USPTO Examiner THOMAS DAVID B - Art Unit 3723

Recent Applications

Detailed information about the 100 most recent patent applications.

Application NumberTitleFiling DateDisposal DateDispositionTime (months)Office ActionsRestrictionsInterviewAppeal
19238216TORQUE DRIVERJune 2025August 2025Allow210NoNo
19210650TORQUE TOOLMay 2025November 2025Allow610NoNo
19079788SCREWDRIVER WITH A TOOL GRIPPING FLANGEMarch 2025April 2025Allow100NoNo
19009461OFFSET VISE TOOLJanuary 2025August 2025Allow710NoNo
18950902SOCKET WRENCH EXTENSION WITH FLANGENovember 2024February 2025Allow320NoNo
17771374ADJUSTABLE WRENCHSeptember 2024December 2024Allow3210NoNo
18823296Anchor and Release ToolSeptember 2024December 2024Allow310NoNo
18662860SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SELECTIVELY SECURING A CYLINDRICAL BODYMay 2024August 2025Abandon1510NoNo
18637658Multiple Entry Angle Adaptor With Locator for Fastener Installation ToolApril 2024February 2026Allow2200NoNo
18635681Pen Style Wireless Tattoo Machine, System, & KitsApril 2024February 2026Abandon2210NoNo
18607157STORABLE AND LABOR-SAVING SCREWDRIVER AND SCREWDRIVER HEADS THEREOFMarch 2024August 2024Allow510NoNo
18585849Fire Hydrant Repair Tool, And Systems And Methods Of Using SameFebruary 2024July 2025Allow1710NoNo
18413236TOOL BITJanuary 2024September 2025Allow2020NoNo
18395794MULTIFUNCTIONAL COMBINED CABLE STRIPPERDecember 2023February 2026Allow2600NoNo
18573688TORQUE TOOLDecember 2023July 2024Allow710NoNo
18542129TORQUE WRENCHDecember 2023February 2026Allow2600NoNo
18384450WRENCH GUARDOctober 2023February 2025Abandon1510NoNo
18382176EXTENSION ROD AND SOCKETOctober 2023June 2024Allow720NoNo
18490161ENGAGING STRUCTURE FOR HAND TOOLOctober 2023February 2026Allow2800NoNo
18287174TORQUE TOOLOctober 2023June 2024Allow810NoNo
18380278SCREWDRIVER AND TOOL HOLDEROctober 2023September 2024Allow1110YesNo
18456722TWO-SIZE SOCKET TOOLAugust 2023November 2025Allow2700NoNo
18447636ANTI-SLIP HEX ALLEN TOOL VARIATIONAugust 2023October 2025Allow2710NoNo
18446580HEXAGONAL DRIVERAugust 2023March 2026Allow3110NoNo
18365413RATCHET WRENCH STRUCTUREAugust 2023November 2025Allow2700NoNo
18364331ENGAGING STRUCTURE FOR HAND TOOLAugust 2023December 2025Allow2810NoNo
18262943TOOL FOR INSTALLING FIRE SPRINKLERSJuly 2023February 2026Allow3110YesNo
18222925Mobile and Modular Drill Apparatus, Components thereof, and Methods of UseJuly 2023December 2024Allow1710NoNo
18222470HAND TOOL WITH FUNCTION OF PREVENTING ELECTRIC SHOCKJuly 2023October 2025Allow2700NoNo
18350829TOOL BITJuly 2023February 2026Allow3110NoNo
18260168DRIVE SOCKET PROTECTOR FOR LUG NUTS AND WHEELSJune 2023February 2026Allow3210NoNo
18341849Engaging Structure for Hand ToolJune 2023November 2025Allow2810NoNo
18214409Quick Release Sockets for Insulated ToolsJune 2023January 2026Allow3110NoNo
18338922Driver DeviceJune 2023March 2026Abandon3310NoNo
18210294ELECTRICALLY ISOLATED OR INSULATED ROTARY TOOLJune 2023March 2026Abandon3310NoNo
18267771High-Intensity Magnetic Tool Extension RodJune 2023February 2026Allow3210YesNo
18207261RATCHETING TOOLJune 2023January 2026Allow3110NoNo
18255788MANUAL IMPACT DRIVERJune 2023November 2025Allow3010NoNo
18200955HINGED WRENCHMay 2023December 2025Allow3110NoNo
18037025TORQUE TRANSMITTING ASSEMBLY FOR A POWER TOOLMay 2023August 2023Allow300NoNo
18195993SOCKETMay 2023November 2025Allow3110NoNo
18036321TORQUE TRANSFERRING DEVICE FOR USE WITH A POWER TOOLMay 2023December 2023Allow800NoNo
18144284TOOL BITMay 2023December 2025Allow3110NoNo
18313123Elastic Element and Hand Tool Including the SameMay 2023September 2025Allow2910NoNo
18142080SPANNER FOR NUTS AND BOLTS OF DIFFERENT SIZES WITHOUT MOVING PARTSMay 2023January 2026Abandon3210NoNo
18141746TOOL BIT HAVING A BIMETAL TIPMay 2023June 2024Allow1310NoNo
18140833OPEN-ENDED WRENCH WITH POLYMER ADAPTORApril 2023November 2025Allow3110NoNo
18033877Dismounting Machine for Dismounting a Tire from a Rim, and Method for Dismounting a Tire from a RimApril 2023July 2025Allow2700NoNo
18305842MAGNETIC DRIVING DEVICEApril 2023July 2025Allow2700NoNo
