Appeal No. 99-1823
Application 08/964,278
support member in order to radially orient said
ramped guide member to a selected position . . .
without removal of any components of said coupling
structure . . . . [Emphasis added.]
Independent method claim 15 contains similar limitations in
method form.
Humberson pertains to a safety type cathead having a
rotating cathead or capstan 7 about which a rope is wound, and
a guide structure for guiding the rope as it is wound on the
capstan. As explained at column 2, lines 23-30,
[t]he catline guide . . . is denoted, generally, by
the numeral 12 and comprises an annulus or annular
flange 13, which is bolted securely, as at 14, to
the draw-work casing 5. This annular portion is
provided with a collar 15 whose spiralling surface
16 serves to pilot and guide the windings 17 of the
catline around the cathead 7.
While recognizing that the capstan device of Humberson is
not disclosed as being used in the manner set forth in
appellant’s claims, the examiner is nonetheless of the view
that Humberson is fully responsive to independent claims 8 and
15 in that Humberson discloses a capstan that meets the
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