USPTO Examiner KOEHLER CHRISTOPHER M - Art Unit 2834

Recent Applications

Detailed information about the 100 most recent patent applications.

Application NumberTitleFiling DateDisposal DateDispositionTime (months)Office ActionsRestrictionsInterviewAppeal
17113371PHOTORESIST BOTTLE REPLACEMENT SYSTEMDecember 2020February 2023Allow2611NoNo
17099939FASTENING DEVICENovember 2020March 2023Allow2810NoNo
17012684METHOD OF MONITORING A TOOL CLAMPING DEVICESeptember 2020March 2023Allow3010NoNo
16940006DUAL SNAP-IN HINGE AND METHOD OF USING THE SAMEJuly 2020February 2023Allow3110YesNo
16936052RETRACTABLE NEEDLE CATHETER INSERTION DEVICEJuly 2020February 2023Allow3010YesNo
16931648COMPOUND BARB MEDICAL DEVICE AND METHODJuly 2020January 2023Allow3010YesNo
16955945FASTENING ARRANGEMENT WITH ANGULAR COMPENSATION FUNCTIONJune 2020March 2023Allow3311NoNo
16733230Pipe Spinner and LifterJanuary 2020January 2023Allow3610NoNo
15380808Wedge-Based Earth-Working Tooth Adapter Retention AssemblyDecember 2016October 2017Allow1020YesNo
15086260END EFFECTORMarch 2016May 2018Allow2510NoNo
14776427TOY PROJECTILE AND METHOD OF MAKINGSeptember 2015February 2017Allow1711NoNo
14814859METHOD OF INSTALLING CHAIN DRIVEN POWER TAKE OFFJuly 2015September 2017Allow2601NoNo
14814933HUB PULLERJuly 2015November 2016Allow1510YesNo
14738845METHOD OF INSTALLING LIGHT FIXTUREJune 2015August 2017Allow2610NoNo
14436707AN ASSEMBLY FOR LOOSENING OR TIGHTENING MECHANICAL NUTS (ESP. WHEEL NUTS)April 2015July 2018Allow3920NoNo
14613177MULTI-LUMEN CATHETERS AND RELATED METHODS OF MANUFACTUREFebruary 2015March 2017Allow2600NoNo
14571380END EFFECTORDecember 2014December 2015Allow1211NoNo
14407147METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING REAR AXLE, AND REAR AXLEDecember 2014June 2018Allow4220NoNo
14537737Automated Filter ChangerNovember 2014August 2017Allow3311NoNo
14508957SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR INSTALLING DIGESTER BALLASTOctober 2014September 2017Allow3511YesNo
14500947Modular Driver And Screw SystemSeptember 2014September 2017Allow3610NoNo
14452973Assembly Including a Reinforced Composite Part with a Pre-Formed Rivet Receiving ButtonAugust 2014September 2015Allow1330YesNo
14237871INTERNALLY COOLABLE COMPONENT FOR A GAS TURBINE WITH AT LEAST ONE COOLING DUCTFebruary 2014October 2016Allow3210NoNo
14086953SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AN ENGINEERED JOINTNovember 2013June 2014Allow711YesNo
14041327MARINE CABLE SUPPORT SYSTEM AND METHODSeptember 2013March 2017Allow4221NoYes
14002297SUBSTRATE JOINING METHOD USING RIVET, AND JOINING STRUCTUREAugust 2013September 2016Allow3720NoNo
13868037FLOATING FASTENERSApril 2013December 2016Allow4431YesNo
13778107TABLEFebruary 2013October 2014Allow1911NoNo
13768517METHOD OF MAKING ASSEMBLIES INCLUDING REINFORCED COMPOSITE PARTS WITH PRE-FORMED RIVET RECEIVING BUTTONS AND ARTICLES MADE BY THE METHODFebruary 2013June 2014Allow1621NoNo
13741622FASTENING SYSTEM FOR SHEATHING BOARDJanuary 2013May 2014Allow1610YesNo
13618687METHOD OF FORMING SHEET METAL CASKETSeptember 2012November 2013Allow1410NoNo
13408593JOINING MEANSFebruary 2012June 2013Allow1611NoNo
13397027COUPLING FOR PIPE, AND RELATED METHODSFebruary 2012September 2015Allow4332NoNo
13336367FASTENING DEVICE, CASING USING SAME, AND FASTENING METHODDecember 2011March 2015Allow3821YesNo
