Appeal No. 2003-0918 Page 7
Application No. 09/395,659
undercut quadrangular ribs 36b and quadrangular ribs 36c which are of right-angled
cross-sectional configuration or which taper outwardly. The quadrangular ribs
36b may also stand up at a right angle from their longitudinal surface 31, while the
longitudinal ribs may also be of triangular cross-sections (not shown). Figure 5 of
Kuebler depicts longitudinal ribs 37 of sawtooth-like longitudinal section.
Dupuis' invention provides a handle for a tool, instrument, or other object or
article that enables perfect and natural adaptation of the shape of the handle to the
hand that is holding it (translation, p. 4). As shown in Figures 1-9, the handle may be
used on a tennis racquet. As shown in Figures 1-2, the handle has an octagonal core 3
surrounded by a flexible sheath 4. The flexible sheath 4 lies against the core 3 near the
apexes of the core while forming bulged areas 5 that create spaces which are
filled with small beads 6. The external configuration of the handle, thus, deforms to
follow the contours of a gripping hand.
Claim 1
We sustain the rejection of claim 1 under 35 U.S.C. § 103.
Claim 1 reads as follows:
A lacrosse stick, comprising,
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