Appeal 2007-2463
Application 10/403,555
Enlarged Detailed View of Figure 1 of Kojima
Even if we assume, without deciding, that it would have been obvious
to separate Kojima’s “securing ring” from its corresponding integral end
plate as the Examiner contends (Answer 6), the bandage edge would still be
retained within the securing ring structure – not between the end plate and
the securing ring as claimed. Although the bandage edge in Kojima is
between the leftmost portion of the securing ring and the end plate as shown
above, this portion is itself not a “securing ring.” To hold otherwise would
strain the interpretation of the term beyond reasonable limits. In our view,
the entire curved portion 21a constitutes the “securing ring”; therefore, the
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