Prosecution Insights
Last updated: April 19, 2026
Application No. 18/851,591

TRANSVERSE-TYPE BUILDING EXTERIOR BLOCK AND METHOD FOR CONSTRUCTING THE SAME

Final Rejection §112
Filed
Sep 26, 2024
Examiner
MAESTRI, PATRICK J
Art Unit
3635
Tech Center
3600 — Transportation & Electronic Commerce
Assignee
Kwang Steel Co. Ltd.
OA Round
2 (Final)
73%
Grant Probability
Favorable
3-4
OA Rounds
2y 0m
To Grant
88%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 73% — above average
73%
Career Allow Rate
772 granted / 1057 resolved
+21.0% vs TC avg
Moderate +15% lift
Without
With
+14.6%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Fast prosecutor
2y 0m
Avg Prosecution
33 currently pending
Career history
1090
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.3%
-39.7% vs TC avg
§103
45.3%
+5.3% vs TC avg
§102
15.8%
-24.2% vs TC avg
§112
31.6%
-8.4% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 1057 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 . This Office Action is in response to the Amendment dated January 16, 2026. Currently, claims 1-19 are pending in the application. 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 1-19 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. Regarding claim 1: It is unclear how the plurality of base units differ from the plurality of semi-units. The semi-units appear to be the plurality of base units in the final assembled arrangement. Additionally it is unclear how the main unit differs from the semi-units or the plurality of base units as it appears it is the final assembly of semi-units which is the final assembly of base units. Regarding claim 2: It is unclear if the support bracket and exterior wall frame are intended to be positively recited. The claim indicates the fixing bracket is “configured to be seated on a support bracket…” but does not positively claim the bracket and frame. However, the claim further indicates the fixing bracket is secured to the support bracket. It is assumed that the support bracket and wall frame are intended to be positively recited and will be examined accordingly. It I suggested that language that reflects the positively claimed support bracket and will frame be added in order to clarify. Regarding claims 8 and 9: It is unclear what “manufacture frame units” are. Is this equivalent to saying “to create frame units”? It is assumed so and will be examined accordingly. However, it is unclear what frame units are. Are they “semi-units”? Regarding claim 10: It is unclear if the “lower horizontal frames” and the “fixing bracket” are the same as already recited in claim 8 from which this claim depends. It is assumed this is correct and will be examined accordingly, however, this needs to be clarified by referring back to the elements previously recited or addressing them as additional elements. Regarding claims 11-17: It is unclear how these claims further limit the claims from which they depend. They appear to contain limitations already set forth in the independent claims from which they depend. Regarding claim 12: It is unclear on both sides of what the semi-units are arranged. Additional claims rejected under 35 USC 112 but not addressed are rejected as being dependent on a rejected base claim and failing to further remedy the issue(s). Allowable Subject Matter Claims 1-19 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. The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter: the closest prior art of record being Naim Ibrahim (US Patent No 11,377,847) teaches the elements of the base unit but fails to teach the height adjustment bolts. It would not have been obvious to one of ordinary skill to add height adjustment bolts to the device of Naim Ibrahim. Additionally, Naim Ibrahim does not teach the location of the fixing bracket and would not be obvious to relocate it to the specific location in the instant claims. Response to Arguments Applicant’s arguments, see pages 15-17, filed January 16, 2026, with respect to the drawings and 35 USC 112 have been fully considered and are persuasive. The drawing objections and 35 USC 112 rejection of the claims has been withdrawn. However, new rejections have been presented based on new amendments. Conclusion THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a). A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to PATRICK J MAESTRI whose telephone number is (571)270-7859. The examiner can normally be reached M-Th 7-3. 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, Brian Mattei can be reached at 571-270-3238. 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. /PATRICK J MAESTRI/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3635
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Sep 26, 2024
Application Filed
Oct 27, 2025
Non-Final Rejection — §112
Jan 16, 2026
Response Filed
Feb 12, 2026
Final Rejection — §112 (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

Patent 12590453
CONCEALED STRUCTURAL CONNECTOR
2y 5m to grant Granted Mar 31, 2026
Patent 12590456
MODULAR BUILDING BLOCKS
2y 5m to grant Granted Mar 31, 2026
Patent 12577792
SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR RAISED FLOORS
2y 5m to grant Granted Mar 17, 2026
Patent 12559941
Profiled metallic sheet for a sandwich panel
2y 5m to grant Granted Feb 24, 2026
Patent 12559932
JOIST HANGER
2y 5m to grant Granted Feb 24, 2026
Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

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Prosecution Projections

3-4
Expected OA Rounds
73%
Grant Probability
88%
With Interview (+14.6%)
2y 0m
Median Time to Grant
Moderate
PTA Risk
Based on 1057 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allow rate.

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