Prosecution Insights
Last updated: July 17, 2026
Application No. 18/855,790

ASSEMBLY FOR TORSIONAL VIBRATION REDUCING APPARATUS

Non-Final OA §112
Filed
Oct 10, 2024
Priority
Jul 21, 2022 — WO PCT/JP2022/028327 +1 more
Examiner
BINDA, GREGORY JOHN
Art Unit
Tech Center
Assignee
UNIPRES CORPORATION
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
81%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
8m
Est. Remaining
93%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 81% — above average
81%
Career Allowance Rate
1471 granted / 1818 resolved
+20.9% vs TC avg
Moderate +12% lift
Without
With
+11.9%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 6m
Avg Prosecution
51 currently pending
Career history
1847
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
1.0%
-39.0% vs TC avg
§103
33.0%
-7.0% vs TC avg
§102
40.6%
+0.6% vs TC avg
§112
24.2%
-15.8% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 1818 resolved cases

Office Action

§112
Specification The disclosure is objected to because at page 15, line 8, the word “bolt” is misspelled. The lengthy specification has not been checked to the extent necessary to determine the presence of all possible minor errors. Applicant’s cooperation is requested in correcting any errors of which applicant may become aware in the specification. Claim Objections Claims 11-12 are objected to because: Claim 11, line 5, “plate-like projection” should be changed to “a plate-like projection”. Claim 11, line 15, “radial outer side surface” should be changed to “a radial outer side surface”. Claim 12, line 2, “trapezoidal projection” should be changed to “a trapezoidal projection”. Claim 12, line 5, “longitudinal groove” should be changed to “a longitudinal groove”. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112 Claims 13-15 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 13 recites the limitation "said trapezoidal projection" in lines 14, 16, 20 & 26. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. Claim 13 recites the limitation "said arc-shaped projection" in lines 20, 23 & 26-27. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. Claim 15 recites the limitation "said arc-shaped projection" in line 4. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. Allowable Subject Matter Claims 10 & 16-18 are allowed because the prior art does not show or suggest an assembly for a torsional vibration reducing apparatus comprising every limitation of the claims. Fall, US 4,188,805, discloses a torsional vibration reducing apparatus comprising some of the limitation of the claims including an output member 43 with a central supporting plate 46, axial-direction extending boards 48 and overhang boards (53-55). Boelling, US 8,062,138, discloses a torsional vibration reducing apparatus comprising some of the limitation of the claims including retainers 42 having longitudinal guide grooves 80. Tamura, US 4,493,674, discloses a torsional vibration reducing apparatus comprising some of the limitation of the claims including retainers 12. Lamarche, US 4,585,427, discloses a torsional vibration reducing apparatus comprising some of the limitation of the claims including retainers 77-82. Zeidler, US 3,138,039, discloses a torsional vibration reducing apparatus comprising some of the limitation of the claims including retainers 20. Claims 11-12 would be allowable if rewritten or amended to overcome the objections set forth in this Office action. Claims 13-15 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. US 2025/0334167 discloses a torsional vibration reducing apparatus. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Greg Binda whose telephone number is (571)272-7077. The examiner can normally be reached 9:30-5:30 et. 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, Matthew Troutman can be reached at 571-270-3654. 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. /Greg Binda/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3679
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Oct 10, 2024
Application Filed
Jun 25, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §112 (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

Patent 12674485
COMPOSITE DRIVE SHAFTS
2y 10m to grant Granted Jul 07, 2026
Patent 12674491
PLUNGING TYPE CONSTANT VELOCITY UNIVERSAL JOINT
2y 4m to grant Granted Jul 07, 2026
Patent 12669152
TORQUE LIMITING FLEX PLATE ASSEMBLY
2y 9m to grant Granted Jun 30, 2026
Patent 12663046
CLUTCH WITH RADIAL SPRING
4y 3m to grant Granted Jun 23, 2026
Patent 12655876
DISC COUPLING
2y 8m to grant Granted Jun 16, 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
81%
Grant Probability
93%
With Interview (+11.9%)
2y 6m (~8m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 1818 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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