’951 Independent Claims 4, 7, 14, 21
`[14.1] An end fitting
`[7.1] An end fitting for
`for a sucker rod, the
`a sucker rod, the end
`end fitting comprising:
`fitting comprising:
`
`[7.2] a body having an
`interior, a closed end,
`an open end, and
`
`[14.2] a body having
`an interior, a closed
`end, and an open end;
`
`[7.3] a wedge system
`formed in the interior,
`wherein the wedge
`system comprises:
`
`[7.4a] an outer wedge
`portion formed in the
`interior proximate to
`the open end, wherein
`the outer wedge
`portion comprises
`
`[14.4a] a first wedge
`portion formed in the
`interior proximate the
`open end, wherein the
`first wedge portion
`comprises
`
`[21.1] An end fitting
`for a sucker rod, the
`end fitting
`comprising:
`[21.2] a body having
`an interior, a closed
`end, an open end, and
`
`[21.3] a wedge
`system formed in the
`interior, wherein the
`wedge system
`comprises:
`[21.4a] an outer
`wedge portion
`formed in the interior
`proximate to the open
`end, wherein the
`outer wedge portion
`comprises
`
`[7.4b] a first leading
`edge, a first trailing
`edge, and a first angle
`between the first
`leading edge and the
`first trailing edge,
`
`[14.4b] a first leading
`edge, a first trailing
`edge, and a first angle
`between the first
`leading edge and the
`first trailing edge,
`
`[21.4b] a first leading
`edge, a first trailing
`edge, and a first angle
`between the first
`leading edge and the
`first trailing edge,
`
`[4.1] An end fitting
`for a sucker rod,
`the end fitting
`comprising:
`[4.2] a body having
`an interior, a
`closed end, an
`open end, and
`[4.3] a wedge
`system formed in
`the interior,
`wherein the wedge
`system comprises:
`[4.4a] an outer
`wedge portion
`formed in the
`interior proximate
`to the open end,
`wherein the outer
`wedge portion
`comprises
`[4.4b] a first
`leading edge, a
`first trailing edge,
`and a first angle
`between the first
`leading edge and
`the first trailing
`edge,
`
`Page 1 of 16
`
`Petitioners' Exhibit 1011
`John Crane v. Finalrod
`IPR2016-01827
`
`

`
`[4.4c] wherein the
`first leading edge
`faces the open end
`and the first
`trailing edge faces
`the closed end, and
`[4.4d] wherein the
`length of the first
`leading edge, the
`length of the first
`trailing edge, and
`the size of the first
`angle define a first
`distribution of
`force in the outer
`wedge portion;
`
`[4.5a] an
`intermediate wedge
`portion formed in
`the interior
`between the outer
`wedge portion and
`the closed end,
`
`[4.5b] wherein the
`intermediate wedge
`portion comprises
`a second leading
`edge, a second
`trailing edge, and a
`second angle
`between the second
`leading edge and
`the second trailing
`edge,
`
`[7.5a] an intermediate
`wedge portion formed
`in the interior between
`the outer wedge
`portion and the closed
`end,
`
`[7.5b] wherein the
`intermediate wedge
`portion comprises a
`second leading edge, a
`second trailing edge,
`and a second angle
`between the second
`leading edge and the
`second trailing edge,
`
`[4.5c] wherein the
`second leading
`edge faces the open
`end and the second
`trailing edge faces
`the closed end, and
`
`[7.5c] wherein the
`second leading edge
`faces the open end and
`the second trailing
`edge faces the closed
`end, and
`
`[7.4c] wherein the first
`leading edge faces the
`open end and the first
`trailing edge faces the
`closed end, and
`[7.4d] wherein the
`length of the first
`leading edge, the
`length of the first
`trailing edge, and the
`size of the first angle
`define a first
`distribution of force in
`the outer wedge
`portion;
`
`[14.4c] wherein the
`first leading edge
`faces the open end and
`the first trailing edge
`faces the closed end,
`and
`[14.4d] wherein the
`length of the first
`leading edge, the
`length of the first
`trailing edge, and the
`size of the first angle
`define a first
`distribution of force in
`the first wedge
`portion; and
`
