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 .
Double Patenting
The nonstatutory double patenting rejection is based on a judicially created doctrine grounded in public policy (a policy reflected in the statute) so as to prevent the unjustified or improper timewise extension of the “right to exclude” granted by a patent and to prevent possible harassment by multiple assignees. A nonstatutory double patenting rejection is appropriate where the conflicting claims are not identical, but at least one examined application claim is not patentably distinct from the reference claim(s) because the examined application claim is either anticipated by, or would have been obvious over, the reference claim(s). See, e.g., In re Berg, 140 F.3d 1428, 46 USPQ2d 1226 (Fed. Cir. 1998); In re Goodman, 11 F.3d 1046, 29 USPQ2d 2010 (Fed. Cir. 1993); In re Longi, 759 F.2d 887, 225 USPQ 645 (Fed. Cir. 1985); In re Van Ornum, 686 F.2d 937, 214 USPQ 761 (CCPA 1982); In re Vogel, 422 F.2d 438, 164 USPQ 619 (CCPA 1970); In re Thorington, 418 F.2d 528, 163 USPQ 644 (CCPA 1969).
A timely filed terminal disclaimer in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(c) or 1.321(d) may be used to overcome an actual or provisional rejection based on nonstatutory double patenting provided the reference application or patent either is shown to be commonly owned with the examined application, or claims an invention made as a result of activities undertaken within the scope of a joint research agreement. See MPEP § 717.02 for applications subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA as explained in MPEP § 2159. See MPEP § 2146 et seq. for applications not subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA . A terminal disclaimer must be signed in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(b).
The filing of a terminal disclaimer by itself is not a complete reply to a nonstatutory double patenting (NSDP) rejection. A complete reply requires that the terminal disclaimer be accompanied by a reply requesting reconsideration of the prior Office action. Even where the NSDP rejection is provisional the reply must be complete. See MPEP § 804, subsection I.B.1. For a reply to a non-final Office action, see 37 CFR 1.111(a). For a reply to final Office action, see 37 CFR 1.113(c). A request for reconsideration while not provided for in 37 CFR 1.113(c) may be filed after final for consideration. See MPEP §§ 706.07(e) and 714.13.
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Claims 1-10 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-10 of U.S. Patent No. 12,344,323 (SN 18/659,262) in view of Roberge et al. US 6,485,087.
Regarding claims 1 and 2,
U.S. Patent No. 12,344,323 discloses the claimed invention as set forth in claim 1 thereof except for the recitation of the trailer door including a door frame and a trailer hinge coupled to the door frame (claim 1), and wherein the door frame is located proximate a rear end of the trailer side (claim 2). See the table below.
Current Invention
(SN 19/237,269)
U.S. Patent No. 12,344,323
(SN 18/659,262)
1. An aerodynamic device for attachment to a trailer of a tractor-trailer having a centerline, a trailer side, a door frame, and a trailer door, the aerodynamic device comprising: an airfoil comprising; a flexible mounting system comprising: a door hinge coupled to the trailer door; a mounting bracket coupled to an inner surface of the airfoil; a trailer hinge coupled to the mounting bracket and the door frame; and a door strap coupled to the door hinge at a first end and the mounting bracket at a second end; wherein the mounting bracket comprises: a rotary bracket coupled to the inner surface of the airfoil; a hinge plate rotatably coupled to a first end of the rotary bracket; and a hinge arm coupled to the hinge plate at a first end and the trailer hinge at a second end.
1. An aerodynamic device for attachment to a trailer of a tractor-trailer having a centerline, a trailer side and a trailer door, the aerodynamic device comprising: an airfoil comprising a leading edge, a trailing edge, an inner surface, and an outer surface; a flexible mounting system comprising: a door hinge coupled to the trailer door; a mounting bracket coupled to the inner surface of the airfoil; a trailer hinge coupled to the mounting bracket and the trailer side; and a door strap coupled to the door hinge at a first end and the mounting bracket at a second end; wherein the mounting bracket comprises: a rotary bracket coupled to the inner surface of the airfoil; a hinge plate rotatably coupled to a first end of the rotary bracket; and a hinge arm coupled to the hinge plate at a first end and the trailer hinge at a second end.
