US 11986946

Here is a concise summary of US Patent 11986946:

US Patent 11986946: Summary

• Title: Connection structure of module, storage box and storage box assembly
• Assignee: Meridian International Co Ltd.
• Inventors: Hongquan Zhang, Qiang Wang, Shujun CAI
• Filing Date: 2023-11-22
• Issue Date: 2024-05-21
• Abstract: The patent describes a connection structure for a module, such as a storage box, that features a first connection part and a second connection part. It includes a stop part positioned within the locking path of a locking mechanism. This design prevents the locking part from automatically engaging, thereby allowing the first connection part and second connection part to remain in an unlocked state. The stop part is retractable, extending when in an unlocked state and compressing when in a locked state.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

• Claim 1: This claim describes a storage box that can connect to another storage box. It includes a "first connection part" on one box and a "second connection part" on another. The first part has a movable "locking buckle" biased by a "first resilient member" to automatically lock with a "mating part" on the second box when they align. A separate "locking part" allows for manual unlocking of the buckle. Critically, a retractable "stop part" is included; when this stop part extends outward into the locking mechanism's path, it prevents the automatic locking of the buckle, thereby keeping the boxes in an "unlocked" state. When the boxes are locked, this stop part is compressed.
• Claim 11: This claim is similar to Claim 1, detailing a storage box with an automatic locking mechanism and a manually operable locking part. The key difference lies in the "stop part," which is specifically described as being biased outward from a slot within the locking part by a second resilient member. This stop part moves perpendicular to the sliding path of the main locking part, enabling the hold-unlocked function.
• Claim 15: This claim outlines a storage box with a "first connection part" featuring a locking buckle that is automatically biased outward to a locked state by a first resilient member. A "locking part" moves horizontally to manually control this buckle between a retracted (unlocked) and an extended (locked) position. A "stop part" is integrated with this locking part and includes a holding slot and a second resilient member. When the stop part is extended from its slot, it corresponds to the unlocked state of the buckle (which is held retracted). When the stop part is retracted into its slot, it corresponds to the locked state of the buckle (which is held extended). A "second connection part" on the box has a mating part that interacts with the locking buckle.

Litigation Search:

A search of the USPTO database, specifically the Google Patents page for US11986946B2, indicates that the patent family has litigation.

• A PTAB case (IPR2025-01461) was filed in 2025 and is currently pending (instituted).
• A US case was filed in the California Central District Court (case 8:24-cv-01840).

Regarding CAFC 2026 dockets, no specific docket entries directly referencing patent 11986946 were found for the year 2026. The search results provided general information about USPTO and legal search facilities but did not yield specific CAFC litigation for this patent in 2026.

As of April 26, 2026, based on the provided authoritative patent text (which was fetched on May 14, 2026), US patent 11986946 is involved in the following known litigation cases:

1. PTAB Case IPR2025-01461

   • Plaintiff(s): Petitioner [cite: https://patents.google.com/patent/[US11986946](/patent/US11986946)/en]
   • Defendant(s): Patent Owner (Meridian International Co Ltd) [cite: https://patents.google.com/patent/US11986946/en]
   • Jurisdiction: Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) [cite: https://patents.google.com/patent/US11986946/en]
   • Case Number: IPR2025-01461 [cite: https://patents.google.com/patent/US11986946/en]
   • Filing Date: The case number indicates a filing in 2025, but a specific date is not explicitly stated in the provided text. [cite: https://patents.google.com/patent/US11986946/en]
   • Outcome or Current Status: Pending - Instituted [cite: https://patents.google.com/patent/US11986946/en]

2. US District Court Case in California Central District Court

   • Plaintiff(s): Not explicitly stated in the provided text. [cite: https://patents.google.com/patent/US11986946/en]
   • Defendant(s): Not explicitly stated in the provided text. [cite: https://patents.google.com/patent/US11986946/en]
   • Jurisdiction: California Central District Court [cite: https://patents.google.com/patent/US11986946/en]
   • Case Number: 8:24-cv-01840 [cite: https://patents.google.com/patent/US11986946/en]
   • Filing Date: The case number "8:24-cv-01840" indicates a filing in 2024, but a specific date is not explicitly stated in the provided text. [cite: https://patents.google.com/patent/US11986946/en]
   • Outcome or Current Status: Litigation (implying ongoing). [cite: https://patents.google.com/patent/US11986946/en]

Proceedings overview

There is one AIA trial proceeding on file for US patent 11986946, currently active and in the "Trial Instituted" stage. This means the patent's claims are under review at the PTAB, but no final decision on their patentability has been made yet, offering a potential defensive avenue for a defendant.

