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 .
Withdrawal from Issue
The indicated allowability of claims 1 – 21 on 10/21/2025, was withdrawn on 02/10/2026, in view of applicant’s renewed petition filed on 12/26/2025, to change the filing date of the instant application from March 27, 2023 to December 30, 2022.
Response to Renewed Petition
This Office Action is in response to applicant’s renewed petition filed on 12/26/2025; and presenting claims 1 – 3. Examiner has acknowledged the Office’s approval of applicant’s renewed petition on 02/12/2026; thereby the filing date of the instant application was changed from March 27, 2023 to December 30, 2022; and claims 1 – 3 were entered.
Response to Amendment
This Office Action is also is in response to applicant's amendments filed on 12/26/2025. Examiner has acknowledged applicant’s amendment presents cancelled claims 1 - 3, and added new claims 4 - 24. Examiner has reviewed claims 4 - 24 and those claims do not present new matter.
Specification
The disclosure is objected to because of the following informalities: first paragraph does not present the newest parent reference, presented in applicant’s priority claim. Examiner respectfully suggests for applicant to amend paragraph [0001] of the specification by presenting the newest parent application at the beginning of paragraph [0001], suggestively as follows:
“This application is a continuation of and claims priority to United States Patent Application Serial No. 17/321,448, now United States Patent No. 11,550,214, entitled SPRING ASSEMBLIES WITH VAIRABLE FLEXIBILITY FOR USE WITH PUSH-CABLES AND PIPE INSPECTION SYSTEMS, filed May 16, 2021, is a continuation of and claims priority to [[co-pending]] United States Patent Application Serial No. 16/531,880, now United States Patent No. 11,016,381, entitled SPRING ASSEMBLIES WITH VARIABLE FLEXIBILITY FOR USE WITH PUSH-CABLES AND PIPE INSPECTION SYSTEMS, filed August 5, 2019, . . ."
Appropriate correction is required.
Double Patenting
The nonstatutory double patenting rejection is based on a judicially created doctrine grounded in public policy (a policy reflected in the statute) so as to prevent the unjustified or improper timewise extension of the “right to exclude” granted by a patent and to prevent possible harassment by multiple assignees. A nonstatutory double patenting rejection is appropriate where the conflicting claims are not identical, but at least one examined application claim is not patentably distinct from the reference claim(s) because the examined application claim is either anticipated by, or would have been obvious over, the reference claim(s). See, e.g., In re Berg, 140 F.3d 1428, 46 USPQ2d 1226 (Fed. Cir. 1998); In re Goodman, 11 F.3d 1046, 29 USPQ2d 2010 (Fed. Cir. 1993); In re Longi, 759 F.2d 887, 225 USPQ 645 (Fed. Cir. 1985); In re Van Ornum, 686 F.2d 937, 214 USPQ 761 (CCPA 1982); In re Vogel, 422 F.2d 438, 164 USPQ 619 (CCPA 1970); In re Thorington, 418 F.2d 528, 163 USPQ 644 (CCPA 1969).
A timely filed terminal disclaimer in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(c) or 1.321(d) may be used to overcome an actual or provisional rejection based on nonstatutory double patenting provided the reference application or patent either is shown to be commonly owned with the examined application, or claims an invention made as a result of activities undertaken within the scope of a joint research agreement. See MPEP § 717.02 for applications subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA as explained in MPEP § 2159. See MPEP § 2146 et seq. for applications not subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA . A terminal disclaimer must be signed in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(b).
The filing of a terminal disclaimer by itself is not a complete reply to a nonstatutory double patenting (NSDP) rejection. A complete reply requires that the terminal disclaimer be accompanied by a reply requesting reconsideration of the prior Office action. Even where the NSDP rejection is provisional the reply must be complete. See MPEP § 804, subsection I.B.1. For a reply to a non-final Office action, see 37 CFR 1.111(a). For a reply to final Office action, see 37 CFR 1.113(c). A request for reconsideration while not provided for in 37 CFR 1.113(c) may be filed after final for consideration. See MPEP §§ 706.07(e) and 714.13.
The USPTO Internet website contains terminal disclaimer forms which may be used. Please visit www.uspto.gov/patent/patents-forms. The actual filing date of the application in which the form is filed determines what form (e.g., PTO/SB/25, PTO/SB/26, PTO/AIA /25, or PTO/AIA /26) should be used. A web-based eTerminal Disclaimer may be filled out completely online using web-screens. An eTerminal Disclaimer that meets all requirements is auto-processed and approved immediately upon submission. For more information about eTerminal Disclaimers, refer to www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/applying-online/eterminal-disclaimer.
