Mobile charging station for electrical devices designed to be fixed to a supporting object

Abstract

The invention relates to a mobile charging station (10) which is intended to be fixed to a support object in a removable manner, the charging station (10) comprising at least one chassis (12), an electrical energy source (14) which is mounted on the chassis (12), a charging interface (16) intended to electrically power at least one electrical appliance by means of said energy source, and a clamp (18) for fixing the charging station (10) to the support object, which comprises a first fixed jaw (62) secured to the chassis (12) and a second movable jaw (64), characterized in that the second movable jaw (64) is driven in movement by a lever (66) and in that the charging station (10) is equipped with a lock (94) intended to lock said lever (66) in its closed position in order to secure the charging station (10) on the associated support object. (Fig. 5)

Description

Title of the invention: Mobile charging station for electrical device intended to be fixed to a support object Field of the invention

[0001] The present patent application relates to the field of mobile charging stations for electrical devices, which are intended to be fixed to a support object in a removable manner, the invention relating more particularly to a mobile battery charging station.

[0002] The present invention will find, in a non-exclusive manner, advantageous applications in the equipment of public spaces and in the equipment of tables in restaurants or cafes, both indoors and on terraces. State of the art

[0003] Electronic mobile devices, such as phones or laptops, occupy an important place in the lives of many users.

[0004] This type of device is electrically powered by a battery which should be recharged regularly to avoid a breakdown and the stress caused by such a situation.

[0005] In workplaces and homes, it is generally possible to recharge an electronic mobile device by plugging it into a charging station.

[0006] A classic charging station, for example, looks like a wall socket into which a power cable is plugged to power the mobile device to be recharged.

[0007] A mobile charging station is also known which is designed to be temporarily positioned in a particular location close to a workstation where an electrical appliance is to be used.

[0008] For this purpose, certain charging stations include devices for attaching them to a support object such as a table edge, in a removable manner.

[0009] In particular, a mobile charging station is known which is described and represented in document US7083421B1 and which comprises • a chassis equipped with an electrical connection port, • a power cord which is attached to the chassis and which is capable of delivering electrical energy to the electrical connection port, and • a clamp for fixing the charging station to a support object.

[0010] The fixing clamp comprises a first fixed jaw secured to the frame and a second jaw mounted to move relative to the first jaw, between a clamping position in which the jaws clamp the support object between them, and a release position in which the jaws are spread apart to release the supporting object.

[0011] Although this type of charging station has the advantage of mobility, it is not suitable for use in public places.

[0012] Indeed, nothing is provided in document US7083421B1 to prevent the theft of the charging station.

[0013] In addition, the power cord that equips this charging station considerably limits its mobility and makes it unsuitable for use outside a building. Statement of the invention

[0014] The present invention aims in particular to resolve the drawbacks of the aforementioned prior art by proposing a charging terminal which can be fixed quickly and without tools to a support object such as a table edge, in a secure manner to prevent the terminal from being stolen, both inside and outside a building.

[0015] This objective is achieved, as well as others which will become apparent upon reading the following description, with a mobile charging station for an electrical device, which is designed to be fixed to a support object in a removable manner, the charging station comprising at least: • a chassis, • an electrical energy source which is mounted on the chassis, • a charging interface designed to electrically supply at least one electrical device by means of said energy source, and • a clamp for fixing the charging terminal to the support object, which comprises a first fixed jaw secured to the frame and a second movable jaw which is mounted movable relative to the first fixed jaw in a clamping direction, between a clamping position in which said jaws are brought together to clamp the support object, and a loosening position in which said jaws are moved apart to release the support object,

[0016] characterized in that the second movable jaw is driven in movement by a lever which is pivotally mounted on the chassis around a first articulation axis, between an open position corresponding to the loosening position of the second movable jaw, and a closed position corresponding to the clamping position of the second movable jaw, and in that the charging terminal is equipped with a lock provided to lock said lever in its closed position in order to secure the charging terminal on the associated support object.

