AT18191U1 - CASES FOR TRANSPORT AND LOADING OF INSOLES - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an insole transport case (1), comprising: - a lid (2), and - a housing (3), comprising: • insole holders (31), • charging modules (32), each configured to charge an insole, and • alignment devices (33), configured to align an insole on a charging module (32).

Description

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to the transport, charging and storage of medical devices. In particular, the invention relates to the transport and storage of medical insoles.

STATE OF THE ART

[0002] A physician, particularly a freelance one, may need to transport medical equipment from one medical location to another or from one patient to another. For example, a physician using smart insoles that allow the measurement of certain physiological or mechanical parameters of the foot may need to transport several pairs of insoles at the same time in order to always have a wide range of insoles of different sizes available.

[0003] Such medical devices, and in particular these smart insoles, are battery-powered and need to be charged regularly. Being able to charge the batteries of these medical devices without having to take them out of the case would be very convenient for the doctor.

[0004] There is currently a real need for an insole carrying case that would allow a large number of pairs of smart insoles to be transported and their battery to be recharged wirelessly.

CONTENT [0005] The invention relates to an insole transport case comprising: - a lid, and - a housing comprising: * insole holders, * charging modules configured to charge an insole each, and * alignment devices configured to align an insole on a charging module.

[0006] According to one embodiment, the housing comprises a machined rigid foam body and a rigid plate on which the holders for the insoles, the charging modules and the alignment devices are fixed, the body serving as a support and anchor for the rigid plate. According to one embodiment, the insole transport case of the invention comprises 12 insole holders. According to one embodiment, each insole holder is configured to accommodate a pair of insoles. According to one embodiment, the insole holders are configured to accommodate insoles with a size between 35 and 46. According to one embodiment, the alignment devices are magnets. According to one embodiment, the charging modules are induction charging modules. According to one embodiment, the insole transport case of the invention further comprises a holder configured to accommodate a phone or a tablet. According to one embodiment, the insole transport case of the invention further comprises a USB charging port. According to one embodiment, the insole carrying case of the invention further comprises an external AC-DC adapter.

DEFINITIONS [0007] In the present invention, the following terms are defined as follows:

- “Pair of insoles” refers to two insoles of the same size, one for the right foot and the other for the left foot.

- "Size" refers to the dimensions of an insole. In the following, a size refers to the European sizing system.

- “Insole” refers to an internal insole designed to be placed in a shoe worn by a person.

- "Smart insole" refers to an instrumented insole comprising sensors, calculation means and/or communication means. Such an insole also comprises an energy source intended to power the sensors, calculation means and/or communication means. This energy source is rechargeable.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0008] The present invention relates to an insole transport case comprising:

- a lid, and

- a housing comprising:

* Insole holders,

* Charging modules, configured to charge one insole at a time, and

* Alignment devices configured to align an insole to a loading module.

[0009] The case is particularly suitable for medical insoles, so-called smart insoles, which comprise a battery and an inductive charging zone that allows the battery to be recharged by induction. This inductive charging zone interacts with a charging module via an antenna when an insole is placed in an insole holder and aligned with this charging module by means of an alignment device. This ensures correct positioning of the insole so that the efficiency of the wireless energy transfer is optimal.

[0010] The case makes it possible to transport several insoles and to easily recharge them during storage.

[0011] The lid and the housing cooperate to obtain an open configuration and a closed configuration of the insole carrying case.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the insole carrying case comprises 12 insole holders. In a specific configuration of this embodiment, the insole holders are configured to accommodate insoles having a size between 35 and 46.

[0013] According to one embodiment, each insole holder is configured to receive a pair of insoles.

[0014] Advantageously, the insole carrying case allows the transport and loading of 12 pairs of insoles ranging in size from 35 to 46. This embodiment allows the user to always have a wide range of different insoles available that can be used for many different subjects. In a specific configuration of this embodiment, the insole holders are conveniently sorted according to the size of the insoles, for example from 35 to 46 in ascending order.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the insole transport case further comprises a rigid plate placed in the housing. In this embodiment, the insole holders are fixed on the rigid plate, which plate also contains the loading modules and the alignment devices. Preferably, the rigid plate is made of metal.

