`
`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`_________________________
`
`BEFORE THE PATENT TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD
`_________________________
`
`WILLIS ELECTRIC CO., LTD
`Petitioner
`
`v.
`
`POLYGROUP MACAU Ltd (BVI)
`_________________________
`
`Case Number Unassigned
`Patent 8,863,416
`_________________________
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`PETITION FOR INTER PARTES REVIEW OF U.S. PATENT 8,863,416
`
`
`
`Mail Stop PATENT BOARD
`Patent Trial and Appeal Board
`United States Patent and Trademark Office
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria, VA 22313-1450
`
`POLYGROUP EX. 1058
`POLYGROUP V. WILLIS
`
`Page 1
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`

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`
`
`TABLE OF CONTENTS
`
`I. INTRODUCTION AND STATEMENT OF RELIEF REQUESTED (37 C.F.R.
`§42.22(A)) ............................................................................................................. 1
`II. PROPOSED GROUNDS (§42.104(B))................................................................ 1
`III. THE ‘416 AND ASSERTED PRIOR ART ......................................................... 2
`A.
`Priority Date of the ‘416 Patent .................................................................. 2
`B.
`Summary of the ‘416 .................................................................................. 2
`i.
`The Independent Claim ................................................................... 4
`ii.
`Dependent Claims............................................................................ 5
`C.
`Prosecution History of the ʼ416 .................................................................. 6
`D.
`Summary of the asserted prior art .............................................................. 8
`i.
`USPN 8,454,186 to Chen ................................................................ 8
`ii.
`Otto DE 8436328.2 ........................................................................17
`iii. USPN 7,066,739 to McLeish.........................................................18
`IV.
`CLAIM CONSTRUCTION (37 C.F.R. §42.104(B)(3)) .......................... 19
`Level of ordinary skill in the art. .............................................................. 19
`A.
`i.
`“central prong” of claim 1 .............................................................20
`ii.
`“channel prong” of claim 1 ............................................................20
`iii.
`“channel void” of claim 1 ..............................................................23
`iv.
`sections” of claim 1 .......................................................................23
`V. DETAILED EXPLANATION OF PROPOSED GROUNDS. .......................... 24
`A. Ground 1: Claims 1-4, 6-10 are Obvious over Chen in view of the
`Ordinary Knowledge of One Skilled in the Art ....................................... 26
`Element 1[a]-[b] ............................................................................26
`i.
`ii.
`Element 1[c] ..................................................................................27
`iii.
`Element 1[d] ..................................................................................28
`iv.
`Element 1[e] ..................................................................................29
`v.
`Element 1[f] ...................................................................................30
`
`“contact device comprising one or more spring activated contact
`
`ii
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`Page 2
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`

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`
`
`
`Elements 1[a]-[i] are disclosed by the ‘751 provisional disclosure
`
`Element 1[g] ..................................................................................32
`vi.
`vii. Element 1[h] ..................................................................................35
`viii. Element 1[i] ...................................................................................36
`ix.
`incorporated into Chen by reference. ............................................37
`x.
`
`Claim 2-3 “The artificial tree of Claim 1, wherein the channel
`prong of the male end is configured to engage the channel void of
`the female end at a plurality of locations” & “The artificial tree of
`claim 1, wherein the channel prong of the male end is configured
`to engage the channel void of the female end on a plurality of
`configurations, each configuration providing a different rotational
`alignment between the first trunk section and the second trunk
`
`Claim 4: “The artificial tree of claim 1, wherein the channel void
`of the female end is substantially circular, and the central void of
`the female end is disposed proximate the center of the
`
`section.” .........................................................................................42
`xi.
`substantially circular channel void.” .............................................43
`xii. Claim 6: “The artificial tree of claim 1 further comprising an
`electrical power to a strand of lights.” ...........................................44
`xiii. Claim 7: “The artificial tree of claim 1 further comprising
`rotating with respect to the second trunk section.” .......................44
`xiv. Claim 8 “The artificial tree of claim 1, wherein the first trunk
`sleeve configured to engage the outer sleeve.” .............................45
`xv. Claim 9: “The artificial tree of claim 8, wherein two or more pivot
`second trunk section.” ...................................................................46
`xvi. Claim 10: The artificial tree of claim 1 further comprising a power
`second power distribution subsystem.” .........................................47
`
`outlet disposed on a trunk section, the outlet configured to provide
`
`alignment mechanisms to prevent the first trunk section from
`
`section comprises an inner sleeve proximate an end of the first
`trunk section, and the second trunk section comprises an outer
`sleeve proximate an end of the second trunk section, the inner
`
`areas between the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve substantially
`prevent the first trunk section from rocking with respect to the
`
`cord, the power cord configured to engage a wall outlet and
`provide power to the first power distribution subsystem and the
`
`iii
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`Page 3
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`
`
`Ground 3: Claims 1-4, 8-10 are obvious over Otto in view of the
`
`Ground 2: Claims 1-10 are obvious over Chen in view of McLeish. ...... 48
`i.
