DETAILED ACTION
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
The text of those sections of Title 35, U.S. Code not included in this action can be found in a prior Office action.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
Claims 1-16 and 18-21 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1)/(a)(2) as being anticipated
by Kluss et al. (USP 8,322,755 hereinafter "Kluss").
In regards to claim 1, Kluss discloses a conduit receiving port (see figs. 10-12b)
comprising:
a base member (131) configured to receive at least one conduit;
a conduit gripping member (142) configured to grip the at least one conduit; and
a conduit release member (145, 133) comprising a single member (145) and operable for selectively releasing the gripping member's grip on the at least one conduit, wherein the conduit release member is rotatably affixed to the base member such that rotation of the conduit release member in a first direction causes the conduit release member to move longitudinally toward the conduit gripping member releasing the gripping members grip on the at least one conduit and rotation of the conduit release member in a second direction different than the first direction causes the conduit release member to move longitudinally away from the conduit gripping member (see column 11, lines 1-19).
In regards to claims 2 and 12, Kluss further discloses the base member is configured
to be attached to an opening of an electrical box (fig. 10 shows this capability).
In regards to claims 3 and 13, Kluss further discloses at least a portion (see at '131" in
fig. 1) of the base member is dimensioned to rest against an outside surface surrounding the
opening of the electrical box.
In regards to claims 4 and 14, Kluss further discloses at least a portion (at "134") of
the base member is dimensioned to be received in the electrical box.
In regards to claims 5 and 15, Kluss further discloses the base member comprises a
plurality of rings (see two different inner diameters in fig. 11) each having a different inner
diameter and each for receiving a conduit having a different outer diameter.
In regards to claims 6 and 16, Kluss further discloses a retaining clip (134) for securing the conduit gripping member in the base member.
In regards to claims 8 and 18, Kluss further discloses the conduit release member is
rotatable within the base member about a first axis (central axis).
In regards to claims 9 and 19, Kluss further discloses the conduit release member
moves up and down along the first axis as the conduit release member is rotated within the base
in clockwise and counterclockwise directions about the first axis (see column 11, lines 1-19).
In regards to claim 11, Kluss discloses a conduit receiving port removably attachable to
an electrical box, the conduit receiving port comprising:
a base member (131) comprising a plurality of conduit receiving portions (see top end in
fig. 11 and bottom end in fig. 11), each of the plurality of conduit receiving portions having a
different diameter each for receiving and holding a different diameter conduit;
a conduit gripping member (132) comprising at least one prong for securing at least one
of the different diameter conduits received and held in the conduit receiving portions; and
a conduit release member (145, 133) comprising a single member (145) rotatably connected to the base member and selectively operable to contact and displace the at least one prong for selectively releasing the conduit held in the conduit receiving portions (see column 11,
lines 1-19).
In regards to claims 10 and 20, Kluss further discloses the conduit release member
selectively displaces the at least one prong to release the conduit when the conduit release
member is rotated within the base in one of the clockwise and counterclockwise directions (see
column 11, lines 1-19).
In regards to claim 21, Kluss discloses a conduit receiving port removably attachable to
an electrical box, the conduit receiving port comprising:
a base member (131) comprising a plurality of conduit receiving portions, each of the
plurality of conduit receiving portions having a different diameter each for receiving and holding
a different diameter conduit (see top end and bottom end in fig. 11);
a conduit gripping member (132) comprising at least one prong for securing at least one
of the different diameter conduits received and held in the conduit receiving portions; and
a conduit release member (145, 133) comprising a single member (145) and selectively operable to displace the at least one prong for selectively releasing the conduit held in the conduit receiving portions, wherein the conduit release member is rotatably affixed to the base member such that rotation of the conduit release member in a first direction causes the conduit release member to move longitudinally toward the conduit gripping member displacing the at least one prong and releasing the gripping member from the at least one of the different diameter conduit and rotation of the conduit release member in a second direction different than the first direction causes the conduit release member to move longitudinally away from the conduit gripping member (see column 11, lines 1-19).
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
Claim 17 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kluss as applied to
claim 11 above, and further in view of Crompton.
In regards to claim 17, Kluss discloses the port of claim 11 and further discloses the at
least one prong comprises a plurality of sets of prongs.
Kluss does not disclose each of the plurality of sets of prongs being sized differently.
However, Crompton teaches a similar port with a gripping member (25) having a
plurality of sets of prongs (27A, 27B), each of the plurality of sets of prongs being sized
differently (see fig. 6).
It would have been obvious before the effective filing date to one of ordinary skill in the
art to provide the gripping member of Kluss with sets of prongs being sized differently, in order
to allow conduits of different diameters to be snugly retained in the port, as taught by Crompton
at column 6, line 60 - column 7, line 27.
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed 27 August 2026 regarding Kluss have been fully considered but they are not persuasive.
In response to applicant’s arguments regarding the amended language, it is first noted that claim 1 recites “comprising” which does not exclude additional elements from being included from the release member. Further the claim merely recites that the release member contains a single member, not that it contains “only” a single member. Also, the claim does not require the single member to perform all of the listed function as it merely states that the release member comprises and single member “and” that the release member performs all of the recited function. Alternatively, as shown in fig. 11, once the member “145” is applied to the coupling, it contacts the member “133” and the two pieces together then form a single member that function together. The same response also applies to the amended language in claims 11 and 21.
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 ZACHARY T DRAGICEVICH whose telephone number is (571)270-0505. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday 8:00 - 4:30 EST.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Matthew D. Troutman can be reached at (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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/ZACHARY T DRAGICEVICH/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3679
09/11/2026
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