Patent 12436567

Prior art

Earlier patents, publications, and products that may anticipate or render the claims unpatentable.

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Prior art

Earlier patents, publications, and products that may anticipate or render the claims unpatentable.

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The following is an analysis of the most relevant prior art for US patent 12436567, based on the patent's own citations. The prior art is assessed for its potential to anticipate the claims under 35 U.S.C. § 102.

Patent Citations:

  1. USD750083S1

    • Full Citation: USD750083S1 - Docking device - Karen Chow
    • Publication Date: 2016-02-23 (Filing Date: 2014-12-24)
    • Brief Description: This design patent depicts a docking device. From the images, it appears to be a rectangular or square base with some indentations or features on its top surface. It lacks clear disclosure of a cutaway specifically designed to expose an activation means on the bottom of a computer.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Unlikely to fully anticipate Claim 1. While it shows a docking device, it does not explicitly disclose a "cutaway in top and side portions of a back corner that does not extend through a bottom side" designed to expose a "corresponding back bottom portion of the mini-computer." Design patents primarily protect ornamental design, not functional features.

  2. USD844006S1

    • Full Citation: USD844006S1 - Portable wireless hub - Fruitdock Kft
    • Publication Date: 2019-03-26 (Filing Date: 2017-02-27)
    • Brief Description: This design patent illustrates a portable wireless hub, which appears to be a compact, rectangular device with various ports. Similar to USD750083S1, it does not clearly show a cutaway feature for accessing a bottom-side activation mechanism of a mini-computer.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Unlikely to fully anticipate Claim 1 for reasons similar to USD750083S1. It describes a "hub" which aligns with the data port features mentioned in claims 2, 3, and 4, but the primary distinguishing feature of the cutaway is not evident.

  3. USD894191S1

    • Full Citation: USD894191S1 - Hub with stand for mini computer - Sariana, LLC
    • Publication Date: 2020-08-25 (Filing Date: 2018-11-13)
    • Brief Description: This design patent is assigned to the same assignee, Sariana, LLC. It depicts a "Hub with stand for mini computer." Given the shared assignee and the descriptive title, this patent likely shows a stand with hub functionalities. The figures would need to be thoroughly examined to determine if a cutaway feature for accessing a bottom-side activation means is present.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Possible partial anticipation. As a design patent from the same assignee for a "Hub with stand for mini computer," it is highly relevant. A detailed review of the figures would be necessary to ascertain if the specific "cutaway" feature of Claim 1 (and its function) is depicted. If the cutaway is shown and functions to expose a bottom-side activation means, it could anticipate Claim 1. Claims 2, 3, and 4 regarding data ports/hub functionality are also highly relevant here.

  4. USD966270S1

    • Full Citation: USD966270S1 - Docking station - Shenzhen Colorii TECH Limited
    • Publication Date: 2022-10-11 (Filing Date: 2021-05-10)
    • Brief Description: This design patent illustrates a "Docking station." The visual disclosure would need to be reviewed to see if it includes a cutaway for accessing a bottom-side activation means of a mini-computer.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Unlikely to fully anticipate Claim 1 unless a specific cutaway for bottom-side access is clearly shown and described in the design figures. It is relevant to the general concept of a docking station (claims 2-4).

  5. USD984991S1

    • Full Citation: USD984991S1 - Mini personal computer - Shenzhen Azw Technology Co., Ltd
    • Publication Date: 2023-05-02 (Filing Date: 2022-05-16)
    • Brief Description: This is a design patent for a "Mini personal computer," not a stand. As such, it would likely show the external appearance of a mini-computer itself, which might include an activation means on its bottom side, but not a stand designed to provide access to it.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Unlikely to anticipate Claim 1, as Claim 1 is directed to a stand for a mini-computer. However, it could be relevant as evidence of mini-computers having activation means on their bottom side, which forms part of the context for the claimed invention.

  6. USD997946S1

    • Full Citation: USD997946S1 - Desktop multifunctional docking station - Shenzhen Pingemei Technology Co., Ltd.
    • Publication Date: 2023-09-05 (Filing Date: 2022-08-09)
    • Brief Description: This design patent illustrates a "Desktop multifunctional docking station." Like other design patents for docking stations, its figures would need to be examined for the specific cutaway feature.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Similar to USD966270S1, unlikely to anticipate Claim 1 unless a cutaway providing access to a bottom-side activation means is clearly depicted and its function understood from the design. It is relevant to the general concept of a docking station (claims 2-4).

  7. USD1031666S1

    • Full Citation: USD1031666S1 - USB docking station - Shen Zhen Broway Electronic Co., Ltd.
    • Publication Date: 2024-06-18 (Filing Date: 2022-07-18)
    • Brief Description: This is a design patent for a "USB docking station." The figures would need to be reviewed for the presence of the claimed cutaway feature.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Similar to other docking station design patents, unlikely to anticipate Claim 1 unless the specific cutaway and its function are clearly shown. It is relevant to the general concept of a docking station with USB ports (claims 2-4).

  8. USD1066331S1

    • Full Citation: USD1066331S1 - Stand with hub for computer or computer monitor - Sariana Llc
    • Publication Date: 2025-03-11 (Filing Date: 2021-05-05)
    • Brief Description: Another design patent from the same assignee, Sariana LLC, titled "Stand with hub for computer or computer monitor." This is highly relevant due to the shared assignee and similar subject matter. The visual disclosure needs to be carefully examined for the presence of the cutaway feature and its specific characteristics as defined in Claim 1.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Highly probable for partial or full anticipation, especially if the cutaway feature of Claim 1 is clearly depicted and its function is evident from the design. The "hub" aspect is directly relevant to claims 2, 3, and 4.

