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Topic: Couple vs Connect (Read 3385 times) |
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patag2001
Junior Member
Posts: 82
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Couple vs Connect
« on: Dec 10th, 2007, 4:52pm » |
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Is the verb “couple” broader than “connect”, or vice versa? Often, I see these verbs used interchangeably and wanted to know what the experts here say about their use.
Many Thanks!
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TataBoxInhibitor
Full Member
Posts: 456
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Re: Couple vs Connect
« Reply #1 on: Dec 10th, 2007, 6:26pm » |
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I believe couple is broader than connect, and let me tell you why. This is actually less of a why, but more from experience.
If something is coupled to another, the use of the term "coupled" implies that that there can be many ways, to be coupled, i.e. there can be an intermediary between the two somethings that couple, or maybe even a cis or trans coupler between them.
Connected generally implies that the two somethings are directly connected. I have rarely seen it used otherwise.
Regards,
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Bill Richards
Full Member
 
Posts: 758
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Re: Couple vs Connect
« Reply #2 on: Dec 10th, 2007, 7:31pm » |
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Why not use "operably connected" or words to that effect?
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William B. Richards, P.E.
The Richards Law Firm
Patents, Trademarks, and Copyrights
614/939-1488
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DJoshEsq
Full Member
Posts: 104
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Re: Couple vs Connect
« Reply #3 on: Dec 10th, 2007, 7:58pm » |
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on Dec 10th, 2007, 6:26pm, TataBoxInhibitor wrote:I believe couple is broader than connect, and let me tell you why. This is actually less of a why, but more from experience.
If something is coupled to another, the use of the term "coupled" implies that that there can be many ways, to be coupled, i.e. there can be an intermediary between the two somethings that couple, or maybe even a cis or trans coupler between them.
Connected generally implies that the two somethings are directly connected. I have rarely seen it used otherwise.
Regards,
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I actually think it is the opposite but I think it is hard to take out of context. If you are unsure add some language in the spec. Also, you can use claim differentiation in the dependent claims to ensure the term is interpreted broadly. For example, add a dependent claim wherein the element is directly connected.
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D. Joshua Smith, Esq.
Registered Patent Attorney
McDonald Hopkins, LLC
Cleveland, OH
216-348-5400
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DJoshEsq
Full Member
Posts: 104
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Re: Couple vs Connect
« Reply #4 on: Dec 10th, 2007, 8:02pm » |
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I actually just reviewed dictionary.com (claim terms are presumed to have their ordinary meaning)...and one of the definitions for "coupled" is "to connect." So I guess, without more, they are probably similar in scope.
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D. Joshua Smith, Esq.
Registered Patent Attorney
McDonald Hopkins, LLC
Cleveland, OH
216-348-5400
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