Appeal No. 2006-2322 Page 7
Application No. 10/676,417
the projection (i.e., the bolt head). Richards, page 2, line 114 – page 3, line 10. As
described in one embodiment of Richards, the head of bolt (11) abuts the outer
surface of crank arm (7) and the opposite threaded end of bolt (11) is received by
complimentary threads in crank arm (7a). Richards, page 2, lines 7-8 (teaching
that nut element 12 may form part of the crank). Richards teaches that the
assembly “enable[s] the parts to be disassembled for transit purposes and readily
assembled at their destination.” Ernest, page 1, lines 16-19, see also page 2, lines
40-43.
Richards discloses every element of claim 35 except for the crank axle being
supported within a bottom bracket of a bicycle frame such that “the projection is
dimensioned and positioned to be located externally of the bottom bracket.”
Rather, Richards shows the crank axle being supported within a wheel hub (1)
mounted between the front forks (2) of a tricycle or bicycle of the type in which the
pedals are attached directly to the front wheel, rather than attached to the bicycle
frame and engaged with the wheels via a sprocket and chain assembly. Richards,
page 2, lines 30-35. As such, the projection of axle (1) of Richards is dimensioned
and positioned to be located externally of wheel hub (1) and front forks (2) (see
Figure 2) rather than externally of a bottom bracket of a bicycle frame.
Ernest discloses a crank-shaft mechanism for bicycles in which one of the
cranks is associated with a sprocket wheel. Ernest, page 2, lines 4-11. As such,
the crank shaft of Ernest is disposed within a bottom bracket of the bicycle frame.
See Figure 1 (dashed lines). It would have been obvious to one having ordinary
skill in the art at the time of the invention to have used the assembly of Richards to
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