IP Library Granted Patent US 8,378,620
Granted Patent B2
US 8,378,620 · App. 12/438,341 · Granted Feb 19, 2013

Solar charged mobile working stations

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,378,620
App. No.
12/438,341
Granted
Feb 19, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

A medical work station having a solar charging system. The medical work station includes a cart that carries a computer for providing access to and keeping track of medical information. The solar charging system is operatively connected to the computer to provide a solar power input. This solar input provides a constant replenishing of power to the computer as long as there is a source of UV light, such as through inside lighting or through sunlight.

Claims (38)

1. A system, comprising:

a medical work station including a cart having a computer and a battery, wherein said computer includes a display screen, wherein the cart further comprises a base having a plurality of wheels coupled thereto, a mast extending generally vertically up from the base, a work surface operably coupled to the mast and a drawer system disposed below the work surface and at least partially about the mast, and wherein the battery is included within the base; and

a solar charging system that is operatively connected to said medical work station, wherein said solar charging system has a solar power input that provides a constant replenishing of power to said computer as long as there is a source of UV light.

2. The system as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a central administrator that is operatively connected to said computer.

3. The system as recited in claim 2 , wherein said computer has wireless network connection for communicating with said central administrator.

4. The system as recited in claim 3 , wherein said computer communicates with said central administrator without the active assistance of the user.

5. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein said solar charging system includes a plurality of solar panels that are connected to said computer.

6. The system as recited in claim 5 , wherein each of said plurality of solar panels is rotatably connected to said computer.

7. The system as recited in claim 5 , wherein each of said plurality of solar panels is releasably connected to said computer.

8. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein said solar charging system generates about 1 Amp of power indoors without input from natural light.

9. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein said solar charging system generates about 2 to about 3 Amps of power with the input of natural light.

10. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein said solar charging system generates sufficient power to avoid recharging said computer if it is operated at less than about 50% duty time.

11. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein said display screen draws less than about 2 Amps of power.

12. A system comprising:

a base defining a battery slot;

a mast extending generally vertically up from the base;

a work surface operably coupled to the mast;

a computer comprising a controller; and

a computer monitor that is operably coupled to the controller, wherein the computer monitor is operably coupled to the mast so as to be positioned above the work surface;

a drawer system disposed between the work surface and the base;

a battery removably positioned within the battery slot, wherein the battery comprises a housing and a handle coupled to the housing to facilitate removal and replacement of the battery; and

a solar charging system that has a solar power input that provides power to operate the computer.

13. A cart as in claim 12 , wherein the battery is configured to be recharged while in the battery slot or when removed from the cart using a separate charger.

14. A cart as in claim 12 , wherein the drawer system comprises a first drawer housing that is configured to be removably coupled beneath the work surface, wherein the first drawer housing defines an interior that holds at least one pull-out drawer; and a second drawer housing that is configured to be removably coupled beneath the first drawer housing defines an interior that holds at least one pull-out drawer.

15. A cart as in claim 14 , wherein the first drawer housing and the second drawer housing are each configured to hold a pair of laterally spaced-part drawers.

16. A system, comprising:

a base;

a mast extending generally vertically up from the base;

a work surface operably coupled to the mast;

a computer comprising a controller; and

a computer monitor that is operably coupled to the controller, wherein the computer monitor is operably coupled to the mast so as to be positioned above the work surface;

a drawer system operably coupled to the mast so as to be disposed between the work surface and the base;

a battery removably coupled with the base and electrically coupled to the computer controller through the central mast; and

a solar charging system that has a solar power input that provides power to operate the computer.

17. A system as in claim 16 , wherein said solar charging system includes a plurality of solar panels that are connected to said computer.

18. A system as in claim 16 , wherein the drawer system comprises a first drawer housing that is configured to be removably coupled beneath the work surface, wherein the first drawer housing defines an interior that holds at least one pull-out drawer; and a second drawer housing that is configured to be removably coupled beneath the first drawer housing defines an interior that holds at least one pull-out drawer.

19. A system as in claim 18 , wherein the first drawer housing and the second drawer housing are each configured to hold a pair of laterally spaced-part drawers.

20. A system as in claim 16 , further comprising a central administrator that is operatively connected to said computer.

Assignments (4)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 7, 2016
From: OMNICELL, INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 037459/0634 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 6, 2016
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: OMNICELL, INC.
Reel/Frame 037451/0480 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 27, 2013
From: OMNICELL, INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 031302/0026 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 27, 2010
From: RECKELHOFF, RAY
To: OMNICELL, INC.
Reel/Frame 025047/0664 →