Appeal No. 2000-1971
Application No. 09/002,537
Sheldon, the examiner’s secondary reference in rejection
(b), is directed to “metal lumber,” that is, a hollow metal
column member made of light gauge sheet metal usable for
studding, purlins, stringers, joists, beams, etc. Of
particular interest to the examiner is Sheldon’s teaching of
strengthening ribs in the form of concave troughs 5, 12 formed
in the sides of the member. According to the examiner, it
would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to
provide the sides of Schiappati’s hitch housing with
strengthening ribs like those of Sheldon.
Kelley, the examiner’s secondary reference in rejection
(c), pertains to a sheet metal stamping for a vehicle body.
Kelley discloses that a reinforcing rib 16 (Figure 1) may
optionally be provided in the stamping. Based on Kelley’s
teaching, the examiner once again concludes that it would have
been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to provide
the sides of Schiappati’s hitch housing with strengthening
ribs.
Appellant argues, first, that Sheldon and Kelley
constitute nonanalogous art, not being either from appellant’s
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