Last updated: July 17, 2026

Application No. 19/009,497

Fastener for a Round Hole and a Slot

Non-Final OA

Filed

Jan 03, 2025

Priority

Jan 08, 2024 — provisional 63/618,621

Examiner

LEE, MICHAEL S

Art Unit

3677

Tech Center

3600 — Transportation & Electronic Commerce

Assignee

Illinois Tool Works Inc.

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

This examiner grants 63% of cases after interview

— +21.0% interview lift. A telephonic interview to clarify the technical implementation could significantly improve the outcome.

Based on 844 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

LEE, MICHAEL S View full profile →

Grants 63% of resolved cases

Career Allowance Rate

535 granted / 844 resolved

+11.4% vs TC avg

Strong +21% interview lift

Without

With

+21.0%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

2y 4m

Avg Prosecution

40 currently pending

Career history

906

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

0.4%

-39.6% vs TC avg

§103

63.4%

+23.4% vs TC avg

§102

24.0%

-16.0% vs TC avg

§112

7.1%

-32.9% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 844 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Jan 03, 2025

Application Filed

May 12, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

18/288,277

Patent 12680565

CLIP AND CLIP ATTACHMENT STRUCTURE

2y 8m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026

18/394,139

Patent 12650156

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR A DUAL HOOK FLAT STRAP ATTACHMENT DEVICE AND ACCESSORIES

2y 5m to grant Granted Jun 09, 2026

18/559,537

Patent 12616278

Plug and Buckle

2y 6m to grant Granted May 05, 2026

18/552,552

Patent 12593897

STRAP BUCKLE

2y 6m to grant Granted Apr 07, 2026

18/929,786

Patent 12564249

COMPOSITE FASTENER

1y 4m to grant Granted Mar 03, 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.

Typically takes 5-10 seconds — AI-generated, attorney review required before filing

Prosecution Projections

1-2

Expected OA Rounds

63%

Grant Probability

84%

With Interview (+21.0%)

2y 4m (~9m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 844 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.