CHARGING STATION

• US 20130020996A1
• Filed: 07/22/2011
• Published: 01/24/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Owens Products, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Owens Products, Inc.
• Inventors: Kirtley, Gary, Randall, Craig
• Granted Patent: US 8,742,720 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/113
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/62 Means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts or for holding them in engagement
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A lockable charging station for charging rechargeable electric devices comprising a base to encapsulate the electrical charging station and a plurality of locking cover members, wherein each locking cover member is removably mechanically engageable with the base via tab and slot engagement and is individually lockable to the base using a lock. Each locking cover member secures an individual electric device to the base so that the electric device is held in electrical engagement with the charging station until the individual user removes the locking cover. The lockable charging station may include a multi-unit charger with an encapsulating base and plurality of locking cover members or a base with mounting points for individual chargers and a plurality of locking covers.

Claims

1. A lockable charging station for charging rechargeable electric devices comprising:

A base which at least partially surrounds an electrical charging unit; and

A plurality of locking cover members;

wherein each locking cover member is removably mechanically engageable with the base, is individually lockable to the base using a lock; and

, when mechanically engaged with the base, is capable of at least partially encasing one electric device which is electrically engaged with the electrical charging unit for recharging.

2. The charging station of claim 1, wherein each locking cover member is removably mechanically engageable with the base via tab and slot engagement.

3. The charging station of claim 1, wherein the electrical charging unit comprises a multi-unit charger and wherein the base comprises:

a lower front channel, having a flange along its upper edge;

an upper front channel, which is positioned laterally from the lower front channel, permitting passage of the electrical device between the lower front channel and upper front channel, the upper front channel having slots therein to accept the locking cover members;

a rear panel, having an opening therein for passage of an electrical power cord extending from the multi-unit charger; and

two end members, one connected at each end of the lower front channel, the upper front channel and the rear panel, rigidly holding the lower front channel, upper front channel and rear panel in place.

4. The charging station of claim 3, wherein the lower front channel has a plurality of first lock holes therein to correspond with the positions of each electric device that is accommodated by the multi-unit charger, and wherein each locking cover member has a corresponding second lock hole therein which is aligned over the first lock hole when the locking cover is engaged with the slot provided therefor in the upper front channel.

5. The charging station of claim 4, wherein the locking cover member fits over the lateral space between the lower front channel and upper front channel to enclose the electric device when it is positioned on the multi-unit charger, preventing removal of the electric device from the charger.

6. The charging station of claim 5, wherein the lower edge of the lower front channel and the lower edge of the rear panel each have a flange extending outwardly therefrom, said flanges providing, surface area for connection of said base to a supporting surface.

7. The charging station of claim 6, wherein the flanges have holes therethrough to permit passage of a fastening device through the flange and into the supporting surface.

8. The charging station of claim 5, wherein the base and locking cover members are adapted to be used with a multi-unit charger for two-way radios.

9. The charging station of claim 5, wherein the base and the locking cover members are manufactured using sheet metal.

10. The charging station of claim 1, wherein the electrical charging unit comprises an individual-unit charger.

11. The charging station of claim 2, wherein the electrical charging unit comprises an individual unit charger and the base comprises a wall base having holes therein to permit fastening of the individual unit charger to said wall base, said wall base also having flanges extending back from at least two sides of the main body and having at least one tab extending outwardly from each flange, said tabs providing a surface area for the connection of said wall base to a supporting surface.

12. The charging station of claim 11, wherein the tabs for connecting the wall base to a supporting surface have holes therethrough to permit passage of a fastener.

13. The charging station of claim 12, wherein the wall base is arranged so that the holes through the tabs are spaced at approximately 16 inches apart, to allow fasteners extending through the holes to fit standard stud spacing.

14. The charging station of claim 11, further comprising:

A forwardly directed flange along one edge of the wall base;

Each locking cover member comprising a front cover, with a top, two side flanges and a pair of arms extending rearwardly therefrom, the top being adapted to engage with the forwardly directed flange of the wall base; and

A plurality of slots in the main body of the wall base adapted to receive the arms of the locking cover.

15. The charging station of claim 14, wherein the engagement between the forwardly directed flange of the wall base and the top comprises a tab extending upwardly from the forwardly directed flange, and a corresponding slit in the top of the locking cover member to fit over said tab.

16. The charging station of claim 15, wherein a hole is provided in the tab to permit passage of a padlock, such that the cover member is lockably engageable with the base. preventing removal of the electric device from the electrical receptacle when the cover member is locked to the base.

17. The charging station of claim 16, wherein the base and locking cover members are manufactured using sheet metal.

18. The charging station of claim 16, wherein the base and locking cover members are adapted to be used with flashlights having rechargeable electric batteries.