How to Connect Wires and Light Signals Through a Protective Cloth
This patent describes a system to make both electrical and optical connections by pushing a plug into a socket, with a protective cloth or 'drape' placed in between, where a sharp part on the plug pokes through the drape.
Original patent title: “Connection systems and methods for establishing optical and electrical connections through a drape”
This patent describes a system to make both electrical and optical connections by pushing a plug into a socket, with a protective cloth or 'drape' placed in between, where a sharp part on the plug pokes through the drape. Granted in 2026.
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This system allows for establishing both optical and electrical connections directly through a protective layer, called a drape. It uses a plug and a receptacle. The plug has an optical terminal and an electrical terminal extending from its housing. The electrical terminal is designed as a piercing element, meaning it's sharp enough to poke through the drape. When the plug is inserted into the receptacle, with the drape positioned between them, the electrical terminal pierces the drape to connect with an electrical receiver inside the receptacle. Simultaneously, the optical terminal forms a connection with an optical receiver, also within the receptacle, passing the light signal through the drape without piercing it. For example, a surgeon could quickly connect a medical instrument to a base unit through a sterile drape without compromising the sterile field.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover connection systems where the drape must be pre-cut or pre-punched before the plug is inserted.
- Does not cover systems that only establish an optical connection or only an electrical connection, as it specifies both.
- Does not cover connections where the electrical terminal does not physically pierce the drape.
- Does not cover wireless communication systems that transmit signals through a drape without direct physical contact.
- Does not cover connections where the drape is not positioned directly between the plug and the receptacle during insertion.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
Key facts
What made this novel
The noveltynoveltyThe requirement that an invention be different from anything publicly known before its priority date.Read more → lies in simultaneously creating both optical and electrical connections through a drape, specifically by using a piercing element for the electrical connection while the optical connection forms without piercing. This allows for robust, multi-signal connectivity in protected environments without compromising the barrier.
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Medical surgical equipment connections through sterile drapes
Industrial sensors connecting through protective covers in dusty factories
Ruggedized outdoor electronics requiring sealed connections
Laboratory equipment needing quick, clean connections through protective barriers
Why it matters
The bigger picture
This technology could be important in environments requiring strict cleanliness or protection from contaminants, such as medical operating rooms or harsh industrial settings. It allows for quick, reliable connections without needing to remove or damage a protective barrier. This can save time and reduce the risk of contamination, making equipment safer and more efficient to use in critical applications.
Filed
July 16, 2024
Granted
September 15, 2026
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Companies specializing in medical device connectors, industrial automation, and ruggedized electronics are likely to be interested in this type of technology. Manufacturers like TE Connectivity, Amphenol, and ITT Cannon, which produce specialized connectors for harsh or sensitive environments, could find applications for such a system. Startups focusing on sterile medical solutions or advanced sensor integration might also explore similar connection methods.
Market impact
This patent could enable the development of new connector standards for sterile or harsh environments, potentially simplifying equipment setup and reducing downtime. It could lead to more robust and reliable connections in medical devices, improving patient safety and operational efficiency. In industrial settings, it might allow for quicker deployment and maintenance of sensors and controls in environments where traditional connectors are prone to failure due to contamination.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This system allows for establishing both optical and electrical connections directly through a protective layer, called a drape. It uses a plug and a receptacle. The plug has an optical terminal and an electrical terminal extending from its housing. The electrical terminal is designed as a piercing element, meaning it's sharp enough to poke through the drape. When the plug is inserted into the receptacle, with the drape positioned between them, the electrical terminal pierces the drape to connect with an electrical receiver inside the receptacle. Simultaneously, the optical terminal forms a connection with an optical receiver, also within the receptacle, passing the light signal through the drape without piercing it. For example, a surgeon could quickly connect a medical instrument to a base unit through a sterile drape without compromising the sterile field.
The clever bit
The novelty lies in simultaneously creating both optical and electrical connections through a drape, specifically by using a piercing element for the electrical connection while the optical connection forms without piercing. This allows for robust, multi-signal connectivity in protected environments without compromising the barrier.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover connection systems where the drape must be pre-cut or pre-punched before the plug is inserted.
- Does not cover systems that only establish an optical connection or only an electrical connection, as it specifies both.
- Does not cover connections where the electrical terminal does not physically pierce the drape.
- Does not cover wireless communication systems that transmit signals through a drape without direct physical contact.
- Does not cover connections where the drape is not positioned directly between the plug and the receptacle during insertion.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Patent officially issued
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Early stage
Citation count
0/40
No citations yet
Claim breadth
0/20
Narrow claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →
Recency
20/20
Granted within 5 years
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$26K – $84K
Midpoint $53K · 17.8 yr remaining · industry ×2.2
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
Claim text not yet imported for this patent
Concepts involved
Cite this patent
(2026). How to Connect Wires and Light Signals Through a Protective Cloth (U.S. Patent No. 12,734,006). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12734006/connection-systems-and-methods-for-establishing-optical-and-electrical
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does How to Connect Wires and Light Signals Through a Protective Cloth cover?
This patent describes a system to make both electrical and optical connections by pushing a plug into a socket, with a protective cloth or 'drape' placed in between, where a sharp part on the plug pokes through the drape.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on September 15, 2046, when the invention enters the public domain.
What problem does this patent solve?
This technology could be important in environments requiring strict cleanliness or protection from contaminants, such as medical operating rooms or harsh industrial settings. It allows for quick, reliable connections without needing to remove or damage a protective barrier. This can save time and reduce the risk of contamination, making equipment safer and more efficient to use in critical applications.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover connection systems where the drape must be pre-cut or pre-punched before the plug is inserted.
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