WO2020053602A1

WO2020053602A1 - Charger arrangement

Info

Publication number: WO2020053602A1
Application number: PCT/GB2019/052583
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alan Bentley
Original assignee: Skipper Tm Limited
Priority date: 2018-09-14
Filing date: 2019-09-13
Publication date: 2020-03-19
Also published as: GB2577249B; GB201815015D0; GB2577249A

Abstract

The charger arrangement (10) comprises a housing (12) containing a charger operable by a moveable member such as a retractable cord (14) and/or a compressible portion (16). Movement of the moveable member with respect to the housing causes the charger to charge.

Description

CHARGER ARRANGEMENT

The present idea relates to a charger arrangement and a method of operating a charger arrangement. The present idea is particularly but not exclusively related to a charger arrangement that is attachable to a user.

It is well known to power devices by a battery. The battery needs to be replaced or recharged periodically. This can be a problem where prolonged use of the battery is necessary and where no replacement battery or rechargers are available.

It is an object of the present idea to attempt to overcome at least one of the above or other problems. It is desirable to provide a device that is convenient and easy to use. A device that provides multiple functions or that is customisable for various applications is desired. It is an aim to provide a compact device that can be operated in a simple manner. Finally, a device that is intuitive to use and robust is desired.

According to the aspect of the present idea a charger arrangement includes a housing containing a charger operable by a moveable member whereby moving the moveable member with respect to the housing at least partially away from a rest position is arranged to cause the charger to charge. Advantageously, mechanical energy can be converted into electrical energy in a convenient and simple manner. The charger arrangement (i.e. the device) may therefore be operated by hand. The moveable member and charger collaborate to convert mechanical work into electrical energy. The electrical energy generated by moving the moveable member and charging the charger may be stored by a removable battery of the device or may be directly passed to an external device, such as a desktop or portable computer.

Preferably, the device is configured such that moving the moveable member towards the rest position is also arranged to cause the charger to charger. Advantageously, the conversion of electrical energy is maximised in both directions of the moveable member with respect to the rest position. The resistance of the moveable member from the rest position may be variable in order to provide greater electrical energy for each unit movement of the moveable member. The moveable member may be a retractable cord and the rest position may be a retracted position such that pulling the cord at least partially away from the retracted position is arranged to cause the charger to charge. In this sense, the retractable cord may be in an unextended state when in the retracted position and may also be in a stable condition. The retractable cord is therefore extendable from the housing such that any movement in the direction away from the rest position is arranged to convert mechanical work into electrical energy. Advantageously, the pulling movement makes use of high forces that can be exerted for a long time because arm movement can be utilised.

In an extended position, the retractable cord may be at least five times as long as the device. The length of extension of the retractable cord may be variable in order to provide greater customisation of end use. The retractable cord may be a winding that is arranged to be wound and unwound as the cord moves with respect to the housing. The device may comprise a handle for pulling the cord from the rest position. Part of the handle may be complementary in shape to a recess of the housing that is arranged to receive the handle when in the retracted position.

Preferably, the retractable cord is a dog lead. Advantageously, when the device and retractable cord are attached between a dog and a person, movement of the dog about the person causes the retractable cord to move relative the rest position. This allows the physical energy exerted by the dog to be converted to electrical energy, which may be electrical energy stored in a battery or energy directly fed to an alternative electrical device, such as a torch.

The moveable member may be a compressible portion and the rest position may be an uncompressed position such that compressing the compressible portion at least partially away from the uncompressed position causes the charger to charge. The compressible portion may also serve be a gripping portion such that when the user intuitively grips the compressible portion. The compressible portion may be provided on a plurality of locations on the housing. The compressible portion may be coupled to the housing but moveable with respect to the housing. The compressible portion is a deformable portion. Beneficially, the compressible portion is compact. The compressible portion is aadvantageous because the device may be operable in one hand, leaving the other hand free.

The device may comprise the both the retractable cord and compressible portion as previously described. Advantageously, the charger can be charged by more than one means. Furthermore, the compressible portion may be used when space is restricted, whereas the retractable cord may be used when greater input energy is needed. The dual energy conversion ability provides a versatile device that is customizable depending on the end use.