`Element 1[d] ..................................................................................50
`ii.
`Element 1[f] ...................................................................................51
`iii.
`Element 1[g] ..................................................................................53
`iv.
`Element 1[h] ..................................................................................54
`v.
`Element 1[i] ...................................................................................55
`vi.
`Claim 5 ..........................................................................................56
`Ordinary Knowledge of One Skilled in the Art ....................................... 56
`i.
`Element 1[a]-[b] ............................................................................57
`ii.
`Element 1[c] ..................................................................................57
`iii.
`Element 1[d] ..................................................................................58
`iv.
`Element 1[e] ..................................................................................58
`v.
`Element 1[f] ...................................................................................59
`vi.
`Element 1[g] ..................................................................................60
`vii. Element 1[h] ..................................................................................61
`viii. Element 1[i] ...................................................................................62
`ix.
`Claims 2-3 ......................................................................................63
`x.
`Claim 4 ..........................................................................................64
`xi.
`Claim 8 ..........................................................................................65
`xii. Claim 9 ..........................................................................................65
`xiii. Claim 10 ........................................................................................67
`GROUNDS FOR STANDING ................................................................ 67
`MANDATORY NOTICES ...................................................................... 68
`Real Parties-in-Interest (§42.8(b)(1)) ....................................................... 68
`Related Matters: 37 C.F.R. §42.8(b)(2).................................................... 68
`Petitioner’s Lead and Back-up Counsel and Service Information ........... 69
`Payment of fees ........................................................................................ 70
`CONCLUSION ........................................................................................ 70
`
`
`
`B.
`
`C.
`
`VI.
`VII.
`A.
`B.
`C.
`D.
`VIII.
`
`iv
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`Page 4
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`

`

`
`
`TABLE OF AUTHORITIES
`
`
`
`Cases
`
`Advanced Display Systems, Inc. v. Kent State Univ.,
`212 F.3d 1272 (Fed. Cir. 2000) ............................................................................38
`
`Custom Play, LLC v. Clear Play, Inc.,
`IPR2014-00430, Paper 20 (PTAB Aug. 14, 2015) ..............................................24
`
`Graham v. John Deere Co.,
`383 U.S. 1 (1966) .................................................................................................24
`
`Harari v. Lee,
`656 F.3d 1331 (Fed. Cir. 2011) ............................................................................38
`
`In re Giacomini,
`612 F.3d 1380 (Fed. Cir. 2010) .............................................................................. 8
`
`In re Kuhle,
`526 F.2d 553 (C.C.P.A. 1975) ................................................................ 25, 34, 61
`
`KSR Int’l Co. v. Teleflex, Inc.,
`550 U.S. 398 (2007) .............................................................................................24
`
`McCaskey Reg. Co. v. Divens,
`194 F. 967 (3d. Cir. 1912) ............................................................................. 25, 60
`
`New Railhead Mfg. LLC v. Vermeer Mfg. Co.,
`298 F.3d 1290 (Fed. Cir. 2002) .........................................................................2, 8
`
`Renishaw PLC v. Marposs Societa’ per Azioni,
`158 F.3d 1243 (Fed. Cir. 1998) ............................................................................18
`
`Riverwood Intern. Corp. v. R.A. Jones & Co., Inc.,
`324 F.3d 1346 (Fed. Cir. 2003) .............................................................................. 5
`
`Statutes
`
`35 U.S.C. §112 .........................................................................................................22
`
