Last updated: July 17, 2026

Application No. 18/843,162

FOLDING STEP LADDER

Non-Final OA

Filed

Aug 30, 2024

Priority

Jun 06, 2023 — nonprovisional of PCTCN2023098483

Examiner

TRAN, ZOE T

Art Unit

3647

Tech Center

3600 — Transportation & Electronic Commerce

Assignee

Suzhou Pica Aluminum Industry Ltd.

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

This examiner grants 57% of cases after interview

— +46.8% interview lift. A telephonic interview to clarify the technical implementation could significantly improve the outcome.

Based on 305 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

TRAN, ZOE T View full profile →

Grants 57% of resolved cases

Career Allowance Rate

173 granted / 305 resolved

+4.7% vs TC avg

Strong +47% interview lift

Without

With

+46.8%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

2y 4m

Avg Prosecution

72 currently pending

Career history

338

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

0.3%

-39.7% vs TC avg

§103

85.9%

+45.9% vs TC avg

§102

3.5%

-36.5% vs TC avg

§112

8.5%

-31.5% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 305 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Aug 30, 2024

Application Filed

Jun 05, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

18/940,596

Patent 12677763

TREE STABILIZER AND A METHOD OF USING THE SAME

1y 8m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026

19/071,099

Patent 12677808

Recirculating Aquaculture Mixed-Cell Raceway System

1y 4m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026

18/841,106

Patent 12667098

READY TO USE PLANT TREATMENT AGENT APPLICATOR, CONTAINER AND PRODUCT

1y 10m to grant Granted Jun 30, 2026

18/501,562

Patent 12635676

TOTE RELEASABLY ATTACHABLE TO A RAIL

2y 6m to grant Granted May 26, 2026

18/611,381

Patent 12628798

PET TOY AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SAME

2y 2m to grant Granted May 19, 2026

Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

Strategy Recommendation AI-generated — please review before filing

Get a prosecution strategy drawn from examiner precedents, rejection analysis, and claim mapping.

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Prosecution Projections

1-2

Expected OA Rounds

57%

Grant Probability

99%

With Interview (+46.8%)

2y 4m (~6m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 305 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.