`[21.4c] wherein the
`first leading edge
`faces the open end
`and the first trailing
`edge faces the closed
`end, and
`[21.4d] wherein the
`length of the first
`leading edge, the
`length of the first
`trailing edge, and the
`size of the first angle
`define a first
`distribution of force
`in the outer wedge
`portion;
`
`[21.5a] an
`intermediate wedge
`portion formed in the
`interior between the
`outer wedge portion
`and the closed end,
`
`[21.5b] wherein the
`intermediate wedge
`portion comprises a
`second leading edge,
`a second trailing
`edge, and a second
`angle between the
`second leading edge
`and the second
`trailing edge,
`
`[21.5c] wherein the
`second leading edge
`faces the open end
`and the second
`trailing edge faces the
`closed end, and
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`2
`
`Page 2 of 16
`
`

`
`[4.5d] wherein the
`length of the
`second leading
`edge, the length of
`the second trailing
`edge, and the size
`of the second angle
`define a second
`distribution of
`force in the
`intermediate wedge
`portion; and
`
`[4.6a] an inner
`wedge portion
`formed in the
`interior between
`the intermediate
`wedge portion and
`the closed end,
`proximate to the
`closed end,
`
`[4.6b] wherein the
`inner wedge
`portion comprises
`a third leading
`edge, a third
`trailing edge, and a
`third angle first
`angle between the
`third leading edge
`and the second
`third edge,
`
`[4.6c] wherein the
`third leading edge
`faces the open end
`and the third
`trailing edge faces
`the closed end, and
`
`
`
`[7.5d] wherein the
`length of the second
`leading edge, the
`length of the second
`trailing edge, and the
`size of the second
`angle define a second
`distribution of force in
`the intermediate wedge
`portion; and
`
`[21.5d] wherein the
`length of the second
`leading edge, the
`length of the second
`trailing edge, and the
`size of the second
`angle define a second
`distribution of force
`in the intermediate
`wedge portion; and
`
`[7.6a] an inner wedge
`portion formed in the
`interior between the
`intermediate wedge
`portion and the closed
`end, proximate to the
`closed end,
`
`[14.6a] a second
`wedge portion formed
`in the interior
`proximate the closed
`end, between the first
`wedge portion and the
`closed end,
`
`[21.6a] an inner
`wedge portion
`formed in the interior
`between the
`intermediate wedge
`portion and the
`closed end, proximate
`to the closed end,
`
`[7.6b] wherein the
`inner wedge portion
`comprises a third
`leading edge, a third
`trailing edge, and a
`third angle first angle
`between the third
`leading edge and the
`third trailing edge,
`
`[14.6b] wherein the
`second wedge portion
`comprises a second
`leading edge, a second
`trailing edge, and a
`second angle between
`the second leading
`edge and the second
`trailing edge,
`
`[21.6b] wherein the
`inner wedge portion
`comprises a third
`leading edge, a third
`trailing edge, and a
`third angle first angle
`between the third
`leading edge and the
`second third edge,
`
`[7.6c] wherein the third
`leading edge faces the
`open end and the third
`trailing edge faces the
`closed end,
`
`[14.6c] wherein the
`second leading edge
`faces the open end and
`the second trailing
`edge faces the closed
`end, and
`
`[21.6c] wherein the
`third leading edge
`faces the open end
`and the third trailing
`edge faces the closed
`end, and
`
`3
`
`Page 3 of 16
`
`

`
`[4.6d] wherein the
`length of the third
`leading edge, the
`length of the third
`trailing edge, and
`the size of the third
`angle define a third
`distribution of
`force in the inner
`wedge portion,
`
`[7.6d] and wherein the
`length of the third
`leading edge, the
`length of the third
`trailing edge, and the
`size of the third angle
`define a third
`distribution of force in
`the inner wedge
`portion,
`
`[14.6d] wherein the
`length of the second
`leading edge, the
`length of the second
`trailing edge, and the
