Patent 9289645

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 9,289,645, I will search for the patent on the USPTO database and examine its cited references. The patent text itself contains the "Prior art keywords" section, which includes "arm," "carriage," "foot," "cord," and "foot bar." The "Prior art date" is listed as July 13, 2011.

I will now proceed to identify the patent citations directly associated with US9289645B2.

Most Relevant Prior Art for US Patent 9,289,645

Based on the USPTO records, the following U.S. patents are cited as prior art for US Patent 9,289,645, "Reformer exercise apparatus arm cord retraction assembly." This analysis focuses on the prior art as explicitly cited within the patent document itself.

U.S. Patent Citations:

  • US7815555B2

    • Full Citation: US7815555B2 - Pilates reformer carriage release mechanism.
    • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: October 19, 2010. Filing: April 30, 2008.
    • Brief Description: This patent describes a Pilates reformer with a carriage release mechanism that allows the carriage to be released from its biased position towards the foot end of the frame. The carriage can then be moved to the head end of the frame and locked in position, converting the reformer for mat exercises.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): While US7815555B2 addresses carriage movement and locking for mat conversion, it does not appear to directly anticipate the specific arm cord retraction assembly of US9289645B2, particularly the spring-biased reels, interconnected latch members, and actuator for simultaneous cord release (Claims 1, 11, and 12). However, as a reformer apparatus with a movable carriage, it contributes to the general field of reformer design.

  • US8062186B2

    • Full Citation: US8062186B2 - Height adjustable and foldable Pilates reformer.
    • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: November 22, 2011. Filing: April 2, 2009.
    • Brief Description: This patent details a Pilates reformer that is both height-adjustable and foldable for storage. It focuses on the structural design for portability and variable height.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): US8062186B2's primary focus on adjustability and foldability does not appear to directly anticipate the arm cord retraction assembly of US9289645B2 (Claims 1, 11, and 12). Its contribution would be in the broader context of reformer apparatus design, particularly concerning frame and leg configurations.

  • US8235876B2

    • Full Citation: US8235876B2 - Pilates reformer with adjustable footbar.
    • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: August 7, 2012. Filing: October 20, 2010.
    • Brief Description: This patent describes a Pilates reformer with a footbar that can be adjusted both rotationally and translationally along the frame. The footbar adjustment mechanism is a key feature.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): US8235876B2 focuses on an adjustable footbar, which is a component of a reformer. While US9289645B2 is also a reformer apparatus, its novelty lies in the arm cord retraction assembly. Therefore, US8235876B2 does not directly anticipate the specific features of the arm cord retraction assembly (Claims 1, 11, and 12) but is relevant to the overall reformer design.

  • US8287437B2

    • Full Citation: US8287437B2 - Pilates reformer with adjustable footbar.
    • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: October 16, 2012. Filing: July 13, 2011.
    • Brief Description: This patent describes a Pilates reformer with a footbar that can be adjusted both rotationally and translationally along the frame. It appears to be related to or a continuation of US8235876B2.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Similar to US8235876B2, this patent's focus on an adjustable footbar does not directly anticipate the arm cord retraction assembly of US9289645B2 (Claims 1, 11, and 12).

  • US8419616B2

    • Full Citation: US8419616B2 - Pilates reformer exercise apparatus.
    • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: April 23, 2013. Filing: July 13, 2011.
    • Brief Description: This patent generally describes a Pilates reformer exercise apparatus, potentially covering various structural or functional improvements to the overall machine.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Without more specific details about the claims of US8419616B2, it is difficult to determine direct anticipation. However, given its broad title, it is likely to contribute to the general body of knowledge regarding reformer apparatuses. It does not appear to specifically detail an arm cord retraction assembly as claimed in US9289645B2 (Claims 1, 11, and 12).

  • US8672803B2

    • Full Citation: US8672803B2 - Pilates reformer exercise apparatus with stackable legs.
    • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: March 18, 2014. Filing: July 13, 2011.
    • Brief Description: This patent describes a Pilates reformer designed with stackable legs, facilitating easier storage of multiple units.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): The focus of US8672803B2 on stackable legs for storage does not directly anticipate the arm cord retraction assembly of US9289645B2 (Claims 1, 11, and 12).

  • US8827878B2

    • Full Citation: US8827878B2 - Pilates reformer with a mat conversion kit.
    • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: September 9, 2014. Filing: July 13, 2011.
    • Brief Description: This patent describes a Pilates reformer that includes a mat conversion kit, allowing the apparatus to be easily transformed for mat exercises.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): US8827878B2's focus on mat conversion does not directly anticipate the specific arm cord retraction assembly of US9289645B2 (Claims 1, 11, and 12).

  • US8876681B2

    • Full Citation: US8876681B2 - Reformer exercise apparatus head end rope storage.
    • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: November 4, 2014. Filing: December 27, 2013.
    • Brief Description: This patent describes a reformer with a head end rope storage system. This is highly relevant as it addresses a similar problem of managing ropes/cords on a reformer.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent is particularly relevant because it addresses "reformer exercise apparatus head end rope storage." It is highly likely that elements of this patent, specifically regarding the storage and management of ropes, could potentially anticipate aspects of the arm cord retraction assembly of US9289645B2, particularly Claim 1 which describes the overall apparatus including the arm cord retraction assembly. A detailed comparison of the specific mechanisms of rope storage in US8876681B2 versus the "spring biased reel therein connected to a free end of one of the arm cords, with each reel having a toothed outer rim" and the "toothed latch members rotatably mounted... and connected mechanically together" of US9289645B2 would be necessary to determine the extent of anticipation.

