Appeal No. 2005-0832
Application 10/039,015
catch 102 of Johnson inherently possesses spring properties
(EA5); and (3) Ishida discloses a spring biased catch (EA5).
We do not agree with the examiner's reasons (1) and (2). As
to (1), the retractable connector 24, not the cam follower 104,
is spring biased by the compression spring 92. As to (2), we
agree that the cam follower inherently has spring properties
because of its thin cross section, but this does not inherently
meet the limitation of "biased" which requires some deflection.
However, we agree with the examiner's conclusion that one
skilled in the art would have been motivated to make the cam
follower 104 in Johnson a biased spring given the teaching in
Ishida that cam followers in locking mechanisms can be biased
springs. Ishida is clearly relevant to the problem of locking
mechanisms in the environment of PC cards although it is not
directed to locking a retractable antenna in a PC card. The cam
locking structure in Ishida would have suggested to one of
ordinary skill in the art its use in similar situations, of which
Johnson is an example. We are not persuaded of any error in the
examiner's rejection. Accordingly, the rejection of claims 1, 2,
and 10 is affirmed.
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