DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statement filed 5/14/25 fails to comply with 37 CFR 1.98(a)(2), which requires a legible copy of each cited foreign patent document; each non-patent literature publication or that portion which caused it to be listed; and all other information or that portion which caused it to be listed. It has been placed in the application file, but the information referred to therein has not been considered.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action:
A person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claim(s) 1-20 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by Hartmann 2023/0213126.
In regard to claims 1, 9 and 15, Hartmann discloses a method and apparatus for coupling plug connectors to form a plug assembly, which is formed for connecting pipes for liquid and/or gaseous media, in which method the following steps are carried out providing a first female plug connector 2, said first plug connector comprising a tube-shaped first plug connector body 10, which defines a female receiving space with a first longitudinal axis, wherein at least a first coupling slot 14 and a second coupling slot 14 are arranged in the first plug connector body 10 so as to diametrically oppose one another (see slots in 2 in figs. 6 and 7), providing a second male plug connector 3, said second plug connector having a tube-shaped second plug connector body with a hollow-cylindrical insertion piece 32,
an adjoining conically extending widening section (see 3 in fig. 1), and with an adjoining coupling section with a coupling groove 15, wherein the second plug connector body defines a second longitudinal axis, providing at least one sealing element 11 and arranging it in the first female plug connector 2, providing a locking element 6, said locking element being strap-shaped and being in a releasable positive engagement with the two plug connectors when the plug connectors are in the coupling position, the locking element comprising a first leg 19, a second leg 19 and a base leg 17, said base leg connecting the two legs 19 to one another, each of the two legs in each case comprising a first leg section (vertical portion of 19 adjacent to 17) a second leg section 16 and a leg connection section which leg connection section (diagonal portion of 19 connecting the two vertical sections) connects the first leg section and the second leg section to one another in each case, and the first leg sections are arranged adjoining the base leg 27 on sides facing away from one another in each case, wherein at least the two second leg sections 16 are aligned such that they run parallel to one another in the undeformed initial position, and furthermore the two leg connection sections are aligned such that they run towards one another in the direction of the base leg 17 (element 6 has the same shape as the connector of the present invention),
arranging the locking element in the two coupling slots 14 of the first plug connector body, and, in this process, arranging the base leg of the locking element in its center between the two legs in a first position spaced at a first radial distance from the first longitudinal axis,
orienting the longitudinal axes of the two plug connectors with respect to each other,
moving the two plug connectors towards each other and step by step inserting the second plug connector into the female receiving space of the first plug connector,
(a) inserting the hollow-cylindrical insertion piece, in which the two leg connection sections are each arranged in a partial section thereof directly adjacent to the hollow- cylindrical insertion piece or resting on the hollow-cylindrical insertion piece against first contact sections,
(b) continuing the insertion process in the axial direction, in which the two second leg sections 16 are each supported on the conically extending widening section adjoining further contact sections, and, in this process, the base leg of the locking element is arranged in its center between the two legs in a second position at a second radial distance from the longitudinal axis and the second radial distance has a greater value than the first radial distance,
continuing the insertion process in the axial direction, in which, when the first and second plug connectors are in the mutual coupling position, the locking element engages with its second leg section of the first leg in the first coupling slot and in the coupling groove, and the second leg engages with its second leg section in the second coupling slot and in the coupling groove.
In regard to claims 2 and 10, characterized in that, when the coupling position is reached, the locking element with its base leg is moved back to the first position (legs 16 expand as they ride over the conical portion and drop into groove 15 on 3).
In regard to claims 3 and 11, characterized in that during step (a) of the axial insertion process of the second plug connector into the female receiving space of the first plug connector, the two second leg sections are each arranged at a distance from the hollow cylindrical insertion piece in the radial direction (see fig. 5).
In regard to claims 4 and 12, characterized in that after the beginning of step (b), the two leg connection sections (diagonal portions of leg 19 are lifted off the conically extending widening section.
In regard to claim 5, characterized in that during step (b) of the axial insertion process, the radial distance of the center of the base leg is continuously increased starting from the value of the first radial distance to the second value of the second radial distance (the space between leg ends 19 would constantly increase as the conical section is inserted between them).
In regard to claims 6 and 13, characterized in that the two leg connection sections of the locking element are arranged or accommodated in the coupling groove over the majority of their length when the plug connectors are in the coupling position (see fig. 2).
In regard to claims 7 and 14, characterized in that the base leg 17 of the locking element, in particular its central section, is supported resting against the first plug connector 2 at least in the coupling position (see fig. 2 and 4).
In regard to claim 8, characterized in that the value of the second radial distance of the base leg from the longitudinal axis amounts to a maximum after leaving the widening section of the two legs and prior to the respective insertion of the two second leg sections into the coupling groove (17 travels upward the most at the largest diameter of the conical section 23).
In regard to claim 16, wherein the base leg 17 starting out from its center between the two legs has a roof-shaped angled longitudinal extension in the direction of the two legs 19 (see fig. 4).
In regard to claim 17, wherein the two first leg sections (vertical portion between 17 and the diagonal sections of leg 19) are aligned such that they run parallel to one another in an the undeformed initial position of the locking element (see fig. 4).
In regard to claim 18, wherein the base leg 17, the first leg sections (vertical portion between 17 and the diagonal portions) and the second leg sections 16 are arranged extending in a common plane.
In regard to claim 19, characterized in that one support leg 21 is arranged on each of the second leg sections 16 at its end facing away from the base leg, and the support legs has a longitudinal orientation which is aligned in a normal direction with respect to the common plane (see fig. 3).
In regard to claim 20, characterized in that the support legs 21 is supported resting against the first plug connector body 2 between a the first position of the base leg and a the second position of the base leg (see the ramped surface of 2 that 21 would ride on in fig. 4).
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments with respect to claim(s) 1-20 have been considered but are unpersuasive.
In regard to claims 1, 9 and 15, Applicant argues that Hartmann fails to disclose the two
second leg section each being supported on the conically extending widening section of the plug male member because “the latching regions 16 of the locking element 6 protrude through the passages 14 into the securing groove 15 of the mating plug connector 3. When the locking element 6 is in its release position, the latching regions 16 do not project into the receiving space 13 and the mating plug connector 3 is axially displaceable to the plug connector 2”.
The examiner disagrees, as fig. 1 discloses portions 16 of locking element 6 positioned in the passages 14. These passages allow latching regions 16 to project into the receiving space of 10 that receives the male plug 3. As plug 3 is inserted, the conical portion of 3 would contact the locking portions 16 and the locking portions would expand away from one another as they ride over the conical portion of 3. Then then they would contract radially inward into groove 15 when 15 becomes aligned with passages 14. Paragraph 75 of the Hartmann discloses that figs. 4 and 6 depict the locking element 6 already on the female member prior to the male plug being plugged into the connector and that during assembly the male plug is fully inserted into female member until the locking element is introduced into the securing groove 15. In order for the locking element 16 to get into the groove 15, the legs 16 would have to contact the conical section of the male plug and expand until the could retract into the groove 15, when the groove 15 aligns with passage 14. Therefore the rejection in view of Hartmann has been maintained.
Conclusion
THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to DAVID E. BOCHNA whose telephone number is (571)272-7078. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday 8:00-5:30.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Matthew Troutman can be reached on (571) 270-3654. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/DAVID BOCHNA/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3679