Patent Publication Number: US-2015084590-A1

Title: Multi-cellular charging station for electronic devices and method of use

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention is in the technical field of charging stations. More particularly, the present invention is in the technical field of charging stations for electronic devices. More particularly, the present invention is in the technical field of multi-cellular charging stations for electronic devices. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The use of portable electronic devices is ubiquitous in modern society. Cellular phones, tablet computers, music and global positioning devices are used on a daily basis by most Americans for a variety of purposes. These purposes expand beyond productivity and can include games, and communication. Therefore it is common to see the devices being carried an used by persons in most public settings. However, in most public settings convenient means to power and charge the devices are rare. It has even become common for coffee houses and other establishments to actually block or cover once existing electrical outlets. The most often cited reason by these businesses is the desire to curb loitering and minimize excess energy cost related to charging devices. For this reason, a market has developed for an alternative to facilitate charging of devices in public spaces. 
     In the applicant&#39;s experience there is a deficiency in the existing and prior art wherein there are no charging stations for public use that are secure and provide a payment means for the service. In the applicant&#39;s experience it is all too common in the public environment, specifically a bar or food establishment, where the patrons actively seek and inquire about charging means for their devices. Often times, these patrons are far from their personal chargers, and ask the bartender or other staff to allow them access to an electrical outlet or charging means behind the bar or other location. Sometimes patrons even ask to borrow the use of the charging apparatus of an employee of the establishment. 
     It is of course highly discouraged and disfavored to provide this service to the client. If in the instance a patron&#39;s electronic device is charged behind the bar, the device is exposed to often wet conditions. Spillage of food and drink around the prep area endangers the electronics of the device. Further, employees and establishments do not want to take on the liability of loss or damaged property. Theft is also an issue. 
     In the applicant&#39;s experience, there is a need for a multi-cellular charging station for electronic devices which has the properties of i) providing public access to electrical power for the purpose of charging electronic devices such as mobile phones, ii) is secure, iii) accepts payment, and iv) is configurable. The device of the present invention is believed to accomplish all of the foregoing objectives. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a new and useful multi-cellular charging station for electronic devices which provides public access to electrical power for the purpose of charging electronic devices such as mobile phones, is secure, accepts payment, and is configurable. The invention is believed to be useful in settings such as tourist areas, bars, lounges, lobbies and other spaces frequented by the public. 
     In one of its basic embodiments, the present invention comprises a plurality of cells that are generally cubic in shape and have a hull with an interior compartment within. An aperture is present on the front side of the hull and connects via a hinging means to a door of a size and shape that corresponds to the aperture. The door further comprises an integrated locking means, which can be a mechanical lock and key; When the door is closed and the lock engaged, a seal is created thereby securing any contents within the interior compartment. 
     Also, a plurality of charging means is present inside the interior compartment. Said charging means can be charging cables for electronic devices, a power strip, extension cord or an electrical outlet. This charging means is also connected to a powering means which provides electrical power to the charging means and attached electronic devices. The powering means also comprise at least one standard electrical plug for connecting the charging station to an electrical outlet in the environment. 
     Each cell can be attached to another and thereby be configured according to the needs of the environment. Each cell is attached by at least one attaching point with connecting means such as screws or rivets. This feature allows the invention to be configured and comprise any number of individual cells or shape according to the needs of the environment. 
     In another embodiment of the present invention the cells can be housed in an enclosure. The enclosure can be utilized to attach the cells to a wall, or optionally the floor by implementation of a pedestal. 
     In another embodiment of the present invention, a centralized payment system is integrated to accept payment from users. The centralized payment system can be mechanical or electronic. Said payment can be cash, credit or other means like tokens. 
     When the device is in use, the user presents herself with an electronic device in her possession. The user selects the electronic device that requires charging and then finds an available cell in the charging station. The user then opens the door on the available cell and thereby exposes the interior compartment and the charging means therein. 
     Next, the user attaches the electronic device to the corresponding charging means and confirms that the electronic device is charging. The user then places the electronic device inside the interior compartment of the cell and closes the door. 
     Optionally, the user may lock the cell by utilizing a locking mechanism that is integrated in the cell door, if present. 
     After waiting for the electronic device to complete the desired charging cycle, the user retrieves the electronic device by opening the door of the cell, detaches the electronic device from the charging means, and removes the electronic device from the interior compartment. Finally the user closes the door of the cell. 
     In any of the embodiments of the present invention, the user may be required to pay for access and use of the charging station. Further, a timer may be integrated to limit the duration of each use. 
     Thus the present invention provides a new and useful multi-cellular charging station for electronic devices which provides public access to electrical power for the purpose of charging electronic devices such as mobile phones, is secure, accepts payment, and is configurable. Typical situations and settings that would benefit from the availability of such an invention would be tourist areas, bars, lounges, lobbies and other spaces frequented by the public. 