  9. USD1070845S1

    • Full Citation: USD1070845S1 - Computer - [Apple Inc.](/litigations/by-plaintiff/Apple%20Inc.)
    • Publication Date: 2025-04-15 (Filing Date: 2022-02-17)
    • Brief Description: This is a design patent for a "Computer" by Apple Inc. Similar to USD984991S1, this would show the computer itself, not necessarily a stand for it. It might be relevant for showing a mini-computer with a bottom-side activation means.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Unlikely to anticipate Claim 1 (which is for a stand), but potentially relevant as context for the type of mini-computer the stand is designed for.

  10. USD1067231S1

    • Full Citation: USD1067231S1 - Docking station - Shenzhen Broway Electronic Co., Ltd.
    • Publication Date: 2025-03-18 (Filing Date: 2024-11-21)
    • Brief Description: This is a design patent for a "Docking station." Its figures would need to be examined for the presence of the specific cutaway feature.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Similar to other docking station design patents, unlikely to anticipate Claim 1 unless the cutaway feature is clearly shown and its function understood. Relevant to general docking station features (claims 2-4).

  11. USD1076921S1

    • Full Citation: USD1076921S1 - Docking station - Ugreen Group Limited
    • Publication Date: 2025-05-27 (Filing Date: 2024-11-28)
    • Brief Description: This is a design patent for a "Docking station." The visual elements need to be reviewed to determine if the cutaway of Claim 1 is present.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Similar to other docking station design patents, unlikely to anticipate Claim 1 unless the cutaway feature is clearly shown and its function understood. Relevant to general docking station features (claims 2-4).

Non-Patent Literature Citations:

  1. Juli Clover, "M4 Mac Mini's Power Button Has New Bottom Location" Oct. 29, 2024, MacRumors.com

    • Brief Description: This article discusses the repositioning of the power button on the M4 Mac Mini to a new bottom location.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This non-patent literature is highly relevant as it explicitly identifies a mini-computer (M4 Mac Mini) with an "activation means on its bottom side," which is a key element of Claim 1. The publication date (Oct. 29, 2024) is prior to the filing date of US12436567 (Feb. 3, 2025). This article provides strong evidence for the existence of the mini-computer with the bottom-side activation means, making the combination of such a mini-computer with a stand having a cutaway to access it potentially obvious under § 103, or the mini-computer aspect of Claim 8 anticipated under § 102 if the "means for activation" is interpreted broadly. It strongly establishes the problem that US12436567 aims to solve.

  2. Mark Sparrow, "Satechi Reveals Stand And Hub For The New Apple Mac Mini M4" Nov. 21, 2024, Forbes.com

    • Brief Description: This article, published by Forbes, describes Satechi (Sariana LLC's DBA) revealing a stand and hub specifically for the new Apple Mac Mini M4. Given the description of US12436567 and Satechi's product line, it is highly likely that this article describes a product that embodies some or all of the features of the patent, particularly the stand with a cutaway to access the bottom-located power button of the M4 Mac Mini. The publication date (Nov. 21, 2024) is also prior to the filing date of US12436567.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This article is extremely relevant and could potentially anticipate Claim 1 and other claims (2-8) of US12436567. If the Satechi stand described in the article includes a "cutaway in top and side portions of a back corner that does not extend through a bottom side... adapted to expose a corresponding back bottom portion of the mini-computer," as specified in Claim 1, then this article could directly anticipate Claim 1. Furthermore, the mention of a "hub" in the title directly relates to claims 2, 3, and 4 which concern data ports and hub functionality. This article, especially in combination with the MacRumors article, provides very strong prior art against US12436567.

Summary of Most Relevant Prior Art:

The most relevant prior art appears to be the non-patent literature:

  • Juli Clover, "M4 Mac Mini's Power Button Has New Bottom Location" Oct. 29, 2024, MacRumors.com: This article establishes the problem addressed by the patent, namely, the existence of mini-computers with activation means on their bottom side. This directly informs the context of Claim 1 and Claim 8.
  • Mark Sparrow, "Satechi Reveals Stand And Hub For The New Apple Mac Mini M4" Nov. 21, 2024, Forbes.com: This article, describing a product from the patent's own assignee (Sariana LLC / Satechi), is critically important. If the described Satechi stand features a cutaway to access the M4 Mac Mini's bottom-located power button, it could directly anticipate Claim 1. Its description as a "hub" also makes it highly relevant to claims 2, 3, and 4.

These non-patent references, both pre-dating the filing of US12436567, strongly suggest that the core inventive concept of a stand with a cutaway to access a bottom-mounted mini-computer activation feature was publicly disclosed and even commercialized by the assignee prior to the patent's filing.

Among the patent citations, USD894191S1 and USD1066331S1, both design patents from the same assignee (Sariana, LLC), are the most relevant. While design patents protect ornamental features, a thorough review of their figures could reveal a depiction of the functional cutaway feature of Claim 1, thus potentially anticipating it. The "hub" features in these design patents also make them relevant to claims 2-4.

Generated 6/26/2026, 6:02:59 AM