`size of the second
`angle define a second
`distribution of force in
`the second wedge
`portion,
`
`[4.6d] wherein the
`length of the third
`leading edge, the
`length of the third
`trailing edge, and the
`size of the third angle
`define a third
`distribution of force
`in the inner wedge
`portion,
`
`[4.7a] wherein at
`least two of the
`first angle, the
`second angle, and
`the third angle
`differ in size
`
`[7.7a] wherein the first
`trailing edge, the
`second trailing edge,
`and the third trailing
`edge differ in length
`
`[14.7a] wherein the
`length of the first
`trailing edge and the
`length of the second
`trailing edge differ,
`and
`
`[4.7b] such that
`during use a
`compressive load
`applied to the
`sucker rod at the
`inner wedge
`portion is greater
`than a compressive
`load applied to the
`sucker rod at the
`outer wedge
`portion,
`
`[14.7b] wherein the
`first distribution of
`force and the second
`distribution of force
`vary such that during
`use a compressive
`load applied to the
`sucker rod at second
`wedge portion is
`greater than a
`compressive load
`applied to the sucker
`rod at first wedge
`portion,
`
`[7.7b] such that during
`use a compressive load
`applied to the sucker
`rod at the inner wedge
`portion is greater than
`a compressive load
`applied to the sucker
`rod at the intermediate
`wedge portion, and the
`compressive load
`applied to the sucker
`rod at the intermediate
`wedge portion is
`greater than a
`compressive load
`applied to the sucker
`rod at the outer wedge
`portion,
`
`[21.7a] wherein the
`length of at least two
`of the first trailing
`edge, the second
`trailing edge, and the
`third trailing edge
`vary, and
`
`[21.7b] wherein the
`first distribution of
`force, the second
`distribution of force,
`and the third
`distribution of force
`vary such that during
`use a compressive
`load applied to the
`sucker rod at the
`inner wedge portion
`is greater than a
`compressive load
`applied to the sucker
`rod at the
`intermediate wedge
`portion, and the
`compressive load
`applied to the sucker
`rod at the
`intermediate wedge
`portion is greater than
`a compressive load
`applied to the sucker
`rod at the outer
`wedge portion,
`
`4
`
`Page 4 of 16
`
`

`
`[7.8] such that
`compressive forces
`applied to the sucker
`rod at the closed end of
`the body exceed
`compressive forces at
`the open end of the
`body.
`
`[14.8] such that
`compressive forces in
`the sucker rod at the
`closed end of the body
`exceed compressive
`forces in the sucker
`rod at the open end of
`the body.
`
`[21.8] such that
`compressive forces
`applied to the sucker
`rod at the closed end
`of the body exceed
`compressive forces at
`the open end of the
`body.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`[4.8] such that
`compressive forces
`applied to the
`sucker rod at the
`closed end of the
`body exceed
`compressive forces
`at the open end of
`the body, and
`[4.9] wherein the
`second angle is
`equal to one of the
`first angle or the
`third angle.
`
`
`
`
`
`5
`
`Page 5 of 16
`
`

`
`Dependent Claims 15, 17, 22, 35
`22. The end fitting of
`17. The end fitting of
`claim 21, wherein
`claim 15, wherein the
`the first leading edge
`size of the first angle
`is longer than the
`and the size of the
`second leading edge,
`second angle differ.
`and wherein the
`second leading edge
`is longer than the
`third leading edge.
`
`35. The end fitting
`of claim 21,
`wherein the first
`trailing edge is
`longer than the
`second trailing
`edge, and wherein
`the second trailing
`edge is longer
`than the third
`trailing edge.
`
`15. The end fitting of
`claim 14, wherein the
`length of the first
`leading edge and the
`length of the second
`leading edge differ such
`that the compressive
`load applied to the
`sucker rod at the second
`wedge portion is greater
`than the compressive
`load applied to the
`sucker rod at the first
`wedge portion.
