Abstract:
A portable charging system includes a bag configured to receive an electronic device, a battery, a docking station, a charging apparatus and a cord. Another portable system includes a bag, a charging system, and a cord for charging an electronic device. A battery includes a battery cell for storing energy, an external case surrounding the battery cell, and an electrical contact for transmitting electricity therethrough.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    Various embodiments relate to charging systems having a battery for use with luggage and bags, and the bags and luggage pieces containing the systems. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Electronic devices have become smaller and more mobile, and the number of electronic devices that a person carries with them has greatly increased in the last few years. Electronic devices include mobile telephones, personal digital assistants, tablets, e-readers, laptops, cameras, portable navigation systems, personal digital music players, handheld game consoles, and the like. Some of the mobile devices have removable rechargeable batteries where the battery is placed into a docking station to be recharged, or alternatively is recharged while located within the device. Others have internal rechargeable batteries which are recharged while located within the device. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    In an embodiment, a portable charging system is provided with a bag having a charging port and configured to receive an electronic device. The portable charging system has a battery with a contoured surface including a protrusion, a recess, and a first electrical contact. The battery has an angled surface having a second electrical contact. A docking station is provided in electrical communication with the charging port. The docking station has a recessed area for receiving the battery, and the recessed area has a bottom surface contoured to receive the contoured surface and angled surface of the battery. The bottom surface has a third electrical contact configured to mate with the second electrical contact of the battery and a fourth electrical contact configured to mate with the first electrical contact of the battery. The bottom surface also has a locator pin to mate with the recess of the battery. A charging apparatus is also provided and has a connector on a distal end configured to plug into an external power supply. The charging apparatus has a second connector on a proximal end configured to connect to one of the charging port of the docking station and the first electrical contact of the battery. A cord is provided in electrical communication with the docking station and located within the bag, and has a connector for charging the electronic device. 
         [0004]    In another embodiment, a portable system for charging an electronic device includes a bag, and a charging system located within the bag, where the charging system has a docking station for releasably docking a battery. A cord has a connector in electrical communication with the charging system, and is used for charging an electronic device. 
         [0005]    In yet another embodiment, a battery includes a battery cell for storing energy, an external case surrounding the battery cell, and an electrical contact located on the angled surface and in electrical communication with the battery cell, where the contact is for transmitting electricity therethrough. The case has a generally planar surface and a contoured surface which defines a protrusion, with an angled surface extending between the contoured surface and the generally planar surface. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a bag having a charging system according to an embodiment; 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing a portion of the interior of the bag of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is another perspective view showing a portion of the interior of the bag of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is yet another perspective view showing a portion of the interior of the bag of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a charging system according to an embodiment; 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a power cord for use with the charging system of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a dock of the charging system of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a battery of the charging system of  FIG. 5 ; and 
           [0014]      FIG. 9  is a bottom plan view of the battery of  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 10  is a front plan view of the battery of  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 11  is a left side plan view of the battery of  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 12  is right side plan view of the battery of  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 13  is a top plan view of the battery of  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 14  is a another perspective view of the battery of  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 15  is a rear plan view of the battery of  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 16  is a front plan view of the dock of the charging system of  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 17  is a bottom plan view of the dock of the charging system of  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 18  is a top plan view of the dock of the charging system of  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 19  is a left plan view of the dock of the charging system of  FIG. 7 ; and 
           [0025]      FIG. 20  is a right plan view of the dock of the charging system of  FIG. 7 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0026]    As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention. 
         [0027]    A bag  20  for use with a portable charging system  22  is illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4 . The bag  20  is shown as a backpack, however, any bag or piece of luggage is contemplated, including handbags, messenger bags, shoulder bags, roller bags, camera bags, and the like. The bag  20  may be constructed from a nylon material, although it is contemplated that the bag  20  may be made from leather, or another synthetic material. 
         [0028]    With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the bag  20  may include a strap system  24 , a pocket  26 , and a front pocket  28 . The strap system  24  allows the user to carry the bag  20 , and can be a backpack style strap, a single over the shoulder strap, a double strap, a handle, or the like. Any number of pockets is contemplated, such as a laptop sleeve, a sunglass pocket, and other storage pockets for books, files, and personal belongings. The pocket  26  has an interior charging pocket  30 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . The charging pocket  30  may be sewn or otherwise affixed into the bottom or a side of the pocket  26 . Alternatively, the charging pocket  30  may be connected to the interior of the pocket  26  using a zipper, snap, loop and hook, or other fastener. 