2. The aerodynamic device of claim 1, wherein the door frame is located proximate a rear end of the trailer side.
However, Roberge et al. discloses an aerodynamic device for attachment to a rear end of a trailer side (36; Fig. 1) of a trailer (10; Fig. 1) which includes an airfoil (42; Fig. 1a), a trailer door including (14; Fig. 1a) and a door frame (39; Fig. 1a), and where a trailer hinge (28, 78; Fig. 1a) is coupled to the door frame (39; Fig. 1a) and where the door frame (right door frame member 39; Fig. 1a and a corresponding left door frame unnumbered in Fig. 1) is located proximate a rear end of the trailer side (36; Fig. 1) as shown in Figure 1.
Therefore, it would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains to provide the tractor-trailer of claim 1 of U.S. Patent No. 12,344,323 (SN 18/659,262) with a door frame where the trailer hinge is coupled to the door frame and wherein the door frame is located proximate a rear end of the trailer side as taught by Roberge et al. with a reasonable expectation of success in order to provide improved support the door relative to the trailer side in a pivoting manner.
Regarding claims 3-10, see the table below which illustrates how claims 3 to 10 of the instant invention correspond to claims 2-10 of U.S. Patent No. 12,344,323 (SN 18/659,262), as modified by Roberge et al.
Current Invention
(SN 19/237,269)
U.S. Patent No. 12,344,323
(SN 18/659,262)
3. The aerodynamic device of claim 1, wherein the mounting bracket further comprises a resilient spring coupled to the hinge arm and the door strap.
2. The aerodynamic device of claim 1, wherein the mounting bracket further comprises a resilient spring coupled to the hinge arm at a first end and the door strap at a second end.
4. The aerodynamic device of claim 1, wherein the rotary bracket comprises upper and lower rotary brackets, wherein each of the upper and lower rotary brackets comprise a hinge and a mounting flange.
3. The aerodynamic device of claim 1, wherein the rotary bracket comprises upper and lower rotary brackets.
5. The aerodynamic device of claim 4, wherein each of the upper and lower rotary brackets comprise a hinge and a mounting flange.
5. The aerodynamic device of claim 4, wherein the airfoil further comprises a mounting channel having at least one spaced apart stiffener located on the inner surface of the airfoil.
4. The aerodynamic device of claim 3, wherein the airfoil further comprises a mounting channel having a pair of spaced apart stiffeners located on the inner surface.
6. The aerodynamic device of claim 5, wherein the mounting flange of the upper and lower rotary brackets are coupled to the at least one spaced apart stiffener of the mounting channel.
6. The aerodynamic device of claim 5, wherein the mounting flange of the upper and lower rotary brackets are coupled to the pair of spaced apart stiffeners of the mounting channel.
7. The aerodynamic device of claim 6, wherein the hinge plate comprises a central portion and a pair of depending flanges.
7. The aerodynamic device of claim 1, wherein the hinge plate comprises a central portion and a pair of depending flanges.
8. The aerodynamic device of claim 7, wherein each hinge on the upper and lower rotary brackets are rotatably coupled to one of the pair of depending flanges on the hinge plate.
8. The aerodynamic device of claim 7, wherein each hinge on the upper and lower rotary brackets are rotatably coupled to one of the pair of depending flanges on the hinge plate.
9. The aerodynamic device of claim 7, wherein the hinge arm is coupled to the central portion of the hinge plate at the first end and the trailer hinge at the second end.
9. The aerodynamic device of claim 7, wherein the hinge arm is coupled to the central portion of the hinge plate at the first end and the trailer hinge at the second end.
10. The aerodynamic device of claim 1, wherein the door hinge comprises: a bracket coupled to the door; and a lever arm comprising an end rotatably coupled to the bracket and a mounting plate coupled to the first end of the door strap.
10. The aerodynamic device of claim 1, wherein the door hinge comprises: a bracket coupled to the door; and a lever arm comprising an end rotatably coupled to the bracket and a mounting plate coupled to the first end of the door strap.
Claims 11-19 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 11-19 of U.S. Patent No. 12,344,323 (SN 18/659,262) in view of Roberge et al. US 6,485,087.
Regarding claim 11,
U.S. Patent No. 12,344,323 discloses the claimed invention as set forth in claim 11 thereof except for the recitation of the trailer door including a door frame and a trailer hinge coupled to the door frame. See the table below.
