Appeal 2007-0782
Application 10/683,453
1 been obvious to have replaced the detecting of lateral acceleration of Takao
2 with the detecting of the coefficient of friction disclosed in Hunter. The
3 issue further turns on whether the prior art, alone or in combination, would
4 have suggested detecting the coefficient of friction (to reduce braking) upon
5 detection of a rollover condition.
6
7 FINDINGS OF FACT
8 From our review of the record, we have determined that the following
9 enumerated findings are supported by at least a preponderance of the
10 evidence. Ethicon, Inc. v. Quigg, 849 F.2d 1422, 1427, 7 USPQ2d 1152,
11 1156 (Fed. Cir. 1988)(explaining the general evidentiary standard for
12 proceedings before the Office).
13 1. Appellants invented a method for controlling the brake
14 system of a vehicle train. (Specification 1).
15 2. Commonly, a tractor vehicle equipped with ABS is coupled
16 with a trailer vehicle that lacks an ABS system. (Id.).
17 3. In the Appellants’ invention, a coefficient of friction is
18 detected between the roadway and the vehicle train. If the
19 coefficient of friction is smaller than a predetermined
20 minimum value, the intensity of braking of the trailer
21 vehicle is reduced. (Specification 2).
22 4. We find from Appellants' Fig. 2 that when a rollover danger
23 is detected, the trailer vehicle is braked. If the wheel lock
24 protection function is inoperative (i.e., no ABS or ABS not
25 functioning) the coefficient of friction is detected. If the
4
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Last modified: September 9, 2013