         [0029]    The pocket  30  has an interior space which may be closed and opened using a fastener  32  such as a zipper, snap, hook and loop, or other fastener. The pocket  30  also may include one or more apertures  34  which allow a cord to pass through. The aperture  34  may be provided at the bottom or rear of the pocket  30 , for example, and may be defined by stitching, a grommet, or the like. 
         [0030]    With reference to  FIG. 4 , the pocket  28  is closed using a fastener such as a zipper, snap, or the like. The pocket  28  may have one or more compartments  36  where mobile electronic devices may be stored. The compartments  36  may be the same size or different sizes, and have a felt, fleece or other lining to protect the mobile devices. Cords  38  with various charging connectors  40  are run from the charging system  22  in the charging pocket  30  through the aperture  34  and internally in the bag  20  to an aperture in the compartments  36 . The cords  38  carry electricity for recharging the mobile devices using power in the charging system  22 . Various connectors  40  are available for use with the bag, such as USB, mini-USB, micro-USB, and other pin or docking connectors as are known in the art. The compartments  36  may each have a connector pocket  42 . The connector  40  fits inside the pocket  42  and may be placed there when it is not connected to a mobile device. The pocket  42  allows the connector  40  to be stored and easily located by the user within the compartment  36 . 
         [0031]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , the pocket  26  may also have additional compartments  44  for mobile devices or other personal objects. A compartment  46  is shown sized for a tablet, a netbook, or other device and may have a closure  48  to hold the device in place. The closure  48  is shown as a strap with a hook and loop fastener, although other types of closures and fasteners are contemplated. A clip  50  may be attached to the bag  20  in the pocket  26  and is used to retain a cord for use in charging a mobile device in the compartment  46 . The clip  50  may be made from silicone, or another resilient material, such that the cord may be easily put into and removed from the clip  50  by a user. The cord runs from the charging system  22  out of the pocket  30 , through the clip  50  and to a device in the compartment  46 , or another compartment  44  within the pocket  26 . 
         [0032]    One or more devices may be charged at a given time within the bag  20  using power from the charging system  22 . For example, multiple devices may be placed in compartments in various pockets  26 ,  28  and connected to the charging system  22  to charge simultaneously. Alternatively, a single device may be charged within the bag  20  by the charging system  22 . 
         [0033]    The charging system  22 , as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 5 , is sized to be received within the charging pocket  30 . The charging system  22  has a battery  52  and a docking station  54 . The battery  52  snaps, clips, or otherwise removeably attaches to the docking station  54 . The battery  52  is a lithium ion, nickel metal hydride, or other rechargeable battery, and may have a single cell, or multiple cells. 
         [0034]    With reference to  FIG. 6 , a charging apparatus  56  is used to charge the battery  52 . The apparatus  56  has a connector  58 , a cord  74 , and a plug  60 . The male connector  58  is sized to fit into a female connector  62  located on the battery  52  (see  FIG. 9 ), or into a female connector  64  located on the bag  20  (see  FIG. 2 ). The plug  60  has a body  66  and a pair of metal prongs  68 , and is used with a 110 V or 220 V outlet. The prongs  68  may be folded into the body  66  to create a more compact plug  60  for storage. The body  66  may have a pair of outer plates  70  with an inner portion  72  which creates a circumferential recess on the body  66  to wrap the cord  74  for storage. 
         [0035]    The apparatus  56  is shown in a wrapped storage configuration in  FIG. 2 . An outer pocket  76  may be located on the bag  20  for storage of the apparatus  56 . The pocket  76  is shown as adjacent to the female connector  64  for ease of use. The pocket  76  may have a zipper or other fastener to open and close the pocket  76 . 
         [0036]    In other embodiments, the apparatus  56  has a direct current (DC) connector in place of the metal prongs  68 , such that the apparatus  56  may be plugged into a car or other source of DC power for charging the battery  52  in the charging system  22 , or for charging of the devices. In some embodiments, the bag  20  is supplied with both styles of apparatuses  56 . 
