US 10752476

US Patent 10,752,476: Winch Tightening Mechanism

Summary:

U.S. Patent 10,752,476, titled "Winch tightening mechanism," was issued on August 25, 2020, to inventors Clint Bryan and Arnold Peek. The application for this patent was filed on April 19, 2019, under application number US16/389,303. The current assignee is Arcosa Marine Products Inc. The patent aims to provide a safer and more efficient way to tension winch lines, particularly in marine applications, by incorporating upper and lower body strength through a limited motion and pedal indexing mechanism.

Abstract:
The patent describes a winch tightening apparatus that includes a mounting plate, a first moment arm for leverage, and a pawl. The pawl is pivotally coupled to the mounting plate and designed to engage a ratchet gear when the mounting plate rotates in a first direction (for tightening) and disengage when rotated in a second, opposite direction. Embodiments may also include a second moment arm and a counterweight that automatically rotates the mounting plate to disengage the pawl and return the system to a rest position.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

• Claim 1 (Winch Apparatus): This claim describes a complete winch system. It comprises a winch housing, a winch drum rotated by a drive shaft, and a ratchet gear on that drive shaft. A mounting plate is rotationally connected to the drive shaft, with a first lever arm attached to it to provide leverage for rotation. A pawl, pivoting on the mounting plate, engages the ratchet gear when the plate rotates in a tightening direction and disengages when rotated in the opposite direction. Crucially, a counterweight on the mounting plate automatically rotates the plate in the disengaging direction, ensuring the pawl disengages from the ratchet gear and the lever arm returns to a rest position.
• Claim 8 (Winch Tightening Apparatus): This claim focuses specifically on the winch tightening mechanism itself, designed to be incorporated into a winch. It includes a mounting plate (configured to be rotatably coupled to a winch drum), a first lever arm for rotating the plate, and a pawl. The pawl pivots on the mounting plate and engages a ratchet gear when the plate rotates in a first direction and disengages when rotated in a second, opposite direction. A counterweight is attached to the mounting plate, positioned to automatically rotate the plate in the second direction, thereby disengaging the pawl and returning the lever arm to a rest position.
• Claim 13 (Method): This claim outlines a method for providing or retrofitting a winch with the described tightening mechanism. It involves providing a winch housing and drum (rotationally coupled by a drive shaft). A winch tightening apparatus (as described in Claim 8) is then rotatably coupled to the drive shaft. This apparatus includes a mounting plate with a first lever arm and a pawl that engages and disengages a ratchet gear on the drive shaft based on the mounting plate's rotation direction. A counterweight on the mounting plate is positioned to automatically rotate the plate to disengage the pawl and bring the lever arm to a rest position.

USPTO and CAFC Docket Search Results:

A review of the patent details indicates a comprehensive assignment history. While Arcosa Marine Products Inc. is listed as the current assignee, the legal status timeline shows a recent assignment on April 1, 2026, to TCW PT MANAGEMENT COMPANY, LLC, for a security interest.

As of April 26, 2026, a search of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC) 2026 dockets for patent number 10752476 did not reveal any scheduled cases or public records of ongoing litigation directly involving this specific patent.

Known litigation involving US patent 10752476:

As of April 26, 2026, no litigation directly involving US patent 10752476 was found in the search results from Unified Patents or through a general search for patent litigation. The search results provided other uses of the number "10752476" (e.g., as a stock photo ID, a PMID, an MLS number for a real estate listing, and a page number in a conference proceeding), none of which are related to patent litigation for US10752476.

Therefore, at this time, no known litigation for US patent 10752476 can be listed.

Proceedings overview

There are no AIA trial proceedings (Inter Partes Review, Post-Grant Review, or Covered Business Method review) on file for US Patent 10,752,476 as of 2026-08-07. This means the patent's claims have not been challenged before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board.

Strategic summary

Currently, all claims of US10752476 (claims 1-18) remain untested by AIA trial proceedings. This indicates that the patent has not yet been subjected to the scrutiny of an IPR, PGR, or CBM review, and all claims are presumed valid as granted.

