Articles with electrical charging surfaces
First Claim
1. An electrical article for use in a work area, said electrical article comprising:
- a housing including an upper surface and a plurality of side surfaces extending downwardly from said upper surface, said housing configured to be supported at a work surface in the work area;
a cordless charging zone defined along a portion of said upper surface;
an electrical power transmission unit disposed in said housing and having a cordless power output at said cordless charging zone;
an electrical outlet disposed along at least one of said side surfaces of said housing, wherein said electrical outlet comprises a high voltage AC outlet, and wherein said electrical outlet is configured to establish a direct electrical connection upon engagement with a corresponding electrical contact of an electrical consumer;
an electrical power input configured to direct electrical power from a power source to said electrical power transmission unit and to said electrical outlet, wherein said electrical outlet is directly electrically coupled to said electrical power input; and
wherein said electrical power transmission unit is operable to cordlessly convey electrical power to a portable electrical or electronic device positioned at said charging zone.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An electrical article with cord-free charging zone provides users in a work area with access to low-voltage charging for portable electronic devices, in which electrical current is conveyed upon placement of an electronic device within the charging zone. The electrical article is configured for use in a work area, and includes a housing, a low voltage charging zone with power unit, and an electrical power input. The charging zone is defined along at least a portion of an upper surface of the housing. The low voltage power unit is operable to cordlessly convey electrical power to a portable electrical or electronic device that is positioned at the low voltage charging zone.
126 Citations
21 Claims
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1. An electrical article for use in a work area, said electrical article comprising:
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a housing including an upper surface and a plurality of side surfaces extending downwardly from said upper surface, said housing configured to be supported at a work surface in the work area; a cordless charging zone defined along a portion of said upper surface; an electrical power transmission unit disposed in said housing and having a cordless power output at said cordless charging zone; an electrical outlet disposed along at least one of said side surfaces of said housing, wherein said electrical outlet comprises a high voltage AC outlet, and wherein said electrical outlet is configured to establish a direct electrical connection upon engagement with a corresponding electrical contact of an electrical consumer; an electrical power input configured to direct electrical power from a power source to said electrical power transmission unit and to said electrical outlet, wherein said electrical outlet is directly electrically coupled to said electrical power input; and wherein said electrical power transmission unit is operable to cordlessly convey electrical power to a portable electrical or electronic device positioned at said charging zone. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 19)
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13. An electrical article for use in a work area, said electrical article comprising:
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a housing including an upper surface and a plurality of side surfaces extending downwardly from said upper surface, said housing configured to be supported at a work surface in the work area; a cordless charging zone defined along a portion of said upper surface; an electrical power transmission unit disposed in said housing and comprising; a cordless power output at said cordless charging zone; and a low voltage DC power output; a high voltage AC power outlet and a low voltage DC power outlet disposed along at least one of said side surfaces of said housing, wherein said electrical outlets are configured to establish respective direct electrical connections upon engagement with corresponding electrical contacts of respective electrical consumers, and wherein said low voltage DC power outlet is directly electrically coupled to said low voltage DC power output; an electric lamp coupled to said housing and positioned above said upper surface; an electrical power input configured to direct electrical power from a power source to said electrical power transmission unit, to said AC power outlet, and to said electric lamp, wherein said electrical power transmission unit, said AC power outlet, and said electric lamp are directly electrically coupled to said electrical power input; and wherein said electrical power transmission unit is operable to cordlessly convey electrical power to a portable electrical or electronic device positioned at said charging zone. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 20)
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17. An electrical article for use in a work area, said electrical article comprising:
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a housing including an upper surface and a plurality of side surfaces extending downwardly from said upper surface; a cordless charging zone defined along a portion of said upper surface; an electrical power transmission unit disposed in said housing and having a cordless power output at said cordless charging zone; a high voltage AC power outlet and a low voltage DC power outlet disposed along at least one of said side surfaces of said housing, wherein said electrical outlets are configured to establish respective direct electrical connections upon engagement with corresponding electrical contacts of respective electrical consumers; an electrical power cord configured to receive electrical power from a high voltage AC power source; and an electrical power converter configured to convert incoming high voltage AC power received from said electrical power cord to low voltage DC power output directed to at least said low voltage DC outlet, wherein said low voltage DC power outlet is directly electrically coupled to said low voltage DC power output, and wherein said high voltage AC power outlet is directly electrically coupled to said electrical power cord; wherein said electrical power transmission unit is operable to cordlessly convey electrical power to a portable electrical or electronic device positioned at said charging zone. - View Dependent Claims (18, 21)
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Specification