Power Distribution for Modular Storage

Abstract

A power distribution device that couples to storage units is provided. The power distribution device a battery charger that indirectly charges batteries, such as for personal electronic devices. The device includes a top panel with a recess that receives the personal electronic devices. The device also includes interface components to couple the device to a modular tool storage unit.

Claims

1. A modular storage system comprising: a first container comprising: a housing comprising: a bottom surface; and a first interface extending from the bottom surface; a panel coupled to the housing, the panel comprising: an upper surface opposite the bottom surface; a second interface located along the upper surface; a charging surface; and an inductive charger supported by the panel and positioned adjacent the charging surface; and a second container couplable to the first container via the first interface or the second interface of the first container.

2. The modular storage system of claim 1, wherein the inductive charger is positioned within the panel.

3. The modular storage system of claim 1, wherein the inductive charger includes inductive charging coils supported within the housing of the first container.

4. The modular storage system of claim 1, wherein the inductive charger comprises inductive charging coils positioned beneath the charging surface.

5. The modular storage system of claim 1, the second interface further comprising a coupling recess.

6. The modular storage system of claim 5, wherein the coupling recess defines a first depth from the upper surface of the panel, and wherein the charging surface is recessed relative to the upper surface of the panel and defines a second depth from the upper surface of the panel.

7. The modular storage system of claim 6, wherein the second depth is greater than the first depth.

8. A modular storage system comprising: a container comprising: a bottom surface; a first interface located on the bottom surface; and a panel opposite the bottom surface, the panel comprising: an uppermost surface; a charging surface; and a coupling recess located on the uppermost surface; wherein the coupling recess defines a first depth relative to the uppermost surface of the panel and the charging surface defines a second depth relative to the uppermost surface of the panel.

9. The modular storage system of claim 8, further comprising a modular tool storage device removably couplable to the first interface.

10. The modular storage system of claim 9, wherein the container further comprises a tab projecting over the charging surface to define a charging recess, and wherein the charging recess is configured to removably couple the container to the modular tool storage device.

11. The modular storage system of claim 8, wherein the second depth is greater than the first depth.

12. The modular storage system of claim 8, wherein the panel includes a tab that projects over the coupling recess, and wherein no tabs extend over the charging surface.

13. The modular storage system of claim 8, wherein the charging surface is configured to support and charge more than one electronic device.

14. The modular storage system of claim 8, further comprising a power input configured to receive AC power and a battery interface.

15. A modular system comprising: a storage device; and a container comprising: a housing comprising: a first surface; and a first interface located on the first surface, the first interface configured to detachably couple the container to the storage device; a panel coupled to the housing, the panel comprising: a second surface opposing the first surface; a coupling interface located on the second surface; and a charging recess; and an inductive charger associated with the charging recess.

16. The modular system of claim 15, wherein the coupling interface is configured to detachably couple the container to the storage device.

17. The modular system of claim 16, wherein the charging recess is configured to detachably couple the housing to the storage device.

18. The modular system of claim 15, further comprising a battery interface configured to removably couple to a rechargeable battery, wherein the inductive charger is electrically coupled to the battery interface.

19. The modular system of claim 15, wherein the charging recess is adapted to receive and charge a first electronic device and a second electronic device concurrently.

20. The modular system of claim 15, wherein the panel further comprises a first tab that projects over the charging recess and a second tab that projects over the charging recess.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] In order to better understand the subject matter that is disclosed herein and to exemplify how it may be carried out in practice, embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a top panel of a tool storage device, according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a top view of the top panel of FIG. 1, according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0014] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a cross-section of the top panel of FIG. 1 as defined along line 3-3 in FIG. 2, according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0015] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a tool storage device with the top panel of FIG. 1, according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0016] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the tool storage device FIG. 4, according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0017] FIG. 6 is a modular storage system including the tool storage device of FIG. 4, according to an exemplary embodiment

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] Referring generally to the figures, an embodiment of a stackable tool storage related device, container or unit is shown. One or more of the devices are configured to selectively couple and decouple with storage units. The tool storage device includes a top panel with a recess that is adapted to receive an electronic device (e.g., a cell phone, a smart watch, a tablet computer, a media player, etc.) to be charged. The tool storage device includes an inductive charger beneath the recess that charges the electronic device. In this arrangement, the charger charges the electronic device through the material of the top panel, while the electronic device rests within the recess without physically contacting the charger. The tool storage device also includes a battery interface that couples to a rechargeable removable power tool battery. When a power tool battery is coupled to the battery interface, the inductive charger recharges the electronic device.

[0019] Referring to FIGS. 1-6, a panel of a modular storage unit, container and/or device, such as top panel 26, is shown according to an exemplary embodiment. Top panel 26 is adapted to be coupled, such as being pivotally coupled, to a tool storage device, container and/or unit, such as container 10.

[0020] Uppermost surface 60 of top panel 26 includes second interface 58 that includes several coupling recesses 30 that are adapted to be coupled to the modular tool storage device coupling mechanism(s). In specific embodiments, the coupling mechanisms utilized in the storage containers discussed herein are described in International Patent Application No. PCT/US2018/044629, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0021] Uppermost surface 60 of top panel 26 also includes a recess to charge an electronic device, shown as charging recess 34. Inductive charger 28 is coupled to top panel 26 and located beneath charging recess 34 to charge an electronic device placed in charging recess 34. Inductive charger 28 is configured to inductively recharge an electronic device stored within charging recess 34 (e.g., a cell phone or other electronic device that is inductively rechargeable).