`
`
`
`Independent Claim 60
`[60.1] An end fitting for a fiber composite sucker rod, the end fitting comprising:
`[60.2] a body having an interior, a closed end, an open end, and
`[60.3] a wedge system formed in the interior;
`[60.4]the wedge system comprising [OW1] an outer wedge portion formed in the interior
`proximate the open end,
`[OW2] the outer wedge portion configured to distribute compressive force in the
`sucker rod proximate the open end,
`[OW3] the outer wedge portion in cross-section having a respective outer wedge
`triangular configuration,
`[OW4] the outer wedge triangular configuration comprising an outer leading
`edge extending between the open end and an outer trailing edge,
`[OW5] the outer leading edge intersecting the outer trailing edge at a respective
`outer vertex characterized by a respective outer vertex angle,
`[OW6] the outer wedge triangular configuration comprising an imaginary outer
`triangle base opposite the outer vertex,
`[OW7] the outer wedge triangular configuration determining distribution by the outer wedge
`portion of compressive force in the sucker rod proximate the open end;
`[60.5] the wedge system comprising [IW1] an inner wedge portion formed in the interior
`proximate the closed end,
`[IW2] the inner wedge portion configured to distribute compressive force in the
`sucker rod proximate the closed end,
`[IW3] the inner wedge portion in cross-section having a respective inner wedge
`triangular configuration,
`[IW4] the inner wedge triangular configuration comprising an inner leading edge
`extending between the closed end and an inner trailing edge,
`[IW5] the inner leading edge intersecting the inner trailing edge at a respective
`
`6
`
`Page 6 of 16
`
`

`
`inner vertex characterized by a respective inner vertex angle,
`[IW6] the inner wedge triangular configuration comprising an imaginary inner
`triangle base opposite the inner vertex,
`[IW7] the inner wedge triangular configuration determining distribution by the inner wedge
`portion of compressive force in the sucker rod proximate the closed end;
`[60.6] and the inner wedge triangular configuration differing from the outer wedge triangular
`configuration to bias distribution of compressive force in the sucker rod at the end fitting during
`use,
`[60.7] the outer wedge triangular configuration confining the outer wedge portion to distribute
`relatively less compressive force in the sucker rod proximate the open end than distributed by
`the inner wedge portion in the sucker rod proximate the closed end,
`[60.8] the inner wedge geometric configuration confining the inner wedge portion to distribute
`relatively more compressive force in the sucker rod proximate the closed end than distributed
`by the outer wedge portion in the sucker rod proximate the open end.
`
`
`
`
`7
`
`Page 7 of 16
`
`

`
`61. The end fitting of claim
`60, further comprising:
`the
`inner wedge
`triangular
`configuration
`differing
`from
`the outer
`wedge
`triangular
`configuration
`to
`bias
`distribution of compressive
`force in the sucker rod at the
`end fitting during use,
`the
`outer wedge
`triangular
`configuration
`confining
`the outer wedge
`portion
`to distribute
`less
`compressive
`force
`in
`the
`sucker rod proximate the open
`end than distributed by the
`inner wedge portion in the
`sucker
`rod proximate
`the
`closed end,
`the inner wedge geometric
`configuration confining the
`inner wedge portion to
`distribute more compressive
`force in the sucker rod
`proximate the closed end than
`distributed by the outer wedge
`portion in the sucker rod
`proximate the open end.
`
`Dependent Claims 61, 62, 63
`62. The end fitting of claim
`61, further comprising:
`the
`inner wedge
`triangular
`configuration
`differing
`from
`the outer
`wedge
`triangular
`configuration
`to
`bias
`distribution of compressive
`force in the sucker rod at the
`end fitting during use,
`the
`outer wedge
`triangular
`configuration
`confining
`the outer wedge
`portion to reduce compressive
`force
`in
`the
`sucker
`rod
`proximate the open end below
`compressive
`force
`in
`the
`sucker
`rod proximate
`the
`closed end,
`the inner wedge geometric
`configuration confining the
`inner wedge portion to
`maintain compressive force in
`the sucker rod proximate the
`closed end above compressive
`force in the sucker rod
`proximate the open end.
