Appeal No. 96-0555
Application No. 08/156,741
Claim 8 is directed to a connection system which includes
first and second mateable connector assemblies, the first of
which is provided with a plurality of pin contacts and the
second having sockets for receiving pins. The front end of
the first assembly has a layer of elastomeric material, and
the pins project through and forward of the elastomeric
material. The "characterized by" portion of claim 8 requires
that the second connector have a front portion forming
passages "which are tapered to guide said pin-type front ends
into said sockets," and that it be formed of rigid material.
Vrobel discloses a cable connector that incorporates some
of the components described in claim 8. The examiner points
to unnumbered tapered portions in the face of ceramic insert
40 as being the tapered entrances to passages which receive
pins 34. However, this face is deep within the device and
would not appear to be in need of additional sealing
protection. This being the case, we fail to perceive any
teaching, suggestion or incentive which would have led one of
ordinary skill in the art to install an elastomeric material
on the face of member 22, from which the pins protrude.
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