Appeal No. 1998-1454 Page 14
Application No. 08/422,840
a socket connector (18) onto a threaded stud (16') of the rod
passed through an orificed end (20') of the cover tube (as
shown in Figure 4). A plunger lock assembly comprises a
tubular body (26) welded to the cover (20) and extending
outwardly therefrom, a plunger (28) attached to a grippable
knurled knob (30) and a coil spring (32) which biases the
plunger (28) into the path of the cylinder so as to prevent
further movement of the cylinder (12) into the cover tube
(20), thereby retaining the device in the open condition. The
knurled knob enables the plunger (28) to be manually retracted
out of the path of the cylinder to allow the cylinder to move
telescopically further into the cover tube (20) to reach a
closed condition.
In rejecting claims 1 through 9, the examiner's position
is that Schuitema's cover tube (20), cylinder (12) and plunger
lock assembly (26, 28, 30, 32) respond to the engagement
member, handle and locking means, respectively, of claim 1
(final rejection, page 5).
Initially, we find the examiner's suggestion that the
cylinder (12) is a cranking handle for cranking the cover tube
(20) manifestly unreasonable. Moreover, with the cylinder
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