TITLE OF INVENTION Apparatus for the Provision of Power TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The invention to which this application relates is apparatus for the provision of power and/or data to a user. In particular, although not necessarily exclusively, the apparatus is provided in the form of ai housing which is connected to a power supply and from the housing there are provided a plurality of power sources. In addition, sources for the connection to data networks can also be provided BACKGROUND [0002] The provision ofapparatus which comprises a piuralit of power supply sockets is well known and most typically comprises a plug for a connection to a mains power supply socket in a wall or floor of a building, a cable leading from the plug to the housing and, i the housing, there are provided a plurality of sockets, into which plugs can be selectively placed so as to provide power to operate a number of devices, In addition, it is known to provide the housing with one or more data plug sockets so as to allow the connection to data networks such as, for example, the data sources whh are required in the operation of the apparatus which is provided with power from the same housing The housing is typically located on, near, or in, an item of furniture. [0003] The proliferation of devices which are required to be provided with power, such as PC's, mobile phones, tablet devices, lighting and the like, means that in all environments, and in particular office environments, there is typically a shortage of power sockets provided in the walls and/or floor of the premises, rhis therefore means that apparatus of the type described above is frequently used as it o nly requires a single cable to be provided from the wall or floor mounted socket and then allows the distribution of power to a number of devices from the location of the housing such as, for example, in a desk or table MI[A -4zC. ~ rS~~ne4 uxt'~C40AiNt74nt 'J 2 [0004] A further use of the power sockets is for the same to receive plugs which are provided as part of charging devices for the periodic charging of the batteries which allow the devices to be operable. The requirement for these power supply units to be connected to mains voltage power represents a further demand for the usage of the relatively limited number of power sockets which are available. [0005] A relatively new development is the provision of charging apparatus which allows the charging of the device batteries to be achieved by using magnetic inductance technology involving a transmitter provided in the charging apparatus and a suitably adapted device which is to be charged. Thisallows the suitable adapted device to be charged using inductance charging. without a cable connected charging apparatus but only when the device is in contact with the charge transmitter or in contact with a sheet material which is positioned between the device and the transmitter and which is of a type of material which does notinterfere with the charging process. While this is of advantage in that it avoids the need for a cable connection between the device being charged and the power socket, the magnetic inductance charging transmitter apparatus typically needs a separate AC to DC transformer to be provided which also needs to be plugged into a power supply socket and also requires an AC to DC transformer to be provided. A cable connection between the said transformer and the charging transmitter apparatus is also typically required. This therefore means that the magnetic inductance charging transmitter apparatusepresents a further demand for a power socket and, as already indicated, the demand .for power sockets is already typically greater than the number of power sockets which are provided in a premises. Furthermore, the provision of the transformer with required cable connections means that a further item of apparatus is required to be used ad/or stored. SUMMARY OF INVENTION 100061 The aim of the present invention is to provide apparatus of a form which allows the advantages of inductance charging to be achieved whilst, at the same time, avoiding, or minimising, the impact which the provision of the inductance charging facility has on existing apparatus for the provision of power 3 [0007] In a first aspect of the invention, there is provided apparatus for the provision of a power charge to one or more power cells of a device, said apparatus including a housing, a first connector part for connection with a power supply to the housing, said housing including at least one power and/or data connection socket provided therein for the selective location of a plug therewith and wherein the housing also includes a means of providing the said power charge wirelessly via inductance and/or resonance charging to the at least one power cell of the said device when the device is in contact with, or within a predetermined charging range area, of the said housing. [0008] Typically the power to the housing is from a power source and a cable connection to the housing. [0009] In one embodiment the said means of providing power wirelessly is an inductance charging apparatus and in which the device to be charged is placed in contact with or may be in very close proximity to, a pad via which the charge is passed front the charging apparatus to the device. in this case one suitable charging protocol is the Qi inductance charging protocoL [0010] In another