Appeal No. 1997-1331
Application 08/289,679
conductors 66, 68 which are not in electrical communication
and which are longitudinally spaced apart from each other”
(column 5, lines 3-8). Munroe explains that “[i]n accordance
with this invention, the line switch 10 will electrically
connect and bridge the two conductors 66, 68, or will
electrically disconnect and unbridge these two conductors”
(column 5, lines 8-11). This is accomplished by means of a
pair of electrically-conductive insulation piercing switch
terminals 90, 92 that make contact with the conductors 66, 68,
and an electrically conductive leaf spring 102 that may be
moved between a closed position wherein the leaf spring
electrically connects and bridges the terminals 90, 92 and an
open position wherein the leaf spring is disengaged from the
terminals 90, 92.
In that Munroe expressly calls for the wire to be
interrupted, as at zone 64, typically by cutting away a short
segment of the wire, the examiner’s view that Munroe may be
regarded as teaching continuous and uninterrupted conductors
because the wires thereof are continuous at locations leading
up to and away from the line switch is not well taken.
Accordingly, neither of the applied references disclose a pair
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