USPTO Examiner FERENCE JAMES M - Art Unit 3635

Recent Applications

Detailed information about the 100 most recent patent applications.

Application NumberTitleFiling DateDisposal DateDispositionTime (months)Office ActionsRestrictionsInterviewAppeal
19281605DEPLOYABLE EXTENDER ASSEMBLYJuly 2025November 2025Allow410YesNo
19251224INVERTED FLEECE BACK ASSEMBLIES FOR FLASHING APPLICATIONSJune 2025December 2025Allow610NoNo
19241169Rail-Less Solar Panel Devices and System for Roofs and the Like and Methods for Mounting SameJune 2025August 2025Allow210YesNo
19210053METHOD OF PROVIDING A CONDUCTIVE SUBSTRATE FOR AN ELECTRICAL LEAK DETECTION METHOD AND A BOARD THEREFORMay 2025September 2025Allow420NoNo
18946557MODULAR LEVEL ACCESS STRUCTURESNovember 2024March 2026Allow1621NoNo
18927622PERIMETER BARRIER FOR A BUILDING STRUCTUREOctober 2024July 2025Allow820YesNo
18923723TILE SETTING DEVICEOctober 2024March 2025Allow500NoNo
18849069A ROOF WINDOW COMPRISING RELEASABLE COMPONENTSSeptember 2024May 2025Allow810YesNo
18649091ROOFING SYSTEMS WITH PRE-ATTACHED CONDUCTIVE LAYERS FOR ELECTRONIC LEAK DETECTIONApril 2024May 2025Allow1331YesYes
18647418FENESTRATION UNIT WITH INTERIOR INSTALLATION FEATURES AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS AND METHODSApril 2024October 2024Allow510YesNo
18631475MOISTURE BARRIER SYSTEMApril 2024June 2025Allow1520NoNo
18625516PERIMETER BARRIER FOR A BUILDING STRUCTUREApril 2024November 2024Allow710NoNo
18592232Window Well SystemsFebruary 2024February 2026Allow2410NoNo
18441233ROOF TILE AND A ROOF COVERINGFebruary 2024March 2025Abandon1310NoNo
18437684CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEMFebruary 2024December 2024Allow1110NoNo
18434852REINFORCED CONCRETE COMPOSITE BEAM STRUCTURE BASED ON PRECAST CONCRETE BEAM-SLAB INTEGRATED UNITS AND CONSTRUCTION METHOD THEREOFFebruary 2024July 2024Allow510NoNo
18434631Foundation SystemsFebruary 2024March 2025Abandon1310NoNo
18294152FABRICATED LEVELING COMPOSITE RADIATION ENERGY-SAVING CONCRETE WALL AND CONSTRUCTION METHOD THEREFORJanuary 2024July 2025Allow1810NoNo
18413166PRECURSORS FOR IMPALING CLIPS AND IMPALING CLIPS FORMED THEREFROM FOR MOUNTING ACOUSTIC PANELS ONTO STRUCTURAL COMPONENTSJanuary 2024August 2025Allow1940NoNo
18571657GLASS PRODUCTDecember 2023March 2026Abandon2710NoNo
18543901SOFFIT VENTDecember 2023March 2026Abandon2730NoNo
18527178DOOR FOR MOUNTING A REMOVABLE ELECTRONIC DISPLAYDecember 2023August 2025Allow2140NoNo
18519401TRACK SYSTEM FOR DOUBLE BUTT JOINT GLASS T-CONNECTIONSNovember 2023March 2025Allow1620YesNo
18520333HANGER FOR FIRE SEPARATION WALLNovember 2023January 2024Allow210NoNo
18518287FIRE-RATED JOINT COMPONENT AND WALL ASSEMBLYNovember 2023April 2025Allow1720NoNo
18497231CHILD SAFETY SEATOctober 2023September 2024Allow1010NoNo
18382534VENDING MACHINE SHIPPING CONTAINER WITH INTEGRATED ADVERTISING SCREENS POWERED BY SOLAR PANELSOctober 2023February 2026Abandon2810NoNo
18492460HANGER FOR FIRE SEPARATION WALLOctober 2023August 2024Allow1010YesNo
18487845ZERO-TURN-RADIUS RIDING MOWER ADJUSTABLE ARM SUPPORT SYSTEMOctober 2023January 2025Allow1520YesNo
18555064A VENTILATED FACADE CLADDING SYSTEMOctober 2023March 2026Allow2910NoNo
18486015BASE CORNER MOLDING GUIDE SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USEOctober 2023January 2026Abandon2701NoNo
18377480PERIMETER BARRIER FOR A BUILDING STRUCTUREOctober 2023February 2024Allow411NoNo
18481297FIBERGLASS INSULATION PRODUCTOctober 2023March 2025Allow1730NoNo