`35 USC §102 ........................................................................................... 5, 16, 17, 56
`
`35 USC §103 ..........................................................................................................1, 6
`
`v
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`Page 5
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`
`
`Manuel of Patent Examining Procedures
`
`MPEP 2141 ..............................................................................................................24
`
`MPEP 244.04 (VI) ................................................................................ 25, 34, 60, 62
`
`
`
`MPEP 609 ................................................................................................................16
`
`Rules and Regulations
`
`37 C.F.R. § .68(a)(3) ................................................................................................16
`
`37 C.F.R. §42.8(b)(1) ...............................................................................................67
`
`37 C.F.R. §42.8(b)(2) ...............................................................................................68
`
`37 C.F.R. §§42.22(a) ...............................................................................................1,9
`
`37 C.F.R. §42.100(b) ...............................................................................................18
`
`37 C.F.R. §42.104(b) ...................................................................................... 1, 9, 18
`
`
`vi
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`Page 6
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`
`Exhibit List
`
`Exhibit 1001
`
`U.S. Patent No. 8,863,416 (“the ‘416”)
`
`Exhibit 1002
`
`Declaration of Prof. William Durfee
`
`Exhibit 1003
`
`File History for Provisional Application No. 61/522,944
`
`Exhibit 1004
`
`File History for Non-Provisional Application No. 13/659,737
`
`Exhibit 1005
`
`U.S. Patent No. 8,053,042 to Loomis
`
`Exhibit 1006
`
`U.S. Patent No. 6,869,316 to Hinkie
`
`Exhibit 1007
`
`U.S. Patent No. 8,454,186 B2 to Chen
`
`Exhibit 1008
`
`File History for Provisional Application No. 61/385,751
`
`Exhibit 1009
`
`German utility Model Register Number G8436328.2
`(DE8436328U1) to Otto and Otto with translation and
`certification
`
`Exhibit 1010
`
`IPR2014-01263 – ‘186 IPR Petition
`
`Exhibit 1011
`
`U.S. Patent No. 7,066,739 to McLeish
`
`Exhibit 1012
`
`Excerpt from Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary
`
`Exhibit 1013
`
`Excerpt from the American Heritage Dictionary
`
`Exhibit 1014
`
`Excerpt from Webster’s New World Dictionary
`
`Exhibit 1015
`
`Excerpt from the Oxford Dictionary
`
`Exhibit 1016
`
`Patent Owner’s Infringement Claim Charts from Polygroup
`Macau Ltd. (BVI). v. Willis Electric Co., Ltd., Case No. 3:15-
`cv-552 (W.D.N.C.)
`
`Exhibit 1017
`
`U.S. Patent No. 6,241,559 to Taylor
`
`vii
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`Page 7
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`
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`Exhibit 1018
`
`U.S. Patent Application 2010/0159713 (Nishihira)
`
`Exhibit 1019
`
`U.S. Patent No. 3,985,924 (Pritza)
`
`Exhibit 1020
`
`U.S. Patent No. 1,656,148 (Harris)
`
`Exhibit 1021
`
`Mike Wood Declaration (IPR2014-01263)
`
`Exhibit 1022
`
`Mike Wood Declaration (IPR2014-00800)
`
`viii
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`Page 8
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`
`
`I.
`
`Introduction and Statement of Relief Requested (37 C.F.R. §42.22(A))
`Willis Electric Co., Ltd. (“Petitioner”) requests institution of inter partes
`
`review of U.S. Patent No. 8,863,416 (“the ‘416”, Ex. 1001) and cancellation of
`
`claims 1-10. The ‘416 was filed on October 24, 2012, issued October 21, 2014, and
`
`is presently assigned to Polygroup Macau Ltd. (BVI) (“Patent Owner” or “PO”).
`(Id.) The prior art offered with this Petition establishes that all elements in the
`
`challenged claims of the ‘416 were well known, and the claimed configurations
`
`resulting from the ‘416 would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art
`
`as of the earliest available priority date to which the claims are entitled.
`
`II.
`
`Proposed grounds (§42.104(b))
`The claims of the ‘416 are rendered obvious by the following grounds:
`
`• Ground 1: 1[a] Claims 1-4, 6-10 are rendered obvious by Chen in view of
`the knowledge of a POSA pursuant to 35 USC §103; 1[b] Claims 1-4, 6-10
`
`are rendered obvious by Chen and its provisional 61/385,751, incorporated
`
`by reference, in view of the knowledge of a POSA pursuant to 35 USC
`
`§103. Though this is one Ground, they are identified separately contingent
`
`upon the Panel’s determination that the provisional application is properly
`
`incorporated.