`
`63. The end fitting of claim
`60, further comprising:
`[MW1]
`the wedge
`system
`comprising
`an
`intermediate wedge portion
`formed in the interior between
`the inner wedge portion and
`outer wedge portion,
`[MW2]
`the
`intermediate wedge portion
`configured
`to
`distribute
`compressive
`force
`in
`the
`sucker rod intermediate the
`inner wedge portion and outer
`wedge portion,
`[MW3]
`the
`intermediate wedge portion in
`cross-section
`having
`a
`respective intermediate wedge
`triangular configuration,
`the
`[MW4]
`intermediate wedge triangular
`configuration comprising an
`intermediate
`leading
`edge
`extending between the outer
`wedge
`portion
`and
`an
`intermediate trailing edge,
`the
`[MW5]
`leading
`intermediate
`edge
`intersecting the intermediate
`trailing edge at a respective
`intermediate
`vertex
`characterized by a respective
`intermediate vertex angle,
`the
`[MW6]
`intermediate wedge triangular
`configuration comprising an
`imaginary
`intermediate
`triangle base opposite
`the
`intermediate vertex,
`the
`[MW7]
`intermediate wedge triangular
`configuration
`determining
`distribution
`by
`the
`intermediate wedge portion of
`
`8
`
`Page 8 of 16
`
`

`
`the
`in
`force
`compressive
`the
`sucker
`rod proximate
`intermediate wedge portion
`between
`the
`inner wedge
`portion and outer wedge
`portion; and
`the
`[MW8]
`intermediate wedge triangular
`configuration differing from
`the
`inner wedge
`triangular
`configuration
`to
`bias
`distribution of compressive
`force in the sucker rod at the
`end fitting during use,
`[MW9]
`the
`intermediate wedge triangular
`configuration confining
`the
`intermediate wedge portion to
`distribute
`relatively
`less
`compressive
`force
`in
`the
`sucker
`rod proximate
`the
`intermediate portion between
`the closed end and open end
`than distributed by the inner
`wedge portion in the sucker
`rod proximate the closed end,
`the
`intermediate
`[MW10]
`wedge
`triangular
`configuration confining
`the
`intermediate wedge portion to
`distribute
`relatively more
`compressive
`force
`in
`the
`sucker
`rod proximate
`the
`intermediate portion between
`the closed end and open end
`than distributed by the outer
`wedge portion in the sucker
`rod proximate the open end.
`
`
`
`65. A method
`for artificial
`lift of fluid
`from a
`wellbore, said
`
`Dependent Claims 65, 66, 67, 68, 69
`66. A method
`67. A method for
`68. A method
`for artificial lift
`artificial lift of
`for artificial lift
`of fluid from a
`fluid from a
`of fluid from a
`wellbore, said
`wellbore, said
`wellbore, said
`method
`method
`method
`
`69. A method for
`artificial lift of fluid
`from a wellbore,
`said method
`comprising the
`
`9
`
`Page 9 of 16
`
`

`
`comprising the
`steps of:
`
`comprising the
`steps of:
`
`comprising the
`steps of:
`
`steps of:
`
`providing a
`sucker rod with
`an end fitting
`according to
`claim 7;
`
`providing a
`sucker rod with
`an end fitting
`according to
`claim 14;
`
`providing a
`sucker rod with
`an end fitting
`according to
`claim 21;
`
`providing a sucker
`rod with an end
`fitting according to
`claim 60;
`
`bottom
`connecting the
`sucker rod in
`driving
`relationship
`with a down
`hole pump in
`the wellbore;
`top connecting
`the sucker rod in
`driven
`relationship
`with a pump
`drive; and
`reciprocating
`the sucker rod
`by operation of
`the pump drive
`to cause
`pumping motion
`of the down
`hole pump to lift
`fluid from the
`wellbore
`
`bottom
`connecting the
`sucker rod in
`driving
`relationship with
`a down hole
`pump in the
`wellbore;
`top connecting
`the sucker rod in
`driven
`relationship with
`a pump drive;
`and
`reciprocating the
`sucker rod by
`operation of the
`pump drive to
`cause pumping
`motion of the
`down hole pump
`to lift fluid from
`the wellbore.
`
`bottom
`connecting the
`sucker rod in
`driving
`relationship with
`a down hole
`pump in the
`wellbore;
`top connecting
`the sucker rod in
`driven
`relationship with
`a pump drive;
`and
`reciprocating the
`sucker rod by
`operation of the
`pump drive to
`cause pumping
`motion of the
`down hole pump
`to lift fluid from
`the wellbore.
`
` bottom connecting
`the sucker rod in
`driving relationship
`with a down hole
`pump in the
`wellbore;
`
`op connecting the
`sucker rod in driven
`relationship with a
`pump drive; and
`
`reciprocating the
`sucker rod by
`operation of the
`pump drive to
`cause pumping
`motion of the down
`hole pump to lift
`fluid from the
`wellbore.
