Appeal No. 1998-1545
Application No. 08/698,169
a septum disposed on the first surface of the dielectric substrate
between the plurality of conducting antenna elements and in electrical
contact with the ground plane, the septum traversing the first surface of the
planar dielectric so that each conducting antenna element of the plurality is
separated from all other such conducting antenna elements by the septum
and wherein none of the conducting antenna elements is surrounded on four
sides by the septum.
The examiner relies on the following references:
Smith 4,783,661 Nov. 08, 1988
Takeuchi et al. (Takeuchi) 5,173,711 Dec. 22, 1992
McGirr et al. (McGirr) 5,231,407 Jul. 27, 1993
Fray 5,453,754 Sep. 26, 1995
Claims 1-13, 20-30 and 39-41 stand rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 103. As evidence
of obviousness, the examiner cites McGirr and Takeuchi with regard to claims 1-7, 9, 13,
20-26, 28-30 and 39-41, adding Smith to this combination with regard to claims 8 and 10-
12 and adding Fray to the original combination with regard to claim 27.
Reference is made to the brief and answer for the respective positions of
appellants and the examiner.
OPINION
We reverse.
With regard to the independent claims, the examiner’s position is that McGirr
discloses the claimed invention except that McGirr mounts the patch antennas on a lower
surface of the substrate which mounts to the ground plane 40 via septum 44.
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