Appeal No. 2005-0911 Page 4
Application No. 09/923,113
pressure induced shape deformation of the sleeve 28 during normal use of the writing
implement. According to McCall, such putty advantageously conforms relatively easily
upon light fingertip pressure during normal gripping of the implement and maintains its
deformed shape for a substantial period of time after release. The grip can then be
grasped by a different user for deformation to a different customized shape (see column
4, lines 40-51). This results in “a unique or novelty feel while further providing
significant enhancements in writer comfort during use and a corresponding reduction in
writer fatigue” (column 5, lines 47-50). McCall teaches that
the deformable grip 16 may be applied to any of a wide
range of different types of pens, pencils, and other types of
writing implements, as well as other manual implements with
working tips, for example, paint brushes, jeweler’s tools, and
other devices [column 4, lines 7-12].
In an alternative form of the invention illustrated in Figures 6 and 7, McCall
discloses a grip 16' comprising an outer resilient sleeve component 34 integrally molded
with interior radially extending webs 36 joined in turn with an inner sleeve component 38
to define a plurality of spaced chambers 40 which intercommunicate with each other
through small vent openings 42 in the webs 36. The chambers 40 are adapted to
receive and contain a flowable substance 44 of relatively viscous physical
characteristics, such as silicone-based grease or lubricant. When the writing implement
is grasped, the writer’s fingertips apply light manual pressure to the outer sleeve
component 34 to cause the flowable material to express through the vent openings 42
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