Appeal 2006-1865
Application 09/660,433
Patent 5,802,641
17. In the Amendment at page 4, Appellant additionally argued the
following as to the amended claims:
Thus, the applicant's claimed invention enables the support
device to be moved simultaneously about both the horizontal and
vertical axes in a single, fluid motion by a single actuator. This not
only allows the motion of the support device to closely mimic the
natural motion of the hip and more comfortably accommodate the
patient, but further allows the attendant or doctor to quickly,
efficiently and effortlessly adjust the patient's legs to permit the doctor
access to the patient without entering the sterile area.
In contrast, Klevstad teaches an actuator device (43) which
allows rotational movement of a support device about its own
longitudinal axis and rotation about a second, horizontal axis (e.g. pin
36) transverse to the longitudinal axis to enable vertical movement of
the support device. However, in order for Klevstad to further allow
the support device to move horizontally about a vertical axis(e.g.
vertical shaft 32) transverse to both the longitudinal and second axes,
Klevstad requires adjustment of a second actuator (locking pin 34).
Klevstad does not teach an actuator device that simultaneously
selectively clamps and releases the support device and the mounting
device to allow movement of the support device jointly about first and
second axes transverse to the longitudinal axis of the support device
and to each other.
The argument directly above again addressed limitations (1)-(5) and (7).
18. In the Amendment at page 5, Appellant argued the following as to the
amended claims:
The actuator of Klevstad allows movement of the support
device about a first axis, allowing vertical movement, and about a its
[sic] own longitudinal axis.
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