Appeal No. 95-4379
Application 08/116,753
the fabric (C) was oriented in warp and weft at an
angle of about 45 degrees to the fabric (A) . . . so
as to allow fabric (C) to be resilient and absorb
loads. Such an orientation is old and well known in
the air bag art. [Answer, page 4].
We cannot accept this position. Sheets 7 and 8 of Takada
are elements of fastening members 4A, 4B provided respectively
in the centers of the gas inlet side and the passenger impact
side of the air bag for the purpose of attaching the four
inflation control straps 5 to the air bag. While it is true
that the warp and weft of the fabrics of sheets 7 and 8 lie on
the bias relative to Takada’s inflation control straps to
impart resilience to the fabrics and allow for better shock
absorption (column 3, line 19 to column 4, line 2), the
function of the sheets 7 and 8 is fundamentally different than
the function of the gas permeable sections of the air bags of
Matsumoto and appellants. Specifically, while the function of
Matsumoto’s section 84, akin to appellants' gas permeable
section, is to provide for the controlled venting of hot gases
from the air bag during deployment, sheets 7 and 8 of Takada,
in marked contrast, act as reinforcing elements for the
purpose of providing a secure attachment of the inflation
control straps 5 to the air bag. As aptly noted by appellants
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