USPTO Examiner RUFRANO ALEXANDER TYLER - Art Unit 3679

Recent Applications

Detailed information about the 100 most recent patent applications.

Application NumberTitleFiling DateDisposal DateDispositionTime (months)Office ActionsRestrictionsInterviewAppeal
17256936EXPANSION AND MOVEMENT JOINTSDecember 2020August 2023Allow3130YesNo
17247804SEAL RING AND HOSE CONNECTOR ASSEMBLYDecember 2020November 2022Allow2210NoNo
17119654CONNECTING ASSEMBLY FOR CONNECTING HOSE SEGMENTS TOGETHER, AND MAPLE TREE SAP HARVESTING SYSTEM PROVIDED WITH THE SAMEDecember 2020March 2025Allow5150YesNo
17112999RELEASING DEVICE FOR DISCONNECTING A PIPE OFF OF A FITTING BODYDecember 2020March 2023Abandon2711NoNo
17112109HVAC DUCT CONNECTION SYSTEM AND FLANGEDecember 2020July 2023Allow3110NoNo
17247256Fluid conduits with selectively coated surfacesDecember 2020August 2023Allow3330YesNo
17054678TUBULAR THREADED CONNECTIONNovember 2020July 2023Allow3211NoNo
17083363CONNECTIONS OF LINED PIPEOctober 2020March 2023Allow2930NoNo
17081055SERVICE TUBE ASSEMBLY FOR A GAS TURBINE ENGINEOctober 2020June 2024Allow4441NoNo
17079762PIPE COUPLEROctober 2020January 2023Allow2620YesNo
17049131PIPE CONNECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING A PIPE CONNECTIONOctober 2020January 2023Allow2720NoNo
17047538Grease Gun CouplerOctober 2020October 2022Abandon2410NoNo
17044896TELESCOPIC JOINTOctober 2020March 2024Allow4140YesYes
17022052QUICK CONNECTOR FOR PLASTIC PIPESeptember 2020October 2022Abandon2501NoNo
17002447HYDROGEN SUPPLY APPARATUS AND SEALING DEVICE USED FOR SAMEAugust 2020January 2024Abandon4020NoNo
16998869CONNECTOR HAVING A PILOT WITH AN INDICATORAugust 2020July 2023Allow3520NoNo
16961204PLUG CONNECTION BETWEEN TWO TUBULAR WORKPIECES MADE OF CONCRETE, EACH WORKPIECE HAVING AN INNER LINER MADE OF PLASTICJuly 2020June 2023Allow3630YesNo
16919192FITTING SECURING DEVICE FOR HYDRAULIC HOSE COUPLINGS, CONSTRUCTION MACHINE, AND METHODJuly 2020August 2023Abandon3821NoNo
16902295SEAL AND INSULATOR FOR PIPE HAVING AN INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONDUCTORJune 2020October 2022Allow2820NoNo
16898135FLUID-BEARING PIPE FITTINGS ENHANCING FLUID DELIVERY SYSTEM PERFORMANCEJune 2020September 2024Abandon5130YesNo
15930347TELESCOPIC TUBE AND METHOD FOR THE MANUFACTURE THEREOFMay 2020December 2023Abandon4331YesNo
16865228SEISMIC PIPE JOINTMay 2020November 2024Allow5451YesNo
16755247ConnectorApril 2020April 2022Abandon2410NoNo
16813592NON-METALLIC FLUID COUPLINGMarch 2020January 2023Allow3430NoNo
16644072PIPELINE SYSTEM OF PIPE SECTIONS WITH PRE-ASSEMBLED INSULATING WELD BACKING RINGS AND METHOD OF MAKING SAMEMarch 2020January 2025Allow5921YesNo
16641266Connecting device and gas hobFebruary 2020October 2023Abandon4431NoNo
16794969TUBE FITTING AND TUBE EQUIPPED WITH TUBE FITTINGFebruary 2020August 2023Allow4231YesNo
16780407Adjustable Pipe Spool and Connection MethodsFebruary 2020March 2022Abandon2510NoNo
16752938OFFSET-ALIGNMENT PIVOTABLE COUPLER FITTINGS FOR SEALABLY INTERCONNECTING HIGH-PRESSURE LINESJanuary 2020December 2023Abandon4631NoNo
16747176Vacuum Manifold AssemblyJanuary 2020November 2023Abandon4630NoNo
16630278SCREW ELEMENT FOR CONNECTING PIPES AND A PIPE CONNECTING DEVICEJanuary 2020March 2022Abandon2610NoNo
16738365ASSEMBLY OF A COUPLING AND A STIFF TUBE AND METHOD THEREFOREJanuary 2020October 2021Allow2110NoNo
16711517DUAL METAL ADAPTERDecember 2019February 2023Allow3820NoNo
16618668VACUUM JOINT AND VACUUM UTILIZATION DEVICE INCLUDING THE SAMEDecember 2019September 2022Abandon3410NoNo
16683010BLIND MATE FLUID CONNECTORNovember 2019May 2023Allow4240YesNo
16612331FLUID LINE COUPLINGNovember 2019September 2022Abandon3410NoNo
16678109QUICK-INSERTION COUPLING JOINTNovember 2019October 2023Abandon4840NoNo
16674427LOCKING CONNECTORNovember 2019January 2022Allow2600NoNo
