Patent 11192689

Prior art

Earlier patents, publications, and products that may anticipate or render the claims unpatentable.

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Prior art

Earlier patents, publications, and products that may anticipate or render the claims unpatentable.

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To identify the most relevant prior art for US patent 11192689, I will examine the patent citations listed within the patent document itself. The USPTO's Patent Public Search and Patent Center are excellent resources for this purpose.

Here's an analysis of the patent citations listed in US11192689:

Cited U.S. Patents:

  • US3648849A

    • Full Citation: US3648849A - Desk tray arrangement
    • Publication Date: March 14, 1972
    • Filing Date: February 13, 1970
    • Brief Description: This patent describes a desk tray arrangement with interengageable portions for stacking multiple trays. The trays can be locked together using a slideable latching mechanism that engages recesses in the trays.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): US3648849A appears highly relevant to the core concept of selectively connecting stacked containers with a sliding mechanism. Specifically, its description of a slideable latching mechanism engaging recesses for locking stacked trays could potentially anticipate elements of Claim 1 and Claim 14 of US11192689, particularly regarding the general idea of a sliding mechanism selectively engaging a locking groove to connect containers. The concept of a portion of the mechanism being flush or extending when engaged/disengaged might also be present in its design, though further analysis of the figures and detailed description of US3648849A would be needed for a definitive conclusion.

  • US6371320B2

    • Full Citation: US6371320B2 - Portable workshop container assembly
    • Publication Date: April 16, 2002
    • Filing Date: March 12, 2000
    • Brief Description: This patent describes a portable workshop container assembly where multiple containers can be connected. It focuses on a latching system, often involving pivoted latches, to secure the containers together.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): While broadly related to stackable containers, US6371320B2 primarily uses pivotable latches, which differs from the sliding mechanism emphasized in US11192689. However, the overall concept of a "portable workshop container assembly" with connectable containers could broadly relate to the system aspect of Claim 1 and Claim 14. It's less likely to anticipate the specific "sliding mechanism" and its coplanar feature.

  • US6889838B2

    • Full Citation: US6889838B2 - Tool Box
    • Publication Date: May 10, 2005
    • Filing Date: August 3, 2000
    • Brief Description: This patent details a toolbox with a coupling arrangement for connecting it to other toolboxes. The mechanism often involves a releasable connection.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Similar to US6371320B2, this patent deals with connecting toolboxes. Without a more detailed understanding of its specific coupling mechanism, it's difficult to pinpoint direct anticipation of the "sliding mechanism" with the coplanar feature. It could broadly relate to the "stackable storage system" as claimed in Claim 1 and Claim 14.

  • US20080121547A1

    • Full Citation: US20080121547A1 - Connection System For Stackable Containers
    • Publication Date: May 29, 2008
    • Filing Date: February 18, 2005
    • Brief Description: This application describes a connection system for stackable containers, often focusing on features that allow for stable stacking and interlocking.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): The title suggests direct relevance to stackable containers and a connection system. A detailed review of the figures and description of US20080121547A1 would be critical to determine if its connection system involves a sliding mechanism that meets the specific criteria of US11192689, particularly the extending and coplanar features of the sliding mechanism described in Claim 1 and Claim 14.

  • US20160144500A1

    • Full Citation: US20160144500A1 - Toolbox with a stacking function
    • Publication Date: May 26, 2016
    • Filing Date: November 24, 2014
    • Brief Description: This application describes a toolbox designed with a stacking function, implying a mechanism for connecting multiple toolboxes together.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent application, given its title, would be highly relevant. A thorough examination of its disclosures would be needed to see if it describes a sliding mechanism that extends and becomes coplanar in the manner claimed by US11192689 in Claim 1 and Claim 14.

  • US10434638B1

    • Full Citation: US10434638B1 - Tool box assembly
    • Publication Date: October 8, 2019
    • Filing Date: April 19, 2018
    • Brief Description: This patent describes a tool box assembly that can be interconnected.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): As a relatively recent patent in the same technological area, US10434638B1 is likely to be quite pertinent. Its specific connecting mechanism would need to be reviewed to determine if it anticipates the sliding mechanism features of Claim 1 and Claim 14 of US11192689.

Non-U.S. Patent and Other Citations:

  • CN206841966U

    • Full Citation: CN206841966U - Containing box
    • Publication Date: January 5, 2018
    • Filing Date: June 15, 2017
    • Brief Description: This is a Chinese utility model patent for a "containing box." Utility models typically cover minor technical improvements.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): As a utility model, it would describe a specific structure. Its relevance depends on whether it discloses a sliding mechanism for connecting containers with the extending/coplanar feature of US11192689. Without accessing the full document, it's difficult to assess precise anticipation, but it could potentially anticipate aspects of Claim 1 and Claim 14 if its "containing box" system includes a similar latching mechanism.

  • US10106180B2, US8567796B2, US8936258B2, US9132543B2, US9566990B2, US9643629B2, US20170151972A1, US20120312812A1, US20190002004A1

    • These patents and applications, all assigned to The Stanley Works Israel Ltd. or Keter Plastic Ltd., appear to be part of a family of patents related to portable or rolling container assemblies and connection systems. While they were cited by the examiner, their core focus might be on different latching mechanisms (e.g., pivotable side latches, adjustable mount structures) or broader system features rather than the specific sliding, extending, and coplanar characteristics claimed in US11192689. However, any of these could potentially disclose general concepts of inter-engaging containers or components that could be considered for anticipation of broader elements in Claim 1 and Claim 14, or narrower claims depending on their detailed disclosures. A thorough review of each would be necessary to identify any specific anticipating features.

Overall Most Relevant Prior Art:

Based on the titles and general descriptions, US3648849A ("Desk tray arrangement") and US20080121547A1 ("Connection System For Stackable Containers"), and US20160144500A1 ("Toolbox with a stacking function") appear to be the most directly relevant in terms of describing mechanisms for connecting stackable containers, and thus most likely to potentially anticipate elements of the independent claims of US11192689. However, a detailed claim-by-claim analysis against the full text and drawings of each cited patent would be required for a conclusive determination of anticipation under 35 U.S.C. § 102.

Generated 5/22/2026, 12:48:51 PM