`• Ground 2: Claims 1-10 are rendered obvious by Chen in view of McLeish
`pursuant to 35 USC §103.
`• Ground 3: Claims 1-4, 8-10 are rendered obvious by Otto in view of the
`knowledge of a POSA pursuant to 35 USC §103.
`
`1
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`Page 9
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`III.
`
`The ‘416 and asserted prior art
`A. Priority Date of the ‘416 Patent
`The priority date for the ‘416 is its filing date, October 24, 2012. The ‘416
`
`claims priority to provisional application No. 61/522,944, filed on October 28,
`
`2011. As described in Part (IV)(ii)&(iv), the provisional filing does not include
`
`§112-enabling material for two claim elements of its independent claim: a “contact
`
`device having one or more spring activated contact sections” or a “channel prong”
`disclosure that is broader than a “prong” within the understanding of a POSA, e.g.,
`
`Dr. William Durfee “Durfee.” (Ex. 1002 ¶¶29-51.) A patent cannot claim priority
`
`to a provisional application where the provisional application does not disclose or
`support the limitations claimed in the patent. See New Railhead Mfg. LLC v.
`Vermeer Mfg. Co., 298 F.3d 1290, 1294 (Fed. Cir. 2002) (patent was not entitled to
`
`filing date of provisional application because provisional did not support patent
`
`claims, and thus prior art existed that rendered the claims invalid). As such, the
`
`operative priority date for the ‘416 is October 24, 2012.
`
`B. Summary of the ‘416
`The alleged invention of the ‘416 relates to a tree construction to transfer
`
`electrical power between tree trunk sections in an artificial tree. (Ex. 1001, 1:15-
`
`18.) The problem sought to be solved by the ‘416 was the difficulty in aligning
`electrical connectors in corresponding trunk sections during assembly. (Id., 2:17-
`
`23.) Thus, the ‘416 discloses a “power transfer system for an artificial tree that
`
`allows a user to connect neighboring tree trunk sections without the need to
`rotationally alight [sic] the trunk sections.” (Id., 2:17-20.) In one embodiment, the
`
`2
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`Page 10
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`‘416 discloses a circular “prong,” rather than a slender projecting part, which fits
`
`into circular channel void, and a central prong that fits into a central void:
`Fig. 8
`Fig. 11
`
`
`
`
`
`(Id., Fig. 8 (disclosing female terminals 810 and 805); Fig. 11 (disclosing male
`terminals 1005 and 1015); see also 12:33-48; 13:14-14:13; Ex. 1002 ¶12.)
`
`In the context of this embodiment, the ‘416 discloses that the contact
`
`sections may include elastic components, or spring-activated contact sections, that
`
`maintain the pressure between the electrical terminals:
`
`
`
`3
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`Page 11
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`
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`(Id., 13:40-50 (describing how male prong pushes contact sections 905 apart as
`
`male prong is inserted); Fig. 9 (disclosing contact device 805 with spring-
`activated-contact sections 905); see also 12:33-48; 13:14-14:13; Ex. 1002 ¶13.)
`
`The Independent Claim
`i.
`An artificial tree, comprising:
`a plurality of tree trunk sections, the trunk sections forming a trunk of
`the artificial tree;
`
`a first power distribution subsystem disposed within an inner void of a
`first trunk section of the plurality of tree trunk sections, the first power
`distribution subsystem comprising a male end, the male end having a
`central prong and a channel prong; and
`
`a second power distribution subsystem disposed within an inner void
`of a second trunk section of the plurality of tree trunk sections, the
`second power distribution subsystem comprising a female end, the
`female end having a central void and a channel void, the central void
`having a contact device disposed at least partially therein, the contact
`device comprising one or more spring activated contact sections;
`
`4
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`Page 12
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`
`
`wherein the central prong of the male end is configured to engage the
`central void of the female end and the channel prong of the male end
`is configured to engage the channel void of the female end to conduct
`electricity between the first power distribution subsystem and the
`second power distribution subsystem; and
`
`wherein when the central prong engages the central void, the central
`prong pushes a spring activated contact section of the one or more
`spring activated contact sections causing the spring activated contact
`section to press against the central prong to maintain electrical contact
`between the central prong and the contact device.
`
`(Id., 15:57-16:26.) The ‘416 identifies several aspects of the invention and asserts
`
`that they were well known. “Prior art may be created by admissions of the parties.”
