1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to aerodynamic toolbox assemblies for vehicles.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, in the descriptions that follow, we will italicize the first occurrence of each special term of art that should be familiar to those skilled in the art of vehicular fairing systems. In addition, when we first introduce a term that we believe to be new or that we will use in a context that we believe to be new, we will bold the term and provide the definition that we intend to apply to that term.
Hereinafter, when we refer to a facility we mean a mechanical, hydraulic, electrical or electronic device or an associated set of such devices adapted to perform a particular function regardless of the physical or circuit layout of an embodiment thereof. However, unless we expressly state to the contrary, we consider the form of instantiation of any facility that practices our invention as being purely a matter of design choice.
Large vehicles such as semis may easily travel several thousand miles each month, including on highways and other routes which allow for higher speeds. Poor aerodynamics cause a decrease in fuel economy and an increase in operating cost. Therefore, there is a need to improve the aerodynamics of such vehicles, and, thus, the fuel efficiency thereof.
Embodiments described herein provide systems and methods for improving the aerodynamics of toolboxes mounted on vehicles, and, in particular, tractor and trailer vehicles. Embodiments may also be beneficial on other vehicles as well.
In one embodiment, an aerodynamic fairing facility is provided for use with a vehicle-mounted toolbox comprising: a top panel; a bottom panel; a rear panel; a first side panel; and a second side panel. In this embodiment, the aerodynamic fairing facility comprises: a first fairing panel coupled to a selected one of the top panel, the bottom panel, the first side panel and the second side panel of the toolbox, the first fairing panel being configured so as to extend beyond a selected one of the top panel, the bottom panel, the first panel and the second panel of the toolbox.
For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals indicate like features and wherein:
In the drawings, similar elements will be similarly numbered whenever possible. However, this practice is simply for convenience of reference and to avoid unnecessary proliferation of numbers, and is not intended to imply or suggest that our invention requires identity in either function or structure in the several embodiments.
The disclosure and various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the exemplary, and therefore non-limiting, embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of known starting materials and processes may be omitted so as not to unnecessarily obscure the disclosure in detail. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and the specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiments, are given by way of illustration only and not by way of limitation. Various substitutions, modifications, additions and/or rearrangements within the spirit and/or scope of the underlying inventive concept will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure.
As used herein, the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes”, “including”, “has”, “having”, or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, product, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, product, article, or apparatus. Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary, “or” refers to an inclusive or and not to an exclusive or. For example, a condition A or B is satisfied by any one of the following: A is true (or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or not present) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (or present).
Additionally, any examples or illustrations given herein are not to be regarded in any way as restrictions on, limits to, or express definitions of, any term or terms with which they are utilized. Instead these examples or illustrations are to be regarded as being described with respect to one particular embodiment and as illustrative only. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that any term or terms with which these examples or illustrations are utilized encompass other embodiments as well as implementations and adaptations thereof which may or may not be given therewith or elsewhere in the specification and all such embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of that term or terms. Language designating such non-limiting examples and illustrations includes, but is not limited to: “for example”, “for instance”, “e.g.”, “in one embodiment”, and the like. Furthermore, any dimensions, materials or other such characteristics are provided by way of example and not limitation.
Embodiments described herein provide systems and methods for improving the aerodynamics of toolboxes mounted on vehicles, and, in particular, tractor and trailer vehicles. Embodiments may be particularly suited for reducing aerodynamic drag, reducing or otherwise controlling the generation or distribution of spray/splash or improving the stability of large vehicles in an airstream.
Shown in
In the embodiment illustrated in
Although, in the embodiment illustrated in
In the embodiment illustrated in
Shown in
In the embodiment shown in
In the embodiment shown in
In the embodiment shown in
In the embodiment shown in
In the embodiment shown in
In the embodiment shown in
Shown in
In the embodiment shown in
In the embodiment shown in
In the description herein, numerous specific details are provided, such as examples of components and/or methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that an embodiment may be able to be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other apparatus, systems, assemblies, methods, components, materials, parts, and/or the like. In other instances, well-known structures, components, systems, materials, or operations are not specifically shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of embodiments of the invention. While the invention may be illustrated by using a particular embodiment, this is not and does not limit the invention to any particular embodiment and a person of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that additional embodiments are readily understandable and are a part of this invention.
