Appeal No. 2000-0209 Page 8
Application No. 08/693,985
8 is secured to the underside of vehicle axle 10 by U-bolts 11
which also secure an upper saddle plate 12 in position on the
axle 10. A cup-shaped socket 13 formed on the upper addle
plate 12 receives the lower end of a coil spring 14. The
upper end of the coil spring 14 is received in a socket 15
secured to the vehicle frame 16. A shock absorber 17 is
mounted between the vehicle frame 16 and the front end of arm
5. A leaf spring 18 connects the rear end of arm 5 to the
vehicle frame 16.
After the scope and content of the prior art are
determined, the differences between the prior art and the
claims at issue are to be ascertained. Graham v. John Deere
Co., 383 U.S. 1, 17-18, 148 USPQ 459, 467 (1966).
Based on our analysis and review of Snyder and claim 1,
it is our opinion that the only difference is the limitation
that the axle is pivotally secured by pivot means to a
mounting means on the forward generally horizontal section of
the step spring wherein the pivot means is above the axle.
Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Next
Last modified: November 3, 2007