Appeal 2007-2214
Application 10/032,383
ll. 10-16). The garment includes “a garment shell having a first end, an
opposite second end and longitudinal sides extending between the ends” (id.
at col. 1, l. 67, to col. 2, l. 2). “The garment shell . . . also has a first waist
section adjacent to the first end and a second waist section adjacent the
second end. A pair of first attachment pads are attached to the first waist
section. . . . At least one second attachment pad is attached to the second
waist section.” (Id. at col. 2, ll. 4-13.)
The garment also includes a pair of straps with fasteners attached to
each of their ends, so that the fasteners on the ends of the straps can engage
the attachment pads on the garment (id. at col. 2, ll. 14-21). In the
embodiment depicted in Kuen’s Figure 7, “front and back hook patches 72
and 74 comprise the hook component of a hook-and-loop fastening system,
while the strap members 76 comprise the loop component,” the loop
material being attached “along the entire length of the strap member” (id. at
Figure 7, col. 13, ll. 41-44, and col. 14, ll. 45-48). We agree with the
Examiner that this strap can be attached to the hook patches such that one
end of the strap provides a shear strength that is greater than that provided
by the other end.
Appellants argue that Kuen fails to disclose that “the strap (e.g.,
strap 76A) has an anchor end configured to have a first shear strength and a
user end configured to have a second shear strength wherein the first shear
strength is greater than the second shear strength” (Br. 8, 11). Instead,
Appellants argue, Kuen’s “strap (76A) is constructed the same at both
longitudinal ends” (id.).
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