Appeal No. 2002-1488
Application No. 09/463,695
integrally reinforced and stiffening honeycomb network 42 projecting rearwardly
therefrom. As explained at column 8, lines 9-15:
In addition to reinforcing and stiffening the face wall, the
honeycomb cellular network 42 permits face wall 15 to be
constructed thinner and hence lighter than normal and the
weight thus saved is redistributed according to the present
invention to the heel weight wall 26 and the toe weight wall
30.
Allen further explains at column 8, lines 33-48, that the thickness of the striking face
wall 15 may be minimized by increasing the depth of the honeycomb network, and that
the honeycomb network may be replaced with a cellular network of straight intersecting
reinforcing bars.
Knapp is directed to a shell structure for resisting pressure, such as external
and internal hydrostatic pressure loading (abstract), although the inherent structural
rigidity of Knapp’s shell design “can extend its usefulness to many other kinds of
loading such as . . . gravity and wind loading, and concentrated forces” (column 1,
lines 8-11). Knapp’s structure comprises a plurality of flat polyhedral plates sealed
together along their edges to provide an undulating cylindrical shell. As is made clear
upon review of Knapp’s specification and drawing figures, Knapp’s shell structure
comprises a polyhedral geometry that corresponds to appellants’ PCCP structure.
Knapp’s cylindrical shell structure utilizing polyhedral plates “exhibits a larger
circumferential bending rigidity (and thus a greater resistance to buckling failure) than
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