Appeal No. 2003-1302
Application 09/035,478
terminal ends of the tubular body, and an intermediate annular
portion (4) disposed between the inner ends of the grooves (3).
The examiner contends that appellants’ “spilt sleeve preform
formable into a split sleeve” as recited in the claims on appeal
is structurally indistinguishable from the split sleeve component
seen in Figure 3 of Kooji, because the component in Figure 3 of
Kooji can be formed (i.e., is formable) into a split sleeve
(e.g., similar to that in Fig. 1 of Kooji) by merely severing the
end portions (14) adjacent the outer ends of the grooves (3).
Appellants’ arguments in the brief and reply brief with
regard to independent claims 9, 25 and 26 focus on the fact that
the component (E) seen in Figure 3 of Kooji is itself a split
sleeve adapter used for fitting rod members, such as optical
fibers, therein from respective ends to thereby effect abutment
of tip surfaces of the rod members against each other, and is not
specifically described as being a “preform” that is subsequently
formable into a split sleeve, as required by the appealed claims.
More particularly, appellants’ contend (e.g., brief, page 11, and
reply brief, page 5) that the annular portions (14) disposed at
respective ones of the terminal ends of the tubular body in Kooji
Figure 3 “are not severable (i.e., are not intended to be
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