Appeal No. 96-0814
Application 08/066,331
We reach an opposite conclusion with respect to dependent
claim 10, which requires that the fixture “is unlocked as a
function of fluid pressure.” The only reference in the
disclosure to this aspect of the invention is found in the first
full paragraph on page 5 of the specification, which reads as
follows:
Fig. 1 depicts an alternative form of the crank
arm, generally indicated at 29', which is provided with
a slot bounded by facing parallel side wall surfaces
30', 30'. Thus, pin 23 is adapted to be selectively
received in this slot. Linear motion of pin 23 will
produce corresponding rotational movement of fixture 26
about axis x-x. In other forms, the fluid pressure of
a coolant flow discharge may be used to selectively
engage and discharge the clamping mechanism. [emphasis
added]
We are at a loss as to how the fixture 26 “is to be unlocked
as a function of fluid pressure,” as called for in claim 10,
especially when claim 10 is read in light of the specification,
which indicates that the fluid pressure in question is “a coolant
flow discharge,” and in light of the fact that appellants’
disclosure provides no further explanation or illustration
whatsoever of precisely how fluid pressure is to be used to
effect unlocking of the clamping device. The statement on page 2
2This is in contrast to the mechanically released locking
mechanism embodiment discussed supra, wherein portions of the
release mechanism, i.e., the dogleg-shaped lever 31, are
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