Prosecution Insights
Last updated: August 14, 2026
Application No. 18/911,508

SHEAR BOX FOR TESTING SHEAR-SEEPAGE COUPLING CHARACTERISTICS OF ROCK MASS, AND METHOD OF USING THE SHEAR BOX

Non-Final OA §112
Filed
Oct 10, 2024
Priority
Jul 02, 2024 — CN 202410873527.9
Examiner
PLUMB, NIGEL H
Art Unit
2855
Tech Center
2800 — Semiconductors & Electrical Systems
Assignee
Institute Of Geology And Geophysics Cas
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
91%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
3m
Est. Remaining
92%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 91% — above average
91%
Career Allowance Rate
623 granted / 687 resolved
+22.7% vs TC avg
Minimal +1% lift
Without
With
+1.1%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Fast prosecutor
2y 1m
Avg Prosecution
31 currently pending
Career history
708
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
1.2%
-38.8% vs TC avg
§103
39.7%
-0.3% vs TC avg
§102
29.4%
-10.6% vs TC avg
§112
21.7%
-18.3% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 687 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 Objections Claim 1 is objected to because of the following informalities: Regarding claim 1, the claim recites “a second big wedge, ;”, however it appears to be a typographical error of a comma followed by a semicolon. Appropriate correction is required. 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. Claim 9 is 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 9 recites the limitation " placing an entire shear box assembled in step 3 on a test bench". There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim as no “steps” have been recited. Allowable Subject Matter Claims 1-8 are allowed. Claim 9 would be allowable if rewritten to overcome the rejections under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), 2nd paragraph, set forth in this Office action and to include all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims. The following is an examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance: Jinan Puye Electrical And Mechanical Tech Co LTD CN219284844 (hereinafter “Jinan”) discloses a rigid shear box for rock direct shear test, comprising a lower box frame, upper box frame, upper gland, lower box inner frame, a first upper box inner clamp, a second upper box inner clamp; the middle part of the lower box frame is provided with a rectangular through hole for placing the sample; two sides of the upper surface of the lower box frame in the length direction are respectively provided with a rectangular groove channel; the rectangular channel is provided with a row of carrier roller along the length direction, and the carrier roller upper end protruded above the lower box frame; the lower box inner frame is matched with the rectangular through hole; the two outer sides of the length direction of the lower end of the upper box frame are symmetrically fixed with a pair of deflection-proof bars; the middle part of the upper box frame is provided with a rectangular pyramid through hole; two first upper box inner clamp matched with the rectangular pyramid through hole, the device through the lower box frame, upper box frame, the combination of upper pressing cover and matched with the lower box inner frame, the first upper box inner clamp, the second upper box clamp for experiment of rectangular rock sample or circular rock sample, the whole operation is stable, and it is convenient to use. (Figs 1-9, Paragraph 0023-0037) However, Jinan fails to disclose the lower movable shear box is located below the upper fixed shear box, one end of the upper fixed shear box is capable of sliding into the inverted U-shaped frame above the lower movable shear box in the first direction; a first placement groove with a downward opening is arranged in the upper fixed shear box, and a second placement groove with an upward opening is arranged in the lower movable shear box; the downward opening of the first placement groove is in communication with the upward opening of the second placement groove, a first extrusion block is arranged in the first placement groove, and the first placement groove at one side of the first extrusion block is configured for placing an upper rock mass sample, a second extrusion block is arranged in the second placement groove, and the second placement groove at one side of the second extrusion block is configured for placing a lower rock mass sample corresponding in position to the upper rock mass sample; the first extrusion block comprises a first small wedge having a first adjusting internal thread hole formed in a side wall thereof, a first big wedge, the first small wedge is located on one side of the first big wedge away from the upper rock mass sample, and a surface joint of the first small wedge and the first big wedge is a first inclined plane, and a first adjusting bolt arranged in sequence in the first direction; wherein a first through hole communicated with the first placement groove is formed in a side wall of the upper fixed shear box, and a threaded end of the first adjusting bolt passes through the first through hole and is threaded to the first adjusting internal thread hole; the second extrusion block comprises a second small wedge having a second adjusting internal thread hole is formed in a side wall thereof, a second big wedge ; the second small wedge is located on one side of the second big wedge away from the lower rock mass sample, and a surface joint of the second small wedge and the second big wedge is a second inclined plane, and a second adjusting bolt; wherein a second through hole communicated with the second placement groove is formed in a side wall of the lower movable shear box, and a threaded end of the second adjusting bolt passes through the second through hole and is threaded to the second adjusting internal thread hole; a first elastic sealing element is arranged on each of one side of the first big wedge close to the upper rock mass sample, one side of the first big wedge being close to the lower movable shear box, one side of the second big wedge being close to the lower rock mass sample, and one side of the second big wedge being close to the upper fixed shear box; after rotation of the first adjusting bolt, the first adjusting bolt is capable of pulling the first small wedge to move towards a direction close to the first adjusting bolt in the second direction, and through the first inclined plane, the movement of the first small wedge is capable of pushing the first big wedge to move towards one side close to the upper rock mass sample in the first direction and to move towards one side close to the lower movable shear box in the third direction; after rotation of the second adjusting bolt, the second adjusting bolt is capable of pulling the second small wedge to move towards a direction close to the second adjusting bolt in the second direction, and through the second inclined plane, the movement of the second small wedge is capable of pushing the second big wedge to move towards one side close to the lower rock mass sample in the first direction and to move towards one side close to the upper fixed shear box in the third direction; an elastic capsule made of a corrosion-resistant material is arranged at each of inner walls of both sides of the first placement groove and the second placement groove in the second direction, and a length of the elastic capsule in the first direction is greater than a length of a corresponding upper rock mass sample or lower rock mass sample, and a fluid is able to be injected into the elastic capsule and make the elastic capsule deform elastically