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US-20260128607-A1 - SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CHARGING RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES

US20260128607A1US 20260128607 A1US20260128607 A1US 20260128607A1US-20260128607-A1

Abstract

A system and method for charging batteries. A charger includes a frame providing a support structure. The frame defines receptacles for receiving the batteries. The charger includes electrical interfaces associated with each of the receptacles configured to electronically connect to contacts of the batteries. A power system for powering the electrical interface to charge the batteries. The charger is configured to be stably stored horizontally or vertically.

Inventors

  • Christopher McMurry

Assignees

  • Christopher McMurry

Dates

Publication Date
20260507
Application Date
20251105

Claims (20)

  1. 1 . A charger for a plurality of batteries, comprising: a frame providing a support structure, the frame defining a plurality of receptacles for receiving the plurality of batteries; a plurality of electrical interfaces associated with the plurality of receptacles configured to electronically connect to contacts of the plurality of batteries; a power system for powering the plurality of electrical interfaces to charge the plurality of batteries, wherein the charger is configured to be stably stored horizontally or vertically.
  2. 2 . The charger of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of batteries are rounded with an edge that is straight, and the wherein the contacts are positioned along the edge.
  3. 3 . The charger of claim 1 , wherein the frame magnetically aligns the plurality of batteries with the plurality of receptacles.
  4. 4 . The charger of claim 1 , wherein the charger is usable and storable horizontally and vertically with the receptacles supporting the plurality of batteries.
  5. 5 . The charger of claim 1 , further comprising: a handle connecting to the frame for a user to hold the charger while adding or removing the plurality of batteries.
  6. 6 . The charger of claim 1 , further comprising: an indicator associated with each of the plurality of receptacles including a charging status of each of the plurality of batteries.
  7. 7 . The charger of claim 1 , wherein the indicators utilize colors to indicate the charge status.
  8. 8 . A method of charging a plurality of batteries for lights, comprising: receiving a plurality of batteries in a charger; electrically interfacing battery contacts of each of the plurality of batteries with contacts of the chargers; indicating a charger status of each of the plurality of batteries, wherein the charger is configured to be stably stored horizontally or vertically.
  9. 9 . The method of claim 8 , further comprising: storing the charger horizontally or vertically on flat edges of a frame of the charger.
  10. 10 . The method of claim 8 , wherein one or more lights of the charger indicate a charging status of each of the plurality of batteries.
  11. 11 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of batteries have a flat edge including the battery contacts.
  12. 12 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the charger includes a handle for a user to carry the charger when adding or removing the plurality of batteries.
  13. 13 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the contacts of the charger magnetically interface with the battery contacts of each of the plurality of batteries.
  14. 14 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of batteries are for cordless lamps.
  15. 15 . A rechargeable battery, comprising: a frame for storing internal components; a battery within the frame for storing a charge for powering at least an electronic device; an edge within the frame; contacts integrated within the edge for interfacing the rechargeable battery with a charger and at least the light; magnets for aligning the contacts with contacts of the light or charger; and a power button for powering on or off the rechargeable battery.
  16. 16 . The rechargeable battery of claim 15 , wherein the battery is a lithium ion or solid-state battery.
  17. 17 . The rechargeable battery of claim 15 , wherein the light is a cordless lamp.
  18. 18 . The rechargeable battery of claim 15 , further comprising: one or more indicators indicating a charging status of the battery.
  19. 19 . The rechargeable battery of claim 15 , wherein the one or more indicators utilize colors to indicate the charging status of the battery.
  20. 20 . The rechargeable battery of claim 15 , further comprising: a user interface for receiving user input and providing information to the user, the power button is a component of the user interface.

Description

PRIORITY This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/716,829, filed on Nov. 6, 2024, and entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CHARGING RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES”, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. BACKGROUND I. Field of the Disclosure The illustrative embodiments relate to rechargeable lamps and electronics. More specifically, but not exclusively, the illustrative embodiments relate to a rechargeable battery and charging system. II. Description of the Art In recent years electronic lamps and candles have become increasingly popular because of their numerous benefits with regard to environmental, utilization, and safety considerations. For example, rechargeable lamps are used to provide a functional and pleasant aesthetic. These types of lights are particularly used by consumers as well as the restaurant, event, hospitality, cruise, and entertainment industries. Good lighting is important to set the mood and provides the function of allowing individuals to read menus, agendas, paperwork, and so forth. Existing light solutions are useful, but offer limited options for bulk usage, recharging, and distribution. SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE The illustrative embodiments provide a system and method for charging batteries. A charger includes a frame providing a support structure. The frame defines receptacles for receiving the batteries. The charger includes electrical interfaces associated with each of the receptacles configured to electronically connect to contacts of the batteries. A power system for powering the electrical interface charge the batteries. The charger is configured to be stably stored horizontally or vertically. In other embodiments, the contacts may be aligned utilizing one or more tabs, threads, or fasteners. The batteries may be rounded with an edge that is straight and the contacts may be positioned along the edge. The batteries may be completely rounded, and the contacts may be positioned along the rounded edge. The frame may magnetically align the batteries with the receptacles. The charger may be usable and storable horizontally and vertically with the receptacles supporting the batteries. The charger may include a handle connecting to the frame for a user to hold the charger while adding or removing the batteries. The charger may include an indicator associated with the receptacles including a charging status of each of the batteries. The receptacles may include a first support and a second support associated with a top and a bottom of each of the batteries. The frame may have a flat edge opposite the receptacles to stabilize the charger when positioned horizontally on a surface. The charger may be configured to free stand when positioned vertically on a flat surface. The indicators may utilize colors to indicate the charge status. The charger may include a power system that distributes power to the contacts through wires, traces, or connectors integrated within or connected to the charger. The charger may include a charging port for charging the rechargeable batteries utilizing a standard wall outlet (i.e., 120 V). The charger may include a power adapter configured to plug into the charging port of the charger. The charger may be docked or loaded into a larger storage receptacle. A method of charging batteries. The batteries are received in a charger. Battery contacts of each of the batteries are electrically interfaced with contacts of the chargers. A charging status of each of the batteries is indicated. The charger is configured to be stably stored horizontally or vertically. In other embodiments, the charger may be stored horizontally or vertically on flat edges of a frame of the charger. The one or more lights of the charger may indicate a charging status of each of the batteries. The batteries may include a flat edge including the battery contacts. The batteries may include a rounded edge including the battery contacts. The charger may include a handle for a user to carry the charger when adding or removing the batteries. The contacts of the charger may magnetically interface with the battery contacts of each of the batteries. The contacts of the charger may align the contacts of the battery based on a frame shape of the battery, tabs, protrusions/grooves, fasteners, or so forth. Another illustrative embodiment provides a rechargeable battery. The rechargeable battery includes a frame for storing internal components. The rechargeable battery includes a battery within the frame storing a charge for powering at least a light. The rechargeable battery includes a flattened edge defined within the frame. The rechargeable battery includes contacts integrated with the flattened edge for interface the rechargeable battery with a charger and at least the light. The rechargeable battery includes magnets for aligning the contacts with contacts of the light or charger. The rechargeable battery includes a power button