Prosecution Insights
Last updated: October 26, 2026

Nicholas J Lane, USPTO Patent Examiner

Listed by the USPTO as LANE, NICHOLAS J

Tech Center 3600 • Art Units: 3616 3657

This examiner grants 66% of resolved cases

Analysis

LANE, NICHOLAS J examines cases in tech center 3600 and art unit 3616. Among 942 resolved cases, the allowance rate is 65.8%, with a median of 1049 days to allowance.

The interview lift is 6.9%, showing a positive association in the recorded outcomes. The listed companies are ZF Friedrichshafen AG, HL Mando Corporation, and Robert Bosch GmbH. The leading firms are TAROLLI, SUNDHEIM, COVELL & TUMMINO L.L.P., WOMBLE BOND DICKINSON (US) LLP, and BUCHANAN, INGERSOLL & ROONEY PC.

Written from this page's own data; every figure is computed from USPTO records and verified before publication.

Performance Statistics

65.8%
Allow Rate
+13.8% vs TC avg
992
Total Applications
+6.9%
Interview Lift
1049
Avg Prosecution Days
Based on 942 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Rejection Statute Breakdown

0.3%
§101 Eligibility
22.5%
§102 Novelty
44.2%
§103 Obviousness
29.4%
§112 Clarity

Currently Pending Office Actions

App #TitleStatusAssignee
18866302 ACTUATION DEVICE FOR A BRAKE SYSTEM Non-Final OA Robert Bosch GmbH
18696257 METHOD FOR OPERATING A BRAKE SYSTEM Non-Final OA Robert Bosch GmbH
18921087 CAB MOUNT Non-Final OA TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
19016333 PLATE SPRING Non-Final OA HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
18292602 Method for Braking a Motorcycle and Electrically Driven Motorcycle Final Rejection Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
18285987 Axle Support Bearing for a Motor Vehicle Axle Driven in Particular by Means of an Electric Motor Non-Final OA Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
18580677 BRAKE CALIPER FOR A VEHICLE BRAKE Final Rejection ZF CV Systems Europe BV
17987003 ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY FOR A VEHICLE BRAKE AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING AN ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY FOR A VEHICLE BRAKE Non-Final OA ZF Active Safety GmbH
17892366 ASSEMBLY FOR A BRAKE BOOSTER AND BRAKE BOOSTER Non-Final OA ZF Active Safety GmbH
17729490 METHOD FOR REDUCING VIBRATIONS IN A FRICTION BRAKE, AND BRAKING SYSTEM AND PROGRAM CODE Final Rejection ZF Active Safety GmbH
18474678 BRAKE SYSTEMS WITH MOTOR-DRIVEN MASTER CYLINDERS AND LOW PRESSURE ACCUMULATORS Final Rejection ZF Active Safety US Inc.
18474657 BRAKE SYSTEMS WITH MOTOR-DRIVEN MASTER CYLINDERS AND BYPASS VALVES Final Rejection ZF Active Safety US Inc.
18474714 BRAKE SYSTEMS WITH MOTOR-DRIVEN MASTER CYLINDERS AND PUMP INLET ATTENTUATORS Final Rejection ZF Active Safety US Inc.
18860362 ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT, BRAKE ASSEMBLY AND BRAKE SYSTEM Non-Final OA Continental Automotive Technologies GmbH
18716213 DISC BRAKE DEVICE Non-Final OA NIPPON STEEL CORPORATION
18027498 Brake Application Mechanism of a Disc Brake Final Rejection KNORR-BREMSE Systeme fuer Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH
18988074 PILOT VALVE SEAT AND ELECTROMAGNETIC VALVE Non-Final OA BorgWarner Automotive Components (Tianjin) Co., Ltd.
18873913 Damping Element With Variable Properties Non-Final OA HIRSCHMANN AUTOMOTIVE GMBH

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is examiner Nicholas J Lane's allowance rate?

65.8% of resolved applications examined by Nicholas J Lane were allowed (942 resolved cases), compared with 73.2% across Art Unit 3616 over the last five years.

Does an interview help with examiner Nicholas J Lane?

This examiner's interview lift is +6.9 percentage points: the difference in allowance rate between resolved applications that had an examiner interview and those that did not.

How long does examiner Nicholas J Lane take to allow a patent?

Applications allowed by Nicholas J Lane took 1,049 days on average from filing to allowance.

Which art unit does examiner Nicholas J Lane work in?

Nicholas J Lane examines applications in Art Unit 3616 in Tech Center 3600 (Transportation, E-Commerce & Mechanical Systems).

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