Wireless power for portable articles

• US 9,484,751 B2
• Filed: 09/30/2014
• Issued: 11/01/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Byrne Electrical Specialists Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Norman R. Byrne
• Inventors: Byrne, Norman R., Knapp, Robert L., Warwick, Timothy J., Burdi, Roger D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fureman, Jared
• Assistant Examiner(s): PEREZ BORROTO, ALFONSO
• Application Number:
  US14/501,158
• Publication Number:
  US 20150091389A1
• Time in Patent Office: 763 Days
• Field of Search: 307/104
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 13/00 Details of tables or desks drawers A47B88/00; feet for furniture in general A47B91/00
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/725 for illumination, e.g. lamps
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6891 Furniture
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/23 The load being a medical device, a medical implant, or a life supporting device
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/40 using two or more transmitting or receiving devices H02J50/50 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/90 involving detection or optimisation of position, e.g. alignment
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction

Abstract

A wireless electrical power system provides access to high voltage and/or low voltage electrical power at portable articles that are positionable at different locations within a work area, and substantially without the use of exposed cabling. The power system includes a portable article that is positionable at two or more locations within a work area. The work area is defined by a plurality of surfaces, at least one of which incorporates a wireless electrical power transmitter. The portable article incorporates a wireless electrical power receiver that is configured to receive electrical power from the wireless power transmitter when the wireless power receiver is sufficiently close to the wireless power transmitter. The portable article further includes an electrical power outlet that provides users in the work area with access to the electrical power.

Claims

1. A wireless electrical power system for use in a work area, said system comprising:

a wireless electrical power transmitter disposed in a surface that defines a portion of a work area;

a portable article configured to be positioned within the work area and movable between two or more locations in the work area;

a plurality of wireless electrical power receivers positioned at said portable article and configured such that a first of said plurality of wireless electrical power receivers receives electrical power from said wireless electrical power transmitter when said first wireless electrical power receiver is adjacent or spaced from said wireless electrical power transmitter by a distance that is less than or equal to a maximum transmission distance, wherein a second of said plurality of wireless electrical power receivers is positioned at an opposite side of said portable article from said first wireless electrical power receiver; and

an electrical power outlet comprising at least one AC electrical outlet and at least one DC electrical outlet positioned at said portable article, wherein said electrical power outlet is configured to (i) receive electrical power directly from one of said first and second wireless electrical power receivers, and (ii) provide electrical power to an electrical consumer that is electrically coupled to a respective one of said electrical outlets.

2. The wireless electrical power system of claim 1, wherein said wireless electrical power transmitter comprises an inductive power transmitter that receives electrical power, via wiring, from a main power source associated with the work area.

3. The wireless electrical power system of claim 2, further in combination with the surface that defines a portion of a work area, wherein said surface that defines a portion of a work area is one of:

(i) a wall or divider surface, (ii) a floor surface, (iii) a work surface, and (iv) a ceiling surface.

4. The wireless electrical power system of claim 3, further comprising indicia along the surface in which said wireless electrical power transmitter is disposed, wherein said indicia is indicative of the location of said wireless electrical power transmitter.

5. The wireless electrical power system of claim 1, wherein said portable article comprises a table.

6. The wireless electrical power system of claim 5, wherein said portable article is supported on a plurality of wheels or rollers.

7. The wireless electrical power system of claim 1, wherein said portable article comprises an electrical energy storage device configured to receive electrical energy from said wireless electrical power transmitter via one of said first and second wireless electrical power receivers, and wherein said electrical energy storage device is operable to supply electrical current to said electrical power outlet.

8. The wireless electrical power system of claim 7, wherein said electrical energy storage device comprises a rechargeable battery.

9. The wireless electrical power system of claim 8, wherein said rechargeable battery is positioned along an interior of said portable article and said electrical power outlet is positioned along an exterior of said portable article.

10. The wireless electrical power system of claim 1, wherein said portable article comprises an electrical device that is configured to be supported on a floor surface or a work surface, said electrical device comprising at least one chosen from (i) a power monument or tower, and (ii) an electric lamp.