13329956METHOD OF FORMING A DRUM TYPE WASHING MACHINE HAVING A DRIVING UNITDecember 2011July 2013Allow1900NoNo
13298807SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TIRE DEBRIS CONTAINMENTNovember 2011December 2015Allow4940YesNo
13149337ENGAGEMENT MEMBER WITH FASTENING PIN AND METHOD FOR INTERCONNECTING TWO COMPONENTSMay 2011June 2015Allow4831NoNo
13126467PROTECTING A MATERIAL FROM CONTAMINATIONApril 2011July 2015Allow5120NoNo
13089417HOUSING FOR ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND METHOD FOR MAKING THE SAMEApril 2011January 2014Allow3311NoNo
13022207MULTIPLE BIAS SURGICAL FASTENERFebruary 2011September 2012Allow1910NoNo
12986344APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR UNWINDING A NEEDLE PORTIONJanuary 2011November 2013Allow3430NoNo
13002688METHOD OF CHUCKING A TOOL OR A WORKPIECE AND APPARATUS FOR CARRYING OUT THE METHODJanuary 2011February 2014Allow3810NoNo
12772707APPARATUS AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING BODILY FLUID TEST STRIPMay 2010September 2012Allow2810NoNo
12763457METHOD OF FORMING SHEET METAL CASKETApril 2010September 2012Allow2910NoNo
12756480CHIP DISCHARGE DEVICE FOR MACHINE TOOLApril 2010September 2013Allow4100NoNo
12701038ASSEMBLY, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATED VERTICAL MOMENT CONNECTIONFebruary 2010October 2011Allow2032YesNo
12657437Vaginal delineating deviceJanuary 2010March 2013Allow3820NoNo
12599017METHOD FOR THE PRODUCTION OF AN EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLENovember 2009March 2014Allow5220NoNo
12537688SYSTEM FOR PREPARING PRE-ASSEMBLED HANGER SUPPORTSAugust 2009March 2014Allow5621NoNo
12448928Method and apparatus for securing a conduit to a structureJuly 2009May 2013Allow4610NoNo
12468646METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING A CATALYTIC CONVERTERMay 2009March 2012Allow3421NoNo
12396538METHOD OF MAKING A TELESCOPING STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLYMarch 2009May 2012Allow3810NoNo
12348227APPARATUS AND SYSTEM FOR INSTALLING RIVETS IN BELT FASTENERSJanuary 2009November 2011Allow3440YesNo
12332894APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR UNWINDING A NEEDLE PORTIONDecember 2008September 2010Allow2210YesNo
12275487HIGH PRESSURE TANK AND METHOD THEREOFNovember 2008October 2011Allow3412YesNo
11914830DEVICE FOR MOUNTING A PART TO THE BODY OF A MOTOR VEHICLEJuly 2008September 2011Allow4610NoNo
12047828METHOD OF FORMING A MEDICAL WASTE DISPOSAL SYSTEMMarch 2008January 2010Allow2210NoNo
12075138SELF-PIERCING BLIND RIVETMarch 2008March 2011Allow3621NoNo
11997358ORTHOPAEDIC SURGICAL INSTRUMENTJanuary 2008November 2012Allow5731YesNo
11931047METHODS FOR MAKING A CONNECTIONOctober 2007August 2013Allow6051YesNo
11859895TUBE MILL WITH IN-LINE BRAZE COATING PROCESSSeptember 2007August 2012Allow5820NoNo
11878188ASSEMBLY MECHANISM FOR EXTERNAL BOXJuly 2007January 2012Allow5410YesNo
11757687TRANSPORTER SHAFT COUPLING AND UNCOUPLINGJune 2007January 2011Allow4442NoNo
11754368MICRONEEDLE ARRAY DEVICE AND ITS FABRICATION METHODMay 2007February 2010Allow3320NoNo
11801328NON-POROUS GRAFT WITH FASTENING ELEMENTSMay 2007March 2012Allow5941YesNo
11800277TIE, TIE ASSEMBLY, AND TIE ATTACHMENT DEVICEMay 2007September 2011Allow5321NoNo