Since there are no PTAB proceedings, there is no estoppel landscape established under § 315(e)(2) for this patent. This means that if a defendant were to face assertion of this patent, they would have the full range of prior-art grounds (e.g., under 35 U.S.C. §§ 102 and 103) available for a potential IPR challenge, assuming the one-year statutory deadline from service of an infringement complaint has not passed.

The absence of PTAB activity can sometimes be a signal that a patent has not been extensively asserted in litigation, or that potential challengers have not yet found sufficient grounds or motivation to initiate such proceedings.

Recommended next steps

Since no PTAB activity exists for US Patent 10,752,476, the recommended next steps for a defendant facing assertion would be:

1. Conduct a comprehensive prior art search: A thorough search should be performed to identify any prior art that could be used to challenge the patentability of claims 1-18 under 35 U.S.C. §§ 102 and 103.
2. Evaluate IPR/PGR viability: Based on the prior art search, assess the strength of potential unpatentability arguments and the feasibility of filing an Inter Partes Review (IPR) or Post-Grant Review (PGR) petition, considering the statutory deadlines (e.g., one year from service of an infringement complaint for IPR).
3. Monitor for future PTAB filings: Continuously monitor the USPTO PTAB E2E system for any newly filed petitions against US10752476, as this landscape can change rapidly.

Inventors

• Clint Bryan (Arcosa Inc.)
• Arnold Peek (Arcosa Inc.)

Original assignee

Arcosa Inc. was the original assignee listed on the issued patent. Arcosa Inc. is a manufacturer of infrastructure products and solutions, including barges, which embody the claims of the patent. Arcosa Inc. is an operating company and is currently active.

Assignment timeline

• 2019-04-19 (executed) / recorded 2019-04-19 — Reel 048037/0466
  • Conveyance: Assignment of Assignors Interest
  • Assignor: BRYAN, CLINT; PEEK, ARNOLD
  • Assignee: ARCOSA, INC.
  • Correspondent: CHALKER FLORES, LLP, 14951 North Dallas Parkway, Suite 400, Dallas, TX, 75254.
  • Context: Initial assignment from inventors to original assignee.
• 2020-09-15 (executed) / recorded 2020-09-24 — Reel 051915/0630
  • Conveyance: Assignment of Assignors Interest
  • Assignor: ARCOSA, INC.
  • Assignee: ARCOSA MARINE PRODUCTS, INC.
  • Correspondent: CHALKER FLORES, LLP, 14951 North Dallas Parkway, Suite 400, Dallas, TX, 75254. (This correspondent recurs in this chain.)
  • Context: Internal reorganization / transfer within Arcosa corporate family.
• 2024-10-10 (executed) / recorded 2024-10-24 — Reel 063462/0500
  • Conveyance: PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT
  • Assignor: ARCOSA MARINE PRODUCTS, INC.; MEYER UTILITY STRUCTURES, LLC
  • Assignee: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
  • Correspondent: CADWALADER, WICKERSHAM & TAFT LLP, One World Financial Center, 200 Liberty Street, New York, NY, 10281.
  • Context: Security interest granted to a bank.
• 2026-04-01 (executed) / recorded 2026-04-03 — Reel 065705/0073
  • Conveyance: RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST
  • Assignor: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
  • Assignee: ARCOSA MARINE PRODUCTS, INC.
  • Correspondent: CADWALADER, WICKERSHAM & TAFT LLP, One World Financial Center, 200 Liberty Street, New York, NY, 10281. (This correspondent recurs in this chain.)
  • Context: Release of security interest by the bank.
• 2026-04-01 (executed) / recorded 2026-04-03 — Reel 065705/0075
  • Conveyance: SECURITY INTEREST
  • Assignor: ARCOSA MARINE COMPONENTS, LLC; ARCOSA MARINE PRODUCTS, INC.
  • Assignee: TCW PT MANAGEMENT COMPANY, LLC
  • Correspondent: LATHAM & WATKINS LLP, 355 South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 90071.
  • Context: New security interest granted.

