Prosecution Insights
Last updated: August 17, 2026
Application No. 18/956,749

QUICK RELEASE HOUSING SYSTEM FOR AUTOMOTIVE ELECTRIC MODULES

Non-Final OA §102
Filed
Nov 22, 2024
Examiner
AKARAGWE, YANICK A
Art Unit
3672
Tech Center
3600 — Transportation & Electronic Commerce
Assignee
GM Global Technology Operations LLC
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
83%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
6m
Est. Remaining
96%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 83% — above average
83%
Career Allowance Rate
460 granted / 552 resolved
+31.3% vs TC avg
Moderate +12% lift
Without
With
+12.2%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 3m
Avg Prosecution
26 currently pending
Career history
577
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
1.6%
-38.4% vs TC avg
§103
50.2%
+10.2% vs TC avg
§102
25.0%
-15.0% vs TC avg
§112
20.2%
-19.8% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 552 resolved cases

Office Action

§102
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 § 102 In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status. The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action: A person shall be entitled to a patent unless – (a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention. (a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention. Claims 1, 3, 6-7, 11, and 16 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Lewis et al. (U.S. 2024/0170903A1). Regarding claim 1, Lewis et al. disclose a quick release housing system (fig. 3) comprising: an electric module (106,110, fig. 3); and a housing (102, 118, and computer system connected thereto) receiving the electric module (106, 110) in a latched state (figs. 1E, 1F, 1G) and configured to move to an unlatched state (fig. 1J) to release the electric module for removal (figs. 1K and 3), wherein the electric module (106, 110) includes a plural number of catches (111), wherein the housing (102, 118) includes a number of latch arms (116) that engage the plural number of catches (111) in the latched state (figs. 1E, 1F, 1G), wherein the housing (102, 118) includes at least one actuator (506, para 0082) moveable (“upward force 126”, fig. 1J) to simultaneously disengage the number of latch arms (116) from the plural number of catches (111) in the unlatched state (as shown in fig. 3). Regarding claim 3, Lewis et al. disclose wherein the at least one actuator (506, para 0082) comprises two actuators (506, see fig. 3), one at each end of the electric module (see fig. 3). Regarding claim 6, Lewis et al. disclose wherein the electric module (106,110, fig. 3) has a stop (114, 114a, fig. 1D) and the housing (102, 118) has a receiver (114B, fig. 1D) for receiving the stop to limit movement of the electric module into the housing (see fig. 1D). Regarding claim 7, Lewis et al. disclose wherein each of the number of latch arms (116) has a free end and another end (end connected to 102) connected to the at least one actuator (when 116 is connected to 111, the system is mechanically connected). Regarding claim 11, Lewis et al. disclose a quick release housing system (fig. 3) comprising: an electric module (106, 110, fig. 3) having a first end and a second end disposed opposite the first end (as shown in fig. 3); a housing (102, 118, and computer system connected thereto) receiving the electric module (106, 110) in a latched state (figs. 1E, 1F, 1G) and configured to move to an unlatched state (fig. 1J) to release the electric module for removal (figs. 1K and 3), wherein the electric module (106, 110) includes a plural number of catches (111), wherein the housing (102, 118) includes a number of latch arms (116) that engage the plural number of catches (111) in the latched state (figs. 1E, 1F, 1G), wherein the housing (102, 118) includes a first actuator (506, para 0082) at the first end of the electric module (106, 110) and a second actuator (506) at the second end of the electric module (106, 110), wherein the first and the second actuators (506, para 0082) are moveable (“upward force 126”, fig. 1J) to simultaneously disengage the number of latch arms (116) from the plural number of catches (111) in the unlatched state (as shown in fig. 3). Regarding claim 16, Lewis et al. disclose wherein the electric module (106,110, fig. 3) has a stop (114, 114a, fig. 1D) shaped as an elongated boss projecting from the electric module (see fig. 1D), and the housing (102, 118) has a receiver (114B, fig. 1D) for receiving the stop to limit movement of the electric module into the housing (see fig. 1D). Allowable Subject Matter Claims 2, 4-5, 8-10, 12-15, and 17-19 are objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but would be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims. Claim 20 is allowed. Regarding claim 20, Lewis et al. disclose a quick release housing system (fig. 3), the quick release housing system (fig. 3) comprising: an electric module (106, 110) having a first end and a second end disposed opposite the first end (as shown in fig. 3), the electric module (106, 110) having a control panel (500) and a bottom opposite the control panel (as shown in fig. 3); a housing (102, 118) receiving the electric module (106, fig. 3) in a latched state (figs. 1E, 1F, 1G) and configured to move to an unlatched state (fig. 1J) to release the electric module for removal (figs. 1K and 3), wherein the electric module (106, 110) includes a plural number of catches (111), wherein the housing (102, 118) includes a number of latch arms (116) that engage the plural number of catches (111) at the surfaces in the latched state (figs. 1E, 1F, 1G), wherein the housing (102, 118) includes a first actuator (506, para 0082) at the first end of the electric module (106, 110) and a second actuator (506, para 0082) at the second end of the electric module (106, 110), wherein the first and the second actuators (506, para 0082) are moveable to simultaneously disengage the number of latch arms (116) from the surfaces of the plural number of catches (111) in the unlatched state (as shown in fig. 3). However, Lewis et al. fail to teach that the quick release housing system is for an electrical system of a vehicle, wherein the housing is connected to the vehicle, wherein each catch having a surface disposed substantially parallel to the bottom and facing the bottom. Conclusion The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Takano (U.S. 2023/0260724A1), Churak (U.S. 10,490,041B1), Martinez (U.S. 2015/0144469A1), Mori et al. (U.S. 2014/0231232A1), Fils (U.S. 7,831,756B1), and Klarner (U.S. 2008/0076287A1). Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to YANICK A AKARAGWE whose telephone number is (469)295-9298. The examiner can normally be reached M-TH 7:30-5:30. 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, Nicole Coy can be reached at (571) 272-5405. 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. /YANICK A AKARAGWE/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3672
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Prosecution Timeline

Nov 22, 2024
Application Filed
Jul 16, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §102 (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
83%
Grant Probability
96%
With Interview (+12.2%)
2y 3m (~6m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 552 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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