Appeal No. 97-4004
Application 08/459,417
strikes) are provided with a luminescent coating 23 (which may be
a fluorescent material - see column 2, lines 55-62), (2) the
rails on the billiard table are provided with luminescent tape 34
and (3) the indicating markers on the billiard table are in the
form of luminescent dots or diamonds 38. The artisan would
reasonably infer that the luminescent tape and indicating
markers, as is the case with the balls 21, may be formed of a
fluorescent material. Davidson also provides a radiation means3
31 for emitting ultraviolet radiation in the “black light” band
(see column 2, lines 52-54) in order that the balls, the tape on
the rails and the indicating markers will glow in a darkened
room. By such an arrangement (1) a beginner may more readily
determine the angles of incidence and angles of rebound of the
balls as they move on the billiard table and (2) an amusing
effect is created (see column 1, lines 29-49). Thus, at the
broadest level, Davidson teaches providing various parts of a
sporting apparatus with fluorescent exterior surfaces, including
3In evaluating such references it is proper to take into account not
only the specific teachings of the references but also the inferences which
one skilled in the art would reasonably be expected to draw therefrom. See In
re Preda, 401 F.2d 825, 826, 159 USPQ 342, 344 (CCPA 1968).
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