Appeal No. 1997-0377
Application 08/151,808
provide the requisite tensile strength and torsional property, but fail to provide a satisfactory
thermal expansion coefficient. Thus, according to appellants, a typical value for conventional
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steel core wires is around 10 x 10 /EC to 12 x 10 /EC. The conventional iron/nickel-type alloy
wires are said to have a low thermal expansion coefficient and acceptable torsional strength.
However, the tensile strength of such wires is inadequate generally being in the range of 100-
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130 kgf/mm , values which are considerably lower than the presently claimed alloy wire which
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has a tensile strength of at least 150 kgf/mm . Appellants further explain that a low thermal
expansion is required because increased power transmission results in high temperatures
causing the wire to thermally expand and sag. Appellants' claimed alloy wire is said to be
unique in the sense that it provides both the high strength and low thermal expansion properties
required for this utility.
As evidence of obviousness of the herein claimed subject matter, the examiner relies on
the combined teachings of Decker and Yamamoto and alternatively the combined teachings of
Enomoto and Yamamoto. Respecting the claimed requirements of high strength and low
thermal expansion specifically set forth in appellants' appealed claims, the examiner indicates
that neither of his “primary references” disclose the combination of both properties. However,
the examiner argues that since the claimed alloy compositions and microstructures “are
overlapped by the cited references,” the recited tensile strength property of greater than 150
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kgf/mm and the recited low thermal expansion coefficient of 10 x 10 /EC or less “would have
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