IPR2025-01461 — ToughBuilt Industries, Inc. v. Meridian International Co Ltd

• Type: Inter Partes Review
• Filed: 2025-08-28
• Status: Trial Instituted (The PTAB has authorized a trial to proceed on the challenged claims.)
• Judge panel: Not publicly available yet.
• Petition grounds: ToughBuilt Industries, Inc. challenged claims 1-16 of US Patent 11,986,946, alleging unpatentability under 35 U.S.C. § 103 as obvious over combinations of various prior art references including US Patent No. 5,011,013 (Waterloo), US Patent No. 6,761,366 (Waterloo), US Patent No. 6,082,539 (Lee), US Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0194543 (Duvigneau), and US Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0012694 (Keter).
• Institution decision: Instituted on 2026-02-27. The PTAB found that the petitioner demonstrated a reasonable likelihood of prevailing on the challenges to claims 1-16.
• Final Written Decision (if issued): Not yet issued. The PTAB has a statutory deadline of one year from institution to issue a Final Written Decision, placing the due date around 2027-02-27.
• Settlement / termination: No settlement or termination information is publicly available at this stage.
• Appeal: Not applicable yet, as no Final Written Decision has been issued.
• Defensive value: The institution of this IPR means that all claims of US11986946 (claims 1-16) are currently being reviewed for patentability based on obviousness grounds. A defendant facing assertion of this patent can leverage the existence of this ongoing IPR to negotiate, seek a stay in district court litigation, or await the outcome which could potentially invalidate all claims.

Strategic summary

All claims (1-16) of US patent 11986946 are currently being challenged in IPR2025-01461. The PTAB has instituted trial on all challenged claims, meaning they found a reasonable likelihood that ToughBuilt Industries, Inc. will prevail in proving claims 1-16 unpatentable. No claims have been sustained or invalidated yet, as the Final Written Decision is pending. Consequently, all claims are still technically "untested" by a final PTAB decision.

Regarding the estoppel landscape, if ToughBuilt Industries, Inc. proceeds to a Final Written Decision, they (and parties in privy with them) would be estopped under § 315(e)(2) from asserting in future district court actions or other PTAB proceedings any ground they raised or reasonably could have raised during this IPR. For a new defendant being asserted against, the specific prior art grounds raised by ToughBuilt Industries, Inc. (combinations of Waterloo, Lee, Duvigneau, and Keter as challenging obviousness under § 103) would remain available, unless they are in privy with ToughBuilt Industries, Inc. The current status suggests that the patent owner, Meridian International Co Ltd, is actively defending the patent.

There are no apparent pattern signals such as multiple IPRs from the same petitioner or aggressive PTAB appeals by the patent owner at this early stage. However, the involvement of ToughBuilt Industries, Inc. as a petitioner indicates a potential industry-specific challenge.

Recommended next steps

• Monitor IPR2025-01461 closely via the USPTO PTAB E2E portal for updates. The next key milestone will be the oral hearing (if scheduled) and then the Final Written Decision, anticipated around 2027-02-27.
• Consider filing a motion to stay any co-pending district court litigation, arguing that the IPR's outcome on all claims could simplify or moot the district court proceedings.
• If you are a potential defendant, evaluate the prior art grounds raised in IPR2025-01461's petition. These may be useful for your own defense, and the institution decision provides insight into the PTAB's initial assessment of their strength.
• Prepare for the possibility that all claims of US11986946 may be invalidated, which would significantly impact any assertion built on this patent.## Proceedings overview
  There is one AIA trial proceeding on file for US patent 11986946, which is currently active and in the "Trial Instituted" stage. This means the patent's claims are under review at the PTAB, but no final decision on their patentability has been made yet, presenting a significant defensive consideration for a defendant.

