Appeal No. 1999-1821 Page 8
Application No. 08/725,335
element for either compressing the first connectable member
means into engagement with the second connectable member means
or expanding the second connectable member means into
engagement with the first connectable member means. In
addition, claim 32 recites that
at least one of said first connectable member means and
said second connectable member means includes a tapered
opening having means for securely engaging said tapered
element, and wherein said engagement provides a
substantially uniform force distribution between the
first and second connectable member [means].
Johnston discloses a handle for a lawn-mower. As shown
in Figures 1-3, the handle includes a cross-bar A having an
oblong mortise a; a push-bar B having a tenon b, which
corresponds to and fits into the mortise a; an axial opening
b' in the tenon b; a metal plate C provided with a central
opening c; and a tapered screw D. Johnston teaches (page 1,
lines 64-69) that the tapered screw D causes the tenon b to
expand so that the sides of the tenon press closely against
the walls of the mortise a, thereby materially aiding in
holding the parts tightly together.
Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Next
Last modified: November 3, 2007