18304972HYBRID ELECTROMECHANICAL TORQUE WRENCHApril 2023June 2025Allow2600NoNo
18136615Pocket Brush and Tool HolderApril 2023July 2025Allow2700YesNo
18298566SHEAR WRENCH TOOLApril 2023March 2026Allow3520NoNo
18132502METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DUAL TIRE BUFFING AND HANDLINGApril 2023February 2025Allow2230NoNo
18132434TELESCOPIC WRENCHApril 2023July 2025Allow2710NoNo
18297934INFINITELY ADJUSTABLE DRIVER SHANK QUICK CONNECTApril 2023June 2025Allow2600NoNo
18131814BATTERY POWERED AUTOMATIC WRENCHApril 2023August 2025Allow2910YesNo
18130778ROTATING LID OPENERApril 2023October 2024Allow1820YesNo
18194058DEVICE FOR OPENING A CANNED BEVERAGE AND METHOD OF USE THEREOFMarch 2023December 2025Abandon3210NoNo
18128661MULTI-FUNCTIONAL GOLFING ATTACHMENT DEVICEMarch 2023June 2025Allow2600NoNo
18191610TIRE BEAD SEATING DEVICEMarch 2023July 2023Allow410NoNo
18246376CLUTCH SOCKET ADAPTER FOR A TOOLMarch 2023September 2023Allow610NoNo
18124641WRENCH GUARDMarch 2023July 2023Allow410NoNo
18187905VERTICAL TIRE CHANGER WITH DOUBLE-SIDED TOOL AND OVERTURNING STRUCTUREMarch 2023July 2025Allow2810NoNo
18124106WEAR RESISTANT TOOL BITMarch 2023December 2023Allow910NoNo
18185671ANGLE VALVE WRENCHMarch 2023September 2023Allow610NoNo
18122287RATCHET FLEX JOINT LOCKING MECHANISMMarch 2023August 2025Allow2900NoNo
18120897SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SELECTIVELY SECURING A CYLINDRICAL BODYMarch 2023February 2024Allow1110NoNo
18182315MULTI-PURPOSE DRIVE SYSTEM FOR TRAILER JACKS AND STRAP WINCHESMarch 2023September 2025Allow3010NoNo
18181073SocketMarch 2023August 2025Allow2910NoNo
18118301IMPACT DRIVING DEVICE WITH OFFSET AXIS TORQUE TRANSFER ASSEMBLYMarch 2023May 2023Allow200NoNo
18179065Tool Change Upgrade DeviceMarch 2023November 2025Abandon3210NoNo
18177173Wrench StructureMarch 2023October 2025Abandon3210NoNo
18113338TOOL FOR ADDITIONAL MECHANICAL ADVANTAGEFebruary 2023November 2025Abandon3310NoNo
18171875Hex Wrench StructureFebruary 2023June 2025Allow2810NoNo
18021723TATTOO DEVICEFebruary 2023November 2025Abandon3310NoNo
18017513TORQUE WRENCH WITH IMPROVED TORQUE SETTING ADJUSTMENTJanuary 2023April 2023Allow300NoNo
18098702TORQUE TOOL USING COLORS FOR IDENTIFICATIONJanuary 2023October 2025Allow3330YesNo
18098442MULTI-PURPOSE MULTI-DIRECTIONAL ROTATOR AND WORKING METHOD OF SAMEJanuary 2023October 2025Abandon3310NoNo
18092945SOCKET STRUCTUREJanuary 2023May 2025Allow2810NoNo
18088277Method and Apparatus for Improving Performance and Range of Conventional Power TongsDecember 2022October 2025Abandon3410NoNo
18146266TORQUE WRENCHDecember 2022April 2025Allow2700NoNo
18145593Ratchet, Ratchet Accessory, and Kit Including the SameDecember 2022May 2024Allow1720NoNo
18085956Wrench Extension AssemblyDecember 2022April 2025Allow2800NoNo
17983419Adjustable torque wrench for narrow spacesDecember 2022March 2023Allow400NoNo
18082222Valve Installation And Removal Device And Method Of UseDecember 2022October 2025Allow3410NoNo
18080133Cartridge Tool SetDecember 2022October 2025Allow3420NoNo
18063696SOCKET WITH LASER INDUCED FRICTION SURFACESDecember 2022June 2025Allow3010NoNo
18075389HAND-HELD MULTI-PURPOSE KITCHEN TOOLDecember 2022May 2025Allow2900NoNo
18061661KNIFE HAVING SHEATH AND BOTTLE OPENERDecember 2022June 2025Allow3110NoNo
18074077DRIVING HEAD-CHANGEABLE TOOLDecember 2022May 2025Allow2910NoNo
18060767Wrench with Movable Mallet PlatformDecember 2022March 2025Allow2810NoNo
18060540MULTITOOL WITH LOCKING MULTIPURPOSE DRIVERNovember 2022June 2025Allow3010NoNo
17928053TOOLSNovember 2022February 2025Allow2600NoNo
17989511MULTI-TOOLNovember 2022July 2025Allow3210NoNo
17988148SOCKET APPARATUSNovember 2022July 2025Abandon3210NoNo
17986985WRENCH WITH PRESET TORQUENovember 2022January 2025Allow2600NoNo
18054354Foreign Object Removal Socket AdapterNovember 2022February 2025Allow2710NoNo
17983186SOCKET DRIVE IMPROVEMENTNovember 2022August 2024Allow2120NoNo
18052294TORQUE DRIVERNovember 2022April 2025Allow3920NoNo
17979321SOCKET DRIVER TOOLNovember 2022July 2025Allow3220NoNo

