Appeal No. 2001-2495
Application No. 09/110,876
Boileau 3,707,177 Dec. 26, 1972
Lagnier 4,994,126 Feb. 19, 1991
Sugata et al. (JP ‘604) JP 04-212,604 Aug. 04, 1992
Yasuo (JP ‘514) JP 08-207,514 Aug. 13, 1996
Kurokawa (JP ‘419) JP 08-244,419 Sep. 24, 1996
Beckmann (EP ‘230) EP 664,230 Jul. 26, 1995
Appellant’s claimed invention is directed to a pneumatic
tire having a plurality of block-shaped land portions having at
least four sipings, or incisions therein. The sipings comprise
first and second linear portions which extend in a direction
perpendicular to the surface of the land portion as well as a
line portion which connects the first and second linear portions.
According to appellant “[t]he invention is directed to an
improvement of a block-type pattern by optimizing the sipes
themselves to improve dynamic performance of the tire in wet and
ice conditions yet at the same time minimizing irregular wear
which is characteristic of the prior art” (page 2 of the brief,
penultimate paragraph).
The appealed claims stand rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 103 as
follows:
(1) Claims 1, 3, 4, 12 and 13 over EP ‘230 in view of
Lagnier and either JP ‘604 or JP ‘514;
2
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