USPTO Examiner NICHOLS CHARLES W - Art Unit 3783

Recent Applications

Detailed information about the 100 most recent patent applications.

Application NumberTitleFiling DateDisposal DateDispositionTime (months)Office ActionsRestrictionsInterviewAppeal
16314032SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF OPTIMIZED PUMP SPEED CONTROL TO REDUCE CAVITATION, PULSATION AND LOAD FLUCTUATIONDecember 2018March 2025Abandon6061YesNo
16071781VACUUM PUMP, AND FLEXIBLE COVER AND ROTOR USED IN VACUUM PUMPJuly 2018January 2025Allow6070NoNo
15101842COMPRESSOR SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPERATING THE COMPRESSOR SYSTEM IN DEPENDENCE ON THE CURRENT SITUATION OF THE RAIL VEHICLEJune 2016April 2019Allow3420YesNo
14909469CENTRIFUGAL FAN HAVING COMBINED SEALING AND VIBRATION ISOLATIONFebruary 2016June 2019Allow4020YesNo
14952296PUMP AND METHOD FOR MIXED FLOW BLOOD PUMPINGNovember 2015March 2020Allow5231YesNo
14693716AIR SUPPLY DEVICE AND RELATED METHODS OF MANUFACTUREApril 2015February 2016Allow910YesNo
14136284CONTROL SYSTEM FOR A FANDecember 2013February 2019Allow6041YesNo
13775806ACTIVE TURBINE OR COMPRESSOR TIP CLEARANCE CONTROLFebruary 2013November 2016Allow4410YesNo
13678067DOVE-TAIL CLAMPNovember 2012December 2015Allow3720YesNo
13627323PumpSeptember 2012June 2016Allow4431NoYes
13457518MILK PUMP DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DISPLACING AN AMOUNTOF MILKApril 2012July 2018Allow6040YesYes
13387412GEAR PUMPMarch 2012July 2015Allow4120YesNo
13411778SAFETY ARRANGEMENT FOR AN INTEGRATED HEATER, PUMP, AND MOTOR FOR AN APPLIANCEMarch 2012February 2016Allow4830YesNo
13370527CONTROL DEVICE AND CONTROL METHOD OF COMPRESSORFebruary 2012May 2015Allow3920NoNo
13355345AIR PUMP STRUCTUREJanuary 2012June 2015Allow4030YesNo
13302558Differential pressure control valve and variable displacement compressor having the differential pressure control valveNovember 2011June 2015Allow4230YesNo
13208765PUMPING SYSTEM AND METHODAugust 2011August 2020Allow6070NoYes
13185433SPEED CONTROL FOR DIAPHRAGM PUMPJuly 2011September 2014Allow3821YesNo
13165829BLOWER FAN AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAMEJune 2011August 2013Allow2610YesNo
13013602Plunger Pump for Fabricating Soft CapsulesJanuary 2011October 2013Allow3210YesNo
12996261PNEUMATIC EVACUATION PUMPDecember 2010July 2015Allow5640YesNo
12881512PUMPING DEVICE FOR FLUIDS LOCATED AT THE BOTTOM OF A DRILLED WELLSeptember 2010May 2014Allow4420YesNo
12739031PUMP, PUMP ARRANGEMENT AND PUMP MODULEJune 2010August 2015Allow6041YesNo

Appeals Overview

This analysis examines appeal outcomes and the strategic value of filing appeals for examiner NICHOLS, CHARLES W.

Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) Decisions

Total PTAB Decisions
2
Examiner Affirmed
1
(50.0%)
Examiner Reversed
1
(50.0%)
Reversal Percentile
79.6%
Higher than average

What This Means

With a 50.0% reversal rate, the PTAB reverses the examiner's rejections in a meaningful percentage of cases. 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
5
Allowed After Appeal Filing
2
(40.0%)
Not Allowed After Appeal Filing
3
(60.0%)
Filing Benefit Percentile
67.7%
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, 40.0% of applications that filed an appeal were subsequently allowed. This appeal filing benefit rate is above the USPTO average, suggesting that filing an appeal can be an effective strategy for prompting reconsideration.

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 NICHOLS, CHARLES W - Prosecution Strategy Guide

Executive Summary

Examiner NICHOLS, CHARLES W works in Art Unit 3783 and has examined 23 patent applications in our dataset. With an allowance rate of 95.7%, this examiner allows applications at a higher rate than most examiners at the USPTO. Applications typically reach final disposition in approximately 44 months.

Allowance Patterns

Examiner NICHOLS, CHARLES W's allowance rate of 95.7% places them in the 85% percentile among all USPTO examiners. This examiner is more likely to allow applications than most examiners at the USPTO.

Office Action Patterns

On average, applications examined by NICHOLS, CHARLES W receive 3.00 office actions before reaching final disposition. This places the examiner in the 84% percentile for office actions issued. This examiner issues more office actions than most examiners, which may indicate thorough examination or difficulty in reaching agreement with applicants.

Prosecution Timeline

The median time to disposition (half-life) for applications examined by NICHOLS, CHARLES W is 44 months. This places the examiner in the 16% percentile for prosecution speed. Applications take longer to reach final disposition with this examiner compared to most others.

Interview Effectiveness

Conducting an examiner interview provides a -5.3% benefit to allowance rate for applications examined by NICHOLS, CHARLES W. This interview benefit is in the 6% 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, 28.6% of applications are subsequently allowed. This success rate is in the 55% 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 23.5% of cases where such amendments are filed. This entry rate is in the 33% 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 59% 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 66.7% of appeals filed. This is in the 52% percentile among all examiners. Of these withdrawals, 25.0% 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, 0.0% are granted (fully or in part). This grant rate is in the 7% 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 46% 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 0.0% of allowed cases (in the 51% 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:

  • Expect multiple rounds of prosecution: This examiner issues more office actions than average. Address potential issues proactively in your initial response and consider requesting an interview early in prosecution.
  • Plan for extended prosecution: Applications take longer than average with this examiner. Factor this into your continuation strategy and client communications.

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.