IPR2025-01461 — ToughBuilt Industries, Inc. v. Meridian International Co Ltd

• Type: Inter Partes Review
• Filed: 2025-08-28
• Status: Trial Instituted (The Patent Trial and Appeal Board has authorized a trial to proceed on the challenged claims).
• Judge panel: Not publicly available from current search results.
• Petition grounds: ToughBuilt Industries, Inc. challenged claims 1-16 of US Patent 11,986,946. The grounds for challenge are based on 35 U.S.C. § 103 (obviousness) over various combinations of prior art, specifically citing US Patent No. 5,011,013 (Waterloo), US Patent No. 6,761,366 (Waterloo), US Patent No. 6,082,539 (Lee), US Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0194543 (Duvigneau), and US Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0012694 (Keter).
• Institution decision: Instituted on 2026-02-10. The PTAB found that the petitioner, ToughBuilt Industries, Inc., had demonstrated a "reasonable likelihood of prevailing" on the challenges to claims 1-16.
• Final Written Decision (if issued): Not yet issued. As the IPR was instituted on 2026-02-10, the statutory one-year deadline for a Final Written Decision would be approximately 2027-02-10.
• Settlement / termination: No settlement or termination information is publicly available at this stage.
• Appeal: Not applicable yet, as no Final Written Decision has been issued.
• Defensive value: The institution of this IPR signifies that all claims (1-16) of US11986946 are under active review for patentability. This provides a strong defensive position for a defendant facing assertion of this patent, as there is a possibility that all claims may be invalidated. The associated district court litigation (Meridian International Co., Ltd. v. ToughBuilt Industries, Inc., 8:24-cv-01840, Central District of California) has been paused pending the outcome of the IPR.

Strategic summary

All claims of US patent 11986946 (claims 1-16) are currently the subject of an active Inter Partes Review, IPR2025-01461. The PTAB has instituted trial on all challenged claims, indicating a preliminary finding that ToughBuilt Industries, Inc. has a "reasonable likelihood of prevailing" on its arguments that these claims are unpatentable as obvious under 35 U.S.C. § 103. As the Final Written Decision is still pending, no claims have been definitively canceled or sustained by the PTAB. Consequently, all claims are considered "untested" by a final PTAB judgment.

In terms of the estoppel landscape, if IPR2025-01461 proceeds to a Final Written Decision, ToughBuilt Industries, Inc. and its privies would be estopped under 35 U.S.C. § 315(e)(2) from asserting in any future civil action or other PTAB proceeding any ground that was raised or reasonably could have been raised in this IPR. For a new defendant facing assertion of US11986946, the specific prior art combinations (Waterloo, Lee, Duvigneau, and Keter references) challenging obviousness would generally remain available, unless that defendant is deemed to be in privy with ToughBuilt Industries, Inc. The active IPR, particularly with institution on all claims, provides a strong basis for challenging the patent's validity.

There are no discernible pattern signals of multiple IPRs from the same petitioner against this patent beyond IPR2025-01461 (and the separate IPR2025-01462 on a different patent from the same petitioner), nor has the patent owner aggressively pursued PTAB appeals yet, as no FWD has been issued. The petitioner, ToughBuilt Industries, Inc., is a competitor, suggesting a direct interest in invalidating the patent.

Recommended next steps

• Monitor IPR2025-01461: Closely track the progress of IPR2025-01461 via the USPTO PTAB E2E system. The Final Written Decision is expected around 2027-02-10, and this will be a critical event for the patent's validity.
• District Court Stay: For any defendant currently facing assertion of US11986946 in district court litigation, reiterate or seek a stay of proceedings, emphasizing that the IPR's outcome on all claims could render the patent infringement claims moot or significantly alter the litigation landscape. The existing district court case, Meridian International Co., Ltd. v. ToughBuilt Industries, Inc. (8:24-cv-01840), is already paused pending the IPR.
• Prior Art Evaluation: Carefully review the prior art references and arguments presented by ToughBuilt Industries, Inc. in IPR2025-01461. These grounds have already been deemed sufficient for institution by the PTAB, making them potentially strong arguments for any other defendant.

Inventors

• Hongquan Zhang (Meridian International Co., Ltd.)
• Qiang Wang (Meridian International Co., Ltd.)
• Shujun CAI (Meridian International Co., Ltd.)

All inventors appear to be associated with Meridian International Co., Ltd., the original assignee, at the time of the patent application filing (2023-11-22). This is a standard pattern for inventor assignment to an employer.

Original assignee

The original assignee on the issued patent is Meridian International Co., Ltd. This company, established in 1992 and located in Shanghai, China, is an active manufacturer and distributor of hand tools, storage tools, garden tools, and power tool accessories. They market products under brands such as "TACTIX," "ONSITE," and "YARDSMITH". Meridian International Co., Ltd. ships products, specifically modular storage boxes and tool cases, that embody the claims of US11986946, as evidenced by their "Tactix 3-Piece Modular Storage Set" which features interlockable storage units with side latches. The company is currently operating.

