Appeal No. 98-2357
Application 08/772,336
of the coil's inner diameter is deemed to have been
an obvious matter of engineering design dependent on
[the] particular application of the strap. If the
inner diameter of the coil is larger than the width
of the strap, the strap can obviously be pulled
through the coils. [Answer, pages 3 and 4; footnote
added.]
In support of this position, the answer states that:
The examiner contends that Cook teaches [sic,
suggests] forming the coils in the cord of Tugwood
et al with an inner diameter of 1 3/4 inches . . . .
Even though Tugwood et al does not give dimensions
for the strap, it is the examiner's position that
the size of the strap is a matter of design choice
to one of ordinary skill in the art and that a 1 3/4
inch wide strap for use in the surfboard environment
would be an acceptable size. [Page 6.]
The examiner also contends that the reversibility of the coil
"is inherent in the combination of Tugwood and Cook" (answer,
page 6.)
We will not support the examiner's position. Independent
claim 8 requires that (1) the flexible strap have a width and
a flexibility which will allow it to be pulled through the
coil's inner diameter when coil is in a relaxed position and
(2) the coil has the capability of being reversed when the
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Last modified: November 3, 2007