Appeal No. 2002-2017
Application No. 09/567,457
articulation of a vehicle suspension system having a stabilizer
bar and an end link comprising the steps of, inter alia,
"integrally forming" a ball link upon an end of a stabilizer bar.
Read in light of appellants' underlying disclosure
(specification, page 2, lines 8 through 11 and page 3, lines 15
and 16), it is quite apparent to us that one versed in the art
would comprehend the claim language as requiring a single piece
configuration for the ball link and stabilizer bar, as compared
to a construction wherein two pieces, i.e., a ball link and a
stabilizer bar, are fastened or joined together (specification,
page 3, lines 16 through 18).
In light of the above understanding of claims 1 and 6, it is
at once quite apparent to us that those claims would not have
been rendered obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art by
the suspension assembly teaching of Kincaid. From our
perspective, the clear suggestion of Kincaid is to join
separately fabricated end links and a stabilizer bar together by
some form of fastening means, e.g., threading, welding, and
crimping (column 4, lines 1 through 23). As such, the disclosure
of Kincaid is akin to the acknowledged prior art (appellants'
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