`Riverwood Intern. Corp. v. R.A. Jones & Co., Inc., 324 F.3d 1346, 1354 (Fed. Cir.
`
`2003). Artificial Christmas trees comprising a plurality of trunk sections that
`
`contain electrical systems utilizing electrical prongs and electrical slots to allow
`electricity to flow through the trunk of the tree were known. (Id. at 2:4-16.) Thus,
`
`the only purportedly novel claimed features remaining relate to the use of spring-
`
`activated-contact sections on coaxial, or rotationally independent, electrical
`
`connectors.
`
`ii. Dependent Claims
`The dependent claims add nothing new or non-obvious. Claims 2-4 relate to
`
`the rotational alignment of coaxial connectors. Other limitations, such as a safety
`
`cover (Claim 5), an outlet disposed on a trunk to connect a light string to (Claim
`
`6), distinct alignment mechanisms to prevent rotation (Claim 7), the mechanical
`
`5
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`Page 13
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`
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`connections of the trunk segments (Claims 8-9), and a power cord (Claim 10) are
`
`all known or disclosed in the prior art.
`
`C. Prosecution History of the ʼ416
`In the first office action, claims 1, 2, and 7-11 were rejected under pre-AIA
`
`35 USC §102(b) as being anticipated by U.S. Patent No. 8,053,042 B1 (Loomis)
`
`and claims 3, 4, 12-16 and 19 were rejected under pre-AIA 35 USC §103(a) by
`
`Loomis in view of U.S. Patent 6,869,316 B2 (Hinkie). (Ex. 1004 at 134-141.)
`
`Loomis discloses an artificial tree with an electrically-powered trunk. (Ex.
`
`1005, 3:16-4:1; Abstract.) It discloses the use of electrical connectors utilizing
`traditional wall-socket-type plugs to convey power between trunk sections. (Id.,
`
`3:42-4:8.) As seen in a comparison of Fig. 2 with Figs. 4a-c of the ‘416, it is
`
`identical to one of the ‘416’s disclosed embodiments:
`Ex. 1005 Fig. 2
`Ex. 1001 Fig. 4b
`
`
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`Page 14
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`PO filed a response on March 13, 2014, amending claim 1 to include a
`
`spring-activated contact device. Relevant elements of claim 1 were amended to add
`
`the following limitations:
`
`a second power distribution subsystem disposed within an inner void
`of a second trunk section of the plurality of tree trunk sections, the
`second power distribution subsystem comprising a female end, the
`female end having a central void and a channel void, the central void
`having a contact device disposed at least partially therein, the contact
`device comprising one or more spring activated contact sections;
`
`…
`
`wherein, when the central prong engages the central void, the central
`prong pushes a spring activated contact section of the one or more
`spring activated contact sections causing the spring activated contact
`section to press against the central prong to maintain electrical contact
`between the central prong and the contact device.
`
`PO also provided Remarks arguing that Loomis failed to teach spring action
`
`to secure an electrical connection, because “Loomis simply discloses a standard
`
`“socket style” electrical connector and therefore fails to disclose other aspects of
`Claim 1.” (Id., at 62-63, 68.)
`A final rejection allowed claims 1-5 and 7-11. (Id., 38-39.) A Notice of
`
`Allowance issued August 29, 2014, allowing all pending claims. (Id. at 9, 13.) The
`
`Reasons for Allowance state:
`
`The prior art does not disclose an artificial tree comprising a plurality
`of tree trunk sections; first power distribution; second power
`
`7
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`distribution; wherein the central prong engages the central void and a
`spring element is pushed as the central prong and central void is
`mated; wherein the pushing of the spring element facilitates the
`electrical contact between the first and second power distribution
`subsystem.
`
`Loomis '042 does not disclose the tree trunk assembly to have a
`central prong that engages the central void while pushing a spring
`activated contact section causing the spring to press against the central
`prong to maintain electrical contact between the central prong and
`contact device. The trunk sections are guided through and aligned by a
`recess and protrusion on the trunk sections but does not have the
`spring activated contact section to assist in the alignment and
`connection of the trunk sections.
`
`(Id., 14.) The ‘416 issued on October 21, 2014.
