Appeal No. 2006-0132
Application No. 09/946,627
As to the limitation that the composite component
is infused with an uncured resin, Wanthal discloses the
composite component is a pre-preg tape. Pre-preg tapes
are composites with resin permeated throughout the
tape, therefore this is considered to be a composite
infused with resin (permeated with resin).
Additionally, it is well known in the art to either
pre-impregnate composite components or to resin infuse
the composites. It would have been obvious to one of
ordinary skill in the art at the time of the invention
to provide a method of bonding shown in Wanthal where
the composite tape is infused with resin as is a well
known alternative to pre-impregnated tape.
As to the limitation that the plurality of pins
are inserted into the base and into the component,
Wanthal discloses the pins are inserted into the base
(pre-form flange) but it is unclear as to whether the
pins extend into the component as well (It is noted
that the copies of the Wanthal reference that Applicant
provided has unclear figures that are too dark to
determine whether the pins extend into the component
layer). Campbell shows it is known in the art of
bonding pre-forms to composite to extend the pins
through the pre-form base and the composite component
in order to provide structural improvements such as
preventing crack propagation (column 2, lines 3-35;
column 4, lines 1-10). It would have been obvious to
one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of the
invention to provide the method of bonding a pre-form
to a composite as shown by Wanthal by inserting the
pins such that they extend into the base and into the
component in order to provide a stronger joint as shown
by Campbell.
The appellants do not dispute the examiner’s findings above. See
the Brief, pages 8-13. Nor do the appellants contest the
examiner’s determination that the combined teachings of Wanthal
and Campbell would have rendered the subject matter defined by
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