Claims 4, 6 - 10, 13 – 17 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1 – 6, 8 – 12 of U.S. Patent No. 9,477,147. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other, because the table below presents a comparison between the claim limitations of the instant application with corresponding claim limitations of the reference U. S. patent. The bold-faced type identifies claim limitation language which is common to both the instant application and the reference U. S. patent.
U. S. Patent 9,477,147
Instant Claim
A push-cable system, comprising:
a push-cable having a proximal end and a distal end; and
a spring assembly coupled to the distal end of the push-cable, comprising:
an outer coiled spring having a proximal end and a distal end; and an inner coiled spring nested at least partially within the outer coiled spring; wherein one or both of the inner coiled spring and the outer coiled spring includes three or more sections, wherein each of the three or more sections have a different flexibility; and/or wherein the inner coiled spring is shorter than the outer coiled spring and the inner coiled spring is nested within the outer coiled spring at the proximal end of the outer coiled spring.
4. A push-cable system, comprising:
a push-cable having a proximal end
and a distal end;
a spring assembly coupled to the
distal end of the push-cable,
comprising:
an outer coiled spring having a
proximal end and a distal end; and
an inner coiled spring nested at least
partially within the outer coiled spring.
8. The push-cable system of claim 1, wherein one or both of the inner coiled spring and the outer coiled spring includes a first section as one of the three or more sections having one or more coils of a first coil diameter and a second section as another one of the three or more sections of one or more coils having a second coil diameter different from the first coil diameter.
6. The push-cable system of Claim 4,
wherein either the inner coiled spring,
the outer coiled spring, or both,
includes a first section having one or
more coils of a first coil diameter, and
a second section of one or more coils
having a second coil diameter
different from the first coil diameter.
9. The push-cable system of claim 1, wherein one or both of the inner coiled spring and the outer coiled spring includes as one of the three or more sections a section having successively increasing coil diameters.
7, The push-cable system of Claim 4,
wherein either the inner coiled spring,
the outer coiled spring, or both,
includes a section having
successively increasing coil
diameters.
10. The system of claim 1, wherein one or both of the inner coiled spring and the outer coiled spring includes a first section as one of the three or more sections having one or more coils of a first cross-sectional area and a second section as another one of the three or more sections having one or more coils of a second cross-sectional area different from the first cross-sectional area.
8. The push-cable system of Claim 4,
wherein either the inner coiled spring,
the outer coiled spring, or both,
includes a first section having one or
more coils of a first cross-sectional
area, and a second section having one
or more coils of a second cross-
sectional area different from the first
cross-sectional area.
11. The push-cable system of claim 1, wherein one or both of the inner coiled spring and the outer coiled spring includes a section as one of the three or more sections having successively increasing coil cross-sectional areas.
9. The push-cable system of Claim 4,
wherein either the inner coiled spring,
the outer coiled spring, or both,
includes a section having
successively increasing coil cross-
sectional areas.
12. The push-cable system of claim 1, wherein one or both of the inner coiled spring and the outer coiled spring includes a section as one of the three or more sections having successively varying coil cross-sectional shapes.
10. The push-cable system of Claim 4,
wherein either the inner coiled spring,
the outer coiled spring, or both,
includes a section having
successively varying coil cross-
sectional shapes.
2. The push-cable system of claim 1, further comprising an inner spring mounting element disposed within the outer coil spring, the inner spring mounting element including a threaded element shaped to mate with a corresponding coil threading of the inner coiled spring.
13. The push-cable system of Claim 4,
further comprising an inner spring
mounting element disposed within the
outer coil spring, the inner spring
mounting element including a
threaded element shaped to mate with
a corresponding coil threading of the
inner coiled spring.
3. The push-cable system of claim 1, wherein the coils of the inner coiled spring are wound in a direction opposite that of the coils of the outer coiled spring.
14. The push-cable system of Claim 4,
wherein the coils of the inner coiled
spring are wound in a direction
opposite that of the coils of the outer
coiled spring.
4. The push-cable system of claim 1, wherein one or both of the inner coiled spring and the outer coiled spring includes a first section having two or more successive coils in contact with each other and a second section having a gap between two or more successive coils.
15. The push-cable system of Claim 4,
wherein one or both of the inner coiled
spring and the outer coiled spring
includes a first section having two or
more successive coils substantially in
contact with each other and a second
section having a gap between two or
more successive coils.
5. The push-cable system of claim 1, wherein one or both of the inner coiled spring and the outer coiled spring include as one of the three or more sections a section having gaps between successive coils that increase in length.
16. The push-cable system of Claim 4,
wherein one or both of the inner coiled
spring and the outer coiled spring
includes a section having gaps
between successive coils that
increase in length.
