and wherein the movable panel at least partially forms the console.

18\. A kit of parts configured such that when assembled, the kit of parts forms an aircraft passenger seat unit as defined in any of claims 1 to 16. 5 10 15 20 25 30

OFFICE ACTION:
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 .
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 “a wall, wherein the wall at least partially encloses a side of the seat when the seat is in the first position, the wall thereby blocking access to the seat from an aisle when in the first position, and wherein the wall does not enclose the side of the seat when the seat is in the second position so that a passenger can access the seat from an aisle when the seat is in the second position” must be shown or the feature(s) canceled from the claim(s).  No new matter should be entered.
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.
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 6-9, 17, and 18 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.
Regarding claim 6, claim 6 recites the limitations the first position and “the second position” in lines 3, 4, 5 and 6.  There is insufficient antecedent basis for these limitations in the claim.
Additionally, the limitation “wherein the wall at least partially encloses a side of the seat when the seat is in the first position, the wall thereby blocking access to the seat from an aisle when in the first position, and wherein the wall does not enclose the side of the seat when the seat is in the second position so that a passenger can access the seat from an aisle when the seat is in the second position” is indefinite because it is unclear how the wall can block access to the seat when the seat is an upright (first) position, but not when the seat is in a lie flat (second) position. Applicant is encouraged to amend and provide arguments so as to explain or clarify the scope of this claim. This claim can not be understood as written.
Regarding claim 7, claim 7 recites the limitation “the second position” in lines 5 and 6.  There is insufficient antecedent basis for these limitations in the claim.
Regarding claim 17, the limitation “A shell suitable for use as the shell of claim 10, wherein the shell comprises a movable panel, a footrest, and a console” is indefinite because there is unclear dependency on claim 10 and it appears that there is double inclusion of the movable panel, footrest, and console. This claim is being interpreted as not being dependent on claim 10.
Regarding claim 18, the limitation “A kit of parts configured such that when assembled, the kit of parts forms an aircraft passenger seat unit as defined in claim 1” is indefinite as it is unclear what is meant by ‘kit.’ Does the kit consist of unassembled parts for passenger seat unit or tools for assembling the seat unit? In the former case, the limitation would be met by the seat unit of claim 1. In the latter case appears to be insufficient disclosure in the specification to explain what would be required. This is being interpreted as the kit consisting of parts that would form the aircraft passenger seat when assembled. In other words, the ‘kit of parts’ is never defined. What parts are in the kit? As such, it is unclear to the meets and bounds.
Claims 6-10 and 17 are rejected for being dependent on a rejected claim.
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) 1-2, 4-5, 6 (as best understood), 7-10, and 17 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by Nicholas (US 10501188 B2).
Regarding claim 1, Nicholas (US 10501188 B2) discloses an aircraft passenger seat unit (Nicholas, figures 7a-d, item 709), configured for use adjacent an aisle of an aircraft cabin (Nicholas, figures 1e and 7a-d, item 111, seat units adjacent aircraft aisle), wherein the seat unit comprises:
- a seat (Nicholas, figure 7a-d, item 709),
- a footrest (Nicholas, figure 7b, item 726), and
- a movable panel (Nicholas, figure 7a-d, item 725, end wall made of a panel moves), movable with respect to the footrest between a closed position in which the movable panel at least partially encloses a side of the footrest (Nicholas, figure 7a, item 725, panel in closed configuration enclosing a side of the footrest) and an open position in which the movable panel at least partially exposes the side of the footrest such that, in use, when the panel is in the open position, a passenger can access the seat from an aisle through the partially exposed side of the footrest (Nicholas, figure 7c, item 725, panel in open configuration exposing a side of the footrest and thereby allowing passenger access to the footrest from the aisle).
Regarding claim 2, Nicholas discloses an aircraft passenger seat unit according to claim 1,
wherein the seat comprises a seat pan (Nicholas, figure 7a, item 715b) and backrest (Nicholas, figure 7a, item 715a),
the seat having an upright sitting configuration in which the backrest is substantially upright (Nicholas, figure 7a, item 715a, seat in upright position where backrest is upright), and
wherein the seat is movable in the upright sitting configuration between a first position in which the seat pan is spaced apart from the footrest by a first distance (Nicholas, figures 7a-b, items 715b and 726, forward seat has seat pan and footrest spaced apart by a distance), and a second position in which the seat pan is spaced apart from the footrest by a second distance, the second distance being less than the first distance (Nicholas, figure 7a-b, item 715b and 726, aft seat has seat spaced apart from footrest by a distance less than the first distance).
Regarding claim 4, Nicholas discloses an aircraft passenger seat unit according to claim 2, wherein the seat faces in a direction defining a seat axis, and wherein the seat is movable along the seat axis towards or away from the footrest when the seat is moved between the first and second positions (Nicholas, figure 7a, item 709, col 13 lines 10-22, forwards and aftwards seats move along an axis between a first and second position).
Regarding claim 5, Nicholas discloses an aircraft passenger seat unit according to claim 1, wherein the seat unit has an aisle side that is configured to be adjacent an aisle in use (Nicholas, figure 7a, item 733, side of seat unit has an opening designed to be adjacent to aisle for allowing passengers access to the seat unit), and
wherein the movable panel is positioned along the aisle side of the seat unit when in the closed position such that movable panel at least partially encloses the side of the footrest to block access to the side of the footrest from the aisle, and such that when the panel is in the open position a passenger can access the at least partially exposed side of the footrest from the aisle (Nicholas, figures 7a and 7c, item 725, panel positioned along the aisle side of the seat unit blocks or allows access to the footwell directly from the aisle, depending upon whether closed or opened).
Regarding claim 6 (as best understood), Nicholas discloses an aircraft passenger seat unit according to claim 1 further comprising a wall (Nicholas, figure 7a-b, item 727, side wall),
wherein the wall at least partially encloses a side of the seat when the seat is in the first position (Nicholas, figure 7a-b, item 727, wall partially encloses seat unit when seat is in the upright position),
Regarding claim 7, Nicholas discloses an aircraft passenger seat unit according to claim 6, wherein the movable panel and wall are spaced apart along a first side of the seat unit and the space between the movable panel and wall defines an access path that provides passenger access into the seat unit from the first side of the seat unit (Nicholas, figures 7b and 7d, item 733, access path between the wall and the panel), and wherein the seat is adjacent to the access path when in the second position so that a passenger can access the seat from a first side of the seat unit via the access path when the seat is in the second position (Nicholas, figures 7b and 7d, items 715 and 733, access path between the wall and the panel allows access to the seat when the seat is in upright position).