`
`method
`comprising the
`steps of:
`providing a
`sucker rod
`with an end
`fitting
`according to
`claim 4;
`bottom
`connecting the
`sucker rod in
`driving
`relationship
`with a down
`hole pump in
`the wellbore;
`top connecting
`the sucker rod
`in driven
`relationship
`with a pump
`drive; and
`reciprocating
`the sucker rod
`by operation of
`the pump drive
`to cause
`pumping
`motion of the
`down hole
`pump to lift
`fluid from the
`wellbore.
`
`
`
`5. The end
`fitting of
`claim 4,
`wherein the
`first angle is
`larger than
`the third
`angle.
`
`6. The end
`fitting of
`claim 4,
`wherein
`the third
`angle is
`larger than
`the first
`
`Dependent Claims 14, 6, 8, 50, 52, 57, 59
`8. The end
`50. The end
`52. The end
`fitting of
`fitting of claim
`fitting of
`claim 7,
`21, wherein the
`claim 21,
`wherein the
`third angle is
`wherein the
`first trailing
`larger than the
`second angle
`edge is
`second angle,
`and the third
`longer than
`and wherein the
`angle are
`the second
`second angle is
`substantially
`
`57. The end
`fitting of claim
`21, wherein the
`third angle is
`larger than the
`first angle, and
`wherein the
`second angle is
`
`10
`
`Page 10 of 16
`
`

`
`trailing edge,
`and wherein
`the second
`trailing edge
`is longer than
`the third
`trailing edge.
`
`
`
`larger than the
`first angle.
`
`
`
`
`equal, and
`wherein the
`first angle is
`smaller than
`the second
`angle and the
`third angle.
`
`
`
`larger than the
`third angle.
`
`
`
`
`angle.
`
`
`
`
`
`59. The end
`fitting of
`claim 21,
`wherein the
`first angle
`and the third
`angle are
`substantially
`equal, and
`wherein the
`second angle
`is larger than
`the first
`angle and
`the third
`angle.
`
`
`
`Remaining Unchallenged Claims
`Independent Claim 1
`[1.1] An end fitting for a sucker rod, the end fitting comprising:
`[1.2] a body having an interior, a closed end, an open end,
`[1.3] and a wedge system formed in the interior, wherein the wedge system comprises: an
`outer wedge portion formed in the interior proximate to the open end, wherein the outer wedge
`portion comprises a first leading edge, a first trailing edge, and a first angle between the first
`leading edge and the first trailing edge, wherein the first leading edge faces the open end and
`the first trailing edge faces the closed end, and
`[1.4] wherein an intermediate wedge portion formed in the interior between the outer wedge
`portion and the closed end, wherein the intermediate wedge portion comprises a second
`leading edge, a second trailing edge, and a second angle between the second leading edge and
`the second trailing edge, wherein the second leading edge faces the open end and the second
`trailing edge faces the closed end, and wherein the length of the second leading edge, the
`length of the second trailing edge, and the size of the second angle define a second distribution
`of force in the intermediate wedge portion; and
`[1.5] an inner wedge portion formed in the interior between the intermediate wedge portion
`and the closed end, proximate to the closed end, wherein the inner wedge portion comprises a
`
`11
`
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`
`

`
`third leading edge, a third trailing edge, and a third angle first angle between the third leading
`edge and the third trailing edge, wherein the third leading edge faces the open end and the
`third trailing edge faces the closed end, and wherein the length of the third leading edge, the
`length of the third trailing edge, and the size of the third angle define a third distribution of
`force in the inner wedge portion,
`[1.6] wherein at least two of the first leading edge, the second leading edge, and the third
`leading edge differ in length such that during use a compressive load applied to the inner
`wedge portion is greater than a compressive load applied to the outer wedge portion, such that
`compressive forces at the closed end of the body exceed compressive forces at the open end of
`the body,
`[1.7] and wherein the length of the second leading edge is equal to the length of the first
`leading edge or the third leading edge.
`
`2. The end fitting of claim 1,
`wherein the third leading
`edge is longer than the first
`leading edge.
`
`Dependent Claim 2, 3, 16
`3. The end fitting of claim 1,
`wherein the first leading edge
`is longer than the third
`leading edge.
`
`
`16. The end fitting of claim
`15, wherein the size of the
`first angle and the size of the
`second angle are substantially
`equal.
