Appeal 2007-0788
Application 10/434,804 6
mechanism 66 from the locked to the unlocked position and (4) lift the front
of the deck (Esau, col. 8, ll. 29-65).
Esau discloses a hook end 162 that can be positioned in any suitable
aperture or ledge of tractor 24 to secure the mower deck 20 in the
storage/servicing position. Hook end 162 is not automatically positioned to
secure the mower deck in the storage/servicing position.
ANALYSIS
Esau discloses that the means which includes a height adjustment
lever permits movement of the mower deck from a use position to a
storage/servicing position. In this regard, the term “permitted” as recited in
claim 2 is interpreted to allow additional steps between the collapsing of the
height adjustment lever and the movement of the deck. Therefore, Esau
discloses each and every element of claim 2.
However, as Esau does not disclose a means which includes a height
adjustment lever that prevents movement of the mower deck from a use
position toward the storage/servicing position when the height adjustment
lever is in an upright position, Esau does not disclose the subject matter
recited in claims 3, 5, 26-30 and 32 and dependent claims 6-9, 11, and 12.
Esau likewise does not disclose means for selectively permitting and
prohibiting movement of the deck from a use position to a storage/servicing
position in one step or in less than four steps and therefore does not disclose
the subject matter of claims 13 and 14 respectively. In addition, as Esau
does not describe a means which automatically locks the mower deck in the
storage/servicing position, Esau does not disclose the subject matter of
claims 17 and claims 18 and 19 dependent thereon. Esau does not disclose a
height adjustment arm which automatically alters its length as the deck is
Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Next
Last modified: September 9, 2013