16608918SEALING COUPLING BETWEEN AT LEAST TWO PIPES OF AN ELECTROLYSIS SYSTEM THAT CAN BE MOUNTED ON ONE ANOTHER, AND USE THEREOFOctober 2019November 2023Abandon4940YesNo
16665009Mechanically Locking End Screw ArrangementsOctober 2019July 2022Allow3311NoNo
16608402FITTING ASSEMBLY FOR FLUID DEVICEOctober 2019December 2023Allow5051YesNo
16660951EXTENDED RANGE ENCAPSULATION SHELLOctober 2019October 2022Allow3620NoNo
16605896Dual-Fuel Multi-Port ConnectorOctober 2019August 2022Allow3431YesNo
16601760DUAL WALLED TUBE FLEXIBLE JOINT SEAL SYSTEMS AND METHODSOctober 2019February 2023Allow4020YesNo
16600991FIREFIGHTING REDUCER STRUCTUREOctober 2019December 2022Abandon3901NoNo
16596895BEARING ARRANGEMENT FOR FIREFIGHTING MONITOROctober 2019December 2024Abandon6041YesNo
16574993PIPE COUPLER HAVING FUNCTION OF COVERING PIPESeptember 2019August 2021Allow2310NoNo
16568733TELESCOPIC WATER PIPESeptember 2019May 2024Allow5641NoNo
16485905UNBONDED FLEXIBLE PIPE AND AN END-FITTINGAugust 2019January 2022Allow2910NoNo
16481062CONNECTING DEVICEJuly 2019February 2022Abandon3111NoNo
16502894Connection Tube for Hydraulic CylinderJuly 2019September 2022Abandon3920NoNo
16454728Condensate Drain Pipe ApparatusJune 2019December 2022Abandon4220NoNo
16442541Gimbal Joints for Bleed Air SystemsJune 2019August 2022Allow3811NoNo
16437395Quick Connector Assembly for Connecting HoseJune 2019November 2021Abandon3010NoNo
16466900PIPE CONNECTION COMPENSATION DEVICE BY MAGNETIC FLUID SEALINGJune 2019September 2021Allow2700NoNo
16462750Plug ConnectorMay 2019December 2021Abandon3110NoNo
16415546Coupling Device for Media-Conducting LinesMay 2019April 2023Allow4731NoNo
16346520WATER CONNECTION DEVICEApril 2019May 2022Abandon3620NoNo
16390488SLIDING HIGH PRESSURE PIPE CONNECTIONApril 2019September 2022Abandon4121NoNo
16381640SUPPORT RING FOR TUBULAR PRESS CONNECTIONS AND FITTINGSApril 2019June 2022Allow3831YesNo
16374834Pipe arrangement of a Pipeline System of a Fire Extinguishing System, Pipe Connector for such Arrangement, and Method for Producing such a Pipe ArrangementApril 2019January 2023Abandon4511NoNo
16338918ELBOW AND PIPEApril 2019August 2021Allow2810NoNo
16362646IRRIGATION BAYONET RISER PIPE AND RISER PIPE RECEIVING BASE ASSEMBLYMarch 2019November 2022Abandon4421YesNo
16288743CAM CLAMPFebruary 2019March 2022Allow3620YesNo
16287011CONNECTING STRUCTUREFebruary 2019February 2022Abandon3620NoNo
16281641DIELECTRIC FITTINGFebruary 2019November 2021Allow3220YesNo
16282150CONNECTING DUCTSFebruary 2019October 2021Abandon3210NoNo
16281306Safety System for High Pressure ConduitsFebruary 2019October 2023Abandon5631NoNo
16324238Hybrid Fitting for Connecting to an End of a PipeFebruary 2019October 2021Abandon3310NoNo
16268482Pipe ClampFebruary 2019August 2021Abandon3110NoNo
16321166PIPE JOINTJanuary 2019September 2021Abandon3110YesNo
16250655FAST CONNECTION SPRING ACTIVATED LOCKING FLUID COUPLER FITTINGJanuary 2019August 2021Abandon3110NoNo
16248203HOT-PLATE-WELDED WATER PIPEJanuary 2019August 2021Abandon3110NoNo
16232850Protective Brace for ConduitDecember 2018August 2021Abandon3110YesNo
16228074CONDUITS FOR TRANSPORTING FLUIDS AND METHODS OF FABRICATING THE SAMEDecember 2018April 2024Abandon6011NoNo
16211895CONNECTOR FOR CONNECTION BETWEEN TWO FLUID-CONVEYING ELEMENTSDecember 2018January 2022Allow3730NoNo
16205209Oxygen Supply Tubing Connector with Reverse Directional CouplingNovember 2018August 2021Abandon3311NoNo
16199669Securing DeviceNovember 2018July 2021Allow3111NoNo
16303377SEALING SLEEVE FOR PIPE OFFSETSNovember 2018February 2022Allow3921YesNo
16301135HALF-RING SEGMENT, CONNECTION CLAMP, AND CONNECTION DEVICENovember 2018June 2022Allow4331NoNo
16091710DEVICE FOR AXIALLY CONNECTING TWO PIPE ELEMENTSNovember 2018August 2022Allow4630YesNo
16175081FITTING DEVICE FOR MAKING CONNECTION TUBEOctober 2018March 2023Allow5260NoNo
16146204PIPE COUPLINGSeptember 2018June 2022Allow4440NoNo
16089952CONNECTION DEVICESeptember 2018August 2021Allow3410NoNo

