Appeal No. 2004-1966
Application No. 09/683,703
1. A steer-by-wire steering system for steering one or more
road wheels on a vehicle, said steering system comprising:
a steering input device rotatable by an operator to command
steering of the one or more road wheels;
a steering input shaft mechanically connected to the
steering input device and rotatable in response to rotation of
the steering input device, wherein the steering input shaft is
not mechanically linked to the steered one or more road wheels;
a support member disposed proximate the steering input
shaft;
a male member provided on one of the steering input shaft
and the support member;
a female receptacle provided on the other of the steering
input shaft and the support member for receiving the male member,
wherein the female receptacle comprises at least one stop
position for limiting rotational travel of the steering input
shaft; and
an actuator for rotating one or more wheels in the vehicle
in response to rotation of the steering input device.
THE REJECTION
Claims 1 through 3, 5, 6, 9 through 12, 14 through 18 and 20
stand rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 103(a) as being unpatentable
over U.S. Patent No. 1,083,399 to Hanger, Jr. (Hanger).
Attention is directed to the main and reply briefs filed on
March 8, 2004 and July 2, 2004 and to the answer mailed on April
29, 2004 for the respective positions of the appellants and the
examiner regarding the merits of this rejection.
DISCUSSION
Hanger discloses a vehicle steering mechanism which is
designed
to provide a safety steering device which will prevent
the wheels attached thereto from being swerved, turned,
2
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