Appeal 2007-2003
Application 09/726,589
1 indicated that claims 5-7 are directed to allowable subject matter. We have
2 jurisdiction under 35 U.S.C. §§ 134 and 6(b).
3 The claimed invention is a gate plate for an automatic gear shift mechanism
4 in an automotive vehicle with an automatic transmission. The gate plate is in the
5 automatic transmission gearshift housing and is where the gearshift mechanism
6 interfaces with various interlocks including the neutral safety switch. Appellants’
7 gate plate is made of three stamped steel plates sandwiched together, with the
8 metal plate having pre-applied thereon an elastomeric moldable substance.
9 Claim 1 reproduced below is further illustrative of the claimed subject
10 matter:
11 1. A functional component as a gate plate of an automatic gear shift
12 mechanism with a locking gate, having engagement holes for engagement
13 elements which kinetically interact with the functional component, wherein
14 the functional component comprises at least three stamped parts, which lie
15 flat sandwiched against one another, are unreleasably connected to one
16 another and each have at least two engagement holes for engagement
17 elements which kinectically interact with the functional component, the
18 engagement holes in the stamped parts being arranged congruently with
19 respect to one another, at least one of said holes, in a middle one of the
20 stamped parts, having a hole wall which is provided with an elastomeric
21 plastic cover.
22 The reference of record relied upon by the Examiner as evidence of lack of
23 novelty is:
24 Sander US 6,182,527 B1 Feb. 6, 2001
25 (102(e) filing date: Jul. 2, 1999)
26
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