Prosecution Insights
Last updated: May 29, 2026
Application No. 18/643,237

AIRCRAFT PANEL REMOVAL TOOL AND WORK AID

Non-Final OA §102§103
Filed
Apr 23, 2024
Examiner
SCRUGGS, ROBERT J
Art Unit
3723
Tech Center
3700 — Mechanical Engineering & Manufacturing
Assignee
Textron Innovations Inc.
OA Round
3 (Non-Final)
60%
Grant Probability
Moderate
3-4
OA Rounds
1y 0m
Est. Remaining
86%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 60% of resolved cases
60%
Career Allowance Rate
949 granted / 1576 resolved
-9.8% vs TC avg
Strong +26% interview lift
Without
With
+25.7%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 1m
Avg Prosecution
40 currently pending
Career history
1626
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.1%
-39.9% vs TC avg
§103
83.5%
+43.5% vs TC avg
§102
5.3%
-34.7% vs TC avg
§112
4.8%
-35.2% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 1576 resolved cases

Office Action

§102 §103
DETAILED ACTION 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 . Continued Examination Under 37 CFR 1.114 A request for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, including the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e), was filed in this application after final rejection. Since this application is eligible for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114. Applicant's submission filed on March 11, 2026 has been entered. Status of Claims This office action is in reply to the request for continued examination filed on March 11, 2026. Claims 1, 7, 14 and 21 have been amended. Claims 21 and 22 have been added. Claims 2 and 15 were previously cancelled. Claims 8-13 were previously withdrawn. Claim interpretation previously made under 35 USC 112(f) is maintained. The previous 35 U.S.C. 103 and 112(b) rejections have been withdrawn however a new rejection is presented herewith and discussed in greater detail below. Claims 1, 3-7, 14 and 16-22 are currently pending and have been fully examined. 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 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. Claims 1, 3, 4, 7 and 21 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as anticipated by Bonati et al. (6860889) or, in the alternative, under 35 U.S.C. 103 as obvious over Bonati et al. (6860889) in view of Cosby et al. (10933969). In reference to claim 1, Bonati et al. disclose a removal and work aid tool (Figure 7) capable of removing an aircraft panel, the removal and work aid tool comprising: an aircraft component anchor attachment fitting (72, Figures 7 and 8), the attachment fitting comprising: a plurality of claws (54), biased open (“expand outward”, see Column 5, Lines 18-19 and Figure 8) and configured/capable to engage (i.e. from undercut 78 and surface 58, which are used for gripping the screw head, see Column 5, Lines 22-25, “Undercuts 78 are formed just beneath each knurled surface 58. These features allow the four jaws 54 to grip a screw head…” thereby being equivalent to the plurality of claws, as previously interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f), see section 6a in the previous Non-final action filed on June 30, 2025) an attachment point (i.e. outer surface of screw head) of a fastener/screw (i.e. 14/22, Figure 12, the examiner notes the limitation that the, “an aircraft component anchor [is] configured to releasably mount a seat to an aircraft panel” is considered Intended Use. And a recitation of the intended use of the claimed invention must result in a structural difference between the claimed invention and the prior art in order to patentably distinguish the claimed invention from the prior art. If the prior art structure is capable of performing the intended use, then it meets the claim. Since, the fastener/screw 14/22, is capable of being used as the anchor/fastener for releasably mount a seat to an aircraft panel, it meets the claim.); and a collar (46) slidably disposed over and about the plurality of claws (see Figures 12-14) configured to: slide upward to (i.e. when moving from the position of 46 in Figure 14 to the position in Figure 13) enable biasing of the plurality of claws biased open sufficient to enable the plurality of claws to be disposed around the attachment point of the aircraft component anchor (Figures 12-13); and slide downward (Figure 14) engaging the plurality of claws with the attachment point of the aircraft component anchor (Figure 14); and a handle (42) secured to the attachment fitting and configured to enable application of force (see Figures 13-15), via the attachment point of the fastener/screw/aircraft component anchor, to an aircraft panel, in which the aircraft component anchor is mounted, for removal and/or manipulation of the aircraft panel (again because the fastener/screw is capable of being used as an aircraft component anchor/fastener configured to releasably mount a seat to an