However, Roberge et al. discloses an aerodynamic device for attachment to a rear end of a trailer side (36; Fig. 1) of a trailer (10; Fig. 1) which includes an airfoil (42; Fig. 1a), a trailer door including (14; Fig. 1a) and a door frame (39; Fig. 1a), and where a trailer hinge (28, 78; Fig. 1a) is coupled to the door frame (39; Fig. 1a) and where the door frame (right door frame member 39; Fig. 1a and a corresponding left door frame unnumbered in Fig. 1) is located proximate a rear end of the trailer side (36; Fig. 1) as shown in Figure 1.
Therefore, it would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains to provide the tractor-trailer of claim 11 of U.S. Patent No. 12,344,323 (SN 18/659,262) with a door frame where the trailer hinge is coupled to the door frame as taught by Roberge et al. with a reasonable expectation of success in order to provide improved support the door relative to the trailer side in a pivoting manner.
Current Invention
(SN 19/237,269)
U.S. Patent No. 12,344,323
(SN 18/659,262)
11. An aerodynamic device for attachment to a trailer of a tractor-trailer having a centerline, a trailer side, a door frame, and a trailer door, the aerodynamic device comprising: an airfoil comprising a leading edge, a trailing edge, an inner surface, and an outer surface; a flexible mounting system comprising: a mounting bracket coupled to the inner surface of the airfoil; a trailer hinge coupled to the second end of the hinge arm and the door frame; and a door strap coupled to the trailer door at a first end and the second end of the resilient spring at a second end wherein the mounting bracket comprises: a rotary bracket coupled to the inner surface of the airfoil; a hinge plate rotatably coupled to a first end of the rotary bracket; and a hinge arm having first and second ends, wherein the first end is coupled to the hinge plate.
11. An aerodynamic device for attachment to a trailer of a tractor-trailer having a centerline, a trailer side and a trailer door, the aerodynamic device comprising: an airfoil comprising a leading edge, a trailing edge, an inner surface, and an outer surface; a flexible mounting system comprising: a mounting bracket coupled to the inner surface of the airfoil; a trailer hinge coupled to the second end of the hinge arm and the trailer side; and a door strap coupled to the trailer door at a first end and the second end of the resilient spring at a second end wherein the mounting bracket comprises: a rotary bracket coupled to the inner surface of the airfoil; a hinge plate rotatably coupled to a first end of the rotary bracket; and a hinge arm having first and second ends, wherein the first end is coupled to the hinge plate.
Regarding claims 12-19, see the table below which illustrates how claims 3 to 10 of the instant invention correspond to claims 12-19 of U.S. Patent No. 12,344,323 (SN 18/659,262), as modified by Roberge et al.
Current Invention
(SN 19/237,269)
U.S. Patent No. 12,344,323
(SN 18/659,262)
12. The aerodynamic device of claim 11, wherein the mounting bracket comprises a resilient spring having first and second ends, wherein the first end of the resilient spring is coupled to a mounting portion of the hinge plate.
12. The aerodynamic device of claim 11, wherein the mounting bracket comprises a resilient spring having first and second ends, wherein the first end of the resilient spring is coupled to a mounting portion of the hinge plate.
13. The aerodynamic device of claim 12, wherein the door strap is coupled to the trailer door by a door hinge, comprising: a bracket coupled to the door; and a lever arm comprising an end rotatably coupled to the bracket and a mounting plate coupled to the first end of the door strap.
13. The aerodynamic device of claim 12, wherein the door strap is coupled to the trailer door by a door hinge, comprising: a bracket coupled to the door; and a lever arm comprising an end rotatably coupled to the bracket and a mounting plate coupled to the first end of the door strap.
14. The aerodynamic device of claim 13, wherein the aerodynamic device is oriented in an operating position wherein: the inner surface of the leading edge is oriented generally parallel to the door frame; the resilient spring is oriented generally parallel to the door frame in a non-deflected position; and the rotary bracket is generally aligned with the hinge plate.
14. The aerodynamic device of claim 13, wherein the aerodynamic device is oriented in an operating position wherein: the inner surface of the leading edge is oriented generally parallel to the door frame; the resilient spring is oriented generally parallel to the door frame in a non-deflected position; and the rotary bracket is generally aligned with the hinge plate.
15. The aerodynamic device of claim 14, wherein the aerodynamic device is oriented in a hyperextended position wherein: the inner surface of the leading edge is oriented generally parallel to the door frame; and an external force exerted upon the inner surface of the airfoil outwardly, away from the centerline of the trailer causes the lever arm to rotate clockwise to a deflected position where the hinge plate and rotary bracket are substantially aligned.
