US-12620822-B2 - Mobile power tool battery charging pod with lockable compartments

Abstract

A power tool battery charging station ( 1 ) in the form of a mobile pod. The station/pod ( 1 ) includes a housing ( 2 ) and a plurality of compartments ( 3 ). Each compartment ( 3 ) has a lockable door ( 4 ), and a cutout ( 5 ) through which an electrical cord may be provided. Ventilation cutouts ( 7 ) may additionally be provided in the housing ( 2 ). The housing ( 2 ) incorporates a plurality of electrical outlets ( 6 ), each adapted to receive a plug of a respective power tool battery. The housing ( 2 ) additionally incorporates a circuit breaker operatively connected to the electrical outlets ( 6 ).

Inventors

• Rory Campbell Kennard
• Jason King

Assignees

• MAKINEX IP PTY LTD
• Lendlease Building Pty Ltd

Dates

Publication Date

20260505

Application Date

20210427

Priority Date

20200427

Claims (19)

1. 1 . A power tool battery charging station, including: a mobile pod having a housing, a plurality of compartments in the housing, each compartment adapted to receive at least one power tool battery charger therein; a lockable door on each compartment, the door movable between an open position and a closed position; a plurality of electrical outlets provided on said housing outside the compartments, each outlet adapted to receive a plug of an electrical cord of a respective power tool battery charger disposed inside the compartment; and a cutout associated with each compartment or lockable door, the cutout being adapted to receive the electrical cord being fed from the compartment to one of the electrical outlets located outside the compartment, while the lockable door is closed, wherein closing the lockable door causes the compartment to be closed, thereby enclosing the power tool battery charger within the compartment and retaining the electrical cord in the cutout, such that the power tool battery charger remains securely maintained within the compartment.
2. 2 . A power tool battery charging station according to claim 1 , further including a circuit breaker associated with the housing, the circuit breaker operatively connected to the electrical outlets.
3. 3 . A power tool battery charging station according to claim 1 , wherein each lockable door is adapted to receive one or more of: a padlock; a key operated lock; an electronic lock; a smart phone operable lock; a fingerprint or other biometrically operated lock; a keypad operated; or a combination lock.
4. 4 . A power tool battery charging station according to claim 1 , wherein each compartment is provided with any one or combination of: at least one electrical cord cutout; at least one ventilation cutout therein; and, at least one inspection window therethrough.
5. 5 . A power tool battery charging station according to claim 1 , wherein each electrical outlet is any one or combination of: a mains power supply electrical outlet; a single or double GPO electrical outlet; and, a weatherproof or waterproof electrical outlet.
6. 6 . A power tool battery charging station according to claim 2 , wherein the circuit breaker includes an outlet/switch provided on an outer wall of said housing.
7. 7 . A power tool battery charging station according to claim 1 , wherein said housing includes at least one wheel or roller thereon, optionally incorporating a locking and/or braking mechanism.
8. 8 . A power tool battery charging station according to claim 1 , when said housing is mounted on a skid.
9. 9 . A power tool battery charging station according to claim 1 , wherein said housing includes a motor therein for power assisted movement of said housing.
10. 10 . A power tool battery charging station according to claim 1 , wherein said housing includes at least one handle.
11. 11 . A power tool battery charging station according to claim 1 , wherein said housing includes at least one lifting eye thereon.
12. 12 . A power tool battery charging station according to claim 1 , wherein said housing includes at least one fork lift engagement mechanism thereon.
13. 13 . A power tool battery charging station according to claim 1 , wherein said housing includes at least one lock down chain point connection thereon.
14. 14 . A power tool battery charging station according to claim 1 , wherein said housing includes a plurality of compartments formed in at least one of: at least one column, wherein the compartments are substantially vertically disposed relative to each other; or at least one row, wherein the compartments are substantially horizontally disposed relative to each other.
15. 15 . A power tool battery charging station according to claim 1 , wherein said housing includes: a plurality of compartments formed in at least two columns; and, a plurality of outlets formed in at least one column which is positioned intermediate to said two columns of compartments.
16. 16 . A power tool battery charging station according to claim 1 , wherein said housing and/or said door(s) comprises/comprise one or more of: electrically insulative material, UV stabilized material; or fire rated polymer.
17. 17 . A power tool battery charging station according to claim 1 , wherein said housing includes a mains power cable adapted to supply mains power to the charging station, including one or more of: power cleats about which a power cord may be wrapped; or a retraction mechanism adapted to retract said mains power cable within said housing.
