Last updated: July 15, 2026

Application No. 18/617,673

ELECTRIC OUTBOARD MOTOR

Non-Final OA

Filed

Mar 27, 2024

Examiner

HESTON, JUSTIN MICHAEL

Art Unit

3644

Tech Center

3600 — Transportation & Electronic Commerce

Assignee

Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

Interview Optional

— +22.6% interview lift. Examiner has a relatively high allowance rate (81%); +22.6% interview lift. A written response may suffice.

Based on 223 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

HESTON, JUSTIN MICHAEL View full profile →

Grants 81% — above average

Career Allowance Rate

181 granted / 223 resolved

+29.2% vs TC avg

Strong +23% interview lift

Without

With

+22.6%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

2y 3m

Avg Prosecution

26 currently pending

Career history

234

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§103

86.5%

+46.5% vs TC avg

§102

10.0%

-30.0% vs TC avg

§112

2.3%

-37.7% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 223 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Mar 27, 2024

Application Filed

Apr 08, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

18/665,530

Patent 12673780

Exhaust Airflow System

2y 1m to grant Granted Jul 07, 2026

18/258,515

Patent 12654839

RECONFIGURABLE UNMANNED VEHICLES

2y 12m to grant Granted Jun 16, 2026

18/316,143

Patent 12654846

VORTEX GENERATORS, AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS INCLUDING THE SAME, AND RELATED METHODS

3y 1m to grant Granted Jun 16, 2026

18/720,283

Patent 12654850

VTOL AIRCRAFT WITH A BATTERY ELECTRIC DRIVE AND AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE

2y 0m to grant Granted Jun 16, 2026

18/454,742

Patent 12630265

FOLDING MARINE CLEAT WITH FASTENER RETENTION

2y 9m to grant Granted May 19, 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

99%

With Interview (+22.6%)

2y 3m (~0m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 223 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.