Appeal No. 98-1028
Application 08/378,809
“ratchet” is defined as “1. A mechanism consisting of a pawl
that engages the sloping teeth of a bar or wheel, permitting
motion in one direction only. 2. The pawl, bar, or wheel of a
ratchet.” Based on this definition, and consistent with3
appellants’ specification, we believe one of ordinary skill in
the art would consider the term “ratchet teeth” as used in the
appealed claims to mean that the second set of ratchet teeth
are shaped to cooperate with the at least one tooth disposed
on the abutment surface to permit motion in one direction only
when engaged. The examiner has not explained, and it is not
apparent to us, how the transverse grooves 72 of McCormick
would function in this manner. Accordingly, appellants’
contention that McCormick’s transverse grooves do not meet
this claim limitation is well taken.
We have also reviewed the Caveney reference additionally
cited by the examiner against the claims for its teaching of
ratchet teeth that extend to the lateral edges of the tongue,
but find nothing therein to make up for the deficiency of
McCormick
Webster’s II New Riverside University Dictionary3
copyright © 1984 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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