Appeal No. 1999-0304
Application No. 08/520,606
immediately disconnecting power to loads upon sensing of a
vehicle crash, but not by blowing a fuse, and that Caiati
discloses "[u]pon sensing of a crash, the earthing means 66 is
activated (or gated ON) by a signal from a crash sensor
causing excess current to flow through and break the fusible
link 58 cutting off power 54 to the input terminal (the
junction of fuse 58 and resistor 60)." The examiner concludes
(Answer, page 6) that it would have been obvious in view of
Iwata and Caiati to perform immediate disconnection of power
from loads by blowing a fuse in AAPA.
In the Reply Brief (pages 3-4) appellants explain that
the background of the invention discusses prior art methods of
cutting off power to a load upon sensing a crash and that as
Iwata merely discloses a different method of doing the same,
it adds nothing to AAPA. Appellants argue (Brief, pages 12
and 13) that Caiati teaches fusing an element in an automotive
electrical system to disable the crash recorder after it has
fulfilled its function, not immediately upon sensing a crash
as recited in the claims. Furthermore, appellants contend
(Brief, page 16) that Caiati's crash sensor is not directly
connected to the grounding element. Thus, Caiati's structure
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