Appeal No. 1999-0194
Application No. 08/436,626
bridge that extends transversely between the beams that
support the deck of the bridge. Bridge diaphragms resist, for
example, rotation of the longitudinal beams about their axes
when struck on their lower edges, for example, by an
overheight truck (specification, page 3). With reference to
appellant’s Figure 1, which illustrates the underside of a
bridge, diaphragms 18a-18c and 20a-20c can be seen located
between concrete I-beams 14a-14d. At the time of appellant’s
invention it was known to use “cast-in-place” concrete bridge
diaphragms, that is, diaphragms that are made in forms placed
where the members are to remain when in service. Appellant’s
invention pertains to “precast” concrete bridge diaphragms,
i.e., diaphragms that “are manufactured in plants especially
equipped for such purpose and then moved into place on the
bridge” (specification, page 4).
The appealed claims set forth appellant’s invention in a
variety of ways, some of which expressly call for a precast
diaphragm and others of which do not. For example, claim 1 is
directed to a precast concrete bridge-diaphragm and claim 11
is directed to a method of bridge construction comprising the
2
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