{
  "patent_number": "US 12737006",
  "country": "US",
  "title": "A Durable Dock for Devices with a Specially Protected Connector",
  "original_title": "Dock with isolated dock connector and methods of making and using",
  "summary": "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.",
  "what_it_does": "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.",
  "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."
  ],
  "filed": "2023-08-11",
  "granted": "2026-09-15",
  "expires": null,
  "status": "active",
  "holder": null,
  "holder_url": null,
  "inventors": [],
  "times_cited": 0,
  "tags": [
    "consumer_electronics",
    "telecommunications",
    "mechanical"
  ],
  "abstract": "A dock for an electronic device includes a base configured to fit over at least a portion of a back surface of the electronic device; a tray extending from the base for receiving one side of the electronic device; and a dock connector arrangement that includes a dock connector formed of a first rigid or hard plastic material, a plurality of contacts extending out of, or disposed on, the dock connector, an elastomeric sleeve molded around at least a perimeter of the dock connector, and a contact box, wherein at least a portion of the contact box is molded around at least a perimeter of the elastomeric sleeve, wherein at least the portion of the contact box is formed of a second rigid or hard plastic material, wherein the contact box is coupled to, or part of, the base or the tray.",
  "url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12737006/dock-with-isolated-dock-connector-and-methods-of-making-and-using",
  "markdown_url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12737006/dock-with-isolated-dock-connector-and-methods-of-making-and-using/md",
  "google_patents_url": "https://patents.google.com/patent/US12737006",
  "relatedPatents": []
}