Regarding claim 8, Nicholas discloses an aircraft passenger seat unit according to claim 6, wherein the seat unit comprises a console (Nicholas, figure 7a, item 737, base forming part of the console) comprising a table surface for use by a passenger of the seat unit (Nicholas, figure 7a, item 729, table surface) and wherein the console is at least partially formed by the wall (Nicholas, figure 7a, item 727, side wall forming part of console).
Regarding claim 9, Nicholas discloses an aircraft passenger seat unit according to claim 8, wherein the aircraft passenger seat unit is configured to be positioned directly adjacent to and in front of a further, substantially identical aircraft seat unit (Nicholas, figure 7c, item 709, seat units positioned on in front of the other), and wherein the console is at least partially formed by the movable panel of the further seat unit (Nicholas, figure 7a, item 725, movable panel of one seat unit forms part of the console of the forward seat unit).
Regarding claim 10, Nicholas discloses an aircraft passenger seat unit according to claim 9. further comprising a shell, wherein the shell forms the console of the seat unit and the movable panel of the further seat unit (Nicholas, figure 7a, items 725, 727, and 737, console forms a shell structure around the seat unit).
Regarding claim 17, Nicholas discloses a shell suitable for use as the shell of claim 10, wherein the shell comprises
a movable panel (Nicholas, figure 7a-d, item 725, end wall made of a panel moves),
a footrest (Nicholas, figure 7b, item 726), and
a console (Nicholas, figure 7a, item 737, base forming part of the console),
wherein the movable panel and footrest are suitable for forming the movable panel and footrest of a first seat unit (Nicholas, figure 7a-d, item 709, shell used as part of seat unit), the movable panel being movable with respect to the footrest between a closed position in which the movable panel at least partially encloses a side of the footrest at a first side of the shell (Nicholas, figure 7a, item 725, panel in closed configuration enclosing a side of the footrest) and an open position in which the panel at least partially exposes the side of the footrest at the first side of the shell (Nicholas, figure 7c, item 725, panel in open configuration exposing a side of the footrest and thereby allowing passenger access to the footrest from the aisle), and
wherein the console is suitable for forming the console of a second, directly adjacent seat unit, and wherein the movable panel at least partially forms the console (Nicholas, figure 7a, see callout below, console forms part of console of forward seat unit).
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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.
The text of those sections of Title 35, U.S. Code not included in this action can be found in a prior Office action.
The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows:
1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness.
This application currently names joint inventors. In considering patentability of the claims the examiner presumes that the subject matter of the various claims was commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the claimed invention(s) absent any evidence to the contrary.  Applicant is advised of the obligation under 37 CFR 1.56 to point out the inventor and effective filing dates of each claim that was not commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the later invention in order for the examiner to consider the applicability of 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) for any potential 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) prior art against the later invention.
Claim(s) 3 and 18 (as best understood) is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Nicholas (US 10501188 B2) as applied to claim 1 above.
Regarding claim 3, Nicholas discloses an aircraft passenger seat unit according to claim 2, except:
wherein the second distance is no more than 15 centimeters.
However, Nicholas shows a second distance having a dimension that is in a similar range to the claimed range (<=15 cm) and the second distance has inherent dimensions.
The applicant has not established criticality for the second distance being less than 15 cm, It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art to modify the second distance to be less than 15 cm in order to prevent an occupant’s feet from fitting between the seat and the footrest, since it has been held that where the general conditions of a claim are disclosed in the prior art, discovering the optimum or workable ranges involves only routine skill in the art.  In re Aller, 105 USPQ 233.
Regarding claim 18 (as best understood), Nicholas discloses the aircraft passenger seat unit as defined in claim 1, except:
a kit of parts configured such that when assembled, the kit of parts forms an aircraft passenger seat unit as defined in claim 1.
Nicholas discloses the aircraft passenger seat unit as defined in claim 1 discloses the claimed invention except for a kit of parts that, when assembled, the kit of parts forms an aircraft passenger seat unit as defined in claim.  It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the application to have a kit of separate parts for forming the seat unit in order to allow the seat unit to be assembled in an aircraft with small doors where the fully assembled seat unit would not fit through doors, since it has been held that constructing a formerly integral structure in various elements involves only routine skill in the art.  Nerwin v. Erlichman, 168 USPQ 177, 179.
Claim(s) 11 and 13 are is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Nicholas (US 10501188 B2) as applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of Pethier (US 11794902 B2).
Regarding claim 11, Nicholas teaches an aircraft passenger seat unit according to claim 1, except:
wherein the movable panel is movably mounted via a hinge.
Pethier (US 11794902 B2) teaches a movable panel which is movably mounted via a hinge (Pethier, figure 3, item 86, hinge which mounts movable panel).
Nicholas and Pethier are both considered analogous art as they are both in the same field of aircraft personnel accommodations. It would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the application for one of ordinary skill in the art to modify the movable panel of Nicholas with the panel and hinge allowing horizontal movement of Pethier with a reasonable expectation of success in order to reduce the disruption to other the access opening of other seats.
Regarding claim 13, Nicholas as modified by Pethier teaches an aircraft passenger seat unit according to claim 11, wherein the movable panel is mounted via a hinge and configured to be moved between the closed position and open position about a vertical axis located towards a side of the panel (Pethier, figure 3, item 86, hinge which mounts movable panel allows the panel to move a bout a vertical axis between an opened and closed position).
Claim(s) 11 and 12 are is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Nicholas (US 10501188 B2) in view of Pethier (US 11794902 B2) as applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of Guering (US 20130126671 A1).
Regarding claim 11, Nicholas teaches an aircraft passenger seat unit according to claim 1, except:
wherein the movable panel is movably mounted via a hinge.
Guering (US 20130126671 A1) teaches a movable panel which is movably mounted via a hinge (Guering, figures 5-8, items 20 and 38, movable panel mounted via hinge).
Nicholas and Guering are both considered analogous art as they are both in the same field of aircraft personnel accommodations. It would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the application for one of ordinary skill in the art to modify the movable panel of Nicholas with the panel and hinge allowing vertical movement of Guering with a reasonable expectation of success in order to in order to reduce the disruption to other the access opening of other seats.
