Appeal 2007-3048
Application 10/664,947
As shown in Figure 4 of the Specification, the application of the voltages
creates a "spatially substantially alternating" voltage pattern on the stator.
Changing the spatially substantially alternating voltage pattern on the stator
causes the associated rotor 320 to translate in discrete, precisely controllable
steps in the +x- and –x directions. (Id. 9.)
B. ILLUSTRATIVE CLAIM
Claim 14, which further illustrates the invention, follows:
14. An electrostatic stepping comb drive actuator, comprising:
a stationary member having a tooth, the tooth
comprising:
opposed surfaces, and
a first electrode array disposed on the first
surfaces;1
a first conductor coupled to the first electrode array;
a moveable member comprising second electrode arrays
disposed on surfaces opposite the first surfaces; and
second conductors electrically connected to the second
electrode arrays, and
voltage sources that impose discrete voltage patterns on
the first and the second electrode arrays.
1 A claim is indefinite "where the language 'said lever' appears in a
dependent claim where no such 'lever' has been previously recited in a parent
claim to that dependent claim . . . ." Ex parte Moelands, 3 USPQ2d 1474,
1476 (BPAI 1987). Here, although claim 14 includes the language "the first
surfaces," no such "first surfaces" were previously recited therein. Being
"basically a board of review," Ex parte Gambogi, 62 USPQ2d 1209, 1211
(BPAI 2001), we leave the issue of whether the claim lacks antecedent basis
to the Examiner and the Appellants.
3
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