Appeal No. 2006-1297 Page 4
Application No. 10/699,595
or cables 48 may be included and attached to each threaded insert 40 or merely
stretched between the longitudinal pretensioned cables 34. Thomson does not
specify whether the cables 34 or wires 48 are corrosion resistant and does not
disclose that the core is encased within a polymeric coating, as called for in each of
appellant’s independent claims 1, 4 and 6.
Gonzalez discloses a modular concrete floatation unit comprising a precast
reinforced concrete slab 112, 114, the flat side of which forms a walking surface or
deck and having a forward wall 122, 124 and vertically oriented end and side walls
132, 142, 142B, respectively, and a vertically oriented inner wall 15 so that two
compartments 162, 172 are formed within the hollow or concave side of the slab.
Galvanized steel reinforcement, such as steel reinforcing rods, and wire mesh are
located within the concrete slab for added strength. The compartments are tightly
packed with one or more blocks 182 of cellular foam or plastic coated, wrapped or
painted with a suitable protective film or thin cover that prevents attack by acids,
corrosives, detergents, organic solvents and the like (col. 4, ll. 18-21). According
to Gonzalez (col. 5, ll. 49-51), materials such as polyethylene, polypropylene,
polyvinylidene chloride and polyvinyl chloride are suitable for the protective film
or cover. An open wood frame is bolted or otherwise attached upon the bottom of
the slab to hold the wrapped cellular foam or plastic blocks within the
compartments. The structure is open to ingress and egress of water, differing from
prior art floatation units that were destroyed by holes or cracks sufficient to permit
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