Obviousness

Due to the absence of the specific claims for US patent 11952167 in the provided text, a claim-by-claim obviousness analysis under 35 U.S.C. § 103 cannot be performed. However, based on the general description of the invention and the "Prior art keywords" listed, a conceptual analysis of potential obviousness can be discussed. The relevant prior art date for this patent is May 2, 2016 [cite: Prior art date].

Summary of US11952167's Core Inventive Concept:
US11952167 discloses a utility assembly and coupling mechanism for detachably attaching two or more utility modules. The core mechanism involves a male coupler and a female coupler. The female coupler has a depressed locking location with at least one locking rib, while the male coupler has a projecting locking location with at least one locking tongue. These are configured for sliding engagement along a sliding path, where the locking tongue engages below the locking rib, preventing vertical separation (Definitions, "the arrangement is such that, at a locked position of a utility assembly the at least one locking tongue of the male coupler engages below said at least one locking rib of the female coupler"). Crucially, the coupling mechanism further includes at least one separate locking member (e.g., a spring-biased locking latch) that arrests the utility modules to prevent sliding displacement along the sliding path once engaged (Definitions, "the coupling mechanism further comprises at least one locking member for arresting the first utility module with respect to said second utility module and preventing sliding displacement along said sliding path"). Disengagement requires manipulating this locking latch, often accessible from a front face (Definitions, "Disengaging the second utility module from the first utility module can be facilitated only after disengaging the locking latch from said locking latch arresting location").

Prior Art Keywords and General Knowledge:
The "Prior art keywords" listed for US11952167 are:

• container
• face
• locking
• locking latch
• front face

These keywords suggest that, as of the prior art date of May 2, 2016, a person having ordinary skill in the art (PHOSITA) would have been familiar with:

• Containers: Various types of storage boxes, toolboxes, luggage, and modular storage systems (implied by definitions of "utility module" in the patent itself).
• Locking mechanisms: General mechanisms for securing components together.
• Locking latches: Specific types of locking mechanisms that often involve a movable member engaging a catch or recess.
• Front face access: It would be well-known to position controls or access points (like latches) on the front or other easily accessible faces of containers for user convenience.

Obviousness Analysis based on Hypothetical Combinations:

A PHOSITA, seeking to create a secure, stable, yet easily detachable modular utility assembly (a problem addressed by US11952167), would likely consider combining known elements from the general art suggested by the keywords.

1. Combination of sliding engagement for vertical security with a separate locking member for lateral security:

   • The patent describes a system where locking tongues engage under locking ribs via a sliding action to prevent vertical separation. Such sliding interlocking mechanisms, often referred to as dovetail engagements or undercut engagement mechanisms, were well-known in the art for joining modular components, particularly containers that stack or join side-by-side (e.g., B65D21/0204, B65D21/0209, B65D21/0228 IPC classifications are listed in the patent, indicating these are relevant areas). A PHOSITA would be aware of these types of engagements for coupling containers ("container" keyword).
   • While sliding engagements prevent vertical separation, they might not inherently prevent unintentional sliding displacement along the engagement path, especially under vibration or impact, without an additional securing mechanism. To address this, a PHOSITA would be motivated to add a secondary locking mechanism that explicitly prevents such sliding. The "locking" and "locking latch" keywords indicate that various types of latches were known for securing containers.
   • Motivation for Combination: A PHOSITA would recognize that a sliding tongue-and-groove or dovetail-like connection provides robust mechanical coupling against vertical separation and good alignment, but to ensure stability and prevent accidental longitudinal decoupling, a simple, additional locking mechanism (like a latch) is a natural and obvious choice. Combining these two known types of securing elements would result in a more secure and stable modular assembly than either mechanism alone, providing both vertical retention and lateral anti-sliding.

2. Spring-biased locking latch accessible from a front face:

   • The patent specifies that the locking latch can be spring-biased and configured to normally project, requiring manipulation to retract for disengagement (Definitions, "the locking latch is spring biased and configured for normally projecting from a face of the respective first or second utility module"). It further states that the release latch can be disposed at a "front face" of the module for easy access (Definitions, "a release latch for displacing the locking latch into disengagement from the locking latch arresting location can be disposed at a front face of the respective second utility module").
   • Motivation for Combination: Spring-biased latches for "locking" and "locking latch" functions are a common mechanical design principle, ensuring automatic engagement and providing tactile feedback. Positioning such a latch on a "front face" is an obvious design choice for user convenience and ergonomic operation, allowing quick "grab, release and go" detachment (Definitions, "manipulating the finger engaging aperture 73 being part of locking latch 70, is disposed opposite to and at finger-reach distance from the carrying handle 80... This enables a grab, release and go detachment... in a simple single-handed operation"). A PHOSITA designing a modular system would naturally consider ease of use, making a front-mounted, spring-biased latch an apparent design solution for quick, secure, and intuitive locking and unlocking.

Therefore, combining known sliding interlocking mechanisms (e.g., dovetails or tongue-and-groove systems) for structural support and vertical retention, with a conventional, user-friendly, spring-biased locking latch placed on an accessible face (e.g., front face) to prevent unintended sliding release, would likely have been obvious to a PHOSITA seeking to improve the stability and usability of modular container systems as of the priority date. The individual elements and the motivations for their combination (enhanced security, stability, and ease of use) would have been well-understood in the relevant art.