aircraft panel therefore since the prior art structure is capable of performing the intended use, then it meets the claim, see Column 2, Lines 26-27). In the alternative assuming arguendo, that Bonati et al. lack, explicitly disclosing that the screw is a screw of an aircraft component anchor that is configured to releasably mount a seat to an aircraft panel, than Cosby et al. is used for such a teaching (and is discussed further below). However, Cosby et al. teach that it is old and well known in the art at the time the invention was made to provide a fastener/screw (304) that is used for anchoring a seat (Column 5, Line 31) to an aircraft panel (308) and the fastener/screw including at least one attachment point (i.e. outer surface of head 304, Column 5, Line 18). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention was made to modify the fastener/screw, of Bonati et al., with the known technique of providing a similar fastener/screw comprising at least one attachment point and is explicitly disclosed as being used as an aircraft component anchor/fastener for releasably mounting a seat to an aircraft panel, as taught by Cosby et al., and the results would have been predictable. In this situation, one could provide a more advantageous and versatile device having a fastener/screw that more effectively secures various fixtures on a surface of an aircraft (see Column 5, Lines 17-22 for disclosing that the fastener/screw/anchor “may be used as an attachment point for components attached to the surface or structure 308 in which the puck 302 is embedded, such as fixtures installed on a surface of an aircraft”). In reference to claim 3, Bonati et al. disclose that the plurality of claws comprise at least four claws (see Figure 10) each sized and shaped to engage the attachment point (i.e. outer surface of screw head) of the aircraft component anchor attachment fitting/screw (“Jaws 54 are capable of engaging an angularly displaced screw head due to the presence of screw head cavity 80 and undercuts 78 on the jaws.”, Column 6, Lines 56-59). In reference to claim 4, Bonati et al. disclose that the handle comprises a grip (42) configured to enable the application of force, via the attachment point of the aircraft component anchor, to the aircraft panel, for removal and or manipulation of the aircraft panel (see Figures 12-15 and Column 2, Lines 26-27). In reference to claim 7, the examiner notes the limitation that the, “aircraft panel comprises an aircraft floor panel” is considered Intended Use. And a recitation of the intended use of the claimed invention must result in a structural difference between the claimed invention and the prior art in order to patentably distinguish the claimed invention from the prior art. If the prior art structure is capable of performing the intended use, then it meets the claim. Since, the fastener/screw 14/22, is capable of being used as the anchor/fastener for releasably mount a seat to an aircraft floor panel, it meets the claim.). In further reference to claim 7, in the alternative assuming arguendo, that Bonati et al. lack, explicitly disclosing that the screw is a screw of an aircraft component anchor that is configured to releasably mount a seat to an aircraft floor panel, than Cosby et al. is used for such a teaching and is discussed further below. Again, Cosby et al. teach that it is old and well known in the art at the time the invention was made to provide a fastener/screw (304) that is used for anchoring a seat (Column 5, Line 31) to an aircraft floor panel (308, Column 6, Lines 1-3). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention was made to modify the fastener/screw, of Bonati et al., with the known technique of providing a similar fastener/screw being used as an aircraft component anchor/fastener for releasably mounting a seat to an aircraft floor panel, as taught by Cosby et al., and the results would have been predictable. In this situation, one could provide a more advantageous and versatile device having a fastener/screw that more effectively secures various fixtures a surface of an aircraft (see Column 5, Lines 17-22 for disclosing that the fastener/screw/anchor “may be used as an attachment point for components attached to the surface or structure 308 in which the puck 302 is embedded, such as fixtures installed on a surface of an aircraft”). In reference to claim 21, Bonati et al. disclose that the plurality of claws are configured to engage the attachment point of the aircraft component anchor by being sized and shaped to engage the attachment point (i.e. outer surface of screw head) of the aircraft component anchor attachment fitting/screw (“Jaws 54 are capable of engaging an angularly displaced screw head due to the presence of screw head cavity 80 and undercuts 78 on the jaws.”, Column 6, Lines 56-59). Claims 5 and 6 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Bonati