Regarding claim 12, Nicholas as modified by Guering teaches an aircraft passenger seat unit according to claim 11,
wherein the movable panel is mounted via a hinge and configured to be moved between the closed position and open position about a horizontal axis located towards a bottom of the panel (Guering, figures 5-8, items 20 and 38, hinge allowing movable panel to be moved between the open and closed position about a horizontal axis which is located at the panel bottom).
Claim(s) 14-16 are is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Nicholas (US 10501188 B2) as applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of Robinson (US 20170283064 A1).
Regarding claim 14, Nicholas teaches an aircraft passenger seat unit according to claim 1, wherein the seat unit comprises a locking system configured to lock the movable panel in the closed position (Nicholas, col 13 lines 28-35, panel releasably locked in place), the lock system comprising:
- a latch positioned configured to engage to lock the movable panel in the closed position (Nicholas, col 13 lines 28-35, latch locks the movable panel in the closed position), except:
wherein the locking system comprises a plurality of latches positioned on the movable panel and configured to engage with a structure of the seat unit or vice verse to lock the movable panel in the closed position.
Robinson (US 20170283064 A1) teaches a movable panel locking system;
wherein the locking system comprises a plurality of latches (Robinson, figure 6, item 56 and 72, latches) positioned on the movable panel and configured to engage with a structure of the seat unit or vice verse to lock the movable panel in the closed position (Robinson, figure 3, items 34a and 32, latches attached to movable panel engage with seat unit structure locks the movable panel closed).
Nicholas and Robinson are both considered analogous art as they are both in the same field of aircraft passenger accommodations. It would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the application for one of ordinary skill in the art to modify the invention of Nicholas with the locking system including multiple latches of Robinson with a reasonable expectation of success in order to provide redundancy to prevent panels from moving to the open position when undesired.
Regarding claim 15, Nicholas as modified by Robinson teaches an aircraft passenger seat unit according to claim 14, wherein the lock system comprises an actuatable member operable to disengage the latches so that the movable panel can be moved from the closed position to the open position (Robinson, figures 6 and 7a, item 58, 60, 74, latch controls disengage latches).
Regarding claim 16, Nicholas as modified by Robinson teaches an aircraft passenger seat unit according to claim 15, wherein the actuatable member is positioned on a surface of the movable panel that is adjacent the footrest when the panel is in the closed position (Robinson, figures 6 and 7a, latch controls are positioned on the panel; Nicholas, figure 7a-d, item 725, wall panel is adjacent to the footrest).
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Davis (US 11299274 B1) teaches a movable panel but for the seat rather than the footrest
Dowty (US 11345476 B2) teaches a movable panel between seats that seems to obstruct footrest when closed
Katakura (US 11731764 B2) teaches a movable armrest for the seat
Wallace (US 20130241258 A1) teaches a moveable door panel
Henshaw (US 9469405 B2) teaches a seat with a movable panel

APPLICANT REBUTTAL: REMARKS
I.
Introduction
The undersigned thanks Examiner Yankey for review and consideration of the present Application. In response to the Office Action of December 22, 2023 ("Office Action"), the undersigned submits the present amendment and remarks ("Response").
Upon entry of the present amendment, claims 1 and 4-16 will be pending in this application. Claims 1 and 4-16 have been amended, claims 2, 3, 17, and 18 have been canceled. No new have been added.
No new matter is added.
Applicant has also amended the
specification to fix minor typographical errors in reference numbering of footrest from 109 to 209.
Based on the following remarks, Applicant respectfully requests reconsideration and allowance of the pending claims.
II.
Drawing Ob
j
ections
The drawings are objected to as the wall of claim 6 is allegedly not shown. Applicant clarifies that upper and lower walls 225, 227 of console 203 are shown in Fig. 4. In Figs. 1 to 3, a seat 210 is shown in second position in which seat pan 219 is arranged contiguously with footrest 209, as per amended claim 1 and in which walls 225 and 227 do not enclose the side of the seat 210 so that a passenger can access the seat 210 from the aisle when the seat is in the second position. Hence, a person of ordinary skill in the art can readily find support in the drawings. Accordingly, Applicant requests withdrawal of drawing objections.
III.
Claim Re
j
ections under 35 U.S.C.
&
Claims 6-10 and 17-18 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 112(b) as allegedly being indefinite. Applicant has amended the claims to address the 112(b) issues and further clarify the 112(b) issues as follows:
Objection to claim 6
Claim 1 now recites that the seat is movable from a first position to a second position. Therefore, there is antecedent basis for these terms recited by claim 6.
The Examiner has understood the "first position" to refer to an upright position of the seat and the "second position" to be a lie flat position of the seat. This understanding is incorrect. Applicant clarifies that claim 1 does not recite a lie flat position of the seat.
Amended claim 1 recites that
"the seat is movable in the upri
g
ht
s
itti
ng
con
fig
uration from a first position in which the seat pan is spaced apart from the footrest to a second position in which the seat pan arran
g
ed conti
g
uously with the footrest".
This statement is believed to be clear.
For example, in the embodiment shown in Figs 1 to 3 the seat 110 is in the first position and the seat 210 is in the second position. In the first position a wall formed by the console 103 blocks access to the seat 110 from the aisle 600. In the second position the wall formed by the console does not block the seat 210 (see also page 8, lines 19 to 26 of the application as filed).
Objection to claim 7
Claim 1 now recites a second position so there is antecedent basis for this term in claim 7.
Objection to claim 17
Applicant has rewritten claim 17 in independent form rendering the objection moot.
Objection to claim 18
Claim 18 is cancelled rendering the objection moot.
For the aforementioned reasons, Applicant requests reconsideration and withdrawal of Section 112(b) rejections.
IV.
Claim Re
j
ections under 35 U.S.C.
"
Claims 1-2, 4-10, and 17 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 102 as allegedly being anticipated by U.S. Patent No. 10,501,188 B2 to Nicholas et al. ("Nicholas"). Claims 3 and 18 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 103 as allegedly being unpatentable over Nicholas, as applied to claim 1 above. Claims 11 and 13 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 103 as allegedly being unpatentable over Nicholas, as applied to claim 1 above in view of U.S. Patent No. 11,794,902 B2 to Pothier ("Pothier"). Claims 11-12 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 103 as allegedly being unpatentable over Nicholas in view of Pothier, as applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of U.S. Patent Publication No. 2013/0126671 Al to Guering ("Guering"). Claims 14-16 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 103 as allegedly being unpatentable over Nicholas, as applied to
claim 1 above, in view of U.S. Patent Publication No. 2017/0283064 Al to Robinson ("Robinson"). Applicant respectfully traverses these rejections and submits that all the pending claims are patentable.
