WO2014168732A1

WO2014168732A1 - Storage and charging cart for multiple handheld mobile electronic devices

Info

Publication number: WO2014168732A1
Application number: PCT/US2014/029225
Authority: WO
Inventors: Nicholas Finger WARMAN; William Potter; David P. EAGLESON, Sr.; David K. JACOBS
Original assignee: Warman Nicholas Finger; William Potter; Eagleson David P Sr; Jacobs David K
Priority date: 2013-03-15
Filing date: 2014-03-14
Publication date: 2014-10-16

Abstract

A mobile electronic device (Barcode Scanner) storage cart is provided which comprises of an open interior space not obstructed by fixtures, the cart top or cart front, and defined by a plurality of stepped shelves progressing front to back joined to opposing lateral sidewalls respectfully extended upward from the base frame and a back portion. Further, the vertically spaced stepped shelves are located in the interior space for holding a mobile electronic device rechargeable equipment. A totally receding tambour door is provided to secure the interior space and one or more electrical units.

Description

STORAGE AND CHARGING CART FOR MULTIPLE

HANDHELD MOBILE ELECTRONIC DEVICES

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a cart designed for the storage and charging of multiple handheld mobile electronic devices, such as mobile barcode scanners, and more particularly to handheld mobile electronic device storage cart comprising a stepped shelve configuration, an unobstructed open top and unobstructed open front, and a power system unit for allowing the stored handheld mobile electronic devices to be charged.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

[0002] Storage carts of various types are well known in the market to store many different high-speed multi-function mobile electronic devices, such as laptops, multimedia player, PDA, and etc. for the purposes of education, entertainment and work. Such storage units are typically used to store items inside of the carts. Some of the carts known have legs and some of the carts have wheels to provide for ease of transport of the cart from location to location. Found on some of the powered carts used to store laptop or notebook computers is a source of managed power located within the cart in order to provide for the computer's batteries to be recharged while the computers are stored within the cart. However, in order to meet the operating requirement of a handheld mobile electronic device (such as a barcode scanner), the precision of the design of the unobstructed internal space from above the electronic components is critical. Most handheld mobile electronic devices, such as barcode scanners, must be placed into their power charging cradles from above and then moved downward into position which requires an unobstructed area above the power charging cradles.

[0003] The present invention overcomes these and other problems inherent in existing electronic device storage carts. The stepped shelves and unobstructed top design is unique to the electronic device storage cart by providing unlimited access to the power charging cradles from the front and top. Previous electronic device storage carts have some inherent disadvantages if storing a electronic device because these carts were not design for a handheld mobile electronic devices. One of the disadvantages with existing electronic device storage carts is that they have a stationary top and shelves that prohibit the insertion of the handheld mobile electronic device into the power charging cradle. Another disadvantage is that the carts do not integrate power charging cradles into the design of the electronic device storage cart, the user must manually plug the power cord into the computer device from a wire location that is not always easily accessible by users of the cart and make it difficult for a user to insert a computer's recharging cord into the appropriate power supply.

[0004] Optionally, a cart according to the present invention may include: (i) a cable management wrap on side of cart; (ii) an ability to mount additional charging equipment to the inside vertical walls of the cart; (iii) an ability to vary the internal configuration to match charger dimensions; (iv) an angled configuration of the cart to discourage the placement of beverage containers on top of cart, thus reducing the likelihood of spills on or in the cart.

OBJECTIVES OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0005] The principal object of the present invention is to provide a handheld mobile electronic device storage cart which is presently unavailable in the market;

[0006] To provide a handheld mobile electronic device storage cart with an unobstructed access from above and in front of each power charging cradle. This is critical functionality for inserting and removing a handheld computer from the cradle as not to obstruct the area above and in front of the cradle. Stacked shelving above the cradle prohibits the insertion and removal of a handheld computer.

[0007] To provide a handheld mobile electronic device storage cart that integrates power charging cradles to charge handheld mobile electronic devices.

[0008] To provide a novel electronic device storage cart that can securely store handheld mobile electronic device.

[0009] To provide a novel handheld mobile electronic device storage which can be locked.

[00010] To provide a novel mobile electronic device cart which can be easily moved from location to location.

[00011] A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel mobile electronic device cart which is simple in design and inexpensive to construct, and is durable and rugged in structure.

[00012] Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description and drawings of the invention. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[00013] The present invention will provide the logistics institution, retailers, manufacturers and government a much needed mobile electronic device charge and storage solution. Presently, companies are storing their handheld mobile electronic devices on folding tables, plastic bins, server racks, etc. which makes a power cord hazard and organizational nightmare of these devices. The present invention will provide a secure and organized mobile solution with easy access to all devices while providing power management that is safe and efficient.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[00014] FIG. 1 is a right-turned front quarter view in elevation of a handheld mobile electronic device storage and charging cart in accordance with the present invention.

