Appeal No. 2001-0783
Application 09/012,796
misalignment which a ball joint provides. For claim 3, note
bracket 33 of Kuroi.
The examiner also states that Kuroi anticipates
claim 5 on appeal. As explained by the examiner, the claim
does not require that a pivotable connection exist between the
tiller and the tie bar on two perpendicular axes, but merely
that the tie bar is pivotable about these two perpendicular
axes. The tie bar 23, 36 of Kuroi is pivotable about axis
38, the propulsion unit tilt axis, as well as the pivotable
joint connecting it to tiller 17.
Claims 6 and 7 have not been separately argued.
They fall with claim 1.
Claims 8 and 9 require the tie bar 23, 36 of Kuroi
to have an axially rotatable connection. Connection 36a is a
threaded connection wherein the nut is axial (actually
helically) rotatable. The tie rod also is pivotable on
bracket 33. Appellants argue that the rotatable connection
must be with reference to the long axis of the tie rod, not
axial to the tie rod end.
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