Independent claim 1 has been amended solely to expedite prosecution of this case. Claim 1, as amended, recites inter alia that the seat is movable to a (second) position which
the seat pan is arran
g
ed conti
g
uously with the footrest such that the footrest and seat pan to
g
ether form a sur
f
ace.
This arrangement permits a passenger with reduced mobility (e.g. a wheelchair user) to access the seat from an aisle through the partially exposed side of the footrest by sitting
directly upon the seat pan
and by then moving their legs into the seat unit via the exposed side of the footrest. This feature is not disclosed by Nicholas.
Instead, Nicholas discloses an arrangement wherein the seat is translated forward and then the leg rest is deployed to be coplanar with the seat pan and with a foot-supporting surface (see col. 12, lines 27 to 31 and Fig. 7c of Nicholas). In other words, the seat pan is spaced apart from the footrest/foot-supporting surface by at least the distance of the leg rest, and a person with reduced mobility has to sit
on the le
g
rest
before being able to move onto the seat pan - see Fig. 7c in particular.
Nicholas does not teach or suggest an arrangement in which the seat is movable to a position in which the seat pan is arranged contiguously with the footrest such that the footrest and seat pan together form a surface, as required by present claim 1.
Furthermore, the arrangement of claim 1 is advantageous over Nicholas because claim 1 does not require a leg rest. Nicholas not only requires the seat to have a leg rest, but also requires that the leg rest be capable of bearing the full weight of a person sitting on the leg rest. The invention of claim 1 functions without a leg rest or with a stowable leg rest that is not able to support the full weight of a person. The invention of claim 1 therefore enables a simpler and lighter solution to the problem of providing persons having reduced mobility with access to a business class-type aircraft seat unit.
Nicholas, separately or in combination with any other cited reference, fails to anticipate or render obvious the subject matter of independent claims 1. Claims 1 is therefore allowable. As dependent claims depend directly or indirectly from the independent claim 1, they are also allowable at least based upon their dependency from allowable base claims, as well as features
they recite individually. Accordingly, Applicant respectfully requests that the 35 U.S.C. § 102 and § 103 rejections be withdrawn and that these claims be allowed.
CONCLUSION

NEXT OFFICE ACTION: 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 .
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 “a wall, wherein the wall at least partially encloses a side of the seat when the seat is in the first position, the wall thereby blocking access to the seat from an aisle when in the first position, and wherein the wall does not enclose the side of the seat when the seat is in the second position so that a passenger can access the seat from an aisle when the seat is in the second position” must be shown or the feature(s) canceled from the claim(s).  No new matter should be entered.
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.
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 6-10 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.
Regarding claim 6, the limitation “wherein the wall at least partially encloses a side of the seat when the seat is in the first position, the wall thereby blocking access to the seat from an aisle when in the first position, and wherein the wall does not enclose the side of the seat when the seat is in the second position so that a passenger can access the seat from an aisle when the seat is in the second position” is indefinite because it is unclear how the wall can block access to the seat when the seat is an forward (first) position, but not when the seat is in a lie rearward (second) position. Applicant is encouraged to amend and provide arguments so as to explain or clarify the scope of this claim. This claim can not be understood as written.
Claims 7-10 are rejected for being dependent on a rejected claim.
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 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.
The text of those sections of Title 35, U.S. Code not included in this action can be found in a prior Office action.
The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows:
1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness.
This application currently names joint inventors. In considering patentability of the claims the examiner presumes that the subject matter of the various claims was commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the claimed invention(s) absent any evidence to the contrary.  Applicant is advised of the obligation under 37 CFR 1.56 to point out the inventor and effective filing dates of each claim that was not commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the later invention in order for the examiner to consider the applicability of 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) for any potential 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) prior art against the later invention.
Claim(s) 1 , 4-5, 6 (as best understood), and 7-10 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as anticipated by Nicholas (US 10501188 B2) or, in the alternative, under 35 U.S.C. 103 as obvious over Nicholas (US 10501188 B2) in view of Wallace (US 20130241247 A1).
Regarding claim 1, Nicholas (US 10501188 B2) discloses an aircraft passenger seat unit (Nicholas, figures 7a-d, item 709), configured for use adjacent an aisle of an aircraft cabin (Nicholas, figures 1e and 7a-d, item 111, seat units adjacent aircraft aisle), wherein the seat unit comprises:
- a seat (Nicholas, figure 7a-d, item 709),
- a footrest (Nicholas, figure 7b, item 726), and
- a movable panel (Nicholas, figure 7a-d, item 725, end wall made of a panel moves),
the seat comprises a seat pan and backrest (Nicholas, figure 7c, items 715a and 715b, backrest and seat pan), the seat having an upright sitting configuration in which the backrest is substantially upright (Nicholas, figure 7a, item 715a, backrest is upright);
the seat is movable in the upright sitting configuration from a first position in which the seat pan is spaced apart from the footrest to a second position in which the seat pan arranged contiguously with the footrest such that the footrest and seat pan together form a surface (Nicholas, figure 7a-d, items 715a-c and 726, lest rest bridges gap between the seat pan and the footrest to form a contiguous surface when extended);
the moveable panel being movable with respect to the footrest between a closed position in which the movable panel at least partially encloses a side of the footrest (Nicholas, figure 7a, item 725, panel in closed configuration enclosing a side of the footrest) and an open position in which the movable panel at least partially exposes the side of the footrest such that, in use, when the panel is in the open position, a passenger can access the seat from an aisle through the partially exposed side of the footrest (Nicholas, figure 7c, item 725, panel in open configuration exposing a side of the footrest and thereby allowing passenger access to the footrest from the aisle).
In arguendo, should applicant argue that Nicholas fails to teach the amended parts above, Wallace (US 20130241247 A1) teaches a seat comprising a seat pan and backrest (Wallace, figure 2, item 16, seat including seat pan and backrest), the seat having an upright sitting configuration in which the backrest is substantially upright (Wallace, figure 2, item 16, backrest is upright);
the seat is movable in the upright sitting configuration from a first position in which the seat pan is spaced apart from a footrest (Wallace, figure 2, item 18, seat pan spaced apart from footrest) to a second position in which the seat pan arranged contiguously with the footrest such that the footrest and seat pan together form a surface (Wallace, figure 3, items 14 and 18, seat pan forms a contiguous surface with the footrest).
