Appeal No. 2000-0693
Application 08/845,282
independent claim 17 calls for a film layer provided on the
inner circumferential surface of the tubular member that
defines a plurality of longitudinal spaced apart
projections extending circumferentially with respect
to said tubular member to reduce contact area
between said film layer and said fishline,
and independent claim 21 requires
an inner circumferential surface of said tubular
main body . . . formed with recessed and protruding
portions alternately arranged in a longitudinal
direction . . . wherein surface portions defined by
said recessed portions have a water repellant
property.
In prosecution before the examiner leading up to this
appeal, the examiner employed a number of theories in an
attempt to account for claim limitations directed to the inner
surface of the fishing rod being provided with projections.
For example, in the parent case of the present application,
the examiner took the
position (office action mailed January 21, 1997 (Paper No. 7),
pages 3-4) that
it would have been further obvious to provide the
interior surface of the inner-line fishing rod with
annular projections within the rod in view of the
Japanese patent (‘032) to reduce the contact area
between the line and the interior surface of the
fishing rod and to thereby reduce the wear to the
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