Extended reach battery charging system

• US 8,358,101 B2
• Filed: 08/09/2010
• Issued: 01/22/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/08/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Versalite Associates LLC
• Original Assignee: Versalite Associates LLC
• Inventors: Guyer, Jeffrey A., Pendleton, Justin D., Roderman, Brian L., Tanner, Eric A., Dowdy, Randal A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Muralidar, Richard V
• Application Number:
  US12/853,068
• Publication Number:
  US 20110001455A1
• Time in Patent Office: 897 Days
• Field of Search: 320/107, 320/113, 320/115, 320/128, 320/137, 362/157, 362/183, 362/194
• US Class Current: 320/107
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 9/02 the power supply being a battery or accumulator
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 9/037 the solar unit and the lighting unit being located within or on the same housing
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 14/06 by movement of refractors in vehicle head lamps F21S41/635
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/15 specially adapted for power operation, e.g. by remote control
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/04 the elements being switches safety devices F21V25/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0435 activated by remote control means
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction

Abstract

A charging system for use in charging a battery includes an elongate handle with a working length sufficient to reach a battery that is out of reach of a user. The charging system includes a charging apparatus coupled to the elongate handle. A head member is configured to mechanically engage with and electrically connect to a battery unit and also mechanically disengage and electrically disconnect from the battery unit by manually grasping and applying mechanical force to the elongate handle. The charging system also includes a power supply configured to provide electrical power to the charging apparatus. The charging system can be used to recharge the battery of a wall or ceiling mounted device (e.g., a battery powered lighting device) that is out of reach of the user without having to remove the device or use a ladder to reach the device.

Claims

1. An electronic charging system for use in charging a battery, comprising:

a pole member having a working length, or being selectively extendable to a working length, sufficient to reach a location that is out of reach of a user; and

a head member that provides a source of electrical power and is designed for use in charging a battery in a battery unit, wherein the head member is coupled, or selectively couplable, to the pole member,

the head member being configured to releasably engage with and chargeably connect to a battery unit that is out of reach of a user by manually grasping and applying mechanical force to the pole member,

the head member being adapted to provide electrical power for charging a battery in a battery unit when the head member is releasably engaged with and chargeably connected to the battery unit,

the head member being configured to selectively disengage and disconnect from a battery unit that is out of reach of a user by manually grasping and applying mechanical force to the pole; and

a power supply configured to provide electrical power to the head member.

2. The electronic charging system of claim 1, wherein the pole member comprises a folding or telescopic pole.

3. The electronic charging system of claim 1, wherein the pole member and head member are configured to be selectively decoupled during use so as to permit the head member to remain engaged with and chargeably connected to a battery unit without remaining coupled to the pole member while charging a battery in the battery unit.

4. The electronic charging system of claim 1, wherein the pole member and head member include a magnetic connection that facilitates selective coupling and decoupling of the pole member to the head member.

5. The electronic charging system of claim 1, wherein an end of the pole member includes a boss and the head member includes a corresponding recess for selectively receiving the boss.

6. The electronic charging system of claim 4, wherein the boss further includes a projection and the head member includes a corresponding slot that facilitates detachable coupling of the pole member to the head member.

7. The electronic charging system of claim 4, wherein the boss further includes a magnet that is magnetically couplable with a magnet or plug of magnetic material disposed in the recess of the head member.

8. The electronic charging system of claim 1, wherein the pole member further comprises a breakaway coupling that permits a portion of the pole member to break away from another portion when the pole member is substantially deflected.

9. The electronic charging system of claim 1, wherein the pole member has an adjustable length to accommodate different ceiling heights or other difficult to access locations of a battery unit.

10. The electronic charging system of claim 1, wherein the pole member or head member includes a receptacle for receiving an electrical connector of the power supply.

11. The electronic charging system of claim 1, wherein the power supply includes a conductor extending through the pole member for supplying electrical power to the head member.

12. The electronic charging system of claim 1, further comprising a battery unit configured to receive a rechargeable battery and configured so as to permit the head member to be releasably engaged with and chargeably connected to the battery unit during recharging of the rechargeable battery.

13. The electronic charging system of claim 12, the battery unit comprising first electrical connectors and the head member comprising second electrical connectors, the electronic charging system further comprising means for biasing the first electrical connectors into electrical communication with the second electrical connectors when the head member is attached to the battery unit.

14. The electronic charging system of claim 12, further comprising a power control circuit electrically connected or connectable to the battery unit and configured to provide electrical current from the battery unit to an electrically powered apparatus.

