Appeal No. 1998-1650 Page 7
Application No. 08/715,749
re Warner, 379 F.2d 1011, 1017, 154 USPQ 173, 177 (CCPA 1967),
cert. denied, 389 U.S. 1057 (1968).
With this as background, we analyze the prior art applied
by the examiner in the rejection of the independent claims
(i.e., claims 24 and 25) on appeal.
Wendel discloses a footstep bearing. As shown in Figure
3, the footstep bearing 1 is formed by a bearing bushing 2 and
a bearing block 3 which are securely and permanently force fit
together. The upper frontal end of the bearing block 3 is
shaped to provide a conical bearing step 4 on which the lower
end of the shaft 5 of a spindle rests. The step 4 absorbs the
axial thrust of the spindle during operation. The shaft 5 is
also guided radially by the upwardly extending tubular bearing
bushing 2, the inner surface 6 of which conformingly surrounds
and engages the lower portion of the shaft 5. Bushing 2 is
provided with a bore 16 extending transversely into the area
11. The bore 16 enables lubricant to pass from the bolster or
housing of the spindle into the bushing 2, to lubricate the
axial end of the shaft 5.
Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Next
Last modified: November 3, 2007