Abstract:
A plug-and-play addition to a traditional electrical outlet that upgrades it to a universally compatible charging station. The unit can be plugged directly into an ordinary electrical outlet or can be secured to the wall with a screw. A removable pod module couples to a docking module plugged into the wall. A positive interface between the two modules holds them together, and an internal battery in the pod module is automatically charged. The interface may be frictionally enhanced with rubberized contact surfaces and magnetic latches. Both modules include integrated flexible charging cables with a variety of connectors for external devices.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Ser. No. 61/979,908, filed Apr. 15, 2014. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to device chargers and, more particularly, to a versatile charging station having an outlet-mounted docking module and a removable pod module that provides a portable charging unit. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Consumers in 2015 typically own several electronic devices specifically designed for portability and on-the-go use, including, for example, a mobile phone or smart phone, a portable music player like an iPod® or an MP3 player, a tablet, a portable gaming unit, a camera, and the like. Each of these devices requires frequent recharging. Such electronic devices typically utilize a cable for connecting the device to a power source, such as a wall outlet, a car charger, an airplane charger, or a computer. However, a separate cable is usually required for each power source. Moreover, different electronic devices often utilize different connection ports and interfaces such that a single charging cable is not compatible with multiple devices. Accordingly, a tech-savvy consumer, with several electronic devices, will usually have multiple charging cables to keep track of. Even then, the consumer may be without sufficient power to recharge a phone due to bad weather or a power outage, or may not always be in a place where a power source is readily available, or even if so, may not have the appropriate cable or adapter available to use with a particular power source. 
     With traditional power sources, such as those noted above, it is often difficult to charge multiple devices at the same time, especially where each device requires a separate charging cable. For example, a car charger port may only handle a single cable at a time. Adaptor devices are available on the market for connecting multiple devices to a power source at the same time—for example, a two-to-one or three-to-one car charger splitter. However, such adapters are often only compatible with certain interfaces or device plug receptacles. Moreover, such adapters are separate from portable power sources and tend to be bulky. 
     Similarly, connection interface attachments are also available for adapting a charging cable for use with a variety of devices for recharging from a power source, each requiring a different interface connection. However, such attachments are usually separate small pieces, and therefore difficult to keep track of when not in use. Further, use of such attachments does not solve the problem presented by the need to charge multiple devices at the same time, from the same power source, as oftentimes, only one attachment can be used with a charging cable at a time. 
     Portable power chargers exist that permit recharging of electronic devices when a standard power source is not readily available. For example, portable device power chargers are illustrated and described in U.S. Patent Publications 2015/0028797, 2015/0015180, and 2013/0043827. The thingCHARGER™ and myCharge™ charging systems are available for charging a variety of portable devices. However, despite numerous such charging systems for portable devices there remains a need for a more ergonomic and versatile system for multiple purpose charging. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present application discloses a power station for charging portable and other devices that converts a standard household outlet configuration into a stationary and portable charging assembly. The power station is a combination of a docking module and a removable pod module. The docking module is a simple plug-and-play addition to a traditional electrical outlet that upgrades it to a universally compatible charging station. The docking module can be plugged directly into an ordinary electrical outlet or can be secured to the wall with three simple steps. 
     1 st : unscrew the traditional faceplate and remove. 
     2 nd : plug the docking module into the existing electrical outlet. 
     3 rd : Secure the docking module to the wall by inserting a screw until fastened. 
     The docking module may include a hubcap that covers the existing screw from showing. The docking module preferably contains built-in or integrated, flexible, chargers for a variety of chargeable devices. The flexible arms use magnetic technology to house the charging tips inside the docking module when not in use. The docking module desirably has a lipped top edge that acts as a safe and secure display shelf for when tablets and smartphones are charging. The docking module further may include 2 surge protected AC outlets and an additional USB port for charging additional devices such as gaming devices, cameras, batteries and other devices with various charging cords. The docking module also has magnetic and electrical contacts on the top for easily connecting to the removable pod module. 
