Ex Parte Sommovigo et alDownload PDFPatent Trial and Appeal BoardFeb 19, 201412325111 (P.T.A.B. Feb. 19, 2014) Copy Citation UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARKOFFICE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE United States Patent and Trademark Office Address: COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS P.O. Box 1450 Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450 www.uspto.gov APPLICATION NO. FILING DATE FIRST NAMED INVENTOR ATTORNEY DOCKET NO. CONFIRMATION NO. 12/325,111 11/28/2008 Christopher Sommovigo 6117.102CIP 1889 60717 7590 02/19/2014 LAWRENCE R. OREMLAND, P.C. 5055 E. BROADWAY BLVD. SUITE C-214 TUCSON, AZ 85711 EXAMINER TA, THO DAC ART UNIT PAPER NUMBER 2833 MAIL DATE DELIVERY MODE 02/19/2014 PAPER Please find below and/or attached an Office communication concerning this application or proceeding. The time period for reply, if any, is set in the attached communication. PTOL-90A (Rev. 04/07) UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE ____________ BEFORE THE PATENT TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD ____________ Ex parte CHRISTOPHER SOMMOVIGO and STUART L. MARCUS ____________ Appeal 2011-011558 Application 12/325,111 Technology Center 2800 ____________ Before EDWARD C. KIMLIN, TERRY J. OWENS, and ROMULO H. DELMENDO, Administrative Patent Judges. KIMLIN, Administrative Patent Judge. DECISION ON APPEAL This is an appeal from the final rejection of claims 1-5. We have jurisdiction under 35 U.S.C. § 6(b). Claim 1 is illustrative: 1. Electrical connector structure comprising: (a) a pair of connector members that are configured to be coupled together, to produce an electrical connection; (b) the pair of connector members configured such that a portion of one connector member is located inside a portion of the other connector member when the pair of connector members are coupled together, (c) one connector member having one or more contact ridges configured to make electrical contact with a substantially smooth contact surface portion at an opening of the other connector when the pair of Appeal 2011-011558 Application 12/325,111 2 connector members are coupled together, the pair of connector members further configured such that contact between the pair of connector members occurs substantially at the opening, and the remaining portions of the connector members are substantially spaced from each other, so that contact between the pair of connector members is provided substantially at the opening between the contact ridges and the substantially smooth surface, and the remaining portions of the connector members are substantially spaced from each other. The Examiner relies upon the following references as evidence of obviousness: Oshima et al. (Oshima) U.S. 3,281,760 Oct. 25, 1966 Jacobsson U.S. 6,186,841 B1 Feb. 13, 2001 Appellants' claimed invention is directed to an electrical connector comprising male and female members wherein the male member has one or more contact ridges configured to make electrical contact with a smooth contact surface of the female member. The male and female members are configured such that contact between them occurs substantially only at the opening of the female member and the remaining portions of the members are substantially spaced from each other. Appealed claims 1-5 stand rejected under 35 U.S.C. §103(a) as being unpatentable over Jacobsson in view of Oshima. We have thoroughly reviewed each of Appellants' arguments for patentability. However, we are in complete agreement with the Examiner that the claimed subject matter would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art within the meaning of § 103 in view of the applied prior art. Accordingly, we will sustain the Examiner's rejection for essentially those Appeal 2011-011558 Application 12/325,111 3 reasons expressed in the Answer, and we add the following primarily for emphasis. Appellants do not separately argue any particular claim on appeal. Accordingly, all the appealed claims stand or fall together with claim 1. There is no dispute that Jacobsson, like Appellants, discloses an electrical connector wherein contact is made only at the opening of the female member such that the remaining portions of the members are substantially spaced from each other. As acknowledged by the Examiner, the male member of Jacobsson does not comprise contact ridges. However, Oshima evidences that it was known in the art to employ contact ridges on the male member of an electrical connector, which ridges provide electrical contact with the female member at the opening. Accordingly, we are in complete agreement with the Examiner that it would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art to modify the male member of Jacobsson by providing contact ridges which provide contact only at the opening of the female member. We are not persuaded by Appellants' argument that Oshima teaches away from providing contact only at the opening of the female member. It is Jacobsson that teaches such limited contact and Oshima discloses that it was known in the art to have limited contact between the male and female members of an electrical connector at the location of a kerf. Accordingly, we are satisfied that one of ordinary skill in the art would have found it obvious to select either alternative of having contact only at the opening or throughout the length of the male member. We note that Appellants' ridged member, like Oshima's, has the ridges extending along the length of the Appeal 2011-011558 Application 12/325,111 4 member. Also, Appellants have proffered no objective evidence which establishes unexpected results attached to an electrical connector comprising a ridged male member contacting only the opening of the female member. In the absence of such evidence, the prima facie case of obviousness established by the Examiner stands unrebutted. In conclusion, based on the foregoing and the reasons well stated by the Examiner, the Examiner’s decision rejecting the appealed claims is affirmed. The decision of the Examiner is affirmed. No time period for taking any subsequent action in connection with this appeal may be extended under 37 C.F.R. § 1.136(a)(1)(iv). AFFIRMED cam Copy with citationCopy as parenthetical citation