         [0037]    The apparatus  56  may be used to charge the battery  52  when the battery  52  is sitting by itself on a counter, table, or the like, by directly plugging the connector  58  into the female connector  62  on the battery  52  (see  FIG. 9 ). 
         [0038]    The charging apparatus  56  may be used to charge the battery  52  when the battery  52  is located in the docking station  54  in the bag  20  by plugging the connector  58  into the connector  64  on the bag  20 . An internal cord runs from the connector  64  through the interior of the bag  20  and is connected to the docking station  54 . Therefore, the charging apparatus  56  can transfer electricity from a wall outlet through the apparatus  56 , through the connector  64 , through an internal cord in the bag  20 , to the docking station  54 , and to the battery  52  in the station  54 . This allows the battery  52  to be recharged without removing it from the bag  20  and without having to open a bag containing the charging system  22 . The user opens the pocket  76  containing the charging apparatus  56 , and plugs the plug  60  into a wall outlet, and inserts the connector  58  into the connector  64  on the bag  20 . This configuration may also be used to directly charge mobile devices when the mobile devices are being stored within the bag  20  and are connected to the charging system  22  using the respective cords  38 , without having to remove devices or open the main pockets and compartments of the bag  20  and permit charging of multiple devices using only one apparatus  56  and one wall outlet. 
         [0039]    When the battery  52  has a partial or full charge and is located within the charging system  22 , any mobile devices in the bag  20  and connected to the charging system  22  are being charged. 
         [0040]    An additional docking station  54  may be available for charging the battery  52  externally to the bag  20 , or to charge a spare battery  52  for use with the charging system  22 . An additional docking station  54  may be kept at an office or at home, and sit on a desk or a countertop, for example. The use of multiple batteries  52  allows for greater charging of the mobile devices within the bag  20  without access to a wall outlet. 
         [0041]    One non-limiting embodiment of the battery  52  is shown in FIGS.  5  and  8 - 15 . The battery  52  may have a body portion  78  with a pair of non-parallel sides  80 , which cause the battery  52  to have a tapering or generally trapezoidal appearance. A groove  82  may be located along each side  80 . A tab  84  may be connected to the body portion  78  to provide a grasping place for a user when sliding the battery  52  into and out of the docking station  54 . The bottom side  86  of the battery  52  may have a contoured surface. A central protrusion  88  may be provided on the battery  52  which mimics or generally corresponds with the shape of a logo. 
         [0042]    As shown in  FIG. 8 , an angled surface  90  may extend from the bottom surface  86  to the back of the body portion  78 . Contacts  92  are located on the angled surface  90 , and may be an interference type contact interface. A pair of recesses  94  and a female connector  62  are located on the bottom portion  86  of the battery  52  (see  FIG. 9 ). Other shapes and sizes of batteries are contemplated. 
         [0043]    Batteries with different storage capacities (e.g. amp hours) may be available for use with the charging system  22 . As the capacity of the battery increases, the thickness or length of the battery may increase. For example, either the length or width dimension of the sides  80  of the battery  52  may increase. 
         [0044]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , a light  96  is located on the front of the body portion  78 . The light  96  may indicate one color, such as amber, when the battery  52  is being charged and has a partial charge, and indicate another color, such as green, when the battery  52  is being charged and has reached a full charge. 
         [0045]    One non-limiting embodiment of the docking station  54  is shown in  FIGS. 5 ,  7 , and  16 - 20 . The docking station  54  has a recessed area  98  which is sized to receive the battery  52 . The recessed area  98  is defined by a pair of sides  100  which may each have a ridge  102 . The angle and spacing of the sides  100  corresponds to the battery  52  sizing and shape. The ridges  102  interact with the grooves  82  such that the battery  52  slides into the recessed area  98  and is constrained to one degree of motion. The bottom surface  104  of the recessed area  98  is contoured to mimic the bottom side  86 , protrusion  88 , and angled surface  90  of the battery  52 . The use of the shaped bottom  86  with the protrusion  88 , the angled surface  90 , the contacts  92 , and the recesses  94  on the battery  52  provide that only specific batteries can fit into the docking station  54 . This provides for quality control of the battery  52  and permits the use of batteries with approved voltage and amperage characteristics to be used safely with the charging system  22 . 