     The removable pod module clips onto the docking module like a cartridge. The removable pod module is a portable battery pack that also has built-in, flexible chargers for a variety of chargeable devices. The removable pod module easily connects to the docking module via the magnets on the bottom of the removable pod module. On the bottom of the removable pod module, there is a flat open-faced USB cord that can fold out and re-charge the battery via any traditional USB port. The removable pod module is preferably equipped with LED light strips to indicate level of battery life available. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is a front perspective assembled view of an exemplary charging station having an outlet-mounted docking module and a pod module removably coupled thereto, and 
         FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of the two components exploded; 
         FIGS. 2A and 2B  are rear perspective assembled and exploded views, respectively, of the exemplary charging station; 
         FIGS. 3A-3D  are front, rear, left side, and top plan views, respectively, of the exemplary outlet-mounted docking module; 
         FIGS. 4A-4E  are front, left side, right side, top and bottom plan views, respectively, of the exemplary removable pod module; 
         FIGS. 5A and 5B  are frontal perspective views of the exemplary outlet-mounted docking module showing extension of a pair of flexible charging cables; 
         FIGS. 6 and 7  are detailed views of top and side edges of the docking module taken from  FIG. 5A ; 
         FIGS. 8A and 8   b  are frontal perspective views of the exemplary removable pod module showing extension of a pair of flexible charging cables; and 
         FIG. 9A  is a side elevational view showing the exemplary charging station plugged into an outlet, and  FIGS. 9B and 9C  show just the docking module in the outlet with the pod module replaced with two different external portable devices. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1A  is a front perspective assembled view and  FIG. 2A  a rear perspective assembled view of an exemplary charging station  20  having an upper pod module  22  coupled to and supported by an outlet-mounted docking module  24 . The modules  22 ,  24  are shown generally rectilinear with rounded corners though other shapes are contemplated.  FIGS. 1B and 2B  are front and rear perspective view of the two modules  22 ,  24  exploded.  FIGS. 3A-3D  are various orthogonal views of the exemplary outlet-mounted docking module  24 , and  FIGS. 4A-4E  are orthogonal views of the exemplary removable pod module  22 . 
     Preferably, an upper edge  26  of the docking module  24  mates with a lower edge  28  of the pod module  22 , and more preferably these edges are linear and horizontal. The docking module  24  includes a three-pronged male outlet plug  30  on a planar rear face  32  thereof, and a pair of female outlet plug receptacles  34  on a planar front face  36 . For the sake of orientation, forward will be away from a wall outlet and rearward will be toward the outlet, and lateral left and right directions (looking from the front) extend horizontally and parallel to the front and rear faces  32 ,  36 . The male outlet plug  30  of the docking module  24  may simply be inserted into the outlet, or a screw (not shown) may be provided for better securement. The docking module  24  may have a hubcap (not numbered) that covers the head of the screw from showing. 
       FIGS. 1B and 2B  show coupling structure on the mating edges  26 ,  28 . More particularly, the upper edge  26  of the docking module  24  includes a pair of linear rails  40   a ,  40   b  on front and rear corners thereof that extend in parallel to each other and define therebetween an upwardly-facing channel  42 . The front-to-rear thickness of the docking module  24  is greater than that of the pod module  22  such that the channel  42  receives the pod module snugly therein with the rounded lower corners of the pod module fitting closely within the rounded inner corners of the channel. The pod module  22  is thus supported on the horizontal channel  42  of the docking module  24  as shown in  FIGS. 1A and 2A . Both of the docking module  24  and pod module  22  preferably have rubberized exterior surfaces to create a high degree of friction therebetween to help stabilize the pod module  22  on the docking module  24 . Indeed, the sizes of the modules  22 ,  24  are such that there is horizontal and vertical surface contact between the two for maximum stability. Moreover, as will be explained below, the rubberized horizontal channel  42  provide a relatively wide and deep platform on which to support a variety of other external devices for charging. 
     A positive latching mechanism is desirably provided between the lower edge  28  of the pod module  22  and upper edge  26  of the docking module  24  to additionally secure the two parts together. In a preferred embodiment, the upper edge  26  of the docking module  24  has a magnetic latch embedded therein which engages a mating magnetic latch within the lower edge  28  of the pod module  22 . For instance,  FIGS. 2B ,  3 D and  4 E show two magnetic latches  44  on the docking module  24  spaced apart the same distance as two magnetic latches  46  on the pod module  22 . These magnetic latches may be opposite permanent magnets or one permanent magnet and a ferrous counterpart, and various combinations are possible as the reader will appreciate. Spacing the magnetic latches  44 ,  46  apart in this manner provide additional lateral stability from someone knocking the pod module  22  off of the docking module  24 . In one embodiment, the overall width of the pod module  22  is between 3-5 inches, and the magnetic latches  44 ,  46  are spaced apart by at least 2-inches. For instance, a 3-inch wide pod module  22  has magnetic latches  46  spaced apart 2-inches, a 4-inch wide pod module  22  has magnetic latches  46  spaced apart 3-inches, and a 5-inch wide pod module  22  has magnetic latches  46  spaced apart 4-inches. 