15. The aerodynamic device of claim 14, wherein the aerodynamic device is oriented in a hyperextended position wherein: the inner surface of the leading edge is oriented generally parallel to the door frame; and an external force exerted upon the inner surface of the airfoil outwardly, away from the centerline of the trailer causes the lever arm to rotate clockwise to a deflected position where the hinge plate and rotary bracket are substantially aligned.
16. The aerodynamic device of claim 15, wherein the aerodynamic device is oriented in a hyperextended position and the external force exerted upon the inner surface of the airfoil outwardly, away from the centerline of the trailer causes the door hinge to fully rotate and the door strap to deflect the resilient spring.
16. The aerodynamic device of claim 15, wherein the aerodynamic device is oriented in a hyperextended position and the external force exerted upon the inner surface of the airfoil outwardly, away from the centerline of the trailer causes the door hinge to fully rotate and the door strap to deflect the resilient spring.
17. The aerodynamic device of claim 15, wherein the aerodynamic device is oriented in a hyperextended position and the rotary bracket is generally aligned with the hinge plate.
17. The aerodynamic device of claim 15, wherein the aerodynamic device is oriented in a hyperextended position and the rotary bracket is generally aligned with the hinge plate.
18. The aerodynamic device of claim 14, wherein an external force exerted upon the outer surface of the airfoil inwardly from the operating position toward the centerline of the trailer moves the aerodynamic device to a retracted position wherein: the trailing edge rotates toward the trailer door; the inner surface of the trailing edge is oriented generally parallel to the trailer door; the rotary bracket to moves away from the hinge plate; and the resilient spring is oriented generally parallel to the trailer door in a non-deflected position.
18. The aerodynamic device of claim 14, wherein an external force exerted upon the outer surface of the airfoil inwardly from the operating position toward the centerline of the trailer moves the aerodynamic device to a retracted position wherein: the trailing edge rotates toward the trailer door; the inner surface of the trailing edge is oriented generally parallel to the trailer door; the rotary bracket to moves away from the hinge plate; and the resilient spring is oriented generally parallel to the trailer door in a non-deflected position.
19. The aerodynamic device of claim 13, wherein the aerodynamic device is oriented in a retracted and hyper extended position wherein: the inner surface of the trailing edge is oriented generally parallel to the trailer door; an external force exerted upon the outer surface of the airfoil inwardly from the retracted position causes the rotary bracket to move away from the hinge plate and the hinge arm to rotate about the trailer hinge away from the trailer side causing the resilient spring to deflect.
19. The aerodynamic device of claim 13, wherein the aerodynamic device is oriented in a retracted and hyper extended position wherein: the inner surface of the trailing edge is oriented generally parallel to the trailer door; an external force exerted upon the outer surface of the airfoil inwardly from the retracted position causes the rotary bracket to move away from the hinge plate and the hinge arm to rotate about the trailer hinge away from the trailer side causing the resilient spring to deflect.
Claims 1-10 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-8 of U.S. Patent No. 12,005,969 (SN 17/506,032) in view of Roberge et al. US 6,485,087.
Regarding claims 1 and 2,
U.S. Patent No. 12,005,969 discloses the claimed invention as set forth in claim 1 thereof except for the recitation of the trailer door including a door frame and a trailer hinge coupled to the door frame (claim 1), and wherein the door frame is located proximate a rear end of the trailer side (claim 2). See the table below.
Current Invention
(SN 19/237,269)
U.S. Patent No. 12,005,969
(SN 17/506,032)
1. An aerodynamic device for attachment to a trailer of a tractor-trailer having a centerline, a trailer side, a door frame, and a trailer door, the aerodynamic device comprising: an airfoil comprising; a flexible mounting system comprising: a door hinge coupled to the trailer door; a mounting bracket coupled to an inner surface of the airfoil; a trailer hinge coupled to the mounting bracket and the door frame; and a door strap coupled to the door hinge at a first end and the mounting bracket at a second end; wherein the mounting bracket comprises: a rotary bracket coupled to the inner surface of the airfoil; a hinge plate rotatably coupled to a first end of the rotary bracket; and a hinge arm coupled to the hinge plate at a first end and the trailer hinge at a second end.