18478189FENESTRATION UNIT WITH INTERIOR INSTALLATION FEATURES AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS AND METHODSSeptember 2023January 2024Allow410NoNo
18464787Dynamic, fire-resistance-rated thermally insulating and sealing system for use with curtain wall structuresSeptember 2023November 2023Allow220NoNo
18463600Mounting Structure of Seat for All Terrain VehicleSeptember 2023February 2026Allow2910NoNo
18242850CEILING SYSTEMSeptember 2023February 2025Allow1730YesNo
18459980INTERIOR BUILDING MATERIALSSeptember 2023June 2025Allow2100YesNo
18241446WALL OR FLOOR COVERING ELEMENTSeptember 2023July 2024Allow1010NoNo
18234179HIGH STRENGTH, LOW DENSITY COLUMNAR STRUSTUREAugust 2023February 2025Allow1820NoNo
18232156SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PREVENTING ACCESS TO STEPS IN RETRACTED BLEACHERSAugust 2023April 2025Allow2020YesNo
18365372SHINGLES WITH A THICK APPEARANCEAugust 2023September 2024Abandon1310NoNo
18325487RECLINER FOR VEHICLE SEATMay 2023April 2025Allow2310NoNo
18324766Dynamic, fire-resistance-rated thermally insulating and sealing system for use with curtain wall structuresMay 2023May 2024Allow1210NoNo
18317828ONE-DIRECTIONAL EXPANSION HOUSE STRUCTUREMay 2023February 2026Allow3310NoNo
18315975MOUNTING APPARATUS FOR PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULESMay 2023December 2024Allow1930YesNo
18195273MOUNTING DEVICE FOR NAIL STRIP PANELSMay 2023January 2025Allow2130NoNo
18252255CLAMPED GLAZED UNIT AND PERIPHERAL SEAL THEREOF WITH A SHAPE THAT LIMITS THE PERIPHERAL SLIDING OF THE GLAZED UNIT SO AS TO GUARANTEE THAT IT DOES NOT COME LOOSE FROM ITS MOUNTING STRUCTUREMay 2023October 2025Allow3010YesNo
18313575Decorative Container DeviceMay 2023November 2025Abandon3001NoNo
18307273WALL PANEL MODULE COMPRISING DUAL GASKET ASSEMBLYApril 2023May 2025Allow2510NoNo
18307240WATER DRAINAGE DUCT FOR DUAL GASKET ASSEMBLYApril 2023July 2025Allow2610NoNo
18129681PRE-ASSEMBLED INTERNAL FRAME FOR MODULAR WALL SECTIONMarch 2023May 2025Allow2610NoNo
18128043THRESHOLD SYSTEM WITH AN INSULATED THERMAL BREAK DEVICE AND RELATED METHODSMarch 2023December 2023Allow810YesNo
18127617CONNECTING MEMBERS AND SYSTEM FOR MODULAR WALL JUNCTIONSMarch 2023December 2025Allow3310NoNo
18185742ROOFING SYSTEMS UTILIZING CAP SHINGLES WITH SELF-SEALING ADHESIVESMarch 2023February 2024Allow1111YesNo
18024842POST-TENSIONED CONCRETE WITH FIBERS FOR SLABS ON SUPPORTSMarch 2023January 2026Allow3420NoNo
18115187BASEBOARD CORNERFebruary 2023November 2025Abandon3310NoNo
18023275LAMELLA WALL SYSTEMFebruary 2023June 2025Allow2720YesNo
18113789Profile arrangement for setting up exhibition stands or shop fittingsFebruary 2023October 2025Allow3210NoNo
18112843METHOD OF CONSTRUCTING A FIRE-RESISTIVE WALL ASSEMBLYFebruary 2023August 2023Allow600YesNo
18020619REFRIGERATOR DOOR WITH REPLACEABLE DOOR SURFACEFebruary 2023June 2025Allow2910NoNo
18106690PRECURSORS FOR IMPALING CLIPS AND IMPALING CLIPS FORMED THEREFROM FOR MOUNTING ACOUSTIC PANELS ONTO STRUCTURAL COMPONENTSFebruary 2023November 2023Allow930NoNo
18006795EAVES GUTTERJanuary 2023December 2024Allow2310NoNo
18017202SUPPORTING STRUCTURE FOR SUPPORTING SOLAR MODULES AND CEILING ELEMENTSJanuary 2023August 2025Allow3000NoNo
18154336CONCRETE EXPANSION JOINT INSERT INCLUDING A REMOVABLE PORTIONJanuary 2023November 2025Allow3431NoNo
18152755PANEL FASTENING DEVICES, SYSTEMS AND RELATED METHODSJanuary 2023March 2026Allow3811NoNo
18152471SEATING ARRANGEMENTJanuary 2023September 2025Allow3250YesNo
