Appeal No. 2003-2098 Page 9
Application No. 09/833,978
Our decision
We agree with the examiner that claim 1 does not require a ground plug
mechanism. Accordingly, we find the appellant's argument not commensurate in scope
to the claimed subject matter. Moreover, claim 1 is readable on Freeman as follows:
An electrical interrupt switch (Freeman's adapter 10) for allowing disconnection of
electrical plug-connected equipment (Freeman's electrical device 46) without removing
an electrical plug from a receptacle, said switch comprising: a 120 VAC plug at a first
end (Freeman's prongs 17 and 18); a corresponding receptacle (Freeman's recesses
27 and 28 and contact elements 19 and 20) at a second end for allowing connection of
an electrical power cord, said receptacle in rigid mechanical contact with said plug
(Freeman's recesses 27 and 28 and contact elements 19 and 20 are in rigid mechanical
contact with prongs 17 and 18); and a rocker switch that allows a user to interrupt flow
of electrical current (Freeman's finger operable member 41 together with toggle
member 36 allows a user to interrupt flow of electrical current).
Since all the limitations of claim 1 are disclosed in Freeman for the reasons set
forth above, the decision of the examiner to reject claim 1 under 35 U.S.C. § 102(b) is
affirmed.
Page: Previous 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Next
Last modified: November 3, 2007