Appeal No. 96-3024
Application 08/183,856
the teachings of Hardy that it is old and well known in the
art [to] utilize driven chains to move a deck relative to a
support frame. [Answer, pages 2 and 3.]
We do not agree with the examiner’s position. The “deck” 26
of Stoll is a retractable loading/unloading ramp of the type
which, in its operative position, attaches to the rear of the
cargo compartment of a vehicle and slopes downwardly to the
ground. In its inoperative position, the ramp 26 of Stoll is
stored in channels 22, 24 underneath the cargo compartment 14 of
a vehicle 10. When it is desired to utilize the ramp in order to
facilitate the loading or unloading of cargo, the ramp is
manually withdrawn from its stowed position by grasping handles
60 which are provided on the end of the ramp that is to be placed
on the ground. In order to assist in the lifting of the end of
the ramp which attaches to the rear of the cargo compartment up
to the level of the floor or bed of that compartment, a spring-
biased lifting linkage 40, 42 is provided.
The “deck” 9 of Hardy, however, is used for an entirely
different function and/or purpose. That is, Hardy’s “deck” 9
forms the rigid part of a two-part of the bed a dumping body on a
truck. The other part 10 of Hardy’s bed is flexible in the sense
4
Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Next
Last modified: November 3, 2007