UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`____________
`
`BEFORE THE PATENT TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD
`____________
`
`E. MISHAN & SONS, INC.,
`Petitioner,
`
`v.
`
`AVENUE INNOVATIONS, INC.,
`Patent Owner.
`____________
`
`U.S. Patent No. 6,340,189
`
`“Universal Device for Facilitating Movement Into and Out of a Seat”
`____________
`
`Inter Partes Review No. 2017-00140
`
`PETITION FOR INTER PARTES REVIEW OF U.S. PATENT NO. 6,340,189
`UNDER 35 U.S.C. §§ 311-319 AND 37 C.F.R. §§ 42.100 et seq.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`
`TABLE OF CONTENTS
`
`Page
`
`I.
`
`II.
`
`INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................... 1
`
`OVERVIEW OF THE ‘189 PATENT ............................................................ 2
`
`A.
`
`B.
`
`C.
`
`D.
`
`The ‘189 Patent Specification ............................................................... 2
`
`The ‘189 Prosecution History ............................................................... 4
`
`1.
`
`2.
`
`The Preliminary Rejection and Amendment .............................. 4
`
`AI’s Protest ................................................................................. 5
`
`The Claims of the ‘189 Patent ............................................................... 6
`
`Person of Ordinary Skill in the Art ....................................................... 6
`
`III. CLAIM CONSTRUCTION ............................................................................ 7
`
`A.
`
`B.
`
`Construction of Terms Not Governed By 35 U.S.C § 112, ¶6 ............. 7
`
`Construction of Terms Governed By 35 U.S.C § 112, ¶6 .................... 8
`
`IV. STATEMENT OF RELIEF REQUESTED FOR EACH
`CHALLENGED CLAIM .............................................................................. 10
`
`A.
`
`B.
`
`Identification of Challenge (37 C.F.R. §§ 42.104(b)) ......................... 10
`
`Grounds of Challenge (37 C.F.R. § 42.204(b)(2)) .............................. 11
`
`V.
`
`IDENTIFICATION OF HOW THE CHALLENGED CLAIMS ARE
`UNPATENTABLE ........................................................................................ 11
`
`A. Overview of the Cited Prior Art .......................................................... 11
`
`1.
`
`2.
`
`3.
`
`4.
`
`U.S. Patent No. 5,295,498 to Van Meter .................................. 12
`
`U.S. Patent No. 4,626,016 to Bergsten ..................................... 13
`
`U.S. Patent No. 5,331,837 to Stuhlmacher ............................... 14
`
`U.S. Design Patent No. D344,665 to Baker.............................. 16
`
`B.
`
`C.
`
`Overview of the Petitioner’s Grounds ................................................. 16
`
`Secondary Considerations Support A Finding Of Obviousness ......... 17
`
`D. Ground 1 – Van Meter Anticipates Claims 1 and 2 ............................ 18
`
`1.
`
`Independent Claim 1 ................................................................. 18
`
`(a) Van Meter Discloses Preamble 1a ................................. 18
`
`(b) Van Meter Discloses Limitation 1b ................................ 19
`
`
`
`i
`
`