[0016] According to one embodiment, printed circuit boards of wireless power transmission transceivers, preferably four, are fixed to the bottom of the rigid plate. The bottom of the rigid plate is defined as the side connected to the bottom of the housing.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the insole carrying case further comprises a machined rigid foam body, the body being arranged in the housing of the case. The body has twelve size indicators to help the operator identify, select and return the desired pair of insoles. This body serves as a support and anchor for the rigid plate.

[0018] According to one embodiment, each insole holder is equipped with two illuminated charge level indicators for the battery of each of the two insoles present in the holder. The indicators have the dual function of displaying the charge level and the initialization sequence of each of the charging modules present in the insole holders.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the alignment devices are magnets.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the charging modules are induction charging modules, in particular they comprise a transmitting antenna configured to cooperate with a receiving antenna located in an insole. The charging modules thus allow the insoles to be recharged without a cable connection. This in particular allows a smaller space requirement for the case or for handling the insoles. In addition, the absence of a plug on the insoles makes them more ergonomic and robust.

[0021] According to one embodiment, each insole holder comprises - two loading modules,

- two charge level indicators, preferably illuminated, and

- two alignment modules,

- a size indicator.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the insole carrying case further comprises a holder configured to receive a phone or a tablet. This holder can also receive the charging cable of the phone or tablet.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the insole carrying case further comprises a USB charging port. In a specific configuration of this embodiment, the USB charging port is a USB Type A port that allows recharging the battery of a mobile phone or a tablet. Alternatively, the insole carrying case comprises an additional charging module configured to inductively charge a mobile phone or tablet.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the insole carrying case further comprises an external AC/DC adapter (AC: alternating current, DC: direct current). In a specific configuration, the adapter comprises an electrical power cable provided with a plug for connection to the power grid. In this embodiment, the insole carrying case is connected to the existing power grid to power the external AC/DC adapter, which in turn powers the charging modules. These charging modules allow recharging the batteries of the insoles arranged in each insole holder.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the insole carrying case further comprises a holder configured to receive the external AC/DC adapter and/or the power cord.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the insole transport case further comprises a transport handle that allows convenient transport of the case. Preferably, the housing and the lid of the insole transport case each comprise a half-handle, the two half-handles being configured to cooperate to form a single, unified

To form a carrying handle when the case is in the closed configuration.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the insole transport case further comprises two locks, which are preferably arranged on the housing on both sides of the half-handle.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the lid contains a piece of bi-foam.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the external AC/DC adapter and/or the electrical power cord is connected via a wiring harness to a printed circuit board containing a manual switch and an automatic safety switch. The automatic safety switch is configured to be coupled to a tip-shaped actuator of the safety switch that passes through the piece of bi-foam each time the lid lowers towards the housing. Thus, the electrical circuit is interrupted for safety reasons when the lid lowers towards the housing.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the processed hard foam body comprises slots that serve as holders for the power cable and a USB Type-A to USB Type-C cable.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the transport case has a height between 15 and 20 cm.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the transport case has a width between 40 and 60 cm, preferably between 45 cm and 55 cm, particularly preferably between 45 cm and 50 cm.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the transport case has a length between 40 cm and 60 cm, preferably between 45 cm and 55 cm, particularly preferably between 50 cm and 55 cm.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0034] [Fig.1A] is a schematic representation of the insole transport case according to the invention in a closed configuration.

[0035] [Fig.1B] is a schematic representation of the insole transport case according to the invention in a closed configuration.

[0036] [Fig.2] is a schematic representation of the insole transport case according to the invention in an open configuration.

[0037] [Fig.3] is a schematic representation of the insole transport case according to the invention in an open configuration and comprising 12 pairs of insoles.

[0038] [Fig.4] is a schematic representation of an insole.

ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0039] As shown in Figures 1A-B, the insole transport case 1 comprises a handle 11 and two locks 12, each arranged on either side of the handle 11.

[0040] This embodiment is particularly advantageous because the handle 11 enables the transport of the case 1 and the locks 12 enable the case 1 to be securely locked during transport, thereby preventing accidental opening during transport.

