Appeal No. 1999-0613 Page 6
Application No. 08/592,025
from entering the steering tube and the steering gearbox, which is accomplished by means
of a flexible member (64 in Figure 11). Be that as it may, giving the reference its broadest
interpretation, we agree with the appellant that Kawabata fails explicitly to teach that either
of the bearings meets the requirement quoted above, that is, its hardness is such that
abrasive matter will deform the bearing sleeve and binding between the sleeve and the
steering shaft will be precluded. Kawabata describes bearing 32 as being made of oil-
impregnated plastic, such as synthetic resin, which has “an excellent wear resistance”
(column 5, lines 17- 20) which, in the absence of explanation to the contrary, would in our
view convey to one of ordinary skill in the art that it would not deform in response to the
entry of abrasive foreign matter. The bearing insert of low-vibration device 34 is simply
described as being made of nylon (column 5, lines 25 and 26), and to conclude that it
inherently would meet the terms of the appellant’s claim 1 is mere supposition.
This deficiency is not cured by Davis, which was cited by the examiner for its
showing of a bearing having an integral external flange that engages the end of the
steering shaft. The material from which bushing 32 is made is not disclosed, and therefore
the reference also cannot be counted upon to render the quoted portion of claim 1 obvious.
For the reasons set forth above, it is our conclusion that the combined teachings of
the two applied references fail to establish a prima facie case of obviousness with regard
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