     Still with reference to  FIGS. 2B and 4E , the lower edge  28  of the pod module  22  includes two upper electrical contacts  50  that are preferably centered laterally and positioned to mate with two lower electrical contacts  52  on the upper edge  26  of the docking module  24 . The electrical contacts  52  on the docking module  24  are seen enlarged in  FIG. 6 . These contacts  50 ,  52  engage when the pod module  22  is centered on the channel  42 , which is easily visualized as the two modules  22 ,  24  are approximately the same lateral width and also facilitated by virtue of the centering forces of the magnetic latches  44 ,  46 . The engaged contacts  50 ,  52  permit charging of an internal battery within the pod module  22  from power derived from the outlet into which the docking module  24  is plugged or from an internal battery of the docking module  24  (optional). 
     Now with reference to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , the exemplary outlet-mounted docking module  24  is shown with a plurality of integrated flexible charging cables  60   a ,  60   b  extended therefrom. The two “built-in” flexible cables  60   a ,  60   b  emerge from within the outer housing of the docking module  24  at an upper left end of a peripheral groove  62 . The groove  62  extends from an upper point on the left edge of the module  24 , around the bottom edge, and terminates at an upper point on the right edge, as seen in FIGS.  3 C and  5 A/ 5 B. The groove  62  is recessed from outer corners of the rectangular docking module  24  such that the cables  60   a ,  60   b , which are desirably flat in profile, lie substantially flush with the housing of the module, as seen best in  FIGS. 3A and 3B . Each of the cables  60   a ,  60   b  terminates in an electrical charging connector  64   a ,  64   b . Preferably, both connectors  64   a ,  64   b  extend perpendicular to the flat cables  60   a ,  60   b  and fit snugly within similar-sized and shaped receptacles  66  provided at the end of the groove  62 , as seen in  FIGS. 5B and 7 . Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment the cables  60   a ,  60   b  and/or connectors  64   a ,  64   b  may be magnetically retained within the groove  62  and receptacles  66  by providing one or more magnets within the housing that attracts the metallic conductors within the cables and/or connectors. The cables  60   a ,  60   b  and connectors  64   a ,  64   b  are thus “built-in” to the box shape of the docking module  24  and may be tidily stowed away when not in use. Each cable  60   a ,  60   b  may have a small outwardly-bent end  67  molded therein to permit easy extraction of the cable from the groove  62 . 
     Although two cables are shown, three or more could be provided. For example, one embodiment includes three flexible silicon cables with different charger tips such as Micro-USB, Apple 30-pin &amp; Apple lightning tips. Conventional power transformers (not shown) are provided within the docking module  24  to convert the AC source power from the outlet to DC power for output to the cables  60   a ,  60   b  and connectors  64   a ,  64   b . The AC power is also transformed before output to the two electrical contacts  52  for charging the internal battery of the pod module  22 . 
       FIGS. 5A and 5B  also show a separate USB charging port  68  located on the right side of the docking module  24 , just above the end of the groove  62 . This provides an additional outlet for charging devices on the docking module  24  in addition to the female outlet plug receptacles  34  and the two cables  60   a ,  60   b  with connectors  64   a ,  64   b . There are thus at least 5 separate charging choices on the docking module  24 . Again, the cables  60   a ,  60   b  with connectors  64   a ,  64   b  and the USB charging port  68  derive power from the outlet into which the docking module  24  is plugged. Alternatively, an internal battery of the docking module  24  may also be provided. 
       FIGS. 8A and 8   b  illustrate the removable pod module  22  with a plurality of “built-in” or integrated flexible charging cables  70   a ,  70   b  and extending therefrom having charging connectors  72   a ,  72   b  (again, three or more may be provided, such as Micro-USB, Apple 30-pin &amp; Apple lightning tips). As with the docking module  24 , the pod module  22  features a groove  74  on its side edges that receive the preferably flat charging cables  70   a ,  70   b  so that they lie substantially flush with the outer extent of the rectangular housing of the module, or project slightly outward therefrom as seen in  FIGS. 4B and 4C  (e.g., no more than 2-3 mm). The groove  74  preferably commences (where the cables  70   a ,  70   b  emerge from the housing) at a lower point along the left edge of the module  22  and terminates at a top edge. Small receptacles  76  in the groove  74  are again provided to receive the connectors  72   a ,  72   b . Each cable  70   a ,  70   b  may have a small outwardly-bent end  78  molded therein to permit easy extraction of the cable from the groove  74 . In a preferred embodiment the cables  70   a ,  70   b  and/or connectors  72   a ,  72   b  may be magnetically retained within the groove  74  and receptacles  76  by providing one or more magnets within the housing that attracts the metallic conductors within the cables and/or connectors. 
