Appeal 2006-3196
Application 10/860,445
remains independent from other segments such that they do not collectively form a
disc.
Hyde teaches a brake assembly having a brake stack formed of a plurality of
interleaved stator and rotor friction disks formed of a structural core carrier and
mechanically attached friction linings. Hyde, col. 2, lines 8-11. In one
embodiment, Hyde teaches forming the carrier (45) for the friction rotor disc (44)
using mechanically-joined segments. Hyde, col. 4, lines 45-48 (citing to Ely,
LeBlanc, and Bok). Each of the references referred to in Hyde discloses forming
annular discs using sector-shaped segments. Ely, col. 2, lines 19-22; LeBlanc, col.
2, lines 50-53; and Bok, col. 2, lines 25-28. When these annular discs are
interleaved with other such discs to form the brake stack, as taught in Ericson and
Hyde, the brake includes interleaved disc segments as recited in claim 1. As such,
we sustain the examiner’s rejection of claims 1 and 5 under 35 USC § 103(a) as
being unpatentable over Ericson in view of Hyde.
Pursuant to 37 CFR § 41.50(c), we suggest that the appellant consider
amending claim 1 in a way to recite more clearly the invention described in the
specification and to distinguish the prior art relied upon by the examiner. For
example, the appellant might consider amending the recitation of “a plurality of
interleaved disc segments which are less than complete circles” to more clearly
claim “an interleaved disc pack wherein some layers of the disc pack each consist
of a single disc segment which is less than a complete circle.” Such an amendment
would overcome the rejection of the claims as unpatentable over Ericson and
Hyde.
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