Appeal 2006-2970
Application 09/224,340
shows a faceplate with screws 90 at both ends and concludes that it would
have been obvious to use first and second screws to attach the faceplate in
Mazura as taught by Harris (Rejection 4).
Appellant argues that the combination of Mazura and Harris fails to
disclose or suggest the limitations of claim 2 because the screws in Mazura
screw the modules to module rails 3 and not to the component carrier 1
(Br. 11). It is argued that Harris discloses thumb screws for securing an
audio component card 70 within the housing 12, but that the card 70 having
a circuit board 72 and a faceplate 74 is not a PCB module (Br. 11).
The Examiner responds that Harris discloses a second screw 90
attached to a second end of a faceplate (Answer 9).
Mazura discloses that the component carrier 1 includes the front
module rails 3 (col. 3, ll. 60-62). The module rails 3 are part of the chassis
in the same way that the horizontal beams 308 and 336 are part of the
chassis in Appellant's invention. The screws attach to the rails in Mazura in
the same manner that the screws attach to the horizontal beams in
Appellant's invention. Thus, the screws in Mazura attach the PCB faceplate
to the carrier, but Mazura uses a pivotal handle 9 to secure the lower end of
the faceplate instead of a screw. Harris teaches screws 90 at both ends of the
faceplate to connect it to the chassis. One of ordinary skill in the art would
have been motivated to use a screw on the lower end of the faceplate in
Mazura, instead of the handle 9, in view of the teaching in Harris.
Harris is only used for its teaching of using two screws to attach the
faceplate. Nevertheless, Appellant does not explain why Harris does not
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