This is a national stage application of and claims the benefit of priority to International Application No. PCT/US2018/041907, filed Jul. 12, 2018, entitled “AERODYNAMIC TOOLBOX ASSEMBLY,” This application is related to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/531,782, filed 12 Jul. 2017 (“Parent Provisional”); and, pursuant to 37 CFR § 1.78(a)(4), hereby claims benefit under 35 USC 119(e) of the filing date thereof, the entire contents of which are hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US2018/041907 | 7/12/2018 | WO | 00 |
Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
WO2019/014503 | 1/17/2019 | WO | A |
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
1072907 | Brooks | Sep 1913 | A |
1173434 | Johnson | Feb 1916 | A |
1827662 | Maas | Oct 1931 | A |
2059045 | Seymour | Oct 1936 | A |
2190117 | Griffith | Mar 1939 | A |
2538839 | Limberg | Jan 1951 | A |
2579048 | Paul | Dec 1951 | A |
2605119 | Earnest | Jul 1952 | A |
2715430 | Lindeman | Aug 1952 | A |
2685906 | Williams | Aug 1954 | A |
2931414 | Jankowski | Apr 1956 | A |
2801867 | Childreth | Aug 1957 | A |
2869929 | Hurd | Jan 1959 | A |
3006658 | Wenham et al. | Oct 1961 | A |
3078124 | Mulder | Feb 1963 | A |
3092420 | Baldwin et al. | Jun 1963 | A |
3215384 | Chambers | Nov 1965 | A |
3276502 | Walter | Oct 1966 | A |
3276503 | Kilmarx | Oct 1966 | A |
3279815 | Hutchens | Oct 1966 | A |
3317247 | Lamme | May 1967 | A |
3350113 | Graham | Oct 1967 | A |
3367722 | Miyanaga | Feb 1968 | A |
3401953 | Prohl | Sep 1968 | A |
3582108 | Carlton | Jun 1971 | A |
3585824 | Schenk et al. | Jun 1971 | A |
3653455 | Hetteen | Apr 1972 | A |
3752498 | Shea | Aug 1973 | A |
3874697 | Thompson | Apr 1975 | A |
3918764 | Lamme | Nov 1975 | A |
3947065 | Geiger | Mar 1976 | A |
3954281 | Juergens | May 1976 | A |
4007944 | Dingess | Feb 1977 | A |
4138129 | Morris | Feb 1979 | A |
4169608 | Logan | Oct 1979 | A |
4180230 | Sogoian | Dec 1979 | A |
4205861 | Roberts | Jun 1980 | A |
4235476 | Arvidsson | Nov 1980 | A |
4334694 | Iwanicki | Jun 1982 | A |
4441539 | Hulse | Apr 1984 | A |
4582107 | Scully | Apr 1986 | A |
4619303 | Bryan et al. | Oct 1986 | A |
4627631 | Sherman | Dec 1986 | A |
4640331 | Braun et al. | Feb 1987 | A |
4641698 | Bitoni | Feb 1987 | A |
4678017 | Schultz | Jul 1987 | A |
4706980 | Hawes et al. | Nov 1987 | A |
4724879 | Schultz et al. | Feb 1988 | A |
4730952 | Wiley | Mar 1988 | A |
4735428 | Antekeier | Apr 1988 | A |
4744399 | Magnuson et al. | May 1988 | A |
4754792 | Braun et al. | Jul 1988 | A |
4761040 | Johnson | Aug 1988 | A |
4770330 | Bonstead et al. | Sep 1988 | A |
4784430 | Biermacher | Nov 1988 | A |
4836568 | Preslik et al. | Jun 1989 | A |
4860579 | Beverly | Aug 1989 | A |
4889394 | Ruspa | Dec 1989 | A |
4892128 | Bartos | Jan 1990 | A |
4895199 | Magnuson et al. | Jan 1990 | A |
4921276 | Morin | May 1990 | A |
4925235 | Fingerle | May 1990 | A |
4960294 | Leonard | Oct 1990 | A |
4961611 | Patti | Oct 1990 | A |
D312609 | Preslik et al. | Dec 1990 | S |
D312810 | Preslik et al. | Dec 1990 | S |
