Appeal No. 2004-1274
Application 09/951,616
the splice plate includes a groove having the appearance of a
mortal reveal. Furthermore, we find that Appellants’
specification does not provide a definition for a mortal reveal.
On page 1 of Appellants’ specification, it is stated that “stones
are joined by mortar and the combination of the stones and the
mortar joints provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance”. The
only other aid to the definition is found on page 6 of
Appellants’ specification stating “the color of the splice plate
is different from the color of the coping sections 38 such that
the portion 92 of the splice plate that is displayed in the gap
90 between the coping sections 38 contrasts with the color of the
coping sections 38 to give the coping assembly 10 the appearance
of a stone and mortar joint coping assembly.” Furthermore, when
we consult Webster’s Dictionary, we find that “mortar” is defined
as “a mixture of cement or lime with sand and water, used between
bricks or stones to bind them together” and that “reveal” is
defined as “to expose to view; show; exhibit; display.1” Thus,
we find that the broadest reasonable interpretation of
Appellants’ claim 1 requires that a portion of the splice plate
1Webster’s New World Dictionary, Third College Edition,
1988, pages 884 and 1148. Copy provided to Appellants.
8
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