Appeal No. 1999-1535 Page 9
Application No. 08/752,220
Statz teaches that his self lubricating bearing 14 includes a
body 16 comprised of sintered powdered metal such as powdered
iron impregnated with lubricating oil. The body 16 defines a
bore 18 housing a shaft 12. Statz further teaches that his
self lubricating bearing 14 also includes polymer bearing
members 30 housed in cavities in the body 16 (see Figures 2
and 3). Statz discloses (see column 2, last line, to column
3, line 26) that the polymer bearing members 30 are comprised
of a molded microporous polymer material impregnated with
lubricating oil having the characteristics of being comprised
of a low friction material and of secreting oil onto the
surface of the shaft 12 to form a film of oil between the
shaft and the wall of the bore 18. From these teachings we
conclude that Statz's body 16 does not comprise a non-
metallic, low coefficient of friction material which
autogenously provides a lubricious bearing surface requiring
no separate lubricating material. Likewise, we conclude that
Statz's polymer bearing members 30 do not comprise a non-
metallic, low coefficient of friction material which
autogenously provides a lubricious bearing surface requiring
no separate lubricating material.
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