Appeal No. 2001-1776
Application No. 08/881,948
The examiner thus finds that the only difference between the
Fujitsu disclosure and the claimed subject matter is that the
reference is silent with regard to the threaded holes required by
claim 9 on appeal (id.). To remedy this deficiency, the examiner
applies Zejda for the teaching of a cathode sputtering device
with a quick disconnect mechanism for rapid replacement of the
target where the target and base plate are secured together by
means of screw bolts 14, with threaded holes provided for the
threaded screw to secure the target to the holder or base plate
(Answer, page 4, citing Figure 1 and column 2, ll. 59-65 and 66-
68). From these findings, the examiner concludes that it would
have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in this art to have
provided threaded holes in the target so that screws can secure
the target to the holder and enable rapid replacement of the
target (id.). We agree.
Appellants agree with the examiner that the difference
between the Fujitsu disclosure and the claimed subject matter is
that the holes in the target of Fujitsu are not threaded whereas
the present claims recite threaded holes in the target (Brief,
paragraph bridging pages 4-5). However, appellants argue that
the holes 14 which pass through the target 11 of Fujitsu are not
threaded because threads are unnecessary, with mechanical
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