System and apparatus for providing power to remote electronic devices

• US 10,541,546 B1
• Filed: 08/18/2017
• Issued: 01/21/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Versalite Associates LLC
• Original Assignee: Versalite Associates LLC
• Inventors: Dowdy, Randal A., Dowdy, Tracy J., Pendleton, Justin D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kaplan, Hal
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dhillon, Jagdeep S
• Application Number:
  US15/680,566
• Time in Patent Office: 886 Days
• Field of Search: 307 66, 307112, 307104, 307116, 307149, 307117, 315 34, 320107, 320109, 320108, 320103, 362186, 362188
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 7/0252 PM holding devices H01F7/021, H01F7/0215, H01F7/0226 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 7/0257 Lifting, pick-up magnetic objects
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00 Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0045 concerning the insertion or the connection of the batteries

Abstract

Embodiments are directed to systems and apparatuses for providing power to remote electronic devices. In one scenario, a system is provided which includes a sconce body. The sconce body includes a proximal side that allows placement adjacent to a wall, ceiling or surface, a distal side having an exterior surface, a cavity that slidably receives and encloses a removable power source, and an electronic device on or within the sconce body. The electronic device electrically connects to and is powered by the removable power source. The removable power source of the system can be slidably received within and enclosed by the cavity of the sconce body. The system also includes a wand that is attachable to and detachable from the removable power source. The wand has a specified length and is configured to provide for selective attachment of the removable power source to and removal from the sconce body.

Claims

1. A system for providing power to a remote electronic device, comprising:

a sconce body including;

a proximal side configured for placement adjacent to a wall, ceiling or surface;

a distal side comprising an exterior surface;

a cavity configured to slidably receive and at least partially enclose a removable power source; and

an electronic device on or within the sconce body, wherein the electronic device is configured to electrically connect to and be at least partially powered by the removable power source;

the removable power source, wherein the power source is configured to be slidably received within and at least partially enclosed by the cavity of the sconce body; and

a wand that is attachable to or detachable from the removable power source, the wand having a specified length and being configured to provide for selective attachment of the removable power source to and removal from the sconce body,

wherein the removable power source is magnetically and separably attached to the wand, the removable power source and the wand each having at least one magnet.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the removable power source is the sole power supply for the electronic device.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the removable power source provides power to a second, different power source that is electronically paired to the electronic device, such that the removable power source charges the second power source.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the removable power source comprises at least one of a battery, a capacitor or a super capacitor.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein electronic device comprises at least one of the following:

an indoor or outdoor light, a smoke detector, a carbon dioxide detector, a heat detector, a motion detector, a glass breakage detector, a leak sensor, a range extender, a dimmer, a solenoid, a device controller, a device bridge, an alert module, an indoor or outdoor security camera, a receiver, a transmitter, an energy monitoring device, a listening device or a mountable electronic device.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a power control circuit configured to regulate the transfer of power from the removable power source to the electronic device.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the wand comprises a fixed-length wand, a telescopic wand or a folding wand.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the removable power source comprises an electrically powered charging apparatus that is plugged in to an power outlet.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the sconce body is U-shaped.

10. An apparatus for providing power to a remote electronic device, comprising:

a wand having a wand cradle affixed to an end of the wand, the wand cradle including;

a cradle base with a protruding portion, the protruding portion being configured to align with a concavity of a power source;

one or more side arms configured to secure the power source on the wand cradle; and

one or more magnets embedded in the cradle base that magnetically bind to at least one ferromagnetic portion of the power source;

the power source configured to provide power to a remote electronic device that is accessible using the wand, the power source having a concavity corresponding to the protruding portion of the cradle base, wherein the concavity is matable with the protruding portion to provide a mechanical connection between the wand cradle and the power source; and

an electronic device that includes a proximal side that allows for placement of the electronic device adjacent to a wall, ceiling or surface, a distal side with an exterior surface, and at least one of a cavity or flange that slidably receives and supports the power source.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the power source comprises one or more electrical contacts that connect to one or more corresponding electrical contacts of the electronic device.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the power source wirelessly connects to the electronic device to provide power using induction.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the power source includes at least one magnet embedded therein that magnetically binds to at least one ferromagnetic portion of the wand.

14. A system for providing power to a remote electronic device, the system comprising:

a sconce body for housing a remote electronic device, the sconce body including a cavity into which a power source is inserted;

a power source comprising at least one magnet and at least one ferromagnetic portion, the power source being configured for insertion into the cavity of the sconce body of the remote electronic device, the at least one magnet and the at least one ferromagnetic portion of the power source being configured to magnetically secure the power source to the remote electronic device; and

a wand having a wand cradle comprising side arms that secure the power source on the wand cradle, the wand cradle further comprising at least one magnet and at least one ferromagnetic portion, the at least one magnet and the at least one ferromagnetic portion of the wand being configured to secure the power source to the wand until the wand cradle is detached from the power source.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the remote electronic device has at least one magnet arranged in a specified polarity that is opposite the polarity of the power source'"'"'s magnet.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the power source has a second magnet, such that the at least one magnet magnetically binds the power source to the remote electronic device, and the second magnet magnetically binds the power source to the wand, wherein the magnets of the power source are each arranged in a specified polarity that is opposite the polarity of the remote electronic device'"'"'s magnet and the wand'"'"'s magnet.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein the wand cradle further includes a protrusion, and wherein the power source includes a concavity, such that the wand cradle mechanically mates with the concavity of the power source, providing a mechanical connection in addition to a magnetic connection created by the wand cradle magnet.

18. The system of claim 14, wherein the removable power source further comprises an AC or DC power input port for delivering AC or DC power from an external power supply in order to recharge the removable power source.

19. The system of claim 14, further comprising a second removable power supply selectively attachable to and detachable from the electronic device for providing alternative or additional electrical power to the electronic device when the first removable power source is discharged or not present.