     A self-charging extension  80  is seen angled outward from the right side of the pod module  22  in  FIG. 8A . The charging extension  80  may be a TPE micro USB connector and normally resides flush with the side edge of the module in a groove  82 . The flat open-faced USB charging extension  80  can fold out and re-charge the internal battery of the pod module  22  via any traditional USB port. This provides versatility to the removable pod module  22  such that it does not require the docking module  24  to recharge. 
     There are at least 2 charging options provided by the pod module  22 , for a total of at least 7 in the entire system  20 . The internal battery of the pod module  22  desirably has a capacity for 25 plus hours of life, and a series of LED indicators  84  may be provided on the front face to convey how much power remains. Since the internal battery of the pod module  22  receives and stores DC power, there is no need for internal transformers to provide DC power output to the cables  70   a ,  70   b  and connectors  72   a ,  72   b  and charging extension  80 . 
       FIG. 9A  is a side elevational view showing the exemplary charging station  20  plugged into an outlet. The pod module  22  is shown firmly supported or docked on the top edge of the docking module  24  in the channel  42  between the two linear rails  40   a ,  40   b . The combination of the rails  40   a ,  40   b , rubberized contacting surfaces and positive magnetic latches  44 ,  46  ( FIGS. 2B ,  3 D) secure the pod module  22  in place. While docked, the pod module  22  may be used to charge external devices without using up any internal battery power. Indeed, any of the various charging extensions described above on either the pod module  22  or docking module  24  may be used to charge devices, and the outlet sockets  34  on the docking module  24  can be used simultaneously. 
       FIGS. 9B and 9C  show just the docking module  24  in the outlet with the pod module  22  replaced with two different external portable devices  90 ,  92 . For instance, a smart phone  90  or tablet computer  92  may be placed on top of the docking module  24 . The rubberized upper edge of the docking module  24  in conjunction with the channel  42  defined between the two linear rails  40   a ,  40   b  provides a secure platform or shelf on which to place the devices  90 ,  92  which can be leaned against the wall above the outlet. One of the charging cables  6   o  is then connected to charge the respective device  90  or  92 . 
     Preferably, the internal battery of the pod module  22  Lithium-ion and ranges from 2000 mAh to 12000 maH. Universal chargers may include Micro-USB, Mini-USB, USB  1 . 0 , USB-C, Apple Lightning, Apple 30-pin, etc., or any other particular charging connectors. The docking module  24  further may include phantom power saving technology that regulates and eliminates wasted power being leaked from standard outlets. 
     Other possible options include:
         a wireless removable pod module  22  (wireless conductive/contact transmitter or electromagnetic/non-contact transmitter)   a speaker in the pod module  22  (a pod that incorporates a wireless Bluetooth speaker)   a baby monitor pod module  22  (a wireless baby monitor pod)   a nightlight pod module  22     a motion detection pod module  22     a smart pod module  22  (connects to your smartphone/tablet and monitors electricity usage, allows users to control different appliances from their mobile)       

     In this regard, different types of attachments for the top of the docking module  24  are also contemplated, such as for Bluetooth speaker attachments, a nightlight, a battery with another AC outlet like a portable outlet, small screens, baby monitor, tracking devices to find things around your house, speaker phone device, etc. Of course, the system  20  may be adapted for use in various countries with their different outlet configurations. 
     Additionally, the system  20  may be adapted for public charging stations for use in airports, transit centers, shopping malls, convention centers, etc. Likewise, a kiosk with power stations, tables, seating for charging up devices may be constructed with wrapped seating and power stations. Also, the system  20  is well-suited as a charging solution for hospital beds and hospitals. A dock or holster for the pod module  22  may be provided in a car to hold and charge the pod module  22 . 
     Throughout this description, the embodiments and examples shown should be considered as exemplars, rather than limitations on the apparatus and procedures disclosed or claimed. Although many of the examples presented herein involve specific combinations of method acts or system elements, it should be understood that those acts and those elements may be combined in other ways to accomplish the same objectives. With regard to any flowcharts if included, additional and fewer steps may be taken, and the steps as shown may be combined or further refined to achieve the methods described herein. Acts, elements and features discussed only in connection with one embodiment are not intended to be excluded from a similar role in other embodiments.