et al. (6860889) optionally in view Cosby et al. (10933969, as previously discussed above) and further in view of Disston (5213015) and Ralph (D521349). In reference to claim 5, Bonati et al. disclose the claimed invention as previously mentioned above, but lack, the grip comprises a hand grip disposed generally parallel with the aircraft panel when the plurality of claws are engaged with the attachment point of the aircraft component anchor. However, Disston teaches that it is old and well known in the art at the time the invention was made to provide a similar removal tool (formed from elements 14, 40 and 68, see Figure 2) that may be attached to any conventional type of handle (12, see Column 2, Lines 40-41 disclosing, “Handle 12 may be of substantially any conventional type”). In addition, Ralph shows that it is old and well known in the art at the time the invention was made to provide a universal V-shape handle (see Title and Figure 1). And, modifying the handle, of Bonati et al., with the handle as taught by Ralph, the resulting handle/hand grip would be disposed generally parallel with the aircraft panel when the plurality of claws are engaged with the attachment point of the aircraft component anchor (because the handle/hand grip and the aircraft panel both extend horizontally, see annotated figures below). PNG media_image1.png 500 706 media_image1.png Greyscale [AltContent: textbox (Another view below showing parallel lines)] [AltContent: textbox (Grip)][AltContent: arrow][AltContent: arrow][AltContent: arrow][AltContent: textbox (Struts)] PNG media_image2.png 748 353 media_image2.png Greyscale It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention was made to modify the handle, of Bonati et al., with the known technique of providing the universal V-shaped handle, as taught by Disston and Ralph, and the results would have been predictable. In this situation, one could provide a more advantageous and versatile device having an ergonomic universal V-shaped handle that can be more easily held and/or manipulated as needed by the user. In reference to claim 6, Bonati et al. disclose the claimed invention as previously mentioned above, but lack, the handle comprises a hand grip and at least one strut extending from the hand grip to the aircraft component anchor attachment fitting, the at least one strut sized, shaped, and positioned to dispose the hand grip generally parallel with the aircraft panel when the plurality of claws are engaged with the attachment point of the aircraft component anchor. However, Disston teaches that it is old and well known in the art at the time the invention was made to provide a similar removal tool (formed from elements 14, 40 and 68, see Figure 2) that may be attached to any conventional type of handle (12, see Column 2, Lines 40-41 disclosing, “Handle 12 may be of substantially any conventional type”). In addition, Ralph shows that it is old and well known in the art at the time the invention was made to provide a universal V-shape handle (see Title and Figure 1) that comprises a hand grip (see Figures on pages 9 and 10 above) and at least one strut (see Figures on pages 9 and 10 above) extending from the hand grip to the aircraft component anchor attachment fitting, the at least one strut sized, shaped, and positioned to dispose the hand grip generally parallel with the aircraft panel when the plurality of claws are engaged with the attachment point of the aircraft component anchor (see Figures on pages 9 and 10 above). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention was made to modify the handle, of Bonati et al., with the known technique of providing the universal V-shaped handle including the at least one strut, as taught by Disston and Ralph, and the results would have been predictable. In this situation, one could provide a more advantageous and versatile device having an ergonomic universal V-shaped handle that can be more easily held and/or manipulated as needed by the user. Claims 14, 16, 17, 20 and 22 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Bonati et al. (6860889) in view Cosby et al. (10933969). In reference to claim 14, Bonati et al. disclose a removal and work aid tool (Figure 7) comprising: an anchor attachment fitting (72, Figures 7 and 8), the attachment fitting comprising: a plurality of claws (54), biased open (“expand outward”, see Column 5, Lines 18-19 and Figure 8) and configured/capable to engage (i.e. from undercut 78 and surface 58, which are used for gripping the screw head, see Column 5, Lines 22-25, “Undercuts 78 are formed just beneath each knurled surface 58. These features allow the four jaws 54 to grip a screw head…” thereby being equivalent to the plurality of claws, as previously interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f), see section 6a in the previous Non-final action filed