Appeal No. 2000-0267 Page 7
Application No. 08/856,943
The examiner asserts, "Tomura's lug (218) is projecting
into the receiving compartment. Also, notice that the spring
contact (236) is in the receiving compartment (see Figs. 16-
17).
Therefore, Tomura's lug (218) is also projecting toward the
spring contact (236)." (Examiner's Answer at 7.) He further
asserts, “viewing from the spring (116) toward the loop (111)
it appears that Mattering's loop (111) is projecting away from
the spring (116). However, if viewing from the loop (111)
toward the spring (116), then the loop (111) can be considered
as projecting toward the spring ( 116).” (Id. at 11.) The
appellants argue, "[t]he drawings in Tomura et al. do not
disclose or suggest the lug (218) projecting downward towards
the spring." (Reply Br. at 1.) They further argue, “[i]n
Mattinger et al. the loop (111) projects away from the spring
contacts (116, 117).” (Appeal Br. at 9.)
In deciding anticipation, “the first inquiry must be into
exactly what the claims define.” In re Wilder, 429 F2d 447,
450, 166 USPQ 545, 548 (CCPA 1970). Similarly, in deciding
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