1. An aerodynamic device for attachment to a trailer of a tractor-trailer having a centerline, a trailer sidewall and a trailer door, the aerodynamic device comprising: an airfoil comprising a leading edge, a trailing edge, an inner surface, and an outer surface; a flexible mounting system comprising: a door hinge coupled to the trailer door; a mounting bracket comprising: upper and lower rotary brackets coupled to the inner surface of the airfoil; a hinge plate coupled to a first end of the upper and lower rotary brackets; a hinge arm coupled to the hinge plate at a first end and the trailer hinge at a second end; and a resilient spring coupled to the hinge arm at a first end and the door strap at a second end; a trailer hinge coupled to the mounting bracket and the trailer sidewall; and a door strap coupled to the door hinge at a first end and the mounting bracket at a second end.
2. The aerodynamic device of claim 1, wherein the door frame is located proximate a rear end of the trailer side.
3. The aerodynamic device of claim 1, wherein the mounting bracket further comprises a resilient spring coupled to the hinge arm and the door strap.
4. The aerodynamic device of claim 1, wherein the rotary bracket comprises upper and lower rotary brackets, wherein each of the upper and lower rotary brackets comprise a hinge and a mounting flange.
3. The aerodynamic device of claim 2, wherein each of the upper and lower rotary brackets comprise a hinge and a mounting flange.
5. The aerodynamic device of claim 4, wherein the airfoil further comprises a mounting channel having at least one spaced apart stiffener located on the inner surface of the airfoil.
2. The aerodynamic device of claim 1, wherein the airfoil further comprises a mounting channel having a pair of spaced apart stiffeners located on the inner surface.
6. The aerodynamic device of claim 5, wherein the mounting flange of the upper and lower rotary brackets are coupled to the at least one spaced apart stiffener of the mounting channel.
4. The aerodynamic device of claim 4, wherein the mounting flange of the upper and lower rotary brackets are coupled to the pair of spaced apart stiffeners of the mounting channel.
7. The aerodynamic device of claim 6, wherein the hinge plate comprises a central portion and a pair of depending flanges.
5. The aerodynamic device of claim 1, wherein the hinge plate comprises a central portion and a pair of depending flanges.
8. The aerodynamic device of claim 7, wherein each hinge on the upper and lower rotary brackets are rotatably coupled to one of the pair of depending flanges on the hinge plate.
6. The aerodynamic device of claim 5, wherein each hinge on the upper and lower rotary brackets are rotatably coupled to one of the pair of depending flanges on the hinge plate.
9. The aerodynamic device of claim 7, wherein the hinge arm is coupled to the central portion of the hinge plate at the first end and the trailer hinge at the second end.
7. The aerodynamic device of claim 5, wherein the hinge arm is coupled to the central portion of the hinge plate at the first end and the trailer hinge at the second end.
10. The aerodynamic device of claim 1, wherein the door hinge comprises: a bracket coupled to the door; and a lever arm comprising an end rotatably coupled to the bracket and a mounting plate coupled to the first end of the door strap.
8. The aerodynamic device of claim 1, wherein the door hinge comprises: a bracket coupled to the door; and a lever arm comprising an end rotatably coupled to the bracket and a mounting plate coupled to the first end of the door strap.
However, Roberge et al. discloses an aerodynamic device for attachment to a rear end of a trailer side (36; Fig. 1) of a trailer (10; Fig. 1) which includes an airfoil (42; Fig. 1a), a trailer door including (14; Fig. 1a) and a door frame (39; Fig. 1a), and where a trailer hinge (28, 78; Fig. 1a) is coupled to the door frame (39; Fig. 1a) and where the door frame (right door frame member 39; Fig. 1a and a corresponding left door frame unnumbered in Fig. 1) is located proximate a rear end of the trailer side (36; Fig. 1) as shown in Figure 1.
Therefore, it would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains to provide the tractor-trailer of claim 1 of U.S. Patent No. 12,005,969 with a door frame where the trailer hinge is coupled to the door frame as taught by Roberge et al. with a reasonable expectation of success in order to provide improved support the door relative to the trailer side in a pivoting manner.
Regarding claims 3-10, see the table above which illustrates how claims 3 to 10 of the instant invention correspond to claims 1-8 of U.S. Patent No. 12,005,969, as modified by Roberge et al.
Claims 11-13 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 9 and 16 of U.S. Patent No. 12,005,969 (SN 17/506,032) in view of Roberge et al. US 6,485,087.
