CONTAINER WITH POWER ASSIST WHEELS

• US 20160229437A1
• Filed: 09/08/2015
• Published: 08/11/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dane Jackman
• Original Assignee: Dane Jackman
• Inventors: Jackman, Dane
• Granted Patent: US 9,849,901 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 1/12 involving parts being adjustable, collapsible, attachable, detachable, or convertible
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 2204/06 comprising insulating materials
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 5/0043 One motor drives one wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 5/0073 Measuring a force
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 5/065 by means of telescopic elements
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 5/067 Stowable or retractable handle bars
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/3813 rigid container being in the form of a box, tray or like container
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 7/28 using semiconductor devices
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 7/2985 whereby the speed is regulated by measuring the motor speed and comparing it with a given physical value

Abstract

The present invention relates to a structure which may include an outer housing, an inner lining, an insulation space in between, a top, an inner platform, a charging station, a wireless charging panel, power-assist wheels with intelligent torque control for transport, a storage compartment, a removable innner liner, and a handle. The structure may comprise a portable container, such as an insulated cooler for storing cooled food and beverages for social and leisure activities.

Claims

1. An insulated cooler, comprising:

an outer liner including a bottom panel, a front panel, a rear panel, a left side panel, and a right side panel, forming a generally rectangular structure;

an inner liner within the outer housing, the inner liner including a front panel, a rear panel, a left side panel, and a right side panel, forming a generally rectangular structure;

an insulation space in between the outer liner and the inner liner;

a main lid for closing the insulated cooler;

a personal storage compartment within the main lid;

a handle coupled to the rear panel of the outer liner; and

a plurality of wheels coupled to the insulated cooler;

a plurality of force-sensing sensors generating a proportional signal in response to sensed pressure;

a controller comprising at least one input for receiving the proportional signal and comprising logic to;

determine a signal value form the proportional signal;

determine whether the signal value is above a threshold value;

determining a polarity of the signal value;

generating a control signal in proportion to the signal value if the signal value is above the threshold value; and

outputting the control signal to a motor controller for controlling at least one of the plurality of wheels.

2. The insulated cooler of claim 1, wherein the plurality of force-sensing sensors include sensing resistors which include a contactable surface, and wherein the sensing resistors include a switch.

3. The insulated cooler of claim 2, wherein the force-sensing sensors include sensing resistors represent a forward direction, a reverse direction, a right direction, and a left direction respective of the insulated cooler.

4. The insulated cooler of claim 1, wherein the force-sensing sensors sense pressure within the handle.

5. The insulated cooler of claim 1, wherein a top lid covers a top of the personal storage compartment.

6. The insulated cooler of claim 1, wherein the controller generates a control signal by adding the signal value to a neutral value.

7. The insulated cooler of claim 1, wherein the controller generates a control signal by subtracting a signal value to a neutral value.

8. The insulated cooler of claim 1, further comprising a charging panel for wirelessly charging electronic devices situated within the personal storage compartment.

9. The insulated cooler of claim 1, further comprising a charging panel for wirelessly charging electronic devices not situated within the personal storage compartment.

10. The insulated cooler of claim 1, further comprising a charging panel for wirelessly charging electronic devices not in contact with the insulated cooler.

11. The insulated cooler of claim 1, further comprising a removable inner container nested within the insulated cooler between the main lid and the bottom panel of the outer liner.

12. The insulated cooler of claim 1, further comprising an entertainment module removably attached to the insulated cooler.

13. An insulated cooler, comprising:

an outer liner including a bottom panel, a front panel, a rear panel, a left side panel, and a right side panel, forming a generally rectangular structure;

an inner liner within the outer housing, the inner liner including a front panel, a rear panel, a left side panel, and a right side panel, forming a generally rectangular structure;

an insulation space in between the outer liner and the inner liner;

a main lid for closing the insulated container;

a personal storage compartment between the main lid and a main cooler compartment of the insulated cooler;

a top lid for closing the personal storage compartment;

an inner platform above the main cooler compartment and below the personal storage compartment for separating the main cooler compartment from the main lid;

a handle coupled to the rear panel of the outer liner; and

a plurality of wheels coupled to the insulated cooler;

a plurality of sensors sensing forces within the handle, the sensors generating a proportional signal in response to sensed forces;

a controller comprising at least one input for receiving the proportional signal and comprising logic to;

hold the handle in a neutral position by springs on sides of a center position;

pull on the handle to shift the spring forces and move the handle from the center position and extending the handle;

extend the handle to create a velocity command to a motor to increase speed; and

push on the handle to compress the handle to create a command to decrease propulsion speed.

14. The insulated cooler of claim 13, wherein the handle is a sliding handle.

15. The insulated cooler of claim 13, wherein the handle is a swivel handle.

16. The insulated cooler of claim 13, wherein the handle is a telescoping handle.

17. The insulated cooler of claim 13, further comprising a charging panel for wirelessly charging electronic devices situated within the personal storage compartment.

18. The insulated cooler of claim 13, further comprising a charging panel for wirelessly charging electronic devices not situated within the personal storage compartment.

19. The insulated cooler of claim 13, further comprising a charging panel for wirelessly charging electronic devices not in contact with the insulated cooler.

20. The insulated cooler of claim 13, further comprising a removable inner container nested within the insulated cooler between the main lid and the bottom panel of the outer liner.

21. The insulated cooler of claim 13, further comprising an entertainment module removably attached to the insulated cooler.

