CHARGING SYSTEM

• US 20120262116A1
• Filed: 04/18/2011
• Published: 10/18/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: RFA Brands, LLC
• Original Assignee: FKA Distributing Company
• Inventors: Ferber, Roman S., Tsang, Hing Wah, Wollenzien, Jeff, Liu, John
• Granted Patent: US 8,593,108 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/111
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 3/04 Sacks or packs carried on the body by means of two straps passing over the two shoulders
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1628 Carrying enclosures containing additional elements, e.g. case for a laptop and a printer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/263 Arrangements for using multiple switchable power supplies, e.g. battery and AC G06F1/30 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/256 Carrying devices, e.g. belts
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2207/40 adapted for charging from various sources, e.g. AC, DC or multivoltage
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0013 acting upon several batteries simultaneously or sequentially H02J7/1423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0048 Detection of remaining charge capacity or state of charge [SOC]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0049 Detection of fully charged condition
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A portable charging system includes a bag configured to receive an electronic device, a battery, a docking station, a charging apparatus and a cord. Another portable system includes a bag, a charging system, and a cord for charging an electronic device. A battery includes a battery cell for storing energy, an external case surrounding the battery cell, and an electrical contact for transmitting electricity therethrough.

Claims

1. A portable charging system comprising:

a bag having a charging port, the bag configured to receive an electronic device;

a battery having a contoured surface including a protrusion, a recess, and a first electrical contact, the battery having an angled surface having a second electrical contact;

a docking station in electrical communication with the charging port, the docking station having a recessed area for receiving the battery, the recessed area having a bottom surface contoured to receive the contoured surface and angled surface of the battery, the bottom surface having a third electrical contact configured to mate with the second electrical contact of the battery and having a fourth electrical contact configured to mate with the first electrical contact of the battery, the bottom surface having a locator pin to mate with the recess of the battery;

a charging apparatus having a connector on a distal end configured to plug into an external power supply, the charging apparatus having a second connector on a proximal end configured to connect to one of the charging port of the docking station and the first electrical contact of the battery; and

a cord in electrical communication with the docking station and located within the bag, the cord having a connector for charging the electronic device.

2. The portable charging system of claim 1 wherein the battery has a pair of sides, each side defining one of a groove and a ridge;

and

wherein the recessed area of the docking station defines a pair of the other of a groove and a ridge such that the grooves and ridges are configured to engage such that the battery slides during insertion to and removal from the docking station.

3. The portable charging system of claim 1 further comprising a second cord in electrical communication with the docking station and located within the bag, the second cord having a second connector for use in charging another electronic device.

4. A portable system for charging an electronic device comprising:

a bag;

a charging system located within the bag, the charging system having a docking station for releasably docking a battery; and

a cord having a connector in electrical communication with the charging system, the connector for charging an electronic device.

5. The system of claim 4 further comprising a power connector located on an outside surface of the bag and in electrical communication with the charging system.

6. The system of claim 5 further comprising a charging apparatus having a plug and a second power connector, the plug adapted to connect with an outside power supply, the second power connector mating with the first power connector, the charging apparatus configured to supply power to the charging system.

7. The system of claim 4 wherein the bag has a pocket sized for receiving the charging apparatus, the pocket adjacent to the first power connector.

8. The system of claim 5 wherein the bag further comprises an alternating current receptacle positioned within the bag and in electrical communication with the power connector.

9. The system of claim 4 wherein the cord has a second connector in electrical communication with the charging system, the second connector for charging another electronic device.

10. The system of claim 4 further comprising a second cord having a second connector in electrical communication with the charging system, the second connector for charging another electronic device.

11. The system of claim 4 wherein the charging system has a port configured to receive a device charging cord.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the bag has a pocket sized to receive the electronic device and a clip to retain the device charging cord.

13. The system of claim 4 further comprising a light module in electrical communication with the charging system and configured to provide information regarding a state of the charging system, the light module having a tactile button and a light, wherein the tactile button activates the light module and the light is positioned to be visible on an outer surface of the bag

14. A battery comprising:

a battery cell for storing energy;

an external case surrounding the battery cell, the case having a generally planar surface and a contoured surface which defines a protrusion, the case having an angled surface extending between the contoured surface and the generally planar surface; and

an electrical contact located on the angled surface and in electrical communication with the battery cell, the contact for transmitting electricity therethrough.

15. The battery of claim 14 wherein the contoured surface of the external case defines at least one positioning recess.

16. The battery of claim 14 further comprising a second electrical contact located on the contoured surface for transmitting electricity therethrough.

17. The battery of claim 14 wherein the external case has a pair of opposed nonparallel sides, wherein the angled surface and the generally planar surface are interposed between the sides.

18. The battery of claim 17 wherein each nonparallel side defines one of a groove and a ridge.

19. The battery of claim 14 further comprising a tab extending from a surface opposed to the bottom surface of the case.

20. A system for charging an electronic device comprising:

a bag configured to store an electronic device;

a removable battery according to claim 14; and

a docking station having a cord for charging the electronic device, the docking station having a recessed area for receiving the battery and a bottom surface contoured to receive the contoured surface and angled surface of the battery, the docking station having a contact to mate with the first contact of the battery, having a power input connector, and having a power output connector.