Implement rack and system for energizing implements

• US 20060087282A1
• Filed: 10/27/2004
• Published: 04/27/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Philips IP Ventures B.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Access Business Group International LLC (Alticor Incorporated)
• Inventors: Baarman, David W., Lautzenheiser, Terry L., Leppien, Thomas Jay
• Granted Patent: US 7,408,324 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/108
• 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 7/0013 acting upon several batteries simultaneously or sequentially H02J7/1423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence

Abstract

An inductive charging rack for providing electrical power to an implement includes a back, an inductive primary attached to the back, and a hanger for holding the implement. The rack may include a control for energizing the inductive primary and a transceiver for providing communication to and from the implement. The inductive primary could be attached to the surface of the charging rack or it could be incorporated within the rack.

Claims

1. A rack comprising:

a back;

an inductive primary attached to the back; and

a hanger for securing implements to the back.

2. The rack of claim 1 further comprising:

a control for energizing the inductive primary.

3. The rack of claim 2 where the control comprises:

a ballast.

4. The rack of claim 3 where the control further comprises a controller.

5. The rack of claim 4 where the control further comprises a transceiver.

6. The rack of claim 5 where a portion of the inductive primary extends into the hanger.

7. The rack of claim 6 where the inductive primary is embedded within the rack.

8. The rack of claim 6 where the inductive primary is located on the back.

9. An inductive charging rack for charging an implement, the implement having a rechargeable battery, comprising:

a back;

an inductive primary attached to the back; and

a hanger for holding the implement.

10. The inductive charging rack of claim 9 further comprising a control for managing energizing of the inductive primary.

11. The inductive charging rack of claim 10 wherein the control includes a ballast for energizing the inductive primary.

12. The inductive charging rack of claim 10 wherein the control further includes:

a controller for managing energizing of the inductive primary by the ballast.

13. The inductive charging rack of claim 11 further comprising:

a transceiver for providing data communication to the implement.

14. The inductive charging rack of claim 13 further comprising wherein a portion of the inductive primary extends within the hanger.

15. The inductive charging rack of claim 14 wherein the hanger comprises a strap and the inductive primary extends within the strap.

16. The inductive charging rack of claim 14 wherein the hanger comprises a post.

17. An inductive charging rack for holding an electronic implement comprising:

a pole for holding the electronic implement; and

an inductive primary extending within the pole.

18. The inductive charging rack of claim 17 further comprising:

a ballast for energizing the inductive primary.

19. The inductive charging rack of claim 18 further comprising a controller for managing energizing of the inductive primary.

20. The inductive charging rack of claim 19 further comprising a transceiver for providing data communication with the electronic implement.

21. The inductive charging rack of claim 20 further comprising a network interface for enabling communication between the inductive charging rack and a network.

22. The inductive charging rack of claim 21 wherein the transceiver allows communication between the electronic implement and the network.

23. An enhanced hanger for receiving power from a first inductive primary comprising:

a hanger portion for holding clothing;

an inductive secondary for receiving power from the first inductive primary; and

a second inductive primary energized by the inductive secondary.

24. The enhanced hanger of claim 23 further comprising a controller for managing energizing of the second inductive primary by the inductive secondary.

25. The enhanced hanger of claim 24 wherein the controller manages energizing of the inductive secondary by the first inductive primary.

26. An enhanced garment for energizing an electronic implement by an inductive primary comprising:

an inductive secondary for coupling to the inductive primary;

a holder for holding the electronic implement; and

an inductive primary for energizing the electronic implement.

27. The enhanced garment of claim 26 further comprising:

a controller for managing energizing of the electronic implement.

28. A system for energizing an electronic implement:

a first primary for receiving power from a power source;

a first secondary to be energized by the first primary whenever the first primary is brought near the first secondary; and

a second primary for being energized by the first secondary, the second primary being arranged to energize the electronic implement.

29. The system of claim 28 further comprising:

a controller for managing energizing of the first secondary by the first primary.

30. The system of claim 29 wherein the controller manages energizing of the second primary by the first primary.

31. The system of claim 30 further comprising a transceiver to allow communication between the electronic implement and a remote device.

32. A method for providing electricity to an inductively rechargeable electronic device comprising:

attaching at least one primary coil to a recharging rack;

attaching at least one holder to the recharging rack; and

supporting the at least one inductively rechargeable electronic device with the at least one holder, such that a secondary coil within the at least one inductively rechargeable electronic device is proximate the at least one primary.

33. The method of claim 32, further comprising coupling a control with the primary coil.

34. The method of claim 33, further comprising coupling a transceiver with the recharging rack.