Prior art — US Patent 12359506

Analysis of Most Relevant Prior Art for US Patent 12359506

As of today's date, May 1, 2026, an analysis of the prior art cited during the prosecution of US Patent 12359506 reveals several key references. The core invention claimed in patent 12359506 is the integration of a tool or object holder directly into the hinge button assembly of an articulating ladder. This holder is specifically defined as a gap created between the main button body and a secondary, spaced-apart plate or body, designed to receive a hanging object or a tool's belt clip.

While many references were cited, the following four are identified as most relevant to the patentability of the independent claims (Claims 1 and 12). The analysis focuses on potential anticipation under 35 U.S.C. § 102, which requires that every element of a claim be found in a single prior art reference.

1. US Patent 11,505,994 B2

Full Citation: US Patent 11,505,994 B2, "Top cap for multi-position ladder". Assignee: Tricam Industries, Inc. (Note: Tricam is the petitioner in the pending Post-Grant Review PGR2026-00043 against patent 12359506).
Dates: Publication Date: November 22, 2022; Filing Date: October 16, 2018. This is effective prior art.
Brief Description: This patent discloses a top cap for a multi-position ladder that includes various features for holding tools and materials, such as trays, slots, and apertures. The design aims to enhance the utility of the ladder by providing convenient storage for a user working at an elevated position.
Analysis of Potential Anticipation (§ 102): This reference is highly relevant as it addresses the general problem of holding tools on a ladder. However, it does not anticipate the claims of patent 12359506. The claims of '506 specifically locate the tool-holding feature (the spaced-apart plate/body creating a gap) on the "pair of hinge button assemblies" (Claim 1) or the "pair of retainers" at the hinge (Claim 12). The '994 patent, by contrast, teaches these features on the top cap of the ladder, a distinct and separate component from the hinge mechanism. Therefore, it fails to disclose the claimed location of the invention and cannot anticipate the claims under § 102.

2. US Patent 11,441,356 B2

Full Citation: US Patent 11,441,356 B2, "Ladders, top cap for ladders and trays for ladders". Assignee: Wing Enterprises, Incorporated (a competitor of Little Giant Ladder Systems).
Dates: Publication Date: September 13, 2022; Filing Date: June 8, 2018. This is effective prior art.
Brief Description: This patent describes a top cap and attachable trays for a ladder system. The top cap includes numerous integrated features for holding tools, paint cans, and other equipment. The focus is on creating a versatile work surface at the top of the ladder.
Analysis of Potential Anticipation (§ 102): Similar to the Tricam '994 patent, this reference is relevant for its disclosure of ladder-based tool-holding solutions. However, it also does not anticipate the claims of patent 12359506. The '356 patent's inventive features are all situated on the top cap or associated trays. It does not teach or suggest integrating a tool holder of any kind, particularly one with the claimed spaced-plate structure, into the hinge adjustment buttons. As the location is an explicit limitation of the claims, the '356 patent does not anticipate them.

3. US Patent 9,173,475 B2

Full Citation: US Patent 9,173,475 B2, "Tool holder with guide plate for mounting tools having spring clips". Assignee: Peter Blechman.
Dates: Publication Date: November 3, 2015; Filing Date: December 20, 2002. This is effective prior art.
Brief Description: This patent discloses a general-purpose tool holder designed to engage with the spring clips commonly found on tape measures and other tools. The holder consists of a base plate and a guide plate that is spaced apart from the base plate, creating a channel or slot for receiving the clip.
Analysis of Potential Anticipation (§ 102): This reference is highly relevant because it explicitly teaches the structural configuration of the tool-holding element itself—a body with a spaced-apart plate creating a gap for a tool clip. This structure is analogous to the "first button body" and "second button body" of Claim 1 and the "body" and "plate structure" of Claim 12. However, this reference does not anticipate the claims of '506 because it fails to disclose the rest of the claimed invention. The '475 patent teaches a standalone tool holder and does not disclose its integration with a ladder, let alone the specific hinge button assembly of an articulating ladder. Since multiple key elements of the claims (the ladder, the hinges, the button assembly context) are missing, it cannot anticipate under § 102.

4. US Patent Application Publication 2018/0184791 A1

Full Citation: US 2018/0184791 A1, "Pocket Tape Rule Holder Assembly". Inventor: Stephen Alan Davis.
Dates: Publication Date: July 5, 2018; Filing Date: August 20, 2013. This is effective prior art.
Brief Description: This publication describes a holder specifically for a pocket tape measure. The holder features a main body and a front plate, with a slot formed between them that is configured to securely receive the pocket clip of the tape measure.
Analysis of Potential Anticipation (§ 102): Like the '475 patent, this reference is relevant for teaching the specific holder mechanism. The "main body" and "front plate" with a "slot" between them are structurally very similar to the claimed invention's tool-holding feature. However, the '791 publication teaches this as a distinct holder assembly and does not place it in the context of a ladder hinge. Because the reference does not disclose the claimed combination of the holder structure with the hinge button of an articulating ladder, it does not anticipate the claims of patent 12359506.