DETAILED ACTION
This is the first office action for US Application 18/931,983 for a Support Sleeve for a Firefighting Accessory.
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 .
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.
Claim(s) 1-9 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by US 2005/0093294 to Anselmo et al. Regarding claim 1, Anselmo et al. discloses a support sleeve (18) that can be used with a firefighting accessory (14… a hose assembly is a firefighting accessory). The support sleeve comprises a tube (68) having a length that extends between a first and a second end, and the second end of the tube is configured to frictionally fit within a hose coupler (via the threads at 70… see figure 3 and paragraph 24, lines 1-3).
Regarding claim 2, the firefighting accessory can be a spray nozzle (the firefighting accessory is recited in the preamble and is not positively recited in the claim, and therefore the support sleeve only needs to be capable of use with a spray nozzle). Regarding claim 3, the firefighting accessory can be a fire hose (the firefighting accessory is recited in the preamble and is not positively recited in the claim, and therefore the support sleeve only needs to be capable of use with a fire hose).
Regarding claim 4, the firefighting accessory can be a fire hydrant (the firefighting accessory is recited in the preamble and is not positively recited in the claim, and therefore the support sleeve only needs to be capable of use with a fire hydrant). Regarding claim 5, the support sleeve comprises stainless steel (see paragraph 24, lines 10-12). Regarding claim 6, the support sleeve further comprises a shoulder feature (72).
Regarding claim 7, Anselmo et al. discloses support sleeve (18) that can be used with a firefighting accessory (14… a hose assembly is a firefighting accessory). The support sleeve comprises a tube (68) having a length that extends between a first and a second end. There is a shoulder feature (72), and the second end of the tube is configured to frictionally fit within a hose coupler having threaded connectors (via the threads at 70 engaging the threads of hose coupler 26… see figure 3 and paragraph 24, lines 1-3). The first end of the tube is configured to guide the threaded connectors of the hose coupler in alignment with threaded connectors of the firefighting accessory (see figures 1-3… the firefighting accessory is recited in the preamble and is not positively recited in the claim, and therefore the support sleeve only needs to be capable of use with a fire hose, but the tube can be guided by a user gripping the first end of 68 and aligning the support connector and a firefighting accessory).
Regarding claim 8, Anselmo et al. discloses support sleeve (18) that can be used with a firefighting accessory (14… a hose assembly is a firefighting accessory). The support sleeve comprises a tube (68) having a length that extends between a first and a second end. There is a shoulder feature (72), and the second end of the tube is configured to frictionally fit within a hose coupler (via the threads at 70 engaging the threads of hose coupler 26… see figure 3 and paragraph 24, lines 1-3). The first end of the tube is configured to guide the threaded connectors of the hose coupler in alignment with threaded connectors of the firefighting accessory (see figures 1-3… the firefighting accessory is recited in the preamble and is not positively recited in the claim, and therefore the support sleeve only needs to be capable of use with a fire hose, but the tube can be guided by a user gripping the first end of 68 and aligning the support connector and a firefighting accessory).
Regarding claim 9, Anselmo et al. discloses a support sleeve (18) that can be used with a firefight accessory. The support sleeve comprises a tube (68) having a length that extends between a first end and a second end, and wherein the first end of the tube is configured to frictionally fit with a hose coupler (via the threads at 70 engaging the threads of hose coupler 26… see figure 3 and paragraph 24, lines 1-3).
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
US 2009/0261580 to Zakrzewski
US 2010/0117355 to Lamontia
US 2022/0307630 to Ehrke
US 2015/0247598 to Bruckner
US 2008/0001400 to Winzeler
US 5145213 to Marrison
US 5536047 to Detable
US 4165106 to Gladden
The above prior art discloses various supports for hoses and other conduits.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to STEVEN M MARSH whose telephone number is (571)272-6819. The examiner can normally be reached Mon-Thurs 9 am-7:30 pm.
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, Terrell McKinnon can be reached at 571-272-4797. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Center and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about filing in DOCX format. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000.
STEVEN M. MARSH
Primary Examiner
Art Unit 3632
/STEVEN M MARSH/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3632