Appeal No. 2001-1380
Application No. 09/138,998
Independent claim 3 is reproduced as follows:
3. A housing comprising a main body having an opening, a
lid for covering the opening, guide means for guiding relative
movement of the lid with respect to the main body, and a
mechanism for opening and closing the lid, wherein the mechanism
comprises a drive unit for moving the lid relative to the main
body, said drive unit comprising a first part secured to the main
body and a second part secured to the lid and arranged to
cooperate with the first part, characterized in that:
the mechanism further comprises means, responsive to driving
force of the drive unit in a first direction, for moving the lid
relative to the main body from a closed position over a first
distance in a first linear direction only, and for subsequently
rotating the lid relative to the main body over a second distance
in a first rotational direction, thereby lowering a rear edge of
the lid from an initial height to a lower position and uncovering
the opening of the main body, and
said means for moving and rotating is further responsive to
driving force of the drive unit in a second, reverse, direction,
for rotating the lid relative to the main body over said second
distance in a second, reverse, rotational direction thereby
returning the rear edge of the lid from the lower position to the
initial height, and subsequently moving the lid relative to the
main body over said first distance in a second, reverse, linear
direction, thereby closing the opening of the main body.
The examiner relies on the following references:
Sakurai et al. 4,530,081 Jul. 16, 1985
Akutagawa JP 4-98675 Mar. 31, 1992
Claims 3 and 4 stand rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as
unpatentable over Akutagawa in view of Sakurai.
Reference is made to the briefs and answer for the
respective positions of appellants and the examiner.
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