[0017] According to other optional characteristics of the invention, taken alone or in com- combination:

[0018] - the fixing clamp is of the toggle type, the second movable jaw comprising successively: • a first connecting rod which extends from front to rear from a first front end which is connected to the lever and which is pivotally mounted on the chassis around said first articulation axis, to a second rear end, and • a second connecting rod which extends from front to rear from a first front end which is pivotally mounted on the second rear end of the first connecting rod about a second intermediate hinge axis, to a second front end which is pivotally mounted on the chassis about a third hinge axis, said three hinge axes being parallel, and when the lever is driven in movement between its open position and its closed position, the second intermediate hinge axis exceeds a point of alignment between the three hinge axes corresponding to a hard point on the lever and to a passage of the lever from its stable open position to its stable closed position. The toggle type clamp has the advantage of allowing the movable jaw to be able to clamp support objects of different thicknesses because the spacing of the jaws in the clamping position can vary substantially by a few millimeters;

[0019] - the third axis of articulation is materialized by a shaft which is elastically deformable- tically, to promote the passage of said alignment point between the three articulation axes, corresponding to the hard point of the lever;

[0020] - the fixing clamp is of the cam type, said clamp comprising a cam which is driven in movement by the lever around a pivot axis and which has an external profile which cooperates with a wall of the movable jaw, so that during the pivoting of the lever, the external profile of the cam slides on said wall of the movable jaw, and so that the lever is driven in pivoting around its axis between its clamping position and its loosening position, by means of the cam. This design allows clamping of the support object by cam, while allowing friction of the movable jaw on the support object;

[0021] - the terminal comprises a spring bar which is interposed between the chassis and the cam and which is designed to exert a force on the assembly formed by the movable jaw and the lever via the cam when the movable jaw occupies its clamping position, to oppose the opening of the lever and maintain the lever in its closed position;

[0022] - according to a variant, the third articulation axis is materialized by at least one shaft which is connected to the chassis by means of a spring-forming strut, to facilitate the passage of said alignment point between the three articulation axes, corresponding to the hard point of the lever;

[0023] - the second movable jaw is equipped with at least one pad which is provided for cooperate with the support object and which is capable of being substantially compressed to promote the clamping of said support object;

[0024] - the charging station includes a set of pads which are intended to be mounted on the second movable jaw interchangeably and which each have a different thickness to allow adaptation of the spacing between said jaws in the clamping position, depending on the thickness of the support object to be clamped;

[0025] - the source of electrical energy is a rechargeable electric battery;

[0026] - the lock comprises a strike plate which is integral with the frame and a bolt which is mounted movable on the lever between a locking position in which the bolt cooperates with the strike plate to lock the lever in its closed position on the frame, and an unlocking position in which the bolt is retracted to release the lever, the bolt being operated by a removable key;

[0027] - the charging interface comprises a plurality of wired electrical connectors which are each equipped with a different connection tip and are each designed to connect said energy source to an electrical device to be recharged. Brief description of the drawings

[0028] Other characteristics, aims and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows for the understanding of which reference will be made to the appended drawings in which:

[0029] [Fig-1] is an overall perspective view from behind, which illustrates the charging terminal fixed on a plate of a support object by a clamp, according to a first embodiment of the invention;

[0030] [Fig.2] is a front view of the terminal of [Fig.l], which illustrates the fixing clip of the charging station and the charging interface including four wired connectors;

[0031] [Fig.3] is a perspective view detailing the terminal clamp of [Fig.l];

[0032] [Fig.4] is a perspective view detailing the terminal clamp of [Fig.l];

[0033] [Fig.5] is a longitudinal sectional view along axis 5-5 of [Fig.2], which illustrates the movable jaw of the clamp in the clamping position and the actuating lever in closed position;

[0034] [Fig.6] is a longitudinal sectional view along axis 5-5 of [Fig.2], which illustrates the movable jaw and the lever in an intermediate position;

[0035] [Fig.7] is a longitudinal sectional view along axis 5-5 of [Fig.2], which illustrates the movable jaw in the release position and the actuating lever in the open position;

[0036] [Fig.8] is a longitudinal sectional view along the axis 8-8 of [Fig.2], which illustrates the junction between the first part and the second part of the chassis of the terminal of [Fig.l];

[0037] [Fig.9] is a detailed perspective view in cross-section along the 9-9 axis of [Fig.5], which illustrates the movable jaw of the terminal clamp of [Fig.l];

[0038] [Fig. 10] is a detail view in perspective in vertical section along the axis 10-10 of [Fig.5], which illustrates the bolt of the lock in the lever locking position;

[0039] [Fig. 11] is a detailed perspective view in cross-section along the axis 10-10 of [Fig.5], which illustrates the bolt of the lock in the lever unlocking position;

[0040] [Fig. 12] illustrates a set of pads intended to be mounted on the movable jaw;