18. 18 . A power tool battery charging station according to claim 1 , wherein said housing is adapted to be wall mounted.
19. 19 . A power tool battery charging station according to claim 1 , wherein the cutout comprises a recessed or partially enclosed cord-passage structure configured to retain the electrical cord when the door is closed.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is the U.S. national phase of International Application No. PCT/AU2021/050377 filed Apr. 27, 2021 which designated the U.S. and claims priority to AU Patent Application No. 2020901324 filed Apr. 27, 2020, the entire contents of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a mobile charging pod or station for charging tools/batteries, and in particular to such a mobile charging pod/station which is useful on building and construction sites where power tools are typically used. In particular, the present invention relates to a mobile pod or power tool battery power station which includes a plurality of lockable compartments, in which power tools can be securely housed whilst being charged. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART Any reference herein to known prior art does not, unless the contrary indication appears, constitute an admission that such prior art is commonly known by those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, at the priority date of this application. Various types of lockable compartmentalised cabinets are presently known for storing a variety of products. With the reasonably recent widespread use of mobile phones and smart phones, specialised phone lockers have been developed into which users may place their phone to be charged. These specialised lockers typically incorporate a USB or other low voltage power outlet, into which the electronic device may be plugged. The locker is then closed and locked whilst being charged, such that the device is not readily able to be removed without the authorised owner of the device unlocking the lock. Such known cabinets are not portable nor rugged enough to withstand the abuse they would receive in environments such as on building and construction sites and being regularly transported thereto. Whilst such phone lockers are suitable for securely charging mobile phones and like low powered devices, they are not suitable for charging mains power tools and other equipment. Batteries used for power tools also typically generate considerable heat during the charging process, compared with the batteries used in mobile phones and similar electronic devices, and as such, must be properly ventilated to ensure that they do not overheat. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention seeks to provide a mobile charging pod or charging station which overcomes at least some of the drawbacks of the prior art. The present invention also seeks to provide a charging station which is suitable for charging mains powered devices, which typically have batteries which dissipate considerable heat whilst being charged. The present invention also seeks to provide a charging station which securely stores power tools, batteries therefor and the like, whilst being charged. The present invention also seeks to provide a charging station which facilitates ventilation and/or inspection of power tools during the charging process. In one broad form, the present invention provides a power tool battery charging station, including: a mobile pod having a housing,a plurality of compartments in said housing, each compartment adapted to receive at least one power tool battery charger therein;a lockable door on each compartment;a cutout associated with each compartment, through which an electrical cord of a respective power tool battery charger is adapted to be provided;a plurality of electrical outlets provided on said housing outside said compartments, each outlet adapted to receive a plug of a respective power tool battery charger; and,a circuit breaker, associated with said housing, operatively connected to said electrical outlets. Preferably, the housing is substantially weatherproof. Preferably, each lockable door is adapted to receive any one or combination of: a padlock;a key operated lock;an electronic lock;a smart phone operable lock;a fingerprint or other biometrically operated lock;a keypad operated; and,a combination lock. Preferably, each compartment is provided with any one or combination of: at least one electrical cord cutout;at least one ventilation cutout therein; and,at least one inspection window therethrough. Also preferably, each electrical outlet is any one or combination of: a mains power supply electrical outlet;a single or double GPO electrical outlet; and,a weatherproof or waterproof electrical outlet. Also preferably, said circuit breaker includes an outlet/switch provided on the outer wall of said housing. Also preferably, said housing includes at least one wheel or roller thereon, optionally incorporating a locking and/or braking mechanism. Alternatively or additionally, but also preferably, said housing may be mounted on a skid. Also preferably, said housing includes a motor therein for power assisted movement of said housing. Also preferably, said housing includes at least one handle. Also preferably, said housing includes at least one liftin