Obviousness

Obviousness Analysis under 35 U.S.C. § 103 for US Patent 11192689

This analysis assesses the obviousness of US patent 11192689, titled "Stacked storage container latch," under 35 U.S.C. § 103, by considering combinations of the prior art references cited in the patent. The objective is to identify whether a person having ordinary skill in the art (PHOSITA) would have been motivated to combine elements from existing prior art to arrive at the claimed invention, and why.

The independent claims (Claim 1 and Claim 14) of US11192689 primarily define a stackable storage system and a second storage container for such a system. Key elements include:

1. A first storage container with at least one locking groove.
2. A second storage container comprising a sliding mechanism.
3. The sliding mechanism selectively engages the locking groove to connect and hold the containers.
4. A distinctive feature: a portion of the sliding mechanism extends laterally away from a side surface of the second container when disengaged, and is coplanar with the side surface of the second container when engaged. This "flush" characteristic upon engagement is a central aspect.

For this analysis, we will consider the "Prior art keywords" and the "Citations" listed in US11192689, interpreting their disclosures based on their titles and common knowledge in the field of container design and latching mechanisms, as direct retrieval of full abstracts was not feasible in the provided interactive search environment.

Potential Prior Art Combinations and Rationale for Obviousness

A PHOSITA in the field of storage containers, particularly stackable ones and toolboxes, would possess knowledge of various container designs, interlocking mechanisms, and aesthetic considerations for such products. The general motivation for combining known elements in this field is to improve functionality, user experience, aesthetics, and safety.

Primary Reference for Stackable Containers with Connection Systems:

• US20080121547A1 (Connection System For Stackable Containers): The title of this patent directly suggests a system for connecting stackable containers. It is highly probable that this reference discloses fundamental aspects of stacking multiple containers and providing some means for their interconnection. This would likely teach the concept of a first container and a second container, and a mechanism (even if not a sliding one) to selectively connect them.
• DE20104108U1 (Lockable stackable case): This reference, similarly, explicitly mentions a "lockable stackable case," indicating it teaches both stacking and a locking mechanism.

Secondary References for Sliding Mechanisms and Design Objectives:

Many of the other cited patents, such as US6371320B2 (Portable workshop container assembly), US6889838B2 (Tool Box), US20160144500A1 (Toolbox with a stacking function), US10434638B1 (Tool box assembly), US20150190919A1 (Tool box), and EP3492226B1 (Tool container system), relate to toolboxes or container systems. These types of products frequently prioritize robust, secure, and user-friendly latching mechanisms, as well as compact and snag-free designs.

Proposed Combination and Obviousness Argument:

A PHOSITA would find it obvious to combine the teachings of a general connection system for stackable containers (as found in US20080121547A1 or DE20104108U1) with a known sliding latch mechanism that offers a flush or low-profile design (a common design goal in the toolbox and portable container industry, implicitly or explicitly taught by references like US6371320B2, US6889838B2, or simply general mechanical design principles).

Motivation to Combine:
The motivation for such a combination stems from several well-known design advantages:

1. Improved Aesthetics: A flush exterior provides a cleaner, more streamlined appearance, which is desirable in many consumer and industrial products.
2. Enhanced Safety and Usability: Protruding latch mechanisms can snag on clothing, other objects, or lead to accidental damage during transport or storage. A flush design eliminates these issues.
3. Optimized Space Utilization: When latches do not protrude, containers can be placed closer together or stacked more uniformly, maximizing storage space.
4. Functional Refinement: Integrating a sliding mechanism that retracts to be coplanar with the container surface is a recognized engineering solution for achieving the above benefits in various applications (e.g., door handles, cabinet latches, vehicle components). A PHOSITA would readily understand that a slider, when disengaged, could extend to provide a gripping surface or visual indicator, and then retract to become flush for engagement, securing, and a compact profile.

For example, starting with the stackable container system of US20080121547A1, which provides for the connection of containers, a PHOSITA would look to existing latching technologies to implement this connection. Considering the benefits of a sleek and snag-free design, they would be motivated to select a sliding latch mechanism. Further, the common desire for a tidy and efficient form factor in portable items like toolboxes (represented by references such as US6371320B2) would strongly suggest the use of a sliding mechanism that achieves a coplanar, flush appearance when engaged. This approach combines known elements (stackable containers, sliding latches, flush design objectives) to achieve a predictable result with improved aesthetics and functionality, which would be obvious to a PHOSITA.

While specific details of the elastic arm, engaging protrusion, guiding ribs, and recesses (as found in the dependent claims of US11192689) might not be explicitly combined in a single prior art reference, these are widely understood mechanical engineering solutions for ensuring positive locking, smooth operation, and preventing accidental disengagement or complete detachment of sliding components. A PHOSITA would consider these as routine design choices for implementing a reliable sliding latch.

Conclusion:
Given the desire in the art for improved stackable container systems that are secure, aesthetically pleasing, and user-friendly, a PHOSITA would have been motivated to combine a connection system for stackable containers (e.g., US20080121547A1) with a sliding latch mechanism designed to achieve a flush exterior when engaged (a common design goal in the industry, as evidenced by numerous container and toolbox patents). This combination results in predictable improvements and would therefore render the independent claims of US11192689 obvious under 35 U.S.C. § 103.

(Note: This analysis is based on the interpretation of patent titles and general knowledge, as direct full-text review of the cited prior art abstracts was not achievable in this interactive search context. A comprehensive obviousness analysis would require thorough examination of the full text and drawings of each cited reference.)