USPTO Examiner HOTCHKISS MICHAEL WAYNE - Art Unit 3726

Recent Applications

Detailed information about the 100 most recent patent applications.

Application NumberTitleFiling DateDisposal DateDispositionTime (months)Office ActionsRestrictionsInterviewAppeal
19173774CARTRIDGE MECHANISM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING A CLAMPING FORCE EXERTED ON A STRUCTURE BY A FASTENER DURING INSTALLATIONApril 2025November 2025Allow700YesNo
19065494Cylindrical Cargo Container ConstructionFebruary 2025December 2025Allow910NoNo
19013549AUTOMATIC GRAPHITE CONVEYING DEVICE AND WINDING MACHINE FOR SPIRAL WOUND GASKETJanuary 2025April 2025Allow300NoNo
19012833Detachment and Replacement Method for a Laparoscopic Tube for an Oximetry ProbeJanuary 2025March 2026Allow1410YesNo
19008133Toolkit and Method for Embedding Flat Padded Earring Posts into Polymer Clay JewelryJanuary 2025June 2025Allow611YesNo
19000365DEVICE FOR MONITORING TIRES OF MORE THAN 30 INCHES VIA VIDEO MEANSDecember 2024February 2026Allow1410YesNo
18825969COMPOSITE STRUCTURES, FORMING APPARATUSES AND RELATED SYSTEMS AND METHODSSeptember 2024December 2025Allow1510YesNo
18824320POWER TOOL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REMOVING ROOF SHINGLESSeptember 2024January 2026Abandon1710NoNo
18808198METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CREATING ADDITIVE PARTSAugust 2024October 2025Allow1430YesNo
18779792Temporary fastener installation tooling and associated installation setJuly 2024August 2025Allow1311YesNo
18779227Downforce Indicator Device Having a Tool ReceptacleJuly 2024November 2025Allow1620NoNo
18732207SEAMLESS BONDING OF CHEESE LAYERSJune 2024January 2026Abandon2020NoNo
18289198FRAME MEMBERMay 2024January 2026Allow2710YesNo
18713156SYSTEM FOR ASSEMBLING A WIND TURBINE BLADE SHELLMay 2024February 2026Allow2130YesNo
18670623Securing Device And Removal Tool For Use With The Securing DeviceMay 2024September 2025Abandon1611NoNo
18662390Clamp Arrangement For Cylindrical Object, Cylindrical Object Assembly Comprising Said Clamp Arrangement And Method Of Manufacturing Cylindrical Object AssemblyMay 2024January 2026Abandon2021NoNo
18635572FIXTURE AND METHOD OF CLAMPING A PLURALITY OF FRAME-SHAPED WORKPIECESApril 2024July 2025Allow1521YesNo
18633313METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PULLING BUNDLES OF CONDUITSApril 2024April 2025Allow1211YesNo
18697895METHOD FOR PRODUCING FRAME STRUCTUREApril 2024March 2025Allow1110YesNo
18616335Method for Manufacturing Heat ExchangerMarch 2024December 2025Abandon2120YesNo
18691888METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A BUNK FOR A VEHICLEMarch 2024March 2025Allow1210NoNo
18441722METHOD OF PRODUCING STRUCTUREFebruary 2024April 2025Allow1420YesNo
18430319LUBRICATION NETWORK FOR AN ATTRITABLE ENGINEFebruary 2024January 2025Allow1210YesNo
18577670VERTICAL WIND SPEED ACCELERATION TYPE WIND TURBINEJanuary 2024January 2026Abandon2420NoNo
18532303METHOD AND MOUNTING SYSTEM FOR MOUNTING A PROFILE COMPONENT ON AN AIRCRAFT STRUCTURAL COMPONENTDecember 2023December 2025Allow2430YesNo
18526548Method and Apparatus for the Application of Frame to Fuselage Pull-up Force via Fuselage Skin Waterline TensioningDecember 2023February 2025Allow1510YesNo
18518324Cylindrical Cargo Container ConstructionNovember 2023September 2025Abandon2130YesYes
18515033Additively Manufactured Combustion Chambers, Manifold Structures and Hybrid Additive Processes Related TheretoNovember 2023March 2026Allow2722YesNo
18509149MODULAR, COST-EFFECTIVE, FIELD REPAIRABLE CHASSIS AND MECHANICAL COMPONENTS FOR HEAVY DUTY AUTONOMOUS ROBOTNovember 2023December 2024Allow1320YesNo
18388874System and Method for UXO DetectionNovember 2023February 2026Allow2710YesNo
