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
18971620PIPE JOINTDecember 2024January 2026Allow1310NoNo
18652047FLUID COUPLINGSMay 2024October 2025Allow1800NoNo
18440446UNIONS FOR JOINING FLUID CONDUITSFebruary 2024August 2025Allow1821YesNo
18424650WEIGHT-OPTIMIZED FLUID-BEARING PIPE FITTINGS ENHANCING FLUID DELIVERY SYSTEM PERFORMANCEJanuary 2024March 2026Abandon2510NoNo
18532902QUICK CONNECTION CLAMPING HOOPDecember 2023December 2024Allow1311NoNo
18560022A CLAMP AND A METHOD OF CLAMPING A PAIR OF FLANGESNovember 2023October 2025Allow2321NoNo
18446426MODULAR SEALED CONDUIT JOINING SYSTEMS AND METHODSAugust 2023May 2025Abandon2110NoNo
18228598HOOKED PIPE COUPLINGJuly 2023February 2026Allow3040NoNo
18358075THREAD CONNECTOR LOCKJuly 2023September 2025Allow2621NoNo
18262393TUBE CONNECTOR SYSTEMSJuly 2023January 2025Allow1810NoNo
18353194CORRUGATED PIPE MOUNTING ASSEMBLYJuly 2023October 2025Abandon2710NoNo
18353716MODULAR SEALED CONDUIT JOINING SYSTEMS AND METHODSJuly 2023May 2025Abandon2210NoNo
18258813PIPE JOINTJune 2023April 2025Abandon2211NoNo
18212387BREAKAWAY FLANGE COUPLING DEVICE AND METHOD OF USEJune 2023September 2025Abandon2720NoNo
18267573Plug Connector Comprising Verification ElementJune 2023December 2025Allow3040NoNo
18209826KNIFE-EDGE FLANGE JOINT ASSEMBLIESJune 2023January 2026Abandon3121NoNo
18257260ADDITIVE MANUFACTURED HYDRAULIC SWIVEL BOLT; AND METHODJune 2023August 2025Allow2621YesNo
18330906VACUUM INLET VALVE ASSEMBLY WITH SLIDING PINSJune 2023November 2024Allow1810NoNo
18202371Ducting Coupler and AssemblyMay 2023August 2025Allow2720NoNo
18321236Self Restraining Electrofusion FittingMay 2023March 2025Abandon2111NoNo
18253533CLAMP-TO-FASTLOCK CONVERTERMay 2023July 2025Allow2621YesNo
18319438SPLICE FOR JOINING EXPANDED TUBE TO UNEXPANDED TUBEMay 2023February 2025Abandon2101NoNo
18037192FLUID CONNECTION UNITMay 2023October 2025Allow2930NoNo
18032162COUPLER APPLIED TO GAS SUPPLY EQUIPMENT IN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING PROCESSApril 2023May 2025Abandon2511NoNo
18245622FLUID CONNECTOR INCLUDING A CONNECTION VERIFICATION CONTACTMarch 2023July 2025Allow2831YesNo
18117949MECHANICAL DISSUASION DEVICE FOR A FLUID ASSEMBLY JOINTMarch 2023July 2025Allow2821NoNo
18044161CONNECTION DEVICE BETWEEN A PIPE AND A BASEMarch 2023January 2025Abandon2301NoNo
18170173EXPANDABLE CONNECTION FOR EXPANDABLE TUBULARSFebruary 2023July 2025Abandon2931NoNo
18170186EXPANDABLE CONNECTION FOR EXPANDABLE TUBULARSFebruary 2023July 2025Abandon2931NoNo
17782411MULTIPART PIPE JOINTDecember 2022November 2024Allow2910NoNo
17952411DOUBLE-WALL HYDROGEN PIPELINE COMPRISING AT LEAST ONE SYSTEM FOR DETECTING A LEAK AT AT LEAST ONE COUPLING SYSTEM, AND AIRCRAFT COMPRISING AT LEAST ONE SUCH PIPELINESeptember 2022February 2025Allow2921NoNo
17933392SEALING OF CERAMIC TO METALLIC TUBES WITH DIFFERENT CTE FOR HIGH TEMPERATURE REACTORSSeptember 2022July 2025Allow3421YesNo
17944318CONNECTOR AND METHOD FOR CONNECTING COMPOSITE PIPELINESSeptember 2022August 2025Allow3521NoNo
17889073HOOKED PIPE COUPLING SEGMENTAugust 2022May 2023Allow910NoNo
17818902HIGH TORQUE THREADED CONNECTIONS WITH EXTERNAL UPSET AND MULTIPLE SEALSAugust 2022April 2025Allow3240NoNo
17816212EXPANDABLE PLENUM FLANGE AND METHOD OF USEJuly 2022February 2025Allow3111NoNo
17874193WATERWAY TRANSFERRING DEVICE AND WATER PURIFICATION FAUCETJuly 2022June 2025Allow3521YesNo
17785472LOW-PRESSURE TUBULAR SYSTEM COMPRISING EXPANSION JOINTSJune 2022January 2025Allow3140YesNo
17775715FLARE FITTING STRUCTURE AND FLARED TUBE MANUFACTURING METHODMay 2022June 2025Abandon3741YesNo
