Appeal No. 1997-2149
Application No. 08/019,666
eliminate the braking requirement of Reiser." Although we
agree with appellants that elimination of Reiser's braking
requirement would not have been obvious to the skilled
artisan, as doing so would run contrary to the teachings of
Reiser, the examiner has not suggested eliminating Reiser's
braking requirement. Instead the examiner explains (Answer,
page 5) that since nothing in the claims requires the absence
of a braking requirement, the claims do not preclude a
requirement for braking. Accordingly, Reiser's combined
display and brake light meet the language of appellants'
claims.
Reiser's message is displayed through the rear window to
an observer outside the vehicle (thereby meeting the
limitation of claim 5). In particular, Reiser discloses
(column 1, line 60 - column 2, line 12) a display panel of
light emitting diodes (LEDs) detachably secured to the rear
window of a vehicle on the passenger side via suction cups.
Thus, Reiser discloses the claimed display and the details
thereof, as well as the attachment method recited in claim 2.
Appellants argue (Brief, page 4 and Reply Brief, page 3) that
Reiser "does not mention the option of mounting of the Reiser
5
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