Patent ID: 12212171

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT(S)

In describing the embodiment of the present invention, reference will be made herein toFIGS.1-18of the drawings in which like numerals refer to like features of the invention.

In a first embodiment of the integrated charging receptacle8shown inFIGS.13-15, the integrated charging receptacle ring8may be mounted to a cup holder or other device. The ring body10is shown inFIGS.1,3,5,7,9and11. The integrated charging receptacle8is disposable below the lip of a cup holder or other device and includes two or more USB charging ports.

The integrated charging receptacle8(FIGS.13-15) includes a ring body10having an inner ring wall16, an outer ring wall18and a groove14between the inner ring wall16and outer ring wall18. The inner ring wall16may contact an outer wall surface of a cup holder, instrument gauge, audio control or other device. The devices to which the integrated charging receptacle8are engagable may be mounted in a surface opening such as a marine vessel deck, marine vessel instrumentation surface, armchair, RV instrumentation panel, RV interior surface, or any other surface which may require a USB or other charging port. The integrated charging receptacle10includes at least two port openings12for securing a USB or other charging adapter. As shown inFIG.9, the integrated charging receptacle may include securing pins20for securing the cap attachment cord91to the ring body10.

To install the integrated charging receptacle8, the cup holder or other device listed above is slid from the surface opening to which the device is mounted. A notch in the surface opening may be required for the charging wiring in some instances. The integrated charging receptacle8is placed on the edge of the surface opening, and the cupholder or other device is re-installed through the center of the integrated charging receptacle.

One application for the integrated charging receptacle is a cup holder. People often use cup holders for drinks, keys, and cell phones, so the charging receptacle would be convenient for charging the cell phone.

FIG.12shows the first embodiment of the integrated charging receptacle8. A protective cap90is secured in one charging ports12for protecting the charging jack75secured inside the charging port12from moisture, debris and the like.FIG.15shows the protective cap90secured in the first charging port and a second protective cap90′ removed from the second charging port. The surface to which the integrated charging receptacle8is inserted includes a surface opening which cannot be seen since the cup holder is disposed in the surface opening with the integrated charging receptacle8between the cup holder rim80and the surface84adjacent the surface opening. The cup holder19may include flexible tabs83for securing beverage containers smaller than the cup holder opening.FIG.13shows the first charging jack covered by a protective cap90. The second protective cap90′ does not cover a charging jack. A USB plug201on one end of the USB cord200is plugged into the receptacle jack75.

FIG.13is a top front perspective view of the second embodiment of the integrated charging receptacle installed in a cup holder with a smartphone300connected to the USB cord200and shows the first embodiment of the integrated charging receptacle with a protective cap90in the first charging port or port opening12.

FIG.14is a front top perspective view of the first embodiment of the integrated charging receptacle with a first protective cap in the first charging port and a second protective cap removed from the second charging port.

In a second embodiment of the integrated charging receptacle includes a ring body50shown inFIGS.2,4,6,8,10, and12. The ring body50or spacer may be a solid hoop56and is disposable below the lip of a cup holder or other device as listed in the first embodiment. The second embodiment of the integrated charging receptacle body50includes a single USB charging port opening52. At least one indent54in the opening52may be used for securing a charging jack75in the USB charging port opening52.

FIG.16is a perspective view of a portion of the integrated charging receptacle showing the charging jack75attached to a charge port power wire76. The stopper or protective cap90fits snugly into the port openings12. A cap attachment cord91is secured to the protective cap90on one end and to a securing opening94on the cap attachment cord91opposite end. The securing opening94is removably securable to the securing pin20.FIG.17is a perspective view of a portion of a second embodiment of the protective cover87, charging jack75and hinge screw89with the protective cover in a partially closed position.FIG.18is a perspective view of a portion of a second embodiment of the protective cover87, charging jack75and hinge screw89with the protective cover in an open position. The protective cover87sits snugly in the port opening12for sealing the charging jack75from moisture and debris.