11723089METHOD OF MANUFACTURING A FACE WITH DIFFERENT THICKNESS DISTRIBUTIONMarch 2007November 2009Allow3210NoNo
11711328LOCKING PIN FOR COUPLING COMPONENTSFebruary 2007February 2011Allow4712YesNo
11625438RETAINING STENTJanuary 2007March 2011Allow5032YesNo
11653878APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR INSTALLING COCKPIT MODULE IN VEHICLE BODYJanuary 2007November 2008Allow2221NoNo
11644097METHODS OF ASSEMBLING WELL SCREENSDecember 2006January 2010Allow3711YesNo
11613828DOOR CONVERTER ASSEMBLY FOR STORAGE CONTAINERSDecember 2006September 2010Allow4503NoNo
11612708BUMPER SYSTEM WITH ENERGY ABSORBERDecember 2006October 2007Allow1000NoNo
11640558FASTENING SYSTEM FOR ANCHORING WOOD FLOORSDecember 2006June 2009Allow3000YesNo
11541127TAMPON APPLICATOR BARRELS HAVING GRIPPING STRUCTURES AND METHODS OF FORMINGSeptember 2006November 2010Allow5030NoNo
11513279APPARATUS FOR SUPPLYING AND PRESS-FITTING PART TO WORKAugust 2006March 2010Allow4230YesNo
11467948DRY FIBER WRAPPED PIPEAugust 2006January 2013Allow6051YesYes
11464797FLEXIBLE BARRIER FILM STRUCTUREAugust 2006August 2010Allow4810NoNo
11455387AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE FRAMING SYSTEMJune 2006May 2010Allow4710YesNo
10579960METHOD AND DEVICE FOR PRODUCING SCREW CONNECTIONSMay 2006January 2012Allow6030NoNo
11417551CLIMATE CONTROLLED SEATMay 2006September 2008Allow2831NoNo
11406317DISPOSABLE/REUSABLE CORE ADAPTERSApril 2006February 2009Allow3400NoNo
11406318DISPOSABLE/REUSABLE CORE ADAPTERSApril 2006March 2009Allow3500NoNo
11403277APPARATUS FOR ACCURATELY POSITIONING AND SUPPORTING MODULAR TOOLINGApril 2006September 2011Allow6032NoNo
11397207APPARATUS AND SYSTEM FOR INSTALLING RIVETS IN BELT FASTENERSApril 2006December 2008Allow3310YesNo
11393828PRESSURE ENERGIZED METALLIC SEALMarch 2006September 2010Allow5421YesNo
11364478METHOD FOR INSPECTION AND REPAIRFebruary 2006September 2009Allow4310NoNo
11339897HINGE FEEDERJanuary 2006April 2010Allow5001NoNo
11333467LONGITUDINAL SEAM-STRUCTURE ASSEMBLY OF AIRCRAFT FUSELAGEJanuary 2006October 2010Allow5721YesNo
11019198ASSEMBLY DEVICE OF SUPPORT MAT FOR CERAMIC CATALYST CARRIERDecember 2004July 2008Allow4210NoNo
10995977METHOD OF CLOSING A PARTITION OPENINGNovember 2004March 2007Allow2700NoNo
10904607METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR RESTORING ALIGNMENT OF THE SUPPORT SOCKET IN THE MANUFACTURE OF LEG PROSTHESESNovember 2004January 2010Allow6011YesNo
10976828METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FABRICATING ARCUATE SHEET METAL COMPONENTS FOR HVAC DUCT SYSTEMSOctober 2004October 2008Allow4711NoNo
10973695METHOD FOR PRODUCING A HEAT EXCHANGEROctober 2004May 2007Allow3021NoNo
10966987TAPERED HOLLOW METALLIC MICRONEEDLE ARRAY ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF MAKING AND USING THE SAMEOctober 2004November 2007Abandon3721NoNo
10509942RECYCLE METHOD AND SYSTEM THEREOFOctober 2004October 2008Allow4820NoNo
10953618METHOD, DEVICE AND AUXILIARY JOINING ELEMENT FOR JOINING AT LEAST TWO PARTSSeptember 2004January 2008Allow4030YesNo
10944028EXPLOSION RESISTANT WASTE CONTAINERSeptember 2004May 2007Allow3220NoNo
10941553SYSTEM AND METHOD EMPLOYING A POROUS CONTAINER FOR SEALING, BAFFLING OR REINFORCINGSeptember 2004August 2008Allow4721YesNo
10929207ELECTROMAGNETIC FLANGING AND HEMMING APPARATUS AND METHODAugust 2004July 2007Allow3431NoNo

