Inductively coupled consoles

Abstract

Inductively coupled consoles and vehicle consoles with integrated primary coils, and apparatuses for charging, supporting, and securing portable computers with integrated primary coils are provided. Power is inductively coupled from a primary coil to a device containing a secondary coil, such as a PDA, cellular phone, rechargeable flashlight, remote control, power tool, or laptop computer. Primary coils may be integrated into consoles to charge devices containing secondary coils placed in the consoles. Primary coils may similarly be integrated into vehicle consoles. Inductively coupled consoles may be configured to receive and hold devices containing secondary coils. Primary coils may also be integrated into an apparatus for charging, supporting, and securing a portable computer. Integrated primary coils may provide varying amounts of power.

1 . A seating unit comprising:
 a seat portion including a seat bottom attached to a backrest;   an armrest coupled adjacently to the seat portion;   a primary coil that is integrated into to the armrest and that is connected to a power source, wherein the primary coil provides an inductive-power coupling to a device containing a secondary coil.   
     
     
         2 . The seating unit of  claim 1  further comprising, a compartment built into the armrest, wherein the armrest includes a hingedly attached portion that covers the compartment and that opens to provide access to the compartment and closes to conceal the compartment. 
     
     
         3 . The seating unit of  claim 2 , wherein the primary coil is constructed into the compartment. 
     
     
         4 . The seating unit of  claim 1 , wherein the armrest includes a substantially flat surface and wherein the primary coil is coupled beneath the substantially flat surface. 
     
     
         5 . The seating unit of  claim 1 , wherein the primary coil is coupled to a power cord, which receives electricity from an electrical outlet. 
     
     
         6 . The seating unit of  claim 1  further comprising another seat portion, wherein the armrest and the primary coil are constructed into a center console positioned between the seat portion and the other seat portion. 
     
     
         7 . The seating unit of  claim 6 , wherein the seat portion and the other seat portion are angled toward the center console. 
     
     
         8 . A console for a seating unit, the console comprising:
 a charging surface for supporting a device containing a secondary coil;   an armrest having an armrest surface positioned adjacent to the charging surface; and   a primary coil that is constructed below the charging surface and that is connected to a power source, wherein the primary coil provides an inductive-power coupling to the device containing the secondary coil.   
     
     
         9 . The console of  claim 8  further comprising, a compartment built into the armrest, wherein the charging surface is positioned inside the compartment and the armrest surface is above the charging surface. 
     
     
         10 . The console of  claim 9 , wherein the armrest includes a hingedly attached portion that covers the compartment and that opens to provide access to the compartment and closes to conceal the compartment. 
     
     
         11 . The console of  claim 8 , wherein the primary coil is coupled to a power cord, which receives electricity from an electrical outlet. 
     
     
         12 . The console of  claim 8  further comprising, an indicator light embedded below the charging surface that illuminates to indicate the primary coil is providing the inductive-power coupling. 
     
     
         13 . A seating unit comprising:
 a seat portion including a seat bottom attached to a backrest;   an armrest coupled adjacently to the seat portion, the armrest including a hingedly coupled portion comprising an armrest surface;   a compartment constructed into the armrest, wherein the hingedly coupled portion covers the compartment and opens to provide access to the compartment and closes to conceal the compartment;   a charging surface included in the compartment; and   a primary coil that is positioned beneath the charging surface and that is connected to a power source, wherein the primary coil provides an inductive-power coupling to a device containing a secondary coil.   
     
     
         14 . The seating unit of  claim 13 , wherein the primary coil is coupled to a power cord, which receives electricity from an electrical outlet. 
     
     
         15 . The seating unit of  claim 13  further comprising another seat portion, wherein the armrest and the primary coil are constructed into a center console positioned between the seat portion and the other seat portion. 
     
     
         16 . The seating unit of  claim 15 , wherein the seat portion and the other seat portion are angled toward the center console. 
     
     
         17 . The seating unit of  claim 13  further comprising, an indicator light embedded below the charging surface that illuminates to indicate the primary coil is providing the inductive-power coupling. 
     
     
         18 . The seating unit of  claim 13 , wherein the primary coil is configured to provide the inductive-power coupling to a remote control.