Appeal 2007-2557
Application 10/094,866
5. Thus, we give these terms their broadest reasonable interpretation,
finding “narrowings” means part of the bridge where its width has been
decreased (see Webster’s 787 (defining “narrow” to mean “of less than
standard width”)); and “increase in flexibility” means any increase in ability
to bend without breaking (see Webster’s 473 (defining “flexible”) and 400
(defining flexible relative to “elastic”)).
The Prior Art
6. Appellant does not dispute Ley discloses all the limitations of
claim 1, except “the strand of material being configured to include a
repeating series of interconnected repeating W-shaped strand configurations
having a repeating dip, rise, dip, rise, loop, dip, rise, dip, rise, loop patterned
configuration” and “a plurality of narrowings at certain points in the
interconnection bridge that permit the interconnection bridge to have greater
flexibility when bending proximate the plurality of narrowings.”
7. Ley discloses the disputed “dip, rise, dip, loop” (see Ley’s Figs. 1,
3 and 4 (below)5), in which Ley illustrates the repeating pattern “dip, rise,
dip, rise, loop, dip, rise, dip, rise, loop,” in the form of a “W”, as indicated
by the Examiner (Answer 9). The dips are labeled 14 and designated “dip,”
the rises are not numbered but are designated “rise,” and the loops are
labeled 19 and designated “loops.”
8. The loop encompasses an area on each side of the
“circumferentially extending support members,” also designated 19. (Col. 2,
ll. 44-45.) Thus, the loop in Ley’s figures, relied upon to satisfy the claim
5 The figures (pp. 8-9 infra) were previously annotated by the Examiner in
Das ‘318 and reproduced in the Das ‘318 opinion.
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