Appeal No. 2001-1504
Application 08/618,263
[t]he laminated jaw construction set forth in
pending claim 16 is integral to the functional
mechanism of the self locking tool of the present
invention. The self adjusting locking tools of the
present invention rely on a pair of coacting wedges
for adjusting the tool proportionally to the size of
a work piece engaged by the jaws. In order for this
wedge action to properly work it is necessary for
each of the pivot points associated with the jaws to
be totally free. In order to ensure the pivot
points can freely work, and thereby permit the self
locking mechanism to properly function, it is
critical to provide clearances in all of the pivot
points. The clearances provided directly result
from the construction of the jaws. The laminated
construction of the jaws set forth in the pending
claim 16 permits the jaws to be constructed to
tolerances that heretofore were not readily
obtainable from prior art forging and stamping
processes and enables consistent operation of the
self-adjusting locking features of the present
invention.
13. While the Emmett and Warheit patents
disclose laminated constructions, the laminated
construction in the tools of the Emmett and Warheit
patents does not provide nor, in my opinion, suggest
the functional advantages of using a laminated jaw
construction for a self-adjusting locking tool. The
use of a laminated construction in the tools of the
Emmett and Warheit patents increases the strength of
the tool and reduces the cost of production. The
use of a laminated construction in those tools,
however, is not, as it is in the present invention,
integral to the functional mechanism of the tool.
14. Thus, the laminated construction of the
jaws in the self-adjusting locking tool of the
present invention, provides a functional and
mechanical result not present in the laminated tool
construction in the Emmett and Warheit patents.
Further, in my opinion, the operational advantages
obtained by the laminated construction of pending
claim 16, and in particular the
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