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 34Page: Previous 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 NextLast modified: November 3, 2007