Appeal No. 96-0706
Application 08/185,756
fact that a non-welded connection is provided between
the aluminum drive shaft and the steel body of the
balance weight. If a direct welded connection were
provided, there would be no need for the "cap" to
retain the body of the balance weight on the drive
shaft. Again, in my opinion, such a situation would
run contrary to the plain import of the specification.
13. At Page 4, Lines 33-34, it is stated that
“[t]he molten aluminum 18 adheres readily to the outer
surface of the aluminum drive shaft 10.” Noticeably
absent from this sentence is any suggestion that the
molten aluminum adheres (readily or otherwise) to the
body of the balance weight. At a minimum, this
language indicates to me that the molten aluminum does
not weld to the body. When read in context and with
the knowledge of the relative metallurgical properties
of aluminum and "higher density" materials which would
be well known to any person of ordinary skill in this
art, it is clear to me that the specification is
describing a structure wherein the balance weight is
not welded to the drive shaft.
14. At Page 4, Line 34 to Page 5, Line 1, it is
stated that “[i]n this manner, a secure spot or rivet-
type weld is formed which will maintain the balance
weight 12 against the drive shaft 10". Again, the
obvious and unambiguous conclusion which a person
having ordinary skill would draw from this language
(and the preceding language) is that the aluminum
welding material is spot welded (i.e., "adheres
readily") to the outer surface of the aluminum drive
shaft and is formed with a cap to mechanically retain
the body of the balance weight against the drive shaft,
like a rivet.
15. The only language of Claim 29 which is not
expressly described in the specification of the
application as originally filed is that the cap
provides the sole means for retaining the balance
weight upon the drive shaft. Similarly, the only
language of Claim 35 which is not expressly described
in the specification of the application as originally
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