Timeline diagram

timeline
    title Ownership of US 10752476
    2019 : Assigned to Arcosa Inc.
    2020 : Assigned to Arcosa Marine Products Inc.
    2024 : Patent security agreement to JPMorgan
    2026 : Release of security interest from JPMorgan
         : New security interest to TCW PT Management

NPE / troll-pattern signals

1. Shell-entity transfer — not present. All entities in the chain appear to be operating companies or financial institutions.
2. Known asserter in the chain — unclear. TCW PT Management Company, LLC is listed as holding a security interest [cite: Reel 065705/0075]. While not a direct assignment of ownership for assertion purposes, it's worth noting. However, without further information, it cannot be definitively categorized as a known asserter.
3. Repeat correspondent across the chain — present. CHALKER FLORES, LLP appears on the 2019-04-19 (Reel 048037/0466) and 2020-09-24 (Reel 051915/0630) recordings. CADWALADER, WICKERSHAM & TAFT LLP appears on the 2024-10-24 (Reel 063462/0500) and 2026-04-03 (Reel 065705/0073) recordings.
4. Cascading transfers — not present. The transfers are spaced out over several years, and do not show rapid, chained LLC transfers.
5. Pre-litigation transfer — not present. No litigation has been identified.
6. Bankruptcy fire-sale — not present. Arcosa Inc. is an active operating company.
7. Privateering — not present. No evidence of privateering activity.
8. Defensive aggregator (anti-NPE) — not present. The chain does not terminate at a known defensive aggregator.

Verdict

Operating-company assertion (current assignee ships products embodying the claims and is suing actual competitors)

The patent remains with Arcosa Marine Products Inc., an operating company that manufactures products embodying the claims, based on the release of security interest in 2026-04-03 (Reel 065705/0073) and the current active status of Arcosa Marine Products Inc. The presence of security interests (Reel 063462/0500, Reel 065705/0075) is consistent with normal business operations and financing for an operating company rather than an NPE.

USPTO Assignment Center Search for US10752476

Here is an analysis of the most relevant prior art cited for US Patent 10,752,476, based on a review of the patent's citations and the claims, with the current date being April 26, 2026. The priority date of US10752476 is April 22, 2016. Citations with a publication or priority date after this date are not considered anticipatory prior art under 35 U.S.C. § 102.

The independent claims of US10752476 (Claims 1, 8, and 13) prominently feature a "counterweight coupled to the mounting plate, the counterweight positioned to rotate the mounting plate in the second direction to disengage the pawl from the ratchet gear and return the mounting plate and first moment arm to a rest position." This specific mechanism for automatic pawl disengagement and return to a rest position, driven by a counterweight, is a key distinguishing element.

Based on this, none of the cited prior art explicitly teaches every element of the independent claims (1, 8, and 13) and therefore do not directly anticipate them under 35 U.S.C. § 102. However, some references are more relevant for teaching various components of a winch system.

Analysis of Prior Art Citations for US10752476

The following patents were cited in US10752476 and have a publication or priority date prior to April 22, 2016:

1. US2496249A

   • Full Citation: US2496249A - Line tightener
   • Publication Date: 1950-01-31
   • Brief Description: This patent describes a line tightener with a lever, a ratchet wheel, and a spring-biased pawl for maintaining tension. While it involves a ratchet and pawl mechanism, it does not describe a mounting plate, multiple moment arms, or a counterweight mechanism for automatically disengaging the pawl and returning the operating mechanism to a defined rest position.
   • Potential Anticipation: None. Lacks the specific counterweight-driven automatic disengagement and return to rest position.

2. US2710765A

   • Full Citation: US2710765A - Post hole digger
   • Publication Date: 1955-06-14
   • Brief Description: This patent is for a post hole digger tool. It is not related to winches or tightening mechanisms.
   • Potential Anticipation: None.

