Battery Charging Unit

• US 20090058357A1
• Filed: 04/19/2006
• Published: 03/05/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Clayton Communications Limited
• Original Assignee: Clayton Communications Limited
• Inventors: Saker, John Victor, Clayton, Peter Alan
• Application Number:
  US11/918,575
• Publication Number:
  US 20090058357A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/107
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 3/1404 Means for facilitating stowing or transporting of the trolleys; Antitheft arrangements B62B5/0423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 25/14 Rails or bus-bars constructed so that the counterparts can be connected thereto at any point along their length supporting elements for lighting devices, displaceable along guiding elements and making electrical contact with conductors running along the guiding elements F21V21/35
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 39/24 Laminated contacts; Wire contacts, e.g. metallic brush, carbon fibres
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/40 The network being an on-board power network, i.e. within a vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0045 concerning the insertion or the connection of the batteries

Abstract

An arrangement for charging a battery provided on a trolley, for example a battery used to run a display units, alarms or calls for assistance provided on shopping or supermarket trolleys, the arrangement comprising a charging station having guide rail with a channel, at least two contacts such as brush strips being disposed within the channel, the contacts being arranged to electrically interact with at least two contact areas provided on a part of the trolley, such as a handle, which is insertable into the channel.

Claims

1. An arrangement for charging a battery provided on a trolley, the arrangement comprising a channel with linear contacts and, on a part of the trolley insertable into the channel, contacts arranged to interact electrically with the linear contacts, the arrangement characterised in that the channel is open at both ends and at least two of the trolley contacts are each connected to different poles of the battery.

2. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein the linear contacts include phosphor bronze brush strips.

3. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein the linear contacts are housed within recesses provided in the channel.

4. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein the part of the trolley comprises a handle.

5. An arrangement as claimed in claim 4 wherein the battery is contained within the handle.

6. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein means are provided to maintain a constant separation of the trolley part relative to the channel.

7. An arrangement as claimed in claim 6 wherein the means to maintain a constant separation of the trolley part relative to the channel consists of flanges provided on the channel and floor-mounted guideways.

8. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein means are provided to guide the trolley part into the channel.

9. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein the contact areas are separated by a strip of insulating material.

10. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1 arranged to receive a plurality of trolleys.

11. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein charging is by pulse charging.

12. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein means are provided to prevent the overcharging of the battery.

13. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein the channel is formed of polyethylene.

14. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein guide wheels are provided between the trolley part and the channel.

15. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein the contacts include sprung copper strips.

16. (canceled)