Prosecution Insights
Last updated: August 17, 2026
Application No. 18/086,535

WIRELESS CHARGING AND POWERING OF TOOLS

Final Rejection §102§103
Filed
Dec 21, 2022
Examiner
WILLIAMS, ARUN C
Art Unit
2859
Tech Center
2800 — Semiconductors & Electrical Systems
Assignee
SNAP-ON Incorporated
OA Round
2 (Final)
82%
Grant Probability
Favorable
3-4
OA Rounds
0m
Est. Remaining
98%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 82% — above average
82%
Career Allowance Rate
1159 granted / 1412 resolved
+14.1% vs TC avg
Strong +16% interview lift
Without
With
+16.3%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 8m
Avg Prosecution
20 currently pending
Career history
1435
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
1.2%
-38.8% vs TC avg
§103
60.2%
+20.2% vs TC avg
§102
30.4%
-9.6% vs TC avg
§112
2.0%
-38.0% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 1412 resolved cases

Office Action

§102 §103
DETAILED ACTION Response to Amendment This is in response to an amendment/response filed on 4/10/2026 Hereon, claims 1-22 are currently pending; claims 1-22 are rejected. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102 The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action: A person shall be entitled to a patent unless – (a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention. Claim(s) 1-3,6,7,18-20 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by SABO, (USNO.2012/0146426). As for claim 1, Sabo discloses and shows in Fig. 7 a tool ( ref’s appliance/ power tool) having a tool housing, a motor disposed in the tool housing, and a rechargeable battery pack, the tool comprising: first and second receivers (ref’s primary and secondary coil) disposed in the tool housing and adapted to wirelessly receive energy to supply power the motor (via supply power from the battery) (par.[0024,0032-0034,0046,0055]). As for claim 2, Sabo discloses and shows the first and second receivers are disposed in different planes As for claim 3, Sabo discloses and shows the first and second receivers are coils of wire. As for claim 6, Sabo discloses and shows an the first and second receivers are further adapted, to supply power to the rechargeable battery pack As for claim 7, Sabo discloses and first and second receivers are further adapted to supply the power to the rechargeable battery pack As for claim 18, Sabo discloses and shows in Figs. 7 a system for wirelessly providing power, the system comprising: a transmitting structure including transmitters adapted to produce a multidimensional magnetic or electromagnetic field at a frequency; and a receiving structure including receivers and a voltage converter, wherein the receivers are adapted to receive energy from the multidimensional magnetic or electromagnetic field, and the voltage converter is adapted to convert the energy to a voltage to be applied to a motor of a power tool (via supply from the battery). As for claim 19, Sabo discloses and shows transmitting structure includes a sidewall, and the transmitters are disposed in the sidewall As for claim 20, Sabo discloses and shows receiving structure is disposed in a power tool Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103 The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action: A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole 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. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made. The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows: 1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art. 2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue. 3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art. 4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness. This application currently names joint inventors. In considering patentability of the claims the examiner presumes that the subject matter of the various claims was commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the claimed invention(s) absent any evidence to the contrary. Applicant is advised of the obligation under 37 CFR 1.56 to point out the inventor and effective filing dates of each claim that was not commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the later invention in order for the examiner to consider the applicability of 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) for any potential 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) prior art against the later invention. Claim(s) 4,5,11-12,21-22 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over SABO in view of Melone et al, (Melone), (USNO.2022/0255361). As for claim 4, SABO discloses all limitations, but differs from the claimed invention because he does not explicitly disclose first and second receivers are antennae Melone discloses first and second receivers are antennae (par.[0005,0015-0015,0082, 0127]) Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of the invention was made to have modified the teachings of SABO by using first and second receivers are antennae for advantages such as providing to optimizing power transfer (par.[0004]) , as taught by Melone. As for claim 5, Sabo in combination with Melone discloses and shows first and second receivers are antennae and coils of wire As for claim 21, Sabo in combination with Melone discloses and shows the frequency is in a range of about 6.87 MHz to about 13.56 MHz (par.[0015-0018]). As for claim 22, Sabo in combination with Melone discloses and shows a sensor that is adapted to sense the multidimensional magnetic or electromagnetic field in the frequency range of about 6.87 MHz to about 13.56 MHz to cause the receivers to receive the multidimensional magnetic or electromagnetic field (par.[0015-0018]). Claim(s) 8-13, and 14 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over SABO in view of Melone and further in view of Vahle et al, (USPATNO.11,522,382) As for claim 8, Sabo discloses and shows in Figs. 7 and 14 an adapter for a power operated tool, the adapter comprising: an adapter housing including a tool attachment portion adapted to couple to the tool, and a battery attachment portion adapted to couple to a rechargeable battery pack; and a receiver disposed in the adapter housing and adapted to wirelessly received energy to supply power to at least one of the tool and the rechargeable battery pack (par.