USPTO Examiner KNIGHT DEREK DOUGLAS - Art Unit 3655

Recent Applications

Detailed information about the 100 most recent patent applications.

Application NumberTitleFiling DateDisposal DateDispositionTime (months)Office ActionsRestrictionsInterviewAppeal
18967846GEAR DEVICE AND ACTUATORDecember 2024March 2025Allow400NoNo
18818804EPICYCLIC GEAR TRAINAugust 2024May 2025Allow910NoNo
18766608Reduced Vibration, Shift Compensating, Continuously Variable TransmissionJuly 2024November 2024Allow400NoNo
18726232LUBRICATION SYSTEM AND PLANETARY GEAR MECHANISMJuly 2024June 2025Allow1110NoNo
18724332ELECTRIC DRIVE DEVICE FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE, IN PARTICULAR FOR A MOTOR CARJune 2024January 2025Allow700NoNo
18742511DRIVE TRANSMISSION DEVICE AND CONSTRUCTION MACHINEJune 2024June 2025Abandon1210NoNo
18718954ELECTRIC DRIVE SYSTEM FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE WITH TWO ELECTRIC MOTORS AND A SWITCHABLE TORQUE VECTORING FUNCTIONJune 2024January 2025Allow700NoNo
18666722MULTI-SPEED TRANSMISSION FOR A VEHICLE, A VEHICLE, AND A METHOD FOR OPERATING A MULTI-SPEED TRANSMISSIONMay 2024October 2024Allow500NoNo
18682584Gear Set Assembly and Bicycle Gearing SystemMay 2024January 2025Allow1100NoNo
18607539PLANETARY GEAR REDUCTION MECHANISMMarch 2024September 2024Allow610NoNo
18593950SPEED REDUCTION MECHANISMMarch 2024October 2024Allow710NoNo
18587357POWERTRAIN FOR A VEHICLEFebruary 2024October 2024Allow710NoNo
18583078WASHING MACHINE DRIVING SYSTEM AND A WASHING MACHINE WITH THE SAMEFebruary 2024August 2024Allow600NoNo
18434960TRANSMISSION SUMP ARRANGEMENTFebruary 2024August 2024Allow600NoNo
18427247DRIVELINE FOR ELECTRIFIED VEHICLEJanuary 2024July 2024Allow610NoNo
18292624SPEED REDUCERJanuary 2024December 2024Allow1010NoNo
18573064POWER TRANSMISSION DEVICEDecember 2023October 2024Allow910NoNo
18540376METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR A TWO SPEED POWERSHIFTING TRANSMISSIONDecember 2023January 2025Allow1310NoNo
18536665DUAL-MOTOR MULTI-GEAR HYBRID TRANSMISSION SYSTEM AND VEHICLEDecember 2023July 2024Allow810NoNo
18532222ELECTROMECHANICALLY CONTROLLED AIRCRAFT POWER TRANSMISSION SYSTEMDecember 2023August 2024Allow810NoNo
18530401CLUTCH ACTUATORDecember 2023December 2024Abandon1210NoNo
18388772MULTI-SPEED TURBINE REDUCTION GEARBOX SYSTEM AND METHODNovember 2023January 2025Allow1410NoNo
18493427VEHICLE CONTROL DEVICEOctober 2023August 2024Allow1000NoNo
18287353HYBRID TRANSMISSION, AND DRIVE TRAIN HAVING A HYBRID TRANSMISSIONOctober 2023October 2024Allow1110NoNo
18481738ELECTROMECHANICAL AIRCRAFT SPOILEROctober 2023November 2024Allow1400NoNo
18284301CLUTCH CONTROL DEVICESeptember 2023August 2024Allow1100NoNo
18551029PLANETARY GEAR FOR A TRANSMISSION FOR AN AIRCRAFT CAPABLE OF HOVERINGSeptember 2023June 2025Allow2110NoNo
18550169DRIVE POWER TRANSMITTING MECHANISMSeptember 2023February 2025Allow1720NoNo
18463836PLAIN BEARING FOR AN AIRCRAFT TURBOMACHINE MECHANICAL REDUCERSeptember 2023July 2024Allow1010NoNo
18461740PLANET CARRIER FOR A SPEED REDUCER ON AN AIRCRAFT TURBOMACHINESeptember 2023August 2024Allow1110NoNo
