IP Library Granted Patent US 8,183,829
Granted Patent B2
US 8,183,829 · App. 12/369,438 · Granted May 22, 2012

Vehicle system including a plurality of wheeled vehicles docked for vending and recharging

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,183,829
App. No.
12/369,438
Granted
May 22, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

A system employing wheeled vehicles, such as strollers. A plurality of the wheeled vehicles is provided, each having a docking element. A vehicle station has a docking port for each of at least some of the wheeled vehicles. Each docking port has a charging device and is shaped to engage a docking element of an engaged wheeled vehicle. At least two display screens are provided on the wheeled vehicle, one for an occupant and one for an operator. One or more screen drivers is provided for the display screens.

Claims (11)

1. A docking system for charging a battery carried by a wheeled vehicle, comprising

a. a docking element carried by the wheeled vehicle, said docking element being situated beneath the wheeled vehicle and comprising an extended docking guide protruding beneath the wheeled vehicle and spaced first electrical contacts carried by said docking guide, said first electrical contacts being displaceable relative to said docking guide, and

b. a fixed docking port, said docking port being shaped to accommodate penetration by said docking guide to seat said docking guide and having spaced second electrical contacts in registration with and contactable by respective ones of said first electrical contacts when said docking port is penetrated by said docking guide.

2. The docking system according to claim 1 , in which said first electrical contacts each comprise an elongate contact mounted at one end in a contact housing.

3. The docking system according to claim 2 , in which each said contact comprises a strip, each strip having a protuberance proximate an opposite free end.

4. The docking system according to claim 3 , in which each opposite free end extends into a guide channel in said contact housing.

5. The docking system according to claim 1 , including first and second display screens carried by said wheeled vehicle, and a screen driver for each display screen.

6. The docking system according to claim 5 , including a separate screen driver for each display screen, and in which each screen driver includes a memory.

7. The docking system according to claim 6 , in which the memory of the screen driver of the first display screen has content different from the memory of the screen driver of the second display screen.

8. The docking system according to claim 5 , including a third display screen and a third screen driver carried by said wheeled vehicle.

9. The docking system according to claim 8 , in which said screen drivers are separate from one another.

Assignments (7)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 21, 2023
From: SUMITOMO MITSUI BANKING CORPORATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: SMARTE CARTE, INC.
Reel/Frame 062759/0243 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 30, 2018
From: SMARTE CARTE, INC.
To: SUMITOMO MITSUI BANKING CORPORATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 045395/0378 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 30, 2018
From: MACQUARIE BANK LIMITED
To: SMARTE CARTE, INC.
Reel/Frame 045402/0349 →
GRANT OF A SECURITY INTEREST -- PATENTS Recorded Sep 9, 2016
From: SMARTE CARTE, INC.
To: MACQUARIE BANK LIMITED, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 039973/0276 →
GRANT OF A SECURITY INTEREST -- PATENTS Recorded Nov 30, 2012
From: SMARTE CARTE, INC.
To: MACQUARIE BANK LIMITED
Reel/Frame 029388/0807 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 14, 2012
From: NELSON-WHITTAKER, LTD, D/B/A CENTRAL SPECIALTIES LTD
To: SMARTE CARTE, INC.
Reel/Frame 028375/0113 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 11, 2009
From: MAHER, JAY A.
To: NELSON WHITTAKER D/B/A CENTRAL SPECIALITIES LTD.
Reel/Frame 022244/0544 →