Appeal No. 1999-1747 Page 9
Application No. 08/715,422
first bore section for communicating with the brake hose,
a second bore section for receiving a sealing arrangement
that seals between the brake tube and second bore section
and a third bore section for receiving the retaining
element;
a shoulder within the third bore section extending
radially inwardly for engaging one portion [of] the
retaining element to prevent axial movement of the
retaining element out of the third bore section; and
a groove in the brake tube for abutting another
portion of the retaining element to prevent axial
movement of the tube from the connector body.
Our review of independent claim 1 reveals that we are
unable to derive a proper understanding of the scope and
content thereof. Specifically, for the reasons set forth
below, we are unable to determine whether claim 1 is directed
to the combination of a brake hose, a brake tube and a quick
connect coupling as asserted by the appellant or that claim 1
is directed only to the quick connect coupling having the
intended use of coupling a brake hose to a brake tube.5
5The manner or method in which a machine (e.g., in this
case, the quick connect coupling which attaches a brake hose
to a brake tube) is to be utilized is not germane to the issue
of patentability of the machine itself. See In re Casey, 370
F.2d 576, 580, 152 USPQ 235, 238 (CCPA 1967). A statement of
intended use does not qualify or distinguish the structural
apparatus claimed over the reference. In re Sinex, 309 F.2d
488, 492, 135 USPQ 302, 305 (CCPA 1962). There is an
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