Appeal 2007-0195
Application 10/895,515
26 and an upper side of grip 17 cooperate to
provide support for the wrist of a user, which
otherwise would be bent backwards from the strain
of using the paddle.
(Liveoak, col. 4, ll. 3-9.)
FF6 Liveoak's paddle is of curved configuration having an upper side 30
and a lower side 32. Fig. 2a shows a dihedral curvature extending laterally
across upper side 30, with dashed line 31 showing a spoon shaped curvature
of side 32. (Liveoak, col. 3, ll. 51-55.) Liveoak's paddle surfaces, on both
sides 30 and 32, have several raised or contoured regions to strengthen the
paddle and assist in its use (Liveoak, col. 4, ll. 18-20). Specifically, raised
regions 34, 36 (reinforcement and tactile indication and lateral engagement
for digits) and 50, 52 (further reinforcement) and raised rounded ridge 60
(reinforcement and abrasion resistance) all have stated functions (col. 4, ll.
20-43). Neither the upper side 30 nor the lower side 32 of Liveoak's paddle
blade 12 is substantially planar.
FF7 One of the objects of Liveoak is a reversible paddle providing two
different types of paddling configurations (col. 2, ll. 29-30). We understand
these two different types of paddling configurations to be the positive and
negative rake configurations (FF3).
FF8 Richmond is relied on by the Examiner for a suggestion to modify
Liveoak to add flanges to the support surface (end 26) to more securely hold
the forearm and to provide a substantially planar propulsion surface to
provide a flat blade which does not cup water and increase resistance to
7
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