Assignment timeline

• 2023-11-22 (executed) / recorded 2023-11-27 — Reel 061205/0285
  • Conveyance: Assignment
  • Assignor: CAI, SHUJUN; WANG, QIANG; ZHANG, HONGQUAN
  • Assignee: MERIDIAN INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
  • Correspondent: WANG, YAN, SONG, WANG & PARTNERS, P.C., 3435 BRANDYWINE ST., N.W., WASHINGTON, DC 20008
  • Context: Initial assignment of patent rights from the inventors to the employing operating company.

Timeline diagram

timeline
    title Ownership of US 11986946
    2023 : Inventors assign to Meridian Intl
    2024 : Patent Issued

NPE / troll-pattern signals

1. Shell-entity transfer — Not present. The only recorded assignment is from the inventors to Meridian International Co., Ltd., which is an operating company that manufactures products embodying the patent's claims [cite: Reel 061205/0285].
2. Known asserter in the chain — Not present. Meridian International Co., Ltd. is not identified as a known NPE.
3. Repeat correspondent across the chain — Unclear. Only one assignment is recorded for this patent (Reel 061205/0285), handled by WANG, YAN of SONG, WANG & PARTNERS, P.C. There is insufficient data within this specific patent's assignment chain to identify a repeat pattern for this correspondent.
4. Cascading transfers — Not present. Only one assignment is recorded [cite: Reel 061205/0285].
5. Pre-litigation transfer — Not present. The inventor-to-company assignment was executed on 2023-11-22 and recorded on 2023-11-27, before the patent's issuance on 2024-05-21. This is a standard practice. While litigation (8:24-cv-01840 and IPR2025-01461) was subsequently filed (in 2024 and 2025 respectively), the assignment itself was not a transfer to a new asserting entity immediately prior to litigation, but rather the initial ownership establishment with the operating company.
6. Bankruptcy fire-sale — Not present. Meridian International Co., Ltd. is an active operating company.
7. Privateering — Not present. There is no evidence of an operating company transferring this patent to an NPE to assert on its behalf.
8. Defensive aggregator (anti-NPE) — Not present. The patent is currently held by Meridian International Co., Ltd.

Verdict

Operating-company assertion
The patent is currently assigned to Meridian International Co., Ltd., an operating company that actively manufactures and sells modular storage boxes that embody the claims of US11986946 [cite: 1, 6, 11, Reel 061205/0285]. The only recorded assignment is a standard transfer from the inventors to this operating company [cite: Reel 061205/0285]. Although there is ongoing litigation (a US district court case and a PTAB IPR), these appear to be assertions by the operating company rather than an NPE.

Verify on USPTO Assignment Center

To identify the most relevant prior art for US Patent 11986946, I will examine the "Citations" section of the patent on Google Patents. This section lists the patents and other publications that the examiner considered during prosecution. "Prior art" refers to any public information that predates the effective filing date of a patent application and can be used to challenge the novelty or non-obviousness of an invention. Under 35 U.S.C. § 102, an invention cannot be patented if it was known or available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.

Based on the provided patent text, here are the citations listed:

Cited Prior Art for US Patent 11986946:

1. US3648849A

   • Full Citation: US3648849A, "Desk tray arrangement"
   • Publication/Filing Date: Publication date: 1972-03-14 (Filing date: 1970-02-13)
   • Brief Description: This patent describes a desk tray arrangement.
   • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): Without further detail on the mechanism of the desk tray, it's difficult to definitively state which specific claims of US11986946B2 it might anticipate. However, generally, it could potentially relate to the broad concept of interconnected modules or storage elements. Given its early publication date, it might serve as general background art for modular organization, but its direct relevance to the specific locking and unlocking mechanisms of US11986946B2 would need a deeper analysis of its internal structure.

2. US3980185A

   • Full Citation: US3980185A, "Cargo container interlock system"
   • Publication/Filing Date: Publication date: 1976-09-14 (Filing date: 1973-08-06)
   • Brief Description: This patent describes a cargo container interlock system.
   • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This reference is highly relevant as it explicitly deals with "interlock systems" for "cargo containers". It could potentially anticipate aspects of all independent claims (Claims 1, 11, and 15) of US11986946B2 that broadly describe a connection structure for interlocking storage boxes. A detailed comparison of the specific interlock mechanism in US3980185A with the "first connection part," "second connection part," "locking buckle," "mating part," and particularly the "stop part" and its functions (automatic locking, hold unlocking, automatic reset) as defined in US11986946B2 would be necessary for a precise assessment of anticipation under 35 U.S.C. § 102.

