Continental Connector Corporation, a Corporation v. Houston Fearless Corporation, a Corporation

This is an action for patent infringement of Gilbert Patent No. 2,875,425. Jurisdiction below rests on 28 U.S.C. § 1338 (a); here on 28 U.S.C. § 1291 .

The patent was held invalid in the district court for lack of invention in that it represents a combination of admittedly old elements with no unexpected and surprising results.

The patent is for a multiple electrical connector or socket designed to receive printed circuit panel boards (containing male insertable devices). The connector consists of a base receptacle and a plurality of spring contacts mounted therein, which make contact with the printed circuits.

The spring contact sought was one that had the following characteristics:

(a) Was of low “contact resistance,” measured in.ohms or voltage drop. The voltage drop is determined by pressure exerted by the contact, and the area of engagement. Both greater pressure, and greater area of engagement (up to a point) decrease voltage drop.

(b) gripped with strength sufficient to maintain the panel boards in place;

(c) withstood abuse (such as awkward insertion) resulting from imprecise alignment or excessive force;

(d) was wear resistant;

(e) accommodated various panel board…