Ex Parte Bersuch et al - Page 34


          Appeal No. 2006-0132                                                       
          Application No. 09/946,627                                                 
               then cover with additional layers of composite (column                
               5, lines 48-60; figure 6).                                            
               ...                                                                   
                    As to claims 20 and 21, it is well known and shown               
               by the references to have the over-wrap plies extend                  
               beyond the height of the legs of the pre-form and cured               
               to form a connecting surface (see[,] for example,                     
               Sheahen figures, 5,7, 9, and Owens figure 7).                         
          Moreover, we find that Owens, for example, teaches bonding a               
          pi-shape 3D woven textile perform to a skin layer and applying             
          over-wrap plies to further strengthen the bonding and shear                
          strength of the structure in aircraft construction (military               
          airframe structures).  See pages 398-424, especially Figure 2.             
          We find that Sheahen teaches joint subcomponents, including                
          three-dimensional woven pi-shape pre-forms and skin components,            
          useful in aircraft construction.   See page 6.  We find that               
          Sheahen teaches that the woven pi-shape pre-forms can be bonded            
          or bolted to skins and can be co-cured with the skins before               
          applying over-wrap plies.  See pages 6-7.  We find that Sheahen            
          teaches using Z-pins prior to co-curing the skins and pre-forms.           
          See page 7.                                                                
          Given the above teachings, we concur with the examiner that                
          the applied prior art references as a whole would have led one of          
          ordinary skill in the art to the subject matter of claims 18               
          through 21, motivated by a reasonable expectation of successfully          
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