Power distribution for modular storage

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12525825-B2
Application number	US-202418436736-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 8, 2024
Priority date	Sep 27, 2019
Publication date	Jan 13, 2026
Grant date	Jan 13, 2026

Abstract

A power distribution device that couples to storage units is provided. The power distribution device a battery charger that indirectly charges batteries, such as for personal electronic devices. The device includes a top panel with a recess that receives the personal electronic devices. The device also includes interface components to couple the device to a modular tool storage unit.

First claim

I claim:

1 . A modular storage container comprising:
a housing defining a compartment, the housing comprising:
a bottom surface; and
a first interface positioned on the bottom surface, the first interface configured to couple the housing to a second modular storage container;
a panel coupled to the housing, the panel comprising:
an upper surface comprising:
a second interface comprising a recessed charging surface, the second interface configured to couple the housing to the second modular storage container; and

an inductive charger positioned below the recessed charging surface.

2 . The modular storage container of claim 1 , wherein the inductive charger is positioned within the panel.

3 . The modular storage container of claim 1 , wherein the inductive charger includes inductive charging coils supported within the housing.

4 . The modular storage container of claim 1 , wherein the inductive charger includes inductive charging coils that are positioned under the recessed charging surface.

5 . The modular storage container of claim 1 , the second interface further comprising a plurality of coupling recesses, the coupling recesses configured to couple the housing to the second modular storage container.

6 . The modular storage container of claim 5 , wherein each of the coupling recesses define a first depth from the upper surface of the panel and the recessed charging surface defines a second depth from the upper surface of the panel.

7 . The modular storage container of claim 6 , wherein the first depth is equal to the second depth.

8 . A container comprising:
a housing that defines a compartment, the housing comprising:
a bottom surface; and
a first interface extending from the bottom surface, the first interface configured to couple the housing to a modular tool storage device; and
a panel coupled to the housing, the panel comprising:
an uppermost surface comprising:
a recessed surface, the recessed surface configured to receive a first electronic device; and
a coupling recess;

wherein the coupling recess defines a first depth from the uppermost surface of the panel and the recessed surface defines a second depth from the uppermost surface of the panel.

9 . The container of claim 8 , wherein the second depth is greater than the first depth.

10 . The container of claim 8 , wherein the panel includes a tab that projects over the coupling recess, and wherein the recessed surface is uncovered by the panel.

11 . The container of claim 8 , wherein the panel includes a tab that projects over the recessed surface to define a charging recess, and wherein the charging recess is configured to couple the housing to the modular tool storage device.

12 . The container of claim 8 , wherein the recessed surface is configured to receive and charge a second electronic device.

13 . The container of claim 8 , further comprising an inductive charger coupled to the panel.

14 . The container of claim 8 , the container comprising a power input configured to receive AC power.

15 . A container comprising:
a housing that defines a compartment, the housing comprising:
a first surface; and
a first interface extending from the first surface, the first interface configured to couple the housing to a modular tool storage device;
a housing panel coupled to the housing, the housing panel comprising:
a second surface opposing the first surface, the second surface comprising:
a coupling interface configured to couple the housing to the modular tool storage device; and
a charging recess configured to receive and charge a first electronic device; and

an inductive charger associated with the charging recess.

16 . The container of claim 15 , wherein the housing panel comprises a tab that projects over the charging recess.

17 . The container of claim 15 , further comprising a battery interface configured to couple to a rechargeable power tool battery, wherein the inductive charger is electrically coupled to the battery interface and configured to receive power from the rechargeable power tool battery.

18 . The container of claim 15 , wherein the charging recess is configured to couple the housing to the modular tool storage device.

19 . The container of claim 15 , wherein the charging recess is adapted to receive and charge a second electronic device in addition to the first electronic device.

20 . The container of claim 15 , the container comprising a power input configured to receive AC power.

Assignees

• Milwaukee Electric Tool Corp

Inventors

• Cholst Beth E

Classifications

• H01M10/44

  Methods for charging or discharging (circuits for charging H02J7/00) · CPC title

• H02J1/10

  Parallel operation of DC sources · CPC title

• B25H3/021

  comprising a number of connected storage elements · CPC title

• H02J7/70

  characterised by the mechanical construction · CPC title

• Y02T90/12

  Electric charging stations · CPC title