Appeal No. 96-0939
Application 07/853,221
when the latch means is released. Thus, it can be seen that
the control means as claimed in claim 10 comprises the
switches and electronics as outlined in Figure 4 for limiting
the operation of the drive module 42 shown in dashed lines in
that figure. The control means corresponds to the switches
and electronics in this figure (and their equivalents).
With respect to the examiner’s second grounds of
indefiniteness of claim 10, the examiner points to the
expression “to regulate displacement of the blocking disc.”
By its position in the claim, we are of the view that this
limitation refers back to the control means and further limits
the control means. However, it is clear to us that the means2
for regulating displacement of the blocking disc is the
crystal controlled pulse generator, the stepper motor, and the
reduction gearing. See Figure 4, dashed line box 42. These
mechanisms rotate the blocking disc in a regular manner
according to the times specified by the crystal controlled
pulse generator. Inasmuch
The fact that we of necessity had to construe exactly what structure2
“to regulate displacement of the blocking disc” should be imputed to is itself
evidence of indefiniteness.
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