Power pack vending apparatus, system, and method of use for charging power packs with biased locking arrangement
First Claim
1. A power pack vending system for providing power to a portable electronic device, the power pack vending system comprising:
- at least one vending kiosk comprising;
an outer housing assembly;
a user interface portion;
a removable magazine having a plurality of slots;
a plurality of rechargeable power packs, each power pack sized to be received within one magazine slot, and each power pack having a unique identifier;
a charging unit adapted to charge the plurality of power packs received within the plurality of magazine slots; and
a kiosk computer for receiving and storing the unique identifier of each power pack received within the magazine, the specific slot each power pack is in, and current power pack information of each power pack received within the magazine, and the kiosk computer controlling the charging of the plurality of power packs by the charging unit,wherein at least one of the plurality of power packs comprises;
a main body comprising an outer case defining a substantially rectangular prism having upper and lower surfaces, first and second side surfaces and front and rear end surfaces, the outer case defining a case opening in the upper surface and rear end surface; and
a device connector assembly having first and second ends, the first end connected to the main body and the second end having a device connector arranged and designed to electrically connect with the portable electronic device, the device connector assembly including a preformed flexible bent portion between the device connector and the device connector assembly first end, the preformed flexible bent portion allowing for different heights of the device connector above the upper surface of the power pack main body while also remembering its preformed shape,wherein the device connector assembly has a first position and a second position, in the first position the device connector assembly is substantially within the case opening such that the device connector assembly is substantially flush with the rear end surface and the device connector is not exposed, and in the second position the device connector is exposed and elevated above, and substantially parallel to, the upper surface of the power pack main body.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A power pack vending system comprises a plurality of kiosks including a magazine having a plurality of slots, and a plurality of rechargeable power packs. Each power pack has a unique identifier and is sized to be received within one slot. Each kiosk includes a computer for receiving and storing the unique identifier of each power pack received within the magazine, the specific slot the power pack is in, and current power pack information. The kiosk computer controls a charging unit for charging the power packs. The system includes a central management operation comprising a central computer and central database. The management operation communicates with each kiosk and the central database includes a database storing power pack information for every power pack and a database storing customer information. The central management operation receives, stores and processes information received from the kiosks and sends information to each of the kiosks.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A power pack vending system for providing power to a portable electronic device, the power pack vending system comprising:
at least one vending kiosk comprising; an outer housing assembly; a user interface portion; a removable magazine having a plurality of slots; a plurality of rechargeable power packs, each power pack sized to be received within one magazine slot, and each power pack having a unique identifier; a charging unit adapted to charge the plurality of power packs received within the plurality of magazine slots; and a kiosk computer for receiving and storing the unique identifier of each power pack received within the magazine, the specific slot each power pack is in, and current power pack information of each power pack received within the magazine, and the kiosk computer controlling the charging of the plurality of power packs by the charging unit, wherein at least one of the plurality of power packs comprises; a main body comprising an outer case defining a substantially rectangular prism having upper and lower surfaces, first and second side surfaces and front and rear end surfaces, the outer case defining a case opening in the upper surface and rear end surface; and a device connector assembly having first and second ends, the first end connected to the main body and the second end having a device connector arranged and designed to electrically connect with the portable electronic device, the device connector assembly including a preformed flexible bent portion between the device connector and the device connector assembly first end, the preformed flexible bent portion allowing for different heights of the device connector above the upper surface of the power pack main body while also remembering its preformed shape, wherein the device connector assembly has a first position and a second position, in the first position the device connector assembly is substantially within the case opening such that the device connector assembly is substantially flush with the rear end surface and the device connector is not exposed, and in the second position the device connector is exposed and elevated above, and substantially parallel to, the upper surface of the power pack main body. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A power pack vending system for providing power to a portable electronic device, the power pack vending system comprising:
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at least one vending kiosk comprising; an outer housing assembly; a user interface portion; a removable magazine having a plurality of slots; a plurality of rechargeable power packs, each power pack sized to be received within one magazine slot, and each power pack having a unique identifier; a charging unit adapted to charge the plurality of power packs received within the plurality of magazine slots; and a kiosk computer for receiving and storing the unique identifier of each power pack received within the magazine, the specific slot each power pack is in, and current power pack information of each power pack received within the magazine, and the kiosk computer controlling the charging of the plurality of power packs by the charging unit, wherein at least one of the power packs comprises an outer case having a cavity and the magazine comprises a locking member having a locking tab arranged and designed to be received within the cavity when the at least one power pack is stored in one of the plurality of magazine slots, wherein when the locking tab is received within the outer case cavity, the at least on power pack is not removable from the magazine, wherein the locking member is biased to a locking position and the locking tab is arranged and designed such that during insertion of the at least one power pack into one of the plurality of magazine slots, the outer case contacts the locking tab and moves the biased locking member from its locking position and when the at least one power pack is fully inserted the biased locking member returns to the locking position and forces the locking tab into the outer case cavity. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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21. A rechargeable power pack for powering a portable electronic device, the power pack comprising:
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a main body comprising an outer case defining a substantially rectangular prism having upper and lower surfaces, first and second side surfaces and front and rear end surfaces, the outer case defining a case opening in the upper surface and rear end surface; and a connector assembly having first and second ends, the first end connected to the main body and the second end having a connector arranged and designed to electrically connect with the portable electronic device, the connector assembly including a preformed flexible bent portion between the connector and the connector assembly first end, the preformed flexible bent portion allowing for different heights of the connector above the upper surface of the power pack main body while also remembering its preformed shape, wherein the connector assembly has a first position and a second position, in the first position the connector assembly is substantially within the case opening such that the connector assembly is substantially flush with the rear end surface, the connector is substantially parallel to the upper surface of the power pack main body and the connector is not exposed and in the second position the connector is exposed and elevated above, and substantially parallel to, the upper surface of the main body. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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Specification