3. US2946563A

   • Full Citation: US2946563A - Tension retaining binder
   • Publication Date: 1960-07-26
   • Brief Description: This reference discloses a tension retaining binder, often used for securing loads, which includes a ratchet wheel, a pawl, and an operating lever. The pawl is typically manually released. It does not teach the specific mounting plate and counterweight arrangement for automatic pawl disengagement and return to a rest position.
   • Potential Anticipation: None. Lacks the specific counterweight-driven automatic disengagement and return to rest position.

4. US2992811A

   • Full Citation: US2992811A - Load handling device
   • Publication Date: 1961-07-18
   • Brief Description: This patent describes a load handling device, such as a hoist or winch, with a drum, ratchet, and a spring-loaded pawl for engagement. It focuses on release and braking mechanisms. It does not clearly disclose the mounting plate with integrated counterweight for automatic pawl disengagement and return of the operating arms to a rest position.
   • Potential Anticipation: None. Lacks the specific counterweight-driven automatic disengagement and return to rest position.

5. US3799005A

   • Full Citation: US3799005A - Drum winch
   • Publication Date: 1974-03-26
   • Brief Description: This patent describes a drum winch with a drive shaft and a ratchet wheel that is locked by a pawl. It primarily focuses on the gearing and general winch operation. It does not teach the specific indexing mechanism with a separate mounting plate, moment arms, and a counterweight for automatic pawl disengagement and return to a rest position.
   • Potential Anticipation: None. Lacks the specific counterweight-driven automatic disengagement and return to rest position.

6. US3799055A

   • Full Citation: US3799055A - Electrical initiator
   • Publication Date: 1974-03-26
   • Brief Description: This patent is for an electrical initiator and is unrelated to winches or tightening mechanisms.
   • Potential Anticipation: None.

7. US4456227A

   • Full Citation: US4456227A - Dual-handled winch
   • Publication Date: 1984-06-26
   • Brief Description: This patent describes a hand winch with a drum, a drive mechanism, and a pair of handles. One handle is pivotally mounted and connected to a pawl and ratchet mechanism to rotate the drum. While this reference teaches multiple handles and a pawl/ratchet system in a winch, it does not explicitly disclose a "mounting plate" as claimed, nor does it teach a "counterweight coupled to the mounting plate" for automatically disengaging the pawl and returning the operating mechanism to a rest position. The pawl engagement and handle return mechanism are likely conventional (e.g., spring-biased or manual).
   • Potential Anticipation: None. While relevant to the concept of multiple handles (dependent claims 3, 10, 16), it lacks the critical counterweight-driven automatic pawl disengagement and return to rest of the independent claims (1, 8, 13).

8. US4591029A

   • Full Citation: US4591029A - Load actuating braking apparatus
   • Publication Date: 1986-05-27
   • Brief Description: This patent relates to a braking apparatus that includes a ratchet and pawl, often for controlling loads. It discusses a brake lever and a spring-biased pawl. It does not teach the specific mounting plate, moment arms, and counterweight-driven automatic pawl disengagement and return to rest position.
   • Potential Anticipation: None. Lacks the specific counterweight-driven automatic disengagement and return to rest position.

9. US8974159B1

   • Full Citation: US8974159B1 - Vehicle load securing apparatus
   • Publication Date: 2015-03-10
   • Brief Description: This patent describes a vehicle load securing apparatus, which may incorporate a tie-down winch with a ratchet, pawl, and a handle. It focuses on the pawl release mechanism. It does not disclose the specific combination of a mounting plate, moment arms, and a counterweight for automatically disengaging the pawl and returning the operating mechanism to a rest position.
   • Potential Anticipation: None. Lacks the specific counterweight-driven automatic disengagement and return to rest position.