Appeals Overview

This analysis examines appeal outcomes and the strategic value of filing appeals for examiner RUFRANO, ALEXANDER TYLER.

Strategic Value of Filing an Appeal

Total Appeal Filings
1
Allowed After Appeal Filing
1
(100.0%)
Not Allowed After Appeal Filing
0
(0.0%)
Filing Benefit Percentile
99.3%
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, 100.0% 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

Filing a Notice of Appeal is strategically valuable. The act of filing often prompts favorable reconsideration during the mandatory appeal conference.

Examiner RUFRANO, ALEXANDER TYLER - Prosecution Strategy Guide

Executive Summary

Examiner RUFRANO, ALEXANDER TYLER works in Art Unit 3679 and has examined 84 patent applications in our dataset. With an allowance rate of 53.6%, this examiner allows applications at a lower rate than most examiners at the USPTO. Applications typically reach final disposition in approximately 36 months.

Allowance Patterns

Examiner RUFRANO, ALEXANDER TYLER's allowance rate of 53.6% places them in the 16% percentile among all USPTO examiners. This examiner is less likely to allow applications than most examiners at the USPTO.

Office Action Patterns

On average, applications examined by RUFRANO, ALEXANDER TYLER receive 2.10 office actions before reaching final disposition. This places the examiner in the 52% percentile for office actions issued. This examiner issues a slightly above-average number of office actions.

Prosecution Timeline

The median time to disposition (half-life) for applications examined by RUFRANO, ALEXANDER TYLER is 36 months. This places the examiner in the 37% percentile for prosecution speed. Prosecution timelines are slightly slower than average with this examiner.

Interview Effectiveness

Conducting an examiner interview provides a +26.2% benefit to allowance rate for applications examined by RUFRANO, ALEXANDER TYLER. This interview benefit is in the 72% 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, 29.4% of applications are subsequently allowed. This success rate is in the 59% percentile among all examiners. Strategic Insight: RCEs show above-average effectiveness with this examiner. Consider whether your amendments or new arguments are strong enough to warrant an RCE versus filing a continuation.

After-Final Amendment Practice

This examiner enters after-final amendments leading to allowance in 30.4% of cases where such amendments are filed. This entry rate is in the 46% percentile among all examiners. Strategic Recommendation: This examiner shows below-average receptiveness to after-final amendments. You may need to file an RCE or appeal rather than relying on after-final amendment entry.

Appeal Withdrawal and Reconsideration

This examiner withdraws rejections or reopens prosecution in 100.0% of appeals filed. This is in the 98% percentile among all examiners. Of these withdrawals, 100.0% 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, 0.0% are granted (fully or in part). This grant rate is in the 6% 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 0.0% of allowed cases (in the 38% percentile). This examiner makes examiner's amendments less often than average. You may need to make most claim amendments yourself.

Quayle Actions: This examiner issues Ex Parte Quayle actions in 22.2% of allowed cases (in the 95% 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:

  • Prepare for rigorous examination: With a below-average allowance rate, ensure your application has strong written description and enablement support. Consider filing a continuation if you need to add new matter.
  • 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.

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.