Prosecution Insights
Last updated: October 02, 2026
Application No. 18/735,625

SECURING DEVICE HAVING AN IDENTIFYING FEATURE AND A CONCEALING FEATURE WHICH ARE PLACED IN AN ABSOLUTE POSITION RELATIVE TO ONE ANOTHER

Non-Final OA §112
Filed
Jun 06, 2024
Priority
Jun 06, 2023 — DE 102023114789.7
Examiner
DINH, PHUONG K
Art Unit
Tech Center
Assignee
Lisa Dräxlmaier GmbH
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
87%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
0m
Est. Remaining
96%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 87% — above average
87%
Career Allowance Rate
1054 granted / 1208 resolved
+27.3% vs TC avg
Moderate +9% lift
Without
With
+9.0%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Fast prosecutor
1y 9m
Avg Prosecution
28 currently pending
Career history
1217
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.6%
-39.4% vs TC avg
§103
42.7%
+2.7% vs TC avg
§102
31.2%
-8.8% vs TC avg
§112
13.4%
-26.6% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 1208 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 Rejections - 35 USC § 112 The following is a quotation of the first paragraph of 35 U.S.C. 112(a): (a) IN GENERAL.—The specification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and use the same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor or joint inventor of carrying out the invention. The following is a quotation of the first paragraph of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112: The specification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and use the same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention. Claims 1-10 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(a) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), first paragraph, as failing to comply with the enablement requirement. The claim(s) contains subject matter which was not described in the specification in such a way as to enable one skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and/or use the invention. Claim 1, lines 1-3 are based on inadequate disclosure just how lever 300 operates to join connectors 400, 401 is unclear. Just how part 110 is structured to do locking is unclear. Justy how part 110 interacts with or affects part 124 is unclear. The invention includes use of a flap 120 in conjunction with a lever 300 and a locking element that is intended to be used for locking lever 300. However, just how part 300 is to function is unclear. This may be due to lock of details. Just how part 110 is to function to lock lever 300 is not adequately disclosed. Just how the flap relates structurally to part 110 is unclear. Since parts 300, 110, 120 are to be used in combination such lack of clear disclosure of part 300, 110 renders disclosure inadequate. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to PHUONG K DINH whose telephone number is (571)272-2090. The examiner can normally be reached M-F from 8:30 am - 5:30 pm. 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, Riyami A Abdullah can be reached at 571-270-3119. 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. /PHUONG K DINH/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2831
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Prosecution Timeline

Jun 06, 2024
Application Filed
Sep 15, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §112 (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

Patent 12749857
SUB CONNECTOR, CONNECTOR, AND CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY
3y 2m to grant Granted Sep 29, 2026
Patent 12749855
ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR WITH IMPROVED GROUNDING EFFECT
2y 10m to grant Granted Sep 29, 2026
Patent 12733681
E-VAPOR DEVICE WITH BIMETALLIC ACTUATOR FOR OPENING AND SEALING RESERVOIR
3y 1m to grant Granted Sep 15, 2026
Patent 12738692
CABLE CONNECTOR STRAIN-LIMITING RELEASE MECHANISM(S)
2y 6m to grant Granted Sep 15, 2026
Patent 12731941
ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR WITH MULTIPLE SEALS INHIBITING LIQUID INGRESS
3y 2m to grant Granted Sep 08, 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
87%
Grant Probability
96%
With Interview (+9.0%)
1y 9m (~0m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 1208 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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