Appeal No. 2006-0294
Application No. 09/953,030
an enclosure containing a gel-like material;
and
a bladder disposed within the enclosure, the
bladder at least partially surrounded by and
in contact with the gel-like material;
disposing a work piece on the fixture; and
adjusting the apparatus to vary contact between the
apparatus and at least a portion of one of the work piece
and the fixture to change a frequency characteristics [sic]
thereof.
The examiner relies upon the following reference as evidence
of obviousness:
Thomas et al. (Thomas) 6,049,927 Apr. 18, 2000
Appellant’s claimed invention is directed to an apparatus
and method for dampening vibrations. The apparatus comprises an
enclosure containing a gel-like material and a bladder, with the
bladder at least partially surrounded by and in contact with the
gel-like material.
Appealed claims 1-19 and 21 stand rejected under 35 U.S.C.
§ 103(a) as being unpatentable over Thomas.
We have carefully reviewed the respective positions advanced
by appellant and the examiner. In so doing, we find ourselves
in agreement with appellant that the examiner has failed
to establish a prima facie case of obviousness for the claimed
2
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