European Patent.pdf

The European Patent Specification EP 3 271 796 B1 describes a docking sleeve with an electrical adapter for protecting a portable electronic device. The patent was granted on March 2, 2022, and published in the European Patent Bulletin 2022/09. The application number is 16736722.6, and the date of filing is June 28, 2016.

The invention relates to a flexible cover with an electrical adapter for coupling a portable electronic device to a docking station. The cover overcomes limitations of prior art by providing efficient and reliable usage of portable electronic devices. The protective arrangement includes a docking system with a protective cover and a docking cradle.

The drawings illustrate the invention as a one-piece elastomeric protective cover, or skin, partially enveloping a target portable electronic device, such as a smartphone or tablet. The protective cover has an electrical adapter with a male plug and a contactor for mechanically and electrically mating with a female input/output socket of the target electronic device.

The invention also includes a flexible center panel of the protective shell as an integral window panel formed of a substantially optically transparent flexible membrane for use with a portable electronic device having a pressure-sensitive touch screen. The electrical adapter can be configured as a pass-through electrical adapter or a converting electrical adapter.

The proprietor of the patent is National Products, Inc., and the inventor is Jeffrey D. Carnevali. The representative is Vossius & Partner Patentanwälte Rechtsanwälte mbB. The patent cites references WO-A1-2015/022675, US-A1-2013/273983, US-A1-2013/331156, and US-B1-8,825,123.