Appeal No. 1996-3918
Application No. 08/232,351
fastener receiving apertures for mounting the rim
directly thereto through the backboard in place of
the two outwardly positioned vertical members [54 in
view of the teachings of White]. . . . Note that in
Fig. 2 the slide means 58 are connected near the top
of the vertical members; this same relationship
would clearly be retained when a center member is
substituted. Further, although the vertical members
of Fig. 2 appear to be separated from the slide
means by short horizontal spacers (unnumbered), no
particular significance is seen in whether the
center bracket is connected to the slide means with
similar spacers or directly to the slides 58. If
the center bracket has a width equal to the spacing
between the inner edges of the slides no spacers
would be necessary and such an arrangement would
eliminate a number of parts resulting in more
economical fabrication as there would be fewer parts
to assemble. [Answer, pages 5 and 6.]
Apparently, the examiner proposes to (1) provide the
prior art of Fig. 2 with a single centrally located vertical
bracket (in lieu of the spaced brackets 54) and attach the rim
structure to this single central bracket in view of the
teachings of White and (2) dismiss the limitation of the
bracket being directly attached to the slide means as being of
"no particular significance." We will not support the
examiner's position. As to proposal (1), we find nothing in
the combined teachings of the prior art of Fig. 2 and White
which would fairly suggest combining the teachings of these
references in the manner proposed. Such a modification would
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