17709285MULTI PIPE CONNECTORMarch 2022June 2024Allow2710NoNo
17703058BULKHEAD FITTING ASSEMBLYMarch 2022December 2025Allow4521YesNo
17638170Connecting device, in particular for producing a fluid flow circuitFebruary 2022October 2025Allow4340YesNo
17632820PIPE BRANCH STRUCTUREFebruary 2022October 2025Abandon4440YesNo
17563842FLUID CONNECTOR WITH SLIDABLE MEMBERDecember 2021April 2024Allow2811NoNo
17563880FLUID CONNECTORDecember 2021April 2024Allow2811NoNo
17621077Pipe CouplingDecember 2021February 2026Allow5031YesNo
17534449PIPE JOINT INSERT DEVICE, PIPE JOINT ASSEMBLY, AND METHODS OF FORMING SAMENovember 2021December 2025Allow4931NoNo
17526856CONNECTOR HAVING A MATING HEADNovember 2021July 2023Allow2020NoNo
17610357PIPE COUPLINGNovember 2021August 2025Allow4550YesNo
17610441Pipeline Connecting Device, Pipeline Element Coupling Piece and Coupling Method ThereforNovember 2021November 2025Abandon4841NoNo
17609830COUPLING ASSEMBLY FOR CONNECTING PIPES, AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREFORNovember 2021October 2025Abandon4740NoNo
17453507CORRUGATED HOSE WITH BAYONET CONNECTORNovember 2021June 2023Allow2010NoNo
17518296Gimbal Joints for Bleed Air SystemsNovember 2021July 2024Allow3230NoNo
17516707PRESS-FITTING PIPE CONNECTOR WITH TOOTHED RINGNovember 2021December 2023Abandon2510NoNo
17510848Transition AdapterOctober 2021October 2025Abandon4861NoNo
17602518FLEXIBLY INSERTABLE PROFILED CLAMPOctober 2021December 2024Abandon3821NoNo
17469865CONNECTION DEVICESeptember 2021February 2023Allow1710NoNo
17464362WALL PORTAL AND CONDUIT ASSEMBLYSeptember 2021January 2024Abandon2820NoNo
17461201CRYOGENIC PROBE INLET COUPLINGAugust 2021February 2025Abandon4230NoNo
17412921FLUID COUPLINGSAugust 2021January 2024Allow2901NoNo
17385756COUPLER HAVING PROTECTIVE BUMPERS AND BANDSJuly 2021March 2024Abandon3130NoNo
17359576WELDLESS BULKHEAD SEALJune 2021March 2023Abandon2110NoNo
17330527CONNECTOR FOR MAINLINE PIPE AND OUTLET PIPEMay 2021August 2025Allow5150YesNo
17317492QUICK CONNECTION CLAMPING HOOPMay 2021October 2025Abandon5341NoNo
17313061Waste Pipe Fitting AssemblyMay 2021November 2023Abandon3020NoNo
17308328PIPE COUPLING AND USE THEREOFMay 2021January 2023Abandon2110NoNo
17238803FLUID FITTING COMPRISING DUPLEX STAINLESS STEELApril 2021December 2025Abandon5660YesYes
17226087PIPE ASSEMBLY HAVING AN ANGLED PLATE AND FABRICATION METHODSApril 2021August 2023Allow2930NoNo
17220044Vent Pipe Seal FittingApril 2021February 2025Abandon4640NoNo
17213843OIL WELL PIPE CONNECTION STRUCTURE AND OIL WELL PIPEMarch 2021April 2025Abandon4941NoNo
17172197VACUUM INLET VALVE ASSEMBLY WITH SLIDING PINSFebruary 2021April 2023Allow2610NoNo
17169174DUCT CONNECTOR ASSEMBLYFebruary 2021October 2024Abandon4531YesNo
17160024Slip-On Splice-Filter CageJanuary 2021March 2025Abandon5060NoNo
17159890SYSTEM FOR CONNECTING TUBINGJanuary 2021December 2022Abandon2310NoNo
17158075Ducting AdapterJanuary 2021April 2023Allow2721YesNo
17148520POLYMER PIPE, A PIPE JOINT INSERT DEVICE, A PIPE JOINT ASSEMBLY, AND METHODS OF FORMING SAMEJanuary 2021September 2025Allow5651NoNo
17256936EXPANSION AND MOVEMENT JOINTSDecember 2020August 2023Allow3130YesNo
17247804SEAL RING AND HOSE CONNECTOR ASSEMBLYDecember 2020November 2022Allow2210NoNo
17254431Connection arrangement for forming a fluidic connectionDecember 2020January 2026Abandon6061YesNo
17119654CONNECTING ASSEMBLY FOR CONNECTING HOSE SEGMENTS TOGETHER, AND MAPLE TREE SAP HARVESTING SYSTEM PROVIDED WITH THE SAMEDecember 2020March 2025Allow5150YesNo
17117812GIMBALS AND THEIR MANUFACTUREDecember 2020March 2026Allow6051YesYes
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