18004277ADHESIVE APPLICATION SYSTEMJanuary 2023April 2025Allow2820YesNo
18013226REFRIGERATOR DOOR WITH REPLACEABLE DOOR PANELDecember 2022July 2025Allow3010NoNo
18012957DIAGONAL BEAM JOINING HARDWARE AND BEAM CONNECTING STRUCTUREDecember 2022November 2025Allow3530NoNo
18011979COMPOSITE SLIDING BLOCK FOR FRICTIONAL-TYPE SEISMIC ISOLATORS AND SEISMIC ISOLATORS WITH SAID COMPOSITE SLIDING BLOCKDecember 2022March 2025Allow2721NoNo
18000552Modular element system for the installation of concrete raised floors and related processDecember 2022September 2024Abandon2210NoNo
18060703STRUCTURAL FUSES CONFIGURED TO YIELD IN TENSION AND COMPRESSION AND STRUCTURES INCLUDING THE SAMEDecember 2022May 2025Allow3011YesNo
17928057GRADIENT INSULATION SCREW WITH RIGHT-HANDED ROTATION DRILLING TIP AND LEFT-RIGHT THREAD FOR ADJUSTABLE FASTENING OF A ROOFING MEMBRANE ON A STEEL SHEETNovember 2022September 2025Abandon3320NoNo
18058731Rail-Less Solar Panel Devices and System for Roofs and the Like and Methods for Mounting SameNovember 2022May 2025Allow2911YesNo
17988200PORTABLE BLEACHER CHAIRNovember 2022April 2023Allow510NoNo
17987845Drainage FlashingNovember 2022September 2025Abandon3401NoNo
17985651CEILING FRAME MOUNTING ASSEMBLYNovember 2022October 2025Allow3511NoNo
17974319Concrete Sandwich Composite Structure With Ultra-High Performance Concrete Wrapped Steel TubeOctober 2022March 2025Abandon2810NoNo
17968240MULTI-ANCHOR CONCRETE POST-TENSIONING SYSTEMOctober 2022January 2024Allow1510NoNo
17960220LOCKING APPARATUS AND SYSTEMOctober 2022November 2025Allow3730YesNo
17915016COMBINATION RAINSCREEN/LATH ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF INSTALLING SAMESeptember 2022November 2024Allow2620NoNo
17951615WATERSHEDDING FEATURES FOR ROOFING SHINGLESSeptember 2022January 2024Allow1630NoNo
17950550TUBULAR SKYLIGHT ASSEMBLYSeptember 2022April 2024Allow1920NoNo
17906689SYSTEM FOR REVERSIBLY CONVERTING STADIUMS INTO MULTIFUNCTIONAL INFRASTRUCTURESeptember 2022October 2025Allow3730YesNo
17906510SYSTEM FOR ARCHITECTURAL MODULAR BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONSeptember 2022January 2026Allow4030NoNo
17941934MOUNTING APPARATUS FOR PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULESSeptember 2022February 2023Allow510NoNo
17905732CEILING TILE AND SUSPENDED CEILING SYSTEM COMPRISING SUCH A CEILING TILESeptember 2022July 2025Abandon3520NoNo
17929222SPACER FOR INTERCONNECTING ADJACENT ELONGATED MEMBERS, A METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME, AND A METHOD AND A USE OF SAID SPACERSeptember 2022November 2024Abandon2710NoNo
17802986PNEUMATIC TELESCOPIC COLUMN ASSEMBLYAugust 2022April 2024Allow2000NoNo
17897361COLLAPSIBLE ASSEMBLY AND A METHOD OF OPERATING THE SAMEAugust 2022August 2024Allow2300NoNo
17896360DOOR FOR MOUNTING A REMOVABLE ELECTRONIC DISPLAYAugust 2022November 2023Allow1520NoNo
17896001DOORFRAME FASTENING DEVICE AND METHOD OF USEAugust 2022July 2023Allow1100NoNo
17895450CONNECTION SYSTEMAugust 2022February 2025Allow3010NoNo
17893517WALL OR FLOOR COVERING ELEMENTAugust 2022June 2023Allow1020YesNo
17821128FIRE-RATED JOINT COMPONENT AND WALL ASSEMBLYAugust 2022May 2023Allow910NoNo
17886882Pressure Sensitive Adhesive Building Surface AccessoryAugust 2022April 2025Allow3211NoNo
17883884Adjustable Shim AssemblyAugust 2022October 2024Abandon2610NoNo
17881839THERMAL ISOLATORAugust 2022October 2023Allow1410NoNo
17817396CHILD SAFETY SEATAugust 2022July 2023Allow1220NoNo