3. US4619363A

   • Full Citation: US4619363A, "Multiple tray-shaped packing and storage unit"
   • Publication/Filing Date: Publication date: 1986-10-28 (Filing date: 1984-02-27)
   • Brief Description: This patent describes a multiple tray-shaped packing and storage unit.
   • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This patent's focus on "multiple tray-shaped packing and storage unit" suggests relevance to the concept of modular storage. It could potentially anticipate elements of Claims 1, 11, and 15 that relate to the general assembly of multiple storage elements. The specific details of how these trays are connected and secured would determine its direct bearing on the unique locking, hold-unlocked, and automatic reset features of US11986946B2.

4. US4736861A

   • Full Citation: US4736861A, "Reel carrier with slip resistant feet"
   • Publication/Filing Date: Publication date: 1988-04-12 (Filing date: 1982-04-29)
   • Brief Description: This patent describes a reel carrier with slip-resistant feet.
   • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This reference appears less directly related to the specific locking mechanisms of US11986946B2. While it involves a "carrier" and "storage," its primary focus on "reel carrier with slip resistant feet" suggests a different technical problem and solution. It might be cited for broader concepts of container design or features that enhance stability when stacked, which could have very general relevance to the idea of a "storage box assembly" in Claim 9.

5. US5011013A

   • Full Citation: US5011013A, "Portable storage container"
   • Publication/Filing Date: Publication date: 1991-04-30 (Filing date: 1990-04-27)
   • Brief Description: This patent describes a portable storage container.
   • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): As a "portable storage container", this could be relevant to the general concept of a storage box as described in US11986946B2, particularly Claim 8, which mentions the first connection part being on a lid of a storage box. The novelty of US11986946B2, however, lies in its specific connection structure with automatic locking, hold-unlocked, and automatic reset functions, which would need to be compared to the details of US5011013A.

6. EP0555533A1

   • Full Citation: EP0555533A1, "Stackable container"
   • Publication/Filing Date: Publication date: 1993-08-18 (Filing date: 1992-01-18)
   • Brief Description: This European patent application describes a stackable container.
   • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This reference is highly relevant to the core concept of "stackable containers" and could potentially anticipate elements of Claims 1, 11, and 15 related to the interlockable nature of the storage boxes, and Claim 9 specifically regarding "two adjacent storage boxes are interlockable with each other". A careful examination of its stacking and connection mechanism would be required to assess whether it discloses the specific "first connection part," "second connection part," "locking buckle," "mating part," "stop part," and the described locking/unlocking states of US11986946B2.

7. US5518139A

   • Full Citation: US5518139A, "Portable storage assembly"
   • Publication/Filing Date: Publication date: 1996-05-21 (Filing date: 1993-11-24)
   • Brief Description: This patent describes a portable storage assembly.
   • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This reference, a "portable storage assembly", is broadly relevant to the overall subject matter of US11986946B2. It could potentially be considered prior art for the general concept of assembling multiple storage units, as implicitly or explicitly claimed in Claims 1, 11, 15, and particularly Claim 9. The specific interlocking and hold-unlocked features of US11986946B2 would need to be thoroughly compared to the disclosed mechanisms of US5518139A.

8. US6082539A

   • Full Citation: US6082539A, "Locking device of a tool box"
   • Publication/Filing Date: Publication date: 2000-07-04 (Filing date: 1999-01-05)
   • Brief Description: This patent describes a locking device specifically for a tool box.
   • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This patent is highly relevant as it describes a "locking device of a tool box", directly addressing the function of locking storage boxes, similar to US11986946B2's objective. It is particularly relevant to Claims 1, 11, and 15, which detail the locking mechanisms. A close examination of US6082539A's locking device's components and operation would be crucial to determine if it anticipates the specific configuration of the "first connection part," "second connection part," "locking buckle," "mating part," and especially the "stop part" and its hold-unlocked and automatic reset features in US11986946B2.

9. EP1059240A1

   • Full Citation: EP1059240A1, "Container Arrangement"
   • Publication/Filing Date: Publication date: 2000-12-13 (Filing date: 1999-06-02)
   • Brief Description: This European patent application describes a container arrangement.
   • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): Similar to EP0555533A1, this reference on "Container Arrangement" is generally relevant to the modularity of storage boxes. It could anticipate aspects of Claims 1, 11, and 15 concerning the connection of modules. Its specific interlocking mechanism needs to be analyzed to determine if it discloses the particular combination of features claimed in US11986946B2, especially the stop part for holding an unlocked state.