on June 30, 2025) an attachment point (i.e. outer surface of screw head) of a fastener/screw (i.e. 14/22, Figure 12); and a collar (46) slidably disposed over and about the plurality of claws (see Figures 12-14) configured to: slide upward to (i.e. when moving from the position of 46 in Figure 14 to the position in Figure 13) enable biasing of the plurality of claws biased open sufficient to enable the plurality of claws to be disposed around the attachment point of the aircraft component anchor (Figures 12-13); and slide downward (Figure 14) engaging the plurality of claws with the attachment point of the aircraft component anchor (Figure 14); and a handle (42) secured to the attachment fitting and configured to enable application of force (see Figures 13-15), via the attachment point of the fastener/screw (see Column 2, Lines 26-27). Bonati et al. lack, providing a workpiece that is formed as an aircraft panel and includes at least one aircraft component anchor/fastener mounted therein, each aircraft component anchor comprising at least one attachment point. However, Cosby et al. teach that it is old and well known in the art at the time the invention was made to provide a fastener/screw (304) that is used for anchoring a seat (Column 5, Line 31) of a workpiece that is formed as an aircraft panel (308) and the fastener/screw including at least one attachment point (i.e. outer surface of head 304, Column 5, Line 18). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention was made to modify the workpiece that the fastener/screw engages with, of Bonati et al., with the known technique of providing a similar fastener/screw for being used as an aircraft component anchor/fastener for releasably mounting a seat to an aircraft panel, as taught by Cosby et al., and the results would have been predictable. In this situation, one could provide a more advantageous and versatile device having a fastener/screw that more effectively secures various fixtures on a surface of an aircraft (see Column 5, Lines 17-22 for disclosing that the fastener/screw/anchor “may be used as an attachment point for components attached to the surface or structure 308 in which the puck 302 is embedded, such as fixtures installed on a surface of an aircraft”). In reference to claim 16, Bonati et al. disclose that the plurality of claws comprise at least four claws (see Figure 10) each sized and shaped to engage the attachment point (i.e. outer surface of screw head) of the aircraft component anchor attachment fitting/screw (“Jaws 54 are capable of engaging an angularly displaced screw head due to the presence of screw head cavity 80 and undercuts 78 on the jaws.”, Column 6, Lines 56-59). In reference to claim 17, Bonati et al. disclose that the handle comprises a grip (42) configured to enable the application of force, via the attachment point of the aircraft component anchor, to the aircraft panel, for removal and or manipulation of the aircraft panel (see Figures 12-15 and Column 2, Lines 26-27). In reference to claim 20, Bonati et al. lack, explicitly disclosing that the screw is a screw of an aircraft component anchor that is configured to releasably mount a seat to an aircraft floor panel, than Cosby et al. is used for such a teaching and is discussed further below. Again, Cosby et al. teach that it is old and well known in the art at the time the invention was made to provide a fastener/screw (304) that is used for anchoring a seat (Column 5, Line 31) to an aircraft floor panel (308, Column 6, Lines 1-3). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention was made to modify the fastener/screw, of Bonati et al., with the known technique of providing a similar fastener/screw being used as an aircraft component anchor/fastener for releasably mounting a seat to an aircraft floor panel, as taught by Cosby et al., and the results would have been predictable. In this situation, one could provide a more advantageous and versatile device having a fastener/screw that more effectively secures various fixtures a surface of an aircraft (see Column 5, Lines 17-22 for disclosing that the fastener/screw/anchor “may be used as an attachment point for components attached to the surface or structure 308 in which the puck 302 is embedded, such as fixtures installed on a surface of an aircraft”). In reference to claim 22, Bonati et al. disclose that the plurality of claws are configured to engage the attachment point of the aircraft component anchor by being sized and shaped to engage the attachment point (i.e. outer surface of screw head) of the aircraft component anchor attachment fitting/screw (“Jaws 54 are capable of engaging an angularly displaced screw head due to the presence of screw head cavity 80 and undercuts 78 on the jaws.”, Column 6, Lines 56-59). Claims 18 and 19 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Bonati et al. (6860889) in