DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Examiner’s Comment
The Specification filed on 04/18/2024 has been entered by the Examiner.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
(b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph:
The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention.
Claims 2 and 7 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112
(pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor
(or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention.
Regarding claims 2 and 7, the phrase "or the like" renders the claim(s) indefinite because the claim(s) include(s) elements not actually disclosed (those encompassed by "or the like"), thereby rendering the scope of the claim(s) unascertainable. See MPEP § 2173.05(d).
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1, 3-6 and 8-11 are allowed.
Claims 2 and 7 would be allowable if rewritten or amended to overcome the rejection(s) under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), 2nd paragraph, set forth in this Office action.
The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter:
Regarding claim 1, Sullivan US 4611847 A discloses a vehicle air flow inducer system for providing thrust and drag reduction in a vehicle (in column 1, lines 5-11) comprising: a source (vehicle air supply system 44 in column 2, lines 46-47 as shown in Figure 4; preferably compressed air is used as the actuating fluid in column 2, lines 67-68) for generating a pressurized air flow; and an air receiver (air receiving section 38 in column 2, lines 40-55 as shown in Figure 4) receiving the pressurized air flow.
Sullivan does not show the air receiver including a plurality of air inducers, each air inducer directing a portion of the air flow; a chamber coupled with
the plurality of air inducers such that the plurality of air inducers creates a low pressure in the chamber during flow of the pressurized air, the low pressure chamber coupled with an underside of the vehicle such that a presence of low pressure creates a downward force on the vehicle; and an exhaust for directing air flow exiting the system for providing directional thrust or drag reduction.
Claims 2-5 and 11 depends from claim 1.
Regarding claim 6, Sullivan US 4611847 A discloses a vehicle (truck 10 in column 1, lines 15-20 as shown in Figure 1) having a body (vehicle body 50 in column 2, lines 50-55 as shown in Figure 4) with an underside (as shown in Figure 4) comprising: a source (vehicle air supply system 44 in column 2,
lines 46-47 as shown in Figure 4; preferably compressed air is used as the actuating fluid in column 2, lines 67-68) for generating a pressurized air flow; and
an air receiver (air receiving section 38 in column 2, lines 40-55 as shown in Figure 4) receiving the pressurized air flow.
However, Sullivan does not show the air receiver including a plurality of air inducers, each air inducer directing a portion of the air flow; a chamber coupled with the plurality of air inducers such that the plurality of air inducers creates a low pressure in the chamber during flow of the pressurized air, the low pressure chamber coupled with an underside of the vehicle such that a presence of low pressure creates a downward force on the vehicle; and an exhaust for directing air flow exiting the system for providing directional thrust or drag reduction.
Claims 7-10 depends from claim 6.
Prior Art
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant’s disclosure.
CN 116252875 A discloses the side spoiler is set on the lower side of the motor vehicle, so as to improve the aerodynamic performance, and according to the driving condition and road condition control side spoiler expanding angle, so as to realize the desired air power performance, and prevent the side damage. In addition, the invention claims a side spoiler device for motor vehicle, wherein the side spoiler is divided into a plurality of side spoiler, so as to optimize the aerodynamic performance for each driving condition through the individual control of each side spoiler.
US 20230339553 A1 discloses an active air skirt apparatus for a mobility configured to control an airflow beneath the mobility according to the driving situation of the mobility to ensure optimal aerodynamic performance in the mobility having a flat lower portion for loading a high-voltage battery.
Communication
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the Examiner should be directed to Lori Lyjak whose telephone number is
571-272-6658. The Examiner can normally be reached from 8:30 a.m. to
4:30 p.m. EST Monday through Friday.
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The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/Lori Lyjak/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3612B
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