Prosecution Insights
Last updated: July 17, 2026
Application No. 18/648,012

ONE PIECE TOOLING APPARATUS

Non-Final OA §102
Filed
Apr 26, 2024
Priority
Apr 27, 2023 — provisional 63/498,678
Examiner
WILSON, LEE D
Art Unit
3723
Tech Center
3700 — Mechanical Engineering & Manufacturing
Assignee
Engineered Abrasives Inc.
OA Round
2 (Non-Final)
80%
Grant Probability
Favorable
2-3
OA Rounds
7m
Est. Remaining
99%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 80% — above average
80%
Career Allowance Rate
1482 granted / 1853 resolved
+10.0% vs TC avg
Strong +19% interview lift
Without
With
+18.8%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 9m
Avg Prosecution
33 currently pending
Career history
1872
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.1%
-39.9% vs TC avg
§103
37.7%
-2.3% vs TC avg
§102
47.9%
+7.9% vs TC avg
§112
10.1%
-29.9% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 1853 resolved cases

Office Action

§102
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 . Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102 In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status. 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(s) 1-4, 8-13, 15, and 17-18 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a1) as being anticipated by Guerra et al 10533591. Guerra et al disclose the claimed invention as recited in the claims as shown below: (Original) A one-piece tooling apparatus comprising: a column 102 comprising a hollow inner column (Fig.3 shows 102 is hollow) adapted to receive an insert 304 and an outer column, wherein the insert is adapted to support a workpiece to be processed;a base 112 configured to affix the column to a part processing apparatus for processing the workpiece; and a platform 104 & 106 coupled to the outer column adapted to support the workpiece to be processed. 2. (Original) The one-piece tooling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the platform comprises one or more elevations (120 & 118) for supporting the workpiece to be processed. 3. (Original) The one-piece tooling apparatus of claim 2, wherein the one or more elevations of the platform together form a stepped elevation. Fig.1 shows to stepped portion 120 & 118. 4. (Currently Amended) The one-piece tooling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the insert comprises a cavity adapted to receive at least some of the workpiece to be processed within the cavity. See Fig.3 shows the cavity 8. (Original) The one-piece tooling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one-piece tooling apparatus is metallic and the insert is polymeric (Some suitable materials the various components of the securing device 100 can comprise include, but are not limited to: resin, rubber, vinyl, polyurethane, poly vinyl chloride (PVC), Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), polystyrene foam, polymers/copolymer substances, acrylic substances, plastic, leather, metal, glass, fiberglass, wood, cloth, combinations thereof, or any other suitable material that can support the structure and function of the securing device 100, as set forth in the present disclosure.) . The insert is not positively recited in claim 1 appears to be a workpiece 9. (Original) The one-piece tooling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the platform is adapted to receive a downward pressure from a part hold down apparatus of the part processing apparatus. The platform can be screwed down 10. (Original) A method for manufacturing a one-piece tooling apparatus comprising: forming, from one or more pieces of a first material, a column comprising a hollow inner column adapted to receive an insert 304 and an outer column, wherein the insert is adapted to receive a workpiece to be processed and the insert is formed from one or more pieces of a second material; forming, from the one or more pieces of the first material, a base configured to affix the column to a part processing apparatus for processing the workpiece; and forming, from the one or more pieces of the first material, a platform coupled to the outer column adapted to support the workpiece to be processed. The method is the natural use of the claimed invention as shown above. 11. (Original) The method for manufacturing the one-piece tooling apparatus of claim 10, wherein the platform comprises one or more elevations for supporting the workpiece to be processed, the one or more elevations formed from the platform. The method is the natural use of the claimed invention as shown above. 12. (Original) The method for manufacturing the one-piece tooling apparatus of claim 11,wherein the one or more elevations of the platform together form a stepped elevation. The method is the natural use of the claimed invention as shown above. 13. (Original) The method for manufacturing the one-piece tooling apparatus of claim 10, wherein the insert is formed to comprise a cavity adapted to receive at least some of the workpiece to be processed. The method is the natural use of the claimed invention as shown above. 15. (Original) The method for manufacturing the one-piece tooling apparatus of claim 10, wherein the column is formed to comprise one or more holes adapted to receive one or more fasteners for retaining the insert in the hollow inner column, the one or more holes passing from the outer column through the inner column. The method is the natural use of the claimed invention as shown above. 17. (Original) The method for manufacturing the one-piece tooling apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first material is metal and the second material is a polymer. (Some suitable materials the various components of the securing device 100 can comprise include, but are not limited to: resin, rubber, vinyl, polyurethane, poly vinyl chloride (PVC), Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), polystyrene foam, polymers/copolymer substances, acrylic substances, plastic, leather, metal, glass, fiberglass, wood, cloth, combinations thereof, or any other suitable material that can support the structure and function of the securing device 100, as set forth in the present disclosure.) 18. (Original) The method for manufacturing the one-piece tooling apparatus of claim 10, wherein the platform is formed to receive a downward pressure from a part hold down apparatus of the part processing apparatus. The method is the natural use of the claimed invention as shown above. Allowable Subject Matter Claim 19-20 are allowed. Claims 5-7, 14, and 16 are objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but would be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims. Response to Arguments Applicant’s arguments with respect to claim(s) have been considered but are moot because the new ground of rejection does not rely on any reference applied in the prior rejection of record for any teaching or matter specifically challenged in the argument. Please see rejection and allowed claims which are all new. Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to LEE D WILSON whose telephone number is (571)272-4499. The examiner can normally be reached M-TH 6;30-4;30. 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, BRIAN KELLER can be reached at 571-272-8548. 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. LEE D. WILSON Examiner Art Unit 3723 Ldw /LEE D WILSON/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3723 June 18, 2026
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Apr 26, 2024
Application Filed
Apr 15, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §102
Jun 04, 2026
Response Filed
Jun 23, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §102 (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

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Workpiece Holding Device and Workpiece Conveyance Device
2y 11m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026
Patent 12681350
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2y 8m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026
Patent 12674525
SYSTEM TO ALIGN AND INSTALL LARGE PIPE FITTINGS
3y 0m to grant Granted Jul 07, 2026
Patent 12677638
VACUUM PROCESSING APPARATUS AND TILT ADJUSTMENT METHOD
2y 10m to grant Granted Jul 07, 2026
Patent 12667924
ASSEMBLY TABLE DROP-DOWN PLATFORM
4y 4m to grant Granted Jun 30, 2026
Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

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Prosecution Projections

2-3
Expected OA Rounds
80%
Grant Probability
99%
With Interview (+18.8%)
2y 9m (~7m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Moderate
PTA Risk
Based on 1853 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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