Nicholas and Wallace are both considered analogous art as they are both in the same field of aircraft seating. It would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the application for one of ordinary skill in the art to modify the seat of Nicholas with the seat forming a contiguous surface between the seat pan and the footrest of Wallace with a reasonable expectation of success in order to prevent occupant discomfort from having feet becoming wedged in a gap between the seat pan and footrest.
Regarding claim 4, Nicholas discloses/Nicholas as modified by Wallace teaches an aircraft passenger seat unit according to claim 2, wherein the seat faces in a direction defining a seat axis, and wherein the seat is movable along the seat axis towards or away from the footrest when the seat is moved between the first and second positions (Nicholas, figure 7a, item 709, col 13 lines 10-22, forwards and aftwards seats move along an axis between a first and second position).
Regarding claim 5, Nicholas discloses/Nicholas as modified by Wallace teaches an aircraft passenger seat unit according to claim 1, wherein the seat unit has an aisle side that is configured to be adjacent an aisle in use (Nicholas, figure 7a, item 733, side of seat unit has an opening designed to be adjacent to aisle for allowing passengers access to the seat unit), and
wherein the movable panel is positioned along the aisle side of the seat unit when in the closed position such that movable panel at least partially encloses the side of the footrest to block access to the side of the footrest from the aisle, and such that when the panel is in the open position a passenger can access the at least partially exposed side of the footrest from the aisle (Nicholas, figures 7a and 7c, item 725, panel positioned along the aisle side of the seat unit blocks or allows access to the footwell directly from the aisle, depending upon whether closed or opened).
Regarding claim 6 (as best understood), Nicholas discloses/Nicholas as modified by Wallace teaches an aircraft passenger seat unit according to claim 1 further comprising a wall (Nicholas, figure 7a-b, item 727, side wall),
wherein the wall at least partially encloses a side of the seat when the seat is in the first position (Nicholas, figure 7a-b, item 727, wall partially encloses seat unit when seat is in the upright position),
Regarding claim 7, Nicholas discloses/Nicholas as modified by Wallace teaches an aircraft passenger seat unit according to claim 6, wherein the movable panel and wall are spaced apart along a first side of the seat unit and the space between the movable panel and wall defines an access path that provides passenger access into the seat unit from the first side of the seat unit (Nicholas, figures 7b and 7d, item 733, access path between the wall and the panel), and wherein the seat is adjacent to the access path when in the second position so that a passenger can access the seat from a first side of the seat unit via the access path when the seat is in the second position (Nicholas, figures 7b and 7d, items 715 and 733, access path between the wall and the panel allows access to the seat when the seat is in upright position).
Regarding claim 8, Nicholas discloses/Nicholas as modified by Wallace teaches an aircraft passenger seat unit according to claim 6, wherein the seat unit comprises a console (Nicholas, figure 7a, item 737, base forming part of the console) comprising a table surface for use by a passenger of the seat unit (Nicholas, figure 7a, item 729, table surface) and wherein the console is at least partially formed by the wall (Nicholas, figure 7a, item 727, side wall forming part of console).
Regarding claim 9, Nicholas discloses/Nicholas as modified by Wallace teaches an aircraft passenger seat unit according to claim 8, wherein the aircraft passenger seat unit is configured to be positioned directly adjacent to and in front of a further, substantially identical aircraft seat unit (Nicholas, figure 7c, item 709, seat units positioned on in front of the other), and wherein the console is at least partially formed by the movable panel of the further seat unit (Nicholas, figure 7a, item 725, movable panel of one seat unit forms part of the console of the forward seat unit).
Regarding claim 10, Nicholas discloses/Nicholas as modified by Wallace teaches an aircraft passenger seat unit according to claim 9. further comprising a shell, wherein the shell forms the console of the seat unit and the movable panel of the further seat unit (Nicholas, figure 7a, items 725, 727, and 737, console forms a shell structure around the seat unit).
Claim(s) 11 and 13 are is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Nicholas (US 10501188 B2) or alternatively over Nicholas (US 10501188 B2) in view of Wallace (US 20130241247 A1) as applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of Pethier (US 11794902 B2).
Regarding claim 11, Nicholas discloses/Nicholas as modified by Wallace teaches an aircraft passenger seat unit according to claim 1, except:
wherein the movable panel is movably mounted via a hinge.
Pethier (US 11794902 B2) teaches a movable panel which is movably mounted via a hinge (Pethier, figure 3, item 86, hinge which mounts movable panel).
Nicholas and Pethier are both considered analogous art as they are both in the same field of aircraft personnel accommodations. It would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the application for one of ordinary skill in the art to modify the movable panel of Nicholas with the panel and hinge allowing horizontal movement of Pethier with a reasonable expectation of success in order to reduce the disruption to other the access opening of other seats.
Regarding claim 13, Nicholas as modified by Pethier/ Nicholas as modified by Wallace and Pethier teaches an aircraft passenger seat unit according to claim 11, wherein the movable panel is mounted via a hinge and configured to be moved between the closed position and open position about a vertical axis located towards a side of the panel (Pethier, figure 3, item 86, hinge which mounts movable panel allows the panel to move a bout a vertical axis between an opened and closed position).
Claim(s) 11 and 12 are is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Nicholas (US 10501188 B2) in view of Pethier (US 11794902 B2) or alternatively Nicholas (US 10501188 B2) in view of Wallace (US 20130241247 A1) and Pethier (US 11794902 B2) as applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of Guering (US 20130126671 A1).
Regarding claim 11, Nicholas discloses/Nicholas as modified by Wallace teaches an aircraft passenger seat unit according to claim 1, except:
wherein the movable panel is movably mounted via a hinge.
Guering (US 20130126671 A1) teaches a movable panel which is movably mounted via a hinge (Guering, figures 5-8, items 20 and 38, movable panel mounted via hinge).
Nicholas and Guering are both considered analogous art as they are both in the same field of aircraft personnel accommodations. It would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the application for one of ordinary skill in the art to modify the movable panel of Nicholas with the panel and hinge allowing vertical movement of Guering with a reasonable expectation of success in order to in order to reduce the disruption to other the access opening of other seats.
Regarding claim 12, Nicholas as modified by Guering/ Nicholas as modified by Wallace and Guering teaches an aircraft passenger seat unit according to claim 11,
wherein the movable panel is mounted via a hinge and configured to be moved between the closed position and open position about a horizontal axis located towards a bottom of the panel (Guering, figures 5-8, items 20 and 38, hinge allowing movable panel to be moved between the open and closed position about a horizontal axis which is located at the panel bottom).