18504394METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CREATING ADDITIVE PARTSNovember 2023May 2024Allow611YesNo
18387722GLUELESS POCKETED SPRING CUSHIONING UNIT ASSEMBLERNovember 2023February 2025Allow1510YesNo
18502015Bonding methods for laminated light alloy partsNovember 2023January 2026Allow2740NoYes
18385921AIRCRAFT ENGINE INSTALLATION ALIGNMENT SYSTEMNovember 2023October 2024Allow1211YesNo
18495075METHOD OF ASSEMBLING A VEHICLEOctober 2023March 2026Allow2940YesNo
18375695APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DECONSTRUCTING MATTRESSESOctober 2023November 2024Allow1301YesNo
18242755HANDLING SYSTEM FOR GROUND-ENGAGING WEAR PARTS SECURED TO EARTH WORKING EQUIPMENTSeptember 2023August 2025Allow2331YesNo
18454233METHOD OF MANUFACTURING FOLDED STRUCTURE WITH ADDITIVE FEATURESAugust 2023May 2025Abandon2020NoNo
18277627METHOD AND BLADE INSTALLATION DEVICE FOR INSTALLING A BLADE OF AN OFFSHORE WIND TURBINEAugust 2023February 2025Allow1810YesNo
18357768REFERENTIAL POSITIONING DEVICE INTENDED TO POSITION RELATIVE TO EACH OTHER AT LEAST ONE CABIN FLOOR GRID AND ONE SIDE SHELL OF AN AIRCRAFT IN ORDER TO ASSEMBLE A FUSELAGE BARREL OF THE AIRCRAFTJuly 2023February 2025Allow1910NoNo
18357779SYSTEM FOR HANDLING A SIDE SHELL OF AN AIRCRAFT WITH A VIEW TO ASSEMBLING A FUSELAGE BARREL OF THE AIRCRAFT AND METHOD FOR ASSEMBLING A FUSELAGE BARREL OF AN AIRCRAFTJuly 2023January 2025Allow1810YesNo
18354312SYSTEMS, DEVICES, AND METHODS FOR SPACECRAFT PROPULSION WITH A HEAT EXCHANGERJuly 2023September 2025Allow2631YesNo
18221804ADAPTIVE TOOLING ASSEMBLYJuly 2023July 2024Allow1310YesNo
18220391AUTOMOBILE DENT PULLER APPARATUSJuly 2023August 2025Allow2530YesNo
18259787METHOD OF JOINING BLADE SEGMENTS USING AN INTERNAL BLADDERJune 2023April 2025Abandon2220NoNo
18199095SHELL WITH EXPANDABLE RIVET BUTTON AND TOOLING THEREFORMay 2023May 2024Allow1210YesNo
18143037INLET LIP SKIN MANUFACTURING METHODMay 2023February 2024Allow910NoNo
18311382MANUFACTURING SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SHAPING AND ASSEMBLING FLEXIBLE STRUCTURESMay 2023March 2025Allow2320YesNo
18302433ROOF CLIPApril 2023January 2026Allow3330YesNo
18301431DISSASSEMBLY FOR DUAL ENGINE VERTICAL TAKE OFF AND LANDING COLLAPSIBLE FIXED WING AIRCRAFTApril 2023September 2024Allow1710YesNo
18298847LIQUID METAL EJECTOR LEVEL SENSING SYSTEM AND METHODS THEREOFApril 2023September 2024Abandon1810NoNo
18131687System and Method for Manufacturing Powders from Ductile MaterialsApril 2023April 2024Allow1210YesNo
18188951BLIND FASTENERMarch 2023July 2025Allow2830YesNo
18188658ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING FEEDSTOCK PRODUCTION SYSTEM FOR REACTIVE WIRE AND RELATED METHODSMarch 2023October 2025Allow3111YesNo
18122186EXTENDABLE COUPLER ACCESSORYMarch 2023October 2024Allow1920YesNo
18006305CLIP FOR ATTACHING A FLUID LINE TO AN ARMJanuary 2023June 2024Allow1720YesNo
18152867Method Of Manufacturing Partially Foam Encased Pocketed Spring AssemblyJanuary 2023June 2024Allow1710YesNo
18086625Tool kit with quick-connect coupling for paintless dent removalDecember 2022January 2024Allow1300YesNo
18069080HEAT EXCHANGE SYSTEM WITH TUBING APPLIED TO A COMPLEX CURVED SURFACEDecember 2022May 2025Allow2901YesNo
18082883APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DECONSTRUCTING MATTRESSESDecember 2022August 2023Allow801YesNo
18077221Rapid Sequential Circular Assembly System for Space StationDecember 2022July 2024Allow1910YesNo
180768803D PRINTED VEHICLE ARCHITECTURE, JOINTS AND METHODDecember 2022April 2024Allow1610YesNo
18076011SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MANUFACTURING AIRCRAFTDecember 2022May 2024Allow1820YesNo