`
`(c) Van Meter Discloses Limitations 1c and 1d .................. 20
`
`(d) Van Meter Discloses Limitation 1e ................................ 22
`
`(e) Van Meter Discloses Limitation 1f ................................ 23
`
`(f) Van Meter Discloses Limitation 1g ................................ 25
`
`(g) Van Meter Discloses Limitation 1h ................................ 25
`
`2.
`
`Independent Claim 2 ................................................................. 26
`
`E.
`
`Ground 2 – Van Meter Combined With Stuhlmacher Renders
`Independent Claim 2 Obvious ............................................................. 28
`
`1.
`
`2.
`
`3.
`
`4.
`
`5.
`
`6.
`
`7.
`
`8.
`
`Van Meter Combined with Stuhlmacher Renders
`Preambles 2a and 2b Obvious ................................................... 29
`
`Van Meter Discloses Limitation 2c .......................................... 32
`
`Van Meter Discloses Limitation 2d .......................................... 32
`
`Van Meter Discloses Limitation 2e ......................................... 33
`
`Van Meter Combined With Stuhlmacher Renders
`Limitation 2f Obvious ............................................................... 34
`
`Van Meter Combined With Stuhlmacher Renders
`Limitation 2g Obvious .............................................................. 34
`
`Van Meter Discloses Limitation 2h .......................................... 35
`
`Van Meter Discloses Limitation 2i ........................................... 35
`
`F.
`
`Ground 3 – Van Meter Combined with Stuhlmacher and Baker
`Renders Claims 3-8 and 20 Obvious ................................................... 36
`
`1.
`
`Independent Claim 3 ................................................................. 36
`
`(a) Van Meter Combined With Stuhlmacher Renders
`Preambles 3a and 3b Obvious ........................................ 36
`
`(b) Van Meter Combined With Stuhlmacher Renders
`Preamble 3c Obvious ...................................................... 36
`
`(c) Van Meter Discloses Limitation 3d ................................ 40
`
`(d) Van Meter Discloses Limitation 3e ................................ 41
`
`(e) Van Meter Discloses Limitation 3f ................................ 41
`
`(f) Van Meter Combined With Stuhlmacher Renders
`Limitation 3g Obvious .................................................... 41
`
`
`
`ii
`
`

`
`2.
`
`3.
`
`4.
`
`5.
`
`6.
`
`7.
`
`(g) Van Meter Combined With Stuhlmacher Renders
`Limitation 3h Obvious .................................................... 42
`
`(h) Van Meter Combined With Stuhlmacher and
`Baker Renders Limitation 3i Obvious ............................ 42
`
`(i)
`
`Van Meter Combined With Stuhlmacher Renders
`Limitation 3j Obvious ..................................................... 45
`
`Dependent Claim 4.................................................................... 45
`
`Dependent Claim 5.................................................................... 46
`
`Dependent Claim 6.................................................................... 47
`
`Dependent Claim 7.................................................................... 48
`
`Dependent Claim 8.................................................................... 49
`
`Independent Claim 20 ............................................................... 50
`
`(a) Van Meter Combined With Stuhlmacher Renders
`Preambles 20a and 20b Obvious .................................... 50
`
`(b) Van Meter Combined With Stuhlmacher Renders
`Preamble 20c Obvious .................................................... 50
`
`(c) Van Meter Discloses Limitation 20d .............................. 51
`
`(d) Van Meter Combined With Stuhlmacher and
`Baker Renders Limitation 20e Obvious ......................... 51
`
`(e) Van Meter Combined With Stuhlmacher Renders
`Limitation 20f Obvious .................................................. 51
`
`(f) Van Meter Combined With Stuhlmacher Renders
`Limitation 20g Obvious .................................................. 52
`
`G. Ground 4 – Bergsten Combined With Stuhlmacher Renders
`Independent Claims 1 and 2 Obvious ................................................. 52
`
`1.
`
`Independent Claim 1 ................................................................. 52
`
`(a) Bergsten Discloses Preamble 1a ..................................... 52
`
`(b) Bergsten Discloses Limitation 1b ................................... 53
`
`(c) Bergsten Discloses Limitation 1c ................................... 54
`
`(d) Bergsten Discloses Limitation 1d ................................... 55
`
`(e) Bergsten Discloses Limitation 1e ................................... 56
`
`(f)
`
`Bergsten Discloses Limitation 1f ................................... 57
`
`
`
`iii
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`

