Appeal No. 1999-2703
Application No. 08/772,068
In applying Hamaguchi against the claims, the examiner
identifies the corresponding components of Hamaguchi as:
electromagnetic transducer (4), magnetic disk medium (3),
magnetic head slider (2), suspension spring (1) and spring
support mechanism (6). With regard to the suspension spring
having “a length in the range of approximately 1-3 mm
inclusive,” the examiner cites column 5, lines 61-62, of
Hamaguchi. The cited section of Hamaguchi states that the
overall length of the support mechanism “can be reduced to 3-9
mm.”
Appellant argues that this disclosed range of Hamaguchi
is not the range claimed and, since 3 mm is the shortest
spring that Hamaguchi has, there is nothing in the reference
to support the claimed range of “1-3 mm.” We disagree.
The claimed range is “approximately 1-3 mm inclusive.”
Hamaguchi discloses a range of “3-9 mm.” Accordingly, a
length of 3mm overlaps the claimed range as well as the range
disclosed by Hamaguchi. Since Hamaguchi does, indeed,
disclose a value of spring length within the range of the
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