Appeal No. 1998-0861
Application No. 08/542,231
thereby join ends of electrical wires to a predefined torque
level. The polygonal-shaped elements deform upon application
of a torque greater than the predefined torque level in order
to prevent excessive torque from damaging the electrical wires
and the connector.
Claim 1 is illustrative of the claimed invention, and it
reads as follows:
1. A twist-on connector for joining ends of electrical
wires to a predefined torque level, wherein the connector
comprises a hollow body having an open end, a closed end, and
an outer surface extending between the open end and the closed
end, the outer surface having elements which form an external
polygonal shape for engagement by a tool to effect rotation of
the hollow body, wherein the elements deform upon application
of greater than the predefined torque level in order to
prevent excessive torque from damaging either or both of the
electrical wires and the connector.
The references relied on by the examiner are:
Swanson 4,288,657 Sep. 8,
1981
Williamson 5,148,727 Sep. 22,
1992
Blaha Des. 315,139 Mar. 5, 1991
Claims 1 through 6 and 9 through 19 stand rejected under
35 U.S.C. § 103(a) as being unpatentable over Swanson in view
of Williamson.
2
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