[0041] As shown in Fig. 2, the insole transport case comprises - a lid 2 comprising a half-handle 111, - a housing 3 comprising:

- 12 insole holders 31, each configured to accommodate a pair of insoles of size 35 to 46,

- charging modules 32, configured to charge one insole at a time, and

- Alignment devices 33 configured to align an insole to a loading module 32,

- a holder 37 configured to hold a phone or a tablet, - a USB charging port 38,

- a rigid plate on which the supports (31, 37), the loading modules (32, 38) and the alignment devices 33 are fixed,

- a machined hard foam body 35 which is arranged in the housing 3 and serves as a support for the rigid plate, and

- a half-handle 112, - two locks 12 located on the housing on either side of the handle 112.

[0042] The two half-handles (111, 112) are configured to cooperate to form a single unitary carrying handle when the case is in the closed configuration (as shown in [Fig.1B]).

[0043] The insole holders 31 are conveniently sorted by the size of the insoles, for example from 35 to 46 in ascending order. The machined rigid foam body 35 has twelve size indicators 311 to help the operator to identify, select and return the desired pair of insoles.

[0044] Each insole holder 31 comprises two charging modules 32, two illuminated charging status indicators and two alignment modules 33. The two alignment modules 33 are located next to each other and the two charging modules 32 are each arranged on either side of this pair of alignment modules 33. This makes it possible to align, charge and ensure the charging status of each insole in an insole holder 31.

[0045] Advantageously, the insole transport case 1 allows the transport and loading of twelve pairs of insoles with a size of 35 to 46. This allows the user to transport them easily and always has a wide range of different insoles available that can be used for many subjects.

[0046] [Fig.3] represents a use of the insole transport case 1 (in the same configuration as in [Fig.2]) which accommodates twelve pairs of insoles 4 with a size between 35 and 46. Each insole holder 31 accommodates two insoles 4 of the same pair, the two insoles 4 being positioned back to back. Furthermore, the pairs of insoles are arranged opposite each other, that is to say parallel to each other in opposite directions. Advantageously, this positioning allows more insoles 4 to be stored in the same space, thus maintaining a reasonable format for the insole transport case 1.

[0047] As shown in [Fig.4], an insole 4 comprises an inductive charging zone 41. When placing the insole 4 in an insole holder 31 by means of the alignment device 33, a charging module 32 is aligned with the inductive charging zone 41, thereby enabling recharging of the battery of the insole 4 by induction. This advantageously avoids wired charging, which would be more space-consuming and require more handling. Also, wired charging in the insole transport case 1, which accommodates twelve pairs of insoles 4, would lead to an excess of cables in this case 1.

REFERENCE SIGNS

1 - Insole carrying case 11 - Handle

111 - Half grip

112 - Half grip

12 - Castle

2 - Lid

3 - Housing

31 - Insole holder

311 - Size indicators 32 - Loading module

33 - Alignment device 34 - Rigid plate

35 - Foam body 36 - Switch

37 - Phone holder

38 -USB charging port 4 - Insole

41 - Inductive charging zone

Claims (10)

Expectations 1. Insole transport case (1), comprising: - a lid (2), and - a housing (3), comprising: * insole holders (31), * charging modules (32) each configured to charge an insole (4), and * alignment devices (33) configured to align an insole (4) on a charging module (32). 2. Insole transport case (1) according to claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a machined hard foam body (35) and a rigid plate (34) on which the insole holders (31), the loading modules (32) and the alignment devices (33) are fixed, the body (35) serving as a support for the rigid plate (34). 3. Insole transport case (1) according to claim 1 or 2, comprising 12 insole holders (31). 4. Insole carrying case (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each insole holder (31) is configured to accommodate a pair of insoles (4). 5. Insole transport case (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the insole holders (31) are configured to accommodate insoles (4) having a size between 35 and 46. 6. Insole transport case (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the alignment devices (33) are magnets. 7. Insole transport case (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the charging modules (32) are induction charging modules. 8. Insole carrying case (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a holder (37) configured to receive a telephone or a tablet. 9. Insole transport case (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a USB charging port (38). 10. Insole transport case (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising an external AC/DC adapter. 3 sheets of drawings