embodiment the said means of providing wireless power utilises magnetic resonance charging technology in which case the device to be charged need not be in contact with the pad or the housing but is required to be positioned within an area around the housing and which defines the range within which the charge can be provided to the one or more power cells of the device [00111 Both wireless charging formats are based on the principal of magnetic induction, which is created from the manipulation of electromagnetic fields produced by electrons moving within a wire. The electromagnetic fields radiate at a perpendicular angle from a wire which is provided in a particular shape, such as a coil in order to increase the strength of the magnetic fields. In one embodiment, the housing includes therein the charging apparatus, In one embodiment the charging apparatus includes a transformer which is connected to the power supply entering the housing and connected to at least one transmitter unit from which the magnetic inductance charge is emitted, typically from a wire coil from the housing to charge the device.
4 [0012] In one embodiment, the housing also includes one or more sockets for the reception of data connection cables so as to allow the transfer of data to connected apparatus and one or more data networks connected to the housing [0013] iIn one embodiment, the housing includes a plurality of power socket assemblies and the magnetic inductance charging apparatus, which are all connected to the conmnon power supply which enters the housing. [0014] In one embodiment, a number of modular units are provided each having at least one power and/or data socket provided thereon and the unit can be selectively located with the housing at the time of manufacture and/or subsequently, and connected to the power supply entering the housing. [0015] In one embodiment, at least part of the charging apparatus can be provided as a modular unit which can be inserted into ian aperture ini the housing. Preferably the same size of apertuLre in the housing can receive and locate a power and/or data socket modular unit or a charger apparatus modular unit to thereby a!low the same to be interchangeable and the configuration of the housing to be adapted to suit specific requirements. [0016] In one embodiment the location of the charging apparatus is visually indicated externally of the housing so as to allow the user to identify where to place the device which is to be charged. [0017] in one embodiment and particularly when inductance charging apparatus is to be used, the housing includes location means to allow the device which is to be charged to be located on the housing and, most typically, to be located at a position with regard to the housing which allows optimum charging of the device to be achieved by the magnetic inductance charging apparatus provided in or on the housing [0018] In one embodiment, the housing is provided as part of an assembly to be mounted in or on an item of furniture.
[00191 In one embodiment, the housing or another portion of the apparatus is provided so as to be moveable to change the condition of the assembly between a storage position and an access position and in the access position, plugs can be selectively placed into and removed from the power sockets provided therewith. [00201 In one embodiment, the charging of the device can be achieved when the housing is in both of the storage and access positions, [0021] The magnetic resonance form of the charging apparatus includes a transformer which is connected to the power supply entering the housing and is connected to at least one transmitter unit from which the magnetic resonance charge is emitted, typically from a wire in a coil shape, from the housing to charge a device situated within a predetermined range of the housing. In another embodiment, and particularly where the housing is relatively small, at least part of the transmitter apparatus, such as the transformer is located externally of the housing but in :onnection with the apparatus provided with the housing. In whichever embodiment the transformer, and the resonance charging transmitter apparatus in general is connected to the power supply to the housing and thereby the current invention avoids the need for the resonance charging transmitter apparatus to be connected via a plug socket and therefore avoids increasing demand for the use of the sockets provided on the housing and/or other sockets within the premises. [0022] In one embodiment the apparatus is provided to form part of an item of furniture for use in an office or educational environment and/or use in a hotel, railway, airport and/or other similar public area enviroments. [0023] In one embodiment the apparatus is compliant with British Standard 6396. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [0024] Specific embodnents of the invention are now described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein; sm I Or~ r$hse-. .Dnic~.kM'lXA 3 ON5 OMinjat0; 6 [0025] Figures I a-c illustrate a first embodiment of apparatus in accordance with the invention in use to charge a device. [0026] Figures 2a-c illustrate an alternative embodiment of the apparatus in accordance with the invention. [0027] Figures 3a-e illustrate further embodiments of apparatus in accordance with the invention using resonance charging to charge a device in which the housing is provided in a fixed access condition. [0028] Figures 4a-b illustrate further embodiments of the apparatus of Figures 3a-c to charge a device in which the housing can be provided in access and storage conditions. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS [0029] Referring frstly to Figures ia-b, there is illustrated an apparatus in accordance with the invention in the fann of an assembly 2 for the provision of power. The assembly comprises a housing 4 which is tbrmed so as to allow the assembly to be located on an itein of furniture 6. in this embodiment, on a top face 10 of a desk 6, part of which is shown in Figure lb. [0030] The housing includes a plurality of sockets 8. each of which is provided 'with a suitable pin aperture contiguration., to receive an electrical plug with a pin configuration for the particular geographical location in which the apparatus is provided. Each of the sockets 8 can selectively receive a plug therein and, when the plug is inserted, power is supplied from the socket via the plug and the cable connected thereto, to an item of apparatus to which power is required such as, for example., a television, computer, mobile phone, tablet device or the like. [0031] Each of the sockets 8 is connected within the housing to a power supply provided to the housing via cable 12 which can be connected directly to the power supply network to the building or via a plug which is received in a socket on the walL Each of the sockets 8 in the housing provides power therefrom and, in one embodiment, each of the sockets 8 are provided as 7 a modular assembly which can be selectively inserted and located in one of the apertures 18 provided in the housing. To the rear of each modular socket assembly, there are provided connection means, of a conventional form, which allow the same to be connected to the power supply I this way the power supply to the housing is then distributed to each of the sockets so as to be made available therefrom. [0032] The housing, in certain embodiments can be provided with one or more modules which include one or more sockets for the reception of data cable plugs so as to allow the transfer of data to and from the housing and apparatus connected thereto and data distribution networks which are also connected thereto, [0033] In accordance with the invention, the apparatus in this embodiment also includes apparatus to allow the magnetic inductance charging of a device placed on the housing 4, In Figures la-c there is provided, in connection with the power supply 12 to the housing, a transformer within the housing which allows the transformation of the power supplied from. AC to DC, thereby providing power to a transmitter unit provided within the housing from which is emitted magnetic inductive power to allow a suitably adapted device located on the housing 4 to receive the power and use the same to charge the power source for that devices The housing in this case includes a location portion 22 on which the device 20, in this case in the form of a mobile phone, is placed to be charged, as shown in Figures Ia and b [0034] In one embodinent, the magnetic inductance charging transmitter unit transformer and connection means for the power supply, can be located as integral parts of the housing inside, or on the same, or can be provided as a modular assembly 24 and typically there is provided a visual indication 15 as shown in Figure le of the location of the magnetic inductance charging assembly on the h housing , [00351 Alternatively the transmitter unit at least, with or without visual indications 22, can be located in one end of the housing, possibly provided as part of an end cap for the same. [0036] Figures 2a-c lustrate a further embodiment of apparatus in accordance with the 8 invention, in which the same reference numerals are used for the same components except item 12 in this case is the power connector for connection of the power cable to the power supply in the building. In this case the housing is provided in conjunction with a frame 26 and the frame is secured to the item of furniture 6. The housing 4 is provided to be moveable between an access position in which access to the power sockets 8 and inductance charging apparatus can be achieved as shown in Figures la-c, and a storage condition in which the hou ingmay be partially or wholly hidden from view vby a lid 28. The movement of the lid between the two positions is achieved by movement of the housing lid 28 in the direction of arrow 30, as shown in Figure 2b, [0037] It should be appreciated that in one embodiment the magnetic inductne charging apparatus may be provided and located to be effective and usable in either of the storage and access positions of the apparatus [0038] Referring now to Figures 3a-b, there is illustrated an apparatus in accordance with the invention in the form of an assembly 102 for the provision of a power charge to the power cells of a device and in this case the charging apparatus provides magnetic resonance charging. In this embodiment the assembly comprises a housing 104 which is formed so as to allow the assembly to be located on an item of furniture 106, in this embodiment, on a top face 110 of a desk 106. [0039] The housing includes one or more plug sockets 108, each of which is provided with a suitable aperture configuration, to receive an electrical plug with a pin configuration for the particular geographical location in which the