Last updated: July 17, 2026

Application No. 18/615,198

Mechanical Windshield Wiper Blade Wear System

Non-Final OA

Filed

Mar 25, 2024

Priority

Jun 28, 2023 — provisional 63/523,749

Examiner

HORTON, ANDREW ALAN

Art Unit

3723

Tech Center

3700 — Mechanical Engineering & Manufacturing

Assignee

Illinois Tool Works Inc.

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

Interview Optional

— +17.6% interview lift. Examiner has a relatively high allowance rate (81%); +17.6% interview lift. A written response may suffice.

Based on 767 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

HORTON, ANDREW ALAN View full profile →

Grants 81% — above average

Career Allowance Rate

620 granted / 767 resolved

+10.8% vs TC avg

Strong +18% interview lift

Without

With

+17.6%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

2y 7m

Avg Prosecution

23 currently pending

Career history

792

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

0.4%

-39.6% vs TC avg

§103

67.6%

+27.6% vs TC avg

§102

16.1%

-23.9% vs TC avg

§112

15.0%

-25.0% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 767 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Mar 25, 2024

Application Filed

Apr 10, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

18/134,778

Patent 12678010

FLOOR CLEANING DEVICE WITH EXHAUST FILTRATION

3y 3m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026

18/193,050

Patent 12680221

LAUNDRY FUR AND DEBRIS REMOVER

3y 3m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026

18/264,960

Patent 12678007

AUTOMATIC CLEANING DEVICE CONTROL METHOD AND APPARATUS, AND MEDIUM AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE

2y 11m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026

18/602,526

Patent 12680247

CURB BROOM DEVICE AND SYSTEM

2y 4m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026

18/760,335

Patent 12667233

HANDHELD EXTRACTION CLEANER

1y 12m to grant Granted Jun 30, 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.

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Prosecution Projections

1-2

Expected OA Rounds

81%

Grant Probability

98%

With Interview (+17.6%)

2y 7m (~3m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 767 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.