Appeal No. 97-1882 Page 8
Application No. 08/316,957
it can be placed between an axle and a knuckle in such a manner
that (1) the knuckle mating portion of the annular reinforcing
member engages the internal bore of the knuckle; (2) the axial
lip of the sealing member engages the axle; (3) the radial lip of
the sealing member engages the axle; and (4) the radial pad of
the sealing member engages the axle. As clearly shown in Figure
1 of Heinzen, the knuckle mating portion (i.e., cylindrical
portion 13 of metal case 11) is not capable of engaging the
internal bore of the knuckle (i.e., axle hole 4 of housing 2) due
to the presence of the outer peripheral seal portion 14.
Furthermore, even if the knuckle mating portion of Heinzen is
modified to somehow engage the internal bore of the knuckle, it
is clear from Figure 1 of Heinzen that Heinzen's unitary seal
(i.e., first seal member 10 composed of metal case 11 and rubber-
like portions 12, 14 and 15) would still not be configured so
that it can be placed between an axle and a knuckle in such a
manner that the axial lip, the radial lip and the radial pad all
engage the axle.
Since all the limitations of the appealed claims are not
disclosed in Heinzen, the decision of the examiner to reject
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