The integrated charging receptacle8may be constructed of plastic, rubber, carbonate or any other material which may be formed, molded or cut.

As shown inFIGS.1-12, the present invention is an integrated charging receptacle8including a ring body10having an inner ring wall16and an outer ring wall18, a groove14between the inner ring wall16and outer ring wall18for securing a wire or cable and at least one USB receptacle having a receptacle jack, the USB receptacle disposed on a portion of the ring body. The receptacle jack faces outward from the outer wall of the ring body. The ring body may be secured around a cup holder mountable in a surface. The ring body10may be secured around an instrument gauge in a surface. The ring body10may be secured around a dashboard instrument. The integrated charging receptacle8may include a weather resistant stopper or protective cap90for sealing the USB receptacle12when the USB receptacle12is not in use, the protective cap90to the integrated charging receptacle8by a flexible attachment cord91. The integrated charging receptacle may include a second USB receptacle having a second receptacle jack. The USB receptacle jack75may be powered through an electrical wire76. The USB receptacle is powered through an electrical wire76passing through the body groove14. The integrated charging receptacle8may include at least two additional USB receptacles or jacks75. The ring body10may be substantially translucent wherein the ring body10includes at least one LED100for illuminating the ring body and wherein the LED10may be powered from a power source supplying power to the USB receptacle.

In another aspect of the present invention,FIGS.13-15show a method for installing an integrated charging receptacle8. The method includes providing an integrated charging receptacle8having a ring body10including an inner ring wall16and an outer ring wall18, the integrated charging receptacle8including a groove14between the inner ring wall16and outer ring wall18for securing a wire76or cable. The integrated charging receptacle8includes a USB receptacle jack75, the USB receptacle jack75disposed on a portion of the ring body10wherein the receptacle jack75is facing outward from the ring body10. More specifically, the receptacle jack75is facing outward from the outer wall18of the ring body10. The method includes placing the integrated charging receptacle10around a device and mounting the device in an opening of a surface. The method may include a step of providing power to the receptacle jack75through an electrical wire76extending from an inside portion of the receptacle jack75to a power source before or after placing the integrated charging receptacle8around the device. The device may be a cup holder mountable in a surface. The device may be an instrument gauge mountable in a surface or a dashboard instrument mountable in a surface. The integrated charging receptacle8may include a second USB receptacle jack. The receptacle may be powered through an electrical wire76and the electrical wire may pass through the body groove14. The integrated charging receptacle8may include at least two additional USB receptacles. The ring body10may be substantially translucent and the ring body includes at least one LED100for illuminating the ring body10.

In another aspect of the present invention,FIGS.13-15show a method for using an integrated charging receptacle8. The method includes providing an integrated charging receptacle8having a ring body10including an inner ring wall16and an outer ring wall18, the integrated charging receptacle8including a groove14between the inner ring wall16and outer ring wall18for securing a wire76or cable. The integrated charging receptacle includes a USB receptacle jack75in the port opening12, the USB receptacle jack75disposed on a portion of the ring body8wherein the receptacle jack75is facing outward from the ring body10, wherein the integrated charging receptacle8is disposed about a device mounted in a surface. The method includes plugging one end of a USB cord into the receptacle jack75and plugging an opposite end of the USB cord into a device requiring charging

Thus, the present invention provides one or more of the following advantages:The invention provides a USB charging receptacle in a convenient location on a marine vessel or RV.The invention provides a USB charging receptacle which is aesthetic.The invention provides a USB charging receptacle which has a low profile.The invention provides a USB charging receptacle for a device in a dashboard.The invention provides a USB charging receptacle ring having multiple receptacles.

While the present invention has been particularly described, in conjunction with one or more specific embodiments, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. It is therefore contemplated that the appended claims will embrace any such alternatives, modifications and variations as falling within the true scope and spirit of the present invention.