[00015] FIG. 2 is a front view of a handheld mobile electronic device storage and charging cart in accordance with the present invention.

[00016] FIG. 3 is a side view of the present invention.

[00017] FIG. 4 is a top view of a handheld mobile electronic device storage and charging cart in accordance with the present invention.

[00018] FIG. 5 is a side view with the side panel removed of the present invention.

[00019] FIG. 6 is a rear side view of a handheld mobile electronic device storage and charging cart in accordance with the present invention.

[00020] FIG. 7 is a bottom view of a handheld mobile electronic device storage and charging cart in accordance with the present invention.

[00021] FIG. 8 is a top view of a handheld mobile electronic device storage and charging cart, with a closed tambour door, in accordance with the present invention.

[00022] FIG. 9 is a front view of a handheld mobile electronic device storage and charging cart, with a closed tambour door, in accordance with the present invention.

[00023] FIG. 10 is a side view, with the side panel removed, in accordance with of the present invention.

[00024] FIG. 11 is a front view of a handheld mobile electronic device storage and charging cart, with an alternative shelf configuration, in accordance with the present invention.

[00025] FIG. 12 is a front view of a handheld mobile electronic device storage and charging cart, with a series of computer units stored therein, in accordance with the present invention. [00026] FIG. 13 is a side view of a handheld mobile electronic device storage and charging cart, with the side panel removed and a series of computer units stored therein, in accordance with of the present invention.

[00027] FIG. 14 is a front view of a handheld mobile electronic device storage and charging cart, with an alternative storage configuration for a series of computer units stored therein, in accordance with the present invention.

[00028] FIG. 15 is a side view of a handheld mobile electronic device storage and charging cart, with the side panel removed and with an alternative storage configuration for a series of computer units stored therein, in accordance with of the present invention.

[00029] FIG. 16 is a left-turned front quarter view in elevation of a handheld mobile electronic device storage and charging cart, with a power cord access hole and storage wrap apparatus, in accordance with the present invention.

[00030] FIG. 17 is a side view of a handheld mobile electronic device storage and charging cart, with the side panel removed and with an alternative storage configuration for a series of computer units stored therein, in accordance with of the present invention.

[00031] FIG. 18 is a front view of a handheld mobile electronic device storage and charging cart, with an alternative storage configuration for a series of computer units stored therein, in accordance with the present invention.

[00032] FIG. 19 is a side view of a handheld mobile electronic device storage and charging cart, with the side panel removed and with an alternative storage configuration for a series of computer units stored therein, in accordance with of the present invention.

[00033] FIG. 20 is a front view of a handheld mobile electronic device storage and charging cart, with an alternative storage configuration for a series of computer units stored therein, in accordance with the present invention.

[00034] FIG. 21 is a right-turned front quarter view in elevation of a handheld mobile electronic device storage and charging cart, with a closed tambour door,, in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[00035] FIG. 1 is the front quarter perspective view of one embodiment of a handheld electronic device storage and charging cart constructed in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view of a handheld Electronic device storage and Charging Cart of FIG. 1. FIGS. 1 to 21 shown various views and alternative embodiments of a handheld electronic device storage and charging cart, with a front panel (FIG. 1), a bottom panel (FIG. 7), a rear panel (FIG.6 ) and side panels (e.g., FIG. 3; partially shown in turned views of FIG. 1, FIG 16, and FIG. 21). FIGS. 1 and 21 show open and closed positions of a totally receding tambour door along the front and top (open in FIG. 1 and closed FIG. 21).

Claims

The invention claimed is:

1. A mobile electronic device equipment cart, comprising:

an easily accessible wheeled structure;

an open interior space not obstructed by any fixtures; an open interior space not obstructed by the cart top or the cart front; a plurality of unobstructed stepped shelves progressing front to back joining to opposing lateral sidewalls; and

rechargeable power cradles integrated into the cart.

2. The mobile electronic device equipment cart of claim 1, further comprising vertically spaced stepped shelves for holding mobile electronic device recharging equipment and one or more handheld mobile electronic devices.

3. The mobile electronic device equipment cart of claim 1, further comprising a totally receding tambour door to secure the interior space.

4. The mobile electronic device equipment cart of claim 1, wherein electric power is supplied to the cart by a single ac power cord.

5. The mobile electronic device equipment cart of claim 1, further comprising a power cord access hole and a cable storage wrap apparatus on a panel of the cart.

6. The mobile electronic device equipment cart of claim 1, wherein at least one electrical unit has an on-off power switch.

7. The mobile electronic device equipment cart of claim 1, further comprising a wire management structure that provides wire access at each shelf and component area.