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 .
Election/Restrictions
Applicant’s election without traverse of group 1 in the reply filed on 8/28/2026 is acknowledged.
Claims 2-3, and 10-17 are withdrawn from further consideration pursuant to 37 CFR 1.142(b) as being drawn to a nonelected group, there being no allowable generic or linking claim. Election was made without traverse in the reply filed on 8/28/2026.
Claim Objections
Claim 18 objected to because of the following informalities:
Claim 8: The claim recites in part “…a respective connecting element…” However, antecedence for a “connecting element” has been established. For examining purposes, the claim is understood as reciting “the respective connecting element.
Claim 18: The claim recites in part “A system a press ring according to claim 1…” However, antecedence for a “press ring” has been established. For examining purposes, the claim is understood as reciting “the press ring according to claim 1…”
Appropriate correction is required.
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)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
(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, 4-8 and 18-19 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Bernstorf (US PG Pub No. 20070283741).
In regards to claim 1, Bernstorf discloses
a press ring (crimp press tool 10, fig. 1-4) for pressing a press fitting comprising:
at least two segments (upper jaw member 12, lower jaw member 14; fig. 1-4), wherein the at least two segments (upper jaw member 12, lower jaw member 14; fig. 1-4) are movably interconnected by
at least one connecting element (transverse pin 40, fig. 1-4; [0018]: pivotal connection), the at least two segments (upper jaw member 12, lower jaw member 14; fig. 1-4) being movable from an open position into a closed position; and
at least one adjustment element (biasing element 120; fig. 1-4; [0033]: coiled springs exert axial and torsional forces), wherein the at least one adjustment element (biasing element 120; fig. 1-4; [0033]: coiled springs exert axial and torsional forces) is designed to adjust the at least two segments (upper jaw member 12, lower jaw member 14; fig. 1-4) into any position between the open position and the closed position.
In regards to claim 4, Bernstorf discloses
the press ring according to claim 1, wherein the at least one adjustment element (biasing element 120; fig. 1-4; [0033]: coiled springs exert axial and torsional forces) is designed to generate an axial force along the at least one connecting element (transverse pin 40, fig. 1-4; [0018]: pivotal connection), and
wherein the axial force presses an axial surface of a first segment (upper jaw member 12, fig. 1-4) of the at least two segments (upper jaw member 12, lower jaw member 14; fig. 1-4) onto an axial surface of
a second segment (lower jaw member 14, fig. 1-4) of the at least two segments (upper jaw member 12, lower jaw member 14; fig. 1-4) in order to hold the two segments in the desired position by the friction of the first axial surface with the second axial surface (see fig. 2/4 – ann. 1).
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In regards to claim 5, Bernstorf discloses
the press ring according to claim 1, wherein the at least one adjustment element is arranged between (see fig. 2/4 – ann. 1; as the spring surrounds the transverse pin, and the jaws circumscribe the spring, the spring is between both) one of the at least two segments (upper jaw member 12, lower jaw member 14; fig. 1-4) and one end of the at least one connecting element (transverse pin 40, fig. 1-4; [0018]: pivotal connection).
In regards to claim 6, Bernstorf discloses
the press ring according to claim 1, wherein the at least one adjustment element (biasing element 120; fig. 1-4; [0033]) is arranged between (see fig. 2/4 – ann. 1) the at least two segments (upper jaw member 12, lower jaw member 14; fig. 1-4).
In regards to claim 7, Bernstorf discloses
the press ring according to claim 1, wherein the at least one adjustment element (biasing element 120; fig. 1-4; [0033]) is a spring element.
In regards to claim 8, Bernstorf discloses
the press ring according to claim 1, wherein the at least one adjustment element (biasing element 120; fig. 1-4; [0033]) at least partially surrounds [[a]]the respective connecting element (transverse pin 40, fig. 1-4; [0018]: pivotal connection).
In regards to claim 18, Bernstorf discloses
a system comprising [[a]]the press ring (crimp press tool 10, fig. 1-4) according to claim 1 and a pressing device having a drive.
In regards to claim 19, Bernstorf discloses
the press ring according to claim 7, wherein the at least one spring adjustment element (biasing element 120; fig. 1-4; [0033]) is selected from a plate spring, a compression spring ([0033]: being coiled places the spring in compression), a wave spring, a flat spring, an O-ring, or an elastomer.
Claim(s) 1 and 9 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Bowles (US PG Pub No. 20030230131).
In regards to claim 1, Bowles discloses
a press ring (crimp ring 10, fig. 3A-3C) for pressing a press fitting comprising:
at least two segments (first and second segments 11a and 11b), wherein the at least two segments are movably interconnected by
at least one connecting element (pivot pin 86, fig. 3A-3C; [0050-0051], [0054-0055]), the at least two segments being movable from an open position into a closed position; and
at least one adjustment element (tightening nut 87a; fig. 3A, 3C; [0055]), wherein the at least one adjustment element is designed to adjust the at least two segments ([0055]: By loosening the nut, an operator can adjust the location of pivot pin 86 in elongated apertures 82 and the position of serrated spacers 85 on serrated areas 83. By then tightening nut 87a, the operator can lock serrated spaces 85 against serrated areas 83 to couple pivot pin 86 to end 13a at the adjusted position in elongated apertures 82) into any position between the open position and the closed position.
In regards to claim 9, Bowles discloses
the press ring according to claim 1, wherein the at least one adjustment element is a screw element (tightening nut 87a, fig. 3A), and
wherein the screw element is detachably connected (threaded on, therefore removable; [0054]) to the at least one connecting element (transverse pin 40, fig. 1-4; [0018]: pivotal connection).
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to JASON KHALIL HAWKINS whose telephone number is (571)272-5446. The examiner can normally be reached M-F; 8-5PM.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Brian Keller can be reached at (571) 272-8548. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/JASON KHALIL HAWKINS/Examiner, Art Unit 3723
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