Appeal No. 2000-0901
Application No. 08/553,321
modified in view of Thompson, the sleeve is in its final
(pipe-gripping) position when the coupling is inserted into
the end of the pipe, and the sleeve would have to be forced to
move along the exterior of the pipe to any other position, we
do not consider that Wehringer or Metcalfe would have
motivated one of ordinary skill to force the Hedeman/Thompson
sleeve along the pipe to another, temporary location, insert
the coupling, and then force the sleeve back to its pipe-
gripping position.
Accordingly, the rejection of claim 8, as well as of
dependent claims 2 to 4 and 9 to 12, will not be sustained.
Conclusion
The examiner's decision to reject claims 2 to 4 and 8 to
12 is reversed.
REVERSED
IAN A. CALVERT )
Administrative Patent Judge )
)
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