`
`9. The end
`fitting of claim
`7, wherein the
`third trailing
`edge is longer
`than the
`second trailing
`edge, and
`wherein the
`second trailing
`edge is longer
`than the first
`trailing edge.
`
`10. The end
`fitting of claim
`7, wherein the
`first trailing
`edge and the
`second trailing
`edge are
`substantially
`equal in length,
`and wherein
`third trailing
`edge is longer
`than the first
`trailing edge
`and the second
`trailing edge.
`
`Dependent Claim 9, 10, 11, 12, 13
`11. The end
`12. The end fitting
`fitting of claim
`of claim 7,
`7, wherein the
`wherein the second
`first trailing
`trailing edge and
`edge and the
`the third trailing
`second trailing
`edge are
`edge are
`substantially equal
`substantially
`in length, and
`equal in length,
`wherein first
`and wherein
`trailing edge is
`third trailing
`shorter than the
`edge is shorter
`second trailing
`than the first
`edge and the third
`trailing edge
`trailing edge.
`and the second
`trailing edge.
`
`13. The end fitting
`of claim 7,
`wherein the
`second trailing
`edge and the third
`trailing edge are
`substantially equal
`in length, and
`wherein first
`trailing edge is
`longer than the
`second trailing
`edge and the third
`trailing edge.
`
`18. The end fitting of claim
`14, wherein the length of the
`
`Dependent Claim 18, 19, 20
`19. The end fitting of claim
`18, wherein the size of the
`
`20. The end fitting of claim
`18, wherein the size of the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
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`
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`
`

`
`first leading edge and the
`length of the second leading
`edge are substantially equal.
`
`first angle and the size of the
`second angle are substantially
`equal.
`
`first angle and the size of the
`second angle differ.
`
`
`
`23. The end
`fitting of claim
`21, wherein
`the first
`leading edge
`and the second
`leading edge
`are
`substantially
`equal in
`length, and
`wherein the
`third leading
`edge is shorter
`than the first
`leading edge
`and the second
`leading edge.
`
`28. The end
`fitting of claim
`21, wherein
`the first
`leading edge,
`the second
`leading edge,
`and the third
`leading edge
`are
`substantially
`equal in
`length.
`
`33. The end
`fitting of claim
`21, wherein
`the first
`leading edge
`and the third
`
`Dependent Claim 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34
`27. The end fitting
`26. The end fitting
`25. The end
`24. The end
`of claim 21,
`of claim 21,
`fitting of claim
`fitting of claim
`wherein the
`wherein the first
`21, wherein the
`21, wherein the
`second leading
`leading edge and
`third leading
`second leading
`edge and the third
`the second leading
`edge is longer
`edge and the
`leading edge are
`edge are
`than the second
`third leading
`substantially equal
`substantially equal
`leading edge,
`edge are
`in length, and
`in length, and
`and wherein the
`substantially
`wherein the first
`wherein the third
`second leading
`equal in length,
`leading edge is
`leading edge is
`edge is longer
`and wherein the
`shorter than the
`longer than the
`than the first
`first leading
`second leading
`first leading edge
`leading edge.
`edge is longer
`edge and the third
`and the second
`than the second
`leading edge.
`leading edge.
`leading edge
`and the third
`leading edge.
`
`
`30. The end
`fitting of claim
`21, wherein the
`third leading
`edge is longer
`than the first
`leading edge,
`and wherein the
`second leading
`edge is shorter
`than the first
`leading edge.
`
`
`31. The end fitting
`of claim 21,
`wherein the first
`leading edge is
`longer than the
`third leading edge,
`and wherein the
`second leading
`edge is longer than
`the first leading
`edge.
`
`
`32. The end fitting
`of claim 21,
`wherein the third
`leading edge is
`longer than the
`first leading edge,
`and wherein the
`second leading
`edge is longer than
`the third leading
`edge.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`29. The end
`fitting of claim
`21, wherein the
`first leading
`edge is longer
`than the third
`leading edge,
`and wherein the
`second leading
`edge is shorter
`than the third
`leading edge.
`
`
`34. The end
`fitting of claim
`21, wherein the
`first leading
`edge and the
`third leading
`
`13
`
`Page 13 of 16
`
`

`
`edge are
`substantially
`equal in length,
`and wherein the
`second leading
`edge is longer
`than the first
`leading edge
`and the third
`leading edge.
