Appeal No. 2004-1150
Application No. 09/924,490
doing, the first sheet A is spirally wrapped upon itself so that
adjacent turns adjoin and preferably overlap, and a second sheet B
is spirally wrapped upon itself so that adjacent turns adjoin and
preferably overlap (column 3, lines 8-12). Sheet B is preferably
corrugated across its width and length to add stiffness to the
structure (column 3, lines 44-48). The adjoining or overlapping
edges of sheet A and B are permanently joined, as are the sheet
themselves to each other, to form an integral structure (column 4,
line 73, to column 5, line 3). This is preferably done by welding
in a continuous operation, although spot welding or other securing
means such as rivets or screw fasteners may be used (column 5,
lines 3-27).
Ellzey differs from the invention claimed in claims 1, 13 and
37 in that it does not disclose that the sheets A and B are joined
together by using friction stir welding.
Thomas is directed to a friction stir butt welding technique
(abstract). The friction stir welding technique of Thomas may be
used to join metal and alloys (column 2, line 23), including
aluminum alloys (column 7, line 51). Friction stir welding may be
applied to a variety of joint configurations, including sheets
having abutting faces (Figure 1) and the arrangement shown in
Figure 10A where the weld 12 is used to join overlapping sheets.
10
Page: Previous 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Next
Last modified: November 3, 2007