11. The wireless electrical power system of claim 1, wherein said at least one DC electrical outlet is at least one of a low-voltage DC outlet and a low voltage charging pad, and wherein said at least one AC electrical outlet is at least one of a high-voltage AC outlet and a light socket.

12. The wireless electrical power system of claim 1, further comprising a wireless electrical power transmitter positioned at said portable article and configured to provide electrical power to another electrical power receiver of another portable article, wherein said another portable article is configured to be positioned within the work area and movable between the two or more locations in the work area.

13. The wireless electrical power system of claim 1, wherein said wireless electrical power transmitter is disposed in a floor box mounted at a raised floor surface under which electrical wiring is routed, and wherein said portable article comprises a chair, said chair comprising:

a seating surface;

a seatback coupled to said seating surface;

a support column extending downwardly from said seating surface;

a plurality of support legs at a lower end portion of said support column;

said wireless electrical power receiver, which extends downwardly from said support column a distance so that said wireless electrical power receiver is spaced above the raised floor surface by a distance that is less than the maximum transmission distance;

a combination armrest and writing surface coupled to said seating surface; and

a wireless electrical power transmitter mounted at said combination armrest and writing surface;

wherein said wireless electrical power transmitter is configured to provide electrical power to portable electronic device that is supported at said combination armrest and writing surface.

14. A wireless electrical power system for use in a work area, said system comprising:

a portable article configured to be positioned within a work area that is at least partially defined by a surface having a first wireless electrical power transmitter mounted thereto, wherein said portable article is movable between two or more locations in the work area;

a plurality of wireless electrical power receivers positioned at said portable article and configured such that a first of said plurality of wireless electrical power receivers receives electrical power from the first wireless electrical power transmitter when said first wireless electrical power receiver is adjacent or spaced from the first wireless electrical power transmitter by a distance that is less than or equal to a maximum transmission distance, wherein a second of said plurality of wireless electrical power receivers is positioned at an opposite side of said portable article from said first wireless electrical power receiver;

a rechargeable electrical energy storage device positioned along an interior of said portable article and configured to receive electrical energy from the first wireless electrical power transmitter via one of said first and second wireless electrical power receivers;

an electrical power outlet accessible from an exterior surface of said portable article and configured to (i) selectively receive electrical power directly from either of said one of said first and second wireless electrical power receivers, and selectively from said rechargeable electrical energy storage device, and (ii) provide electrical power to an electrical consumer that is electrically coupled to said electrical power outlet; and

a second wireless electrical power transmitter positioned at said portable article and configured to provide electrical power to a third electrical power receiver of another portable article, wherein said another portable article is configured to be positioned within the work area and movable between the two or more locations in the work area.

15. The wireless electrical power system of claim 14, wherein said electrical power outlet is at least one of a low voltage charging pad and a third wireless electrical power transmitter positioned at a horizontal surface of said portable article and configured to provide electrical power to a fourth electrical power receiver of said another portable article positioned at the horizontal surface.

16. The wireless electrical power system of claim 15, wherein said portable article comprises a table.

17. The wireless electrical power system of claim 14, wherein the first wireless electrical power transmitter is disposed in a floor box mounted in a raised floor surface under which electrical wiring is routed, and wherein said portable article comprises a chair, said chair comprising:

a seating surface;

a support column extending downwardly from said seating surface;

a plurality of support legs at a lower end portion of said support column;

a combination armrest and writing surface coupled to said seating surface, wherein said second wireless electrical power transmitter is mounted at said combination armrest and writing surface; and

wherein said wireless electrical power receiver extends downwardly from said support column a distance so that said wireless electrical power receiver is spaced above the raised floor surface by a distance that is less than the maximum transmission distance.

18. The wireless electrical power system of claim 14, wherein said another portable article comprises at least one AC electrical outlet and at least one DC electrical outlet.

19. The wireless electrical power system of claim 14, wherein said electrical power outlet comprises a AC electrical outlet, a DC electrical outlet, and a low voltage charging pad.