Prosecution Insights
Last updated: May 29, 2026
Application No. 18/690,204

Rotary Drive Device

Non-Final OA §112
Filed
Mar 07, 2024
Priority
Oct 04, 2021 — DE 20 2021 105 351.8 +1 more
Examiner
ADAMS, NATHANIEL L
Art Unit
3654
Tech Center
3600 — Transportation & Electronic Commerce
Assignee
Walter Föckersperger
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
72%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
9m
Est. Remaining
92%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 72% — above average
72%
Career Allowance Rate
369 granted / 514 resolved
+19.8% vs TC avg
Strong +20% interview lift
Without
With
+19.7%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 0m
Avg Prosecution
26 currently pending
Career history
563
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.2%
-39.8% vs TC avg
§103
69.4%
+29.4% vs TC avg
§102
13.8%
-26.2% vs TC avg
§112
14.8%
-25.2% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 514 resolved cases

Office Action

§112
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 Objections Claims 1 and 12 are objected to because of the following informalities: Claim 1 line 2 “frame” should be changed to --support frame-- to match the rest of the claims. Claim 1 line 3 “housing” should be changed to --motor housing-- to match the rest of the claims. Claim 12 (second to last line) “second haft” appears to contain a typographical error (i.e. shaft). 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 1-14 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 lines 1 and 2 recite “in particular” (twice). It is not clear if the recitations following this phrase are limitations, or merely exemplary. Claim 2 line 2 recites “the freewheel couplings at the support frame sides,” which has unclear antecedent. None of the couplings of claim 1 have this designation. Claim 2 lines 2-3 recite “the freewheel couplings at the drum sides,” which has unclear antecedent. None of the couplings of claim 1 have this designation. Claim 3 line 2 recites “the freewheel couplings at the drum side,” which has unclear antecedent. None of the couplings of claim 1 have this designation. Also, “the drum side” lacks antecedent basis. Claim 4 lines 2-3 recite “the freewheel couplings at the support frame side,” which has unclear antecedent. None of the couplings of claim 1 have this designation. Also, “the support frame side” lacks antecedent basis. Claim 5 line 2 recites “the freewheel couplings at the support frame side,” which has unclear antecedent. None of the couplings of claim 1 have this designation. Also, “the support frame side” lacks antecedent basis. Claim 5 line 5 recites “the freewheel couplings at the drum side,” which has unclear antecedent. None of the couplings of claim 1 have this designation. Also, “the drum side” lacks antecedent basis. Allowable Subject Matter Claims 1-14 would be allowable if rewritten or amended to overcome the rejections under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), 2nd paragraph, set forth in this Office action. Conclusion The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Such references show various forms of apparatus which comprise at least one similar feature to the present application. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Nathaniel L Adams whose telephone number is (571)272-4830. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 8-4 Pacific Time. 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, Victoria P Augustine can be reached at (313) 446-4858. 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. /NATHANIEL L ADAMS/Examiner, Art Unit 3654
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Mar 07, 2024
Application Filed
Jan 23, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §112
Mar 07, 2026
Response after Non-Final Action
Apr 17, 2026
Response Filed

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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
72%
Grant Probability
92%
With Interview (+19.7%)
3y 0m (~9m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 514 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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