Ex Parte Stipes - Page 4

                Appeal 2006-3339                                                                             
                Application 10/869,805                                                                       

                not disclose using a composite shield for twisted pair cables nor does it even               
                suggest that their invention could or should be used as a shield for individual              
                twisted pairs."  Appellant continues (Br. 8) that Dembiak's metal shield is                  
                not equivalent to that of Deitz.  Further, Appellant argues that Deitz does not              
                suggest that individual composite shields should be bonded, and Dembiak                      
                does not suggest shielding individually twisted pairs.  Accordingly,                         
                Appellant concludes that the combination would not have been obvious.                        
                      First, if Deitz taught that individual composite shields should be                     
                bonded and Dembiak taught shielding individually twisted pairs, the                          
                references each would have anticipated the claimed invention.  Since neither                 
                does anticipate the claimed invention, the question is whether the combined                  
                teachings would have rendered the claims obvious.  We find that they would                   
                have.                                                                                        
                      Second, Appellant is reading the teachings of the two references, but                  
                mostly of Dembiak, too narrowly.  Dembiak discloses (col. 1, ll. 51-55 and                   
                60-64) that communications cables require electrically conductive metal                      
                shields, generally formed of a metallic strip such as aluminum, to protect                   
                against external electrical signals.  Dembiak further discloses (col. 1, ll. 55-             
                59) that wrinkling or rupturing of the shield should be avoided.  Also,                      
                Dembiak teaches (col. 2, ll. 12-15) that the edges of the metal shield should                
                be overlapped and bonded to avoid slippage along the seam to enhance the                     
                effectiveness as a shield (as well as to create a more effective moisture                    
                barrier).  Dembiak (col. 2, ll. 32-37) uses adhesive to form the seal.  Since                
                the foil shield around an individually twisted pair in a high speed data cable               
                (like that disclosed by Deitz) is to prevent electronic interference (see                    
                Appellant's specification, page 1, lines 11-17) and the shield of Dembiak is                 

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