Appeal No. 97-3194 Page 24
Application No. 08/442,816
Lipschutz absent impermissible hindsight. We do not agree.
Lipschutz specifically teaches that bellows 33 is provided to
ensure the protection for portion A (i.e., threaded shaft 17)
and to prevent the user from being in contact with the shaft
17. It is our opinion that Lipschutz does provide the
necessary teaching, reason, suggestion, and motivation to
provide an expandable protective sleeve around the notched
locking rod of Damon to protect the locking notches from dirt
and debris and to prevent the user from contacting the notched
locking rod in a manner suggested and taught by Lipschutz.
With respect to claim 17, the appellant argues (brief, p.
26) it is not obvious to modify Damon to provide the specific
ratchet teeth as claimed. We do not agree. The claimed
ratchet teeth including "a flat stop surface" and "a second
surface sloping inwardly toward the rod axis from the radially
outer edge of the stop surface" read on Damon's teeth 2.
Thus, there is no need to modify Damon to provide the specific
ratchet teeth as claimed.
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