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 § 102
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) 15-18 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by US 6106029, DeMore.
In regards to claim 15, in Figures 3-6 and paragraphs detailing said figures, DeMore discloses a retainer gland for securing a pipe joint, the retainer gland comprising: an outer securement ring (24, 25) having a periphery and a plurality of fastener flanges in spaced relation about the periphery, each of the fastener flanges having a mounting hole therethrough; and an inner gripper ring (22) configured to be disposed within the outer securement ring, the inner gripper ring having a base (40) and a plurality of gripper fingers (52) disposed circumferentially about the base and extending from the base, each gripper finger including a gripper tooth (54) for engaging a pipe each gripper tooth having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface intersecting the second surface to form a tip, the first surface and the second surface angled such that the tip is directed radially inward, each gripper finger having a radially inward facing concavity between the base and a respective gripper tooth.
In regards to claim 16, in Figures 3-6 and paragraphs detailing said figures, DeMore discloses a retainer gland for securing a pipe joint, the retainer gland comprising: an outer securement ring having a periphery and a plurality of fastener flanges in spaced relation about the periphery, each of the fastener flanges having a mounting hole therethrough; an inner gripper ring configured to be disposed within the outer securement ring, the inner gripper ring having a base and a plurality of gripper fingers disposed circumferentially about the base and extending from the base; and a stop (see Fig. 2 below) extending radially outwardly from a radially outward facing wall of the inner gripper ring, the stop having a greater outermost diameter than an innermost diameter of the outer securement ring, each gripper finger including a wall, each wall angled radially inward from the stop to an end of the respective finger opposite the base.
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In regards to claim 17, in Figures 3-6 and paragraphs detailing said figures, DeMore discloses a retainer gland for securing a pipe joint, the retainer gland comprising: an outer securement ring having a periphery and a plurality of fastener flanges in spaced relation about the periphery, each of the fastener flanges having a mounting hole therethrough; and an inner gripper ring configured to be disposed within the outer securement ring, the inner gripper ring having a base, and a plurality of gripper fingers disposed circumferentially about the base and extending from the base, each gripper finger having a tip distal from the base, each gripper finger including a gripper tooth for engaging a pipe, each gripper tooth located closer to the tip than the base, a radially innermost surface of the outer securement ring configured to press radially inwardly into each gripper finger at each gripper tooth.
In regards to claim 18, in Figures 3-6 and paragraphs detailing said figures, DeMore discloses a retainer gland for securing a pipe joint, the retainer gland comprising: an outer securement ring having a periphery and a plurality of fastener flanges in spaced relation about the periphery, each of the fastener flanges having a mounting hole therethrough; and an inner gripper ring configured to be disposed within the outer securement ring, the inner gripper ring having a base and a plurality of gripper fingers disposed circumferentially about the base and extending from the base, each gripper finger having a wall (near 42) and a securement ring engagement portion (48) that projects radially outward from the wall.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-14 are allowed.
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments with respect to claim(s) above have been considered but are moot because the new ground of rejection does not rely on any reference applied in the prior rejection of record for any teaching or matter specifically challenged in the argument.
Conclusion
Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). 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 AARON M DUNWOODY whose telephone number is (571)272-7080. The examiner can normally be reached Monday - Friday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Matthew 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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/AARON M DUNWOODY/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3679