Claim(s) 14-16 are is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Nicholas (US 10501188 B2) or alternatively over Nicholas (US 10501188 B2) in view of Wallace (US 20130241247 A1) as applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of Robinson (US 20170283064 A1).
Regarding claim 14, Nicholas discloses/Nicholas as modified by Wallace teaches an aircraft passenger seat unit according to claim 1, wherein the seat unit comprises a locking system configured to lock the movable panel in the closed position (Nicholas, col 13 lines 28-35, panel releasably locked in place), the lock system comprising:
- a latch positioned configured to engage to lock the movable panel in the closed position (Nicholas, col 13 lines 28-35, latch locks the movable panel in the closed position), except:
wherein the locking system comprises a plurality of latches positioned on the movable panel and configured to engage with a structure of the seat unit or vice verse to lock the movable panel in the closed position.
Robinson (US 20170283064 A1) teaches a movable panel locking system;
wherein the locking system comprises a plurality of latches (Robinson, figure 6, item 56 and 72, latches) positioned on the movable panel and configured to engage with a structure of the seat unit or vice verse to lock the movable panel in the closed position (Robinson, figure 3, items 34a and 32, latches attached to movable panel engage with seat unit structure locks the movable panel closed).
Nicholas and Robinson are both considered analogous art as they are both in the same field of aircraft passenger accommodations. It would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the application for one of ordinary skill in the art to modify the invention of Nicholas with the locking system including multiple latches of Robinson with a reasonable expectation of success in order to provide redundancy to prevent panels from moving to the open position when undesired.
Regarding claim 15, Nicholas as modified by Robinson/ Nicholas as modified by Wallace and Robinson teaches an aircraft passenger seat unit according to claim 14, wherein the lock system comprises an actuatable member operable to disengage the latches so that the movable panel can be moved from the closed position to the open position (Robinson, figures 6 and 7a, item 58, 60, 74, latch controls disengage latches).
Regarding claim 16, Nicholas as modified by Robinson/ Nicholas as modified by Wallace and Robinson teaches an aircraft passenger seat unit according to claim 15, wherein the actuatable member is positioned on a surface of the movable panel that is adjacent the footrest when the panel is in the closed position (Robinson, figures 6 and 7a, latch controls are positioned on the panel; Nicholas, figure 7a-d, item 725, wall panel is adjacent to the footrest).
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments, see pages 7-8 of applicant’s reply, filed 03/20/2024, with respect to the rejections under 35 USC 112(b) to claims 6 (for antecedent basis), 7, 17, and 18 have been fully considered and are persuasive.  These rejections have been withdrawn.
Applicant's arguments filed 03/20/2024 with respect to drawing objections and the rejection of claim 6 under 35 USC 112(b) have been fully considered but they are not persuasive.
Applicant attempts to clarify that the terms first and second position refer to forward and rearward positioning of the seat rather than upright and lie-flat positioning of the seat. While this does clarify the intended operation of the seat, the language of claim 6 rather requires that the seat be effectively inaccessible from the aisle when in the first position (through the limitation “the wall thereby blocking access to the seat from an aisle”), however the seat would still be accessible from the aisle in both positions. Hence it is unclear how the seat can be blocked in one position but not the other. Thus the drawing objection and rejection to claim 6 under 35 USC 112(b) are being maintained.
Applicant's arguments filed 03/20/2024 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive. Applicant argues Nicholas fails to meet new claim limitations requiring that the seat be moveable such that seat pan and foot rest be capable of forming a contiguous surface together.
In response to applicant's argument that the references fail to show certain features of the invention, it is noted that the features upon which applicant relies (i.e., moving seats which move to from a contiguous surface between a seat pan and footrest) are not recited in the rejected claim(s). Although the claims are interpreted in light of the specification, limitations from the specification are not read into the claims. See In re Van Geuns, 988 F.2d 1181, 26 USPQ2d 1057 (Fed. Cir. 1993). The broader language used in the claim still appears to read on Nicholas (see the rejection of claim 1 above. Nevertheless, an alternative rejection has also been put forth in view of Wallace above.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Davis (US 11299274 B1) teaches a movable panel but for the seat rather than the footrest
Dowty (US 11345476 B2) teaches a movable panel between seats that seems to obstruct footrest when closed
Katakura (US 11731764 B2) teaches a movable armrest for the seat
Wallace (US 20130241258 A1) teaches a moveable door panel
Henshaw (US 9469405 B2) teaches a seat with a movable panel
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 extension fee 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 date of this final action.

CITED REFERENCE SUMMARIES: Ref US20130126671A1: Claims:
A flight deck of an aircraft comprising control and/or viewing devices, at least one seat, an access door and a corridor for access to said seat which is closed at its opposite end to said seat by the access door, characterized in that a folding seat, comprising a frame which pivots about a vertical axis and on which are mounted a seat-rest and a back-rest, is mounted in the corridor such that it can pivot and adopt a first position in which it is closes the corridor so forming a lock enclosure with the access door and a second position in which it enables the access to said seat from the corridor.
An aircraft flight deck according to claim 1 , characterized in that the folding seat is, in its second position, folded back against a member delimiting the corridor and can also adopt a third position pivoted through at least 135° relative to the second position.
An aircraft flight deck according to one of claim 1 , characterized in that the access corridor comprises a floor in which is located a hatch door for access to a lower equipment zone, and in that the access hatch door is located just behind the folding seat when the folding seat is in its first position.
An aircraft flight deck according to claim 1 , characterized in that the access corridor comprises a ceiling in which is located a hatch door for rescue and emergency evacuation, and in that said hatch door is disposed such that it is located above the seat-rest when the folding seat is folded back against a member delimiting the corridor.
An aircraft flight deck according to claim 1 , characterized in that the corridor is delimited laterally by furniture.
An aircraft flight deck according to claim 5 , characterized in that at least one item of furniture comprises a structural upright, and in that the folding seat is pivotally mounted relative to said structural upright.
An aircraft flight deck according to claim 1 , characterized in that the folding seat comprises in its lower portion and in its upper portion respectively an armored sliding plate.
An aircraft flight deck according to claim 7 , characterized in that the folding seat in its first position thus closes the lock enclosure using the sliding plates.
An aircraft flight deck according to claim 1 , characterized in that the back face of the folding seat, that is to say the face not adapted to come into contact with a user of the folding seat, is reinforced so as to be resistant to the impact of projectiles from a firearm.
