I 94 expired while filed for H1b extesion

[h1bextension456]

Hi All-

Can you please reply to my query below.

Filed for H1B extension in November 2011, received extension for 2 months which expired on 1st February. This petition was without client letter (the work order is month to month) which seems to have caused the issue. Filed again for H1 extension on January 26th 2012, still waiting. I94 expired on January 30th

By the way things are going i expect to get my extension decision (approved/denied) by end of this month.

In the worst case scenario, if it gets denied does it make me out of status immediately? am i subject to 3 yrs ban if 6 months have passed on the same case?

Second case is if my extension gets approved and i do not get i 94 along with it (i797B), will the period be counted as me being out of status?

Under what circumstances is I797B given? I have never been out of the country since i came on student visa 6 years back.

Hoping for a quick reply.

Thanks