Appeal No. 2006-1014
Application No. 10/255,081
into the lattice structure formed by the ribs. (Column 12,
lines 47-57). The cushioning material may be a soft, elastic
rubber material. (Column 12, lines 54-55). Suzuki teaches that
the cushioning material prevents a person from being exposed to
the rib structure fragments (i.e., fractured pieces of the rib
structure) upon impact. (Column 12, lines 62-64). The low-
rigidity soft rubber portions correspond to ductile portions in
the impact-absorbing component, whereas the high-rigidity rib
portions correspond to brittle fracture portions in the impact-
absorbing component. Therefore, Suzuki’s Figure 5 embodiment
provides additional support for a finding of anticipation.
Finally, Suzuki’s Figure 13 embodiment also supports the
Examiner’s anticipation finding. In this embodiment, a rib
structure having both a high rigidity portion and a low rigidity
portion is formed. As in the figure 1 embodiment, the rigidity
is controlled by changing the densities and the thicknesses of
the ribs. (Column 19, lines 37-40 and 52-55). Upon impact,
some of the ribs in the Figure 13 embodiment undergo buckling
deformation (i.e. ductile deformation) and some undergo “further
destruction” (i.e. brittle fracture). (Column 19, lines 56-58).
Not only does Suzuki have the high-rigidity and low-rigidity
portions, but as further evidence of anticipation, his impact-
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