17928760Bonding methods for laminated light alloy partsNovember 2022April 2024Abandon1610YesNo
18058412Pocketed Spring AssemblyNovember 2022July 2024Abandon2010NoNo
17992016METHOD FOR PRODUCING AN OBJECT BY GENERATIVE MANUFACTURING, COMPONENT, IN PARTICULAR FOR AN AIRCRAFT OR SPACECRAFT, AND COMPUTER-READABLE MEDIUMNovember 2022August 2024Allow2111YesNo
17926015PRESS FORMING METHODNovember 2022November 2024Allow2410NoNo
17997553Support structures for laminated metallic partsOctober 2022August 2025Allow3440YesNo
17970218EMULATOROctober 2022March 2025Allow2920YesNo
17967702INTEROPERABLE MAIN BEAM ENABLED CANTILEVERED JOIST BUILDING CONSTRUCTION FORMWORKOctober 2022September 2024Abandon2320YesNo
18046887Methods and Structural Gap Filler for One-Up AssemblyOctober 2022August 2023Allow1000YesNo
17913171CARRYING MECHANISM FOR USE IN MATTRESS PRODUCTIONSeptember 2022June 2024Abandon2110NoNo
17903722ROBOTIC ARM ASSEMBLY CONSTRUCTIONSeptember 2022October 2025Allow3771YesNo
17896644METHOD OF MANUFACTURE OF A VARIABLE DENSITY ELEMENT RETAINERAugust 2022October 2025Abandon3820YesNo
17905020REMOTELY OPERABLE CLAMP DEVICEAugust 2022November 2023Allow1500NoNo
17894879GLUELESS POCKETED SPRING CUSHIONING UNIT ASSEMBLERAugust 2022March 2023Allow600YesNo
17894909GLUELESS POCKETED SPRING CUSHIONING UNIT ASSEMBLERAugust 2022August 2023Allow1110YesNo
17821714MULTI-TIER TORQUE ENHANCER DRIVER AND/OR RECEIVER AND METHOD OF USING SAMEAugust 2022December 2023Allow1610YesNo
17821357TORQUE ENHANCER DEVICE FOR GRASPING AND TOOLING, AND ASSEMBLIES AND USES THEREOFAugust 2022December 2023Allow1610YesNo
17872384SELF-GRIPPING HERNIA PROSTHESISJuly 2022April 2025Allow3330YesNo
17872589WHEEL BEARING DEVICEJuly 2022November 2024Allow2740YesNo
17861371METHOD FOR THE ASSEMBLY OF FRAMES IN AN AIRCRAFT SHELLJuly 2022April 2024Allow2120YesNo
17810821Method for Assembling a Mattress FoundationJuly 2022December 2024Abandon2940NoNo
17856518POWER TOOL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REMOVING ROOF SHINGLESJuly 2022May 2024Allow2321YesNo
17853209Automated Method for Nose Cone ManufacturingJune 2022May 2023Allow1100YesNo
17852570SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING A TRAILER WHEELJune 2022March 2026Abandon4411NoNo
17848985APPLIQUE ATTACHMENT ON CASTINGJune 2022February 2026Allow4350YesNo
17846591MACHINE COMPARTMENT FOR A VACUUM INSULATED STRUCTUREJune 2022December 2024Allow3030YesNo
17786611METHOD FOR MONITORING TIRES OF MORE THAN 30 INCHES VIA VIDEO MEANSJune 2022September 2024Allow2720YesNo
17838000SEMI-PASSIVE CONTROL OF SOLIDIFICATION IN POWDERED MATERIALSJune 2022August 2025Abandon3830YesNo
17780413A DEVICE AND A METHOD FOR PREPARING A BONE TRANSPLANTMay 2022June 2024Allow2431YesNo
17663853COMPRESSION SYSTEM CALIBRATIONMay 2022May 2025Allow3611YesNo
17777283ROLLED (FeCoNiCrRn/Al)-2024Al COMPOSITE PANEL AND FABRICATION METHOD THEREOFMay 2022June 2023Allow1300YesNo
17741214GLUELESS POCKETED SPRING CUSHIONING UNIT ASSEMBLERMay 2022October 2024Abandon3010NoNo
17774622VEHICLE FLOOR AND CORRESPONDING PRODUCTION METHODMay 2022December 2025Abandon4330YesNo
17736241handle and a kit of tools for paintless dent removalMay 2022October 2023Allow1720YesNo
17735426Method and Apparatus for the Application of Frame to Fuselage Pull-up Force via Fuselage Skin Waterline TensioningMay 2022August 2023Allow1611YesNo
17725633SEAL INSTALLATION TOOLApril 2022February 2024Allow2230YesNo
17754965METHOD OF MANUFACTURING A TOOTHED BEVEL HONING TOOL FOR HONING A TOOTHED BEVEL WORKPIECE, A TOOTHED BEVEL HONING TOOL AND METHOD OF HONING BEVEL GEARSApril 2022July 2024Allow2710YesNo
17718885METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING PRESS-FORMED PRODUCT, PRESS FORMING DIE, AND PRESS-FORMED PRODUCTApril 2022August 2024Allow2801YesNo

