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 .
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.
Continued Examination Under 37 CFR 1.114
A request for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, including the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e), was filed in this application after final rejection. Since this application is eligible for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114. Applicant's submission filed on 05 January 2026 has been entered.
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 1-7 and 15, 18, 20-23 and 25 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-2, 4, and 7-10 of U.S. Patent No. 11,400,508. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because claims 1-7 and 15, 18, 20-23 and 25 of the instant application are anticipated or rendered obvious over claims 1-2, 4, and 7-10 of U.S. Patent 11,400,508 as set forth below.
Instant Application: 18/895,505
U.S. Patent 11,400,508
A swage machine, comprising:
a grab plate configured to interlock with a pipe fitting;
a support plate;
a die plate disposed between the grab plate and the support plate, wherein the die plate is configured to enable a die to be loaded in the swage machine such that the die opens away from the grab plate toward the support plate;
a support member secured to the grab plate and the support plate such that the support member enables the die plate to slide between the grab plate and the support plate; and
a swaging actuator secured the die plate to enable the swaging actuator to facilitate moving the die plate over a fitting jacket of the pipe fitting in an outwardly axial direction away from the grab plate toward the support plate to deform the fitting jacket of the pipe fitting around tubing of a pipe segment.
1. A swage machine comprising:
a grab plate, wherein the grab plate comprises a grab tab configured to matingly interlock with a grab notch on a pipe fitting to facilitate securing the swage machine to the pipe fitting;
a support plate;
a die plate disposed between the grab plate and the support plate, wherein the die plate is configured to enable a set of die segments to be loaded in the swage machine such that the set of die segments opens away from the grab plate;
a support member secured to the grab plate and the support plate such that the support member enables the die plate to slide between the grab plate and the support plate; and
a swaging actuator secured to the support plate and the die plate to enable the swaging actuator to facilitate pulling the die plate over a fitting jacket of the pipe fitting in an axial direction away from the grab plate via one or more retracting strokes to deform the fitting jacket of the pipe fitting around tubing of a pipe segment.
2. The swage machine of claim 1,
wherein the swaging actuator is configured to facilitate moving the die plate in the outwardly axial direction away from the grab plate toward the support plate using a retracting stroke
1. A swage machine comprising:
a grab plate, wherein the grab plate comprises a grab tab configured to matingly interlock with a grab notch on a pipe fitting to facilitate securing the swage machine to the pipe fitting;
a support plate;
a die plate disposed between the grab plate and the support plate, wherein the die plate is configured to enable a set of die segments to be loaded in the swage machine such that the set of die segments opens away from the grab plate;
a support member secured to the grab plate and the support plate such that the support member enables the die plate to slide between the grab plate and the support plate; and
a swaging actuator secured to the support plate and the die plate to enable the swaging actuator to facilitate pulling the die plate over a fitting jacket of the pipe fitting in an axial direction away from the grab plate via one or more retracting strokes to deform the fitting jacket of the pipe fitting around tubing of a pipe segment.
3. The swage machine of claim 1, wherein the support member comprises a support rod that extends through the die plate.
7. The swage machine of claim 1, wherein the support member comprises a support rod secured to the grab plate and the support plate such that the support rod extends through the die plate to enable the die plate to slide between the grab plate and the support plate.
4. The swage machine of claim 1, wherein the swaging actuator comprises:
an actuator cylinder secured to the support plate; and
an actuator piston secured to the die plate.
8. The swage machine of claim 1, wherein the swaging actuator comprises
an actuator cylinder secured to an inner surface of the support plate between the support plate and the die plate; and
an actuator piston secured to the die plate.
5. The swage machine of claim 4, wherein:
the actuator cylinder of the swaging actuator is secured to an outer surface of the support plate; and
the actuator piston of the swaging actuator extends through the support plate.
9. The swage machine of claim 1, wherein the swaging actuator comprises:
an actuator cylinder secured to an outer surface of the support plate; and
an actuator piston that extends through the support plate and is secured to the die plate.
6. The swage machine of claim 1, wherein the support member comprises a housing.
4. The swage machine of claim 1, wherein the support member comprises a housing secured to the grab plate and the support plate such that the housing enables the die plate to slide between the grab plate and the support plate.