`
`(g) Bergsten Combined With Stulmacher Render
`(g)
`Bergsten Combined With Stulmacher Render
`Limitation 1g Obvious .................................................... 58
`Limitation lg Obvious .................................................. ..58
`
`(h) Bergsten Discloses Limitation 1h ................................... 62
`(h)
`Bergsten Discloses Limitation lh ................................. ..62
`
`2.
`2.
`
`Independent Claim 2 ................................................................. 62
`Independent Claim 2 ............................................................... ..62
`
`(a) Bergsten Discloses Preambles 2a and 2b ....................... 62
`(a)
`Bergsten Discloses Preambles 2a and 2b ..................... ..62
`
`(b) Bergsten Discloses Limitation 2c ................................... 63
`(b)
`Bergsten Discloses Limitation 2c ................................. ..63
`
`(c) Bergsten Discloses Limitation 2d ................................... 64
`(c)
`Bergsten Discloses Limitation 2d ................................. ..64
`
`(d) Bergsten Discloses Limitation 2e ................................... 64
`(d)
`Bergsten Discloses Limitation 2e ................................. ..64
`
`(e) Bergsten Discloses Limitation 2f ................................... 65
`(e)
`Bergsten Discloses Limitation 2f ................................. ..65
`
`(f)
`(f)
`
`Bergsten Discloses Limitation 2g ................................... 66
`Bergsten Discloses Limitation 2g ................................. ..66
`
`(g) Bergsten Combined With Stuhlmacher Render
`(g)
`Bergsten Combined With Stuhlmacher Render
`Limitation 2h Obvious .................................................... 66
`Limitation 2h Obvious .................................................. ..66
`
`(h) Bergsten Discloses Limitation 2i .................................... 66
`(h)
`Bergsten Discloses Limitation 2i .................................. ..66
`
`H. Ground 5 – Bergsten Combined With Stuhlmacher and Baker
`H.
`Ground 5 — Bergsten Combined With Stuhlmacher and Baker
`Render Claims 3-8 and 20 Obvious .................................................... 67
`Render Claims 3-8 and 20 Obvious .................................................. ..67
`
`1.
`1.
`
`Independent Claim 3 ................................................................. 67
`Independent Claim 3 ............................................................... ..67
`
`(a) Bergsten Discloses Preambles 3a and 3b ....................... 67
`(a)
`Bergsten Discloses Preambles 3a and 3b ..................... ..67
`
`(b) Bergsten Combined With Stuhlmacher Render
`(b)
`Bergsten Combined With Stuhlmacher Render
`Preamble 3c Obvious ...................................................... 67
`Preamble 3c Obvious .................................................... ..67
`
`(c) Bergsten Discloses Limitation 3d ................................... 71
`(c)
`Bergsten Discloses Limitation 3d ................................. ..7l
`
`(d) Bergsten Discloses Limitation 3e ................................... 71
`(d)
`Bergsten Discloses Limitation 3e ................................. ..7l
`
`(e) Bergsten Discloses Limitation 3f ................................... 71
`(e)
`Bergsten Discloses Limitation 3f ................................. ..7l
`
`(f)
`(f)
`
`Bergsten Discloses Limitation 3g ................................... 71
`Bergsten Discloses Limitation 3g ................................. ..7l
`
`(g) Bergsten Discloses Limitation 3h ................................... 72
`(g)
`Bergsten Discloses Limitation 3h ................................. ..72
`
`(h) Bergsten Combined With Stuhlmacher and Baker
`(h)
`Bergsten Combined With Stuhlmacher and Baker
`Render Limitation 3i Obvious ........................................ 72
`Render Limitation 3i Obvious ...................................... ..72
`
`(i)
`(i)
`
`Bergsten Discloses Limitation 3j .................................... 75
`Bergsten Discloses Limitation 3j .................................. ..75
`
`Dependent Claim 4.................................................................... 75
`Dependent Claim 4 .................................................................. ..75
`
`Dependent Claim 5.................................................................... 76
`Dependent Claim 5 .................................................................. ..76
`
`Dependent Claim 6.................................................................... 77
`Dependent Claim 6 .................................................................. ..77
`
`2.
`2.
`
`3.
`3.
`
`4.
`4.
`
`
`
`iv
`iv
`
`