[0041] [Fig. 13] is a front perspective view illustrating the terminal of refill fixed on a tray, according to a second embodiment of the invention;

[0042] [Fig. 14] is a detailed perspective view of the lever and the movable jaw of the clamp of the terminal of [Fig. 13] ;

[0043] [Fig.15] is a cross-sectional view along axis 15-15 of [Fig.16], which illustrates the terminal of [Fig. 13];

[0044] [Fig. 16] is a longitudinal sectional view along the axis 16-16 of [Fig. 15], which illustrates the movable jaw in the clamping position and the lever in the closed position, of the terminal of [Fig. 13];

[0045] [Fig.17] is a longitudinal sectional view along the axis 16-16 of [Fig.15], which illustrates the movable jaw in the release position and the lever in the open position, of the terminal of [Fig. 13];

[0046] [Fig. 18] is a perspective view with cutaway which illustrates the right half-shell of the chassis and the clamp of the charging terminal according to a third embodiment of the invention;

[0047] [Fig. 19] is a cross-sectional perspective view illustrating the charging station of [Fig. 18];

[0048] [Fig.20] is a longitudinal sectional view of the lower part of the chassis of the terminal of [Fig. 18];

[0049] [Fig.21] is a longitudinal sectional view of the terminal of [Fig. 18], with the lever in the closed position and the movable jaw in the clamping position of the support object;

[0050] [Fig.22] is a longitudinal sectional view of the terminal of [Fig. 18], with the lever in the open position and the movable jaw in the position for releasing the supporting object;

[0051] [Fig.23] is a perspective view of the terminal which is equipped with a charger induction and a photovoltaic cell, according to an alternative embodiment.

[0052] In the description and the claims, the terminology longitudinal, vertical and transverse will be adopted without limitation with reference to the trihedron L, V, T indicated in the figures, considering that the plate of the support object of [Fig.l] extends in a horizontal plane.

[0053] Also, the expressions “upper” and “lower” will be used without limitation in reference to the upper part and the lower part respectively of [Fig.l], and the expressions rear and front in reference to the left part and the right part respectively of [Fig.l].

[0054] Furthermore, throughout these figures, identical or similar elements are identified by identical or similar reference signs.

[0055] Detailed description of embodiments of the invention

[0056] Figures 1 and 2 show a mobile charging terminal 10 for an electrical device of the mobile telephone type commonly called a “smartphone”, according to a first embodiment of the invention.

[0057] The terminal 10 comprises a chassis 12 which contains a battery 14 (visible in [Fig.8]) fulfilling the function of an electrical energy source, a recharging interface 16 provided for electrically supplying at least one electrical device by means of the battery 14, and a clamp 18 for fixing the recharging terminal 10 to a support object.

[0058] According to a preferred example of implementation of the invention, the support object is a table top 20, typically a restaurant or café table.

[0059] The chassis 12 comprises a first part 22 in the shape of a “C” which delimits a housing 24 intended to be engaged on the edge of the plate 20 from rear to front in a longitudinal direction, as illustrated in figures 1 and 5.

[0060] The first “C”-shaped part 22 comprises an upper portion 26 and a lower portion 28 which extend horizontally opposite each other, and which are connected to each other by a vertical intermediate portion 30.

[0061] With reference to [Fig. 3], it will be noted that the first “C” shaped part 22 of the chassis 12 is made with a left half-shell 32a and a right half-shell 32b, which are similar and which are assembled together by shape cooperation along a median vertical junction plane PI which extends longitudinally.

[0062] As can be seen in Figures 4 and 5, the left half-shell 32a is assembled by recessing onto the right half-shell 32b by means of three tabs 34 which are formed by the left half-shell 32a.

[0063] The three tabs 34 cooperate with three complementary grooves 36 which are delimited by the right half-shell 32b, each tab 34 being fixed to the associated groove 36 by a screw 38.

[0064] Thus, the first “C”-shaped part 22 of the chassis 12 is removable.

[0065] Advantageously, two of the three screws 38 are accessible only from the housing 24, so that the disassembly of the half-shells 32a, 32b of the first part 22 in “C” of the chassis 12 is impossible when the terminal 10 is mounted on the plate 20 of the support object.

[0066] With reference to [Fig.8], the frame 12 comprises a second part 40 which extends vertically from the upper portion 26 of the first part 22.

[0067] The second part 40 of the chassis 12 comprises a vertical barrel 42 which contains the battery 14.

