2/4/11 Homework (kyergler) : Critique of Graham case
From Bill Goodwine's Wiki
Graham v. John Deere
Supporting Non-obviousness
Supporting Invalidity
The difference between the '811 patent and the '798 patent, according to the drawings, is the placement of the bolt hinge, and slight organizational arrangements surrounding the hinge. For all intensive purposes, both patents accomplish the same goal using the same technique, the only difference is a mild upgrade that more fully takes advantage of the bolt hinge on the plow. Considering the fact that '811 is prior art in this situation, the progression from '811 to '798 is well within the realm of obviousness for someone knowledgeable in the art of plowing. The '798 patent is one of novelty, but it is certainly not beyond the logical progression of tools from the '811 patent.