`
`D. Summary of the asserted prior art
`The ‘416 is directed to an artificial tree. Such artificial trees were known in
`
`the art well before the earliest possible priority date of the ‘416. A POSA would
`
`have been aware of the following prior art references, as well as typical electrical
`
`terminals and contacts which include spring-activated contact sections. (Ex. 1002,
`
`¶53-83.)
`
`i. USPN 8,454,186 to Chen
`Petitioner is the assignee of USPN 8,454,186 to Chen (“the ‘186,” Ex.
`
`1007.) The ‘186 published on March 29, 2012 as Application No. 2012/0076957,
`
`and issued on June 4, 2013. Chen’s priority date of Sept. 23, 2010, is based upon
`the provisional application 61/385,751 (Ex. 2008). (Id.)
`
`8
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`Chen is prior art under §102(e). “A reference patent is [] entitled to claim the
`
`benefit of the filing date of its provisional application if the disclosure of the
`
`provisional application provides support for the claims in the reference patent in
`compliance with §112, ¶1.” Dynamic Drinkware, 800 F.3d at 1381; In re
`Giacomini, 612 F.3d 1380, 1383 (Fed. Cir. 2010) (in order to claim priority “the
`
`provisional application must provide written description support for the claimed
`invention.”); New Railhead, 298 F.3d at 1294 (for a “non-provisional utility
`
`application to be afforded the priority date of the provisional application, the two
`
`applications must share at least one common inventor and the written description
`
`of the provisional must adequately support the claims of the non-provisional
`
`application.”). The inventorship of the provisional filing and ‘186 are the same,
`
`and Durfee explains in Appendix B1 that the provisional disclosure provides §112
`
`¶1 support for the ‘186’s claims. (Ex. 1002, ¶77-79; Appendix B.) Indeed, each
`independent and dependent claim is enabled by the provisional disclosure. (Id.) For
`
`example, Chen Provisional enables claim 10:
`
`
`1 Specific citations to another document with an explanation of their relevance
`satisfies 37 C.F.R. §§42.22(a) & 42.104. e.g., Fresh Products, LLC v. Ed Ramirez,
`
`Paper 7 at 23-24 (PTAB June 22, 2015) (holding identification of relevance of
`
`declaration evidence which included a more specific subset of the evidence
`sufficiently complies); Daicel Corp. v. Celanese Int’l Corp., IPR2015-00170,
`
`Paper 29 at 6-7 (PTAB Sept. 1, 2015).
`
`9
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`
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`• Lighted artificial tree (162, 400), first tree portion (bottom 162), first hollow
`trunk portion 172 containing trunk connector 112, first plurality of branches
`
`168 joined to first trunk portion and an electrically connected first light
`string (light cluster 116). (Id., (Appendix B), at 157-162.)
`
`• Second hollow trunk portion 174 containing trunk connector 110 including
`
`second plurality branches 168 joined to second trunk portion, and second
`electrically-connected light string (another light cluster 116). (Id., (Appendix
`
`B), at 162-167.)
`
`• Second tree portion is mechanically and electrically connectable to the first
`tree portion along a common vertical axis. (Id., (Appendix B), at 167-172.)
`
`• The electrical connections are coaxial electrical connectors connectable in
`
`any rotational orientation and enables the electrical connection being made
`
`independent of the rotational orientation of the first trunk portion relative the
`second trunk portion about the common vertical axis. (Id., (Appendix B),
`
`172-177; Ex. 1008, at 42 (Figs. 6-7 (220 & 222 connectable in any
`
`alignment)).)
`
`The subject matter of Chen being relied upon to invalidate the ‘416 has been
`
`carried through from the Chen Provisional. First, the Chen Provisional is
`incorporated by reference. See Ariosa v. Illumina, IPR2014-01093, Paper 69, 11
`
`(PTAB Jan. 7, 206). Additionally, the subject matter of the Chen Provisional
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`discloses the same elements of Chen relied upon, each of which is identified below
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`in Part (V)(A)(ix). Finally, as with Chen, Chen Provisional also suggests that a
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`POSA may utilize contact terminals other than the ones specifically disclosed. (Ex.
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`1008, at 24, ll. 6-12.) This provisional filing date renders Chen prior art under
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`§102(e) as of Sept. 23, 2010.
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`Chen is also prior art under §102(a) because it published before the filing
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`date of the ‘416 nonprovisional application, and the ‘416 cannot receive the benefit
`of its provisional filing. (Ex. 1002, ¶¶23, 26, 28-52; supra Parts (III)(A);
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`(IV(A)(ii)&(iv).)
