Prosecution Insights
Last updated: April 19, 2026
Application No. 18/695,484

CLAMPING DEVICE, SENSOR MODULE AND SENSOR ASSEMBLY

Non-Final OA §112
Filed
Mar 26, 2024
Examiner
WILEY, DANIEL J
Art Unit
3678
Tech Center
3600 — Transportation & Electronic Commerce
Assignee
Schunk SE & Co. Kg Spanntechnik Greiftechnik Automatisierungstechnik
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
71%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
2y 10m
To Grant
99%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 71% — above average
71%
Career Allow Rate
556 granted / 781 resolved
+19.2% vs TC avg
Strong +38% interview lift
Without
With
+38.3%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 10m
Avg Prosecution
24 currently pending
Career history
805
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.2%
-39.8% vs TC avg
§103
38.9%
-1.1% vs TC avg
§102
31.2%
-8.8% vs TC avg
§112
26.3%
-13.7% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 781 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 . Specification Applicant is reminded of the proper language and format for an abstract of the disclosure. The abstract should be in narrative form and generally limited to a single paragraph on a separate sheet within the range of 50 to 150 words in length. The abstract should describe the disclosure sufficiently to assist readers in deciding whether there is a need for consulting the full patent text for details. The language should be clear and concise and should not repeat information given in the title. It should avoid using phrases which can be implied, such as, “The disclosure concerns,” “The disclosure defined by this invention,” “The disclosure describes,” etc. In addition, the form and legal phraseology often used in patent claims, such as “means” and “said,” should be avoided. The abstract of the disclosure is objected to because it begins: “The invention relates to….” A corrected abstract of the disclosure is required and must be presented on a separate sheet, apart from any other text. See MPEP § 608.01(b). Claim Objections Claims 45, 46, 48, 49, 51, 53, 54, 55, 56, 58, 59, 61, and 62 are objected to because of the following informalities: Claim 45, 46, 48, 49, 51, 53, 54, 55, 56, 58, 59, 61, and 62 all include the term “preferably.” All instances of the word “preferably” should be deleted. 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 61-63 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 61 recites the limitation "a sensor module according to one of claims 26-40…." in Line 6 of the claim. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim, as claims 1-44 have been deleted. Allowable Subject Matter Claims 44-60 are allowed. The following is an examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance: Examiner considers EP 3808503 (hereinafter “‘503”) and DE 102015220533 (hereinafter “’533”). ‘503 discloses a clamping device comprising a base body 16, a clamping region 3, and a receiving space for a sensor that is a tubular housing (Fig. 7, 10) and a data transmission device 7. ‘533 discloses a clamping device having a base body 22 and a clamping region 14, wherein a receiving space for sensor 34, 36 is formed in the base body, and a data transmission device 38 However, neither ‘503 nor ‘533 disclose or teach: the receiving space for the sensor module being open to a peripheral surface of the base body and extending radially into the base body; and wherein a closure cover firmly closest the sensor housing at one face; and wherein the sensor module is inserted into the receiving space and held therein in such a way that the closure cover faces outwards. Any comments considered necessary by applicant must be submitted no later than the payment of the issue fee and, to avoid processing delays, should preferably accompany the issue fee. Such submissions should be clearly labeled “Comments on Statement of Reasons for Allowance.” Conclusion The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure, as the cited references include structure similar to that of the presently claimed invention. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to DANIEL J WILEY whose telephone number is (571)270-7324. The examiner can normally be reached Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm PST. 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, Amber Anderson can be reached at 5712705281. 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. /DANIEL J WILEY/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3678 2/19/2026
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Prosecution Timeline

Mar 26, 2024
Application Filed
Feb 19, 2026
Non-Final Rejection — §112 (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

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2y 5m to grant Granted Apr 14, 2026
Patent 12594867
DEVICE FOR ATTACHING A TUBE ONTO A HOLDER
2y 5m to grant Granted Apr 07, 2026
Patent 12577018
PACKING FASTENER AND PACKING BOX COUPLED TOGETHER THEREWITH
2y 5m to grant Granted Mar 17, 2026
Patent 12571215
SURFACE MOUNT CABLE INFILL SYSTEM
2y 5m to grant Granted Mar 10, 2026
Patent 12565962
MODULAR UTILITY SYSTEM
2y 5m to grant Granted Mar 03, 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
71%
Grant Probability
99%
With Interview (+38.3%)
2y 10m
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 781 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allow rate.

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