Prosecution Insights
Last updated: May 29, 2026
Application No. 18/825,160

SEAT SUPPORT DEVICE

Non-Final OA §112
Filed
Sep 05, 2024
Priority
Dec 25, 2023 — JP 2023-218329
Examiner
CHEN, JOSE V
Art Unit
3637
Tech Center
3600 — Transportation & Electronic Commerce
Assignee
Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
78%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
1m
Est. Remaining
93%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 78% — above average
78%
Career Allowance Rate
1701 granted / 2178 resolved
+26.1% vs TC avg
Strong +15% interview lift
Without
With
+15.2%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Fast prosecutor
1y 10m
Avg Prosecution
35 currently pending
Career history
2202
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.1%
-39.9% vs TC avg
§103
55.3%
+15.3% vs TC avg
§102
2.2%
-37.8% vs TC avg
§112
32.2%
-7.8% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 2178 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 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 1-5 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. It is unclear how: 1) the swinging member rotatably supports a plurality of rollers, such rollers swingably support the rail portions. Is it the translational movement that the rollers provide that go back and forth on a rail that provides “swinging movement”? (claim 1) ; 2) what a frame shaped structure is (claim 3) (the specification only describes members having a framed shape but does not define what a frame shape is (claim 3) Clarification and correction are required. Claims 2, 4, 5 are indefinite in that they depend from an indefinite base claim. Allowable Subject Matter Claims 1-5 would be allowable if rewritten or amended 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. Conclusion The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. The references cited teach structure similar to applicant’s including slidably and rotationally adjustable seat supporting structures. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to JOSE V CHEN whose telephone number is (571)272-6865. The examiner can normally be reached m-f, m-w 5:30-3:00, th5:30-2:00. 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, Daniel Troy can be reached at 571 270 3742. 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. /JOSE V CHEN/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3637
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Sep 05, 2024
Application Filed
Mar 17, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §112
May 19, 2026
Response Filed

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

Patent 12637219
PASSENGER SEAT TRAY TABLE
2y 4m to grant Granted May 26, 2026
Patent 12635791
ORIGAMI-BASED FOLDABLE FURNITURE ASSEMBLY
2y 6m to grant Granted May 26, 2026
Patent 12635802
DECK SEATING ASSEMBLY
2y 6m to grant Granted May 26, 2026
Patent 12636974
PIEZOELECTRIC SENSOR AND SEAT
1y 11m to grant Granted May 26, 2026
Patent 12628948
MODULAR TABLES WITH ATTACHED SEAT(S)
2y 4m to grant Granted May 19, 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
78%
Grant Probability
93%
With Interview (+15.2%)
1y 10m (~1m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 2178 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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