         [0046]    With reference to  FIGS. 5 and 9 , a connector  106  on the docking station  54  contacts the connector  62  of the battery  52  to electrically connect the battery  52  to the docking station  54  for charging the battery  52  or powering devices. The connector  106  may be a barrel type connector. Contacts  108  on the docking station  54  are in contact with the contacts  92  of the battery  52 , such as meshing therewith in an interference fit, to additionally electrically connect the battery  52  to the docking station  54  for charging the battery  52  or powering devices. Locator pins  110  may be provided to interact with the recesses  94  on the battery  52  to additionally locate the battery  52  within the docking station  54 . The locator pins  110  may have a circular, rectangular, semi-circular, or other cross section. 
         [0047]    In other embodiments, a magnet may be built into the battery  52  with a magnetic switch built into the docking station  54 , or vice versa. The magnet activates the switch within the docking station  54  when the battery  52  is slid into the station  54 , and only permits charging of the battery  52  and charging of any devices attached to the charging system  22  if the magnetic switch is activated. In other embodiments, an integrated circuit may be placed inside the battery  52  such that the docking station  54  recognizes and only operates with a battery  52  containing the circuit. 
         [0048]    A light module  120 , shown in  FIG. 1 , is connected to the charging system  22 . The light module  120  has a tactile button  122  and a series of lights  124 . The lights  124  are a series of light emitting diodes, or other light sources. Three lights  124  are shown on the bag  20 , although any number of lights is contemplated. The lights  124  may be located beneath a mesh panel  126  on the bag  20  such that light from the lights  124  is diffused through the mesh panel  126  and visible to a user. 
         [0049]    When a user activates the button  122 , the light module  120  checks the amount of the battery charge of a battery  52  in the charging system  22 , and various light configurations occur to notify the user of the state of the charging system  22 . If there is no battery  52  located within the charging system  22 , the lights do not turn on. If there is no charge in the battery  52 , the light module  120  may be configured such that the lights  124  do not turn on, or flash a predetermined number of times, or appear as a certain color, such as amber, for a predetermined amount of time, e.g. ten seconds. If there is a partial charge in the battery  52 , some of the lights  124  are illuminated to indicate the amount of charge (i.e. one light illuminates out of the three to indicate approximately a one third charge level), and the lights  124  may illuminate as a different color, such as blue. If there is a full charge in the battery  52 , all of the lights  124  are illuminated for a predetermined time to indicate a full charge, e.g. three lights illuminate, and the lights  124  may illuminate as a specified color, such as blue. If the button  122  is activated while the charging system  22  is connected to a wall outlet or other external power source, all of the lights  124  may illuminate and flash a number of times, or a scrolling, sequential illumination of the lights  124  may occur. 
         [0050]    In other embodiments, a laptop or other device may be placed in another pocket  52 , or alternatively into one of the pockets  26 ,  28 , which has been configured to receive one. The laptop may be connected to the charging system  22  using a cord with the appropriate connector, and be charged using pass through charging when the cord is plugged into an external power source. 
         [0051]    Alternatively, the bag  20  may contain an alternating current (AC) female plug receptacle  130  within one of the pockets  26 ,  28 ,  52 , or anywhere else on the bag  20 , such that an electronic device power cord, such as a laptop AC power cord, may be plugged into the AC receptacle  130  within the bag  20  and connected to the electronic device, such as the laptop. Alternatively, a camera bag, or AC charger for a camera or camera battery, may be used with the AC receptacle  130 . Of course, any AC charger for a device is contemplated for use with the AC receptacle  130 . The charging apparatus  56  may connect to the connector  64  when it is plugged into an external power source, such as a AC power outlet, and an internal cord splitter  132  may be provided to route power to the AC receptacle  130  and/or to the charging system  22 , such that the laptop or a camera, the battery  52 , and/or the other devices may be charged. 
         [0052]    The ability to have connectors directly connected to the charging system  22 , as well as a AC cord for a device plugged into the AC receptacle  130  provides ease of use for a user. The user can charge multiple devices using the charging system  22  and the AC receptacle  130  without managing cords for multiple devices and without the need for multiple AC wall outlets. The user can charge multiple devices using power in the battery  52  of the charging system  22 , or by plugging the bag  20  into a wall outlet using the charging apparatus  56 . 
         [0053]    While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, the features of various implementing embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments of the invention.