Appeal No. 1998-1079
Application No. 08/572,166
elements for the braided insulating sheath of Clouet, as
modified, in order to provide a long life performance to the
insulating sheath as taught by Kurzböck.
Appellant argues that Clouet is concerned with the
electrical continuity of the metal sheath elements and does
not suggest anything about a “protecting means,” as claimed.
As for the examiner’s reliance on Sawyer for the “protecting
means,” appellant contends that the braided elements B and D
of Sawyer, made of soft material such as cotton, India-rubber
and gutta-percha, are nothing more than insulators and cannot
act as “protecting means.” Appellant further argues that
Sawyer does not suggest an electromagnetic shielding system
comprising a network of metal sheath elements, as required by
claim 1. Still further, appellant contends that Sawyer
teaches nothing about a problem with abrasion caused by an
electromagnetic shielding system and so there would have been
no reason to add a protective element to Clouet’s bundle of
conductors. With regard to Kurzböck, appellant asserts that
this reference is directed to a rope and not an electrical
conductor and that this reference fails to teach a need to
protect the rope against frictional wear caused by one of its
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