Appeal No. 2004-0529
Application No. 09/328,931
set of rotatable blades would, in fact, be capable of sweeping
out a virtual disk shape having properties of a lifting body to
generate lift.3 Additionally, it is not clear whether the
recitation of the virtual disk being "pushed translationally" in
claim 1 references the earlier recited "forward impetus" or
"rapidly rotated." Being virtual, it is not clear that the
virtual disk shape can be "pushed translationally" through real
air to thereby generate real lift, as claimed; this recitation
being akin to the disclosure that the virtual disk "cuts rapidly"
through real, not virtual, air (specification, page 2). Claim 1
also appears to be inaccurate and incomplete in not setting forth
3 It is uncertain as to the scope of virtual disk shapes
(swept out by a set of rotatable blades) having the properties of
a lifting body now claimed. The specification offers symmetrical
and asymmetrical blade variations which are disclosed as
functioning to sweep out a (virtual) lifting body. For example,
Figs. 2 and 2a depict a blade symmetrically deformed downwardly
at distal ends that is indicated to sweep out a shape similar to
that of an inverted flying disk, with the similar aerodynamic
property of providing lift. Fig. 13a reveals symmetrical rigid
blades that turn down slightly near distal end 116 and are
disclosed as creating a lifting body that is "somewhat 'frisbee'
shaped" when spun rapidly. In Fig. 13c, the symmetrical rigid
blades (not distal ends) are disclosed as having a rigid downward
camber. On the other hand, appellant indicates that an
asymmetrical blade, such as in Fig.3b, imparts an asymmetrical
camber to the shape of a lifting body. The specification as a
whole, however, does not provide an adequate basis for
understanding the scope of the claimed disk shapes having the
properties of a lifting body, as indicated above.
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