Opinion ID: 778741
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Claim Preamble

Text: 30 Each of the independent claims in suit begins with the same preamble, which is in this case that part of each claim preceding the transitional term comprising. This preamble reads: [a] self-propelled, fast steering motorized riding trowel for finishing a concrete surface, said trowel comprising.... '220 patent, col. 16, ll. 32-35. Generally, the preamble does not limit the claims. DeGeorge v. Bernier, 768 F.2d 1318, 1322 n. 3, 226 USPQ 758, 764 n. 3 (Fed.Cir.1985). However, the preamble may be limiting when the claim drafter chooses to use both the preamble and the body to define the subject matter of the claimed invention. Bell Communications Research, Inc. v. Vitalink Communications Corp., 55 F.3d 615, 620, 34 USPQ2d 1816, 1820 (Fed.Cir.1995). If the preamble is necessary to give life, meaning and vitality to the claim, then the claim preamble should be construed as limiting. Kropa v. Robie, 38 C.C.P.A. 858, 187 F.2d 150, 152, 88 USPQ 478, 480-81 (CCPA 1951). This is determined on the facts of each case in view of the claimed invention as a whole. In re Stencel, 828 F.2d 751, 754, 4 USPQ2d 1071, 1073 (Fed. Cir.1987); see also Applied Materials, Inc. v. Advanced Semiconductor Materials Am., Inc., 98 F.3d 1563, 1572-73, 40 USPQ2d 1481, 1488 (Fed.Cir.1996) (Whether a preamble stating the purpose and context of the invention constitutes a limitation ... is determined on the facts of each case in light of the overall form of the claim, and the invention as described in the specification and illuminated in the prosecution history.). 31 Allen argues that the term fast steering should be interpreted as a claim limitation. Bartell responds that this is simply a laudatory term that only sets forth the purpose of the claimed invention. We agree with Bartell. The term fast steering is a relative term, and no interpretive frame of reference is provided in any of the claims or in the specification. Moreover, there is no indication in the record that one of skill in the relevant art would understand what was meant by the term in this context without such a frame of reference. The term fast steering fails to give life, meaning and vitality to the claimed structure, and thus is not a limitation of the claim. Kropa, 187 F.2d at 152, 88 USPQ at 480-81. We hold that the expression fast steering should be construed as merely setting forth the intended purpose of the claimed combination, and should be given no limiting meaning. 32