`
`
`42. The end
`fitting of claim
`21, wherein the
`third trailing
`edge is longer
`than the first
`trailing edge,
`and wherein the
`second trailing
`edge is shorter
`than the first
`trailing edge.
`
`
`43. The end
`fitting of claim
`21, wherein the
`first trailing
`edge is longer
`than the third
`trailing edge,
`and wherein the
`second trailing
`edge is longer
`than the first
`trailing edge.
`
`leading edge
`are
`substantially
`equal in
`length, and
`wherein the
`second leading
`edge is shorter
`than the first
`leading edge
`and the third
`leading edge.
`Dependent Claim 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49
`36. The end
`37. The end
`38. The end
`39. The end fitting
`40. The end fitting
`fitting of claim
`fitting of claim
`fitting of claim
`of claim 21,
`of claim 21,
`21, wherein
`21, wherein the
`21, wherein the
`wherein the first
`wherein the
`the first
`second trailing
`third trailing
`trailing edge and
`second trailing
`trailing edge
`edge and the
`edge is longer
`the second trailing
`edge and the third
`and the second
`third trailing
`than the second
`edge are
`trailing edge are
`trailing edge
`edge are
`trailing edge,
`substantially equal
`substantially equal
`are
`substantially
`and wherein the
`in length, and
`in length, and
`substantially
`equal in length,
`second trailing
`wherein the third
`wherein the first
`equal in
`and wherein the
`edge is longer
`trailing edge is
`trailing edge is
`length, and
`first trailing
`than the first
`longer than the
`shorter than the
`wherein the
`edge is longer
`trailing edge.
`first trailing edge
`second trailing
`third trailing
`than the second
`and the second
`edge and the third
`edge is shorter
`trailing edge
`trailing edge.
`trailing edge.
`than the first
`and the third
`trailing edge
`trailing edge.
`and the second
`trailing edge.
`
`41. The end
`fitting of claim
`21, wherein
`the first
`trailing edge is
`longer than the
`third trailing
`edge, and
`wherein the
`second trailing
`edge is shorter
`than the third
`trailing edge.
`
`
`45. The end fitting
`of claim 21,
`wherein the first
`trailing edge and
`the third trailing
`edge are
`substantially equal
`in length, and
`wherein the
`second trailing
`edge is shorter
`than the first
`trailing edge and
`
`
`44. The end fitting
`of claim 21,
`wherein the third
`trailing edge is
`longer than the
`first trailing edge,
`and wherein the
`second trailing
`edge is longer than
`the third trailing
`edge.
`
`14
`
`Page 14 of 16
`
`

`
`
`46. The end
`fitting of claim
`21, wherein
`the first
`trailing edge
`and the third
`trailing edge
`are
`substantially
`equal in
`length, and
`wherein the
`second trailing
`edge is longer
`than the first
`trailing edge
`and the third
`trailing edge.
`
`51. The end
`fitting of claim
`21, wherein
`the first angle
`and the second
`angle are
`substantially
`equal, and
`wherein the
`third angle is
`larger than the
`first angle and
`the second
`angle.
`
`57. The end
`fitting of claim
`21, wherein
`the third angle
`is larger than
`the first angle,
`and wherein
`the second
`
`the third trailing
`edge.
`
`
`
`
`47. The end
`fitting of claim
`21, wherein the
`first angle is
`larger than the
`second angle,
`and wherein the
`second angle is
`larger than the
`third angle.
`
`
`49. The end fitting
`of claim 21,
`wherein the second
`angle and the third
`angle are
`substantially equal,
`and wherein the
`first angle is larger
`than the second
`angle and the third
`angle.
`
`
`48. The end
`fitting of claim
`21, wherein the
`first angle and
`the second
`angle are
`substantially
`equal, and
`wherein the
`third angle is
`smaller than the
`first angle and
`the second
`angle.
`
`Dependent Claim 51, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58
`53. The end
`54. The end
`55. The end fitting
`fitting of claim
`fitting of claim
`of claim 21,
`21, wherein the
`21, wherein the
`wherein the third
`first angle, the
`first angle is
`angle is