Appeal No. 1999-0628 Page 5
Application No. 08/806,503
In proceedings before it, the PTO applies to the verbiage of the proposed claims the
broadest reasonable meaning of the words in their ordinary usage as they would be understood
by one of ordinary skill in the art, taking into account whatever enlightenment by way of
definitions or otherwise that may be afforded by the written description contained in the
applicant's specification. In re Morris, 127 F.3d 1048, 1054, 44 USPQ2d 1023, 1027 (Fed.
Cir. 1997).
In light of the appellant's underlying disclosure, we read the words "only one set of
splines adapted to connect with a yoke and formed on the end thereof" of the claims together so
as to denote that the shaft has only one set of splines which are "adapted to connect with a yoke
and formed on the end thereof." We do not interpret this language as precluding the output
shaft having another set of splines at a location thereon different from "the end thereof" which
are not adapted to connect with a yoke or the housing or casing having another yoke which is
not mounted on the one set of splines.5
In rejecting claims 1-3, 6-9, 12 and 15 under 35 U.S.C. § 103 as being unpatentable
over Keese in view of Arbus, the examiner reads the claimed "output shaft" on the shaft (324)
of Keese. Noting that the splined outer end portion of the shaft (324) is shown extending into
the bearing cage (310) of the auxiliary reduction gear housing (300) and, thus, is not
5If given the latter, more limited interpretation, the claims as now amended would appear to lack adequate
descriptive support as required by the first paragraph of 35 U.S.C. § 112. Specifically, the appellant's specification
and drawings (note the "fragmentary" views; specification, pages 2-3) disclose details only of the output end of the
housing or casing and output shaft. Since the upstream portions of the shaft and housings or casings are neither
illustrated nor described, the presence or absence of additional splines thereon cannot be determined.
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