Appeal No. 97-0904
Application 08/105,699
Therefore, the rejection of claim 45 will be sustained. With
respect to claim 46, we enter a new rejection under 35 U.S.C.
§ 112, second paragraph.
We are in agreement with the examiner’s finding that Kennedy
discloses an electrical component, integrated circuit 22, which
includes at least one projection 21 extending therefrom, the
projection 21 providing electrical contact for the electrical
component. Kennedy further discloses a supporting means 16
having apertured means including square aperture 19 and spring
contact 12. Furthermore, we agree with the examiner that the
inwardly bowed sections of socket contacts 11 are shown in
conductive communication with electrical lead 21 and small up or
down movements of electrical lead 21 do not result in the bowed
portion losing contact with the lead 21. Therefore, in our view,
Kennedy inherently shows the apertured means is arranged to
accommodate movement of the projection during utilization of the
electrical component without discontinuity of the electrical
connection.
We further note neither the appellant nor the examiner has
raised any means-plus-function issues with respect to the
construction of the means terms in claims 45 and 46 vis á vis 35
U.S.C. § 112, sixth paragraph.
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