`
`5.
`
`6.
`
`7.
`
`Dependent Claim 7.................................................................... 78
`
`Dependent Claim 8.................................................................... 80
`
`Independent Claim 20 ............................................................... 80
`
`(a) Bergsten Discloses Preambles 20a and 20b ................... 80
`
`(b) Bergsten Combined With Stuhlmacher Render
`Preamble 20c Obvious .................................................... 80
`
`(c) Bergsten Discloses Limitation 20d ................................. 81
`
`(d) Bergsten Combined With Stuhlmacher and Baker
`Render Limitation 20e Obvious ..................................... 81
`
`(e) Bergsten Discloses Limitation 20f ................................. 81
`
`(f)
`
`Bergsten Discloses Limitation 20g ................................. 82
`
`VI. MANDATORY NOTICES ........................................................................... 82
`
`A.
`
`B.
`
`Real Party-in-Interest (37 C.F.R. § 42.8(b)(1)) ................................... 82
`
`Related Matters (37 C.F.R. § 42.8(b)(2)) ............................................ 82
`
`1.
`
`2.
`
`3.
`
`Related Patent Office Proceedings............................................ 82
`
`Related Litigation ...................................................................... 82
`
`Related Applications ................................................................. 83
`
`C.
`
`Lead and Back-Up Counsel (37 C.F.R. § 42.8(b)(3)) and
`Service Information (37 C.F.R. § 42.8(b)(3)-(4)) ............................... 83
`
`D.
`
`Payment of Fees (37 C.F.R. § 42.15(a)) ............................................. 83
`
`VII. REQUIREMENTS FOR INTER PARTES REVIEW (37 C.F.R
`§§ 42.101, 42.104, AND 42.108) .................................................................. 84
`
`A. Grounds for Standing (37 C.F.R. § 42.104(a); 37 C.F.R.
`§§ 42.101(a)-(c)) ................................................................................. 84
`
`VIII. CONCLUSION .............................................................................................. 84
`
`
`
`
`v
`
`

`
`TABLE OF AUTHORITIES
`
`Cases
`
`Page
`
`Brown v. Barbacid et al.,
`276 F.3d 1327 (Fed. Cir. 2002) .......................................................................... 17
`
`Geo. Martin Co. v. Alliance Machine Sys. Intern.,
`618 F.3d 1294 (Fed. Cir. 2010) .................................................................... 17, 18
`
`Marrin v. Griffin,
`599 F.3d 1290 (Fed. Cir. 2010) .................................................................... 26, 27
`
`Nuvasive v. Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.,
`IPR2013-00206, Paper No. 17 (Sept. 23, 2013) ................................................... 7
`
`Petroleum Geo-Services Inc. v. WesternGeco LLC,
`IPR2015-01478, Paper No. 16 (Mar. 17, 2015) ................................................. 18
`
`In re Schrieber,
`128 F.3d 1473 (Fed. Cir. 1997) .......................................................................... 26
`
`In re Trans Texas Holdings Corp.,
`498 F.3d 1290 (Fed. Cir. 2007) ............................................................................ 7
`
`Statutes and Rules
`
`35 C.F.R. § 1.291(a) ................................................................................................... 4
`
`35 U.S.C. § 102(a) ............................................................................................. 10, 11
`
`35 U.S.C. § 112 ...................................................................................................... 7, 8
`
`35 U.S.C. § 311 .......................................................................................................... 1
`
`35 U.S.C. § 314(a) ................................................................................................... 11
`
`35 U.S.C. § 315 (a) .................................................................................................. 84
`
`35 U.S.C. § 315(b) ............................................................................................. 83, 84
`
`35 U.S.C. §§ 311-319................................................................................................. 1
`
`37 C.F.R. § 1.132 ....................................................................................................... 5
`
`37 C.F.R. § 1.291(a) ................................................................................................... 5
`
`37 C.F.R. § 42.10(b) ................................................................................................ 83
`
`37 C.F.R. § 42.100 ..................................................................................................... 1
`
`
`
`vi
`
`