Appeals Overview

This analysis examines appeal outcomes and the strategic value of filing appeals for examiner HOTCHKISS, MICHAEL WAYNE.

Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) Decisions

Total PTAB Decisions
3
Examiner Affirmed
1
(33.3%)
Examiner Reversed
2
(66.7%)
Reversal Percentile
87.7%
Higher than average

What This Means

With a 66.7% 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
9
Allowed After Appeal Filing
5
(55.6%)
Not Allowed After Appeal Filing
4
(44.4%)
Filing Benefit Percentile
87.1%
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, 55.6% 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 HOTCHKISS, MICHAEL WAYNE - Prosecution Strategy Guide

Executive Summary

Examiner HOTCHKISS, MICHAEL WAYNE works in Art Unit 3726 and has examined 282 patent applications in our dataset. With an allowance rate of 68.4%, this examiner has a below-average tendency to allow applications. Applications typically reach final disposition in approximately 31 months.

Allowance Patterns

Examiner HOTCHKISS, MICHAEL WAYNE's allowance rate of 68.4% places them in the 30% percentile among all USPTO examiners. This examiner has a below-average tendency to allow applications.

Office Action Patterns

On average, applications examined by HOTCHKISS, MICHAEL WAYNE receive 2.40 office actions before reaching final disposition. This places the examiner in the 69% 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 HOTCHKISS, MICHAEL WAYNE is 31 months. This places the examiner in the 57% percentile for prosecution speed. Prosecution timelines are slightly faster than average with this examiner.

Interview Effectiveness

Conducting an examiner interview provides a +55.6% benefit to allowance rate for applications examined by HOTCHKISS, MICHAEL WAYNE. This interview benefit is in the 95% percentile among all examiners. Recommendation: Interviews are highly effective with this examiner and should be strongly considered as a prosecution strategy. Per MPEP § 713.10, interviews are available at any time before the Notice of Allowance is mailed or jurisdiction transfers to the PTAB.

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 29.6% of cases where such amendments are filed. This entry rate is in the 42% 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, 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 62.5% of appeals filed. This is in the 41% percentile among all examiners. Of these withdrawals, 20.0% 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, 50.0% are granted (fully or in part). This grant rate is in the 49% 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 0.0% of allowed cases (in the 42% 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 1.0% of allowed cases (in the 61% 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:

  • Prioritize examiner interviews: Interviews are highly effective with this examiner. Request an interview after the first office action to clarify issues and potentially expedite allowance.

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.