An aircraft flight deck according to claim 1 , characterized in that the folding seat bears on its rear face, that is to say the opposite face to that adapted to receive a user, a ladder mounted via at least one four-bar linkage parallelogram ( 36 ; 68 ).
An aircraft flight deck according to claim 1 , characterized in that the folding seat is adjustable in height.
An aircraft flight deck according to claim 11 , characterized in that the folding seat is mounted on structural components of the flight deck via at least one intermediate member of profiled cross-section able to slide on a structural component bearing the folding seat.
An aircraft flight deck according to claim 1 , characterized in that the back-rest of the folding seat can be tilted.
An aircraft, characterized in that it comprises a flight deck according to one of claim 1 .
Ref US20130241258A1: Claims:
An armrest assembly of a seat of the type that is convertible into a lie flat bed, comprising: (a) an armrest assembly that includes an armrest and an armrest housing in which the armrest is mounted for movement between an upper horizontal armrest position and a lower horizontal bed position; (b) a planar bed extension having an upper bed surface, and mounted in the armrest housing for movement between a stowed position wherein the bed extension is contained in a vertical position in the armrest housing and a deployed position wherein the bed extension is positioned exterior to the armrest housing in a raised, horizontal position with the bed surface in horizontal alignment with the upper horizontal surface of the armrest; and (c) the armrest and bed extension adapted to reside in horizontal alignment with a seat back and seat bottom of a lie flat seat to collectively define a portion of a bed.
(a) an armrest assembly that includes an armrest and an armrest housing in which the armrest is mounted for movement between an upper horizontal armrest position and a lower horizontal bed position;
(b) a planar bed extension having an upper bed surface, and mounted in the armrest housing for movement between a stowed position wherein the bed extension is contained in a vertical position in the armrest housing and a deployed position wherein the bed extension is positioned exterior to the armrest housing in a raised, horizontal position with the bed surface in horizontal alignment with the upper horizontal surface of the armrest; and
(c) the armrest and bed extension adapted to reside in horizontal alignment with a seat back and seat bottom of a lie flat seat to collectively define a portion of a bed.
The armrest assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the bed extension is mounted for movement on a horizontal linear slide by which the bed extension is ejected out of a front opening of the armrest housing for deployment.
The armrest assembly according to claim 1 , wherein an interconnection between the armrest and the bed extension first deploys the bed extension from the armrest housing, and thereafter moves the armrest from the upper horizontal armrest position to the lower horizontal bed position.
The armrest assembly according to claim 1 , further comprising a spring motor carried in the armrest housing for driving the deployment of the bed extension.
The armrest assembly according to claim 1 , further comprising a spring motor carried in the armrest housing for driving the movement of the armrest from the lower horizontal bed position to the upper horizontal armrest position.
The armrest assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the bed extension is deployed from the armrest housing by a spring motor that is charged in the stowed position and releases to drive the bed extension out of the armrest housing.
The armrest assembly according to claim 6 , wherein motion of the bed extension is guided by a horizontal linear slide and speed-controlled by a statically-mounted rotary damper/speed controller.
The armrest assembly according to claim 1 , wherein: (a) an interconnection between the armrest and the bed extension first deploys the bed extension from the armrest housing, and thereafter moves the armrest from the upper horizontal armrest position to the lower horizontal bed position; and (b) the movement of the armrest from the upper horizontal armrest position to the lower horizontal bed position causes the bed extension to rotate from a vertical position to the raised, horizontal position with the bed surface in horizontal alignment with the upper horizontal surface of the armrest.
(a) an interconnection between the armrest and the bed extension first deploys the bed extension from the armrest housing, and thereafter moves the armrest from the upper horizontal armrest position to the lower horizontal bed position; and
(b) the movement of the armrest from the upper horizontal armrest position to the lower horizontal bed position causes the bed extension to rotate from a vertical position to the raised, horizontal position with the bed surface in horizontal alignment with the upper horizontal surface of the armrest.
The armrest assembly according to claim 8 , wherein the bed extension is supported by a cantilever positioned in a coplanar position with the upper bed surface of the bed extension when stowed, and positioned at an oblique angle in a support position under the bed extension when deployed.
A seat of the type that is convertible into a lie flat bed, comprising: (a) a seat back and seat bottom that are movable between seating and lie flat sleeping positions; (b) a first armrest assembly mounted on a first lateral side of the seat, and including: (i) an armrest and an armrest housing in which the armrest is mounted for movement between an upper horizontal armrest position and a lower horizontal bed position; (ii) a planar bed extension having an upper bed surface, and mounted in the armrest housing for movement between a stowed position wherein the bed extension is contained in a vertical position in the armrest housing and a deployed position wherein the bed extension is positioned exterior to the armrest housing in a raised, horizontal position with the bed surface in horizontal alignment with the upper horizontal surface of the armrest; (iii) the armrest and bed extension of the first armrest assembly adapted to reside in horizontal alignment with the seat back and seat bottom of the lie flat seat to collectively define a portion of the bed; (c) a second armrest assembly mounted on a second lateral side of the seat, and that includes: (i) an armrest and an armrest housing in which the armrest is mounted for movement between an upper horizontal armrest position and a lower horizontal bed position; and (ii) the armrest of the second armrest assembly adapted to reside in horizontal alignment with the seat back and seat bottom of the lie flat seat on the second lateral side of the seat to define a portion of the bed.
(a) a seat back and seat bottom that are movable between seating and lie flat sleeping positions;
(b) a first armrest assembly mounted on a first lateral side of the seat, and including: (i) an armrest and an armrest housing in which the armrest is mounted for movement between an upper horizontal armrest position and a lower horizontal bed position; (ii) a planar bed extension having an upper bed surface, and mounted in the armrest housing for movement between a stowed position wherein the bed extension is contained in a vertical position in the armrest housing and a deployed position wherein the bed extension is positioned exterior to the armrest housing in a raised, horizontal position with the bed surface in horizontal alignment with the upper horizontal surface of the armrest; (iii) the armrest and bed extension of the first armrest assembly adapted to reside in horizontal alignment with the seat back and seat bottom of the lie flat seat to collectively define a portion of the bed;
(i) an armrest and an armrest housing in which the armrest is mounted for movement between an upper horizontal armrest position and a lower horizontal bed position;
(ii) a planar bed extension having an upper bed surface, and mounted in the armrest housing for movement between a stowed position wherein the bed extension is contained in a vertical position in the armrest housing and a deployed position wherein the bed extension is positioned exterior to the armrest housing in a raised, horizontal position with the bed surface in horizontal alignment with the upper horizontal surface of the armrest;
(iii) the armrest and bed extension of the first armrest assembly adapted to reside in horizontal alignment with the seat back and seat bottom of the lie flat seat to collectively define a portion of the bed;
(c) a second armrest assembly mounted on a second lateral side of the seat, and that includes: (i) an armrest and an armrest housing in which the armrest is mounted for movement between an upper horizontal armrest position and a lower horizontal bed position; and (ii) the armrest of the second armrest assembly adapted to reside in horizontal alignment with the seat back and seat bottom of the lie flat seat on the second lateral side of the seat to define a portion of the bed.