7. The swage machine of claim 1, comprising a plurality of die actuators, wherein:
the die plate comprises a plate rim; and
each die actuator in the plurality of die actuators is secured between the plate rim of the die plate and a corresponding die segment in the set of die segments.
2. The swage machine of claim 1, comprising a plurality of die actuators, wherein:
the die plate comprises a plate rim frame; and
each die actuator in the plurality of die actuators is secured between the plate rim frame of the die plate and a die segment in the set of die segments, wherein the plurality of die actuators is configured to:
retract the set of die segments toward the plate rim frame of the die plate to facilitate loading the pipe fitting into the swage machine, unloading the pipe fitting from the swage machine, or both; and
extend the set of die segments away from the plate rim frame of the die plate to facilitate engaging the set of die segments with the fitting jacket of the pipe fitting to enable the set of die segments to be used to deform the fitting jacket of the pipe fitting around the tubing of the pipe segment.
15. A swage machine comprising:
a grab plate configured to interlock with a pipe fitting;
a support plate;
a die plate disposed between the grab plate and the support plate;
a die configured to be loaded in the die plate such that the die opens away from the grab plate toward the support plate and,
one or more swaging actuators configured to move the die plate over the pipe fitting in an outwardly axial direction away from the grab plate toward the support plate to deform the pipe fitting.
1. A swage machine comprising:
a grab plate, wherein the grab plate comprises a grab tab configured to matingly interlock with a grab notch on a pipe fitting to facilitate securing the swage machine to the pipe fitting;
a support plate;
a die plate disposed between the grab plate and the support plate, wherein the die plate is configured to enable a set of die segments to be loaded in the swage machine such that the set of die segments opens away from the grab plate;
a support member secured to the grab plate and the support plate such that the support member enables the die plate to slide between the grab plate and the support plate; and
a swaging actuator secured to the support plate and the die plate to enable the swaging actuator to facilitate pulling the die plate over a fitting jacket of the pipe fitting in an axial direction away from the grab plate via one or more retracting strokes to deform the fitting jacket of the pipe fitting around tubing of a pipe segment.
18. The swage machine of claim 15, wherein the swaging actuator is configured to:
move the die plate toward the support plate using a retracting stroke; and
move the die plate away from the support plate using an extending stroke.
2. A swage machine comprising:
a grab plate, wherein the grab plate comprises a grab tab configured to matingly interlock with a grab notch on a pipe fitting to facilitate securing the swage machine to the pipe fitting;
a support plate;
a die plate disposed between the grab plate and the support plate, wherein the die plate is configured to enable a set of die segments to be loaded in the swage machine such that the set of die segments opens away from the grab plate;
a support member secured to the grab plate and the support plate such that the support member enables the die plate to slide between the grab plate and the support plate; and
a swaging actuator secured to the support plate and the die plate to enable the swaging actuator to facilitate pulling the die plate over a fitting jacket of the pipe fitting in an axial direction away from the grab plate via one or more retracting strokes to deform the fitting jacket of the pipe fitting around tubing of a pipe segment;
wherein the swaging actuator is configured to facilitate pushing the die plate in an opposite axial direction toward the grab plate via one or more extending strokes after the fitting jacket of the pipe fitting is deformed around the tubing of the pipe segment.
20. The swage machine of claim 15, comprising
a support member secured to the grab plate and the support plate, wherein the die plate is configured to slide on the support member between the grab plate and the support plate.
1. A swage machine comprising:
a grab plate, wherein the grab plate comprises a grab tab configured to matingly interlock with a grab notch on a pipe fitting to facilitate securing the swage machine to the pipe fitting;
a support plate;
a die plate disposed between the grab plate and the support plate, wherein the die plate is configured to enable a set of die segments to be loaded in the swage machine such that the set of die segments opens away from the grab plate;
a support member secured to the grab plate and the support plate such that the support member enables the die plate to slide between the grab plate and the support plate; and
a swaging actuator secured to the support plate and the die plate to enable the swaging actuator to facilitate pulling the die plate over a fitting jacket of the pipe fitting in an axial direction away from the grab plate via one or more retracting strokes to deform the fitting jacket of the pipe fitting around tubing of a pipe segment.
