Connected workstation service cart

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10486722-B2
Application number	US-201816021702-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 28, 2018
Priority date	Jun 30, 2017
Publication date	Nov 26, 2019
Grant date	Nov 26, 2019

Abstract

A vehicle service cart having a rolling base and a cabinet structure extending, therefrom. The service cart further comprises a plurality of handles operable to serve as wheel-mounts without disrupting rolling functions of the cart. The service cart further comprises a compressed-air tank. The service cart further comprises a specialized work surface atop the cabinet structure, the specialized work surface having specialized recesses to hold particular tools.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A service cart comprising:
a base with a plurality of wheels supporting the base for rolling movement, the base having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and an upper surface disposed between the first end the second end;
an upper cabinet structure with a first side and a second side, each side extending, from the upper surface of the base symmetrically inset from the first and second ends, respectively, the upper cabinet structure defining an interior space;
a plurality of handles extending from the sides of the upper cabinet structure, each handle having both a generally horizontally-extending portion extending away from the sides and a generally vertically-extending portion disposed away from the sides;
a drawer at least partially disposed within the upper cabinet structure;
a compressed-air tank at least partially disposed within the interior space of the upper cabinet structure, the compressed-air tank having an air hose affixed thereto suitable for utilizing the compressed-air tank; and
a work surface atop the upper cabinet structure, the work surface defining a substantially flat portion, an access portal operable to permit passage of the air hose in and out of the interior space of the upper cabinet structure, and a recessed compartment extending into the interior space of the upper cabinet structure and configured to support a handheld power tool at least partially disposed within the recessed compartment.

2. The service cart of claim 1 , further comprising an electric battery at least partially disposed within the interior space of the upper cabinet structure, the electric battery having a power cable affixed thereto operable for charging or discharging the electric battery.

3. The service cart of claim 2 , further comprising a charging dock disposed outside of the interior space of the upper cabinet structure, the charging dock in fluid communication with the compressed-air tank or electrically coupled with the electric battery.

4. The service cart of claim 3 , wherein the charging dock is in fluid communication with the compressed-air tank, and wherein the charging dock is further operably connectable to an external air compressor for automatically filling of the compressed-air tank by the external air compressor.

5. The service cart of claim 4 , wherein the charging dock is electrically coupled to the electric battery, and wherein the charging dock is further operably connectable to an external electric power source for automatic charging of the electric battery by the external electric power source.

6. The service cart of claim 4 , further comprising a portable electronic service tool mounting structure affixed to the work surface, the mounting structure configured to detachably mount a portable electronic service tool to the service cart.

7. The service cart of claim 6 , wherein the compressed-air tank further comprises:
a pneumatic transducer operable to generate pressure data showing internal pressure of the compressed-air tank; and
a wireless transmitter operably connected to the pneumatic transducer to transmit the pressure data.

8. The service cart of claim 7 , wherein the portable electronic service tool further comprises:
a wireless receiver operable to receive the pressure data transmitted by the wireless transmitter; and
an indicator operable to display the pressure data.

9. The service cart of 6 , wherein the electric battery is at least partially disposed within the interior space of the upper cabinet structure is operably electrically coupled with the handheld power tool of the portable electronic service tool.

10. The service cart of claim 1 , the plurality of handles further being operable to support a number of vehicle wheels uncoupled from vehicles such that the center of mass of the service cart while loaded with the number of vehicle wheels lies within an outermost wheelbase of the plurality of wheels of the service cart.

11. The service cart of claim 1 , wherein the compressed-air tank is operable to fill one or more tires of a vehicle to an internal operating pressure designated for the one or more tires of a vehicle.

12. The service cart of claim 1 , further comprising a portable electronic service tool mounting structure affixed to the work surface, the mounting structure configured to detachably mount a portable electronic service tool to the service cart.

13. The service cart of claim 12 , the handheld power tool further comprising:
an electric power meter operable to generate power meter data regarding the remaining charge of the handheld battery-powered tool; and
a wireless transmitter operably connected to the electric power meter to transmit the power meter data.

14. The service cart of claim 13 , wherein the portable electronic service tool further comprises:
a wireless receiver operable to receive the transmitted power meter data;
a display operable to display the received power meter data.

15. The service cart of claim 1 , wherein the compressed-air tank further comprises:
a pneumatic transducer operable to generate pressure data regarding the internal pressure of the compressed-air tank; and
a wireless transmitter operably connected to the pneumatic transducer to transmit the pressure data.

16. The service cart of claim 15 , wherein the wireless transmitter is one of a Bluetooth transmitter, a Zigbee transmitter, a Wi-Fi transmitter, or a radio-wave transmitter.

17. The service cart of claim 15 , further comprising a portable electronic service tool mounting structure affixed to the work surface, the mounting structure configured to detachably mount a portable electronic service tool to the service cart.

18. The service cart of claim 17 , wherein the portable electronic service tool further comprises:
a wireless receiver operable to receive the data transmitted by the wireless transmitter, and
a display operable to display the data transmitted by the wireless transmitter.

19. The service cart of claim 18 , wherein the portable electronic service tool further comprises a wireless transceiver operable to transmit and receive data using a wireless network, wherein the wireless transceiver is operable to re-transmit the data transmitted by the wireless transmitter to other devices using the wireless network.

20. A cart comprising:
a rolling base having opposing ends;
a cabinet atop the base having sides symmetrically inset from the opposing ends;
a plurality of tire-mounts each extending from the cabinet sides and operable to support a detached vehicular wheel;
a compressed-air tank at least partially disposed within the cabinet; and
a work surface atop the cabinet defining a recess configured to support a power tool disposed partially therein and defining an access portal operable to provide access to an interior of the cabinet.

Assignees

• Bosch Automotive Service Solutions Llc
• Bosch Gmbh Robert
• Bosch Automotive Service Solutions Inc

Inventors

• Alves De Moraes Marcelo
• Kicinski Kevin

Classifications

• B62B3/005 Primary

  Details of storage means, e.g. drawers, bins or racks · CPC title

• B60B33/00

  Castors in general {; Anti-clogging castors} (castors for large containers B65D90/18) · CPC title

• B62B2202/48

  Tools · CPC title

• B25H3/02

  Boxes · CPC title

• B25H5/00 Primary

  Tool, instrument or work supports or storage means used in association with vehicles; Workers' supports, e.g. mechanics' creepers {(collecting or removing exhaust gases in workshops B08B15/002; vehicle lifting devices, e.g. jacks, platforms or ramps B66F)} · CPC title