Appeal No. 98-0680
Application No. 08/685,160
preventing the air bag from initially inflating asymmetrically
(see column 4, lines 21 and 22).
In the reply brief (page 2) the appellants argue that
Rion
attributes the non-asymmetric inflation of the air bag to the
manifold and not the holes. This argument overlooks the fact
that the evenly spaced holes are a part of the manifold and
form the final distribution path of the inflation gas as it is
deployed. See column 4, lines 23-36, wherein it is stated
that the inflation gas is channeled into chambers 22a,22b and
then out openings 44a-44d in order "to provide for a more
uniform inflation of the air bag."
The appellants also contend that the member 92 of Good
cannot be considered to be a diffuser in accordance with the
examiner's findings since Good styles this member as a
"retainer." However, regardless of the terminology employed
by Good to describe the member 92, it is self-evident that
Good's inflation gas flows through the openings in this member
and is "diffused" thereby. Indeed, we are at a loss to
understand how the appellants can seriously make such a
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