The housing may include resilient means arranged to assist in the return of the moveable member to a rest position. The resilient means may be a spring. The resilient means resists movement of the moveable member from the rest position and provides stored mechanical energy to drive the moveable member back to the rest position. The resilient means is configured such that the moveable member arrives at the rest position within a few seconds. This ensures that the retraction of the moveable member is safe for users, which is particularly important when a retractable cord is used. The resistance of the resilient means is configured to provide enough resistance to drive the charger alone (i.e. without external input) and to reach the rest position in a timely manner. This is because the charger itself is resistant to movement of the moveable member. The resistance of the moveable member when moving from the rest position may therefore be greater than the resistance when moving toward the rest position. This is because the potential energy stored within the resilient means when moving away from the rest position is then converted into electrical energy as the moveable member moves back toward rest position.

The housing may be arranged to be supported by a person and the device may include an attachment whereby the charger can be detachably mounted on a user. The arrangement may be worn by an operative who works alone. Such a lone worker function is advantageous when the device is arranged to power a rescue device, such as a personal locator beacon. An end region of the retractable cord may be arranged to be attached to a region remote from a user whereby relative movement of said end region and user away from each other causes an extension of the cord from the housing.

The charger arrangement may comprise a light source arranged to emit light. The light emitted may be a laser light. A plurality of different light sources may be emitted. Each light source may emit a different colour. Advantageously, each light source colour may designate a particular worker or team of workers. The light source may be powered by rotating a portion of the device. Detaching the portion of the device from the main housing and re-attaching that portion at a different angular position may cause the different lights to be emitted.

The charger arrangement may comprise a tilt detector for detecting whether the charger arrangement is level. The tilt detector may comprise a visual output display. The tilt detector may be electronic or mechanical. For example, a conventional spirit level may be provided as the mechanical tilt detector. The conventional spirit level comprises a liquid moveable within a sealed housing such that a bubble formed within the liquid is visually detectable about the housing for detecting whether a surface is level. The electronic tilt detector may comprise an inclinometer.

The charger arrangement may include a support which can stably support the device particularly on a flat surface. The support may be integral to the device or provided as a separate attachment connectable to the device. Advantageously, the charger arrangement may have a standing position. The charger arrangement may be arranged to activate an alarm. The alarm may be a sound that is emitted from the device. The device may therefore comprise a speaker that emits the sound. The sound may be used to alert others and can therefore be used to send a distress signal.

In exemplary embodiments of the charger arrangement the charger is arranged to provide charge to an electronic device. The electronic device may be a battery that is used as an energy store or is used to power other parts of the device. The arrangement may be arranged to be connected to a computer. The arrangement may be arranged to be connected to a computer by a cord (i.e. a cable). The arrangement may be arranged to directly connect to a computer. The computer may be arranged to run a plurality of applications. The computer may be arranged to shut down one or more applications automatically whilst leaving one or more applications running. The charger may be arranged to provide charge to the computer.

According to the exemplary embodiments, there is provided a charger arrangement comprising a housing containing a charger operable by a moveable member whereby moving the moveable member with respect to the housing at least partially away from a rest position is arranged to cause the charger to charge. The housing forming a body that is coupled with a detachable head for detachably mounting to the body. The detachable head comprises an electrically operated functional means and the detachable coupling between the head and body mechanically and electrically connects the head and body. Thus the charger in the body provides electrical power to the detachable head. Advantageously a plurality of heads is provided, wherein each head comprises an electrically operated functional means having a different function.

Suitably the plurality of heads may include a head having an electrically operated functional means having the function of a lone worker alarm, and / or a laser level, and / or a light emitter, and / or a panic alarm.

As herein explained, the body suitably includes a connector for electrically connecting an external device. Suitably, the connection allows the external device to be charged by the charger of the body. For instance, the external device maybe a mobile telephone or a tablet computer or the like. Alternatively, the electrically operated functional means of one of the plurality of heads may comprise a connector for electrically connecting and charging an external device.

As herein explained, the body suitably comprises a communications unit for wirelessly communicating with an external device. As will be appreciated, the communications unit may transmit and receive information wirelessly. Here a control unit communicates with the communications unit to control the electrically operated functional means of the detachable heads. Moreover, the control unit may communicate with the charger to provide information on the status of the charger to the external device via the communications unit. For instance, the external device may be provided with information on the status of the charger, for instance power level.

According to the above, there is therefore also provided a kit of parts comprising the body as herein described and a plurality of heads, wherein each head is detachably connected to the body via a coupling for simultaneously electrically and mechanically connecting the head to the body, wherein each of the plurality of heads comprises an electrically operated functional means wherein the plurality of heads each have a different function.

According to another aspect a method of operating a charger arrangement as herein specified is provided.

