Patent Application
20200076213
Embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to a charging cradle for a wireless device, and more specifically, an apparatus for holding and charging a wireless device.
Many devices, especially in industry are controlled remotely. For example, overhead cranes are controlled using a hand-held controller. The hand-held controller is typically connected to the crane via an electrical cable. Using a connected controller poses a risk of injury to the operator because the operator is in close proximity to a load suspended by the crane. Thus, the field of view of the operator is limited by a length of the cable. However, a longer cable creates other hazards for the operator, such as a tripping hazard, and generally increases a chance of an accident occurring.
To move the operator to a safer distance from the load, a wireless controller is used. However, when an operator completes a lift using the crane, the wireless controller is typically set aside to prevent damage. When the crane is needed for a subsequent lift, the wireless controller cannot be found. If the wireless controller is located, it cannot be used because the controller was not charged following the previous lift.
Thus, what is needed in the art is improved apparatus for storing and charging a wireless device.
In one embodiment, an apparatus is provided which includes a back plate. A first recess is formed in a first surface of the back plate. A second recess is formed in a second surface of a cradle. The cradle is constructed and arranged to support a device to be charged. The first recess and the second recess are substantially aligned and define a void therein. A charger is positioned in the void for charging the device.
So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present disclosure can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the disclosure, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only exemplary embodiments and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, may admit to other equally effective embodiments.
To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures. It is contemplated that elements and features of one embodiment may be beneficially incorporated in other embodiments without further recitation.
Embodiments described herein generally relate to apparatus for storing and charging a wireless device, such as a controller. A cradle apparatus includes a device cradle and a back plate. In one embodiment, the device cradle is configured to support a wireless device to be charged. In one embodiment, the device cradle includes two or more arm members configured to support a wireless device. The device cradle may also include one or more protection members to protect the wireless device while positioned in the device cradle. A first recess is formed in a surface of the device cradle and a second recess is formed in a surface of the back plate. The first recess and the second recess are substantially aligned. A wireless charger is positioned at least partially in the first recess and at least partially in the second recess.
The charger is configured to charge the wireless device when the wireless device is positioned in the device cradle. In one embodiment, the charger is wholly disposed in the second recess formed in the back plate. In one embodiment, the charger is an inductive charger configured to charge the wireless device while positioned in the device cradle. The wireless charger is connected to a power source to charge the wireless device.
The first recess and the second recess are configured to enclose various chargers therebetween. For example, a charger for a first wireless device may be have a different size or shape than a charger for a second wireless device. However, the first recess and second recess are constructed and arranged such that various chargers can be positioned therein.
In one embodiment, the cradle apparatus is mounted on a substantially planar surface, such as a wall, an electrical box, and the like. The cradle apparatus may be mounted via one or more fasteners, such as one or more screws. In one embodiment, the cradle apparatus may be adhered to the substantially planar surface via a glue or tape, or similar adhesive. The cradle apparatus may be configured to support and charge one or more wireless controllers. Although the cradle apparatus described herein includes two pieces, it is contemplated that the cradle apparatus is fabricated as a unitary apparatus.
In one embodiment, the device cradle 102 and the back plate 130 are fabricated from a thermoplastic polymer containing material, such as ABS or PLA. In other embodiments, the device cradle 102 and the back plate 130 are fabricated from a metallic material, such as aluminum or stainless steel, or alloys thereof. In one embodiment, the device cradle 102 and the back plate 130 are fabricated from different materials.
In one embodiment, the device cradle 102 includes a body 120, a first arm member 104, a second arm member 105, a first protection member 124 and a second protection member 126. While the device cradle 102 is illustrated having two protection members 124 and 126, it is contemplated that the cradle apparatus 100 be fabricated with one or more protection members. The one or more protection members, such as the first protection member 124 and the second protection member 126, may be a plate fabricated from a similar material as the body 120. The back plate 130 includes a recess 136, a passage 134, and one or more mounting holes 132 and 138. In one embodiment, device cradle 102 is a unitary apparatus fabricated from a single material.
The first arm member 104 extends laterally from and normal to the body 120 of the device cradle 102. The second arm member 105 extends laterally from the body 120 of the device cradle 102 opposite and parallel to the first arm member 104. A base plate 115 extends laterally inward from and is normal to each of the first arm member 104 and the second arm member 105. In one embodiment, an edge 116 of the base plate 115 facing the void 118 is filleted.
A first face plate 106 extends laterally inward from and normal to the first arm member 104. The first face plate 106 is parallel to and opposite the body 120 of the device cradle 102. In one embodiment, a portion 108 of the first face plate 106 opposite the base plate 115 is tapered.
Similarly, a second face plate 107 extends laterally inward from and normal to the second arm member 105. In one embodiment, the second face plate 107 is coplanar with the first face plate 106 of the first arm member 104. The second face plate 107 is parallel to and opposite the body 120. In one embodiment, an end of the second face plate 107 opposite the base plate 115 is tapered.
