Appeal 2007-1917
Application 10/222,660
5. The customary meaning of “snap” (noun) is “A clasp, catch, or other
fastening device that operates with a snapping sound.” The American
HeritageŽ Dictionary of the English Language, 4th ed. (2000).
6. The Specification describes the snap fastener as comprised of
“cooperating male and female snap members 48 50” (Specification 3,
l. 24).
7. The Specification further describes that in use the female snap members
50 are pressed onto and engage respective male snap members to secure
the display face 24 to the support structure 22 (Specification 6, ll. 15-30).
8. The spring 6 of Boeniger is not a snap fastener.
9. Sekiguchi discloses the use of one or more upright posts 620 and 622 or
vertical columns connected to the bottom beam 614 of an advertising
display sign 100 to provide a stand to elevate the display above the
ground (Sekiguchi, col. 18, ll. 2-4, Fig. 2).
10. The addition of Sekiguchi’s mounting posts to Boeniger’s display would
entail merely the combination of familiar elements according to known
methods to yield predictable results. In other words, the addition of
mounting posts is no more than a predictable use of prior art elements
according to their established functions.
11. Terrels discloses the use of a snap fastener on boats, aircraft and land
vehicles to mount a canvas cover 12 on a base 13, for example, the
gunwale of a boat (Terrels, col. 1, ll. 10-13 and col. 2, ll. 6-9).
6
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