`
`37 C.F.R. § 42.100(b) ................................................................................................ 7
`
`37 C.F.R. § 42.101 ................................................................................................... 84
`
`37 C.F.R. § 42.104 ................................................................................................... 84
`
`37 C.F.R. § 42.104(a) ............................................................................................... 84
`
`37 C.F.R. § 42.104(b) ........................................................................................ 10, 83
`
`37 C.F.R. § 42.104(b)(3) ............................................................................................ 8
`
`37 C.F.R. § 42.104(b)(4) .......................................................................................... 11
`
`37 C.F.R. § 42.15(a) ................................................................................................. 83
`
`37 C.F.R. § 42.204(b)(2) .......................................................................................... 11
`
`37 C.F.R. § 42.24(a) ................................................................................................. 86
`
`37 C.F.R. § 42.24(a)(i) ............................................................................................. 86
`
`37 C.F.R. § 42.24(b)(i) ............................................................................................. 86
`
`37 C.F.R. § 42.24(d) ................................................................................................ 86
`
`37 C.F.R. § 42.6(e) ................................................................................................... 87
`
`37 C.F.R. § 42.8(a)(1) .............................................................................................. 82
`
`37 C.F.R. § 42.8(b)(1) .............................................................................................. 82
`
`37 C.F.R. § 42.8(b)(2) .............................................................................................. 82
`
`37 C.F.R. § 42.8(b)(3) .............................................................................................. 83
`
`37 C.F.R. § 42.8(b)(3)-(4) ........................................................................................ 83
`
`37 C.F.R. §§ 42.101(a)-(c) ....................................................................................... 84
`
`37 C.F.R. §§ 42.108 ................................................................................................. 84
`
`
`
`Miscellaneous
`
`Avenue Innovations, Inc. v. E. Mishan & Sons, Inc., 1:16-cv-03086-KPF
`(S.D.N.Y.) ........................................................................................................... 13
`
`
`
`vii
`
`

`
`LIST OF PETITIONER’S EXHIBITS
`
`
`No.
`
`Description
`
`Ex. 1001 U.S. Patent No. 6,340,189 to Pordy
`
`Ex. 1002
`
`File History of U.S. Patent No. 6,340,189
`
`Ex. 1003 Declaration of David McLellan
`
`Ex. 1004 U.S. Patent No. 5,295,498 to Van Meter
`
`Ex. 1005 U.S. Patent No. 4,626,016 to Bergsten
`
`Ex. 1006 U.S. Patent No. 5,331,837 to Stuhlmacher
`
`Ex. 1007 U.S. Design Patent No. D344,665 to Baker
`
`Ex. 1008 U.S. Patent No. 6,108,894 to Mizuki et al.
`
`Ex. 1009 U.S. Patent No. 5,979,951 to Shimura
`
`Ex. 1010
`
`Summons in a Civil Action, Returned Executed (October 27, 2015)
`
`Ex. 1011
`
`1997 GM Factory Service Manual for the Chevrolet Corvette
`
`viii
`
`
`
`
`
`

`
`E. Mishan & Sons, Inc. (“Emson” or “Petitioner”) respectfully requests Inter
`
`Partes review of claims 1-8 and 20 (“the Challenged Claims”) of U.S. Patent No.
`
`6,340,189 (“the ‘189 patent”), pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 311 and 37 C.F.R. § 42.100.
`
`I.
`
`INTRODUCTION
`
`The ‘189 patent relates to a handle that facilitates “movement into and out of
`
`a seat.” (Ex. 1001, 1:11-14). The claims describe various situations in which this
`
`handle may be used—one of the Challenged Claims simply requires a device that
`
`works in connection with any “seat.” The remaining independent claims differ in
`
`that they require operation with a “vehicle” or, more specifically, a vehicle that
`
`uses a “U-shaped striker” to latch the doors.
`
`Indeed, even AI itself felt that the ‘189 patent was unpatentable, and filed a
`
`protest during its prosecution, arguing its own product predated the ‘189 patent.
`
`While the ‘189 patent inventor ultimately filed a declaration antedating AI’s
`
`product, the references AI itself submitted demonstrate near-simultaneous
`
`invention of the ‘189 claimed invention.
`
`AI has since purchased the ‘189 patent and initiated a patent litigation
`
`campaign against the industry. Emson is simply one of AI’s latest targets. Not
`
`only that—AI has contacted Emson’s third-party resellers, threatening them with
`
`patent infringement if they continued to sell Emson’s Car Cane product. AI
`
`therefore asserts a patent that it has itself declared to be invalid.
`
`
`
`