21. The swage machine of claim 15, wherein the one or more swaging actuators each comprises: an actuator cylinder secured to the support plate; and an actuator piston secured to the die plate.
9. The swage machine of claim 1, wherein the swaging actuator comprises:
an actuator cylinder secured to an outer surface of the support plate; and
an actuator piston that extends through the support plate and is secured to the die plate.
22. The swage machine of claim 21, wherein: the actuator cylinder of each of the one or more swaging actuators is secured to an outer surface of the support plate; and the actuator piston of each of the one or more swaging actuators extends through the support plate.
9. The swage machine of claim 1, wherein the swaging actuator comprises:
an actuator cylinder secured to an outer surface of the support plate; and
an actuator piston that extends through the support plate and is secured to the die plate.
23. The swage machine of claim 15, comprising: another support plate; another die plate disposed between the grab plate and the another support plate; another die configured to be loaded in the another die plate; and another one or more swaging actuators, wherein: the one or more swaging actuator are configured to move the die plate over a first side of the pipe fitting to deform the first side of the pipe fitting; and the another one or more swaging actuators are configured to move the another die plate over a second side of the pipe fitting to deform the second side of the pipe fitting.
10. The swage machine of claim 1, comprising: another support plate; another die plate disposed between the grab plate and the another support plate, wherein: the another die plate is configured to enable another set of die segments to be loaded in the swage machine such that another set of die segments opens away from the grab plate; and the support member is secured to the grab plate and the another support plate such that the support member enables the another die plate to slide between the grab plate and the another support plate; and another swaging actuator secured to the another die plate and the another support plate to enable the another swaging actuator to facilitate pulling the another die plate over another fitting jacket of the pipe fitting in an opposite axial direction toward the grab plate via one or more retracting strokes to deform the another fitting jacket of the pipe fitting around other tubing of another pipe segment.
25. The swage machine of claim 1, comprising: another support plate; another die plate disposed between the grab plate and the another support plate, wherein the another die plate is configured to enable another die to be loaded in the swage machine; another support member secured to the grab plate and the another support plate such that the another support member enables the another die plate to slide between the grab plate and the another support plate; and another swaging actuator secured to the another die plate to enable the another swaging actuator to facilitate moving the another die plate over another fitting jacket of the pipe fitting to deform the another fitting jacket of the pipe fitting around another tubing of another pipe segment.
10. The swage machine of claim 1, comprising: another support plate; another die plate disposed between the grab plate and the another support plate, wherein: the another die plate is configured to enable another set of die segments to be loaded in the swage machine such that another set of die segments opens away from the grab plate; and the support member is secured to the grab plate and the another support plate such that the support member enables the another die plate to slide between the grab plate and the another support plate; and another swaging actuator secured to the another die plate and the another support plate to enable the another swaging actuator to facilitate pulling the another die plate over another fitting jacket of the pipe fitting in an opposite axial direction toward the grab plate via one or more retracting strokes to deform the another fitting jacket of the pipe fitting around other tubing of another pipe segment.
Claims 1-5, 7, 15 and 21-22 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-2, 6 and 8 of U.S. Patent No. 11,648,602. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because claims 1-5, 7, 15 and 21-22 of the instant application are anticipated or rendered obvious over claims 1-2, 6 and 8 of U.S. Patent 11,648,602 as set forth below.
Instant Application: 18/895,505
U.S. Patent 11,648,602
A swage machine, comprising:
a grab plate configured to interlock with a pipe fitting;
a support plate;
a die plate disposed between the grab plate and the support plate, wherein the die plate is configured to enable a die to be loaded in the swage machine such that the die opens away from the grab plate toward the support plate; a support member secured to the grab plate and the support plate such that the support member enables the die plate to slide between the grab plate and the support plate; and
a swaging actuator secured the die plate to enable the swaging actuator to facilitate moving the die plate over a fitting jacket of the pipe fitting in an outwardly axial direction away from the grab plate toward the support plate to deform the fitting jacket of the pipe fitting around tubing of a pipe segment.
