Appeal No. 2006-0022 Παγε 11
Application No. 09/810,943
a plurality of vehicle occupant weight sensor assemblies, each of said
weight sensor assemblies comprising a strain gauge mounted on a
corresponding one of said deflectable mounting structures; and
a vehicle occupant protection device responsive to said weight sensor
assemblies.
In the rejection of claim 36 (answer, pp. 3-4), the examiner (1) ascertained that
Research Disclosure does not explicitly disclose the use of weight sensor assemblies in
the form of a strain gauge and a plurality of deflectable mounting structures which
together bear the entire weight of the frame; and (2) concluded that in view of Gagnon's
teachings it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time the
invention was made to use strain gauges as the vehicle occupant weight sensor
assemblies and that in view of Harris' teachings it would have been further obvious to
have implemented the use of strain gauges mounted on a deflectable mounting
structure for sensing more accuracy occupant weight.
The appellants argue (brief, pp. 8-15; reply brief, pp. 3-5) that the rejection of
claim 36 is improper because (1) Harris is non-analogous art; and (2) there clearly is no
suggestion or motivation to modify the Research Disclosure in the manner set forth by
the examiner so as to arrive at the claimed invention. We find the appellants argument
unpersuasive for the reasons which follow.
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