Appeal No. 1999-2399
Application 08/705,798
laterally opposed sections attached to torsionally stiff
braces 3-1B and 3-2B and that braces 3-1B and 3-2B
longitudinally divide the region of perpendicular flexibility
(FR4; EA6).
Appellants agree with the Examiner that the strips
disposed on opposite sides of opening 3-2A in Kohso form a
laterally extensive region of perpendicular flexibility, but
argue that Kohso does not teach a brace that longitudinally
divides those regions, as defined in claim 1 (Br14). It is
argued that rib portions 3-1B and 3-2B are disposed at
longitudinal ends of the strips rather than longitudinally
dividing those strips and that the outer flanges that extend
longitudinally up to and beyond rib portions 3-1B and 3-2B are
not laterally extensive regions of perpendicular flexibility
(Br14).
The Examiner asserts that "figure 5 of Kohso et al[.]
shows torsionally stiff braces 3-1B and 3-2B longitudinally
dividing those regions [of perpendicular flexibility]" (EA10),
without addressing Appellants' arguments. The Examiner says
that Appellant seems to suggest that the brace spans the
opening, but that the claims lack this limitation (EA10).
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