Prosecution Insights
Last updated: July 17, 2026
Application No. 18/714,255

ROOF MODULE

Non-Final OA §112
Filed
Nov 04, 2024
Priority
Nov 30, 2021 — JP 2021-194110 +1 more
Examiner
LE, HUAN G
Art Unit
Tech Center
Assignee
Yachiyo Industry Co., Ltd.
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
89%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
4m
Est. Remaining
99%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 89% — above average
89%
Career Allowance Rate
722 granted / 814 resolved
+28.7% vs TC avg
Moderate +13% lift
Without
With
+13.2%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Fast prosecutor
2y 0m
Avg Prosecution
16 currently pending
Career history
826
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.9%
-39.1% vs TC avg
§103
28.3%
-11.7% vs TC avg
§102
21.0%
-19.0% vs TC avg
§112
43.1%
+3.1% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 814 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 CORRESPONDENCE This is the first Office Action on the merits of Application 18/714,255 filed on 11/4/24. Claims 1 & 3-5 are pending. Claim 2 has been cancelled due to a preliminary amendment. Information Disclosure Statement The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on 5/29/24 is in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statement is being considered by the examiner. Priority Receipt is acknowledged of certified copies of papers required by 37 CFR 1.55. 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 & 3-5 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 12 & 13: “a pair of legs extending from either opposing end of the bracket main body toward the window panel” It is unclear if two legs extend from each end of the bracket of the main body extends toward the window panel or that one leg on each end of the bracket main body extends toward the window panel. Lines 14 & 15: “a pair of bonded parts extending from free ends of the respective legs” It is unclear if two bonded parts extend from each free end of the respective legs or that one bonded part extends from each end of the respective leg. Claims 3-5 are also rejected for being dependent upon a rejected base claim. Allowable Subject Matter Claims 1 & 3-5 would be allowable if rewritten to overcome the rejection(s) under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), 2nd paragraph, set forth in this Office action and to include all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims. Conclusion The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Kremer ‘630 teaches a roller shade for a roof section but lacks the drive source supported on the side of a main bracket. Nania ‘255 teaches a vehicle with moonroof and panoramic glass but lacks the drive source supported on the side of a main bracket. Hiramatsu ‘742 teaches a method of manufacturing a sunroof but lacks the drive source supported on the side of a main bracket. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to HUAN LE whose telephone number is (571)270-3122. The examiner can normally be reached on Monday - Friday 9:00am - 5:00pm 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, Jacob Scott can be reached on 571-270-3415. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300. Information regarding the status of an application may be obtained from the Patent Application Information Retrieval (PAIR) system. Status information for published applications may be obtained from either Private PAIR or Public PAIR. Status information for unpublished applications is available through Private PAIR only. For more information about the PAIR system, see http://pair-direct.uspto.gov. Should you have questions on access to the Private PAIR system, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative or access to the automated information system, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000. /HUAN LE/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3655
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Nov 04, 2024
Application Filed
Jun 23, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §112 (current)

Precedent Cases

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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
89%
Grant Probability
99%
With Interview (+13.2%)
2y 0m (~4m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 814 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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