Appeal 2007-2577
Application 90/006,344
Prazoff, Chen, and Tsui all operate in the same field, providing linear
arrays of decorative or novelty lighting for indoor and outdoor use to
technically unsophisticated end-users.56 End-users would see the rope lights
of Prazoff and Chen and the joy light of Tsui as competing and largely
interchangeable solutions to indoor and outdoor decorative or novelty
lighting challenges. Moreover, Tsui's connectors are directly pertinent to the
problem both Prazoff and Chen face: how to provide an easily connected
(and disconnected), physically secure, fluid-tight connector for lighting
conductors.
Prazoff correctly notes that Tsui is directed to a power cord connected
to lamp-strings rather than rope lights in series.57 We note, however, that
Chen contemplates connection with either a power cord or other rope lights.
Prazoff faults the cited art for lacking an "explicit suggestion…to
substitute Tsui's sleeve and stopping ring for Chen's connector."58 This
omission is true, but not particularly relevant since explicit motivation to
combine has never been a requirement for obviousness.
Prazoff argues that Tsui uses the connectors for a different purpose.59
Let us assume for the sake of argument that Tsui's connection of lamp-
strings to a power cord differs meaningfully from Prazoff's connection of
rope lights to each other or from Chen's connection of a rope light to either a
56 Both Chen and Tsui identify Christmas lights as an application for their
inventions.
57 Br. 35-36. Tsui probably uses the independent locking sleeve 505 to
reduce the twisting forces generated between the power cord and the added
lamp-lights. Such twisting would be less of a problem between two short
rope lights in series, but would become a problem with longer rope lights (or
with many rope lights connected in series).
58 Br. 36.
59 Br. 37.
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