Patent ID: 6040681
Filing Date: 2000-03-21
Classification: H02J

Abstract:
A docking apparatus, for use with a piece of equipment selected from a set of pieces of equipment having different physical configurations, each of the pieces of equipment having a respective removable and rechargeable power storage module, the power storage modules of the pieces of equipment having different configurations, for coupling the respective piece of equipment to an equipment interface having a standard physical configuration, the apparatus comprising:a standard first module including the equipment interface, the first module having a power output interface for coupling with the power storage modules and for providing power to charge the power storage modules; anda respective second module, selected from a set of second modules which correspond with respective ones of the pieces of equipment, each of the second modules being compatible with the standard first module for coupling therewith, the respective second module being compatible with the respective piece of equipment, the second module including a power storage module receptacle having a configuration which is compatible with the configuration of the power storage module, for receiving the power storage module and coupling the power storage module with the power output interface for recharging.