15. A method of recharging a battery comprising,

providing the electronic charging system of claim 1;

positioning the head member near a battery unit that is located out of reach of a user by means of the pole member;

releasably engaging the head member with the battery unit by applying mechanical force to the pole member;

releasably engaging the head member with the battery unit by applying mechanical force to the pole member; and

permitting the head member to provide electrical power to the battery unit so as to charge a battery of the battery unit.

16. The method of recharging a battery of claim 15, further comprising detaching the pole member from the head member during charging of the battery.

17. The method of recharging a battery of claim 16, further comprising reattaching the pole member to the head member and disengaging and disconnecting the head member from the battery unit by applying mechanical force to the pole member.

18. An electronic charging system for use in charging a battery, comprising:

a pole member that is selectively extendable to different working lengths sufficient to reach different ceiling heights or other difficult to access locations of a battery unit and that is selectively retractable to a shorter length to facilitate storage during non-use;

a head member coupled, or selectively couplable, to the pole member and having electrical contacts for supplying electrical power to a battery unit,

the head member being configured to selectively engage with the battery unit when out of reach of a user and cause the electrical contacts to form an electrical connection with the battery unit by manually grasping and applying mechanical force to the pole member,

the head member being configured to selectively disengage and electrically disconnect from the battery unit when out of reach of the user by manually grasping and applying mechanical force to the pole member; and

a receptacle in the pole member or the head member configured to receive an electrical connector of an electrical power supply unit and provide electrical power to the electrical contacts of the head member.

19. The electronic charging system of claim 18, wherein the receptacle is located in the pole member and the pole member further includes a conductor extending through the pole member for supplying electrical power to the head member.

20. The electronic charging system of claim 18, further comprising a power supply that includes an electrical connector configured to mate with the receptacle.

21. The electronic charging system of claim 18, wherein the pole member and head member are provided with at least one of a mechanical coupling apparatus or a magnetic coupling that facilitate selective coupling of the pole member to the head member.

22. The electronic charging system of claim 18, wherein the pole member is configured to be selectively decoupled from the head member during use so as to permit the head member to remain engaged with and electronically connected to a battery unit without remaining coupled to the pole member while charging a battery.

23. The electronic charging system of claim 18, further comprising:

a battery unit containing a rechargeable battery and configured so as to be selectively attached to and placed in electrical communication with the head member during recharging of the rechargeable battery; and

a power control circuit electrically connected to the battery unit and configured to provide electrical current from the battery unit to an electrically powered apparatus.

24. An electronic charging system for use in charging a battery, comprising:

a battery unit comprised of;

a battery housing; and

one or more rechargeable batteries positioned or insertable within the battery housing;

an electrically powered apparatus in electrical communication with the battery unit;

a charging apparatus for use in providing electrical power to the battery unit, the charging apparatus being comprised of;

a pole member having a working length, or being selectively extendable to a working length, sufficient to reach a location that is out of reach of a user;

a head member coupled, or selectively couplable, to the pole member and that is adapted for supplying electrical power to the battery unit,

the head member being configured to releasably engage with and chargeably connect to the battery unit when out of reach of a user in order to provide electrical power for charging the one or more rechargeable batteries of the battery unit by manually grasping and applying mechanical force to the pole member,

the head member being adapted to provide electrical energy for charging the one or more rechargeable batteries of the battery unit when the head member is releasably engaged with and chargeably connected to the battery unit,

the head member being configured to disengage and disconnect from the battery unit when out of reach of the user by manually grasping and applying mechanical force to the pole member; and

a power supply configured to provide electrical power to the head member.

25. The electrical charging system of claim 24, further comprising connection means for non-fixedly connecting the battery unit with the head member of the charging apparatus.

26. The electrical charging system of claim 25, wherein the connection means comprises spaced apart fingers on the battery unit for selectively receiving the head member of the charging apparatus and biasing electrical contacts of the head member into electrical engagement with corresponding electrical contacts of the battery unit.

27. The electrical charging system of claim 25, wherein the connection means comprises a pair of magnets, or a single magnet and a magnetic material, one of which is attached to the battery unit and one of which is attached to the head member of the charging apparatus in order to bias the head member against the battery unit.

28. The electronic charging system of claim 24, wherein the pole member comprises a breakaway coupling that breaks away, while charging the one or more rechargeable batteries, if the pole member is substantially deflected.

29. The electronic charging system of claim 24, further comprising a power control circuit electrically connected to the battery unit and configured to provide electrical current from the battery unit to the electrically powered apparatus.

30. The charging system of claim 24, wherein the pole member is detachably couplable to the head member such that during charging of the one or more rechargeable batteries, the pole member can be detached from the head member while leaving the head member connected with the battery unit.