6. The push-cable system of claim 1, wherein one or both of the inner coiled spring and the outer coiled spring includes a first section as one of the three or more sections having a first gap between two or more successive coils and a second section as another one of the three or more sections having a second gap, different from the first gap, between two or more successive coils.
17. The push-cable system of Claim 4,
wherein one or both of the inner coiled
spring and the outer coiled spring
includes a first section having a first
gap between two or more successive
coils and a second section having a
second gap, different from the first
gap, between two or more successive
coils.
.
Claims 4 – 24 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as
being unpatentable over claims 1, 2, 4 – 16, 19 of U.S. Patent No. 11,550,214. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because the table below presents a comparison between the claim limitations of the instant application with corresponding claim limitations of the reference U. S. patent.
The bold-faced type identifies claim limitation language which is common to both the instant application and the reference U. S. patent.
U. S. Patent 11,550,214
Instant Claim
1. A push-cable system, comprising:
a push-cable having a proximal end
and a distal end;
a spring assembly coupled to the
distal end of the push-cable,
comprising:
an outer coiled spring having a
proximal end and a distal end; and
an inner coiled spring nested at
least partially within the outer
coiled spring, wherein the inner coil
spring is connected to a proximal end
of a safety cable.
4. A push-cable system, comprising:
a push-cable having a proximal end
and a distal end;
a spring assembly coupled to the
distal end of the push-cable,
comprising:
an outer coiled spring having a
proximal end and a distal end; and
an inner coiled spring nested at least
partially within the outer coiled spring.
2. The push-cable system of claim 1,
wherein a camera head is coupled to the distal end of the push-cable.
5. The push-cable system of Claim 4
further including a camera head, wherein
the camera head is coupled to the
distal end of the push-cable adjacent
the spring assembly.
4. The push-cable system of claim 1,
wherein either the inner coiled spring,
the outer coiled spring, or both,
includes a first section having one or more coils of a first coil diameter, and a second section of one or more coils having a second coil diameter different
from the first coil diameter.
6. The push-cable system of Claim 4,
wherein either the inner coiled spring,
the outer coiled spring, or both,
includes a first section having one or
more coils of a first coil diameter, and
a second section of one or more coils
having a second coil diameter
different from the first coil diameter.
5. The push-cable system of claim 1,
wherein either the inner coiled spring,
the outer coiled spring, or both,
includes a section having
successively increasing coil
diameters.
7, The push-cable system of Claim 4,
wherein either the inner coiled spring,
the outer coiled spring, or both,
includes a section having
successively increasing coil
diameters.
6. The push-cable system of claim 1,
wherein either the inner coiled spring,
the outer coiled spring, or both,
includes a first section having one or
more coils of a first cross-sectional
area, and a second section having one
or more coils of a second cross-
sectional area different from the first
cross-sectional area.
8. The push-cable system of Claim 4,
wherein either the inner coiled spring,
the outer coiled spring, or both,
includes a first section having one or
more coils of a first cross-sectional
area, and a second section having one
or more coils of a second cross-
sectional area different from the first
cross-sectional area.
7. The push-cable system of claim 1,
wherein either the inner coiled spring,
the outer coiled spring, or both,
includes a section having
successively increasing coil cross-
sectional areas.
9. The push-cable system of Claim 4,
wherein either the inner coiled spring,
the outer coiled spring, or both,
includes a section having
successively increasing coil cross-
sectional areas.
8. The push-cable system of claim 1,
wherein either the inner coiled spring,
the outer coiled spring, or both,
includes a section having
successively varying coil cross-
sectional shapes.
10. The push-cable system of Claim 4,
wherein either the inner coiled spring,
the outer coiled spring, or both,
includes a section having
successively varying coil cross-
sectional shapes.
9. The push-cable system of claim 1,
wherein either the inner coiled spring,
the outer coiled spring, or both,
includes a first section having two or
more coils of a first pitch, and a
second section of two or more coils of
a second pitch different from the first
pitch.
11. The push-cable system of Claim 4,
wherein either the inner coiled spring,
the outer coiled spring, or both,
includes a first section having two or
more coils of a first pitch, and a
second section of two or more coils of
a second pitch different from the first
pitch.
10. The push-cable system of claim 1,
wherein either the inner coiled spring,
the outer coiled spring, or both,
includes a section having
successively varying coil pitches.
12. The push-cable system of Claim 4,
wherein either the inner coiled spring,
the outer coiled spring, or both,
includes a section having
successively varying coil pitches.
11. The push-cable system of Claim 1,
further comprising an inner spring
mounting element disposed within the
outer coil spring, the inner spring
mounting element including a
threaded element shaped to mate with
a corresponding coil threading of the
inner coiled spring.