4974909 | Patti et al. | Dec 1990 | A |
4981162 | Grenie | Jan 1991 | A |
4984851 | Hayano | Jan 1991 | A |
5074573 | Dick | Dec 1991 | A |
5179981 | Hickes et al. | Jan 1993 | A |
5190354 | Levy et al. | Mar 1993 | A |
5192108 | Richardson et al. | Mar 1993 | A |
5238268 | Logan | Aug 1993 | A |
5240039 | Colussi et al. | Aug 1993 | A |
5257822 | Metcalf | Nov 1993 | A |
5263770 | Goudey | Nov 1993 | A |
5269547 | Antekeier | Dec 1993 | A |
5280990 | Rinard | Jan 1994 | A |
5286049 | Khan | Feb 1994 | A |
D345332 | Roman | Mar 1994 | S |
5294189 | Price et al. | Mar 1994 | A |
5324099 | Fitzhugh | Jun 1994 | A |
5332280 | DuPont et al. | Jul 1994 | A |
5340154 | Scott | Aug 1994 | A |
5358313 | Polka | Oct 1994 | A |
5366278 | Brumfield | Nov 1994 | A |
5375882 | Koch, III | Dec 1994 | A |
5380028 | Ferris | Jan 1995 | A |
5398743 | Bartos | Mar 1995 | A |
D361974 | Hornik | Sep 1995 | S |
5465772 | Sartor | Nov 1995 | A |
5490342 | Rutterman et al. | Feb 1996 | A |
5538062 | Stech | Jul 1996 | A |
5584949 | Ingram | Dec 1996 | A |
5623777 | Hsiao et al. | Apr 1997 | A |
D381949 | Barrett, Jr. et al. | Aug 1997 | S |
5659989 | Hsiao et al. | Aug 1997 | A |
D395268 | Tucker | Jun 1998 | S |
5769979 | Naedler | Jun 1998 | A |
5791741 | Sheu | Aug 1998 | A |
5833254 | Bucho | Nov 1998 | A |
5836399 | Maiwald et al. | Nov 1998 | A |
5850727 | Fox | Dec 1998 | A |
5871335 | Bartlett | Feb 1999 | A |
5884981 | Ichikawa | Mar 1999 | A |
5938222 | Huang | Aug 1999 | A |
5947520 | McHorse | Sep 1999 | A |
6045195 | Okamoto | Apr 2000 | A |
6070893 | Thorndyke et al. | Jun 2000 | A |
6070908 | Skrzypchak | Jun 2000 | A |
6105645 | Ingram | Aug 2000 | A |
6120104 | Okamoto et al. | Sep 2000 | A |
6152469 | Gadowski | Nov 2000 | A |
6219987 | Trent et al. | Apr 2001 | B1 |
6244316 | Naedler | Jun 2001 | B1 |
6367841 | Matthew | Apr 2002 | B1 |
6401743 | Naedler | Jun 2002 | B1 |
6412799 | Schrempf | Jul 2002 | B1 |
6416112 | Trivits | Jul 2002 | B1 |
6427739 | Medsker | Aug 2002 | B1 |
6431605 | Miller et al. | Aug 2002 | B1 |
6435462 | Hawes | Aug 2002 | B2 |
6443492 | Barr et al. | Sep 2002 | B1 |
6443529 | Williams | Sep 2002 | B1 |
6604724 | Hawes | Aug 2003 | B2 |
6648373 | Hawes | Nov 2003 | B2 |
6666498 | Whitten | Dec 2003 | B1 |
6698482 | Hennig | Mar 2004 | B2 |
6786512 | Morin et al. | Sep 2004 | B2 |
6857709 | McLean et al. | Feb 2005 | B1 |
6886862 | Matthew | May 2005 | B2 |
6979050 | Browne et al. | Dec 2005 | B2 |
7011428 | Hand | Mar 2006 | B1 |
7081081 | Schutz et al. | Jul 2006 | B2 |
7083179 | Chapman et al. | Aug 2006 | B2 |
7093909 | Korpi et al. | Aug 2006 | B1 |
7131705 | DelVecchio et al. | Nov 2006 | B1 |
7249804 | Zank et al. | Jul 2007 | B2 |
7466049 | Vancea | Dec 2008 | B1 |
7484736 | Allemann et al. | Feb 2009 | B2 |
7520534 | Longchamp | Apr 2009 | B2 |
7530379 | Becker et al. | May 2009 | B1 |
7547076 | Necaise | Jun 2009 | B2 |
D607200 | Prater | Jan 2010 | S |
7651108 | Bonnaud et al. | Jan 2010 | B2 |
7658251 | James | Feb 2010 | B2 |
7669678 | Benedict et al. | Mar 2010 | B2 |
