Appeal 2007-0122
Application 10/358,626
that gives easily under the user’s fingers (Cousty, p. 1, para. bridging cols. 1
and 2). This material immediately returns to its original shape when finger
pressure is released (id.). In one embodiment, Cousty describes a handle 3’
with a relatively thick sleeve made of rubber or plastic foam (Cousty, p. 2,
col. 1, ll. 15-20; Fig. 2), i.e., a sleeve of resilient material. The shape of the
handle is preferably made in “the usual shape of a body of revolution,” i.e., a
cylinder, or is customized to the user’s preferences (Cousty, p.1, col. 1, ll.
26-30).
McCall describes a soft, deformable grip that conforms to the user’s
fingertips during use and remains deformed for at least five seconds after
release (McCall, col. 2, ll. 6-13 and ll. 38-44). The McCall grip addresses
the problem of fatigue and discomfort due to grasping of writing implements
such as pens, pencils, etc (McCall, col. 1, l. 66 to col. 2, l. 3). According to
McCall, in the past, resilient grips have been used to provide enhanced
comfort by providing a cushioning surface (McCall, col. 1, ll. 45-52).
Another solution has been the use of contoured grip surfaces of many
different sizes and shapes, including ones approximating the anatomical
contours of a writer’s fingertips during grasping (col. 1, ll. 32-39). Both of
these solutions, according to McCall, have problems. The resilient grips do
not provide a customized shape tailored to the user and the immediate
springing back of the resilient material contributes to fatigue (col. 1, ll. 55-
65). The contoured grips are unable to match the differing anatomical
shapes and grasping techniques of different individuals (col. 1, ll. 39-44).
The deformable grip of McCall overcomes these problems by conforming to
the grip of the user and remaining in the deformed state for a period of time
after release (McCall, col. 1, l. 66 to col. 2, l. 14). This provides increased
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