Appeal No. 2000-1856 Page 6
Application No. 08/527,671
guide rail adapted to substantially mate with said insert and
urge said insert into said pocket” as required in claim 38.
In particular, as explained on page 12 of appellant’s
specification,
the guide means 78 includes an elongated, generally
semi-circular rail 78a which, as shown in Figure 2,
projects downwardly into and substantially mates
with the space in the insert superstructure defined
between the first web 28, the second web 32 and the
upper surface of the platform 24. Rail 78a
functions to positively urge the insert into seated
and stable contact with its associated wheel pocket
84 as the wheel travels from the first to the third
assembly stations described below. More
particularly, the guide rail 78a is adapted to
lightly contact the superstructure of insert 14 as
the insert traverses the guide means 78 such that
the undersurface of the platform remains in abutting
relation with the ledge 88 while the first insert
web 28 and first insert flange 26 maintain abutment
with the abutment surface 92 and support surface 94,
respectively, of the wheel backing plate 90. The
stability thus afforded by the guide means 78
assures that the insert is processed and inspected
with a high degree of precision as it progresses
through the assembly stations of apparatus 10. Such
precision, in turn, translates into fewer
misassembled cutter bar/insert subassemblies,
thereby further enhancing the efficiency of the
assembly apparatus.
Neither Acton nor Reid contains any teaching of a guide rail
which mates, in the sense of fitting together, with either of
the parts to be assembled. There is no indication in either
of these references that the guide rail (ring guide 60 of
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Last modified: November 3, 2007