Appeal 2007-0916
Application 10/051,486
Scope and content of the prior art
Composite shingles are commonplace in the roofing art.5 These
shingles offer cost and safety advantages over wood shingles, but are
considered less aesthetically appealing than wood shingles. Wood shingles
are said to produce "a finished roof having a layered look with depth."6
Consequently, the prior art is rich with approaches designed to provide "an
appearance of thickness comparable to that of wood shingles."7 Weaver
confirms the specification's assessment of the state of the art.8 Both Corbin
and Hannah appear in Weaver's five-page listing of cited references.9
Like Owens Corning, Weaver is concerned with producing composite
shingles with a wood aesthetic. To this end, Weaver uses color gradients or
gradations, layered sheets or strips, and tabs or "dragon teeth".10 Corbin is
also concerned with producing composite shingles that look like traditional
roofing materials, including wooden shakes.11 Corbin notes prior art
shingles having layers with overlapping tabs and varied coloring that create
the impression of shakes.12
5 Specification at column 1, lines 17-18 (henceforth abbreviated "1:17-18").
6 Id. at 1:31-38.
7 Id. at 1:39-57, discussing, inter alia, the cited Weaver patent and different
Hannah design patents.
8 Weaver at 1:55-2:13.
9 Weaver at pp. 2 and 4.
10 Id. at 2:13-27.
11 Id. at 2:41-50.
12 Id. at 2:51-3:17.
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