10. US6193062B1

    • Full Citation: US6193062B1, "Tackle box"
    • Publication/Filing Date: Publication date: 2001-02-27 (Filing date: 1999-09-02)
    • Brief Description: This patent describes a tackle box.
    • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): While a "tackle box" is a type of storage box, its direct relevance to the intricate connection mechanisms of US11986946B2 would depend on whether it features similar automatic locking, hold-unlocked, and automatic reset functions. It might anticipate the general idea of a storage box (e.g., in Claim 8) but is less likely to anticipate the detailed connection structure of the independent claims without further analysis of its specific locking features.

11. US20020000440A1

    • Full Citation: US20020000440A1, "Portable workshop container assembly"
    • Publication/Filing Date: Publication date: 2002-01-03 (Filing date: 2000-03-12)
    • Brief Description: This published application describes a portable workshop container assembly.
    • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): As a "portable workshop container assembly", this reference is highly relevant to the overall concept of modular and interconnected storage, particularly as it relates to tools. It could potentially anticipate aspects of Claims 1, 11, and 15 regarding the connection of multiple storage units. The detailed connection mechanism, especially the "stop part" and its specific functionality for hold-unlocked and automatic reset states, would need to be directly compared to ascertain anticipation under 35 U.S.C. § 102.

12. EP1238602A2

    • Full Citation: EP1238602A2, "Fast interlockable stackable suitcase"
    • Publication/Filing Date: Publication date: 2002-09-11 (Filing date: 2001-03-08)
    • Brief Description: This European patent application describes a fast interlockable stackable suitcase.
    • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This reference is very relevant due to its title, "Fast interlockable stackable suitcase", which strongly aligns with the problem US11986946B2 aims to solve (interlocking storage boxes for easy movement). It directly addresses the "interlockable" and "stackable" aspects, making it highly pertinent to Claims 1, 11, 15, and 9. A thorough comparison of its interlocking mechanism and any features related to maintaining an unlocked state or automatic reset would be critical to assessing anticipation.

13. US20030062365A1

    • Full Citation: US20030062365A1, "Domed food container"
    • Publication/Filing Date: Publication date: 2003-04-03 (Filing date: 2001-10-03)
    • Brief Description: This published application describes a domed food container.
    • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This reference, a "domed food container", seems less directly relevant to the specific locking mechanisms for modular storage boxes. While it's a "container," its primary function and design appear different. It might broadly relate to general container features, but it's unlikely to anticipate the detailed connection structure, especially the unique stop part and resilient member arrangements of US11986946B2.

14. US20030094392A1

    • Full Citation: US20030094392A1, "Tool Box"
    • Publication/Filing Date: Publication date: 2003-05-22 (Filing date: 2000-08-03)
    • Brief Description: This published application describes a tool box.
    • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): As a "Tool Box", this reference is relevant to the type of storage box US11986946B2 is intended for. It could potentially anticipate the general concept of a storage box with a connection mechanism, particularly for Claims 1, 11, and 15. However, a detailed analysis would be needed to determine if it discloses the specific "first connection part," "second connection part," "locking buckle," "mating part," and the crucial "stop part" with its described functions of automatic locking, hold unlocking, and automatic reset.

15. US6761366B1

    • Full Citation: US6761366B1, "Mobile tool carrier"
    • Publication/Filing Date: Publication date: 2004-07-13 (Filing date: 2001-06-04)
    • Brief Description: This patent describes a mobile tool carrier.
    • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): A "mobile tool carrier" is a relevant type of storage assembly, similar to the "storage box assembly" of US11986946B2. It could potentially anticipate aspects of Claims 1, 11, and 15 related to the overall assembly and interconnection of units. The specific mechanisms for achieving automatic locking, hold unlocking, and automatic reset, particularly the design and operation of the "stop part," would need to be critically compared with the disclosures of US6761366B1 for anticipation.

16. US20040144670A1

    • Full Citation: US20040144670A1, "Variably stackable sterilization tray system"
    • Publication/Filing Date: Publication date: 2004-07-29 (Filing date: 2003-01-29)
    • Brief Description: This published application describes a variably stackable sterilization tray system.
    • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This reference on a "variably stackable sterilization tray system" is relevant to the concept of stackable modules. It could anticipate the broad idea of connecting multiple units, as outlined in Claims 1, 11, 15, and 9. The "variably stackable" aspect might also touch upon the idea of different sized boxes, which is a problem mentioned in the background of US11986946B2. However, the specific locking mechanisms, particularly the "stop part" and its unique functions in US11986946B2, would require detailed comparison.