18459986OIL DILUTION INHIBITING APPARATUSSeptember 2023September 2024Allow1310NoNo
18240540MOTOR VEHICLE TRANSMISSION FOR AN AT LEAST PARTIALLY ELECTRICALLY DRIVEN MOTOR VEHICLEAugust 2023June 2024Allow1000NoNo
18239314GEARBOXES FOR AIRCRAFT GAS TURBINE ENGINESAugust 2023April 2025Allow1900NoNo
18324761MODULAR POWER TAKE-OFF ON ELECTRIFIED TRANSMISSIONMay 2023August 2024Allow1510NoNo
18196407Internal-Meshing Planetary Gear DeviceMay 2023April 2025Allow2300NoNo
18313985ELECTRONIC GEAR-SHIFTING SYSTEM WITH SOUND EFFECTS AND DISPLAYMay 2023January 2025Allow2010NoNo
18307396GEAR TRANSMISSION DEVICEApril 2023December 2024Abandon1920NoNo
18305037Electric Powertrain and Method of OperationApril 2023July 2024Allow1500NoNo
18183688LUBRICATING OIL DEFLECTOR, SPEED REDUCTION GEAR INCLUDING SUCH A DEFLECTOR AND TURBOMACHINE INCLUDING SUCH A SPEED REDUCTION GEARMarch 2023July 2024Allow1620YesNo
18044718CONTROLLING APPARATUS FOR A POWERTRAIN OF AN ELECTRIC VEHICLEMarch 2023June 2024Allow1500NoNo
18113436DRONE PROPULSION SYSTEMFebruary 2023January 2025Allow2310NoNo
18166191DRIVE UNITFebruary 2023December 2024Abandon2220YesNo
18017708WHEEL HUB DRIVING SYSTEMJanuary 2023April 2025Allow2610NoNo
18012232CONTROL MECHANISM DEVELOPED FOR CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION (CVT)SYSTEMDecember 2022June 2024Allow1810NoNo
18065515CONJUGATE CAM REDUCERDecember 2022December 2024Abandon2430NoNo
17921170Coaxial electric drive axle and automobileOctober 2022April 2025Allow2920NoNo
17918167CRAWLER-TYPE WORK MACHINEOctober 2022June 2025Allow3210NoNo
17832899MECHANICAL PART FOR AN AIRCRAFT TURBOMACHINEJune 2022December 2024Allow3140YesNo
17805380MECHANICAL PART FOR AN AIRCRAFT TURBOMACHINE AND CORRESPONDING TURBOMACHINEJune 2022September 2024Allow2840YesNo
17687367SPEED REDUCERMarch 2022January 2025Abandon3410NoNo
14916919Continuously Variable TransmissionDecember 2019June 2019Allow3920NoNo
16208328POWER TRANSMISSION APPARATUS FOR A VEHICLEDecember 2018April 2020Allow1600NoNo
16162651TORQUE CONVERTER SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLEOctober 2018April 2020Allow1810NoNo
16149845VEHICLE, AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING VEHICLEOctober 2018January 2020Allow1610NoNo
16132072ENERGY RECOVERY SYSTEM AND METHOD OF POWER TRANSMISSIONSeptember 2018April 2020Allow1900NoNo
16054179ALUMINUM CLUTCH COMPONENTS WITH FERROUS SURFACEAugust 2018March 2020Allow2000NoNo
15997210VEHICLE DIFFERENTIAL DEVICEJune 2018October 2019Allow1600NoNo
15776450Gear Mechanism for a Motor Vehicle, and Drive Train for a Motor Vehicle Comprising Such a Gear MechanismMay 2018January 2020Allow2010NoNo
15545226CYLINDRICAL TRANSMISSIONOctober 2017January 2020Allow3010NoNo
15710079GEAR DEVICESeptember 2017October 2018Allow1300NoNo
15555035SENSOR DEVICE FOR SENSING A SELECTOR LEVER POSITION AND SELECTOR LEVER DEVICE FOR A MOTOR VEHICLEAugust 2017December 2018Allow1600NoNo
15466845GEARED CONTINUOULSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSIONMarch 2017October 2018Allow1800NoNo
15463591POWER TRANSMISSION SYSTEMMarch 2017April 2019Allow2510NoNo
15450637DEVICE AND METHOD FOR SYNCHRONIZING A FLYWHEEL WITH A DRIVETRAINMarch 2017January 2018Allow1110NoNo
