Appeal No. 1999-1506
Application 08/815,151
Dictionary available to us is "to make fast or rigid by the2
engaging of parts or the action of a restraint, esp.
friction." Whether one applies this definition or the
definition quoted by appellant, supra, the upturned portion 12
of the Blann support cannot be said to "lock" the support to
the ladder rung, since it merely hooks onto the end of the
rung and does not fasten them together or make them "fast or
rigid". Accordingly, since Blann does not disclose a locking
means as claimed, neither rejection (1) nor rejection (3) will
be sustained. 3
Rejections (2) and (4)
Considering claim 30 in relation to the Benninger patent,
we find that Benninger discloses a ladder arm type of support
having an elongate substantially cylindrical body member 62
which near its first (inner) end carries a locking means 68
2Webster's Third New International Dictionary (1971).
3We note that rejection (3) would not be sustainable in
any event, since claim 33 is dependent on claim 32 and the
examiner does not point out, nor do we find, any disclosure in
Blann of a locking means with screw thread means as called for
by claim 32.
-4-
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