Appeal No. 1999-0037 Page 6
Application No. 08/611,657
having the structure recited in claim ... 15." (Appeal Br. at
8-9.)
“Claims are not interpreted in a vacuum, but are part of
and are read in light of the specification.” Slimfold Mfg.
Co. v. Kinkead Indus., Inc., 810 F.2d 1113, 1116, 1 USPQ2d
1563, 1566 (Fed. Cir. 1987) (citing Hybritech Inc. v.
Monoclonal Anti-bodies, Inc., 802 F.2d 1367, 1385, 231 USPQ
81, 94-95 (Fed. Cir. 1986); In re Mattison, 509 F.2d 563, 565,
184 USPQ 484, 486 (CCPA 1975)). Here, claim 15 specifies in
pertinent part the following limitations: "first and second
longitudinal bearing surfaces positioned on the slider body
which have a shape that concentrates positive pressure, which
is developed between the bearing surfaces and the recording
surface as the recording surface rotates about the central
axis, between 1/3 to 2/3 the length of the slider body ...."
The specification defines the limitations as follows.
Side rails 38 and 40 form longitudinal bearing
surfaces 62 and 64, respectively. Bearing surfaces
62 and 64 have a leading portion 66, a waist portion
68 and a trailing portion 70. Leading portion 66
includes a leading taper 72. Leading portion 66 and
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