[0068] The barrel 42 extends from bottom to top from a lower end closed by a base 44 which is fitted onto the first part 22 of the chassis 12, to an upper end covered by a cap 46.

[0069] The assembly formed by the base 44, the barrel 42 and the cap 46 is secured to the upper portion 26 of the first part 22 of the chassis 12 by four removable rods 48, two of which are visible in [Fig.8].

[0070] Each rod 48 extends vertically from an upper free end head 50 which is embedded in the cap 46, to a lower threaded section 52 onto which a nut 54 is screwed to lock the associated rod 48 onto the chassis 12.

[0071] It will be noted that the nuts 54 are accessible only from the housing 24, which prevents the disassembly of the barrel 42 and the battery 14 when the terminal 10 is mounted on the plate 20 of the support object.

[0072] [Fig.2] illustrates the charging interface 16 which is intended to power one or more electrical devices simultaneously, by means of the battery 14.

[0073] For this purpose, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the charging interface 16 comprises four wired electrical connectors 56.

[0074] In this example, two connectors 56 are equipped with a connection tip 571 of the USB-C type, one connector 56 is equipped with a connection tip 572 of the micro-connector type and one connector 56 is equipped with a proprietary connection tip 573.

[0075] Each connector 56 is connected to the battery 14 by means of a dedicated cable 58.

[0076] In addition, each connector 56 is carried by a rack 60 which is arranged on an upper part of the chassis 12.

[0077] The wired connection offers a suitable solution for rapid charging of a device, while allowing handling and use of the device while charging.

[0078] As mentioned previously, the terminal 10 according to the invention comprises a clamp 18 which is provided for the removable fixing of the terminal 10 on the plate 20 forming a support object.

[0079] For this purpose, with reference to [Fig.5], still according to the first embodiment of the invention, the fixing clamp 18 comprises a first fixed jaw 62 which is integral with the chassis 12 and a second movable jaw 64.

[0080] The movable jaw 64 is articulated between a clamping position illustrated in Figures 1 to 5, in which the fixed jaw 62 and the movable jaw 64 are brought together in a vertical clamping direction to clamp and pinch the plate 20, and a loosening position illustrated in [Fig.7] in which the fixed jaw 62 and the movable jaw 64 are moved apart in the vertical clamping direction, to release the plate 20 from the support object.

[0081] As can be seen in [Fig.5], the movable jaw 64 is driven in movement by a lever 66 which comprises a first branch 68 and a second branch 70 which are arranged at right angles.

[0082] The first branch 68 forms an actuating handle which is arranged on the back of the vertical intermediate portion 30 of the chassis 12.

[0083] The second branch 70 is connected to the movable jaw 64 and it is arranged below the lower portion 28 of the chassis 12.

[0084] According to this first embodiment of the invention, the fixing clamp 18 is of the toggle type, the movable jaw 64 comprising a first front link 72 and a second rear link 74.

[0085] The first connecting rod 72 extends from a first front end 76, which is pivotally mounted on the lower portion 28 of the chassis 12 around a first transverse articulation axis A materialized by a first shaft 77A, to a second rear end 78.

[0086] The front end 76 of the first connecting rod 72 is connected to the lever 66 by a relatively closed V-shaped elbow 67.

[0087] It will be noted that the first connecting rod 72 is made integrally with the lever 66, that is to say in a single piece.

[0088] The second connecting rod 74 extends from a first front end 80, which is pivotally mounted on the rear end 78 of the first connecting rod 72 around a second transverse intermediate articulation axis B embodied by a second shaft 77B, to a second free rear end 82.

[0089] This rear end 82 is pivotally mounted on the lower portion 28 of the chassis 12 around a third transverse articulation axis C materialized by a third shaft 77C.

[0090] The first articulation axis A, the second articulation axis B and the third articulation axis C are parallel.

[0091] As can be seen in [Fig.9], the second connecting rod 74 has a Y shape which comprises two longitudinal front branches 84 which are articulated on a complementary tenon 86 of the first connecting rod 72 by means of the second shaft 77B, and an opposite longitudinal rear branch 88 which is articulated on the chassis 12 by means of the third shaft 77C.

[0092] Also, the first shaft 77A and the third shaft 77C each have two free ends 90, 92 respectively, which project transversely on each side of the movable jaw 64 and which are each received in a complementary housing (not shown) provided on the chassis 12, to guide the first shaft 77A and the third shaft 77C in pivoting.