The body 120, the first arm member 104, the second arm member 105, the base plates 115, the first face plate 106, and the second face plate 107 at least partially define a void 118 therebetween. The void 118 is configured to confine and support a wireless device while the wireless device is charging.
A support member 114 is disposed on each of the first arm member 104 and the second arm member 105. The support members 114 are coplanar with a corresponding arm member 104, 105. The support members 114 extend laterally from and are normal to the body 120 of the device cradle 102. Each of the support members 114 has an arcuate surface 128. The arcuate surfaces 128 extend from the arm members 104, 105 to the body 120 of the device cradle 102.
The first protection member 124 extends laterally from and normal to the body 120 of the device cradle 102. The first protection member 124 is coplanar with and opposite the first arm member 104. The second protection member 126 extends laterally from and is normal to the body 120. The second protection member 126 is parallel to and opposite the first protection member 124. The second protection member 126 is coplanar with and opposite the second arm member 105. Each of the first protection member 124 and the second protection member 126 has an arcuate surface 117. The arcuate surfaces 117 are opposite the arcuate surfaces 128 of the support members 114 to form an opening 110 between the arm members 104, 105 and the protection members 124, 126.
A top plate 122 is disposed on the protection members 124, 126 opposite the arcuate surface 117. In one embodiment, a notch 125 is formed in the top plate 122. In one embodiment, the notch 125 is a semicircular opening in the top plate 122. In one embodiment, an edge 112 of the notch 125 is filleted on a first side of the top plate 122 and a second side of the top plate 122. Thus, the edge 112 of the notch 125 is rounded.
The back plate 130 is substantially planar to enable mounting of the cradle apparatus on a planar surface. For example, the cradle apparatus 100 may be mounted on a wall, an electrical box, or similar surface. The back plate 130 has one or more mounting holes 132, 138 formed therethrough. The device cradle 102 may have one or more mounting holes formed therethrough (not shown in
In operation, the surface 140 of the back plate 130 faces the device cradle 102. The back plate 130 mounts to the device cradle 102 via one or more fasteners (not shown) through the mounting holes 132 and 138. The recess 136 is configured to at least partially surround an inductive battery charger (not shown). The inductive battery charger may be used to charge a battery of a wireless device supported and protected by the cradle apparatus 100.
The device cradle 102 is configured to enable a wireless device to be inserted into the opening 110. The wireless device slides into the void 118 along the tapered portion 108 of the first face plate 106 and the tapered portion 108 of the second face plate 107. Once fully inserted into the void 118, the wireless device is supported by the base plates 115. The first protection member 124, the second protection member 126, the first arm member 104, and the second arm member 105 maintain an orientation of the wireless device as the device is inserted into the device cradle 102.
The device cradle 102 mounts to the back plate 130 via one or more fasteners (not shown) through the mounting holes 132 and 138. The cradle apparatus 100 protects the wireless device while it is charging. The device cradle is designed to enable easy insertion and removal of the wireless device as well as protect the wireless device from light impacts. The cradle apparatus provides a storage location for the wireless device to prevent the occurrence of misplacing the wireless device.
In one embodiment, the device cradle 102 and the back plate 130 are snap fit by one or more tabs (not shown) which are inserted into one or more openings (not shown). In one embodiment, the one or more tabs are disposed on the device cradle 102 and the one or more openings are formed through the back plate 130. In another embodiment, the one or more tabs are disposed on the back plate 130 and the one or more openings are formed through the device cradle 102.
In one embodiment, a seal (not shown) is disposed on the surface 140 of the back plate 130. The seal may be disposed along an edge of surface 140 such that the seal is pressed between the back plate 130 and the device cradle 102 when the device cradle 102 is mounted to the back plate 130.
A configuration of the device cradle 102 may be altered depending on the device to be charged. For example, a distance between the body 120 and the face plates 106 and 107 may be adjusted depending on a size of the device to be charged. Further, the top plate 122 may be a solid plate to protect a particular type of device to be charged. While the device cradle 102 is altered for a particular size or type of wireless device, the back plate 130 remains the same. That is, various configurations of the device cradle 102 may be used with a single back plate 130 having a recess 136 formed therein.
A wireway 204 and a void 206 are formed in the surface 214 of the body 120. The void 206 and the recess 202 are in fluid communication via the wireway 204. Mounting holes 208 and 210 are formed through the body 120. The mounting holes 208, 210 are substantially aligned with the mounting holes 132, 138, respectively, of the back plate 130, illustrated in
The recess 202 is configured to at least partially surround the inductive charger (not shown) positioned therein. The wireway 204 and void 206 are configured to enable a power cord (not shown) of the charger to be disposed between the device cradle 102 and the back plate 130 when the cradle apparatus 100 is mounted.
While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present disclosure, other and further embodiments of the disclosure may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.
This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/724,168, filed Aug. 29, 2018, the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62724168 | Aug 2018 | US |
