Appeal No. 2002-0903
Application 09/359,916
of Locati or how the references themselves suggest such a
modification [brief, pages 7-8].
The examiner responds that Elliman teaches that threaded
tubular connections using multi-start threads are frequently used
as a well-known way to reduce mounting time. The examiner notes
that Elliman’s invention is related to electrical connectors and
that it is not necessary for Locati and Elliman to have the same
structural elements in order to provide Locati’s bushing with
multi-start threads as suggested by Elliman [answer, page 4].
Appellant responds that Elliman is not related to electrical
connectors, but instead, is directed to connectors for use with
optical fibers [reply brief, page 2].
We will sustain the examiner’s rejection of claim 4 based on
the teachings of Locati and Elliman. We agree with the examiner
that the only difference between claim 4 and the disclosure of
Locati is in the use of multi-start threads for the external
threads of the main body and the internal threads of the outer
bushing. Thus, the question before us is essentially the
question of whether it would have been obvious to the artisan to
use multi-start threads for the threads disclosed by Locati. We
find that Elliman is analogous art because the problems relating
to the connection of optical fibers are sufficiently related to
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