Ex parte SCHOESSOW - Page 7




          Appeal No. 96-0079                                                          
          Application No. 08/114,391                                                  


          terminology "one side of the structure" as recited in claims 1              
          and 4 refers to the long sides of the wagon (structure), not the            
          short ends of the wagon (structure).                                        


               Next, we turn to the issue of whether the limitations in               
          claims 1 and 4 relative to the size of the "openings" are                   
          entitled to be given weight.  We agree with the appellant's                 
          argument (brief, pp. 8-11) that the examiner inappropriately                
          ignored the limitations in claims 1 and 4 relative to the size of           
          the "openings."  The limitations in claims 1 and 4 relative to              
          the size of the "openings" limit the size of the "openings" in              
          the structure being claimed and therefore must be given weight.             
          See In re Stencel, 828 F.2d 751, 754, 4 USPQ2d 1071, 1073 (Fed.             
          Cir. 1987).                                                                 


               Having interpreted the claims on appeal in the manner                  
          explained above, we find ourselves in agreement with the                    
          appellant that the claimed invention would not have been obvious            
          to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of the                      
          appellant's invention based on the combined teachings of Harton             
          and Schoessow.  While we agree with the examiner that it would              
          have been obvious to provide the feeder of Harton with a                    

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