Docking sleeve with electrical adapter
Patent No. US9706026 (titled "Docking sleeve with electrical adapter") on Nov 9, 2015. The application was issued on Jul 11, 2017.
What is this patent about?
'026 is related to the field of protective covers for portable electronic devices, specifically addressing the need for efficient and reliable docking solutions. Traditional protective skins often hinder the seamless integration of devices with docking stations, requiring removal of the cover for connectivity. This patent aims to overcome these limitations by incorporating an electrical adapter directly into the protective cover.
The underlying idea behind '026 is to integrate an electrical adapter within a flexible protective cover for a portable electronic device. This adapter features a male plug designed to mate with the device's input/output socket and a contactor with external contacts. By embedding this adapter, the device can be docked without removing the cover, providing a more convenient and reliable connection.
The claims of '026 focus on a docking cradle designed to receive an electronic device encased in a protective cover. The cradle incorporates a base receiver with a back support and a docking support surface. A female connector, featuring biasing contacts or a magnetic coupling element, is positioned within the docking support surface to connect with the male connector on the protective cover, guided by a rim for proper mating.
In practice, the electronic device is first placed inside the flexible cover, establishing a connection between the device's socket and the cover's integrated male plug. The covered device is then inserted into the docking cradle, where the contactor on the cover aligns and connects with the cradle's docking connector. This allows for seamless electrical access to the device's input/output functions without needing to remove the protective cover.
This design differentiates itself from prior art by integrating the electrical adapter directly into the protective cover, eliminating the need for separate adapters or removal of the cover for docking. The use of biasing contacts or magnetic coupling ensures a secure and reliable connection between the cover and the docking cradle, while the guiding rim on the female connector facilitates proper alignment and mating, enhancing the overall user experience.
How does this patent fit in bigger picture?
Technical Landscape
In the mid-2010s when ’026 was filed, protective accessories for mobile hardware were typically implemented using passive silicone or plastic shells that required users to manually remove the casing to access physical data ports. At a time when systems commonly relied on standard plug-and-socket friction fits for charging and data transfer, integrating active electrical components directly into a flexible protective layer was non-trivial due to the mechanical stress placed on internal wiring during installation. Furthermore, engineering constraints of the era meant that docking a device usually necessitated precise manual alignment with a fixed connector, as most protective housings did not include integrated interface adapters capable of bridging the gap between the device’s internal port and an external docking station.
Prosecution Position
The examiner allowed the application because the prior art did not describe a specific combination of features for a protective docking sleeve. Specifically, the examiner noted that existing technologies failed to show a female connector with spring-loaded or movable biasing contacts that activate when the device and its cover are inserted. Additionally, the prior art did not include a magnetic coupling element within that connector to assist the connection. Finally, the examiner highlighted that the unique structural design of the cover—which wraps around the front, back, and all four side surfaces to secure the device—was not found in combination with these electrical and magnetic features.
Claims
This patent contains 20 claims, with independent claims 1, 8, and 10. The independent claims generally focus on docking cradles and docking systems for electronic devices, including specific connector configurations and support structures. The dependent claims generally elaborate on and refine the features described in the independent claims, adding details such as asymmetric shapes, recessed rims, housing configurations, and magnetic coupling elements.
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US9706026
- Application Number
- US14936517A
- Filing Date
- Nov 9, 2015
- Publication Date
- Jul 11, 2017
- External Links
- Slate, USPTO, Google Patents