Appeal No. 2006-0132
Application No. 09/946,627
horizontally along the surface of the skin member 6,” thus
forming a pair of legs extending from bases similar to a pi-shape
pre-form. See Figure 3, in conjunction with column 6, lines 18-
53. We find that the pre-forms described in Breuer are taught to
be useful in aircraft construction. See column 1, lines 45. As
acknowledged by the examiner (the Answer, page 15), Breuer does
not mention a woven pi-shape pre-form and a plurality of parallel
Z-pins to reinforce the bonding of the pi-shape pre-form to a
composite layer (skin member).
To remedy these deficiencies, the examiner relies on the
disclosures of Avildskov and Campbell. See the Answer, pages
15-17. We find that Avildskov teaches at column 2, lines 35-55,
in reference to the L-shape profile members (pre-forms) taught by
Breuer,
FIG. 1 shows a prior art arrangement for connecting a
spar or rib 4 (such as might be used in construction of
an airplane wing) to another structural component 8
(such as the skin or covering of an aircraft wing).
Placed at the joint of the spar 4 and structural
component 8 to hold the two together are a pair of
fabric connectors 12 and 16 (shown in cross section in
FIG. 1). A portion of each fabric connector 12 and 16
is placed flat against and bonded to the structural
component 8 while another portion is placed flat
against and bonded to the spar 4 as shown. This
connector arrangement provides fairly good strength and
load transfer efficiency between the spar 4 and
structural component 8 when the two components are
moved as indicated by arrows 20 relative to one
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