Appeals Overview

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

Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) Decisions

Total PTAB Decisions
10
Examiner Affirmed
3
(30.0%)
Examiner Reversed
7
(70.0%)
Reversal Percentile
88.3%
Higher than average

What This Means

With a 70.0% 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
41
Allowed After Appeal Filing
14
(34.1%)
Not Allowed After Appeal Filing
27
(65.9%)
Filing Benefit Percentile
56.3%
Higher 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, 34.1% of applications that filed an appeal were subsequently allowed. This appeal filing benefit rate is above the USPTO average, suggesting that filing an appeal can be an effective strategy for prompting 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 is strategically valuable. The act of filing often prompts favorable reconsideration during the mandatory appeal conference.

Examiner FERENCE, JAMES M - Prosecution Strategy Guide

Executive Summary

Examiner FERENCE, JAMES M works in Art Unit 3635 and has examined 1,056 patent applications in our dataset. With an allowance rate of 68.9%, this examiner has a below-average tendency to allow applications. Applications typically reach final disposition in approximately 24 months.

Allowance Patterns

Examiner FERENCE, JAMES M's allowance rate of 68.9% places them in the 31% percentile among all USPTO examiners. This examiner has a below-average tendency to allow applications.

Office Action Patterns

On average, applications examined by FERENCE, JAMES M receive 1.95 office actions before reaching final disposition. This places the examiner in the 48% 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 FERENCE, JAMES M is 24 months. This places the examiner in the 84% percentile for prosecution speed. Applications move through prosecution relatively quickly with this examiner.

Interview Effectiveness

Conducting an examiner interview provides a +16.4% benefit to allowance rate for applications examined by FERENCE, JAMES M. This interview benefit is in the 57% percentile among all examiners. Recommendation: Interviews provide an above-average benefit with this examiner and are worth considering.

Request for Continued Examination (RCE) Effectiveness

When applicants file an RCE with this examiner, 27.4% of applications are subsequently allowed. This success rate is in the 48% percentile among all examiners. Strategic Insight: RCEs show below-average effectiveness with this examiner. Carefully evaluate whether an RCE or continuation is the better strategy.

After-Final Amendment Practice

This examiner enters after-final amendments leading to allowance in 37.7% of cases where such amendments are filed. This entry rate is in the 57% 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, 40.0% result in withdrawal of the rejection or reopening of prosecution. This success rate is in the 38% percentile among all examiners. Note: Pre-appeal conferences show below-average success with this examiner. Consider whether your arguments are strong enough to warrant a PAC request.

Appeal Withdrawal and Reconsideration

This examiner withdraws rejections or reopens prosecution in 74.4% of appeals filed. This is in the 63% percentile among all examiners. Of these withdrawals, 34.5% occur early in the appeal process (after Notice of Appeal but before Appeal Brief). Strategic Insight: This examiner shows above-average willingness to reconsider rejections during appeals. The mandatory appeal conference (MPEP § 1207.01) provides an opportunity for reconsideration.

Petition Practice

When applicants file petitions regarding this examiner's actions, 61.1% are granted (fully or in part). This grant rate is in the 65% percentile among all examiners. Strategic Note: Petitions show above-average success regarding this examiner's actions. Petitionable matters include restriction requirements (MPEP § 1002.02(c)(2)) and various procedural issues.

Examiner Cooperation and Flexibility

Examiner's Amendments: This examiner makes examiner's amendments in 3.4% of allowed cases (in the 81% 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 2.7% of allowed cases (in the 72% percentile). This examiner issues Quayle actions more often than average when claims are allowable but formal matters remain (MPEP § 714.14).

Prosecution Strategy Recommendations

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

  • 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.