Appeal No. 1999-1753
Application No. 08/515,815
Of particular interest to Stedman is the provision of a
grasping apparatus that is especially adapted for grasping and
moving irregular shaped, fragile material such as refuse
packed in plastic bags (abstract). To this end, the grasping
apparatus of Stedman may include flexible, resilient,
deformable retaining elements in the form of strap 70 of
elastomeric material (Figure 4), spring 80 (Figure 5), or a
combination of both straps and springs (Figure 6), for
grasping plastic bag containers without rupturing the
containers. Stedman’s grasping mechanism is in the form of a
grapple attached to the free end of the articulated arm by a
pivot pin 35 so as to depend therefrom under the influence of
gravity (column 3, lines 20-22). Among the findings made by
the examiner in rejecting the claims on appeal, the examiner
determined that Stedman lacked a mechanized grabber means for
grasping, lifting, tipping and releasing a container as called
for in paragraph (e) of claim 22. The examiner cited Holtom
for its showing of a mechanized grabber means of the type
called for in the claim, and concluded that it would have been
obvious to replace the grasping mechanism of Stedman with the
grabber means of Holtom. We do not agree.
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