Appeal 2007-2577
Application 90/006,344
during prosecution.42 Sketch-2 shows a rope light with a male connector 51
and a female connector 52. The examiner's marginal note explains that for
the second rope light the corresponding units would use the same reference
numerals with the addition of a prime sign. Chen expressly discloses the
serial connection of "many lamp-strings".43 A flashing control unit 57 with
a connecting end sleeve 55 and a terminal conducting contact 56 complete
the circuit. The following table shows the examiner's application of Chen to
claim 9.44
Structure Chen
a first ropelight not labeled
a second ropelight not labeled
a first connecting member 502
a first member head portion 505
a first member tail portion 52
a pair of parallel locking sockets 510
a pair of conductors inside 510
a pair of wires inside said first ropelight 31-33 in FIG. 1
a second connecting member 602′
a second member head portion 53′
a second member tail portion 51′
a tubular shelter frame 53′
a pair of conductive terminals 610′
a pair of wires inside said second ropelight 31′-33′
a sleeve locker difference
a ring-shaped stopper difference
42 Examiner T.C. Patel, Office Action in Ex Parte Reexamination 17 (entered
14 March 2003), in Reexam. Control No. 90/006,327.
43 Chen 1:18-21 (disclosing serial bulbs and serial lamp-strings); 2:67-68
(disclosing serial lamp-strings connected using the disclosed connectors).
44 Ans. 5-6.
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