`
`II. OVERVIEW OF THE ‘189 PATENT
`
`A. The ‘189 Patent Specification
`
`The ‘189 patent describes a “universal device” that, in one embodiment,
`
`“facilitates movement into and out of … almost any seat such as chairs, couches,
`
`wheelchairs, and the like.” (Ex. 1001, 3:47-53) (emphasis added). The device is
`
`further described as being secured to a surface near a user’s seat. (See id., 6:58-
`
`7:9; see also claim 1). Other embodiments are more specific, requiring that the
`
`device be used to facilitate “ingress and egress from any vehicle seat.” (Id., 3:50-
`
`51; see also claim 2). Another embodiment describes a device used in vehicles
`
`that have a conventional “U-shaped striker.” (Id., 7:15-19, see also claim 3).
`
`The first two embodiments—those that do not require a “U-shaped
`
`striker”—are best illustrated in connection with Figure 12, as annotated below:
`
`
`
`2
`
`
`
`

`
`As shown, the device includes a “bar” (62 and 64) with a hand “grip” at one end.
`
`(Id., 12:41-47). In operation, the device is mounted to a lateral surface that is
`
`mounted near a seat using a “pivot pin” (70). (Id., 12:56-65). During operation,
`
`the device is used with either a “push or [a] pull” to assist in sitting down or rising
`
`from a seated position. (Id.). More specifically, when the user pulls on the bar, a
`
`“resiliently biased pin 66 . . . becomes a limit stop, as suggested by the phantom
`
`outline of the bar 64.” (Id., 12:56-60). Likewise, pin 68 engages the bar when the
`
`user pushes on the bar. (Id. at 12:56-67). Challenged claims 1 and 2 cover the
`
`embodiment shown in this Figure.
`
`
`
`The embodiments that require a “U-shaped striker” are best illustrated in
`
`connection with Figure 2, as annotated below.
`
`
`
`
`
`3
`
`

`
`The device includes an “elongate member” (10a) with a handle (10b) at one end,
`
`and a “tapered engaging member” (10h) at another. (Id., 7:45-51). The tapered
`
`engaging member is inserted into a “U-shaped striker” (24), as shown. (Id.).
`
`B.
`
`The ‘189 Prosecution History
`
`The prosecution history of the ‘189 patent presents a unique set of facts—
`
`just before issuance of the ‘189 patent, AI filed a protest under 35 CFR § 1.291(a)
`
`arguing that the claims were invalid. The PTO agreed, and issued a rejection based
`
`on one of AI’s own submitted publications. The following is a summary of the
`
`relevant portions of the prosecution history, including AI’s protest.
`
`1.
`
`The Preliminary Rejection and Amendment
`
`The claims were filed on December 17, 1999. Independent claims 1 and 2
`
`were rejected on January 30, 2001 as anticipated by U.S. Patent No. 4,626,016 to
`
`Bergsten (“Bergsten”). (Ex. 1002, 79-85). In his July 12, 2001 response, the
`
`applicant amended the rejected claims, and added issued claim 3. (Id. 86-109).
`
`The applicant argues that the amendments distinguished Bergsten by requiring
`
`“limited movements within a plane substantial [sic] parallel to the fixed surface”
`
`(id., 99):
`
`
`
`4
`
`

