Appeal No. 2006-1853 Page 10
Application No. 10/051,573
With regard to the term “chassis,” the specification describes the chassis
(48) as “a generally rectangularly shaped structure having a top surface 22, a
bottom surface 24 and two opposed sides or surfaces 21 and 23.” (Specification,
page 5, line 32 – page 6, line 2). The common meaning of “chassis” is “the frame
upon which is mounted the body (as of an automobile or airplane), the working
parts (as of a radio or other electronic device), the barrel and other recoiling parts
(of a cannon), or the roof, walls, floors, and facing (as of a building).”4 In the
context of the specification, it appears that the appellants intended the “chassis” to
refer to a frame or housing, for example having top, bottom and side surfaces,
which is used to hold the components of the device. The generally accepted
dictionary definition of “housing” is “something that covers or protects” or “a case
or enclosure esp. for a machine or part, an instrument, a lamp.”5 In light of the
description provided in the specification, the “housing” is a case or enclosure, for
example a top surface, bottom surface and two opposed sides or surfaces, that
surrounds the components of the device.
Taking the broadest reasonable interpretation of the claims in view of the
specification, we agree with the Examiner that the elements of independent claims
1, 14, 15, 16 are disclosed in Whiten. Specifically, we agree that Whiten discloses
an equipment cabinet having a first side (14) and a second side (10) and defining
an opening therein. Whiten further discloses a first device (58, B) sized to be
received by the device opening, the first device defining a first mounting pathway
4 Webster’s Third International Dictionary, unabridged, G. & C. Merriam Co., 1971, p. 379.
5 Id. at 1097.
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