Appeals Overview

This analysis examines appeal outcomes and the strategic value of filing appeals for examiner KOEHLER, CHRISTOPHER M.

Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) Decisions

Total PTAB Decisions
1
Examiner Affirmed
0
(0.0%)
Examiner Reversed
1
(100.0%)
Reversal Percentile
95.0%
Higher than average

What This Means

With a 100.0% reversal rate, the PTAB has reversed the examiner's rejections more often than affirming them. This reversal rate is in the top 25% across the USPTO, indicating that appeals are more successful here than in most other areas.

Strategic Value of Filing an Appeal

Total Appeal Filings
7
Allowed After Appeal Filing
2
(28.6%)
Not Allowed After Appeal Filing
5
(71.4%)
Filing Benefit Percentile
43.7%
Lower than average

Understanding Appeal Filing Strategy

Filing a Notice of Appeal can sometimes lead to allowance even before the appeal is fully briefed or decided by the PTAB. This occurs when the examiner or their supervisor reconsiders the rejection during the mandatory appeal conference (MPEP § 1207.01) after the appeal is filed.

In this dataset, 28.6% of applications that filed an appeal were subsequently allowed. This appeal filing benefit rate is below the USPTO average, suggesting that filing an appeal has limited effectiveness in prompting favorable reconsideration.

Strategic Recommendations

Appeals to PTAB show good success rates. If you have a strong case on the merits, consider fully prosecuting the appeal to a Board decision.

Filing a Notice of Appeal shows limited benefit. Consider other strategies like interviews or amendments before appealing.

Examiner KOEHLER, CHRISTOPHER M - Prosecution Strategy Guide

Executive Summary

Examiner KOEHLER, CHRISTOPHER M works in Art Unit 2834 and has examined 129 patent applications in our dataset. With an allowance rate of 99.2%, this examiner allows applications at a higher rate than most examiners at the USPTO. Applications typically reach final disposition in approximately 37 months.

Allowance Patterns

Examiner KOEHLER, CHRISTOPHER M's allowance rate of 99.2% places them in the 92% percentile among all USPTO examiners. This examiner is more likely to allow applications than most examiners at the USPTO.

Office Action Patterns

On average, applications examined by KOEHLER, CHRISTOPHER M receive 1.71 office actions before reaching final disposition. This places the examiner in the 33% percentile for office actions issued. This examiner issues fewer office actions than average, which may indicate efficient prosecution or a more lenient examination style.

Prosecution Timeline

The median time to disposition (half-life) for applications examined by KOEHLER, CHRISTOPHER M is 37 months. This places the examiner in the 33% percentile for prosecution speed. Prosecution timelines are slightly slower than average with this examiner.

Interview Effectiveness

Conducting an examiner interview provides a +1.1% benefit to allowance rate for applications examined by KOEHLER, CHRISTOPHER M. This interview benefit is in the 21% percentile among all examiners. Note: Interviews show limited statistical benefit with this examiner compared to others, though they may still be valuable for clarifying issues.

Request for Continued Examination (RCE) Effectiveness

When applicants file an RCE with this examiner, 39.0% of applications are subsequently allowed. This success rate is in the 89% percentile among all examiners. Strategic Insight: RCEs are highly effective with this examiner compared to others. If you receive a final rejection, filing an RCE with substantive amendments or arguments has a strong likelihood of success.

After-Final Amendment Practice

This examiner enters after-final amendments leading to allowance in 43.1% of cases where such amendments are filed. This entry rate is in the 67% percentile among all examiners. Strategic Recommendation: This examiner shows above-average receptiveness to after-final amendments. If your amendments clearly overcome the rejections and do not raise new issues, consider filing after-final amendments before resorting to an RCE.

