Appeal No. 1998-0210
Application No. 08/149,193
transmitting any load”. As we see it, implicit in this7
argument, is appellants’ recognition that the ribs do transmit
or distribute the weight of the golfer. This is also evident
from claims 119 and 132. The underlying disclosure simply
does not allocate any percentage of the load borne by the
flange and by the ribs. However, we perceive that one skilled
in the art would understand that the side surfaces of the
eight (8) ribs referenced above would be expected to
distribute a measurable amount of load (golfer weight), i.e.,
not an inconsequential amount of weight as inferred from
appellants’ earlier noted assessment of the ribs as performing
their function “substantially without transmitting any load”.
This perception on our part is buttressed by the showing in
the unabridged videotape, submitted into the record by
appellants, wherein a depicted golf cleat with radiating ribs
having a triangular shape (swirl embodiment) reveals side
surfaces of each rib that can clearly be appreciated as being
7We note that the examiner well appreciated that
appellants’ traction ribs would also bear weight (answer, page
12).
9
Page: Previous 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Next
Last modified: November 3, 2007