[0024,0032-0034,0046,0055]). SABO discloses all limitations, but differs from the claimed invention because he does not explicitly disclose a adapter (via charger) housing adapted to be disposd between the tool and a rechargeable battery pack Vahle discloses and shows in Fig. 8 a adapter housing adapted to be disposed between the tool and a rechargeable battery pack (col.13, lines 28-33,51-60) Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of the invention was made to have modified the teachings of SABO by having an adapter housing adapted to be disposd between the tool and a rechargeable battery pack for advantages such as providing to optimizing power transfer (col.13, lines 51-60) , as taught by Vahle. As for claim 9, Sabo discloses and shows receiver includes first and second receivers that are disposed in different planes As for claim 10, Sabo discloses and shows the receiver is a coil of wire As for claim 11, Sabo in combination with Vahle and Melone discloses and shows the receiver is an antenna. As for claim 12, Sabo in combination with Vahle and Melone discloses and shows the receiver is an antenna and a coil of wire. As for claim 13, Sabo discloses and shows an AC/DC converter electrically coupled to an output of the receiver. As for claim 14, Sabo discloses and shows the AC/DC converter converts the energy into an electrical current to supply the power to the at least one of the tool and the rechargeable battery pack Claim(s) 15,16, and 17 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over SABO in view of Ettes et al, (USNO.2011/0163714) As for claim 15, Sabo discloses and shows in Figs. 7 and 14 a transmitting structure for wirelessly providing energy to a receiver, the transmitting structure comprising: a sidewall; and transmitters disposed in the sidewall, wherein the transmitters are respectively oriented in different planes and are adapted to produce a multidimensional magnetic or electromagnetic field radiating outwardly away from a sidewall (par.[0024,0032-0034,0046,0055]). SABO discloses all limitations, but differs from the claimed invention because he does not explicitly disclose first and second sidewalls angularly oriented with respect to each other; first and second transmitter and the transmitters are respectively oriented in different planes Ettes discloses and shows in Figs 1. and 7 first and second sidewalls angularly oriented with respect to each other, first and second transmitter, and the transmitters are respectively oriented in different planes (par.[0045]) Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of the invention was made to have modified the teachings of SABO by using first and second sidewalls angularly oriented with respect to each other; and first and second transmitter for advantages such as providing to optimizing power transfer and decreasing charging time (par.[0062]) , as taught by Ettes. As for claim 16, Sabo in combination with Ettes discloses and shows at least one sidewall includes first and second sidewalls that are oriented substantially perpendicularly with respect to each other As for claim 17, Sabo discloses and shows the first transmitters includes more than one transmitter disposed in the first sidewall Response to Arguments Applicant's arguments filed 4/10/2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive. - In response to applicants’ argument that Sabo make no mention of power being transferred from the induction power transfer device to a motor in the appliance, as claimed. Accordingly, Sabo fails to disclose the features of amended independent claims 1 and 18. II. Sabo does not disclose any type of adapter housing that is adapted to be disposed between a tool and a rechargeable battery pack, where the adapter housing includes a tool attachment portion adapted to couple to the tool and a battery attachment portion adapted to couple to a rechargeable battery pack, and a receiver disposed in the adapter housing and adapted to wirelessly received energy to supply power to at least one of the tool and the rechargeable battery pack, as claimed The examiner respectfully disagree and submits, Sabo discloses and shows in Fig. 7 a tool ( ref’s appliance/ power tool) having a tool housing, a motor disposed in the tool housing, and a rechargeable battery pack, the tool comprising: first and second receivers (ref’s primary and secondary coil) disposed in the tool housing and adapted to wirelessly receive energy to supply power the motor (via supply power from the battery) (par.[0024,0032-0034,0046,0055]). Sabo in combination with Vahle discloses and shows in Fig. 8 a adapter housing adapted to be disposed between the tool and a rechargeable battery pack (col.13, lines 28-33,51-60), which is indicated above in a new rejection necessitated by amendment. 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 ARUN C WILLIAMS whose telephone number is (571)272-9765. The examiner can normally be reached on M-F 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.. If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Julian Huffman can be reached on 571-272-2147. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300. Information regarding the status of an application may be obtained from the Patent Application Information Retrieval (PAIR) system. Status information for published applications may be obtained from either Private PAIR or Public PAIR. Status information for unpublished applications is available through Private PAIR only. For more information about the PAIR system, see http://pair-direct.uspto.gov. Should you have questions on access to the Private PAIR system, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative or access to the automated information system, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000. /ARUN C WILLIAMS/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2859
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Dec 21, 2022
Application Filed
Nov 29, 2025
Non-Final Rejection (signed) — §102, §103
Jan 12, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §102, §103
Apr 10, 2026
Response Filed
Jul 08, 2026
Final Rejection mailed — §102, §103 (current)

Precedent Cases

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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
82%
Grant Probability
98%
With Interview (+16.3%)
2y 8m (~0m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Moderate
PTA Risk
Based on 1412 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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