[0093] On reading the above, it is understood that the movable jaw 64 is driven in movement by the lever 66 which is pivotally mounted on the chassis 12 around the first articulation axis A, between an open position illustrated in [Fig.7], corresponding to the loosening position of the movable jaw 64, and a closed position illustrated in Figures 1 to 5, corresponding to the clamping position of the movable jaw 64.

[0094] With reference to [Fig. 6], when the lever 66 is driven from its open position to its closed position, the second intermediate articulation axis B of the movable jaw 64 passes beyond an alignment point between the three articulation axes A, B, C.

[0095] Passing this alignment point corresponds to a hard point which allows the lever 66 to switch from its open position to its closed position and vice versa.

[0096] The open and closed positions are held stably by the connecting rods 72 and 74.

[0097] Also, when the movable jaw 64 passes the alignment point between the three articulation axes A, B, C, the two connecting rods 72, 74 and the lever 66 tilt into the clamping position and the closed position respectively.

[0098] To facilitate the passage of the alignment point between the three articulation axes A, B, C, the third shaft 77C is a spring shaft designed to buckle in its middle, deforming elastically under the effect of the longitudinal force exerted by the second connecting rod 74 on the third shaft 77C, during the passage of the hard point of the lever 66.

[0099] The force for holding the terminal 10 on the plate 20 results from the component of the force exerted by the third shaft 77C spring via the two connecting rods 72, 74 on pads 110 in the clamping position of the two connecting rods 72, 74.

[0100] The clamp 18 of the toggle type has the advantage of allowing the movable jaw 64 to be able to clamp support objects of different thicknesses because the spacing delimited between the jaws in the clamping position can vary significantly by a few millimeters.

[0101] This feature is made possible by the elasticity of the toggle mechanism described above.

[0102] Thus, the lever 66 can adopt its closed position with support objects of different thicknesses.

[0103] Another advantage of the toggle type clamp 18 lies in the positions stable once the hard point is passed.

[0104] This makes it possible to maintain the lever 66 in its open position during the mounting of the terminal 10 on the plate 20 for example, or to maintain the lever 66 in its closed position without having to exert an effort with a hand.

[0105] Another important point concerning the toggle type clamp 18 is the deformation limit of the spring element, here formed by the third spring shaft 77C.

[0106] Indeed, a spring element is defined by its stiffness and by its elastic limit in bending.

[0107] For the bending limit, it is in the position of alignment of the articulation axes A, B, C that we observe the maximum force and therefore the maximum stress.

[0108] However, the clamp 18 is designed and dimensioned so as to guarantee a deformation of the third spring shaft 77C which remains below the limits permitted by the material.

[0109] In addition, the terminal 10 is equipped with a lock 94, illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 5, which makes it possible to lock the lever 66 in its closed position, to secure the charging terminal 10 on the plate 20.

[0110] The lock 94 comprises a barrel 96 which is mounted longitudinally across the first branch 68 of the lever 66.

[0111] The barrel 96 carries a bolt 98, visible in [Fig.10], which cooperates with a strike plate 100, visible in [Fig.7].

[0112] The latch 100 is delimited by a rear wall 102 and a front wall 104 which are arranged opposite each other and which belong to the chassis 12.

[0113] Also, the strike plate 100 delimits a light 106 for the passage of the bolt 98.

[0114] The barrel 96 delimits a slot 108 for the passage of a removable key which allows to cause the bolt 98 to pivot around a longitudinal axis D, between an unlocking position illustrated in [Fig. 10] and a locking position illustrated in [Fig. 11].

[0115] In its unlocked position, the bolt 98 is arranged vertically opposite the light 106 so that it can be retracted from the strike plate 100 in order to release the lever 66.

[0116] In its locking position, the bolt 98 is arranged to extend horizontally between the rear wall 102 and the front wall 104 of the strike plate 100, so that the bolt 98 opposes the opening of the lever 66 by blocking the lever 66 in its closed position on the frame 12.

[0117] Without limitation, the locking function of the lever 66 can be fulfilled by a code lock (not shown) instead of the key lock 94 described above.

[0118] Thanks to the clamp 18 of the toggle type, the lever 66 in its closed position exerts zero force on the lock 94, which prevents damage to the lock 94.

[0119] According to another aspect of the invention, with reference to [Fig.4], the movable jaw 64 is equipped with two front pads 110 which are carried by the first front connecting rod 72 and two rear pads 110 which are carried by the second rear connecting rod 74.

