Appeal 2007-0756
Application 10/652,853
valves in parallel with, and thus “incorporating,” one-way valves and relief
valves (not labelled in Fig. 7 but analogous to check valves AV1 and AV2
and relief valves RV1 and RV2 of Fig. 4 – Nohira, col. 5, l. 21). Further, as
illustrated in Fig. 9, the regulators SC1 and SC2 and suction valves SI1 and
SI2 are both on the left of the housing HL, while the control valve units PC1
through PC8 are on the right side of housing HL. We thus conclude that the
features asserted by Appellants to be lacking in Nohira are in fact disclosed
by Nohira. Appellants have not demonstrated error in the Examiner’s
rejection of claim 5 as anticipated by Nohira. The rejection is sustained.
We turn our attention next to the rejection of claims 9 and 12, which
recite that placement of the suction valves improves suction efficiency of the
pumps when the pumps are operated with the suction valves to perform
skidding control and traction control. Appellants (Specification 18:6-14)
explain this feature as follows:
The suction valves 12A, 12B are disposed on the
base 22 in positions closer to the suction port 42 of
each of the pumps 10A, 10B than the control valve
unit VA through VD and the regulators 21A, 21B.
It is possible to arrange the suction valves 12A,
12B in close proximity the suction port 42 of each
of the pumps 10A, 10B. Thus it is possible to
improve the negative pressure transport factor
from the suction port 42 of each of the pumps 10A,
10B to the suction valves 12A, 12B, thereby
improving the suction efficiency of the pumps
10A, 10B, when the pumps 10A, 10B are operated
with the suction valves 12A, 12B are opened in
order to perform skidding control and traction
control of a vehicle.
It is apparent from this explanation that Appellants attribute improved
suction efficiency of the pumps when operated with the suction valves to the
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