Appeal No. 1998-3286
Application 08/233,914
contends that Figs 4 and 5 which show a rest
condition with the free ends spaced and the explicit
reference to the ends being held securely in lines
64-71 of Philion at least suggest that the ring be
in tension.
Appellant argues, first, that Philion constitutes
nonanalogous art, not being either from appellant's field of
endeavor or pertinent to the problem with which appellant is
concerned. In the view we take of this case it is unnecessary
to decide this question, and for the sake of argument we will
assume that Philion is analogous art, and proceed to resolve
the question of obviousness based on that assumption.
Appellant further argues that Philion does not disclose a
hoop which has free ends spaced apart in the rest position and
which would be in tension when the ends are joined.
The hoops disclosed by Philion are used to clamp the two
parts of a split pulley on a shaft; each hoop C fits in a
groove b at each end of the pulley and "forces together the
two parts of the pulley" (page 1, lines 50 to 52). The hoop
is separable at one or more places so that it can fit over the
shaft (page 1, lines 52 to 54). Philion discloses that the
hoop may be made in one piece, and "might be made of spring-
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