The present idea can be carried into practice in various ways but several embodiments will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 a shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a charger arrangement having a head and body connected and Figure 1 b shows the charger arrangement with the head and body disconnected; Figure 2 is a sketch of a chargeable device;

Figure 3 is a sketch of the chargeable device;

Figure 4 is a sketch of the chargeable device attached to a person;

Figure 5 is a detail showing the end of a cord of the device;

Figure 6 is a detail showing the attachment of an accessory to the end of the cord; Figure 7 is a side view of one example of the device;

Figure 8 is a side view of one example of the device;

Figure 9 is perspective view of the device. Figures 1 a and 1 b show an exemplary charger arrangement 10 comprising a body 1 1 and a detachable head 38. The body comprises a housing 12 containing a charger that is operable by a moveable member that suitably is shown as a handle and pull cord 14. The handle enables the pull cord to be moved with respect to the housing 12 to cause the charger to charge. The head 38 includes an electrically operated functional means, for instance a light emitter. The head is detachable and attachable to the body using a coupling, suitably shown as pins 39 that electrically and mechanically connect the head and body. Here, the electrically operated functional means is powered by the charger. A plurality of different heads can advantageously be provided to enable the charger unit to provide alternative functions. Moreover, a charging port 19 is suitably provided to enable an external device, for instance a mobile telephone or tablet computer or other portable electronic device to be connected and charged from the charger. In figure 1 a and 1 b, the housing 12 is shown as a having an optional transparent portion

12a to enable the charger to be viewed externally.

Further features of the exemplary charger arrangements will now be described with reference to figures 2-9, like features have been given the same reference numbers and it will be appreciated that the various features described herein are interchangeable between the embodiments.

The charging arrangement (i.e. device) 10 shown in Figures 2 to 4 includes a housing 12 and a cord 14. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the device 10 is a portable, lightweight, handheld device. The device 10 is shaped to fit in the palm of a hand and is operable in one hand or two. Therefore, a user may hold the housing 10 in one hand and use the other hand to effect the pulling. The operation of the device 10 is one hand is explained later in relation to a compressible portion 16. As shown in Figure 2, a handle 22 may be provided to assist in the pulling. The handle may also assist in the retraction of the cord 14. The housing 12 may comprise a recess for accommodating the handle 22 when the cord 14 is in a retracted position. The recess and handle 22 may be complementary in shape. The cord 14 and/or handle 22 is/are located at one end of the housing 12 and is/are extendable away from the end.

Pulling the cord 14 out or further out of the housing 12 causes charging of a charger (not shown) contained within the housing 12. The charger may comprise a battery (also not shown) arranged to be contained within the housing 12. The battery may also be removable from the housing 12. The cord 14 may cooperate with a charger to effect charging of the battery. That is, mechanical energy can be converted into electrical energy during movement of the cord 14, wherein the electrical energy is storable within a battery or immediately transferable to an external device 10 that requires direct electrical energy.

Allowing the cord 14 to return partially towards or into the housing 12 may also cause charging of the battery. This allows the movement in both directions to be utilised. The return of the cord 14 may be assisted by a resilient member, such as a spring (not shown) that exerts a resistance to pulling of the cord 14 out of the housing 12. The resistance may increase as the cord 14 is pulled further out of the housing 12. The cord 14 may be wound around a retractable support (not shown) at least when in the fully retracted position.

Figure 3 shows a further optional method of charging the battery, which may be provided additionally or alternatively to the retractable cord 14 implementation. In this embodiment, a user can compress a portion of the housing 12, such as a compressible portion 16 to effect the charging of the battery. In Figure 3, a thumb 18, for instance, of a user’s hand can effect the compression of the compressible portion 16 with the housing 12 being held in the palm 20 of the same hand. The compressible portion 16 may be naturally resilient and/or may comprise a resilient means to reset the compressible portion 16 back to the uncompressed state. Charging of the battery may also be effected by movement of the compressible portion 16 when the pressure on the compressible portion 16 is released allowing the compressible portion 16 to return to the position shown in Figure 2. Therefore, the compressible portion 16may cooperate with a charger to effect charging of the charger.

Charging may be effected by means of a charger such as a dynamo (i.e. an electrical generator) being caused to at least partially rotate or by any other known means.

In Figure 4, the pulling to affect the charge may be effected by connection of the cord 14 to a region remote from a person carrying the housing 12. Therefore, the cord 14 may serve as a dog lead. Further, the charging may occur by relative movement of the remote connection of the cord 14 and the person.

