Appeal No. 2000-1922
Application No. 08/806,494
an inner diameter proximate to the outer diameter of the
shaft; and
a flange, disposed at the inner diameter of the retention
disc, the flange extending in a direction substantially parallel
with the stationary shaft and toward the bearing assembly;
wherein the retention disc, the cartridge bearing sleeve, the
bearing assembly and the stationary shaft form a retention
chamber for receivingly retaining contaminants generated by the
bearing assembly, and wherein the flange and a portion of the
stationary shaft adjacent the flange form a labyrinth seal, the
labyrinth seal minimizing the egress of contaminants from the
retention chamber.
The Examiner relies on the following prior art:
Yasui et al. (Yasui) 5,403,098 Apr. 04,
1995
Krum et al. (Krum) 5,482,381 Jan.
09,
1996
Claims 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 10 stand rejected under 35 U.S.C.
§ 103(a) as being unpatentable over Krum in view of Yasui.1
Rather than reiterate the arguments of Appellants and the
Examiner, reference is made to the Brief (Paper No. 14) and
Answer (Paper No. 16) for the respective details.
OPINION
1The Examiner has withdrawn the 35 U.S.C. § 112, second paragraph,
rejection of claim 10 indicating (Answer, page 3) that the entry of the
September 1, 1998 amendment obviates the rejection.
3
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