Appeal No. 1998-0861 Application No. 08/542,231 thereby join ends of electrical wires to a predefined torque level. The polygonal-shaped elements deform upon application of a torque greater than the predefined torque level in order to prevent excessive torque from damaging the electrical wires and the connector. Claim 1 is illustrative of the claimed invention, and it reads as follows: 1. A twist-on connector for joining ends of electrical wires to a predefined torque level, wherein the connector comprises a hollow body having an open end, a closed end, and an outer surface extending between the open end and the closed end, the outer surface having elements which form an external polygonal shape for engagement by a tool to effect rotation of the hollow body, wherein the elements deform upon application of greater than the predefined torque level in order to prevent excessive torque from damaging either or both of the electrical wires and the connector. The references relied on by the examiner are: Swanson 4,288,657 Sep. 8, 1981 Williamson 5,148,727 Sep. 22, 1992 Blaha Des. 315,139 Mar. 5, 1991 Claims 1 through 6 and 9 through 19 stand rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 103(a) as being unpatentable over Swanson in view of Williamson. 2Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 NextLast modified: November 3, 2007