Appeal No. 2006-1277 Page 4 Application No. 10/221,711 Cam [ kam ] (plural cams) noun machine part that transfers motion: an irregularly-shaped projection on a rotating shaft that changes rotary motion into a reciprocating up-and-down motion in another machine part (cam follower) that touches it According to the examiner, it is clear from the formatting and text of the MSN Encarta definition (see above) that the primary definition of cam is a “machine part that transfers motion”. This is clear from the bold texting of the definition, indicating that this is the primary, broad definition of “cam”. The definition is further qualified or limited by the language following the colon, which is clearly a secondary definition of the previous description of ”cam”. This secondary definition is a limitation of the previous definition, and does not constitute the complete broad definition of the term. The examiner is required to give claim language its broadest reasonable interpretation consistent with the specification, and maintains that the [Christrup] reference meets the broadest reasonable interpretation of “cam”, which is believed to be a ”machine part that transfers motion”. The appellant, on page 4 of the brief, contends that the examiner has erred in ignoring the remainder of the MSN Encarta definition following the bold text. Additionally, on page 5 of the brief, the appellant cites the Oxford English Dictionary Online definition, which defines “cam” as “A projecting part of a wheel or other revolving piece of machinery, adapted to impart an alternating or variable motion of any kind to another piece pressing against it, by sliding or rolling contact” and argues that, among other things, a torsion spring does not impart motion by sliding or rolling contact. The appellant urges that a person of ordinary skill in the art would not consider a torsion spring to be a “cam.”Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 NextLast modified: November 3, 2007