A Durable Dock for Devices with a Specially Protected Connector
This patent describes a dock for electronic devices that features a unique, layered connector designed for improved durability and protection, using both rigid plastic and a flexible elastomeric sleeve.
Original patent title: “Dock with isolated dock connector and methods of making and using”
This patent describes a dock for electronic devices that features a unique, layered connector designed for improved durability and protection, using both rigid plastic and a flexible elastomeric sleeve. Granted in 2026.
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
The patent describes a dock for an electronic device that includes a base designed to fit over part of the device's back surface and a tray to hold one side. The key feature is its 'dock connector arrangement.' This arrangement starts with a dock connector made of a first rigid plastic, containing electrical contacts. An elastomeric sleeve, which is a flexible material, is molded around the perimeter of this connector. Finally, a contact box, made of a second rigid plastic, is molded around the perimeter of the elastomeric sleeve. This entire connector assembly is then attached to the base or tray of the dock, providing a robust and potentially isolated connection.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover docks where the connector lacks an elastomeric sleeve molded around its perimeter.
- Does not cover docks where the contact box is not molded around the elastomeric sleeve's perimeter.
- Does not cover docks that do not have a base configured to fit over at least a portion of a back surface of the electronic device.
- Does not cover docks that do not include a tray extending from the base for receiving one side of the electronic device.
- Does not cover dock connectors made solely of rigid plastic or entirely of elastomeric material without the described layered structure.
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 the multi-material, layered construction of the dock connector. By molding a flexible elastomeric sleeve around a rigid connector, and then encasing that in another rigid contact box, the design creates an 'isolated' and protected connection point that can withstand more stress than simpler designs.
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
Charging docks for smartphones
Docking stations for tablets
Smart home hubs with device docks
Medical device charging cradles
Point-of-sale system docks
Why it matters
The bigger picture
This patent focuses on making the connection point of a dock more resilient. By using a combination of rigid plastics and a flexible elastomeric sleeve, the design aims to protect the electrical contacts from wear, impact, or environmental factors. This could lead to more reliable and longer-lasting docking accessories for various electronic devices, reducing common failure points.
Filed
August 11, 2023
Granted
September 15, 2026
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Companies that manufacture electronic device accessories, such as Belkin, Anker, and Hyper, are constantly innovating in the docking and charging space. Device manufacturers like Apple, Samsung, and Google also develop proprietary docking solutions. This patent's focus on connector durability could be relevant to any of these players seeking to enhance product longevity and reliability.
Market impact
The market for electronic device accessories, including docks, is vast and competitive. A patent like this, focusing on a more robust connector design, could influence the development of more durable and reliable docking solutions. It could potentially reduce warranty claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more → for accessory manufacturers and improve user satisfaction by preventing common failures associated with frequent docking and undocking, leading to a higher standard for accessory quality.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
The patent describes a dock for an electronic device that includes a base designed to fit over part of the device's back surface and a tray to hold one side. The key feature is its 'dock connector arrangement.' This arrangement starts with a dock connector made of a first rigid plastic, containing electrical contacts. An elastomeric sleeve, which is a flexible material, is molded around the perimeter of this connector. Finally, a contact box, made of a second rigid plastic, is molded around the perimeter of the elastomeric sleeve. This entire connector assembly is then attached to the base or tray of the dock, providing a robust and potentially isolated connection.
The clever bit
The novelty lies in the multi-material, layered construction of the dock connector. By molding a flexible elastomeric sleeve around a rigid connector, and then encasing that in another rigid contact box, the design creates an 'isolated' and protected connection point that can withstand more stress than simpler designs.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover docks where the connector lacks an elastomeric sleeve molded around its perimeter.
- Does not cover docks where the contact box is not molded around the elastomeric sleeve's perimeter.
- Does not cover docks that do not have a base configured to fit over at least a portion of a back surface of the electronic device.
- Does not cover docks that do not include a tray extending from the base for receiving one side of the electronic device.
- Does not cover dock connectors made solely of rigid plastic or entirely of elastomeric material without the described layered structure.
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
$19K – $61K
Midpoint $38K · 16.8 yr remaining · industry ×1.6
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). A Durable Dock for Devices with a Specially Protected Connector (U.S. Patent No. 12,737,006). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12737006/dock-with-isolated-dock-connector-and-methods-of-making-and-using
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 A Durable Dock for Devices with a Specially Protected Connector cover?
This patent describes a dock for electronic devices that features a unique, layered connector designed for improved durability and protection, using both rigid plastic and a flexible elastomeric sleeve.
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 patent focuses on making the connection point of a dock more resilient. By using a combination of rigid plastics and a flexible elastomeric sleeve, the design aims to protect the electrical contacts from wear, impact, or environmental factors. This could lead to more reliable and longer-lasting docking accessories for various electronic devices, reducing common failure points.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover docks where the connector lacks an elastomeric sleeve molded around its perimeter.
Patent monitoring