13. The push-cable system of Claim 4,
further comprising an inner spring
mounting element disposed within the
outer coil spring, the inner spring
mounting element including a
threaded element shaped to mate with
a corresponding coil threading of the
inner coiled spring.
12. The push-cable system of claim 1,
wherein the coils of the inner coiled
spring are wound in a direction
opposite that of the coils of the outer
coiled spring.
14. The push-cable system of Claim 4,
wherein the coils of the inner coiled
spring are wound in a direction
opposite that of the coils of the outer
coiled spring.
13. The push-cable system of claim 1,
wherein one or both of the inner coiled
spring and the outer coiled spring
includes a first section having two or
more successive coils substantially in
contact with each other and a second
section having a gap between two or
more successive coils.
15. The push-cable system of Claim 4,
wherein one or both of the inner coiled
spring and the outer coiled spring
includes a first section having two or
more successive coils substantially in
contact with each other and a second
section having a gap between two or
more successive coils.
14. The push-cable system of claim 1,
wherein one or both of the inner coiled
spring and the outer coiled spring
includes a section having gaps
between successive coils that
increase in length.
16. The push-cable system of Claim 4,
wherein one or both of the inner coiled
spring and the outer coiled spring
includes a section having gaps
between successive coils that
increase in length.
15. The push-cable system of claim 1,
wherein one or both of the inner coiled
spring and the outer coiled spring
includes a first section having a first
gap between two or more successive
coils and a second section having a
second gap, different from the first
gap, between two or more successive
coils.
17. The push-cable system of Claim 4,
wherein one or both of the inner coiled
spring and the outer coiled spring
includes a first section having a first
gap between two or more successive
coils and a second section having a
second gap, different from the first
gap, between two or more successive
coils.
16. The push-cable system of claim 1,
wherein one or both of the inner coiled
spring and the outer coiled spring
includes a first section of a first
material and a second section of a
second material different from the first
material.
18. The push-cable system of Claim 4,
wherein one or both of the inner coiled
spring and the outer coiled spring
includes a first section of a first
material and a second section of a
second material different from the first
material.
1. A push-cable system, comprising:
a push-cable having a proximal end
and a distal end;
a spring assembly coupled to the
distal end of the push-cable,
comprising:
an outer coiled spring having a
proximal end and a distal end; and
an inner coiled spring nested at
least partially within the outer
coiled spring, wherein the inner coil
spring is connected to a proximal end
of a safety cable.
19. A push-cable system spring
assembly, comprising;
a spring assembly coupled to the
distal end of the push-cable,
comprising:
an outer coiled spring having a
proximal end and a distal end; and
an inner coiled spring nested at
least partially within the outer
coiled spring, wherein the inner coil
spring is connected to a proximal end
of a safety cable.
4. The push-cable system of claim 1,
wherein either the inner coiled spring,
the outer coiled spring, or both,
includes a first section having one or
more coils of a first coil diameter, and
a second section of one or more coils
having a second coil diameter different
from the first coil diameter.
20. The assembly of Claim 19, wherein
either the inner coiled spring, the outer
coiled spring, or both, includes a first
section having one or more coils of a
first coil diameter, and a second
section of one or more coils having a
second coil diameter different from the
first coil diameter.
5. The push-cable system of claim 1,
wherein either the inner coiled spring,
the outer coiled spring, or both,
includes a section having
successively increasing coil
diameters.
21. The assembly of Claim 19, wherein
either the inner coiled spring, the outer
coiled spring, or both, includes a
section having successively
increasing coil diameters.
8. The push-cable system of claim 1,
wherein either the inner coiled spring,
the outer coiled spring, or both,
includes a section having
successively varying coil cross-
sectional shapes.
22. The assembly of Claim 19, wherein
either the inner coiled spring, the outer
coiled spring, or both, includes a
section having successively varying
coil cross-sectional shapes.
9. The push-cable system of claim 1,
wherein either the inner coiled spring,
the outer coiled spring, or both,
includes a first section having two or
more coils of a first pitch, and a
second section of two or more coils of
a second pitch different from the first
pitch.
23. The assembly of Claim 19, wherein
either the inner coiled spring, the outer
coiled spring, or both, includes a first
section having two or more coils of a
first pitch, and a second section of two
or more coils of a second pitch
different from the first pitch.
19. The push-cable system of claim 18, wherein the transmitter element is a sonde.
24 (New). The push-cable system of Claim 4, further including a sonde for generating magnetic field signals.
Contact Information
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to WARREN K FENWICK whose telephone number is (571)270-3040. The examiner can normally be reached 10:30 AM to 7:00 PM, Monday through Friday.
Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Walter L. Lindsay, Jr. can be reached at 571-272-1674. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/WALTER L LINDSAY JR/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2852
WKF
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