Appeal No. 2003-0131
Application 09/533,060
In applying Mueller against independent claims 1 and 10 (see
page 3 in the answer), the examiner focuses on the sensor at 206
and finds that such is adjustably coupled via a threaded
connection to a stamped cover pan. The examiner concedes,
however, that Mueller does not respond to the limitations in
claim 1, and the corresponding limitations in claim 10, requiring
the stamped cover pan to include a boss having a generally planar
mounting surface for aligning and mounting the sensor. To
overcome this admitted deficiency, the examiner looks to Hilker.
Hilker discloses a speed sensing differential axle assembly
10 comprising, inter alia, a carrier 12, a rotatable case 14, a
ring gear 20, an access cover plate 34, and a transducer 40
mounted on the access cover plate for sensing the rotational
speed of the case.
Finding that Hilker’s speed sensor 40 is mounted on a boss
on the access cover plate 34, the examiner concludes that it
would have been obvious in view of Hilker “to include a boss in
the pan of Mueller to provide a flat surface for aligning the
sensor, ensuring the accurate position of the sensor” (answer,
page 3).
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