Appeal No. 95-2399
Application 08/061,669
1553, 220 USPQ at 311, 312-13, cert. denied, 469 U.S. 851 (1984).
We agree that Cammons teaches an optical element 70
shown in Figure 2, but the Examiner has failed to show that the
prior art suggested the desirability of the Examiner's proposed
modification of using adhesive to affix the optical element 70
to a connector plug end face. Furthermore, we find that Cammons
teaches in column 8, lines 17-44, that it is important that the
optical element 70 is not affixed but allowed to move in the
slot 61 so that there is freedom of longitudinal movement of the
optical element 70 which is needed in the connection and
disconnection of the plugs. Thus, Cammons suggests to those
skilled in the art not to fix the optical element 70 to the
connector plug end face.
We further note that the Examiner has not pointed to
any evidence that those skilled in the art would have reason to
make the modification. We are not inclined to dispense with
proof by evidence when the proposition at issue is not supported
by a teaching in a prior art reference or shown to be common
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