Prosecution Insights
Last updated: May 29, 2026
Application No. 18/003,327

METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A BEAM WITH CLOSED SECTION

Non-Final OA §112
Filed
Dec 26, 2022
Priority
Jul 02, 2020 — FR FR2006991 +1 more
Examiner
DEONAUTH, NIRVANA
Art Unit
3726
Tech Center
3700 — Mechanical Engineering & Manufacturing
Assignee
Latecoere
OA Round
3 (Non-Final)
69%
Grant Probability
Favorable
3-4
OA Rounds
0m
Est. Remaining
99%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 69% — above average
69%
Career Allowance Rate
412 granted / 594 resolved
-0.6% vs TC avg
Strong +34% interview lift
Without
With
+33.8%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 0m
Avg Prosecution
12 currently pending
Career history
626
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§103
59.6%
+19.6% vs TC avg
§102
16.1%
-23.9% vs TC avg
§112
19.0%
-21.0% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 594 resolved cases

Office Action

§112
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 . Continued Examination Under 37 CFR 1.114 A request for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, including the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e), was filed in this application after final rejection. Since this application is eligible for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114. Applicant's submission filed on 9/29/25 has been entered. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112 3. The following is a quotation of the first paragraph of 35 U.S.C. 112(a): (a) IN GENERAL.—The specification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and use the same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor or joint inventor of carrying out the invention. The following is a quotation of the first paragraph of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112: The specification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and use the same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention. Claims 1-5 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(a) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), first paragraph, as failing to comply with the written description requirement. The claim(s) contains subject matter which was not described in the specification in such a way as to reasonably convey to one skilled in the relevant art that the inventor or a joint inventor, or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the inventor(s), at the time the application was filed, had possession of the claimed invention. Applicant has amended claim 1 to recite “placing a second plate between the core and the first section”. From a review of the specification and drawings, there appears to be no disclosure of placing a second plate between the core and the first section. It appears as if the second plate (6) is placed on the core (3), which is on the first section (P10), as can be seen from Figure 4E of the drawings of the instant application. The newly recited limitation is therefore considered new matter which is not supported by the original disclosure as filed. Also, note that applicant recites “wherein the second stamping is performed directly on the second plate placed on the first section” in claim 1 lines 21-22. It appears as if the second plate is placed on the core, which is then placed on the first section. Claims 2-5 are rejected as a result of being dependent on a rejected claim. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112 5. 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 1-5 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. A) Applicant has amended claim 1 to recite “placing a second plate between the core and the first section”. From a review of the specification and drawings, there appears to be no disclosure of placing a second plate between the core and the first section. It appears as if the second plate (6) is placed on the core (3), which is on the first section (P10), as can be seen from Figure 4E of the drawings of the instant application. The newly recited limitation is therefore unclear and appears to be an inaccurate description of applicant’s claimed invention. Also, note that applicant recites “wherein the second stamping is performed directly on the second plate placed on the first section” in claim 1 lines 21-22. It appears as if the second plate is placed on the core, which is then placed on the first section. B) Claims 2-5 are rejected as a result of being dependent on a rejected claim. Regarding to claims 1-5, the patentability of claims 1-5 cannot be determined at this time in view of the above 112(a) rejection. Response to Arguments Applicant’s arguments with respect to claim(s) 1-5 have been considered but are moot because the new ground of rejection does not rely on any reference applied in the prior rejection of record for any teaching or matter specifically challenged in the argument. Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to NIRVANA DEONAUTH whose telephone number is (571)270-5949. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday 9am-5pm. Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice. If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Thomas Hong can be reached at 5712720993. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300. Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Center and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about filing in DOCX format. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000. /NIRVANA DEONAUTH/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3726
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Show 2 earlier events
Dec 16, 2024
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §112
Mar 14, 2025
Response Filed
Jun 04, 2025
Final Rejection mailed — §112
Sep 25, 2025
Applicant Interview (Telephonic)
Sep 25, 2025
Examiner Interview Summary
Sep 29, 2025
Request for Continued Examination
Oct 01, 2025
Response after Non-Final Action
Mar 30, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §112 (current)

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Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

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Prosecution Projections

3-4
Expected OA Rounds
69%
Grant Probability
99%
With Interview (+33.8%)
3y 0m (~0m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
High
PTA Risk
Based on 594 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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