Appeal 2007-1914
Application 10/378,641
2. Borst discloses flanged sleeve nuts 19, 20 screw-threaded onto the
screw-threaded ends of the shackle bolt 10 (Borst 2:27-29).
3. Borst discloses that the sleeve nuts 19, 20 have a sleeve portion 21 and
a flange 22 (Borst 2:33-35).
4. Borst discloses cushioning elements 18 positioned on the sleeve
portions 21 of the sleeve nuts 19, 20 within an eye 15 of shackle bar 13
and between the flanges 22 of the sleeve nuts 19, 20 (Borst 2:49-52;
Fig. 3).
5. Borst shows that the opposing surfaces of the sleeve nuts 19, 20 and the
cushioning elements 18 are substantially flat.
6. Schwartz teaches a stud-type attachment including a bushing 72 with a
threaded nut portion 88 rotatably connected to a washer 90, which is
captured within a groove 92 formed in an enlarged end portion 94
(Schwartz, col. 6, ll. 37-40; Fig. 10).
7. A conventional nut, by itself, is not a sleeve nut. As such, Schwartz
does not disclose a sleeve nut.
8. Nickerson discloses a link assembly that uses a hex nut 33 threaded on
a shaft 41 (Nickerson, col. 3, l. 58).
9. Nickerson discloses that the hex nut 33 is a conventional nut with an
axially projecting inner flange 71 (Nickerson, col. 3, ll. 47-48; Fig. 2).
10. A conventional hex nut with an axially projecting inner flange is a
sleeve nut. As such, Nickerson discloses a sleeve nut.
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Last modified: September 9, 2013