15401249DOG CLUTCH AND DIFFERENTIAL GEARJanuary 2017October 2018Allow2110YesNo
15378529POWER TRANSMISSION UNITDecember 2016October 2017Allow1010NoNo
15375479CONTINOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSIONDecember 2016July 2017Allow700NoNo
15317729SELF GOVERNED GEAR BOXDecember 2016January 2018Allow1410NoNo
15314849TRACTION DRIVE SYNCHRONOUS GOVERNOR AND MULTI-AXIS DRIVE GEARBOX WITH THE SAMENovember 2016October 2017Allow1000NoNo
15296585VEHICLE CONTROL SYSTEMOctober 2016September 2018Allow2310NoNo
15292569DRIVE UNIT WITH LIMITED SLIP AND DRIVELINE DISCONNECT CAPABILITYOctober 2016January 2019Allow2810NoNo
15106349Transmission, Hybrid Drive Train, and Drive Train for an Electric VehicleJune 2016July 2017Allow1310NoNo
15101909CVT TRANSMISSIONJune 2016February 2019Allow3210NoNo
15171409PLANETARY GEAR TRAIN OF AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FOR VEHICLEJune 2016July 2017Allow1410NoNo
15160139FIXATION OF PLANETARY BEARINGSMay 2016August 2017Allow1510NoNo
15136059INTEGRATED VEHICLE CONTROL APPARATUS AND INTEGRATED CONTROL METHODApril 2016January 2017Allow910NoNo
15030309MULTI-SPEED TRANSMISSIONApril 2016May 2017Allow1310NoNo
15022609Torque Limiting SystemMarch 2016July 2018Allow2810NoNo
15053954ELECTRIC TRACTION DRIVESFebruary 2016October 2016Allow710NoNo
14912749CONTROL DEVICE AND CONTROL METHOD FOR CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSIONFebruary 2016November 2018Allow3310NoNo
14902259SPEED CHANGE DEVICEDecember 2015April 2017Allow1500NoNo
14845239GEAR REDUCTION DRIVESeptember 2015September 2016Allow1310NoNo
14770929MULTI-MODE CLUTCHES FOR FORWARD/REVERSE PLANETARY GEARSETAugust 2015July 2018Allow3510NoNo
14825227MODULAR HYBRID TRANSMISSION WITH A ONE WAY CLUTCHAugust 2015September 2018Allow3710NoNo
14759039WORK VEHICLE AND CONTROL METHOD FOR SAMEJuly 2015January 2016Allow600NoNo
14741909VEHICLE MULTISTAGE TRANSMISSIONJune 2015April 2016Allow1000NoNo
14730669HYBRID DRIVE CONFIGURATION FOR A MOTOR VEHICLEJune 2015April 2016Allow1000NoNo
14720069MULTI-STAGE TRANSMISSION FOR VEHICLEMay 2015April 2016Allow1100NoNo
14713259MULTI-STAGE TRANSMISSION FOR VEHICLEMay 2015April 2016Allow1100NoNo
14712569ALUMINUM CLUTCH COMPONENTS WITH FERROUS SURFACEMay 2015June 2018Allow3711NoNo
14702079ELECTRIC BIKE POWERTRAIN WITH COMPOUND PLANETARYMay 2015June 2017Allow2600NoNo
14436549Planetary Gear System for a Hybrid Drive of a Motor VehicleApril 2015October 2017Allow3010NoNo
14657449TRANSMISSION APPARATUSMarch 2015February 2016Allow1110NoNo
14427209CONTROL DEVICE FOR VEHICLE DRIVE DEVICEMarch 2015May 2016Allow1410NoNo
14426139BALL TYPE CVT WITH POWERSPLIT PATHSMarch 2015January 2016Allow1010NoNo
14424359DRIVE ARRANGEMENT FOR A HYBRID-DRIVE MOTOR VEHICLEFebruary 2015March 2016Allow1320YesNo
14614749POWER TRANSMISSION DEVICEFebruary 2015October 2015Allow800NoNo
14415239HYBRID VEHICLE DRIVE APPARATUSJanuary 2015April 2016Allow1500NoNo
14410729Multi-Speed GearboxDecember 2014October 2015Allow900NoNo
14529249Hydromechanical Transmission with Double Sump Gear Unit HousingOctober 2014August 2016Allow2100NoNo

