Prosecution Insights
Last updated: October 02, 2026
Application No. 18/621,911

ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY

Non-Final OA §112
Filed
Mar 29, 2024
Priority
Mar 30, 2023 — CN 202310323482.3
Examiner
LEON MUNOZ, EDWIN A
Art Unit
Tech Center
Assignee
Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
88%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
0m
Est. Remaining
96%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 88% — above average
88%
Career Allowance Rate
1362 granted / 1540 resolved
+28.4% vs TC avg
Moderate +8% lift
Without
With
+8.1%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Fast prosecutor
2y 0m
Avg Prosecution
30 currently pending
Career history
1554
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
1.1%
-38.9% vs TC avg
§103
27.8%
-12.2% vs TC avg
§102
47.0%
+7.0% vs TC avg
§112
14.0%
-26.0% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 1540 resolved cases

Office Action

§112
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 . DETAILED ACTION Specification The title of the invention is not descriptive. A new title is required that is clearly indicative of the invention to which the claims are directed. Claim Objections Claim 2 is objected to because of the following informalities: Claim 2 is grammatically incorrect. It should be –claim 1—instead of “claim1”. Appropriate correction is required. 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 1-13 are 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. Claim 1 recites the limitation "the other side" in Line 19 and “the side” in Line 22. Claim 4 recites the limitation "the connection positions" in Line 3. Claim 8 recites the limitation "the arrangement direction" in Line 3. Claim 9 recites the limitation "the extension direction" in Line 2. Claim 13 recites the limitation "the shapes" in Line 2. There is insufficient antecedent basis for these limitations in the claims. Conclusion The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. The cited prior art discloses electrical connector assemblies, similar to Applicant’s claimed invention, having connectors, terminal assemblies, signal and ground conductors and shield members. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to EDWIN A LEON whose telephone number is (571)272-2008. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 10am-6pm. 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, Renee S Luebke can be reached on 5712722009. 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. /EDWIN A. LEON/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2831
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Mar 29, 2024
Application Filed
Sep 10, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §112 (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

Patent 12748380
COMPENSATION OF RATE VARIATION IN A WATCH
3y 9m to grant Granted Sep 29, 2026
Patent 12749850
TAMPER RESISTANT CONNECTOR SECURITY SLEEVE SYSTEM WITH TOOL-LESS TIGHTENING AND CONFIGURED TO USE A TOOL FOR LOOSENING
3y 1m to grant Granted Sep 29, 2026
Patent 12749859
CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY AND BUSBAR POWER CONNECTOR
2y 8m to grant Granted Sep 29, 2026
Patent 12743055
WRISTWATCH WITH A CLOCK GENERATOR ASSEMBLY
3y 11m to grant Granted Sep 22, 2026
Patent 12736925
ELECTRONIC TIMEPIECE AND INFORMATION ACQUISITION METHOD
3y 10m to grant Granted Sep 15, 2026
Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

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Prosecution Projections

1-2
Expected OA Rounds
88%
Grant Probability
96%
With Interview (+8.1%)
2y 0m (~0m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 1540 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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