  • US8894547B2

    • Full Citation: US8894547B2 - Reformer exercise apparatus foot end rope storage.
    • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: November 25, 2014. Filing: July 13, 2011.
    • Brief Description: This patent describes a reformer with a foot end rope storage system. Similar to US8876681B2, it addresses rope management but at the opposite end of the reformer.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent is also highly relevant due to its focus on "reformer exercise apparatus foot end rope storage." Similar to US8876681B2, elements of its rope storage mechanism could potentially anticipate parts of the arm cord retraction assembly described in US9289645B2 (Claim 1). A detailed comparison of the specific mechanisms for rope storage and retraction would be crucial to assess the extent of anticipation.

  • US8968161B2

    • Full Citation: US8968161B2 - Pilates reformer apparatus with new footbar.
    • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: March 3, 2015. Filing: May 23, 2014.
    • Brief Description: This patent focuses on a Pilates reformer apparatus featuring a new footbar design.
    • Potential Anticipation (335 U.S.C. § 102): The primary subject of US8968161B2 is a new footbar, which does not directly anticipate the arm cord retraction assembly of US9289645B2 (Claims 1, 11, and 12).

  • US20110294628A1

    • Full Citation: US20110294628A1 - Reformer exercise apparatus.
    • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: December 1, 2011. Filing: May 26, 2011.
    • Brief Description: This published application describes a reformer exercise apparatus, likely with various features or improvements.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This published application's broad title suggests it covers aspects of a reformer exercise apparatus. Without specific claim details, it's difficult to assess direct anticipation of the arm cord retraction assembly of US9289645B2. It would serve as general prior art for reformer design.

  • US20120190530A1

    • Full Citation: US20120190530A1 - Pilates reformer with adjustable footbar.
    • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: July 26, 2012. Filing: July 13, 2011.
    • Brief Description: This published application describes a Pilates reformer with an adjustable footbar, similar to the granted patents US8235876B2 and US8287437B2.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This application, focusing on an adjustable footbar, does not directly anticipate the arm cord retraction assembly of US9289645B2 (Claims 1, 11, and 12).

  • US20120252636A1

    • Full Citation: US20120252636A1 - Pilates reformer with mat conversion kit.
    • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: October 4, 2012. Filing: April 2, 2012.
    • Brief Description: This published application describes a Pilates reformer with a mat conversion kit, similar to the granted patent US8827878B2.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): The focus on a mat conversion kit does not directly anticipate the arm cord retraction assembly of US9289645B2 (Claims 1, 11, and 12).

  • US20120264585A1

    • Full Citation: US20120264585A1 - Pilates reformer with stackable legs.
    • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: October 18, 2012. Filing: July 13, 2011.
    • Brief Description: This published application describes a Pilates reformer with stackable legs, similar to the granted patent US8672803B2.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): The focus on stackable legs does not directly anticipate the arm cord retraction assembly of US9289645B2 (Claims 1, 11, and 12).

  • US20140221147A1

    • Full Citation: US20140221147A1 - Reformer exercise apparatus rope storage.
    • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: August 7, 2014. Filing: December 27, 2013.
    • Brief Description: This published application describes a reformer exercise apparatus with rope storage. This is highly relevant as it addresses a similar problem of managing ropes/cords on a reformer.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Similar to US8876681B2 and US8894547B2, this application is highly relevant due to its focus on "reformer exercise apparatus rope storage." The specific mechanisms detailed in this application for rope storage could potentially anticipate features of the arm cord retraction assembly of US9289645B2 (Claim 1). A detailed comparison of the specific mechanisms described would be necessary.

International Patent Citations:

  • WO2012009664A2
    • Full Citation: WO2012009664A2 - Reformer exercise apparatus.
    • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: January 19, 2012. Filing: July 13, 2011.
    • Brief Description: This international patent application describes a reformer exercise apparatus.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This broad international application serves as general prior art in the field of reformer exercise apparatuses. Without specific details of its claims, it's difficult to pinpoint direct anticipation of the arm cord retraction assembly of US9289645B2.

Other Publications:

The provided patent text does not list any "Other Publications" as prior art.

Summary of Most Relevant Prior Art:

The most relevant prior art documents for US Patent 9,289,645, in terms of potentially anticipating its claims under 35 U.S.C. § 102, appear to be:

  • US8876681B2 - Reformer exercise apparatus head end rope storage.
  • US8894547B2 - Reformer exercise apparatus foot end rope storage.
  • US20140221147A1 - Reformer exercise apparatus rope storage.

These three documents directly address the problem of rope or cord storage on a reformer apparatus, which is the core innovative area of US9289645B2. A thorough comparison of the specific mechanisms and functionalities described in these prior art documents against the detailed claims of US9289645B2 would be necessary to fully assess the extent of potential anticipation, particularly for Claim 1 (the apparatus including the retraction assembly). Claims 11 and 12, relating to the kit and apparatus with the kit, would also need to be scrutinized against these documents to determine if the specific combination of spring-biased reels, interconnected toothed latch members, and an actuator for simultaneous disengagement is novel and non-obvious in light of these prior art disclosures.

Generated 5/29/2026, 5:56:48 PM