Appeal No. 2006-0132
Application No. 09/946,627
another. However, the strength of the connector is
very weak when the two components are moved in the
direction indicated by arrows 24 and 28 relative to one
another. In particular, such movement would give rise
to well known fabric connector peel problems.
We find that Avildskov goes on to teach that the pi-shape woven
pre-form illustrated in Figure 3 avoids the problems associated
with Breuer’s L-shape profile members in aircraft construction.
See column 2, lines 56-68 and column 3, lines 43-59. Moreover,
as indicated supra, the appellants do not dispute the examiner's
finding that Campbell teaches the importance of using Z-pins to
bond a pre-form base to a composite layer by extending the pins
through the pre-form base and the composite layer. Compare the
Answer, pages 8-9, with the Brief, pages 8-13. We note that
Campbell teaches an improved method of securing a stiffener
member to a skin member in the context of aircraft construction.
See column 1, lines 28-53. We find that Campbell teaches at
column 2, lines 3-16:
The invention results from the realization that a
composite stiffener can be more efficiently and more
securely attached to a composite skin material by
inserting reinforcing pins at the radius region of the
stiffener and into the skin material to increase the
initial failure load of the joint between the stiffener
and the skin materials and also by inserting
reinforcing pins through the flange portion of the
stiffener and into the skin material to resist crack
propagation. In addition the pins reinforce the
individual plies of the both the stiffener and the skin
42
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