In the example of Figure 4, the cord 14 is attached to a dog 24 and particularly to a dog collar 30. Movement of the dog 24 away from the person causes the cord 14 to be pulled out of the housing 12 to effect charging. Relative movement of the dog 24 and person back towards each other may effect retraction of the cord 14 back into the housing 12. This retraction may also assist in charging the charger. Therefore, the resistance on extension of the cord 14 may be greater than the resistance to retraction because a resilient means is required to drive the charger without human intervention whilst drawing the cord back into the housing 12. Therefore, the extraction force stores energy which is later used for retraction of the cord 14 into the housing 12.

Figure 5 shows an attachment 26 at the end region of the cord 14. When a handle 22 is provided, the handle 22 may be retained on the cord 14 by the attachment. The handle 22 may be slidably mounted on the cord 14 such that the handle 22 can move along the cord 14. As shown in Figure 6, the attachment 26 may be connected to a further short lead 28, which may comprise a fastening means 31 to be clipped onto the dog’s collar 30.

The housing, charger and associated members form a body. The body may include a connector for electrically connecting an external device. Here, the electrical connection allows the external device to be charged or powered from the charger.

In the exemplary embodiments, the body includes a communication means and a control means. As is known in the art, the control means may be operable to control the electrical functions of the body and to operate with the communication means to communicate with an external device. Whilst a wired connection is foreseeable, preferably the communication means is a wireless communication means such is known in the art. Consequently, the body can be controlled by the external device. Here, the external device may be a mobile telephone or the like. Suitably, the mobile telephone operates an application to pair with the body and so that when paired with the body, the mobile telephone provides the hardware for connecting to other networks. Thus, the body does not need to include duplicate communication abilities or other services such as location, memory and the like.

In the exemplary embodiment as shown in Figure 8, a head 38 is detachably coupled to the body 40. Here, the head comprises an electrically operated functional means, such as a light emitter or a movement sensor or the like for performing a specific function. The head is mechanically connected to the body in a suitable manner for instance a twist and click motion. The mechanical connection simultaneously provides also an electrical connection between the head and body.

The electrically operated functional means of the chargeable device 10 may have many uses. Several will now be described. These are examples only. Furthermore any one or more of the uses are interchangeable or combinable.

A light (not shown) may be emitted from the head 38. The light may be constant or flashing. The light may be emitted by one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs). The housing 12 may be attached to the arm of the user. For the dog walker shown in Figure 4, the housing 12 may be attached to the user’s wrist. The attachment means may be a strap 32, which may comprise a reusable fastening means such as a hook and loop fastener such as that sold under registered Trade Mark VELCRO.

The person in Figure 4 may be blind. If they were to walk their dog 24 at night they may be unaware of whether or not the light from the device 10 is being emitted to warn others or they may be unaware as to whether there is sufficient charge in the battery to complete their journey. With the present device 10, simply walking the dog 24 and allowing the extension of the cord 14 will charge the battery thereby permitting the light to be emitted no matter how far the walk is. Advantageously, the device 10 provides safety for a blind, dog assisted walker.

In one embodiment, the head 38 may be able to emit a narrow beam of light such as a laser and, alternatively or additionally, a sonic beam. Accordingly the device 10 may be used to measure the distance between the housing 12 and a target for the beam. The device 10 may be used to create a straight line or act as a spirit level. The device 10 may be hand held or may be attached to body of an operative. Alternatively, or additionally the device 10 may include a support surface 34 whereby a measurement or straight line may be effected, without an operative holding or wearing the device 10, by the housing 12 resting on that support surface 34 which may be a flat surface.

In one embodiment, the device 10 may be connected to a computer such as a phone or a laptop. The device 10 may include a plug or socket to connect directly to the computer. Alternatively, or additionally, a power lead may affect the connection. This may enable an operative to use their computer for extended periods of time at locations remote from a mains power source as the pulling of the cord 14 may charge the battery in the housing 12 which may in turn power the computer.

The use of the device 10 to power a computer opens up a lot of opportunities for the use of the device 10 in addition to the traditional use of computers. For instance:

The computer may indicate the status of the battery in the device or computer.

The computer may indicate when an at least a partial recharge is required.

The computer may determine which, of several applications that may be simultaneously running, should be stopped or paused, which stopping or pausing may be determined by which application is using the most power.

The computer may issue an alert to a remote location. For instance, the alert may be from a lone operative or operatives indicating that they will be out of contact for a while. For instance, the operative may enter a tunnel. The operative may still use their device whilst out of contact. However, regardless of how long they are out of contact, when they came back into contact, they can send a signal to a remote location which may state they are back in contact, whilst charging the battery, if necessary. The alert may be an alarm which may only be locally emitted such as a light or a sound or both.