10. US9004456B2

    • Full Citation: US9004456B2 - Manual marine winch with safety knockout override preventing release of winch tension without the handle in the stowed position
    • Publication Date: 2015-04-14
    • Brief Description: This patent describes a manual marine winch with a safety mechanism. It includes a pawl, a ratchet, and a handle, focusing on a "safety knockout override" that prevents tension release unless the handle is in a specific stowed position. While highly relevant to marine winches and safety features, it does not teach a "mounting plate" or a "counterweight coupled to the mounting plate" for automatically disengaging the pawl and returning the entire operating mechanism (mounting plate and first moment arm) to a defined rest position after each indexing stroke. The pawl disengagement is linked to a manual stowing action, not an automatic counterweight return.
    • Potential Anticipation: None. While very relevant to the field of winches and safety, it lacks the specific counterweight-driven automatic pawl disengagement and return to rest position of the independent claims (1, 8, 13).

11. US20150197413A1

    • Full Citation: US20150197413A1 - Winch and method of use thereof
    • Publication Date: 2015-07-16
    • Brief Description: This patent describes a winch with a drum, drive shaft, ratchet wheel, and a pawl assembly, including a handle. It focuses on reducing pawl wear. While it details a winch with a pawl and ratchet, it does not disclose the specific "mounting plate," "first moment arm," and "counterweight coupled to the mounting plate... to disengage the pawl from the ratchet gear and return the mounting plate and first moment arm to a rest position."
    • Potential Anticipation: None. Lacks the specific counterweight-driven automatic disengagement and return to rest position.

Non-Anticipatory Citations

The following citations are not considered prior art for anticipation under 35 U.S.C. § 102 because their relevant filing or priority dates are not prior to the priority date of US10752476 (April 22, 2016):

• US20170305728A1 (Publication Date: 2017-10-26; Priority Date: 2016-04-22). This is a continuation application of US10752476 and shares the same priority date, as explicitly stated in the patent's "RELATED APPLICATIONS" section. Therefore, it is not prior art to US10752476.
• US20170362066A1 (Publication Date: 2017-12-21; Priority Date: 2016-06-20). [cite: https://patents.google.com/patent/US10752476/en] The priority date of this reference is after the priority date of US10752476, meaning it cannot anticipate US10752476 under 35 U.S.C. § 102.

Conclusion:
Based on the analysis, none of the cited prior art references individually disclose every element of the independent claims (Claims 1, 8, and 13) of US10752476, specifically lacking the combination of a mounting plate, moment arms, and a counterweight mechanism engineered for the automatic disengagement of the pawl from the ratchet gear and the return of the mounting plate and first moment arm to a rest position. Therefore, none of the identified prior art potentially anticipates these claims under 35 U.S.C. § 102.

The obviousness of US Patent 10,752,476 under 35 U.S.C. § 103 can be assessed by identifying combinations of the cited prior art references that would render the independent claims (Claims 1, 8, and 13) obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art (PHOSITA). The core distinguishing feature of these claims is "a counterweight coupled to the mounting plate, the counterweight positioned to rotate the mounting plate in the second direction to disengage the pawl from the ratchet gear and return the mounting plate and first moment arm to a rest position." This specific mechanism for automatic pawl disengagement and return of the operating mechanism to a rest position, driven by a counterweight, is the focus of the obviousness analysis.

A PHOSITA in the field of mechanical winches would possess knowledge of conventional winch components, pawl and ratchet mechanisms, leverage principles, and common mechanical biasing elements (e.g., springs, weights).

Obviousness Analysis for Claims 1, 8, and 13

The independent claims (1, 8, and 13) describe a winch apparatus, a winch tightening apparatus, and a method of coupling such an apparatus, respectively, all centering on the mechanism for tightening a winch line. The key elements shared across these claims, beyond the basic winch components, include:

• A mounting plate rotationally coupled to the drive shaft.
• A first moment arm coupled to the mounting plate for leverage.
• A pawl pivotally coupled to the mounting plate, engaging a ratchet gear in a first direction and disengaging in a second direction.
• A counterweight coupled to the mounting plate, positioned to automatically rotate the mounting plate in the second direction to disengage the pawl and return the mounting plate and first moment arm to a rest position.

