Appeal No. 98-1242 Page 4
Application No. 08/498,884
1026 (1984). Furthermore, it is only necessary that the
reference include structure capable of performing the recited
function in order to meet the functional limitations of the
claim. See In re Mott, 557 F.2d 266, 269, 194 USPQ 305, 307
(CCPA 1977).
The appellant’s invention is a hand and wrist
stabilization device for use by a boxer to protect the hands
while clenched into fists. It is the examiner’s position
that all of the subject matter recited in independent claim 1
and claims 2-4 and 7, which depend therefrom, is anticipated by
Ballard. We agree.
Using the language of claim 1 as a guide, Ballard
discloses a hand and wrist stabilization device (column 1, line
44 et seq.) comprising a body formed of flexible material for
disposition over at least a portion of the hand and the wrist
and including a hand portion and a wrist portion (Figure 1). A
force dispersion pad (3) is mounted to the body portion and
extends transversely across the metacarpophalangeal joints,
functioning to disperse impact force to these joints (column 1,
lines 46-50). A strap (5) extends laterally away from the pad
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