Appeal No. 97-3298
Application No. 08/349,426
combined teachings of the references would have suggested to
one of ordinary skill in the art (see Cable Electric Products,
Inc. v. Genmark, Inc., 770 F.2d 1015, 1025, 226 USPQ 881, 886-
87 (Fed. Cir. 1985)), considering that a conclusion of
obviousness may be made from common knowledge and common sense
of the person of ordinary skill in the art without any
specific hint or suggestion in a particular reference (see In
re Bozek, 416 F.2d 1385, 1390, 163 USPQ 545, 549 (CCPA 1969)),
with skill being presumed on the part of the artisan, rather
than the lack thereof (see In re Sovish, 769 F.2d 738, 742,
226 USPQ 771, 774 (Fed. Cir. 1985)).
The sole reference cited against all of the claims is
Bonfigli which, like the appellant’s invention, is directed to
a shoe tying instructional device. Bonfigli discloses a
rectangular panel (12) upon which the outline of a shoe has
been depicted, and upwards from which extends a pair of flaps
(14, 16) provided with holes (30, 32) for receiving a shoe
lace. Some directional landmarks are provided on the panel,
in the form of three circles with the numerals 1, 2 and 3
inscribed therein. A tab (46) is provided beneath one of the
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