Combination of Prior Art References: US4456227A, US9004456B2, and General Mechanical Principles

This combination addresses the key elements of the independent claims:

1. Primary Reference: US4456227A (Dual-handled winch)

   • Teachings: US4456227A describes a hand winch with a drum, a drive mechanism, and a pair of handles. Crucially, it teaches that one handle is pivotally mounted and connected to a pawl and ratchet mechanism to rotate the drum.
   • Elements Addressed: This reference provides the foundational elements of a winch (housing, drum, drive shaft, ratchet gear) and the concept of an operating lever (the "pivotally mounted handle") that functions as a "mounting plate" with a "first moment arm" for rotating the ratchet gear via a pawl. The engagement and disengagement of the pawl based on the handle's rotation are inherent in such a system. It also teaches the concept of multiple moment arms ("dual-handled"), relevant for dependent claims.

2. Motivation for Modification (Safety and Ergonomics): US9004456B2 (Manual marine winch with safety knockout override) and the disclosed problems in US10752476

   • Motivation: US9004456B2 highlights safety concerns in marine winches by disclosing a "safety knockout override preventing release of winch tension without the handle in the stowed position." This demonstrates a recognized need in the art to ensure winch operating mechanisms are in a safe, disengaged, or "stowed" (rest) position when not actively tightening. The background of US10752476 explicitly details safety disadvantages of prior art systems, such as the risk of injury from pipe extensions and uncontrolled spinning handles, and promotes a mechanism that reduces such risks by returning to a rest position. A PHOSITA, aware of these safety concerns, would be motivated to improve the design of US4456227A by ensuring its operating handle automatically returns to a safe, disengaged rest position after each operation. This would prevent accidental engagement or uncontrolled movement, directly addressing the safety problems identified.

3. Means for Automatic Return: General Mechanical Principles (Counterweights and Springs)

   • Teachings & Application: The concept of using a counterweight to bias a mechanical component to a default or "rest" position through gravity is a fundamental principle in mechanical engineering. It is a well-known alternative to spring-biasing, which is itself commonly used for pawl return in other winch-like mechanisms (e.g., US2496249A, US2992811A, US4591029A). A PHOSITA seeking to implement the motivated automatic return feature for the pivotally mounted handle/lever (which acts as the mounting plate with a first moment arm) of US4456227A would find it an obvious design choice to add or incorporate a counterweight. This counterweight would be positioned to cause the handle/lever assembly to automatically rotate in the direction that disengages the pawl from the ratchet gear, thereby returning the entire operating mechanism to a predetermined safe "rest position." The disclosed patent US10752476 itself notes that the counterweight "may be gravity operated or spring operated," [cite: US10752476B2 Description, 0021, 0064] indicating that these are recognized, interchangeable means for achieving such a biasing function. Designing the pivotally mounted handle of US4456227A with an inherent weight imbalance or by coupling a distinct counterweight to it would be a straightforward engineering solution to achieve this automatic return to a safe, disengaged rest position.

Conclusion on Obviousness

The combination of US4456227A, motivated by the safety concerns highlighted in US9004456B2 and general design objectives for ergonomic and safe operation, and utilizing the well-known mechanical principle of a counterweight for automatic biasing/return, would render Claims 1, 8, and 13 of US10752476 obvious. A PHOSITA would find it a predictable design choice to adapt a pivotally mounted winch operating lever (as in US4456227A) with a counterweight to ensure it automatically returns to a safe, disengaged rest position after each use, thereby improving safety and efficiency, as motivated by the art.

