Appeal No. 2001-0099
Application No. 09/042,431
slots in the outer member inclined with respect to one another
at an angle of less than 90 degrees. Henson discloses the use
of such an arrangement to securely lock the sleeve 20 of a mop
head 12 in the sleeve 24 of a handle 10 and Packer discloses
the use of such an arrangement to securely lock a beater rod
29 to a hollow drive shaft 23. One of ordinary skill in the
art would have readily understood that the acute angle between
the slots permits the biasing spring (32 in Henson, 51 in
Packer) to aid in keeping the retaining pin in the locking
position, thereby improving the locking. As Henson and
Packer, like appellants' invention, are directed to the
provision of a retaining and locking arrangement for fixing
the position of telescoping sleeve members relative to one
another, the teachings of either Henson or Packer would have
commended themselves to the attention of the skilled artisan
for use on a ratchet handle including an axially slidable
locking rod disposed therein. Further, the skilled artisan2
would have appreciated the advantages of furnishing such an
In cases such as this, involving relatively simple everyday-type2
mechanical concepts, it is reasonable to permit inquiry into other areas where
one of even limited technical skill would be aware that similar problems
exist. In re Heldt, 433 F.2d 808, 812, 167 USPQ 676, 679 (CCPA 1970).
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