7775374 | Barker et al. | Aug 2010 | B1 |
7775604 | Chen | Aug 2010 | B2 |
7806464 | Cardolle | Oct 2010 | B2 |
7909343 | Archer et al. | Mar 2011 | B2 |
7931302 | Vaughn | Apr 2011 | B2 |
7963159 | Ingram et al. | Jun 2011 | B2 |
7975739 | Ingram | Jul 2011 | B1 |
8011848 | Sockman et al. | Sep 2011 | B2 |
8028732 | Ingram et al. | Oct 2011 | B1 |
8118329 | Braga | Feb 2012 | B2 |
8251436 | Henderson et al. | Aug 2012 | B2 |
8342595 | Henderon et al. | Jan 2013 | B2 |
8353375 | James | Jan 2013 | B2 |
8382210 | Fleck | Feb 2013 | B1 |
8424956 | Stimel | Apr 2013 | B2 |
8517474 | Salah | Aug 2013 | B2 |
8540304 | Kint | Sep 2013 | B2 |
8567802 | Barron | Oct 2013 | B2 |
8573671 | Watkins | Nov 2013 | B2 |
8726958 | Merrill | May 2014 | B2 |
8746305 | Lloyd | Jun 2014 | B2 |
8747084 | Richardson et al. | Jun 2014 | B2 |
8763661 | Richardson | Jul 2014 | B2 |
8814253 | Butler et al. | Aug 2014 | B1 |
8870275 | Schmidt | Oct 2014 | B1 |
8955626 | Trueman | Feb 2015 | B2 |
9027983 | Butler et al. | May 2015 | B2 |
9039386 | Rcihardson et al. | May 2015 | B2 |
9039392 | Richardson et al. | May 2015 | B2 |
9074595 | Richardson | Jul 2015 | B2 |
9080565 | Richardson | Jul 2015 | B2 |
9121401 | Richardson | Sep 2015 | B2 |
9145887 | Richardson | Sep 2015 | B2 |
9151288 | Richardson | Oct 2015 | B2 |
9222473 | Richardson | Dec 2015 | B2 |
9308949 | Mihelic et al. | Apr 2016 | B1 |
9321302 | Fleck | Apr 2016 | B2 |
9327550 | Butler et al. | May 2016 | B2 |
9429243 | Hessling et al. | Aug 2016 | B2 |
9604157 | Richardson | Mar 2017 | B2 |
9637184 | Bennett | May 2017 | B1 |
9663157 | Butler et al. | May 2017 | B2 |
9815506 | Vogel et al. | Nov 2017 | B2 |
9821598 | Fleck | Nov 2017 | B2 |
9868318 | Becker | Jan 2018 | B2 |
10252755 | Butler et al. | Apr 2019 | B2 |
10293872 | Butler et al. | May 2019 | B2 |
10343450 | Butler et al. | Jul 2019 | B2 |
10482565 | Chen | Nov 2019 | B1 |
10654529 | Butler | May 2020 | B2 |
10710649 | Butler et al. | Jul 2020 | B2 |
10882571 | Butler | Jan 2021 | B2 |
11110974 | Cosme | Sep 2021 | B2 |
11220132 | Butler | Jan 2022 | B2 |
11254373 | Butler | Feb 2022 | B2 |
11273877 | Butler | Mar 2022 | B2 |
20020124926 | Colussi et al. | Sep 2002 | A1 |
20040164539 | Bernard | Aug 2004 | A1 |
20040238093 | Nelson et al. | Dec 2004 | A1 |
20050133134 | Ingram et al. | Jun 2005 | A1 |
20050146151 | Walker | Jul 2005 | A1 |
20060179929 | Becker | Aug 2006 | A1 |
20080257620 | Poulsen | Oct 2008 | A1 |
20090273176 | Ulgen | Nov 2009 | A1 |
20090283190 | Padula et al. | Nov 2009 | A1 |
20100066123 | Ortega et al. | Mar 2010 | A1 |
20100066155 | Seradarian et al. | Mar 2010 | A1 |
20100117396 | Dayton | May 2010 | A1 |
20110011656 | Poulsen | Jan 2011 | A1 |
20110057410 | Eklund et al. | Mar 2011 | A1 |
20110089748 | Grill et al. | Apr 2011 | A1 |
20110101767 | Fleck | May 2011 | A1 |
20110253851 | Di Franco | Oct 2011 | A1 |
20110272963 | Henderson et al. | Nov 2011 | A1 |
20110272964 | Henderson et al. | Nov 2011 | A1 |
20110284602 | Lamouroux | Nov 2011 | A1 |
20120013146 | Wolf et al. | Jan 2012 | A1 |
