Appeal No. 1998-2082
Application 08/521,626
Independent method claim 23 contains similar limitations
in step form. Independent claim 8, while broader than claim
21 in the sense that it does not specify the range of the up-
ratio, nevertheless requires the driving wheel to have an up-
ratio enabling an engaging sprocket pin to enter between
adjacent guide lugs without contacting either the driving wall
or the braking wall of the adjacent guide lugs, as called for
in claims 21 and 23.
Muramatsu, the examiner’s primary reference, pertains to
an endless belt crawler type vehicle having a positive drive
rubber track. Of particular interest to Muramatsu is the
provision of rubber guide projections on the inner surface of
the rubber track which comprise at least one low friction
surface having a coefficient of friction lower than the rubber
material of the remainder of the rubber guide projection.
According to Muramatsu, this prevents the wheels of the
vehicle undercarriage from detracking from the rubber track
during cornering of the vehicle. The examiner acknowledges
that Muramatsu fails to disclose inter alia “a relationship
between the guide lugs [of the rubber track] and the drive
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