`
`The applicant also made clear that the “permanently attached version of the
`
`device,” as shown in Figure 12, was covered by the claims (id.):
`
`
`
`
`
`2.
`
`AI’s Protest
`
`On August 17, 2001, AI filed a protest pursuant to 37 CFR § 1.291(a). (Id.,
`
`113-123). AI argued that the claims were anticipated by several publications
`
`demonstrating its own competing product, called the “HandyBar.” (Id., 113-115).
`
`The PTO rejected issued claims 7 and 20 based on a website printout AI submitted.
`
`(Id., 124-130). The applicant responded by filing a declaration pursuant to 37
`
`C.F.R. § 1.132 alleging that he conceived of the invention and reduced it to
`
`practice prior to the publication dates of AI’s references. (Id., 144-147). Based on
`
`
`
`5
`
`

`
`this declaration, the PTO issued a notice of allowability on October 22, 2001. 1
`
`(Id., 148-150).
`
`C. The Claims of the ‘189 Patent
`
`
`
`The ‘189 patent recites twenty-three claims, comprising six independent
`
`claims (Nos. 1-3 and 20-22) and seventeen dependent claims. Petitioner
`
`challenges those claims asserted by Patent Owner in the district court litigation (the
`
`“Litigation”)—namely, claims 1-8 and 20.
`
`
`
`All of the claims relate to a “device” that facilitates sitting and standing.
`
`Claim 1 is the broadest claim, and is agnostic to the type of seat for which the
`
`device is used. Claim 2 is narrower, and requires that the device be used to
`
`facilitate egress and/or ingress “from a vehicle,” such as a car. Claims 3 and 20 are
`
`narrower still, and require that the device be used in connection with “a vehicle”
`
`having a “generally U-shaped striker.” Claims 4-8 depend on claim 3. For ease of
`
`reference, limitations of each claim are labeled in Appendix A hereto.
`
`D.
`
`Person of Ordinary Skill in the Art
`
`The art to which the ‘189 patent relates is the field of passenger entry and
`
`exit systems. (Ex. 1003, ¶62). A person of ordinary skill in the art (“POSITA”)
`
`
`1 Copies of the references cited in the protest are either not included in the file
`history (Ex. 1002) or are illegible. Petitioner has sought in the Litigation copies of
`all these references, so that it may determine whether they do, in fact, pre date the
`‘189 patent’s alleged invention date. Clear copies of all these references have yet
`to be produced, and may constitute additional prior art against the ‘189 patent.
`
`
`
`6
`
`

`
`would have at least a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering or a
`
`comparable degree, and two or more years of industry experience. (Id.).
`
`III. CLAIM CONSTRUCTION
`
`In an Inter Partes review (“IPR”), claim terms in an unexpired patent are
`
`interpreted according to their broadest reasonable interpretation (“BRI”) (37 C.F.R.
`
`§ 42.100(b)) in accordance with “their ordinary and customary meaning as would
`
`be understood by a POSITA in the context of the entire patent disclosure.”
`
`Nuvasive v. Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc., IPR2013-00206, Paper No. 17 at 6 (Sept.
`
`23, 2013).2
`
`A. Construction of Terms Not Governed By 35 U.S.C § 112, ¶6
`
`Petitioner submits that, for purposes of this IPR, no construction of any non-
`
`means-plus-function claim term is required. Petitioner proposes that the claim
`
`terms take on their ordinary and customary meaning that they would have to a
`
`POSITA at the time of the invention. (Ex. 1003, ¶52). Petitioner further submits
`
`that the specification provides no express or implicit definition for any claim term.
`
`(Id.). Petitioner reserves the right to respond and/or offer alternative constructions
`
`to any proposed claim constructions offered by Patent Owner.
`
`
`2 The BRI of claim terms in this IPR may be different from the construction that
`those same terms may receive following claim construction proceedings in district
`court. See In re Trans Texas Holdings Corp., 498 F.3d 1290, 1297 (Fed. Cir.
`2007).
`
`
`
`7
`
`