1. A swage machine comprising:
a grab plate configured to interlock with a pipe fitting;
a support plate;
a die plate disposed between the grab plate and the support plate, wherein the die plate is configured to enable a set of die segments to be loaded in the swage machine;
a support rod secured to the grab plate and the support plate such that the support rod extends through the die plate; and a swaging actuator, wherein the swaging actuator comprises: an actuator cylinder secured to the support plate; and an actuator piston secured to the die plate.
2. The swage machine of claim 1, wherein
the die plate is configured to enable the set of die segments to be loaded in the swage machine such that the set of die segments opens away from the grab plate.
8. The swage machine of claim 1, wherein
the die plate is configured to enable the set of die segments to be loaded in the swage machine such that the set of die segments opens away from the grab plate.
3. The swage machine of claim 1, wherein
the support member comprises a support rod that extends through the die plate.
1. A swage machine comprising:
a grab plate configured to interlock with a pipe fitting;
a support plate;
a die plate disposed between the grab plate and the support plate, wherein the die plate is configured to enable a set of die segments to be loaded in the swage machine;
a support rod secured to the grab plate and the support plate such that the support rod extends through the die plate; and a swaging actuator, wherein the swaging actuator comprises: an actuator cylinder secured to the support plate; and an actuator piston secured to the die plate.
4. The swage machine of claim 1, wherein the swaging actuator comprises:
an actuator cylinder secured to the support plate; and
an actuator piston secured to the die plate.
1. A swage machine comprising:
a grab plate configured to interlock with a pipe fitting;
a support plate;
a die plate disposed between the grab plate and the support plate, wherein the die plate is configured to enable a set of die segments to be loaded in the swage machine;
a support rod secured to the grab plate and the support plate such that the support rod extends through the die plate; and a swaging actuator, wherein the swaging actuator comprises: an actuator cylinder secured to the support plate; and an actuator piston secured to the die plate.
5. The swage machine of claim 4, wherein:
the actuator cylinder of the swaging actuator is secured to an outer surface of the support plate; and
the actuator piston of the swaging actuator extends through the support plate.
6. The swage machine of claim 1, wherein:
the actuator cylinder of the swaging actuator is secured to an outer surface of the support plate; and
the actuator piston of the swaging actuator extends through the support plate.
7. The swage machine of claim 1, comprising a plurality of die actuators, wherein:
the die plate comprises a plate rim; and
each die actuator in the plurality of die actuators is secured between the plate rim of the die plate and a corresponding die segment in the set of die segments.
2. The swage machine of claim 1, comprising a plurality of die actuators, wherein:
the die plate comprises a plate rim; and
each die actuator in the plurality of die actuators is secured between the plate rim of the die plate and a corresponding die segment in the set of die segments.
15. A swage machine comprising:
a grab plate configured to interlock with a pipe fitting;
a support plate;
a die plate disposed between the grab plate and the support plate;
a die configured to be loaded in the die plate such that the die opens away from the grab plate toward the support plate and,
one or more swaging actuators configured to move the die plate over the pipe fitting in an outwardly axial direction away from the grab plate toward the support plate to deform the pipe fitting.
8. A swage machine comprising:
a grab plate configured to interlock with a pipe fitting;
a support plate;
a die plate disposed between the grab plate and the support plate, wherein the die plate is configured to enable a set of die segments to be loaded in the swage machine;
a support rod secured to the grab plate and the support plate such that the support rod extends through the die plate; and a swaging actuator, wherein the swaging actuator comprises: an actuator cylinder secured to the support plate; and an actuator piston secured to the die plate wherein
the die plate is configured to enable the set of die segments to be loaded in the swage machine such that the set of die segments opens away from the grab plate.
21. The swage machine of claim 15, wherein the one or more swaging actuators each comprises: an actuator cylinder secured to the support plate; and an actuator piston secured to the die plate.