Appeals Overview

This analysis examines appeal outcomes and the strategic value of filing appeals for examiner KNIGHT, DEREK DOUGLAS.

Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) Decisions

Total PTAB Decisions
5
Examiner Affirmed
2
(40.0%)
Examiner Reversed
3
(60.0%)
Reversal Percentile
83.8%
Higher than average

What This Means

With a 60.0% 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
10
Allowed After Appeal Filing
5
(50.0%)
Not Allowed After Appeal Filing
5
(50.0%)
Filing Benefit Percentile
81.1%
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, 50.0% of applications that filed an appeal were subsequently allowed. This appeal filing benefit rate is in the top 25% across the USPTO, indicating that filing appeals is particularly effective here. The act of filing often prompts favorable reconsideration during the mandatory appeal conference.

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 KNIGHT, DEREK DOUGLAS - Prosecution Strategy Guide

Executive Summary

Examiner KNIGHT, DEREK DOUGLAS works in Art Unit 3655 and has examined 416 patent applications in our dataset. With an allowance rate of 86.1%, this examiner has an above-average tendency to allow applications. Applications typically reach final disposition in approximately 30 months.

Allowance Patterns

Examiner KNIGHT, DEREK DOUGLAS's allowance rate of 86.1% places them in the 58% percentile among all USPTO examiners. This examiner has an above-average tendency to allow applications.

Office Action Patterns

On average, applications examined by KNIGHT, DEREK DOUGLAS receive 1.25 office actions before reaching final disposition. This places the examiner in the 23% percentile for office actions issued. This examiner issues significantly fewer office actions than most examiners.

Prosecution Timeline

The median time to disposition (half-life) for applications examined by KNIGHT, DEREK DOUGLAS is 30 months. This places the examiner in the 43% percentile for prosecution speed. Prosecution timelines are slightly slower than average with this examiner.

Interview Effectiveness

Conducting an examiner interview provides a -0.4% benefit to allowance rate for applications examined by KNIGHT, DEREK DOUGLAS. This interview benefit is in the 9% 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, 25.0% of applications are subsequently allowed. This success rate is in the 29% 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 50.9% of cases where such amendments are filed. This entry rate is in the 71% 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 17% 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 61.5% of appeals filed. This is in the 34% percentile among all examiners. Of these withdrawals, 12.5% occur early in the appeal process (after Notice of Appeal but before Appeal Brief). Strategic Insight: This examiner shows below-average willingness to reconsider rejections during appeals. Be prepared to fully prosecute appeals if filed.

Petition Practice

When applicants file petitions regarding this examiner's actions, 34.3% are granted (fully or in part). This grant rate is in the 29% percentile among all examiners. Strategic Note: Petitions show below-average success regarding this examiner's actions. Ensure you have a strong procedural basis before filing.

Examiner Cooperation and Flexibility

Examiner's Amendments: This examiner makes examiner's amendments in 7.7% of allowed cases (in the 94% 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 3.4% of allowed cases (in the 73% 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.