Appeal 2007-0720
Application 10/410,993
Appellants, the connector includes a plurality of modules, in the form of a
sealed enclosure, in which switching relays or functional blocks input and
transmit the signal. Electronic components such as diodes, transistors, coils,
resistors, capacitors, optical and optoelectronic components, integrated
circuits, and combinations of the said elements form the functional blocks
(Specification 2: 30 through 3: 2).
Independent Claim 4 reads as follows:
4. A modular plug-in connector having buttable and replaceable
modules which are held in a retaining frame composed of two halves,
the modules being designed for a termination and transferring of
electrical, optical and/or pneumatic signals, wherein at least one
module is made as an enclosure which has a mating side and a
termination side for electrical, optical and/or pneumatic terminations,
and in that there is provided in the enclosure an integrated functional
block by which electronic, electrical, optical and/or pneumatic signals
may be varied and transferred.
The prior art relied upon by the Examiner in rejecting the claims on
appeal is:
Harting US 6,004,162 Dec. 21, 1999
The Examiner rejected claims 4-9 under 35 U.S.C. § 103(a) as being
unpatentable over Harting.
We reverse.
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