     Further features and objectives of the present invention will become apparent form the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a cell of a multi-cellular charging station for electronic devices according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the present invention showing the interior compartment of a cell and the contents therein; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the present invention with multiple cells adjoined vertically; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the present invention with multiple cells adjoined horizontally and vertically, and enclosed with centralized mechanical payment means; and 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the present invention with multiple cells adjoined horizontally and vertically, and enclosed with centralized electronic payment means. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     As described above, the present invention provides a new and useful multi-cellular charging station for electronic devices which provides public access to electrical power for the purpose of charging electronic devices such as mobile phones, is secure, accepts payment, and is configurable. Typical situations and settings that would benefit from the availability of such an invention would be tourist areas, bars, lounges, lobbies and other spaces frequented by the public. The following description and accompanying drawings disclose at least one version of such a device. 
     Referring now to the invention in more detail, in  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 5  there is shown a multi-cellular charging station for electronic devices shown generally  1  comprising a plurality of cells  2 . Each cell  2  has a generally cubic hull  3  having a top side  4 , bottom side  5 , left side  6 , right side  7 , back side  8  and front side  9 . Sides thereby define an interior compartment  10  within the cell  2 . 
     The cell  2  further comprises a door  11  which can open and close and is pivotally connected to an aperture  21  in the front side  9  of the cell  2  by a hinge means  12 . A locking means  13  is integrated into the door  11  and used to variably fix the door  11  to the front side  9  of the cell  2 , thereby sealing the cell  2  and restricting access to the interior compartment  10  when in use. The locking means  13  can be a mechanical lock and key or an electronic lock. 
     Within the interior compartment of the present invention, a plurality of charging means  14  pass through at least one perforation  15  in the back side  8  of the hull  3 . The charging means  14  can be charging cables for electronic devices, a power strip, an extension cord, or an electrical outlet. The charging means is selected as indicated by the desired use of the target user and environment. 
     A central powering means  16  is connected to the charging means  14  of the cell  2  and provides electrical power to the charging means  14 . The powering means  16  has at least one standard electrical plug for connecting the charging station  1  to an electrical outlet in the environment. 
     The charging station  1  further comprises a plurality of attaching points  17  along the sides of the hull  3 , where said attaching points  17  are utilized to optionally connect multiple cells  2  vertically and horizontally together with a connecting means such as screws or rivets. 
     Referring to the invention in more detail in  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 , the present invention is shown with multiple cells  2  adjoined horizontally and vertically and enclosed in an enclosure  18  with centralized payment means  20 . The enclosure  18  that surrounds a plurality of cells  2  and allows the multi-cellular charging station to be optionally attached to a wall the environment. 
     In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, a pedestal  19  may be optionally attached to the enclosure  18  and allows the multi-cellular charging station  1  to stand freely in the environment and be removably attached to a floor. 
     In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, a centralized payment means  20  is integrated within the enclosure  18  and accepts payment from users. The payment means  20  can be mechanical and accept cash payment. In the alternative, the payment means  20  can be electronic and accept non-cash payment such as credit cards. 
     In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the charging means  14  further comprises a timer to limit charging time per use. 
     In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the centralized payment means  20  further comprises a timer to limit charging time per payment. 
     In order to utilize the present invention, the user presents herself and is desirous to charge an electronic device  22  in her possession. The user then selects the electronic device  22  that requires charging. Next the user finds an available cell  2 . The user then opens the door  11  on the available cell  2  by pivoting the door  11  along the hinge means  12  axis and thereby exposes the interior compartment  10  of the cell  2  and the charging means  14  therein. 
     Next, the user attaches the electronic device  22  to the corresponding charging means  14  and confirms that the electronic device  22  is receiving power from the charging means  14  and is charging. The user then places the electronic device  22  inside the interior compartment  10  of the cell  2  and closes the door  11 . 
     After waiting for the electronic device  22  to complete the desired charging cycle, the user retrieves the electronic device  22  by opening the door  11  of the cell  2 . Next, the user detaches the electronic device  22  from the charging means  14  and removes the electronic device  22  from the interior compartment  10 . Finally the user closes the door  11  of the cell  2 . 
     Optionally, the user may be required to pay a fee for access and use of the present invention. 
     Optionally, the user may lock the door  11  of the cell  2  while the electronic device  22  is charging. 
     The previously described versions of the present invention have many advantages including and without limitation, the properties of i) providing public access to electrical power for the purpose of charging electronic devices such as mobile phones, ii) is secure, iii) accepts payment, and iv) is configurable. The device of the present invention is believed to accomplish all of the foregoing objectives. The invention does not require that all the advantageous features and all the advantages need to be incorporated into every embodiment of the invention. 
     Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible. Therefore the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained therein. 
     The reader&#39;s attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with this specification and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference. 
     All the features disclosed in this specification may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features. 
     While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. As for “means for” elements, the applicant intends to encompass within the language any structure presently existing or developed in the future that performs the same function. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention.