Spring Crest Company v. American Beauti Pleat

420 F.2d 950 164 U.S.P.Q. 281 SPRING CREST COMPANY, a corporation, Thomas A. Stubblefield, James F. Brooks, and John H. Hancock, Appellants, v. AMERICAN BEAUTI PLEAT, INC., a corporation, and Orville T. Stall, Appellees. No. 22679. United States Court of Appeals Ninth Circuit. Jan. 2, 1970. 1 Carlisle Moore (argued), of Mellin, Hanscom & Hursh, San Francisco, Cal., Bernard Kriegel, Los Angeles, Cal., for appellants. 2 Charles E. Wills (argued), of Harris, Kiech, Russell & Kern, George A. Maxwell, Los Angeles, Cal., for appellees. 3 Before HAMLEY and BROWNING, Circuit Judges, and THOMPSON, 1 district judge. THOMPSON, District Judge: 4 The District Court held United States Letters Patent No. 3,090,431 invalid because of obviousness and lack of invention over the prior art. 5 The patent is one for a drapery supporting and pleating apparatus, relating to close hook-up installation of spring-pleated draperies. The District Court held all four claims of the patent invalid. 6 Claims one and two relate to the design of the glide, in reality a combination glide, post and gripper consisting of a T-shaped head (which rides along the inside of the drapery track) connected to a post…