(i) an armrest and an armrest housing in which the armrest is mounted for movement between an upper horizontal armrest position and a lower horizontal bed position; and
(ii) the armrest of the second armrest assembly adapted to reside in horizontal alignment with the seat back and seat bottom of the lie flat seat on the second lateral side of the seat to define a portion of the bed.
The seat according to claim 10 , wherein the bed extension of the first armrest assembly is mounted for movement on a horizontal linear slide by which the bed extension is ejected out of a front opening of the armrest housing for deployment.
The seat according to claim 10 , wherein an interconnection between the armrest and the bed extension of the first armrest assembly first deploys the bed extension from the armrest housing, and thereafter moves the armrest from the upper horizontal armrest position to the lower horizontal bed position.
The seat according to claim 10 , wherein the first armrest assembly includes a spring motor carried in the first armrest housing for driving the deployment of the bed extension.
The seat according to claim 10 , further comprising a spring motor carried in the armrest housing of the first and second armrest assemblies for driving the movement of the respective armrests from the lower horizontal bed position to the upper horizontal armrest position.
The seat according to claim 10 , wherein the bed extension deploys from the armrest housing by a spring motor that is charged in the stowed position and released to drive the bed extension out of the armrest housing.
The seat according to claim 15 , wherein motion of the bed extension is guided by a horizontal linear slide and speed-controlled by a statically-mounted rotary damper/speed controller.
The seat according to claim 10 , wherein: (a) an interconnection between the armrest and the bed extension first deploys the bed extension from the armrest housing of the first armrest assembly, and thereafter moves the armrest from the upper horizontal armrest position to the lower horizontal bed position; and (b) the movement of the armrest from the upper horizontal armrest position to the lower horizontal bed position causes the bed extension to rotate from a vertical position to the raised, horizontal position with the bed surface in horizontal alignment with the upper horizontal surface of the armrest.
(a) an interconnection between the armrest and the bed extension first deploys the bed extension from the armrest housing of the first armrest assembly, and thereafter moves the armrest from the upper horizontal armrest position to the lower horizontal bed position; and
The seat according to claim 17 , wherein the bed extension is supported by a cantilever positioned in a coplanar position with the upper bed surface of the bed extension when stowed, is positioned at an oblique angle in a support position under the bed extension when deployed.
Ref US9469405B2: Claims:
A passenger suite seating arrangement, comprising: a first passenger suite including a first seat and a first video monitor fixed in position directly forward of the first seat and oriented perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the first passenger suite; and a second passenger suite longitudinally adjacent the first passenger suite and including a second seat laterally offset relative to the first seat about the longitudinal axis of the first passenger suite and facing in a direction of the first seat, the second passenger suite including a second video monitor configured to translate horizontally between a first position laterally offset relative to the second seat and a second position directly forward of the second seat; wherein the first and second video monitors align together to form a continuous partition between the first and second suites when the second video monitor is in the second position, and wherein the first and second video monitors overlap to connect the first and second suites when the second video monitor is in the first position.
a first passenger suite including a first seat and a first video monitor fixed in position directly forward of the first seat and oriented perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the first passenger suite; and
a second passenger suite longitudinally adjacent the first passenger suite and including a second seat laterally offset relative to the first seat about the longitudinal axis of the first passenger suite and facing in a direction of the first seat, the second passenger suite including a second video monitor configured to translate horizontally between a first position laterally offset relative to the second seat and a second position directly forward of the second seat;
wherein the first and second video monitors align together to form a continuous partition between the first and second suites when the second video monitor is in the second position, and wherein the first and second video monitors overlap to connect the first and second suites when the second video monitor is in the first position.
The seating arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the second video monitor translates perpendicular to a viewing angle of a passenger seated in the second seat, and wherein the first and second passenger suites share a desk positioned therebetween divided by the second video monitor when the second video monitor is positioned directly forward of the second seat.
The seating arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the first and second passenger suites nest to form a column of passenger suites.
The seating arrangement of claim 1 , further comprising a third passenger suite laterally adjacent the second passenger suite, the third passenger suite including a third seat positioned laterally adjacent the second seat, the second and third seats facing in the same direction.
The seating arrangement of claim 4 , further comprising a partition positioned between the second and third seats, the partition moveable between a deployed position dividing the second and third passenger suites and a stowed position connecting the second and third passenger suites.
The seating arrangement of claim 5 , wherein line of sight is provided between passengers seated in the first, second and third seats when the second video monitor is in the first position and the partition is stowed.
The seating arrangement of claim 4 , further comprising a fourth passenger suite facing the third passenger suite and laterally adjacent the first passenger suite, the fourth passenger suite including a fourth seat, the first and second passenger suites arranged to form a first column and the third and fourth passenger suites arranged to form a second column laterally adjacent the first column, wherein the first and fourth seats are outboard seats adjacent aisles and the second and third seats are inboard seats adjacent one another.
The seating arrangement of claim 7 , wherein each of the first, second, third and fourth passenger suites includes a tray table deployable from a position directly forward of and spaced apart from the respective seat to a position directly forward and over the respective seat.
The seating arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the first and second seats are lie-flat adjustable seats.
The seating arrangement of claim 9 , wherein the legrest of the first seat in a lie-flat configuration is positioned underneath a desk of the second passenger suite, and the legrest of the second seat in a lie-flat configuration is positioned underneath a desk of the first passenger suite.
The seating arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the first and second passenger suites are divided by a shared console, the console topped with a desk shared by the first and second passenger suites, the desk supporting the first and second video monitors thereon, and the desk being divided by the second video monitor when the second video monitor is in the second position.
The seating arrangement of claim 11 , wherein the first and second video monitors extend vertically upward to a height above seat backs of the first and second seats.
The seating arrangement of claim 1 , wherein partition walls positioned behind the first and second seats are sinusoidal shaped to accommodate a seat in a lie-flat configuration.
The seating arrangement of 
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