`
`B. Construction of Terms Governed By 35 U.S.C § 112, ¶6
`
`Pursuant to 37 CFR § 42.104(b)(3), Petitioner identifies the following terms
`
`that are written in means-plus-function pursuant to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C § 112, ¶6
`
`(see Ex. 1003, ¶53):
`
`Claim Limitation
`
`Function
`
`Structure
`
`“securement means”
`(claims 1)
`
`“securement means”
`(claim 2)
`
`“cooperating with the other end
`of said elongate member for
`securing said elongate member
`to a fixed surface proximate to a
`seat to enable said elongate
`member to extend away from the
`seat and position said handle at a
`point remote from the seat
`during use for providing support
`to the user independently of
`whether the user pulls on said
`handle in a direction generally
`upwards or pushes on said
`handle in a direction generally
`downwards”
`
`“cooperating with the other end
`of said elongate member for
`removably securing said
`elongate member to lateral
`surface to enable said elongate
`member to extend away from the
`lateral surface during use and
`position a portion of said handle
`exteriorly of the vehicle and for
`providing a support for the
`passenger to grip while entering
`or leaving said vehicle
`independently of whether the
`passenger pulls on said handle in
`
`“tapered engaging
`member,” “pin,”
`“resiliently biased pin,
`or “bar” as described in
`cols. 7:45-63, 8:7-23,
`8:24-46, 8:53-9:3,
`11:31-12:67 and
`corresponding elements
`in the figures, including
`elements (10h), (64),
`(66), (68) and (70)
`
`“tapered engaging
`member,” “pin,”
`“resiliently biased pin,
`or “bar” as described in
`cols. 7:45-63, 8:7-23,
`8:24-46, 8:53-9:3,
`11:31-12:67 and
`corresponding elements
`in the figures, including
`elements (10h), (64),
`(66), (68) and (70)
`
`
`
`8
`
`

`
`Claim Limitation
`
`Function
`
`Structure
`
`“securement means”
`(claim 3)
`
`a direction generally upwards or
`pushes on said handle in a
`direction generally downwards”
`
`“cooperating with the other end
`of said elongate member for
`removably securing said
`elongate member to said lateral
`surface to enable said elongate
`member to extend away from the
`lateral surface and position a
`portion of said handle exteriorly
`of the vehicle and for providing
`a support for the passenger to
`grip while entering or leaving
`said vehicle independently of
`whether the passenger pulls on
`said handle in a direction
`generally upwards or pushes on
`said handle in a direction
`generally downwards”
`
`“tapered engaging
`member,” “pin,”
`“resiliently biased pin,
`or “bar” as described in
`cols. 7:45-63, 8:7-23,
`8:24-46, 8:53-9:3,
`11:31-12:67 and
`corresponding elements
`in the figures, including
`elements (10h), (64),
`(66), (68) and (70)
`
`“engagement means”
`(claim 20)
`
`“cooperating with the other end
`of said elongate member for
`cooperating with the striker
`when the door is open and for
`securing said elongate member
`to the striker to enable said
`elongate member to extend away
`from the vehicle and position
`said handle exteriorly of the
`vehicle and for providing
`support to the individual when
`entering or exiting the vehicle”
`
`“tapered engaging
`member,” “pin,”
`“resiliently biased pin,
`or “bar” as described in
`cols. 7:45-63, 8:7-23,
`8:24-46, 8:53-9:3,
`11:31-12:67 and
`corresponding elements
`in the figures, including
`elements (10h), (64),
`(66), (68) and (70)
`
`
`
`9
`
`

`
`IV. STATEMENT OF RELIEF REQUESTED FOR EACH
`CHALLENGED CLAIM
`
`A.
`
`Identification of Challenge (37 C.F.R. §§ 42.104(b))
`
`Petitioner requests Inter Partes review of claims 1-8 and 20 of the ‘189
`
`patent and requests that the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (“PTAB”) cancel those
`
`claims as unpatentable. This Petition cites the following prior art references
`
`(citations to 35 U.S.C. refer to the pre-AIA version)—other than Bergsten, none of
`
`the references were cited during prosecution, and are not cumu