Appeal No. 95-5103 Page 12
Application No. 08/074,303
such switches push-button, for self-evident reasons.
Accordingly, the claimed first and second depressible start
buttons would have been obvious from the teachings of Farkas.
We agree with the appellant the claimed "means for
enabling said first and second depressible start buttons" is
not readable on wires as determined by the examiner. Elements
expressed in "means-plus-function" format are interpreted
under 35 U.S.C.
§ 112, paragraph 6 , to cover the corresponding structure,6
material, or acts described in the specification and
equivalents thereof. In this case, the appellant has
disclosed (specification, p. 4) that the system is enabled by
pushing/depressing the override enable button 45 shown on the
control panel 32 in Figure 3. Thus, the structure described
635 U.S.C. § 112, sixth paragraph, states:
An element in a claim for a combination may be
expressed as a means or step for performing a
specified function without the recital of structure,
material, or acts in support thereof, and such claim
shall be construed to cover the corresponding
structure, material, or acts described in the
specification and equivalents thereof.
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