Appeal No. 1999-1044
Application No. 08/778,392
We agree.
The examiner responded to these arguments (answer, pp. 4-
5) by stating that Schmanski's end caps (32, 34) are removable
and the sign holder is, thus, capable of assuming an open-
ended arrangement as claimed. As to the Neuendorf reference,
the examiner maintains that "each of Neuendorf's clamps 10 is
inherently pivotally mounted to the sign structure via pivot
pins 21, 56" (answer, p. 5).
With regard to the removal of the end caps, Schmanski
teaches that
[t]he fins 40 and projections 42 fit snugly against
the flanges 18 and back wall 12 to effectively form
frictional wedges that are held in place between the
flanges 18 and the back wall 12. A bonding agent is
preferably used to bond the fins 40 and projections
42 of the upper end cap 32 to the flanges 18 and
back wall 12 to lock the upper end cap 32 in place.
The lower end cap 34 is releasably locked in place
by a retaining fastener as will be described more
fully hereinafter.
Col. 4, ll. 60-68. Also, Schmanski teaches that
. . . the upper end cap 32 is preferably bonded
permanently in place by a bonding agent. It is not
advantageous to permanently bond the lower end cap
34 in place inasmuch as it is often necessary to
access the insert panel 30 in the sign to change or
add information shown thereon.
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