Appeals Overview

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

Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) Decisions

Total PTAB Decisions
1
Examiner Affirmed
0
(0.0%)
Examiner Reversed
1
(100.0%)
Reversal Percentile
98.5%
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
4
Allowed After Appeal Filing
2
(50.0%)
Not Allowed After Appeal Filing
2
(50.0%)
Filing Benefit Percentile
83.0%
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 RUFRANO, ALEXANDER TYLER - Prosecution Strategy Guide

Executive Summary

Examiner RUFRANO, ALEXANDER TYLER works in Art Unit 3679 and has examined 121 patent applications in our dataset. With an allowance rate of 50.4%, 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 50.4% places them in the 13% 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 2.36 office actions before reaching final disposition. This places the examiner in the 67% 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 +26.5% benefit to allowance rate for applications examined by RUFRANO, ALEXANDER TYLER. This interview benefit is in the 73% 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, 22.6% 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 25.9% of cases where such amendments are filed. This entry rate is in the 36% 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.

Pre-Appeal Conference Effectiveness

When applicants request a pre-appeal conference (PAC) with this examiner, 200.0% result in withdrawal of the rejection or reopening of prosecution. This success rate is in the 98% percentile among all examiners. Strategic Recommendation: Pre-appeal conferences are highly effective with this examiner compared to others. Before filing a full appeal brief, strongly consider requesting a PAC. The PAC provides an opportunity for the examiner and supervisory personnel to reconsider the rejection before the case proceeds to the PTAB.

Appeal Withdrawal and Reconsideration

This examiner withdraws rejections or reopens prosecution in 75.0% of appeals filed. This is in the 66% percentile among all examiners. Of these withdrawals, 66.7% 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, 66.7% are granted (fully or in part). This grant rate is in the 74% 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 0.0% of allowed cases (in the 39% 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 19.7% of allowed cases (in the 93% 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.
  • Request pre-appeal conferences: PACs are highly effective with this examiner. Before filing a full appeal brief, request a PAC to potentially resolve issues without full PTAB review.

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.