1. A swage machine comprising:
a grab plate configured to interlock with a pipe fitting;
a support plate;
a die plate disposed between the grab plate and the support plate, wherein the die plate is configured to enable a set of die segments to be loaded in the swage machine;
a support rod secured to the grab plate and the support plate such that the support rod extends through the die plate; and a swaging actuator, wherein the swaging actuator comprises: an actuator cylinder secured to the support plate; and an actuator piston secured to the die plate.
22. The swage machine of claim 21, wherein: the actuator cylinder of each of the one or more swaging actuators is secured to an outer surface of the support plate; and the actuator piston of each of the one or more swaging actuators extends through the support plate.
6. The swage machine of claim 1, wherein:
the actuator cylinder of the swaging actuator is secured to an outer surface of the support plate; and
the actuator piston of the swaging actuator extends through the support plate.
Claims 1-7, 15 and 20-22 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-6 of U.S. Patent No. 12,128,469 Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because claims 1-7, 15 and 20-22 of the instant application are anticipated or rendered obvious over claims 1-6 of U.S. Patent 12,128,469 as set forth below.
Instant Application: 18/895,505
U.S. Patent 12,128,469
1. A swage machine, comprising:
a grab plate configured to interlock with a pipe fitting;
a support plate;
a die plate disposed between the grab plate and the support plate, wherein the die plate is configured to enable a die to be loaded in the swage machine such that the die opens away from the grab plate toward the support plate;
a support member secured to the grab plate and the support plate such that the support member enables the die plate to slide between the grab plate and the support plate; and
a swaging actuator secured the die plate to enable the swaging actuator to facilitate moving the die plate over a fitting jacket of the pipe fitting in an outwardly axial direction away from the grab plate toward the support plate to deform the fitting jacket of the pipe fitting around tubing of a pipe segment.
1. A swage machine comprising:
a grab plate configured to interlock with a pipe fitting;
a support plate;
a die plate disposed between the grab plate and the support plate, wherein the die plate is configured to enable a set of die segments to be loaded in the swage machine such that the set of die segments opens away from the support plate;
a support member secured to the grab plate and the support plate, wherein the die plate is configured to slide on the support member between the grab plate and the support plate; and
a swaging actuator secured to the support plate and the die plate.
2. The swage machine of claim 1, wherein
wherein the swaging actuator is configured to facilitate moving the die plate in the outwardly axial direction away from the grab plate toward the support plate using a retracting stroke
1. A swage machine comprising:
a grab plate configured to interlock with a pipe fitting;
a support plate;
a die plate disposed between the grab plate and the support plate, wherein the die plate is configured to enable a set of die segments to be loaded in the swage machine such that the set of die segments opens away from the support plate;
a support member secured to the grab plate and the support plate, wherein the die plate is configured to slide on the support member between the grab plate and the support plate; and
a swaging actuator secured to the support plate and the die plate.
3. The swage machine of claim 1, wherein the support member comprises a support rod that extends through the die plate.
4. The swage machine of claim 1, wherein the support member comprises a support rod that extends through the die plate.
4. The swage machine of claim 1, wherein the swaging actuator comprises:
an actuator cylinder secured to the support plate; and
an actuator piston secured to the die plate.
2. The swage machine of claim 1, wherein the swaging actuator comprises:
an actuator cylinder secured to the support plate; and
an actuator piston secured to the die plate.
5. The swage machine of claim 4, wherein:
the actuator cylinder of the swaging actuator is secured to an outer surface of the support plate; and
the actuator piston of the swaging actuator extends through the support plate.
3. The swage machine of claim 2, wherein:
the actuator cylinder of the swaging actuator is secured to an outer surface of the support plate; and
the actuator piston of the swaging actuator extends through the support plate.
6. The swage machine of claim 1, wherein the support member comprises a housing.
5. The swage machine of claim 1, wherein the support member comprises a housing.
7. The swage machine of claim 1, comprising a plurality of die actuators, wherein:
the die plate comprises a plate rim; and
each die actuator in the plurality of die actuators is secured between the plate rim of the die plate and a corresponding die segment in the set of die segments.
6. The swage machine of claim 1, comprising a plurality of die actuators, wherein:
the die plate comprises a plate rim; and
each die actuator in the plurality of die actuators is secured between the plate rim of the die plate and a corresponding die segment in the set of die segments.
