Interference No. 104,693
Preputnick v. Provencher
Weber patent) discloses use of complementary fastening portions
on modules or half-modules to secure two modules or half-modules
together. We note, in particular, the Kachlic patent, which
discloses a corresponding notch and recess on contiguous modules
which are each attached to a common housing. The notch and
recess form complementary fastening portions on modules, which
engage each other to secure the modules together. As is stated
in the Kachlic patent in column 8, lines 59-68:
Specifically, as seen in FIGS. 9 and 10, one side of
each encasement 110 is provided with a projecting boss
124 and the opposite side of each encasement is
provided with a complementarily shaped indented recess
126 (FIG. 10). The bosses and detents are
rectangularly shaped such that when the terminal
modules are juxtaposed in their side-by-side
relationship, the bosses of the modules project into
the recesses of adjacent modules, thereby locking all
the modules together.
Since modules 1 and 2 of Hashiguchi are inserted into the
housing in a mutually superposed state and remain superposed in a
contiguous relationship with the housing, Kachlic's teachings
about complementary fastening portions on contiguous modules
within a common housing provides motivation for doing the same
with Hashiguchi's modules 1 and 2. A prima facie case of
obviousness has been made with respect to Provencher's claim 17.
Provencher responds by arguing that Hashiguchi actually
teaches away from the step of securing the first and second
modules together by engaging complementary fastening portions.
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