Appeal 2007-1748
Application 10/679,908
Smith discloses at least one substantially rigid positioning member 26 which
is an annular seal (Smith, col. 6, l. 10). The at least one substantially rigid
positioning member or annular seal 26 is received in and thus contacts an annular
groove 67 formed as part of the surface of the inner bore 61 (Smith, col. 6, ll. 9,
10). The at least one substantially rigid positioning member 26 has a greater
thickness than the depth of the groove and thus when positioned in the groove 67,
protrudes slightly therefrom so as to inherently take up the clearance between the
tail 74 and the inner surface of the bore 61 (Smith, col. 6, ll. 16-20).
The tail 74 in Smith is associated by contact with the at least one
substantially rigid positioning member 26 when the tail 74 of the male member 13
is inserted into the receiving bore 61 (Smith col. 6, ll. 9-14, Fig. 6).
We find that: 1. the tail 74 of the male member 13 in Smith is configured so
as to be capable of being easily inserted into a bore opening in a manifold
diametrically sized relative to the diameter of the tail 74 in Smith to slide within it,
and 2. that the substantially rigid positioning member 26 of Smith is likewise
capable of being located in such a bore opening in a manifold as a clearance
take-up and thereby be associated with the tail once it is inserted into the opening.
Smith’s substantially rigid positioning member 26 is: 1. annular (Smith, col.
6, l. 10); 2. it is used for sealing (Smith, col. 6, l. 10); and 3. it is made of synthetic
elastomer (Smith, col. 6, l. 16).
Smith discloses that the retaining ring 24 can be a snap ring (Smith, col. 6, l.
26).
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