Appeal 2006-1966 Application 10/246,506 The references of record relied upon by the examiner as evidence of obviousness are: MacKenzie U.S. 3,851,983 Dec. 03, 1974 Schlueter U.S. 5,067,845 Nov. 26, 1991 Claims 1-3, 5, 6, 8-10, 12 and 13 stand rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 103 as being unpatentable over MacKenzie in view of Schlueter. ISSUES The sole issue for our consideration on appeal is whether the examiner has made out a prima facie case of obviousness of the claimed subject matter. FINDINGS OF FACT The following are findings of fact regarding the scope and content of the prior art and the differences between the prior art and the claimed subject matter. 1. MacKenzie discloses a coupling 10 using a sleeve-like member 11 to attach a hub structure, shaft S, to a vehicle axle, shaft D. The tubular structure is adapted to slide over the end of the vehicle axle D. The tubular structure includes an expansion slot 13 which extends along a portion less than the full length of the sleeve or tubular structure and the clamping fastener including screws 16 and 17 in sockets 14 and 15 so that the sleeve-like member can be compressibly clamped about shafts S and D. MacKenzie does not disclose that the tubular structure of the clamp assembly has an expansion slot wherein moving 3Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Next
Last modified: September 9, 2013