Appeal No. 97-1025
Application No. 08/183,571
is in the general form of a truncated ring or annulus. In the
central part 3', spoke 3 is widened to form a casing, on the
surface of which switch elements are provided in the form of
keys. Key 7 is provided for operating a heater. Keys 4, 5 and 6
are provided for operating the horn, the headlights (from city to
bright) and foglights. Additionally, a switch element in the
form of a toggle handle 9 is provided for operating the
windshield wiper. Ahrens states that his invention permits the6
driver to operate the switch elements with his fingers.7
Niemeyer discloses a steering wheel 6 including, inter alia,
a wheel hub 7, a wheel rim 5 and spokes 1, 2, 3 and 4. As shown
in Figure 1, the rim 5 is of a circular shape. Located in the
spokes 1 and 2 are push button switches 9 and 10 for operating
the vehicle's directional indicators.
After the scope and content of the prior art are determined,
the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue are
to be ascertained. Graham v. John Deere Co., 383 U.S. 1, 17-18,
148 USPQ 459, 467 (1966).
6See column 1, lines 52-70, of Ahrens.
7See column 2, lines 15-21, of Ahrens.
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