Appeal No. 2001-0290 Page 6
Application No. 09/084,871
to forge brake calipers [sic: caliper brackets]” (brief, page
6).
We fully appreciate the teachings of Mitchell and
Afanador and are cognizant of the objective set forth in both
references of simplifying the steering knuckle assembly by
reducing the number of separate components requiring assembly.
We also recognize that Afanador discloses a structure
including brake caliper rails formed unitarily with the upper
knuckle and flanged body of the steering knuckle assembly.
However, as pointed out by appellants, Afanador teaches
formation of the brake caliper rails as part of a casting,
rather than as a forging, in contrast to the integral spindle
and lower knuckle component which is constructed as a one-
piece forging. Considering the overall teachings of the
applied references, we find no suggestion therein to form the
brake caliper rails as a unitary part of the one-piece forging
of Mitchell. Specifically, it is not apparent to us why one
skilled in the art would have ignored the teaching of Afanador
of forming the brake caliper rails as a casting for assembly
with other portions of the knuckle assembly formed as a
forging in favor of forming the rails as part of a forging,
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