20120024445 | Wilson et al. | Feb 2012 | A1 |
20120043803 | Grill | Feb 2012 | A1 |
20120256438 | Watkins | Oct 2012 | A1 |
20130049320 | Smith | Feb 2013 | A1 |
20130068361 | Flory et al. | Mar 2013 | A1 |
20130076107 | Starnes | Mar 2013 | A1 |
20130087262 | Hennig | Apr 2013 | A1 |
20130199685 | Nelson et al. | Aug 2013 | A1 |
20140284994 | Polka | Sep 2014 | A1 |
20150059946 | Keeney | Mar 2015 | A1 |
20150151569 | Fleck | Jun 2015 | A1 |
20150175089 | Reed, III | Jun 2015 | A1 |
20150321336 | Harrison | Nov 2015 | A1 |
20150329152 | Baker et al. | Nov 2015 | A1 |
20160096557 | Bassily et al. | Apr 2016 | A1 |
20160141934 | Click | May 2016 | A1 |
20160221388 | Van Oort | Aug 2016 | A1 |
20160288590 | Hennig et al. | Oct 2016 | A1 |
20160368545 | Vogel et al. | Dec 2016 | A1 |
20170029044 | Senatro | Feb 2017 | A1 |
20170129549 | Polgrean | May 2017 | A1 |
20170166266 | Wall, II | Jun 2017 | A1 |
20170240220 | Kron et al. | Aug 2017 | A1 |
20180072354 | Cosme et al. | Mar 2018 | A1 |
20180104994 | Lin | Apr 2018 | A1 |
20180370580 | Butler et al. | Dec 2018 | A1 |
20190031251 | Butler et al. | Jan 2019 | A1 |
20190061838 | Lee | Feb 2019 | A1 |
20190152409 | Klatt | May 2019 | A1 |
20190193797 | Butler et al. | Jun 2019 | A1 |
20190270335 | Butler | Sep 2019 | A1 |
20200047824 | Butler | Feb 2020 | A1 |
20200062048 | Bulter | Feb 2020 | A1 |
20200114983 | Cosme et al. | Apr 2020 | A1 |
20200164933 | Butler et al. | May 2020 | A1 |
20200262493 | Butler | Aug 2020 | A1 |
20200339201 | Butler | Oct 2020 | A1 |
20210009209 | Senatro | Jan 2021 | A1 |
20210139086 | Andrus | May 2021 | A1 |
20210197902 | Butler | Jul 2021 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
102010063263 | Jun 2012 | DE |
542728 | Jul 1988 | EP |
0309611 | Apr 1989 | EP |
0310130 | Apr 1989 | EP |
2348400 | Oct 2000 | GB |
2524173 | Sep 2016 | GB |
WO 199748590 | Dec 1997 | WO |
WO9748590 | Dec 1997 | WO |
WO 2004062953 | Jul 2004 | WO |
WO 2008100338 | Aug 2008 | WO |
WO2009105623 | Aug 2009 | WO |
WO 2013174410 | Nov 2013 | WO |
WO 2016134847 | Sep 2016 | WO |
WO 2018136529 | Jul 2018 | WO |
Entry |
---|
European Search Report issued for European Patent Application No. 18832450.3, dated Mar. 10, 2021, 7 pages. |
International Search Report and Written Opinion issued for International Application No. PCT/US18/41907, dated Dec. 20, 2018, 8 pages. |
Bresnan, Exterior Accessories, Drink Water Trailer Sales, May 11, 2012, Pembroke, MA, retrieved from http://www.drinkwaterts.com on Jul. 25, 2012, 23 pgs. |
Truck Accessories, Council Hitch Truck Accessories, Council Bluffs, IA, retrieved on Jul. 24, 2012 from <http://councilhitch.com/vehicle-accessories/truck-accessories/> 1 pg. |
AMP Research PowerStep™, AMP Research, 2011, Tustin, CA, retrieved on Jul. 24, 2012 from <http://www.amp-research.com/products/truckaccessories/powerstep/>, 6 pgs. |
TrailBack Aluminium Running Boards, BuyAutoTruckAccessories.com, 2012, Clifton, NJ, retrieved on Jul. 24, 2012, from <http://www.buyautotruckaccessories.com>, 2 pgs. |
