(19)

(11)

EP 1 009 569 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 07.10.1999 (43) Date of publication: 21.06.2000 Bulletin 2000/25 (21) Application number: 98933215.0 (22) Date of filing: 06.07.1998

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: B23D 1/00 (86) International application number: PCT/US9814/040 (87) International publication number: WO 9902/295 (21.01.1999 Gazette 1999/03)

(84) Designated Contracting States: CH DE FR GB IT LI (30) Priority: 07.07.1997 US 888952 18.12.1997 US 993077 01.07.1998 US 108864 (71) Applicant: Laser Technology West Limited Colorado Springs, CO 80906 (US)	(72) Inventor: HODSDEN, John, B. Colorado Springs, CO 80906 (US) (74) Representative: Driver, Virginia Rozanne et al Page White & Farrer54 Doughty Street London WC1N 2LS London WC1N 2LS (GB)