Some operatives work in remote locations such as building sites or on railways. The device 10 can be worn on an arm or waist for instance, by passing the strap 32 through an opening 36, as shown in Figure 7. At such remote locations it is imperative that the light continues to be emitted. Failure of the light source could place the operative in danger. The operative can ensure light maintenance by recharging the device themselves, as described above.

Different operatives may emit different colours of light or different flashing lights or both to differentiate some operatives from others. These differences may be predetermined on different devices 10. Alternatively, the device 10 may be able to be altered to affect their differences. For instance, Figure 8 shows a head 38 of the housing 12 that can be detachably mounted on the body 40. By detaching the head 38 and reattaching it to the body at a different angular position or positions these differences may be caused to be emitted, for instance by presenting a different lens through which the light may be emitted.

Figure 9 shows a perspective view of the device 10 emitting a sign which may be an emoji 42 (an image or icon used to express an idea or emotion through electronic communication). Different images may be emitted from the device 10 such as either by rotating the head 38 or by causing a computer to control the emitted image or both.

When a computer is coupled to the device 10 the computer may be attached to the operative using the device 10.

The device 10 may be used to measure training of a person. For instance, the number of steps taken or the distance a person covers may be measured.

The device 10 may be used to monitor the location of a person automatically, for instance, by sending a continuous or an intermittent signal to a remote location.

The device 10 may be used to indicate to a remote location when a person with the device 10 has had a fall. For instance, a sudden change in angle or a sudden acceleration or abrupt halt in the movement of the device 10 may cause an alert to be sent to a remote location. Therefore, the device 10 may comprise an accelerometer. Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

1 . A charger arrangement comprising a body and a detachable head, wherein;

the body comprises a housing containing a charger operable by a moveable member whereby moving the moveable member with respect to the housing at least partially away from a rest position is arranged to cause the charger to charge; and

the head comprises an electrically operated functional means; wherein

the head is detachably coupled to the body via a coupling that electrically and mechanically connects the head to the body.

2. The charger arrangement of claim 1 , wherein moving the moveable member towards the rest position is arranged to cause the charger to charge.

3. The charger arrangement of claim 1 or 2, wherein the moveable member is a retractable cord and the rest position is a retracted position such that pulling the cord at least partially away from the retracted position is arranged to cause the charger to charge.

4. The charger arrangement as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the moveable member is a compressible portion and the rest position is an uncompressed position such that compressing the compressible portion at least partially away from the uncompressed position causes the charger to charge.

5. The charger arrangement as claimed in claim 4, wherein the moveable member is additionally a retractable cord.

6. The charger arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim in which the housing includes resilient means arranged to assist in the return of the moveable member to the rest position.

7. The charger arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the resilient means resists movement of the moveable member from the rest position and provides stored mechanical energy to drive the moveable member back to the rest position.

8. The charger arrangement as claimed in claim 6 or 7, wherein the resistance of the resilient means provides enough resistance to drive the charger without external input, and to return the moveable member to the rest position in a timely manner.

9. The charger arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the body includes a communication means and a control means, wherein the control means is arranged to control the electrically operated functional means and the communication means transmits and receives information between an external device and the control means.

10. The charger arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the body and additionally or alternatively the head comprises a connector for connecting an external device, wherein the connector is arranged to charge the external device when connected from the charger.

11 . The charger arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the head includes a light source arranged to emit light.

12. The charger arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim, including a plurality of light sources wherein each light source is arranged to emit a different colour.

13. The charger arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim comprising a tilt detector.

14. The charger arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim comprising a support arranged to stably support the charger arrangement.

15. A kit of parts comprising a body and a plurality of detachable heads, wherein;

each of the plurality of heads comprise an electrically operated functional means; wherein

each of the plurality of heads is detachably coupled to the body via a coupling that electrically and mechanically connects the head to the body and the electrically operated functional means of each of the plurality of heads has a different function.

16. The kit of parts of claim 15, wherein when each of the plurality of heads is attached to the body, a charger arrangement is formed, wherein the charger arrangement is as claimed in any of claims 1 to 14.

17. A method of operating a charger arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14, or assembled from the kit of claim 15 or 16, the method comprising;

attaching one of the plurality of heads to the body to electrically and mechanically connect the head to the body;

charging the charger by moving moveable member away from the rest position;

operating the electrically operated functional means by causing the charger to supply power to the electrically operated functional means.