Appeal No. 2006-0301 Παγε 4
Application No. 09/837,932
the light guide batten may also be in the form of essentially
two strip-like batten elements respectively arranged laterally
on one edge zone of the light guide panel and which may
end flush with the light guide panel or may project past its
edge zone. The holes for receiving the LED's may then
extend into the light guide panel.
Further, in column 6, lines 24-26, Schöniger discloses that "in the fourth working
example as shown in FIG. 4, the blind hole 14 extends into the batten elements 21 and
the light guide panel 10." These two statements by Schöniger reinforce to one of
ordinary skill in the art that there is substantial contact between the LEDs 15 and the
light guide panel 10.
In light of the above, appellant's argument with respect to the lack of any showing
of substantial contact between the LEDs 15 and light panel 10 of Schöniger is not well
taken, even when considered with respect to claim 1, the only independent claim that
includes a limitation that the electrical light source emitter, when emitting light,
substantially contacts the eroded transparent or translucent glass member.
Appellant also argues that Schöniger does not disclose that the contrast panel
19, on which the examiner reads the opaque glass backing member of claim 18, is
reflective. While this is true, the examiner also found this to be the case and
determined that it would have been obvious, in view of the teachings of Torrence, to
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