Patient identification and labeling system incorporated into a portable bin and exhibiting electrical charge architecture for recharging an electronic device plugged into the bin architecture once the bin is set upon a pedestal charging base

• US 8,217,622 B2
• Filed: 06/04/2009
• Issued: 07/10/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mark A. Stocking
• Original Assignee: Mark A. Stocking
• Inventors: Stocking, Mark A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Berhanu, Samuel
• Application Number:
  US12/478,253
• Publication Number:
  US 20100127661A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,132 Days
• Field of Search: 320/107, 320112-115, 422/104
• US Class Current: 320/115
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence

Abstract

A specimen supporting and labeling system including the provision of at least one electronic device. A volume defining bin holds a plurality of specimens and supports the electronic device. A pedestal charging base seats within a recessed underside associated with the bin, with a first plurality of contact locations communicated along an upper face of the charging base. A second plurality of contact locations communicates along a bottom face of the bin associated with the recessed underside. The bin further incorporates an interior architecture extending from the second contact locations and communicates a charge originating from the base to the electronic device.

Claims

1. A system for holding and carrying a plurality of specimen vials and including provision for supporting and recharging at least one electronic device, said system comprising:

a volume defining and portable carrying bin exhibiting an open interior with an underside accessible recess and including an upwardly extending handle, a plurality of individual and depth extending cavities associated with said open interior and which are adapted for holding the plurality of specimens, said bin further including an integrally configured cradle location for holding and supporting the electronic device;

a pedestal charging base including upwardly configured side walls which are dimensioned for inserting in the recessed underside associated with said bin and in order to support said bin upon said pedestal charging base; and

a first plurality of contacts locations at an upper face of said pedestal charging base;

a second plurality of contact locations are configured in downward extending from the recessed underside of said bin, and electrically connected with the first contact locations; and

said bin further comprising an interior architecture extending from said second contact locations and including communicating a charge originating from said pedestal charging base to the electronic device via a charging contact engageable with the electronic device upon the device being seated with said cradle and in order to recharge the device when said bin is not in use.

2. The system as described in claim 1, said pedestal charging base having a specified shape and size and receiving an AC power supply for converting the same to an output DC current.

3. The system as described in claim 2, said pedestal charging base further comprising a fuse in communication with an inlet location for receiving the AC power supply.

4. The system as described in claim 3, further comprising at least one electronic device specific power adapter unit incorporated into said pedestal base, at a location between said fuse and said first plurality of contact locations.

5. The system as described in claim 4, further comprising a pressure activated mechanical relay switch incorporated into said pedestal charging base in cooperating fashion with said first plurality of contact locations, a selected contact associated with said second plurality of contact locations extending from said bin underside engaging said relay switch to establish a closed charging circuit concurrent with said bin setting upon said pedestal base.

6. The system as described in claim 1, further comprising said second plurality of contact locations projecting downwardly from said recessed bin underside and seating through apertures defined said upper face of said pedestal charging base to engage said first plurality of contact locations defined within said base.

7. The system as described in claim 6, said second plurality of contact locations each further comprising male end projecting and spring loaded pin, said first plurality of contact locations each further comprising a pair of opposing spaced and female receiving channel defining portions for receiving therebetween said pins.

8. The system as described in claim 1, further comprising an LED indicator lamp incorporated into a visible location of said bin and communicated, via a line extending from a charging output associated with said second contact locations, to confirm establishment of a closed charging circuit.

9. The system as described in claim 1, further comprising first and second charger cradles being configured within said bin and located at opposite ends of said handle for receiving first and second electronic devices.

10. The system as described in claim 9, said bin exhibiting a specified shape and size, said charger cradles further being configured for receiving at least one of a mobile printer, a handheld barcode scanner, and a personal digital assistant.

11. The system as described in claim 1, said interior architecture associated with said bin generating a magnetic field communicated to said cradle and for attracting a metal portion associated with the electronic device.

12. The system as described in claim 1, said bin further comprising a heavy duty and insulated plastic construction.