Appeal 2007-1902
Application 09/398,006
[a]dvantageously, the cords of said two [cord layers] have an
[inclination] angle of 10°-25° . . . and the cords of said third
[cord layer] have an [inclination] angle of 40°-70° . . . . It is
advantageous that the high [inclination] angle [cord layer] is the
outermost [cord layer] for the reason that this enables the higher
[inclination] angle [cord layer] to act also as protection for the
two lower [inclination] angle [cord layers] the latter being those
which are tensioned on inflation of the tyre and hence are
subjected to the higher load. It will be appreciated that the
stiffening function of the higher [inclination] angle [cord layer]
will not be seriously impaired by damage to some of the cords
therein e.g. by stone cutting when in use.
Id. page 1, ll. 60-74. In contrast, Farnsworth acknowledges “[i]n present
radial [cord layer] truck tyres the higher [inclination] angle [cord layer] is
generally the innermost [cord layer] and a fourth [cord layer] is frequently
provided to carry out the function of protection of the low [inclination] angle
[cord] layers” (id. page 1, ll. 74-79). Farnsworth discloses “the maximum
axial width of the [belt] is in the range of 90% to 110% of the axial width of
the tread” (id. page 1, ll. 94-96).
We find Farnsworth illustrates a tire in Figs. 1 and 2 having, among
other things, a triangulated belt assembly with the cords of innermost cord
layer 4 and middle cord layer 3 having equal and opposite inclination angles
of 18°, and the cords of outermost cord layer 2 have an inclination angle of
45°, with the cords of middle layer 3 biased opposite the cords of outermost
cord layer 2 (Farnsworth page 2, ll. 8-45). Farnsworth discloses that while
the belt illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 “consists of [cord layers] in which the
widest [cord layer] is innermost and the narrowest [cord layer] is the
outermost[,] . . . other arrangements of [cord layers] which may be utilized,
if desired” are illustrated in Figs. 3a-c (id. page 2, ll. 46-48).
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