Prosecution Insights
Last updated: May 29, 2026
Application No. 18/009,736

DEVICE FOR DISTRIBUTING STAND-UP PADDLE BOARDS AND ITS METHOD

Final Rejection §112
Filed
Dec 12, 2022
Priority
Jun 16, 2020 — IT 102020000014281 +1 more
Examiner
WAGGONER, TIMOTHY R
Art Unit
3655
Tech Center
3600 — Transportation & Electronic Commerce
Assignee
Supborn S N C Di Marco Marconicchio & Aymeric Sevenet
OA Round
2 (Final)
72%
Grant Probability
Favorable
3-4
OA Rounds
0m
Est. Remaining
79%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 72% — above average
72%
Career Allowance Rate
985 granted / 1376 resolved
+19.6% vs TC avg
Moderate +7% lift
Without
With
+7.4%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 6m
Avg Prosecution
17 currently pending
Career history
1396
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.6%
-39.4% vs TC avg
§103
81.2%
+41.2% vs TC avg
§102
6.7%
-33.3% vs TC avg
§112
2.4%
-37.6% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 1376 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 . Response to Arguments Applicant’s arguments, see remarks, filed 01/08/2026, with respect to the 103 rejections of claim 1 and its dependent claims have been fully considered and are persuasive. The 103 rejections of claim 1 and its dependent claims have been withdrawn. Applicant's arguments filed with respect to the 112 rejections have been fully considered but they are not persuasive. Applicant amendments to correct the claim language added new 112 issues and did not correct many of the grammatical errors. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112 The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b): (b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention. The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph: The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention. Claims 1-5 and 7-17 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. In claim 1 applicant recites “stand up paddle boards”, “one rigid or inflatable paddle board”, “a board”, “said board”, “a board”, “each rented board”. It is unclear if this terminology refers to the same boards and creates issues with antecedent basis. The same terminology should be used when referring to the same element number. In claim 1 applicant recites ‘a side cover’ twice, this creates an antecedent basis issue and should be corrected. In claim 1 applicant recites “at least one door”. “the door”, “the door”, “a corresponding door”. It is unclear if this terminology refers to the same door/s and creates issues with antecedent basis. In claim 2 line 2 “two board” is not grammatically correct nor does it seem to have proper antecedent basis. In claim 5 lines 1-2, it is unclear if “a number of boards” refers to the previously introduced ‘boards’ in claim 1. Consistent terminology should be used when referring to the same elements. In claim 8 line 2, it is unclear if “each board” refers to the previously introduced ‘boards’ in claim 1. Consistent terminology should be used when referring to the same elements. In claim 10 line 3, “a Radio Frequency Identification” (RFID) reader” creates unclear antecedent basis as an element of the same name was introduced in claim 1. Claim 11 is unclear, has antecedent basis issues, is grammatically incorrect and should be rewritten. The claim could be rewritten as The device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the circular lower base (6) is shaped to easily collect and evacuate any residual water, sand, or gravel present on the returned board (1). Claim 12 is replete with antecedent basis issues, repeated reciting “a board” it is unclear if “a board”, “the board”, “board” refer to one or more of the previously introduced ‘boards’ in claim 1. Consistent terminology should be used when referring to the same elements. Claim 13 lines 1-2, “said dispensed complementary rented elements” lacks antecedent basis. Claim 15, it is unclear if “a board” and “said board” refer to one or more of the previously introduced ‘boards’ in claim 1. Consistent terminology should be used when referring to the same elements. Claim 16, it is unclear what is meant by “said photovoltaic panels (10) are swiveling” are the panels actively swiveling or are the capable of swiveling. Claim 17, it is unclear if “a board” refers to one or more of the previously introduced ‘boards’ in claim 1. Consistent terminology should be used when referring to the same elements. Claim 18 is written in a narrative manner, it is unclear as to what “everything rented” refers, “the corresponding material compartment” lacks antecedent basis and it is unclear what it refers to, “the material returned” lacks antecedent basis and it is unclear what it refers to. It is unclear if “the material compartment” is the same as “the corresponding material “ compartment. All of the claims should be carefully reread and amended to conform to US practice. Allowable Subject Matter The prior art of record does not support and 102 or 103 rejection of Claims 1-5 and 7-17. The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter: A device for dispensing a stand up paddle board comprising a circular lower base, at least one door, a drawer positioned below the door for dispensing complementary elements and a TAG Radio Frequency Identification imbedded on each rented board, to cause said RFID reader to automatically unlock and open a corresponding door for a returned board in combination with the remaining claim language is not taught or fairly suggested by the present prior art of record. Conclusion Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a). A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to TIMOTHY R WAGGONER whose telephone number is (571)272-8204. The examiner can normally be reached Mon-Thurs 5am-330pm. 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, Jacob Scott can be reached at 571-270-3415. 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. TIMOTHY R. WAGGONER Primary Examiner Art Unit 3655 B /TIMOTHY R WAGGONER/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3655
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Dec 12, 2022
Application Filed
Jul 10, 2025
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §112
Jan 08, 2026
Response Filed
Feb 04, 2026
Final Rejection mailed — §112 (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

Patent 12640000
ROBOTIC VENDING MACHINE SYSTEM
3y 2m to grant Granted May 26, 2026
Patent 12623843
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR AUTOMATED PACKAGING AND PROCESSING FOR SHIPPING WITH PACK AND PLACE PLANNING
4y 6m to grant Granted May 12, 2026
Patent 12623276
Fastener Storage
2y 9m to grant Granted May 12, 2026
Patent 12606378
PICKING SYSTEM INCLUDING SERVER FOR ASSIGNING TASK AND ROBOT FOR PERFORMING DELIVERY ACCORDING TO ASSIGNED TASK
3y 4m to grant Granted Apr 21, 2026
Patent 12606370
AUTOMATED STORAGE AND RETRIEVAL SYSTEM
3y 6m to grant Granted Apr 21, 2026
Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

Strategy Recommendation AI-generated — please review before filing

Get a prosecution strategy drawn from examiner precedents, rejection analysis, and claim mapping.
Typically takes 5-10 seconds — AI-generated, attorney review required before filing

Prosecution Projections

3-4
Expected OA Rounds
72%
Grant Probability
79%
With Interview (+7.4%)
2y 6m (~0m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Moderate
PTA Risk
Based on 1376 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

Sign in with your work email

Enter your email to receive a magic link. No password needed.

Personal email addresses (Gmail, Yahoo, etc.) are not accepted.

Free tier: 3 strategy analyses per month