Inductively coupled shelving and storage containers
First Claim
1. An inductively coupled shelving unit, comprising:
- a shelving unit having a shelf;
a first primary coil integrated into the shelf and connected to a power source, the first primary coil being capable of inductively coupling power to a device containing a secondary coil;
one or more indicators on a surface of the shelf that show a charging area for the first primary coil, the charging area being an area within which inductive coupling between the first primary coil and a secondary coil can be achieved;
an inductively coupled storage container includinga first secondary coil associated with an exterior surface of the container to provide proximity and alignment with the first primary coil when the container is placed on the shelf,a first compartment removeably retaining therein a first device having a second secondary coil, the first compartment including a second primary coil associated therewith and positioned for alignment with the second secondary coil,a second compartment removeably retaining therein a second device having a third secondary coil, the second compartment including a third primary coil associated therewith and positioned for alignment with the third secondary coil, anda distribution circuit that electrically couples between the first secondary coil and the second and third primary coils; and
a docking unit that is coupled to the shelf over the charging area and that accepts the storage container, the storage container being removeably disposed in the docking unit and the docking unit retaining the storage container against lateral movement of the storage container in a plane parallel to the shelf.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Inductively coupled shelving units and storage containers with integrated primary coils, as well as inductively coupled systems for storing and charging tools, are provided. Power is inductively coupled from a primary coil to a device containing a secondary coil. Primary coils may be integrated into a shelving unit to charge devices stored on the shelving unit. Primary coils may similarly be integrated into a storage container. Inductively coupled shelving units may also be configured to receive and hold an inductively coupled storage container such as a toolbox. An integrated secondary coil in the toolbox receives power inductively coupled from a primary coil in a shelving unit. Integrated primary coils in the toolbox then inductively couple the received power to secondary coils in individual devices. Integrated primary coils may provide varying amounts of power.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. An inductively coupled shelving unit, comprising:
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a shelving unit having a shelf; a first primary coil integrated into the shelf and connected to a power source, the first primary coil being capable of inductively coupling power to a device containing a secondary coil; one or more indicators on a surface of the shelf that show a charging area for the first primary coil, the charging area being an area within which inductive coupling between the first primary coil and a secondary coil can be achieved; an inductively coupled storage container including a first secondary coil associated with an exterior surface of the container to provide proximity and alignment with the first primary coil when the container is placed on the shelf, a first compartment removeably retaining therein a first device having a second secondary coil, the first compartment including a second primary coil associated therewith and positioned for alignment with the second secondary coil, a second compartment removeably retaining therein a second device having a third secondary coil, the second compartment including a third primary coil associated therewith and positioned for alignment with the third secondary coil, and a distribution circuit that electrically couples between the first secondary coil and the second and third primary coils; and a docking unit that is coupled to the shelf over the charging area and that accepts the storage container, the storage container being removeably disposed in the docking unit and the docking unit retaining the storage container against lateral movement of the storage container in a plane parallel to the shelf. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 17)
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9. An inductively coupled storage container, comprising:
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a docking unit coupled to a shelf; and a storage container removably retained in the docking unit and including a first secondary coil associated with an exterior surface of the container in proximity and alignment with a primary coil that is associated with the docking unit or the shelf, a first compartment configured to receive and removeably retain therein a first electrical device having a battery that includes a second secondary coil, the first compartment including a first primary coil associated therewith and positioned for alignment with the second secondary coil when the first electrical device is disposed in the first compartment, a second compartment configured to receive and removeably retain therein a a spare battery having a third secondary coil and being configured for use with the first electrical device, the second compartment including a second primary coil associated therewith and positioned for alignment with the third secondary coil when the spare battery is disposed in the second compartment, and a distribution circuit that electrically couples between the first secondary coil and the first and second primary coils, the distribution circuit adapting the second and third primary coils to the power needs of the battery and the spare battery, respectively. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 18)
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13. A system for storing and inductively charging devices, comprising:
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a surface; a docking unit coupled to the surface; a first primary coil integrated into the docking unit, the first primary coil being connected to a power source, and the first primary coil being capable of inductively coupling power to a first secondary coil; a storage container storing a plurality of devices each device including a battery associated with a second secondary coil, the first secondary coil being integrated into an exterior portion of the storage container and receiving power inductively coupled from the first primary coil integrated into the docking unit, and the docking unit removeably retaining the storage container; a plurality of second primary coils integrated into interior compartments of the storage container and being capable of inductively coupling power received by the first secondary coil to the plurality of devices; and a distribution circuit disposed within the storage container that electrically couples the first secondary coil to the plurality of second primary coils. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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Specification