Appeal No. 2004-2209 8
Application No. 09/406,445
have given one of ordinary skill motivation to combine the teachings of the two basic
references, we find that the reference to Winkler expressly teaches away from such a
high coefficient of friction. It must be recognized that although the German laid open
application contains a teaching of a non-metallic guide rail, it is silent with respect to
using such a guide rail as a friction component with a friction surface on a wedge of a
catching device. Accordingly, any teaching or suggestion to combine this reference with
the Winkler catching device must be based on impermissible hindsight.
The other cited references offer little to bolster the examiner’s case of prima facie
obviousness. Consequently, all obviousness rejections on appeal are reversed.
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