15. A swage machine comprising:
a grab plate configured to interlock with a pipe fitting;
a support plate;
a die plate disposed between the grab plate and the support plate;
a die configured to be loaded in the die plate such that the die opens away from the grab plate toward the support plate and,
one or more swaging actuators configured to move the die plate over the pipe fitting in an outwardly axial direction away from the grab plate toward the support plate to deform the pipe fitting.
1. A swage machine comprising:
a grab plate configured to interlock with a pipe fitting;
a support plate;
a die plate disposed between the grab plate and the support plate, wherein the die plate is configured to enable a set of die segments to be loaded in the swage machine such that the set of die segments opens away from the support plate;
a support member secured to the grab plate and the support plate, wherein the die plate is configured to slide on the support member between the grab plate and the support plate; and
a swaging actuator secured to the support plate and the die plate.
20. The swage machine of claim 15, comprising a support member secured to the grab plate and the support plate, wherein the die plate is configured to slide on the support member between the grab plate and the support plate.
1. A swage machine comprising:
a grab plate configured to interlock with a pipe fitting;
a support plate;
a die plate disposed between the grab plate and the support plate, wherein the die plate is configured to enable a set of die segments to be loaded in the swage machine such that the set of die segments opens away from the support plate;
a support member secured to the grab plate and the support plate, wherein the die plate is configured to slide on the support member between the grab plate and the support plate; and
a swaging actuator secured to the support plate and the die plate.
21. The swage machine of claim 15, wherein the one or more swaging actuators each comprises: an actuator cylinder secured to the support plate; and an actuator piston secured to the die plate.
2. The swage machine of claim 1, wherein the swaging actuator comprises:
an actuator cylinder secured to the support plate; and
an actuator piston secured to the die plate.
22. The swage machine of claim 21, wherein: the actuator cylinder of each of the one or more swaging actuators is secured to an outer surface of the support plate; and the actuator piston of each of the one or more swaging actuators extends through the support plate.
3. The swage machine of claim 2, wherein:
the actuator cylinder of the swaging actuator is secured to an outer surface of the support plate; and
the actuator piston of the swaging actuator extends through the support plate.
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments, see Applicant Arguments/Remarks Made in an Amendment, filed 05 January 2026, with respect to the previous prior art rejections have been fully considered and are persuasive. The previous prior art rejections have been withdrawn.
Applicant’s arguments, see Applicant Arguments/Remarks Made in an Amendment, filed 05 January 2026, with respect to the double patenting rejections have been fully considered and are not persuasive. The previous double patenting rejections have been maintained.
Applicant’s arguments, see Applicant Arguments/Remarks Made in an Amendment, filed 05 January 2026, with respect to a potential rejoinder of method claims have been fully considered and are not persuasive. Applicant’s method claims have not been examined for patentability and do not depend from an allowable claim.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 24 and 26 are objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but would be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims.
The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter:
Claim 24:
The prior art of record fails to disclose or fairly suggest the swage machine of claim 23, wherein: the another die is configured to be loaded in the another die plate such that the another die opens away from the grab plate toward the another support plate; and the another one or more swaging actuator are configured to move the another die plate over the second side of the pipe fitting in another outwardly axial direction away from the grab plate toward the another support plate using another retracting stroke to deform the second side of the pipe fitting.
Claim 26:
The prior art of record fails to disclose or fairly suggest the swage machine of claim 25, wherein: the another die plate is configured to enable the another die to be loaded in the swage machine such that the another die opens away from the grab plate toward the another support plate; and the another swaging actuator is configured to move the another die plate over the another fitting jacket of the pipe fitting in another outwardly axial direction away from the grab plate toward the another support plate using another retracting stroke to deform the another fitting jacket of the pipe fitting around the another tubing of the another pipe segment.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Gleim (US 8,631,553 B2) discloses a tube splicing machine.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Lee Holly whose telephone number is (571)270-7097. The examiner can normally be reached Monday - Friday 8:00 to 5:00 EST.
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/Lee A Holly/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3726