Appeal No. 1999-0260
Application 08/571,064
disjunctive circuit for logically adding the outputs of both
first and second detectors as claimed.
Accordingly, we reverse the Examiner's rejection of claims
1, 2, 13, 14 and 18. We also reverse the rejection of claim 3,
as claim 3 is dependant upon claim 1.
Turning next to Appellants' claims 4 and 5 we find that
claim 4 requires29 first and second fuses that blow when an over-
current occurs in their respective power lines, as well as30
first and second detection means having an output set to the ON
state by the blowing of its respective fuse. Considering these
claim limitations, we find that the combination of Appellants'
figure 11 and Price as set forth by the Examiner teach away from
using fuses with the detectors.
Price teaches31 that fuses are not practical where
electrical components are miniaturized and disposed within sealed
enclosures. Furthermore, Price teaches that the reaction time of
fuses are relatively slow and often unpredictable, and require
using higher rated components.
29 Subparagraphs 3 and 4
30 Subparagraphs 5-6
31 Column 4, lines 28-42
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