Last updated: July 17, 2026

Application No. 19/062,161

BEARING UNIT WITH RETENTION CAGE

Non-Final OA

Filed

Feb 25, 2025

Priority

Mar 08, 2024 — IT 102024000005245

Examiner

WAITS, ALAN B

Art Unit

3617

Tech Center

3600 — Transportation & Electronic Commerce

Assignee

Aktiebolaget SKF

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

Interview Optional

— +29.6% interview lift. Examiner has a relatively high allowance rate (69%); +29.6% interview lift. A written response may suffice.

Based on 1368 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

WAITS, ALAN B View full profile →

Grants 69% — above average

Career Allowance Rate

942 granted / 1368 resolved

+16.9% vs TC avg

Strong +30% interview lift

Without

With

+29.6%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

2y 5m

Avg Prosecution

37 currently pending

Career history

1408

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

0.9%

-39.1% vs TC avg

§103

73.8%

+33.8% vs TC avg

§102

7.4%

-32.6% vs TC avg

§112

17.6%

-22.4% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 1368 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Feb 25, 2025

Application Filed

Apr 09, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

18/709,283

Patent 12680577

MOUNTING AND DISASSEMBLING ASSEMBLY, SHAFT AND BEARING ASSEMBLY, MOUNTING METHOD, AND DISASSEMBLING METHOD

1y 6m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026

18/839,148

Patent 12680573

GAS BEARING DEVICE

1y 11m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026

18/065,708

Patent 12674486

SLEEVE BEARING HAVING A FLARED END

3y 6m to grant Granted Jul 07, 2026

18/575,038

Patent 12669146

AIR FOIL BEARING INSTALLATION STRUCTURE

2y 6m to grant Granted Jun 30, 2026

18/672,305

Patent 12668089

SUSPENSION THRUST BEARING ASSEMBLY

2y 1m to grant Granted Jun 30, 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

69%

Grant Probability

98%

With Interview (+29.6%)

2y 5m (~1y 0m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 1368 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.