Appeal 2006-3100
Application 10/662,547
1 cylindrical surface 76 of the piston covers each of the holes 34 in sequence
2 (Lee, col. 7, ll. 39 to 48). Lee does not simultaneously cover all of the holes
3 34 (Lee, Figures 1 and 2) nor does Lee utilize a sleeve slidably disposed on
4 the piston rod to close the holes 34. Rather, it is the cylindrical surface 76 of
5 the piston head that is utilized to close the holes 34.
6 Dressell discloses a shock absorber that includes a sleeve 76 which
7 surrounds the outer diameter of the cylinder 20 in which a piston 54 is
8 disposed for movement. The cylinder 20 has holes 80, 82 and 84 which
9 cooperate with annular grooves 86, 88, and 90 formed on the interior of the
10 sleeve 76 so that when the sleeve is disposed over the cylinder 20, in one
11 orientation, the grooves lie over the holes (Dressell, col. 5, ll. 52 to 68) and
12 provide a flow path for fluid. The amount of restriction is controlled by the
13 rotational position of the sleeve 76 with respect to the cylinder 20. The
14 radial orientation of the cylinder relative to the sleeve 76 is fixed by a pin 78
15 (Dressell, col. 6, ll. 47 to 51). Dressell does not disclose a sequential closing
16 of the holes but rather a progressive closing of all the holes simultaneously.
17 Dressell also discloses an alternative form of the sleeve having
18 rectangular spiral grooves 132 formed on its interior diameter (Dressell, col.
19 7, ll. 30 to 34). The grooves have a width that is equal to the diameter of the
20 holes 80, 82 and 84. As the cylinder is rotated relative to the sleeve, the
21 grooves will be shifted longitudinally, relative to the holes 80, 82 and 84
22 changing the effective area of the holes 80, 82, 84 (Dressell, col. 7, ll. 60 to
23 68; Figure 10). Dressell does not disclose a sequential closing of the holes
24 but rather a progressive closing of all the holes simultaneously by the spiral
25 grooves.
5
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Last modified: September 9, 2013