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`The ’186 relates to the field of pre-lit artificial holiday trees and discloses
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`artificial trees with modular tree portions that are mechanically and electrically
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`connectable. (Id., Abstract; 1:14–18.) Each trunk portion includes a trunk electrical
`connector housed within a trunk body of the trunk portion. (Id., 2:44-54.)
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`Fig. 4 of the ’186 compared to Fig. 5 of the ‘416 shows the similarities of
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`conductive components inside trunk portions:
`Fig. 4 ‘186 Patent (Ex. 1007)
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`Fig. 5 ‘416 Patent (Ex. 1001)
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`Like the ‘416, the ‘186 discloses electrical connectors are housed at least
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`partially within the trunk body. (E.g., id., Figs. 14b, 15b, 16b (depicting connector
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`within trunk body).) The connectors disclosed in the ‘186 are also connectors that
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`allow an electrical connection to be made in a multitude of rotational alignments.
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`(See id., 15:62-66; 15:45-50 (“[T]he coaxial nature of connectors 200 and 212
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`permit the electrical connection of the connectors at any rotational orientation
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`about a vertical axis. [Upon assembly], other than aligning the two portions along a
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`vertical axis A, no rotational alignment is necessary.”).) The connectors include a
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`male side with a central prong 262 and barrel connector 260 surrounding the prong
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`on the male side (a central and channel prong) and a female side with a terminal
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`308 disposed in a “central void” and a second contact 306 on the outside of a
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`second barrel connector in a “channel void.” (Ex. 1002, ¶60.)
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`Fig. 6 depicts an exploded view of the “male” end of a trunk connector. (Ex.
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`1007.) Herein, this end is considered the “male” end,
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`because it depicts and is described to have a male prong.
`(Id., Fig. 6 (depicting prong); 11:8-20 (“Second electrical
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`contact 262 . . . may be located generally at a center
`portion of receptacle 264, extending upward and away
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`from a closed end of receptacle 264.”); 15:34-44
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`(explaining that 262 is inserted into female receptacle
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`310).)
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`The ‘416 describes the male side as the side with a
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`central prong. (Ex. 1001, 2:49-50.) However, the parlance
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`of male/female is interchangeable because electrical
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`contacts are frequently nested contacts. (Ex. 1002, ¶62.)
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`Thus, connector 200 is described as “a female trunk connector configured to
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`receive a male counterpart [212] to form a coaxial-like electrical connection.” (Ex.
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`1007, 9:9-11.) This is because though connector 200 has a male central prong, the
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`contact set depicted nests such that female contact 260 of Figs. 8-10 extends
`axially externally to the connector plug. (See id., Fig. 8.) The terms female and
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`male are relative and would not confuse a POSA. (Ex. 1002, ¶62.)
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`As shown in Figure 6, electrical contact 262 may be a prong and electrical
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`contact 260 may be a circular structure that provides a second electrical contact.
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`(Ex. 1007, Fig. 6; 11:8-20; 15:34-44.) A POSA would understand that for contact
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`set 250, first contact 260 may be what is shown below in the left image, and
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`second contact 262 may be what is shown below in the right image, where when
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`assembled, second contact 262 is disposed inside first contact 260, as indicated by
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`the dotted line that represents element 262 in Figure 6. (Ex. 1002, ¶63.)
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`This is further made clear by description defining 264 as a “receptacle” with
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`an open and closed end. (Ex. 1007, 11:11-20.) Thus, when assembled, the prong is
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`positioned inside the barrel structure for a first and second contact on the male end.
`(Ex. 1002, ¶64; accord, e.g., Ex. 1007, Fig. 7 (depicting contact 262 inside contact
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`set 250).)
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`As shown in Fig. 6 and described above, the two electrical contacts 260
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`and/or 262 forming set 250 may include spring-activated contacts:
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`However, it will be understood that contact set 250 may include
`other types of single-contact or multi-contact electrical
`connectors. Such embodiments include first electrical contact 260
`and second electrical contact 262 comprising a pair of electrical
`contacts of substantially the same structure, such as a pair of blade
`connectors, spade connectors, or other such electrical terminals or
`contacts as known to those skilled in the art.
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`(Ex. 1007, 11:21-28; accord 12:30-37.)