MULTIUNIT CHARGER

• US 20170163057A1
• Filed: 12/02/2015
• Published: 06/08/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Motorola Solutions, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Motorola Solutions, Inc.
• Inventors: Kincaid, Myra A., Tran, Chi T., Herrmann, John E., Maggert, Kevin K., Taraboulos, Mark C., Whetten, Curtis L.
• Granted Patent: US 10,476,282 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/22 The load being a portable electronic device
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00 Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/007 Regulation of charging or discharging current or voltage
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/02 for charging batteries from ac mains by converters

Abstract

A multiunit charger including a base, a plurality of charging pockets coupled to the base, an accessory organization bar coupled to the base, and a charging circuit coupled to the base. Each one of the plurality of charging pockets is for charging a respective battery powered portable communication device. The accessory organization bar provides retention for a battery powered accessory device. The charging circuit charges the respective battery powered portable communication device. Also disclosed is a battery charging system having the multiunit charger and the accessory device. The accessory device may include a clip coupling the accessory device to the accessory organization bar. The charging circuit may include a transmitter antenna, and the accessory device-may include a receiver antenna in wireless charging communication with the transmitter antenna.

Claims

1. A multiunit charger, comprising:

a base;

a plurality of charging pockets coupled to the base, each one of the plurality of charging pockets for charging a respective battery powered portable communication device;

an accessory organization bar coupled to the base, the accessory organization bar providing retention for an accessory device; and

a charging circuit coupled to the base to charge the respective battery powered portable communication device.

2. The multiunit charger of claim 1, wherein the charging circuit includes a transmitter antenna coupled to the accessory organization bar, the transmitter antenna operating to wirelessly transmit energy for charging the accessory device.

3. The multiunit charger of claim 2, wherein the charging circuit including the transmitter antenna utilizes one of a group consisting of magnetic resonance and inductive charging.

4. The multiunit charger of claim 1, wherein the accessory organization bar includes a straight portion having a sectional profile with a width greater than twice a height, wherein the charging circuit includes a plurality of transmitter antennas for wirelessly charging a plurality of accessory devices, and wherein the accessory organization bar includes the plurality of transmitter antennas.

5. The multiunit charger of claim 1, further comprising charging contacts coupled to the charging circuit and for coupling to the respective battery powered portable communication device.

6. The multiunit charger of claim 1, further comprising a charging/programming hub having a plurality of interface ports coupled to the charging circuit and the hub for coupling to a plurality of charging cables.

7. The multiunit charger of claim 6, wherein each of the plurality of interface ports provide data communication.

8. The multiunit charger of claim 1, further comprising a cable having a connector coupled thereto for coupling with and charging the accessory device.

9. The multiunit charger of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of cables coupled to the charging circuit, each cable having a respective connector for coupling to a respective accessory device.

10. The multiunit charger of claim 1, wherein the accessory organization bar further comprises a power/data interconnect for automatically transferring data and charging the accessory device.

11. The multiunit charger of claim 1, further comprising a housing, and wherein the housing and the accessory organization bar form a pocket for receiving the accessory device.

12. The multiunit charger of claim 1, wherein the accessory organization bar includes a flexible straight portion between a plurality of curved portions, the accessory organization bar further includes a brace coupled to the flexible straight portion.

13. The multiunit charger of claim 1, wherein the accessory organization bar forms a carry handle with a housing of the multiunit charger.

14. The multiunit charger of claim 13, wherein the accessory organization bar is coupled to and across a housing of the multiunit charger at a predetermined distance from the plurality of charging pockets to provide a space for dissipation of heat from the accessory device when being charged.

15. A battery charging system, comprising

the multiunit charger of claim 1, and

an accessory device having a clip coupling the accessory device to the accessory organization bar.

16. The battery charging system of claim 15, wherein the charging circuit includes a transmitter antenna, and the accessory device includes a receiver antenna in wireless charging communication with the transmitter antenna.

17. The battery charging system of claim 16, wherein the accessory organization bar supports the transmitter antenna and the clip includes the receiver antenna.