apparatus is provided, Each of the plug sockets 108 can selectively receive a plug therein and, when the plug is inserted, power is supplied from the socket via the plig and the cable connected thereto, to an item of apparatus to which power is required such as, for example, a television, computer, mobile phone, tablet device or the like. [00401 Each of the sockets 108 is connected within the housing to a power supply provided to the housing via cable connection to a power supply (not shown). The sockets 108 in the housing can therefore provide power therefrom and in one embodiment, each of the sockets are provided as a modular assembly which can be selectively inserted and located in one of the apertures 118 provided inthe housing To the rear of each modular socket assembly, there are provided 2rDI4-i l-C.U Sxtt]~imzuYP(FC3O5Fim;~xt qd 9 connection means, of a conventional form, which allow the same to be connected to the power supply which enters the housing. in this way the power supply to the housing is then distributed to each of the sockets so as to be made available therefrom. [0041] In some instances, at least one of the socket assemblies may be replaced by a module which includes one or more sockets for the reception of data cable plugs so as to allow the transfer of data to and from the housing and apparatus connected thereto, and data distribution networks which are also connected thereto. [0042] In accordance with the invention, the apparatus also includes apparatus to allow the magnetic resonance charging of a device placed in the vicinity of the housing 104 and this is achieved by providing, in connection with the power supply to the housing, a transformer which may be located within the housing or externally thereof and xvhich allows the conversion of the power supplied from AC to DC, thereby providing power to. a transmitter unit which typically is provided within the housing and from which is emitted magnetic resonance power. This allows a device, such as a mobile phone 120 fitted with a suitable receiver and located within a predetermined range of the housing to receive the power and use the same to charge the power source for that device. [00431 In one embodiment, the magnetic resonance charging transmitter unit, transformer and connection means for the power supply, can be located as integral parts of the housing inside or on the same, or can be provided as a modular assembly 122 as illustrated in Figure 3c and which can be located in an aperture 118 in the housing as shown, or at least some of the components may be positioned externally of the housing, if for example the housing is of a relatively small size. A visual indication 124 of the location of the resonance charging assembly can be provided as shown in Figure 3c and also location means 126 for the device 120 to be charged can be provided as shown in Figure 3c although the device is not required to be in contact with the housing to be charged The range of the charging is indicated by lines 128 which are provided for illustration only and which in practice will not be provided. [0044] Figures 4a&b illustrate turther embodiments of apparatus in accordance with the 10 invention, in which the same reference numerals are used for the same components as in Figures 3a-c. In both Figures the housing 104 is provided in conjunction with fran e 130 and the frame is secured to the item of furniture 1.06. In Figure 4a two assemblies are provided, assembly 132 in which the housing 104 has been moved to an access condition in which access to the power sockets 108 can be achieved, and the assembly 134 is shown in a storage condition in which only the top 136 of the housing 104 is visible at the surface I10 of the desk 106 with the remainder of the housing hidden from view. The movement between the two positions is achieved by movement in the direction of arrows 138 as shown in Figure 4a. [0045] In Figure 4b, a lid 140 is provided to allow the apparatus to be changed between the two conditions by movement of the lid 140 in the direction of arrow 142 about axis 144. Figure 4b shows the apparatus in an access condition and if the lid is moved to the storage condition the housing would not be viewable from the top surface of the desk and is masked by the lid. [0046] Alternatively the housing unit may itself be rotatable with respect to the frame so as to allow the same to be moved between an access position and a storage position. In each case it should be appreciated that the magnetic resonance charging apparatus may be provided and located to be effective and usable when the apparatus is in both of the storage and access conditions, [0047] In other embodiments the resonance charging transmitter unit at least, with or without visual indication, can be located in one end of the housing, possibly provided as part of an end cap for the same [0048] Thus there is provided i accordance with the invention power supply apparatus which includes a charging apparatus which allows the wireless provision of power to charge one or more devices in the vicinity of the said apparatus and which can be incorporated in power supply apparatus which is provided in location with ani item of furniture such as a ,desk, in the form of an indesk unit, or located on top of the desk, and which may, or may not, include movable components and vhich can be provided in any of a variety of shapes and forns. 24)14-1- W "" NKO t