Inductively coupled work surfaces

• US 8,421,407 B2
• Filed: 02/24/2009
• Issued: 04/16/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: L&P Property Management Company (Leggett & Platt Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: L&P Property Management Company (Leggett & Platt Incorporated)
• Inventors: Johnson, LeRoy
• Primary Examiner(s): Berhanu, Samuel
• Application Number:
  US12/391,698
• Publication Number:
  US 20090212638A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,512 Days
• Field of Search: 320/108, 108 65- 66, 108/69, 108 77- 82
• US Class Current: 320/108
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 96/18 Tops specially designed for working on table tops A47B13/08
• CPC Class Codes: B25H 1/02 of table type
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 38/14 Inductive couplings for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using inductive coupling H02J50/10
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence

Abstract

Inductively coupled work surfaces with integrated primary coils are provided. Power is inductively coupled from a work surface with an integrated primary coil to a handheld device containing a secondary coil. The inductively coupled work surface may be a home work surface, an ergonomic industrial work bench, a work surface installed in the interior of a vehicle, or a collapsible work surface accessible from the exterior of a vehicle. Primary coils integrated into a work surface may provide varying amounts of power. Devices containing secondary coils, such as laptop computers, PDAs, cell phones, and power tools, are charged when placed on the work surface where primary coils are integrated.

Claims

1. An inductively coupled work surface, comprising:

an ergonomic work surface having a top surface generally opposed by an underside surface, wherein a hole extends through the underside surface and into the ergonomic work surface;

a primary coil having a housing and an extension member extending generally perpendicular and radially from the housing, wherein the housing is positioned in the hole beneath the top surface and a fastener attaches the extending member to the underside surface of the ergonomic work surface, and wherein the primary coil is capable of inductively powering a device containing a secondary coil positioned on the top surface; and

one or more indicators that positioned beneath the top surface to indicate charging of the primary coil, wherein the one or more indicators are covered by, and viewable through, a transparent material that is substantially flush with the top surface.

2. The inductively coupled work surface of claim 1, wherein the primary coil is substantially flush with the top surface.

3. The inductively coupled work surface of claim 1, wherein the primary coil includes a high power primary coil.

4. The inductively coupled work surface of claim 1, wherein the work surface is installed in a vehicle.

5. The inductively coupled work surface of claim 1 further comprising, a plurality of primary coils attached to the ergonomic work surface, wherein the plurality of primary coils is controlled by a single circuit.

6. The inductively coupled work surface of claim 1, further comprising a work station shield extending upwardly from the ergonomic work surface and including a storage tray coupled to the shield, the shield following a curved perimeter of the ergonomic work surface.

7. The inductively coupled work surface of claim 1, wherein the housing includes an adjustable housing that is height adjustable to fit ergonomic work surfaces having a range of thicknesses.

8. A retractable, inductively coupled work surface, comprising:

a retractable work surface having a first surface generally opposed by a second surface, wherein a hole extends through the second surface and into the retractable work surface, and wherein the retractable work surface is hingedly coupled along an exterior surface of a vehicle and forms a portion of the exterior surface of the vehicle when in a closed position;

a primary coil having a housing and a tab extending generally perpendicular and radially from the housing, wherein the housing is positioned in the hole beneath the first surface and a fastener attaches the tab to the second surface of the retractable work surface, and wherein the primary coil is capable of inductively powering a device containing a secondary coil is individually adaptable to power needs of the device being powered, and

one or more indicators that are positioned beneath the top surface to indicate charging of the primary coil, wherein the one or more indicators are covered by, and viewable through, a transparent material that is substantially flush with the top surface.

9. The retractable, inductively coupled work surface of claim 8, further comprising indicators that identify a charging area for the primary coil.

10. The retractable, inductively coupled work surface of claim 8, wherein the work surface hingedly retracts into a storage compartment in the vehicle.

11. A kit for retrofitting a work surface, comprising:

a side surface extension configured to attach to a side of an existing central work surface, wherein the side surface extension includes a first surface generally opposed by a second surface, wherein a hole extends through the second surface and into the side surface extension;

a primary coil having a housing and a tab extending generally perpendicular and radially from the housing, wherein the housing is positioned in the hole beneath the first surface and a fastener attaches the tab to the second surface of the side surface extension, and wherein the primary coil is capable of inductively powering a device containing a secondary coil; and

one or more indicators that are positioned beneath the top surface to indicate charging of the primary coil, wherein the one or or more indicators are covered by, and viewable through, a transparent material that is substantially flush with the top surface.

12. The kit of claim 11, further comprising indicators that show the charging area for each primary coil.

13. The kit of claim 11, wherein a plurality of primary coils is integrated into the existing central work surface, and wherein the plurality of the primary coils is controlled by a single circuit.

14. The kit of claim 11, wherein the housing is includes an adjustable housing that is height adjustable to fit a variety of side surface extensions having a range of thicknesses.

15. The kit of claim 11, wherein the existing central work surface is attached to a surface in the interior of a vehicle.

16. The kit of claim 11 further comprising:

an ergonomic front surface extension configured to attach to a front edge of the existing central work surface and with a perimeter curving inwardly toward the central work surface, the ergonomic front surface extension being coplanar with the existing work surface when attached to the existing central work surface; and

an ergonomic rear surface extension configured to attach to a rear edge of the existing central work surface and with a perimeter curving outwardly from the central work surface in a similar arc to that of the front surface extension such that points along the perimeter of the rear surface extension are in equal reach of a user positioned at a center of the front surface extension, the ergonomic rear surface extension being coplanar with the existing central work surface when attached to the existing central work surface.

17. The kit of claim 16, further comprising a work station shield extending upwardly from the perimeter of the rear surface extension and including a storage tray coupled to the shield, the shield following the curved perimeter of the rear surface extension such that- the storage tray coupled thereto is directed toward the center of the front surface extension.