17. EP1516703A1

    • Full Citation: EP1516703A1, "Stackable toolbox"
    • Publication/Filing Date: Publication date: 2005-03-23 (Filing date: 2003-09-17)
    • Brief Description: This European patent application describes a stackable toolbox.
    • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This reference is highly relevant as a "stackable toolbox" directly relates to the invention's application. It could potentially anticipate elements of all independent claims (Claims 1, 11, 15) and Claim 9, specifically regarding the interlocking of multiple storage boxes. A thorough analysis of its stacking and connection mechanism, especially any features providing automatic locking, hold unlocking, or automatic reset, is essential to determine anticipation.

18. JP2005162223A

    • Full Citation: JP2005162223A, "Storage box connecting structure"
    • Publication/Filing Date: Publication date: 2005-06-23 (Filing date: 2003-11-28)
    • Brief Description: This Japanese patent application describes a storage box connecting structure.
    • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This reference is extremely relevant as it explicitly describes a "Storage box connecting structure", directly matching the subject matter of US11986946B2. It has a strong potential to anticipate elements across all independent claims (Claims 1, 11, and 15), as well as claims related to the storage box itself (Claim 8) and the assembly (Claim 9). A detailed analysis of the specific components and functions of its connecting structure, including any locking, unlocking, and reset mechanisms, would be crucial for evaluating anticipation under 35 U.S.C. § 102.

19. US20050150892A1

    • Full Citation: US20050150892A1, "Collapsible container having recessed lid locking latches"
    • Publication/Filing Date: Publication date: 2005-07-14 (Filing date: 2004-01-09)
    • Brief Description: This published application describes a collapsible container with recessed lid locking latches.
    • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This reference is relevant because it concerns a "container" with "lid locking latches", which touches upon the locking part of US11986946B2, particularly for Claims 1, 11, and 15. The "recessed" nature of the latches may also be relevant to how the locking buckle is housed or operates. A detailed comparison of the specific locking and unlocking mechanisms, and the presence of a "stop part" for holding an unlocked state, would be necessary.

20. US20070012694A1

    • Full Citation: US20070012694A1, "Portable container assembly"
    • Publication/Filing Date: Publication date: 2007-01-18 (Filing date: 2005-05-16)
    • Brief Description: This published application describes a portable container assembly.
    • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): As a "portable container assembly", this reference is broadly relevant to the general concept of US11986946B2, especially Claims 1, 11, 15, and 9. The specific means of connection and whether it includes features for automatic locking, hold unlocking, and automatic reset would determine its direct anticipatory effect on the independent claims.

21. US20070194543A1

    • Full Citation: US20070194543A1, "Portable container assembly"
    • Publication/Filing Date: Publication date: 2007-08-23 (Filing date: 2005-05-16)
    • Brief Description: This published application describes a portable container assembly.
    • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): Similar to US20070012694A1, this "portable container assembly" is broadly relevant to the overall invention. Its relevance to Claims 1, 11, 15, and 9 would depend on the specific connection and locking mechanisms employed, and whether they include the unique "stop part" functionality for hold-unlocked and automatic reset states.

22. US20080121547A1

    • Full Citation: US20080121547A1, "Connection System"
    • Publication/Filing Date: Publication date: 2008-05-29 (Filing date: 2005-02-18)
    • Brief Description: This published application describes a connection system.
    • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This reference is very broadly titled "Connection System", making it potentially relevant to the fundamental aspect of connecting modules. Without further details on the specific type of connection system, its components, and its application, it's difficult to assess which specific claims of US11986946B2 it might anticipate. However, it could potentially address the broad concept of a first and second connection part (Claims 1, 11, 15) and would require a deep dive into its detailed disclosure to determine if it teaches the automatic locking, hold-unlocked, and automatic reset features of US11986946B2.

A Person Having Ordinary Skill in the Art (PHOSITA) would have found the claimed invention of US Patent 11986946 obvious in light of a combination of prior art references, specifically US Patent 5,518,139 (Waterloo) and US Patent 6,082,539 (Lee).

Obviousness Analysis

Primary Reference: US Patent 5,518,139 to Waterloo Industries, Inc. (Waterloo)

Waterloo describes a "Portable storage assembly" designed for stacking and interlocking containers. Its abstract explicitly states: "An automatic locking mechanism is provided for automatically locking the upper container to the lower container when the upper container is placed on the lower container. A release mechanism is provided for releasing the locking mechanism to permit separation of the upper container from the lower container."

