Appeal No. 2003-0265 Page 6
Application No. 09/105,150
base 12, the leg 30, the central portion 28, and the screw 16. Crowther teaches
(column 2, lines 26-30) that "[a]s a safety precaution, so that the clamp 14
cannot be completely removed from the base 12, the last thread at the free
extremity of screw 16 can be distorted as indicated at 36 by peening the end of
the screw or by other suitable means."
Ascertainment of the differences
After the scope and content of the prior art are determined, the differences
between the prior art and the claims at issue are to be ascertained. Graham v. John
Deere Co., 383 U.S. 1, 17-18, 148 USPQ 459, 467 (1966).
Based on our analysis and review of Crowther and claim 1, it is our opinion that
the only difference is the limitation that the deformation in a portion of the external
thread of the screw adjacent the second end of the shank being a stake formed in the
second end of the shank and extending along a chord of the second end transverse to
the longitudinal axis of the shank.
Based on our analysis and review of Crowther and claim 11, it is our opinion that
the only difference is the limitation that a stake is formed in and extending along a
chord of the second end transverse to the longitudinal axis of the shank of the screw
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