Appeal 2006-1662
Application 10/453,119
INTRODUCTION
The claims are directed to a device for reinforcing a fragile substrate
having an edge-mount connector and a method of “enforcing a fragile
substrate” (Specification ¶ [0003]). Claims 1, 2 and 12 are illustrative:
1. A device comprising:
a fragile substrate;
a reinforcement plate bonded to the substrate to reinforce the
substrate; and
an edge-mount connector mated with the substrate and the
reinforcement plate.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the reinforcement plate defines
notches for receiving the edge-mount connector.
12. A method for enforcing a fragile substrate, the method
comprising:
bonding a reinforcement plate to the fragile substrate to reinforce the
substrate, the reinforcement plate including notches to receive an
edge-mount connector; and
mating the edge-mount connector to the notches on the reinforcement
plate, and to the fragile substrate.
The Examiner relies on the following prior art references as evidence
of unpatentability:
Machado US 5,041,016 Aug. 20, 1991
Hanato US 5,414,220 May 9, 1995
Sakemi US 5,713,126 Feb. 3, 1998
Farnsworth US 6,144,560 Nov. 7, 2000
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