with the injection of the fluid; an upper pressure head device is arranged on the upper fixed box shear and is capable of applying a force in the third direction to the upper rock mass sample in the first placement groove; a first communicating channel is arranged in the upper fixed shear box, a second communicating channel is arranged in the lower movable shear box, the first communicating channel and the second communicating channel are located on both sides of an entire of the upper rock mass sample and the lower rock mass sample in the first direction, respectively, and both the first communicating channel and the second communicating channel are in communication with a contact gap between the upper rock mass sample and the lower rock mass sample. Beijing Jiuyi Tech Co LTD CN114509353 (hereinafter “Beijing”) discloses a sealing ring assembly for cutting and box A sealing ring assembly for cutting box comprising a sealing ring and a fixing part coaxially arranged, the sealing ring comprises a first surface and a second surface coaxially arranged along the radial direction; the first surface is used for propping against the cutting box the second surface is concave to form an annular containing part relative to the first surface; the fixing part is connected with the annular containing part. the fixing part can make the sealing ring is fixed in the cutting, box that the cutting box in the working process, the sealing ring can rotate along with the cutting box by disassembling the fixing part, which is convenient for replacing the sealing ring. (Fig 1-11, Paragraph 0040-0070) However, Beijing fails to disclose the lower movable shear box is located below the upper fixed shear box, one end of the upper fixed shear box is capable of sliding into the inverted U-shaped frame above the lower movable shear box in the first direction; a first placement groove with a downward opening is arranged in the upper fixed shear box, and a second placement groove with an upward opening is arranged in the lower movable shear box; the downward opening of the first placement groove is in communication with the upward opening of the second placement groove, a first extrusion block is arranged in the first placement groove, and the first placement groove at one side of the first extrusion block is configured for placing an upper rock mass sample, a second extrusion block is arranged in the second placement groove, and the second placement groove at one side of the second extrusion block is configured for placing a lower rock mass sample corresponding in position to the upper rock mass sample; the first extrusion block comprises a first small wedge having a first adjusting internal thread hole formed in a side wall thereof, a first big wedge, the first small wedge is located on one side of the first big wedge away from the upper rock mass sample, and a surface joint of the first small wedge and the first big wedge is a first inclined plane, and a first adjusting bolt arranged in sequence in the first direction; wherein a first through hole communicated with the first placement groove is formed in a side wall of the upper fixed shear box, and a threaded end of the first adjusting bolt passes through the first through hole and is threaded to the first adjusting internal thread hole; the second extrusion block comprises a second small wedge having a second adjusting internal thread hole is formed in a side wall thereof, a second big wedge ; the second small wedge is located on one side of the second big wedge away from the lower rock mass sample, and a surface joint of the second small wedge and the second big wedge is a second inclined plane, and a second adjusting bolt; wherein a second through hole communicated with the second placement groove is formed in a side wall of the lower movable shear box, and a threaded end of the second adjusting bolt passes through the second through hole and is threaded to the second adjusting internal thread hole; a first elastic sealing element is arranged on each of one side of the first big wedge close to the upper rock mass sample, one side of the first big wedge being close to the lower movable shear box, one side of the second big wedge being close to the lower rock mass sample, and one side of the second big wedge being close to the upper fixed shear box; after rotation of the first adjusting bolt, the first adjusting bolt is capable of pulling the first small wedge to move towards a direction close to the first adjusting bolt in the second direction, and through the first inclined plane, the movement of the first small wedge is capable of pushing the first big wedge to move towards one side close to the upper rock mass sample in the first direction and to move towards one side close to the lower movable shear box in the third direction; after rotation of the second adjusting bolt, the second adjusting bolt is capable of pulling the second small wedge to move towards a direction close to the second adjusting bolt in the second direction, and through the second inclined plane, the movement of the second small wedge is capable of pushing the second big wedge to move towards one side close to the lower rock mass sample in the first direction and to move towards one side close to the upper fixed shear box in the third direction; an elastic capsule made of a corrosion-resistant material is arranged at each of inner walls of both sides of the first placement groove and the second placement groove in the second direction, and a length of the elastic capsule in the first direction is greater than a length of a corresponding upper rock mass sample or lower rock mass sample, and a fluid is able to be injected into the elastic capsule and make the elastic capsule deform elastically with the injection of the fluid; an upper pressure head device is arranged on the upper fixed box shear and is capable of applying a force in the third direction to the upper rock mass sample in the first placement groove; a first communicating channel is arranged in the upper fixed shear box, a second communicating channel is arranged in the lower movable shear box, the first communicating channel and the second communicating channel are located on both sides of an entire of the upper rock mass sample and the lower rock mass sample in the first direction, respectively, and both the first communicating channel and the second communicating channel are in communication with a contact gap between the upper rock mass sample and the lower rock mass sample. Conclusion The prior art as cited on the PTO-892 is made of record and not relied upon but considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to NIGEL H PLUMB whose telephone number is (571)272-8886. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday 7am-5pm. 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, John Breene can be reached at 571-272-4107. 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 (USA or CANADA) or 571-272-1000. /NIGEL H PLUMB/Examiner, Art Unit 2855 /Eric S. McCall/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2855
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Prosecution Timeline

Oct 10, 2024
Application Filed
Aug 04, 2025
Response after Non-Final Action
Jul 22, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §112 (current)

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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
91%
Grant Probability
92%
With Interview (+1.1%)
2y 1m (~3m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 687 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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