[0022] In one specific embodiment the inductive charging coils 64 of inductive charger 28 are embedded within top panel 26 beneath charging recess 34 (shown in FIG. 3). In another specific embodiment, the inductive charging coils of inductive charger 28 are supported within the tool storage container and/or device that top panel 26 is coupled to, and inductive charger is located beneath charging recess 34.

[0023] In a specific embodiment charging recess 34 does not include tabs 32 and charging recess 34 is uncovered in the upward direction. In specific embodiments, charging recess 34 has a length 40 of 185 mm and a width 42 of 92 mm. As shown in FIG. 2, charging recess 34 has a depth 46 that is the same as the depth 44 of coupling recesses 30.

[0024] In another specific embodiment charging recess 34 has a second depth 46 from uppermost surface 60 of top panel 26 that is greater than the first depth 44 of coupling recesses 30 from uppermost surface 60. The increased marginal second depth 46 of charging recess 34 relative to first depth 44 of coupling recess 30 permits a phone to be charging within charging recess 34 without interfering with another modular container being coupled to top panel 26.

[0025] When coupling top panel 26 of container 10 to another modular storage unit, the other modular storage unit has one or more projections that extend from its bottom face. The projections are configured to engage with the coupling recesses 30. Additionally, the other modular storage unit may have a projection that is positioned to couple with the area where charging recess 34 is located. Therefore, in a specific embodiment the depth 46 of charging recess 34 is adapted to receive both the electronic device being charged (e.g., a cell phone, a cell phone with a protective cover) and the projection from the other tool storage device positioned above charging recess 34. This permits the electronic device in charging recess 34 to be charged even while the top panel 26 is coupled to another storage device above the top panel 26.

[0026] In a specific embodiment, housing 20 of container 10 defines an internal compartment 50 that can be utilized for storage.

[0027] In a specific embodiment the container 10 includes battery interface 68 located within internal compartment 50. Battery interface 68 couples to a battery, such as a rechargeable, removable Lithium Ion power tool battery pack that attaches to and provides power to power tools, such as drills, saws, etc. When a power tool battery is coupled to container 10 via battery interface 68, the inductive charger 28 receives power from the power tool battery and recharges the electronic device located within charging recess 34.

[0028] In another specific embodiment, the container 10 includes another power supply, such as a power input for AC power 62. In yet another specific embodiment, the container 10 includes both a battery interface and another power supply such as AC power.

[0029] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, bottom surface 54 of container 10 includes first interface 56. First interface 56 is configured to couple container 10 to modular storage containers, devices, and/or units, such as tool storage unit 82. Modular storage system 80 includes container 10 and one or more modular storage containers, devices, and/or units, such as tool storage unit(s) 82.

[0030] In a specific embodiment, charging recess 34 includes tabs 32 that extends over charging recess and thus charging recess 34 is configured to couple housing 20 of container 10 to other units, such as tool storage unit 82. In another specific embodiment, charging recess 34 is uncovered by top panel 26 such that no tabs 32 extend over charging recess 34.

[0031] In a specific embodiment, charging recess 34 may be located anywhere along top panel 26, including without limitation in place of one or both of the two upper coupling recesses 30 and/or in place of one or both of the two lower coupling recesses 30.

[0032] In various embodiments top panel 26 includes more than one charging recess 34 to charge electronic devices.

[0033] In a specific embodiment, charging recess 34 is adapted to receive more than one phone or other electronic device at a time (e.g., charging recess 34 is adapted to receive and charge a second electronic device, such as a cell phone, concurrently with a first electronic device, such as a cell phone, already being located within charging recess 34). For example, charging recess 34 has a depth 46 that is adapted to receive two electronic devices (e.g., two cell phones, two cell phone with protective covers).

[0034] It should be understood that the figures illustrate the exemplary embodiments in detail, and it should be understood that the present application is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in the description or illustrated in the figures. It should also be understood that the terminology is for description purposes only and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0035] Further modifications and alternative embodiments of various aspects of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of this description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only. The construction and arrangements, shown in the various exemplary embodiments, are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter described herein. Some elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwise varied, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions may be altered or varied. The order or sequence of any process, logical algorithm, or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may also be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the various exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0036] Unless otherwise expressly stated, it is in no way intended that any method set forth herein be construed as requiring that its steps be performed in a specific order. Accordingly, where a method claim does not actually recite an order to be followed by its steps or it is not otherwise specifically stated in the claims or descriptions that the steps are to be limited to a specific order, it is in no way intended that any particular order be inferred. In addition, as used herein, the article a is intended to include one or more component or element, and is not intended to be construed as meaning only one.

[0037] Various embodiments of the disclosure relate to any combination of any of the features, and any such combination of features may be claimed in this or future applications. Any of the features, elements or components of any of the exemplary embodiments discussed above may be utilized alone or in combination with any of the features, elements or components of any of the other embodiments discussed above.