IP Library Granted Patent US 11,936,197
Granted Patent B2
US 11,936,197 · App. 17/124,060 · Granted Mar 19, 2024

Power distribution for modular storage

Inventor: Beth E. Cholst (Wauwatosa, WI)
Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
H02J50/12B25H3/021H01M10/44H02J1/10
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,936,197
App. No.
17/124,060
Granted
Mar 19, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

A power distribution device that couples to storage units is provided. The power distribution device a battery charger that indirectly charges batteries, such as for personal electronic devices. The device includes a top panel with a recess that receives the personal electronic devices. The device also includes interface components to couple the device to a modular tool storage unit.

Claims (29)

1. A container comprising:

a housing that defines an internal compartment, the housing comprising a bottom surface and a first interface extending from the bottom surface, the first interface configured to couple the housing to a modular tool storage device;

a top panel coupled to the housing, the top panel comprising an upper surface opposing the bottom surface, the upper surface comprising a second interface configured to couple the housing to the modular tool storage device, the second interface comprising a charging recess; and

an inductive charger located beneath the charging recess.

2. The container of claim 1 , wherein the inductive charger is coupled to the top panel.

3. The container of claim 1 , wherein the inductive charger includes inductive charging coils embedded within the top panel.

4. The container of claim 1 , wherein the inductive charger includes inductive charging coils that are beneath the charging recess.

5. The container of claim 1 , the second interface comprising a coupling recess is configured to couple the housing to the modular tool storage device.

6. The container of claim 5 , wherein the coupling recess defines a first depth from an uppermost surface of the top panel and the charging recess defines a second depth from the uppermost surface of the top panel that is equal to the first depth.

7. The container of claim 1 , the container comprising a power input configured to receive AC power.

8. A container comprising:

a housing that defines an internal compartment, the housing comprising a bottom surface and a first interface extending from the bottom surface, the first interface configured to couple the housing to a modular tool storage device; and

a top panel coupled to the housing, the top panel comprising an upper surface opposing the bottom surface, the upper surface comprising a charging recess and a coupling recess, the charging recess configured to receive a first electronic device, the coupling recess configured to couple the housing to the modular tool storage device, wherein the coupling recess defines a first depth from an uppermost surface of the top panel and the charging recess defines a second depth from the uppermost surface of the top panel that is greater than the first depth.

9. The container of claim 8 , wherein the top panel includes a tab that extends over the coupling recess, and wherein the charging recess is uncovered by the top panel.

10. The container of claim 8 , wherein the top panel includes a tab that extends over the charging recess.

11. The container of claim 10 , wherein the charging recess is configured to couple the housing to the modular tool storage device.

12. The container of claim 8 , wherein the charging recess is adapted to concurrently receive and charge a second electronic device in addition to the first electronic device.

13. The container of claim 8 , further comprising an inductive charger coupled to the top panel.

14. The container of claim 8 , the container comprising a power input configured to receive AC power.

15. A container comprising:

a housing that defines an internal compartment, the housing comprising a bottom surface and a first interface extending from the bottom surface, the first interface configured to couple the housing to a modular tool storage device;

a top panel coupled to the housing, the top panel comprising an upper surface opposing the bottom surface, the upper surface comprising a coupling interface configured to couple the housing to the modular tool storage device;

a battery interface configured to couple to a rechargeable power tool battery; and

an inductive charger electrically coupled to the battery interface and configured to receive power from the rechargeable power tool battery coupled to the battery interface;

wherein the upper surface comprises a charging recess adapted to receive and charge a first electronic device, wherein the top panel comprises a tab that extends over the charging recess, and wherein the charging recess is configured to couple the housing to the modular tool storage device.

16. The container of claim 15 , wherein the coupling recess defines a first depth from an uppermost surface of the top panel and the charging recess defines a second depth from the uppermost surface of the top panel that is greater than the first depth.

17. The container of claim 16 , wherein the charging recess is configured to couple the housing to the modular tool storage device.

18. The container of claim 15 , wherein the charging recess is adapted to concurrently receive and charge a second electronic device in addition to the first electronic device.

19. The container of claim 15 , the container comprising a power input configured to receive AC power.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 15, 2021
From: CHOLST, BETH E.
To: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 054934/0554 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation PCTUS2020052749 · Sep 25, 2020
Provisional Application 62906964 · Sep 27, 2019
Related Publication 20210104914A1 · Apr 8, 2021
Cited By (6)
US 1,140,556 US 12,330,839 US 12,338,030 US 12,409,544 US 12,459,105 US 12,654,904