Regarding claim 11,
U.S. Patent No. 12,005,969 discloses the claimed invention as set forth in claim 11 thereof except for the recitation of the trailer door including a door frame and a trailer hinge coupled to the door frame. See the table below.
However, Roberge et al. discloses an aerodynamic device for attachment to a rear end of a trailer side (36; Fig. 1) of a trailer (10; Fig. 1) which includes an airfoil (42; Fig. 1a), a trailer door including (14; Fig. 1a) and a door frame (39; Fig. 1a), and where a trailer hinge (28, 78; Fig. 1a) is coupled to the door frame (39; Fig. 1a) and where the door frame (right door frame member 39; Fig. 1a and a corresponding left door frame unnumbered in Fig. 1) is located proximate a rear end of the trailer side (36; Fig. 1) as shown in Figure 1.
Therefore, it would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains to provide the tractor-trailer of claim 11 of U.S. Patent No. 12,005,969 with a door frame where the trailer hinge is coupled to the door frame as taught by Roberge et al. with a reasonable expectation of success in order to provide improved support the door relative to the trailer side in a pivoting manner.
Current Invention
(SN 19/237,269)
U.S. Patent No. 12,005,969
(SN 17/506,032)
11. An aerodynamic device for attachment to a trailer of a tractor-trailer having a centerline, a trailer side, a door frame, and a trailer door, the aerodynamic device comprising: an airfoil comprising a leading edge, a trailing edge, an inner surface, and an outer surface; a flexible mounting system comprising: a mounting bracket coupled to the inner surface of the airfoil; a trailer hinge coupled to the second end of the hinge arm and the door frame; and a door strap coupled to the trailer door at a first end and the second end of the resilient spring at a second end wherein the mounting bracket comprises: a rotary bracket coupled to the inner surface of the airfoil; a hinge plate rotatably coupled to a first end of the rotary bracket; and a hinge arm having first and second ends, wherein the first end is coupled to the hinge plate.
9. An aerodynamic device for attachment to a trailer of a tractor-trailer having a centerline, a trailer sidewall and a trailer door, the aerodynamic device comprising: an airfoil comprising a leading edge, a trailing edge, an inner surface, and an outer surface; a flexible mounting system comprising: a door hinge coupled to the trailer door; a mounting bracket comprising: upper and lower rotary brackets coupled to the inner surface of the airfoil; a hinge plate rotatably coupled to a first end of the upper and lower rotary brackets; a hinge arm having first and second ends, wherein the first end is coupled to the hinge plate; and a resilient spring having first and second ends, wherein the first end of the resilient spring is coupled to a mounting portion of the hinge plate; and a trailer hinge coupled to the second end of the hinge arm and the trailer sidewall; and a door strap coupled to the door hinge at a first end and the second end of the resilient spring at a second end.
12. The aerodynamic device of claim 11, wherein the mounting bracket comprises a resilient spring having first and second ends, wherein the first end of the resilient spring is coupled to a mounting portion of the hinge plate.
13. The aerodynamic device of claim 12, wherein the door strap is coupled to the trailer door by a door hinge, comprising: a bracket coupled to the door; and a lever arm comprising an end rotatably coupled to the bracket and a mounting plate coupled to the first end of the door strap.
16. The aerodynamic device of claim 15, wherein the door hinge comprises: a bracket coupled to the door; and a lever arm comprising an end rotatably coupled to the bracket and a mounting plate coupled to the first end of the door strap.
Pertinent Prior Art
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
KR 20130080850 discloses an airfoil (174; Fig. 1) for the rear of the trailer with hinges (128; Fig.1 ) to connect the airfoil to the rear door. See Fig. 1. However, KR 20130080850 fails to disclose a rotary bracket coupled to the airfoil and a hinge plate.
Crompton, Jr. US 4,433,865 discloses a trailer with airfoils (14, 16; Fig. 2) at the rear end connected to the trailer with hinges (16; Fig. 2). However, Crompton, Jr. fails to disclose rotary brackets.
Skopic US 2011/0115254 discloses airfoils (401; Fig. 11) at the rear end of a trailer with mounting cables or straps (1201; Fig. 11) to connect the airfoils to a side of the trailer. However, Crompton, Jr. fails to disclose rotary brackets.
Conclusion
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/Joseph D. Pape/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3612
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