Appeal No. 2001-1309
Application No. 08/964,780
are made to deliver current to a rotor of that motor, such that motor speed is caused to
remain substantially constant during the initial period, to progressively decrease during
the middle period, and to remain substantially constant during the final period.
Representative independent claim 5 is reproduced as follows:
5. In an automotive vehicle, the improvement comprising:
a) a drive train in which wear causes play to arise;
b) a motor for driving the drive train, and having a lifetime which is
definable into three periods: initial, middle, and final;
c) brush means for delivering current to a rotor of the motor, and
which causes motor speed to
i) remain substantially constant during the initial period;
ii) progressively decrease during the middle period; and
iii) remain substantially constant during the final period.
The examiner relies on the following references:
Onodera 5,446,324 Aug. 29, 1995
Suriano 5,852,352 Dec. 22, 1998
(filed Apr. 11, 1997)
Additionally, the examiner relies on “common knowledge in the art.”
Claims 5-7 and 11-14 stand rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 103. As evidence of
obviousness, the examiner offers Suriano with regard to claims 5 and 11, further relying
on “common knowledge in the art” with regard to claims 6, 7 and 13. With regard to
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