Appeal No. 2006-0172
Application No. 10/460,478
fringe (18) attached to the base. As can be seen in Figure 1, the fringe (18) hangs
across and covers the space between the slats and provides a screen when the slats
are in their open position to afford a degree of privacy, while at the same time permitting
ventilation through the blind and reducing or eliminating the glare of the direct sun.
Kandel also notes that the screening elements provide an attractive decorative effect
in both the open and closed positions of the blind. See, for example, the Abstract, col.
1, lines 35-40, column 1, lines 69-71, and column 3, lines 27-30. At column 2, lines 14-
17, it is expressly indicated that each screening element comprises a base (16) to the
outer edge of which are attached fringed strands (18) “which, if desired, may comprise
solid material rather than separated strands.” That passage goes on to note that both
the base and the strands may be made of a suitable fabric, plastic or other flexible
material.
In considering the combined teachings of Zorbas and Kandel, the examiner has
concluded that it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time
of appellant’s invention to modify the fabric slats of the venetian blind of Zorbas by
providing them with screening elements like those of Kandel so as to secure the
benefits taught in Kandel, e.g., improved privacy when the slats are in their open
position, while at the same
time permitting ventilation through the blind and obscuring the
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