Pre-Appeal Conference Effectiveness

When applicants request a pre-appeal conference (PAC) with this examiner, 0.0% result in withdrawal of the rejection or reopening of prosecution. This success rate is in the 13% percentile among all examiners. Note: Pre-appeal conferences show limited success with this examiner compared to others. While still worth considering, be prepared to proceed with a full appeal brief if the PAC does not result in favorable action.

Appeal Withdrawal and Reconsideration

This examiner withdraws rejections or reopens prosecution in 85.7% of appeals filed. This is in the 79% percentile among all examiners. Of these withdrawals, 50.0% occur early in the appeal process (after Notice of Appeal but before Appeal Brief). Strategic Insight: This examiner frequently reconsiders rejections during the appeal process compared to other examiners. Per MPEP § 1207.01, all appeals must go through a mandatory appeal conference. Filing a Notice of Appeal may prompt favorable reconsideration even before you file an Appeal Brief.

Petition Practice

When applicants file petitions regarding this examiner's actions, 33.3% are granted (fully or in part). This grant rate is in the 20% percentile among all examiners. Strategic Note: Petitions are rarely granted regarding this examiner's actions compared to other examiners. Ensure you have a strong procedural basis before filing a petition, as the Technology Center Director typically upholds this examiner's decisions.

Examiner Cooperation and Flexibility

Examiner's Amendments: This examiner makes examiner's amendments in 21.7% of allowed cases (in the 98% percentile). Per MPEP § 1302.04, examiner's amendments are used to place applications in condition for allowance when only minor changes are needed. This examiner frequently uses this tool compared to other examiners, indicating a cooperative approach to getting applications allowed. Strategic Insight: If you are close to allowance but minor claim amendments are needed, this examiner may be willing to make an examiner's amendment rather than requiring another round of prosecution.

Quayle Actions: This examiner issues Ex Parte Quayle actions in 9.4% of allowed cases (in the 89% percentile). Per MPEP § 714.14, a Quayle action indicates that all claims are allowable but formal matters remain. This examiner frequently uses Quayle actions compared to other examiners, which is a positive indicator that once substantive issues are resolved, allowance follows quickly.

Prosecution Strategy Recommendations

Based on the statistical analysis of this examiner's prosecution patterns, here are tailored strategic recommendations:

  • RCEs are effective: This examiner has a high allowance rate after RCE compared to others. If you receive a final rejection and have substantive amendments or arguments, an RCE is likely to be successful.
  • Appeal filing as negotiation tool: This examiner frequently reconsiders rejections during the appeal process. Filing a Notice of Appeal may prompt favorable reconsideration during the mandatory appeal conference.
  • Examiner cooperation: This examiner frequently makes examiner's amendments to place applications in condition for allowance. If you are close to allowance, the examiner may help finalize the claims.

Relevant MPEP Sections for Prosecution Strategy

  • MPEP § 713.10: Examiner interviews - available before Notice of Allowance or transfer to PTAB
  • MPEP § 714.12: After-final amendments - may be entered "under justifiable circumstances"
  • MPEP § 1002.02(c): Petitionable matters to Technology Center Director
  • MPEP § 1004: Actions requiring primary examiner signature (allowances, final rejections, examiner's answers)
  • MPEP § 1207.01: Appeal conferences - mandatory for all appeals
  • MPEP § 1214.07: Reopening prosecution after appeal

Important Disclaimer

Not Legal Advice: The information provided in this report is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. You should consult with a qualified patent attorney or agent for advice specific to your situation.

No Guarantees: We do not provide any guarantees as to the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the statistics presented above. Patent prosecution statistics are derived from publicly available USPTO data and are subject to data quality limitations, processing errors, and changes in USPTO practices over time.

Limitation of Liability: Under no circumstances will IronCrow AI be liable for any outcome, decision, or action resulting from your reliance on the statistics, analysis, or recommendations presented in this report. Past prosecution patterns do not guarantee future results.

Use at Your Own Risk: While we strive to provide accurate and useful prosecution statistics, you should independently verify any information that is material to your prosecution strategy and use your professional judgment in all patent prosecution matters.