view Cosby et al. (10933969), Disston (5213015) and Ralph (D521349). In reference to claim 18, Bonati et al. disclose the claimed invention as previously mentioned above, but lack, the grip comprises a hand grip disposed generally parallel with the aircraft panel when the plurality of claws are engaged with the attachment point of the aircraft component anchor. However, Disston teaches that it is old and well known in the art at the time the invention was made to provide a similar removal tool (formed from elements 14, 40 and 68, see Figure 2) that may be attached to any conventional type of handle (12, see Column 2, Lines 40-41 disclosing, “Handle 12 may be of substantially any conventional type”). In addition, Ralph shows that it is old and well known in the art at the time the invention was made to provide a universal V-shape handle (see Title and Figure 1). And, modifying the handle, of Bonati et al., with the handle as taught by Ralph, the resulting handle/hand grip would be disposed generally parallel with the aircraft panel when the plurality of claws are engaged with the attachment point of the aircraft component anchor (because the handle/hand grip and the aircraft panel both extend horizontally, see annotated figures below). PNG media_image1.png 500 706 media_image1.png Greyscale [AltContent: textbox (Grip)][AltContent: arrow][AltContent: arrow][AltContent: arrow][AltContent: textbox (Struts)] PNG media_image2.png 748 353 media_image2.png Greyscale It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention was made to modify the handle, of Bonati et al., with the known technique of providing the universal V-shaped handle, as taught by Disston and Ralph, and the results would have been predictable. In this situation, one could provide a more advantageous and versatile device having an ergonomic universal V-shaped handle that can be more easily held and/or manipulated as needed by the user. In reference to claim 19, Bonati et al. disclose the claimed invention as previously mentioned above, but lack, the handle comprises a hand grip and at least one strut extending from the hand grip to the aircraft component anchor attachment fitting, the at least one strut sized, shaped, and positioned to dispose the hand grip generally parallel with the aircraft panel when the plurality of claws are engaged with the attachment point of the aircraft component anchor. However, Disston teaches that it is old and well known in the art at the time the invention was made to provide a similar removal tool (formed from elements 14, 40 and 68, see Figure 2) that may be attached to any conventional type of handle (12, see Column 2, Lines 40-41 disclosing, “Handle 12 may be of substantially any conventional type”). In addition, Ralph shows that it is old and well known in the art at the time the invention was made to provide a universal V-shape handle (see Title and Figure 1) that comprises a hand grip (see Figures on page 17 above) and at least one strut (see Figures on page 17 above) extending from the hand grip to the aircraft component anchor attachment fitting, the at least one strut sized, shaped, and positioned to dispose the hand grip generally parallel with the aircraft panel when the plurality of claws are engaged with the attachment point of the aircraft component anchor (see Figures on page 17 above). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention was made to modify the handle, of Bonati et al., with the known technique of providing the universal V-shaped handle including the at least one strut, as taught by Disston and Ralph, and the results would have been predictable. In this situation, one could provide a more advantageous and versatile device having an ergonomic universal V-shaped handle that can be more easily held and/or manipulated as needed by the user. Claim 21, is also rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Bonati et al. (6860889) optionally in view Cosby et al. (10933969) and further in view of Bryant et al. (5649931). In further reference to claim 21, Bonati et al. disclose the claimed invention as previously mentioned above and assuming arguendo that Bonati et al. further lack that, the plurality of claws are configured to engage the attachment point of the aircraft component anchor by being sized and shaped to engage the attachment point of the aircraft component anchor attachment fitting, than Bryant et al. is used for such a teaching. Bryant et al. teach that it is old and well known in the art at the time the invention was made to provide a similar screw removing tool (10) comprising a plurality of claws (30) that are configured to engage an attachment point (i.e. outer surface of the head of screw 12, Figures 4 and 5) of a screw (12, which is similar to the aircraft component anchor/fastener/screw) the aircraft component anchor/fastener/screw (12) by being sized and shaped to engage the attachment point (Figures 4 and 5). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention was made to modify the plurality of claws, of Bonati et al., with the known technique of providing the plurality of claws sized and shaped to engage the attachment point of the screw, as taught by Bryant et al., and the results would have been predictable. In this situation, one could provide a more advantageous and versatile device having claws that more effective receives the screw head (Column 3, Line 67-Column 4, Line 1). Claim 22, is also rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Bonati et al. (6860889) in view Cosby et al. (10933969) and Bryant et al. (5649931). In further reference to claim 22, Bonati et al. disclose the claimed invention as previously mentioned above and assuming arguendo that Bonati et al. further lack, the plurality of claws are configured to engage the attachment point of the aircraft component anchor by being sized and shaped to engage the attachment point of the aircraft component anchor attachment fitting, than Bryant et al. is used for such a teaching. Bryant et al. teach that it is old and well known in the art at the time the invention was made to provide a similar screw removing tool (10) comprising a plurality of claws (30) that are configured to engage an attachment point (i.e. outer surface of the head of screw 12, Figures 4 and 5) of a screw (12, which is similar to the aircraft component anchor/fastener/screw) the aircraft component anchor/fastener/screw (12) by being sized and shaped to engage the attachment point (Figures 4 and 5). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention was made to modify the plurality of claws, of Bonati et al., with the known technique of providing the plurality of claws sized and shaped to engage the attachment point of the screw, as taught by Bryant et al., and the results would have been predictable. In this situation, one could provide a more advantageous and versatile device having claws that more effective receives the screw head (Column 3, Line 67-Column 4, Line 1). Response to Arguments Applicant’s arguments, see pages 10-12, filed February 27, 2026, with respect to the amended claims have been fully considered and are persuasive. The previous rejections in the Final office action filed December 23, 2025 have been withdrawn. Applicant’s arguments with respect to amended claims 1 and 14 have been considered but are moot because the new ground of rejection does not rely on any reference as previously applied in the prior rejection of record for any teaching or matter as specifically challenged in the argument. Conclusion The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Elliott (2585098) discloses a gripping tool that also reads on at least independent claims 1 and 14, because it discloses an attachment fitting (Figure 1) comprising: a plurality of claws (12), biased open and configured to engage an attachment point (outer surface of screw) of a screw (Figure 4); and a collar (7) slidably disposed over and about the plurality of claws configured to: slide upward to enable biasing of the plurality of claws biased open sufficient to enable the plurality of claws to be disposed around the attachment point of the screw (Figure 4); and slide downward engaging the plurality of claws with the attachment point of the screw (Figure 4), the plurality of claws having a size and shape similar to the size and shape of the screw (Figure 4); and a handle (2) secured to the attachment fitting and configured to enable application of force, via the attachment point of the screw for removal and/or manipulation (Figures 1-8). Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to ROBERT J SCRUGGS whose telephone number is (571)272-8682. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 6-2. 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, David Posigian can be reached at 313-446-6546. 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. /ROBERT J SCRUGGS/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3723
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Apr 23, 2024
Application Filed
Jun 30, 2025
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §102, §103
Sep 29, 2025
Response Filed
Dec 23, 2025
Final Rejection mailed — §102, §103
Feb 27, 2026
Response after Non-Final Action
Mar 11, 2026
Request for Continued Examination
Apr 01, 2026
Response after Non-Final Action
Apr 15, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §102, §103 (current)

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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
60%
Grant Probability
86%
With Interview (+25.7%)
3y 1m (~1y 0m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
High
PTA Risk
Based on 1576 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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