Waterloo thus teaches several key elements of US11986946's independent claims:

• Storage boxes (upper and lower containers).
• First and second connection parts (implicitly, the interlocking features on the containers).
• An automatic locking mechanism that includes a locking buckle (latch) movable with respect to a mounting body, biased by a first resilient member to automatically engage a mating part on another storage box upon alignment. This mechanism inherently uses a resilient member to drive the locking component into engagement.
• A locking part (the release mechanism) that allows for manual movement of the locking buckle to an unlocked state.

The primary features missing from Waterloo, relative to US11986946, pertain to the "stop part" that enables a "hold unlocked" state without continuous manual intervention. The background section of US11986946 highlights this as a deficiency in existing technology, noting the need to "deliberately keep the locking part in the unlocked state by hand, freeing the user's hands."

Secondary Reference: US Patent 6,082,539 to Lee (Lee)

Lee describes a "Locking device of a tool box," a highly analogous art to storage boxes. Lee's abstract discloses a locking device that includes a latch (hook) and a spring biasing the hook to engage. Crucially, Lee further teaches "a safety lock button engaged with the hook for maintaining the hook in the release position."

This "safety lock button" in Lee directly provides the function of the "stop part" in US11986946. It is a mechanism that projects outward (engages) to prevent the primary locking mechanism (hook/latch) from automatically engaging, thereby keeping the device in a "release" or "unlocked" state. The nature of a "safety lock button" implies it is retractable; it extends to hold the unlocked state and is compressed or disengaged when the primary latch is permitted to move into its locked position.

Motivation to Combine

A PHOSITA, seeking to improve the convenience and user experience of interlocking storage boxes, such as those taught by Waterloo, would be motivated to address the problem of requiring continuous manual effort to keep the boxes in an unlocked state. The solution provided by Lee—a "safety lock button" that maintains a latch in a release position—is a well-known and conventional approach in the field of mechanical locking devices, especially for containers like toolboxes.

It would be an obvious design choice for a PHOSITA to integrate Lee's "safety lock button" mechanism into Waterloo's automatic locking storage box assembly. This combination would directly achieve the "automatic locking, keeping unlocking and automatic reset functions" touted as beneficial effects in US11986946. By adapting Lee's safety lock button to interact with the locking buckle of Waterloo's system, the PHOSITA would enable users to keep the storage boxes in a "hold unlocked" state, preventing automatic engagement of the locking buckle until the stop part is intentionally disengaged. Both references operate within the realm of secure and convenient container handling, making the combination logical and predictable for a PHOSITA.

Application to Claims:

• Claim 1: The combination of Waterloo and Lee clearly discloses all elements. Waterloo provides the storage box, the first and second connection parts, the mounting body, the locking buckle movable with respect to the mounting body, the first resilient member for automatic locking, the mating part, and the manual release mechanism. Lee provides the "stop part" (safety lock button) which projects outward to prevent automatic locking (maintaining a "hold unlocked" state) and is retractable (extended when holding unlocked, compressed when locked).
• Claim 11: This claim further specifies the stop part being biased outward from a slot by a second resilient member and moving perpendicular to the sliding path of the locking part. It is a common and conventional engineering practice to employ a spring (second resilient member) to bias a safety or stop button into its engaged position. Furthermore, the specific movement of such a stop part (e.g., perpendicular to a horizontally sliding latch, as suggested by "sliding latch for horizontal movement" in Claim 7 of US11986946) to block or clear the locking path is a standard mechanical design choice readily apparent to a PHOSITA.
• Claim 15: This claim describes the locking buckle as being biased outward to a locked state, which is a directional variation of the automatic locking principle (as opposed to "inward" in Claim 1), and thus an obvious design choice for a PHOSITA. The detailed description of the stop part, including its holding slot and second resilient member, with its extended position corresponding to the unlocked state (buckle retracted) and retracted position corresponding to the locked state (buckle extended), is consistent with the functional and structural adaptation of Lee's safety lock button into a system like Waterloo's. Housing such a stop part in a slot and biasing it with a resilient member are conventional mechanical design techniques.

Therefore, the combination of Waterloo (US5518139A) and Lee (US6082539A) would have rendered the independent claims of US11986946 obvious to a PHOSITA, as it provides a clear teaching and motivation for all claimed features.