Appeal No. 98-1261
Application 08/435,869
French ‘421 is sustained. The separate patentability of dependent claim 20 having not been argued,
this rejection against it also is sustained.
Claim 21 depends from claim 20, and adds the requirement that a first set of brushes (contacts)
extends counterclockwise and a second set extends clockwise. This arrangement is
shown in French ‘008. From our perspective, modifying this reference by the teachings of German
‘312 would not have altered that feature, and therefore this rejection of claim 21 should be sustained.
As was the case with claim 21, it is our view that the contacts disclosed in French ‘008 teach
the feature recited in claim 23, in that end portions 12 and 13 (Figure 6) are so oriented. This rejection
of claim 23 is sustained.
The alternate rejection of the claim advanced by the examiner relies upon Mabuchi for teaching
the plurality of electrical contact members required by claim 17, rather than German ‘312. The
teachings of French ‘008 and French ‘421 are discussed above. Like German ‘318, Mabuchi is
directed to brushes for rotating electric motors, and includes in its stated objectives ensuring stable
contact between the brushes and the rotating contact member, and lessening wear on the components
(column 2, lines 29-43). This reference also acknowledges the existence in the prior art of multiple sets
of contacts (Figures 7A-8B). As was the case above, it is our view that one of ordinary skill in the art
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