Appeal No. 2004-1903
Application No. 09/973,741
opposite sides of a spacer. The spacer structure includes at least
one opening which allows lubricant to flow through the spacer and
fill a cavity created around the wheel spindle.
Representative claim 1 is reproduced as follows:
1. A wheel hub assembly comprising:
first and second bearing assemblies;
a spacer disposed between said bearing assemblies
said spacer defining at least one opening such that lubricant
may flow through said spacer.
The Examiner relies on the following prior art:
Rode 6,283,639 Sep. 04, 2001
(filed Jul. 01, 1998)
Harbottle et al. (Harbottle) 6,505,972 Jan. 14, 2003
(filed Sep. 01, 2000)
Claims 1-7, 9-12, 14, 15, and 21-23, all of the appealed
claims, stand finally rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 103(a) as being
unpatentable over the combined teachings of Rode and Harbottle.
Rather than reiterate the arguments of Appellant and the
Examiner, reference is made to the Briefs1, the final Office
action, and Answer for the respective details.
1 In response to the final Office action mailed August 5, 2003 (Paper
No. 9), the Appeal Brief was filed January 12, 2004 (Paper No. 13). In
response to the Examiner’s Answer dated April 5, 2004 (Paper No. 14), a Reply
Brief was filed June 9, 2004 (Paper No. 15), which was acknowledged and
entered by the Examiner as indicated in the communication dated June 25, 2004
(Paper No. 16).
2
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