22. A container, comprising:

an outer liner including a bottom panel, a front panel, a rear panel, a left side panel, and a right side panel, forming a generally rectangular structure;

an inner liner within the outer housing, the inner liner including a front panel, a rear panel, a left side panel, and a right side panel, forming a generally rectangular structure;

an insulation space in between the outer liner and the inner liner;

a main lid for closing the container;

a top lid;

a personal storage compartment between the top lid and a main cooler compartment of the container;

an inner platform above the main cooler compartment and below the personal storage compartment for separating the main cooler compartment from the main lid;

a handle coupled to the rear panel of the outer liner; and

a charging panel within the personal storage compartment for wirelessly charging electronic devices.

23. The container of claim 22, wherein the charging panel wirelessly charges electronic devices situated within the personal storage compartment.

24. The container of claim 22, wherein the charging panel wirelessly charges electronic devices not situated within the personal storage compartment.

25. The container of claim 22, wherein the charging panel wirelessly charges electronic devices not in contact with the container.

26. The container of claim 22, further comprising a removable inner container nested within the container between the main lid and the bottom panel of the outer liner.

27. The container of claim 22, further comprising an entertainment module removably attached to the container.

28. The container of claim 22, wherein the portable container comprises an insulated cooler.

29. The container of claim 22, wherein the container comprises an arm rest in an item of furniture.

30. The container of claim 22, wherein the container comprises a structure integral to a vehicle.

31. The container of claim 22, wherein the container further comprises power assist wheels with intelligent torque control.

32. A container, comprising:

an outer liner including a bottom panel, a front panel, a rear panel, a left side panel, and a right side panel, forming a generally rectangular structure;

an inner liner within the outer housing, the inner liner including a front panel, a rear panel, a left side panel, and a right side panel, forming a generally rectangular structure;

an insulation space in between the outer liner and the inner liner;

a main lid for closing the container;

a personal storage compartment situated within the main lid and above a main cooler compartment of the container;

an inner platform above the main cooler compartment and below the personal storage compartment for separating the main cooler compartment from the main lid;

a handle coupled to the rear panel of the outer liner; and

an entertainment module removably attached to the container.

33. The container of claim 32, further comprising a charging panel situated within the personal storage compartment.

34. The container of claim 32, further comprising a charging panel not situated within the personal storage compartment.

35. The container of claim 32, further comprising a charging panel not in contact with the container.

36. The container of claim 32, further comprising a removable inner container nested within the container between the main lid and the bottom panel of the outer liner.

37. The container of claim 32, wherein the container comprises an insulated cooler.

38. The container of claim 32, wherein the container comprises an arm rest in an item of furniture.

39. The container of claim 32, wherein the container comprises a structure integral to a vehicle.

40. The container of claim 32, wherein the container further comprises power assist wheels with intelligent torque control.

41. A container, comprising:

an outer liner including a bottom panel, a front panel, a rear panel, a left side panel, and a right side panel, forming a generally rectangular structure;

an inner liner within the outer housing, the inner liner including a front panel, a rear panel, a left side panel, and a right side panel, forming a generally rectangular structure;

an insulation space in between the outer liner and the inner liner;

a main lid for closing the container;

a personal storage compartment situated within the main lid and above a main compartment of the container;

an inner platform above the main cooler compartment and below the personal storage compartment for separating the main cooler compartment from the main lid;

a handle coupled to the rear panel of the outer liner; and

a removable inner container nested within the container between the main lid and the bottom panel of the outer liner.

42. The container of claim 41, further comprising a charging panel situated within the personal storage compartment.

43. The container of claim 41, further comprising a charging panel not situated within the personal storage compartment.

44. The container of claim 41, further comprising a charging panel not in contact with the container.

45. The container of claim 41, wherein the container comprises an insulated cooler.

46. The container of claim 41, wherein the container comprises an arm rest in an item of furniture.

47. The container of claim 41, wherein the container comprises a structure integral to a vehicle.

48. The container of claim 41, wherein the container further comprises power assist wheels with intelligent torque control.

49. A system for providing power assistance to wheels, comprising:

a plurality of wheels coupled to at least one motor;

a plurality of force-sensing sensors generating a proportional signal in response to sensed pressure;

a controller comprising at least one input for receiving the proportional signal and comprising logic to;

determine a signal value form the proportional signal;

determine whether the signal value is above a threshold value;

determining a polarity of the signal value;

generating a control signal in proportion to the signal value if the signal value is above the threshold value; and

outputting the control signal to a motor controller for controlling at least one of the plurality of wheels.

50. The system of claim 49, wherein the plurality of force-sensing sensors include sensing resistors which include a contactable surface, and wherein the sensing resistors include a switch.

51. The system of claim 50, wherein the force-sensing sensors include sensing resistors represent a forward direction, a reverse direction, a right direction, and a left direction respective of the insulated cooler.

52. The system cooler of claim 49, wherein the force-sensing sensors sense pressure within the handle.

53. The system of claim 49, wherein a top lid covers a top of the personal storage compartment.

54. The system of claim 49, wherein the controller generates a control signal by adding the signal value to a neutral value.

55. The system of claim 49, wherein the controller generates a control signal by subtracting a signal value to a neutral value.

58. The system of claim 55, wherein the handle is a swivel handle.

59. The system of claim 55, wherein the handle is a telescoping handle.

56. A system for providing power assistance to wheels, comprising;

a plurality of wheels coupled to a vehicle;

a handle coupled to the vehicle;

a plurality of sensors sensing forces within the handle, the sensors generating a proportional signal in response to sensed forces;

a controller comprising at least one input for receiving the proportional signal and comprising logic to;

hold the handle in a neutral position by springs on sides of a center position;

pull on the handle to shift the spring forces and move the handle from the center position and extending the handle;

extend the handle to create a velocity command to a motor to increase speed; and

push on the handle to compress the handle to create a command to decrease propulsion speed.

57. The system of claim 56, wherein the handle is a sliding handle.