Appeal 2007-1934
Application 09/993,443
1 and 6). Anguera ‘191 specifically describes “compressing” the stack during
2 both the drilling and pinning operations (FF 7). Clamp plate 34 transversely
3 operates to compress adjacent rows of boards together against stop plate 33,
4 while hold-down clamps 52 and 53 compress the boards in a vertical
5 direction during the drilling and pinning operations.
6 Anguera ‘191 uses the word “compress” in describing the function of
7 the clamps (“clamp plate 34 and the hold-down clamps 53 are operative to
8 compress the work,” col. 3:64-66; “the work clamp is operative to laterally
9 compress the work for simultaneous drilling and pin driving operations” col.
10 6:36-38; “the clamp plate 34 is transversely operated to compress the
11 adjacent rows of strips together against the stop plate and simultaneously
12 with the operation of said clamp plate, hold-down clamps 52 and 53
13 compress the strips in a vertical direction,” col. 9:27-32). Based on the
14 record, Applicant does not sufficiently explain why Anguera ‘191 does not
15 function to compress the wooden boards as claimed.
16 The Applicant also argues that the combination made by the Examiner
17 was improper (FF 26). Applicant refers to the Examiner’s conclusory
18 reasoning that the steps are “obvious mechanical expedients.” The quoted
19 statement cannot be found in either the last rejection made by the Examiner
20 or in the Examiner’s Answer. Instead, the Examiner did provide sound
21 reasons for making the combinations. For example, the Examiner found that
22 one of ordinary skill in the art knew that aligning the drill and pin press
23 opposite each other as described in Lewis would lead to a more efficient
13
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