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 .
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
Claims 1-11 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention.
The following claims are vague, indefinite, awkwardly, confusingly worded and/or lacking proper antecedent basis:
“designed” in claims 1, 6-8, and 10. The terms is narrative because all inventions parts and elements are designed. The term does not add anything because what is the part and how is the part configured. This is indefinite.
“preferably” in claim 6. This term does not definitely recite the limitation. This term is vague and indefinite.
“if necessary” in claim 6. This term does not definitely recite the limitation. This term is vague and indefinite.
“preferably, optionally,” in claim 11. This term does not definitely recite the limitation. This term is vague and indefinite. Optionally allows the limitation to be read out of the claim.
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) 1-11 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a1) as being anticipated by Morano III et al 11629804.
Morano III et al disclose the claimed invention as recited in the claims as shown below:
A clamping ring for a fitting for a connection with a pipe (workpiece in Background/summary Col. 1, line 10),
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with a plurality of ring elements 1000 &2000,
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wherein the ring elements are designed to hold and/or fix a pipe to be
inserted, wherein
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at least one ring element is designed as an inhibiting element 3000 with a
radially inwardly directed cam 3000,
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the cam is elastically (see material elastic Col. 9, lines 20-22 )deformable outwards in the radial direction, and
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the cam has a radially inwardly directed curved surface.
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The clamping ring according to claim 1, wherein
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the cam is inclined at an angle of less than 90° to the axis of the pipe to
be inserted in the direction of insertion of the pipe. See Fig.6
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3. The clamping ring according to claim 1, wherein
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at least three inhibiting elements with cams are provided and
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the cams form a diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the pipe
to be inserted on the radially inward side. See Fig.6
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The clamping ring according to claim 1, wherein
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in that a plurality of hinge elements 4000 is provided for pivotably
connecting two ring elements in each case,
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in that the ring elements have a strip shape by means of the hinge
elements, and
the ring elements can assume a flat shape or a laterally open ring
shape.
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5.The clamping ring according to claim 1, wherein
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the ring elements are formed in one piece as a ring open on one side. Once the clamp is closed it forms one piece
6.The clamping ring according to claim 1, wherein
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the ring elements are partially designed as holding elements and
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the holding elements have radially inwardly directed, preferably
elastically designed guiding elements for centering and, if necessary, holding a pipe to be inserted. See Fig.6
7.The clamping ring according to claim 1, wherein
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the ring elements are partially designed as fixing elements and
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the fixing elements each have at least one cutting element 7000 & 8000 for fixing a
pipe to be inserted.
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8.The clamping ring according to claim 1, wherein
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a part of the ring elements are designed as holding elements and/or
a part of the ring elements are designed as fixing elements and/or a part of the ring
elements are designed as inhibiting elements. See Fig.6
9.A fitting for a connection with a pipe (workpiece in Background/summary Col. 1, line 10),
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with a base body 400,
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with a stop element 5000 formed in the base body on the circumference and
projecting inwards,
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with a pressing sleeve 6000 connected to the base body, the pressing sleeve
having a chamber inside area of pressing sleeve directed inwards towards the pipe to be received,
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with a clamping ring arranged in the chamber, the clamping ring
consisting of a plastic and having a plurality of ring elements, and
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with a sealing element,
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wherein the pressing sleeve is suitable for sealing the pipe to be
connected together with the clamping ring and the sealing element, wherein
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that the clamping ring is designed according to claim 1.
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10. A system for connecting a fitting to a pipe (workpiece in Background/summary Col. 1, line 10),
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wherein the fitting is designed according to claim 9,
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wherein the amount of the pull-out force is greater than the amount of
the push-in force for pushing the pipe into the fitting.
11.The system according to claim 10, wherein
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the amount of the pull-out force is preferably at least 20%, optionally
at least 50%, preferably at least 80% and in particular at least 100% greater than the push- in force. These are all optional metric that can or cannot be selected.
Claim(s) 1-11 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a1) as being anticipated by DE 10 2022 116 679 A1 2024. 01.11 (Admitted Prior Art) .
The German patent has a filed date 5/7/2022 that is before 11/22/2023 DE 10 2022 116 679 A1 2024. 01.11 (Admitted Prior Art) disclose the claimed invention as recited in the claims as shown by this reference which is the same as the applicant invention since it is a prior reference of the applicant which is prior art against the invention due to dates. All of the claims are anticipated by this reference along with the drawings being the same.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. The 892 form discloses prior art being made of record.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to LEE D WILSON whose telephone number is (571)272-4499. The examiner can normally be reached M-TH 6;30-4;30.
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, 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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LEE D. WILSON
Examiner
Art Unit 3723
Ldw
/LEE D WILSON/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3723 September 13, 2026
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