Last updated: July 17, 2026

Application No. 18/408,896

Serviceable Round Post Fastener

Non-Final OA

Filed

Jan 10, 2024

Priority

Jan 25, 2023 — provisional 63/440,932

Examiner

FOSTER, NICHOLAS L

Art Unit

3675

Tech Center

3600 — Transportation & Electronic Commerce

Assignee

Illinois Tool Works Inc.

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

Interview Optional

— +25.2% interview lift. Examiner has a relatively high allowance rate (76%); +25.2% interview lift. A written response may suffice.

Based on 758 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

FOSTER, NICHOLAS L View full profile →

Grants 76% — above average

Career Allowance Rate

572 granted / 758 resolved

+23.5% vs TC avg

Strong +25% interview lift

Without

With

+25.2%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

2y 8m

Avg Prosecution

29 currently pending

Career history

782

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§103

69.5%

+29.5% vs TC avg

§102

23.5%

-16.5% vs TC avg

§112

6.0%

-34.0% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 758 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Jan 10, 2024

Application Filed

Apr 24, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

18/403,029

Patent 12674482

FAST AND SIMPLE EXPANSION BOLT

2y 6m to grant Granted Jul 07, 2026

18/683,354

Patent 12655909

SEAL DEVICE, ROTATING MACHINE, AND METHOD FOR MOUNTING SEAL DEVICE

2y 4m to grant Granted Jun 16, 2026

18/738,397

Patent 12655906

Sealing Device

2y 0m to grant Granted Jun 16, 2026

19/017,129

Patent 12650172

LATERALLY MOVEABLE COMPRESSOR PISTON ROD LIP SEAL ASSEMBLY

1y 5m to grant Granted Jun 09, 2026

18/452,806

Patent 12644554

INJECTION MOLDED ARTICLE, LINING TUBE AND LINING VALVE

2y 9m to grant Granted Jun 02, 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

1-2

Expected OA Rounds

76%

Grant Probability

99%

With Interview (+25.2%)

2y 8m (~2m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 758 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.