Appeal No. 2001-2533 Page 8
Application No. 09/372,988
partial layer, and wherein the modulus of elasticity of fibers composing the partial layer
is lower than that of the fibers composing the body layer.
We agree with the examiner that some of the ratios in the range of 23-27%
disclosed in Akatsuka for all three of the full length (body) layers fall with the scope of
10-25% required by this claim, and that some of Akatsuka’s ratios in the range of 24-
34% for the partial (reinforcing) layer are greater than the 28% required. In addition, we
agree that the teachings of Akatsuka would have suggested to one of ordinary skill in
the art that the ratio of the body layer be lower than that of the partial layer, for
considering the ranges of 14-37% and 23-28% that are taught by Akatsuka, many
combinations would meet this limitation.
With regard to the modulus of elasticity, Akatsuka discloses that the body fibers
of the various body layers are 23,000-65,000 kg/mm2 (column 2, lines 39-40), 35,000
kg/mm2 “or more” (column 2, line 65), and 23,000-30,000 kg/mm2 (column 3, line 17).
The partial (reinforcing) fibers are described as being “[t]he high strength fibers
exemplified above” (column 3, line 60), which are 23,000-65,000 kg/mm2 (column 2,
lines 38-40). In addition to these ranges, however, a relationship between the moduli of
the two groups of fibers is taught in Example 1, in which body layer A-1 is 40,000
kg/mm2 and the partial layers at the tip (Rt) and the grip (Rg) are 23,500 kg/mm2
(column 5, line 48 et seq.). As is shown by Table 1, all of the layers used for forming
the intermediate and outer body layers have a modulus greater than that of the partial
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