Appeals Overview

This analysis examines appeal outcomes and the strategic value of filing appeals for examiner THOMAS, DAVID B.

Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) Decisions

Total PTAB Decisions
5
Examiner Affirmed
4
(80.0%)
Examiner Reversed
1
(20.0%)
Reversal Percentile
33.3%
Lower than average

What This Means

With a 20.0% reversal rate, the PTAB affirms the examiner's rejections in the vast majority of cases. This reversal rate is below the USPTO average, indicating that appeals face more challenges here than typical.

Strategic Value of Filing an Appeal

Total Appeal Filings
20
Allowed After Appeal Filing
6
(30.0%)
Not Allowed After Appeal Filing
14
(70.0%)
Filing Benefit Percentile
45.7%
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, 30.0% 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 face challenges. Ensure your case has strong merit before committing to full Board review.

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

Examiner THOMAS, DAVID B - Prosecution Strategy Guide

Executive Summary

Examiner THOMAS, DAVID B works in Art Unit 3723 and has examined 2,731 patent applications in our dataset. With an allowance rate of 83.9%, this examiner has an above-average tendency to allow applications. Applications typically reach final disposition in approximately 24 months.

Allowance Patterns

Examiner THOMAS, DAVID B's allowance rate of 83.9% 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 THOMAS, DAVID B receive 0.97 office actions before reaching final disposition. This places the examiner in the 8% 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 THOMAS, DAVID B 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 +13.1% benefit to allowance rate for applications examined by THOMAS, DAVID B. This interview benefit is in the 50% 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, 32.9% of applications are subsequently allowed. This success rate is in the 70% 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 63.1% of cases where such amendments are filed. This entry rate is in the 88% percentile among all examiners. Strategic Recommendation: This examiner is highly receptive to after-final amendments compared to other examiners. Per MPEP § 714.12, after-final amendments may be entered "under justifiable circumstances." Consider filing after-final amendments with a clear showing of allowability rather than immediately filing an RCE, as this examiner frequently enters such amendments.

Pre-Appeal Conference Effectiveness

When applicants request a pre-appeal conference (PAC) with this examiner, 66.7% result in withdrawal of the rejection or reopening of prosecution. This success rate is in the 57% percentile among all examiners. Strategic Recommendation: Pre-appeal conferences show above-average effectiveness with this examiner. If you have strong arguments, a PAC request may result in favorable reconsideration.

Appeal Withdrawal and Reconsideration

This examiner withdraws rejections or reopens prosecution in 76.2% of appeals filed. This is in the 67% percentile among all examiners. Of these withdrawals, 31.2% 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, 64.9% are granted (fully or in part). This grant rate is in the 70% 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 4.4% of allowed cases (in the 84% 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 2.5% of allowed cases (in the 71% 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:

  • Consider after-final amendments: This examiner frequently enters after-final amendments. If you can clearly overcome rejections with claim amendments, file an after-final amendment before resorting to an RCE.
  • 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.