Discount Auto Parts Dee Zee Running Boards Car Truck SUV, Dee Zee, Inc., Des Moines, IA, retrieved on Jul. 24, 2012, from <http://www.running-board.nedona.org>, 6 pgs. |
Lund Trailrunner Extruded Aluminum Running Boards, JC Whitney, 2012, LaSalle, IL, retrieved on Jul. 25, 2012, from <http://www.jcwhitney.com>, 3 pgs. |
Endeavor Running Boards, 4WheelOnline.com, Tampa, FL, retrieved on Jul. 28, 2012, from <http://4wheelonline.com/EndeavourRunningBoards.64146>, 2 pgs. |
Deflecktor®, The First-Of-lts-Kind Aerodynamic Wheel Cover, A de F, Ltd., Birchwood, MN, retrieved from http://www.deflecktor.com/DeflecktorBrochure.pdf, 15 pgs. |
International Search Report and Written Opinion for PCT Application No. PCT/US2012/046010, completed Sep. 11, 2012 and dated Oct. 1, 2012, 10 pgs. |
Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 13/452,249, dated Apr. 19, 2013, 11 pgs. |
Truck Accessories, Council Hitch Truck Accessories, Council Bluffs, IA, retrieved on May 15, 2013, from <http://councilhitch.com/vehicle-accessories/truck-accessories/>, 5 pgs. |
Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 13/452,249, dated Sep. 9, 2013, 9 pgs. |
International Preliminary Report on Patentability (Ch. I) for International Application No. PCT/US2012/046010, dated Jan. 23, 2014, 9 pgs. |
International Search Report and Written Opinion for International Patent Application No. PCT/US13/68119, dated Jun. 5, 2014, 10 pgs. |
Isuzu NPR Splash Shield/Mud Flap 1989-Up, Busbee's Trucks & Parts Product Information Page, BusbeeTruckParts's Photostream, Flickr, uploaded Nov. 12, 2010, retrieved on Feb. 25, 2014, from <www.flickr.com/photos/busbeetruckparts/5169791014/in/photostream/>, 1 pg. |
Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 14/070,294, dated Sep. 17, 2014, 8 pgs. |
Extended European Search Report for Application No. EP 12811575.5, dated Mar. 4, 2015, 8 pgs. |
Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 13/545,100, dated Apr. 10, 2015, 15 pgs. |
International Preliminary Report on Patentability (Ch. I) for Application No. PCT/US2013/068119, dated May 14, 2015, 7 pgs. |
Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 13/545,100, dated Sep. 21, 2015, 8 pgs. |
Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 14/666,019, dated Jul. 8, 2016, 7 pgs. |
Extended European Search Report for Application No. EP 13851505.1, dated Oct. 14, 2016, 8 pgs. |
Examination Report for Australian Application No. 2013337652, dated Jan. 13, 2017, 4 pgs. |
Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 15/082,996, dated Apr. 3, 2018, 25 pgs. |
Office Action for Canadian Application No. 2,877,482, dated May 14, 2018, 4 pgs. |
Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 15/491,477, dated Aug. 14, 2018, 7 pgs. |
Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 15/553,893, dated Jul. 19, 2018, 7 pgs. |
Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 16/018,413, dated Sep. 18, 2018, 6 pgs. |
Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 15/082,996, dated Nov. 2, 2018, 6 pgs. |
Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 15/553,893, dated Feb. 25, 2019, 6 pgs. |
Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 16/290,631, dated Jun. 25, 2019, 7 pgs. |
Office Action for European Patent Application No. 12811575.5, dated Jun. 28, 2019, 6 pgs. |
Vigia Tire Pressure Systems brochure, Colven, retrieved from <http://www.vigia.ca/images/Pdf/Vigia_external_brochure.pdf>, captured Nov. 5, 2017, 4 pgs. |
Non-patent literature illustrating parts_hollow.jpg, Colven, retrieved from <http://vigia.ca/webshop/images/categories/parts_hollow.jpg>, captured Nov. 5, 2017, 1 pg. |
International Search Report for PCT Application No. PCT/US17/60242, dated Mar. 1, 2018, 4 pgs. |
Written Opinion for PCT Application No. PCT/US17/60242, dated Mar. 1, 2018, 6 pgs. |
Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 16/017,591, dated Sep. 4, 2019, 8 pgs. |
Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 16/290,631, dated Oct. 2, 2019, 9 pgs. |
Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 16/049,367, dated Dec. 12, 2019, 8 pgs. |
European Office Action for Patent Application No. 12811575.5 dated May 18, 2020, 5 pgs. |
European Partial Search Report for Patent Application No. 17866894.3 dated Jun. 12, 2020, 12 pgs. |
European Office Action for Patent Application No. 13851505.1, dated Jun. 12, 2020, 5 pgs. |
Office Action for Canadian Patent Application No. 2890183, dated Jun. 25, 2020, 4 pgs. |
Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 16/049,367, dated Jul. 23, 2020, 8 pgs. |
Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 15/553,893, dated Apr. 16, 2020, 8 pgs. |
Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 15/553,893, dated Aug. 31, 2020, 9 pgs. |
Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 16/710,623, dated Oct. 6, 2020, 8 pgs. |
Extended European Search Report for Patent Application No. 17866894.3, dated Oct. 9, 2020, 11 pgs. |
Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 16/415,875, dated Jan. 15, 2021, 14 pgs. |
Office Action for European Patent Application No. 13851505.1, dated Feb. 10, 2021, 4 pgs. |
Fleet Engineers Product Catalog 2017, Mud Flap Brackets, at pp. 51-66, retrieved Jan. 12, 2021 at <<https://fleetengineers.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2017/10/FE2017-ProdCat-101317-web.pdf>>, 228 pgs. |
Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 16/415,875, dated May 24, 2021, 7 pgs. |
Notice of Allowance for U.S. Appl. No. 16/657,824, dated Jul. 19, 2021, 6 pgs. |
Notice of Allowance for U.S. Appl. No. 16/415,875, dated Aug. 5, 2021, 4 pgs. |
Notice of Allowance for U.S. Appl. No. 16/858,521, dated Aug. 9, 2021, 6 pgs. |
Notice of Allowance for U.S. Appl. No. 15/553,893 dated Aug. 3, 2021, 2 pgs. |
Office Action for U.S. Patent No. U.S. Appl. No. 16/466,268, dated Sep. 20, 2021, 13 pgs. |
Extended European Search Report for Patent Application No. 21171821.8, dated Oct. 4, 2021, 8 pgs. |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20200164933 A1 | May 2020 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
62531782 | Jul 2017 | US |