Prosecution Insights
Last updated: July 17, 2026
Application No. 19/020,297

ARMREST

Non-Final OA §112
Filed
Jan 14, 2025
Priority
Jan 17, 2024 — JP 2024-005018
Examiner
CHEN, JOSE V
Art Unit
Tech Center
Assignee
Toyota Boshoku Corporation
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
78%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
3m
Est. Remaining
93%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 78% — above average
78%
Career Allowance Rate
1708 granted / 2188 resolved
+18.1% vs TC avg
Strong +15% interview lift
Without
With
+15.2%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Fast prosecutor
1y 10m
Avg Prosecution
40 currently pending
Career history
2209
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.1%
-39.9% vs TC avg
§103
55.1%
+15.1% vs TC avg
§102
2.2%
-37.8% vs TC avg
§112
32.5%
-7.5% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 2188 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 . Specification The title of the invention is not descriptive. A new title is required that is clearly indicative of the invention to which the claims are directed. 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 1-8 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. It is unclear from the claims how the base material bulging portion (2C) bulges from an end of a bent tip of the bent down portion (2B) toward a base material front side. Allowable Subject Matter Claims 1-8 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. The references cited teach structure similar to applicant’s including armrest structure with heating elements and padding and covering structures. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to JOSE V CHEN whose telephone number is (571)272-6865. The examiner can normally be reached m-f, m-w 5:30-3:00, th5:30-2:00. 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, Daniel Troy can be reached at 571 270 3742. 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. /JOSE V CHEN/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3637
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Jan 14, 2025
Application Filed
Jun 10, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §112 (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

Patent 12677953
FOLDABLE SEAT WITH DEPLOYABLE MOBILITY STRUCTURE
2y 1m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026
Patent 12679262
VEHICLE SEAT
2y 1m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026
Patent 12678686
Jigsaw Puzzle Table
1y 8m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026
Patent 12672992
LIFT FOR CHANGING THE POSITION OF THE SEAT IN A WHEELCHAIR
2y 0m to grant Granted Jul 07, 2026
Patent 12660927
FOLDABLE CHAIR
2y 0m to grant Granted Jun 23, 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
78%
Grant Probability
93%
With Interview (+15.2%)
1y 10m (~3m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 2188 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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