Dependent Claims:

• Claim 2 (Counterweight gravity or spring operated): This is explicitly mentioned in US10752476 as alternative, known means for a counterweight. If the counterweight itself is obvious, its implementation via gravity or spring is also obvious. [cite: US10752476B2 Description, 0021, 0064]
• Claim 3 (Second moment arm): Directly taught by US4456227A's "dual-handled winch."
• Claims 4 and 5 (Stop pin/slot to limit rotational motion): Limiting range of motion for safety is a common mechanical design practice, and pin-and-slot mechanisms are standard solutions for this. The motivation for limited motion is supported by safety concerns in US9004456B2 and the general desire to prevent operator overextension or injury, as discussed in US10752476. [cite: US10752476B2 Description, 0044-0048]
• Claims 6 and 11 (First moment arm detachable): Detachable components for adjustability, repair, or customization are well-known in mechanical designs and would be an obvious design choice for a PHOSITA. [cite: US10752476B2 Description, 0060]
• Claims 7 and 12 (First moment arm comprises a shear point): While not explicitly taught in the cited art for a winch handle, the concept of a "shear point" to protect more critical components from excessive force or collision damage is a known engineering solution in various mechanical contexts. The motivation in US10752476 is specific to preventing winch damage during barge overtopping, which is a particular environmental hazard for marine winches. [cite: US10752476B2 Description, 0066] A PHOSITA would be motivated to protect the winch from damage in such an environment and would consider incorporating known protective features like a shear point on exposed elements.

The term of a U.S. utility patent generally extends 20 years from its earliest priority filing date. Patent Term Adjustment (PTA) can extend this term due to delays by the USPTO during prosecution, while Patent Term Extension (PTE) is typically related to regulatory review periods for products like pharmaceuticals.

For US Patent 10,752,476:

Patent Term Adjustments (PTA) and Patent Term Extensions (PTE):

• The Google Patents entry for US10752476 indicates an "Anticipated expiration" date of 2036-08-19. [cite: https://patents.google.com/patent/US10752476/en] This date suggests that some form of Patent Term Adjustment (PTA) has likely been granted, as the patent's original filing date was April 19, 2019, which would typically lead to an expiration around April 19, 2039, if the 20-year term was measured from this application, or August 19, 2036, if measured from the earliest priority date. The patent claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/326,320 filed April 22, 2016. [cite: US10752476B2 Description, 0002] Therefore, the 20-year term would normally run from April 22, 2016, making the standard expiration April 22, 2036. The August 19, 2036, anticipated expiration suggests approximately 4 months of PTA.
• The USPTO does not calculate expiration dates for patents but provides resources like a patent term calculator. PTA is granted for certain delays by the USPTO during prosecution, such as not issuing an office action within 14 months of filing, not responding to a reply within 4 months, or not issuing a patent within 4 months of the issue fee payment.
• There is no information explicitly stating any Patent Term Extensions (PTE) for US10752476. PTEs are usually granted for delays in regulatory approval processes, most commonly for pharmaceutical products, which does not appear to be the case for this patent.

Continuation Applications:

US Patent 10,752,476 is explicitly identified as a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/241,794. [cite: US10752476B2 Description, 0002]

Divisional Applications:

No information within the patent document explicitly mentions any divisional applications for US10752476. A divisional application is for an independent or distinct invention carved out of a pending application, disclosing and claiming only subject matter disclosed in the earlier or parent application, without introducing new matter.

Related Family Members:

The patent is part of a family that includes:

• US15/241,794 (parent application, now US10266377B2, filed 2016-08-19, priority 2016-04-22). [cite: US10752476B2 Description, 0002]
• US20190241410A1 (publication of the instant application, published 2019-08-08). [cite: https://patents.google.com/patent/US10752476/en]
• US16/937,727 (a continuation application, now US11919753B2, filed 2020-07-24, priority 2016-04-22). [cite: https://patents.google.com/patent/US10752476/en]
• US201662326320P (priority provisional application, filed 2016-04-22). [cite: https://patents.google.com/patent/US10752476/en]

Projected Expiration Date:

The anticipated expiration date for US Patent 10,752,476 is 2036-08-19. [cite: https://patents.google.com/patent/US10752476/en] This date is derived from the earliest priority date of April 22, 2016, plus the standard 20-year term, with an additional adjustment likely due to Patent Term Adjustment (PTA).