Appeal No. 2001-2407
Application No. 09/154,703
“step” on the back side of the slider. The examiner uses either
one of Yamaguchi or Mizuno to show the back side of a slider
having a step. The examiner then concludes that it would have
been obvious to utilize the step configuration for the back side
of the slider of APA since “this is a well known configuration
that clearly reduces the mass and height” (answer-page 6).
It appears that Mizuno does not disclose an actuator mounted
on the slider. Moreover, the stepped portion of the slider 2 in
Mizuno allows the slider to float up a little before contacting
convex surface 10b. The stepped portion of Mizuno has no
relation to mounting an actuator therein as in the instant
claimed invention. Accordingly, we find no nexus which would
have led the artisan, in any way, to form a step within APA for
the purpose of mounting an actuator therein.
In Yamaguchi, the stepped portion relied on by the examiner
is the step, or indented, portion of gimbal 5, but there is no
indication within Yamaguchi that this stepped portion is for the
purpose of mounting an actuator, as claimed.
The examiner urges, at page 10 of the answer, that both
Mizuno and Yamaguchi have flat planar areas on the lower
“stepped” surface to accommodate a microactuator but the examiner
points to no section within either reference which suggests this
-10–
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