[0120] The pads 110 each extend vertically from a lower base 114, to an upper bearing face 116 provided to bear vertically on a lower face 114 of the plate 20, in order to immobilize the terminal 10 on the plate 20 by friction.

[0121] The first function of the pads 110 is to obtain a high coefficient of friction which blocks the terminal 10 on the plate 20.

[0122] For this purpose, the pads 110, or at least their bearing face, can be made of rubber-type elastomer.

[0123] Also, the pads 110 are substantially elastically deformable so that they can be compressed, in order to promote the clamping of the plate 20.

[0124] This characteristic also allows the pads 110 to be able to absorb geometric dispersions of the plate 20 and of the terminal 10 itself.

[0125] With reference to Figures 4 and 5, the base 114 of each pad 110 delimits a female imprint 118, visible in detail in [Fig. 12], which is designed to be elastically fitted in a removable manner onto a complementary male mount 120 formed by the movable jaw 64.

[0126] Advantageously, with reference to [Fig. 12], the terminal 10 comprises a set 122 of pads which are intended to be mounted on the movable jaw 64 interchangeably.

[0127] The set 122 includes four first pads 110 such as those previously described, four second pads 124 which are thicker than the first pads 110 and four third pads 126 which are thicker than the second pads 124.

[0128] Thus, depending on the set 122 of pads which is mounted on the movable jaw 64, it is possible to vary the spacing delimited by the clamp 18 when the movable jaw 64 occupies its clamping position, which allows the clamp 18 to adapt to different thicknesses of support objects to be clamped.

[0129] Figures 13 to 17 illustrate a mobile charging terminal 128 according to a second embodiment of the invention.

[0130] Terminal 128 according to the second embodiment is generally similar to terminal 10 according to the first embodiment previously described.

[0131] Therefore, the common parts have the same reference numbers and are not described again.

[0132] As for terminal 10, terminal 128 according to the second embodiment comprises a chassis 12 which contains a battery 14, a recharging interface 16 provided for electrically supplying at least one electrical device by means of battery 14, and a clamp 18 for fixing recharging terminal 128 on a plate 20 forming a support object.

[0133] However, as can be seen in [Fig. 14], the clamp 18 of the terminal 128 comprises a first movable jaw 64a and a second movable jaw 64b, whereas the clamp 18 of the terminal 10 only comprises a single movable jaw 64.

[0134] The two movable jaws 64a, 64b of the terminal 128 are identical and are arranged symmetrically according to a plane P2 of symmetry which extends vertically and longitudinally, as can be seen in [Fig. 14].

[0135] Also, in Figures 14 to 17, the references which relate to the first movable jaw 64a are followed by the letter “a” and the references which relate to the second movable jaw 64b are followed by the letter “b”.

[0136] Each movable jaw 64a, 64b comprises a first front link 72a, 72b and a second rear link 74a, 74b.

[0137] Each first connecting rod 72a, 72b extends from a first front end 76a, 76b which is pivotally mounted on the lower portion 28 of the chassis 12 around a first transverse articulation axis A materialized by a first shaft 77Aa, 77Ab, to a second rear end 78a, 78b.

[0138] As can be seen in [Fig. 15], each first shaft 77Aa, 77Ab extends transversely from a first end 130a, 130b, to a second end 132a, 132b which is received in a complementary housing 134a, 134b provided on the chassis 12, to guide each first shaft 77Aa, 77Ab in pivoting.

[0139] Each second connecting rod 74a, 74b extends from a first front end 80a, 80b, which is pivotally mounted on the rear end 78a, 78b of the associated first connecting rod 72a, 72b, around a second transverse intermediate articulation axis B materialized by a second shaft 77Ba, 77Bb, to a second free rear end 82a, 82b.

[0140] Each rear end 82a, 82b is pivotally mounted around a third transverse articulation axis C materialized by a third shaft 77Ca, 77Cb.

[0141] As for the movable jaw 64 of the terminal 10, each movable jaw 64a, 64b of the terminal 128 according to the second embodiment is articulated between a clamping position of the plate 20, illustrated in figures 14 to 16, and a loosening position of the plate 20, illustrated in [Fig. 17].

[0142] It is understood that each movable jaw 64a, 64b is driven in movement by the lever 66 which is pivotally mounted on the chassis 12 around the first articulation axis A, between an open position illustrated in [Fig. 17], corresponding to the loosening position of each movable jaw 64a, 64b, and a closed position illustrated in FIGS. 13 to 16, corresponding to the clamping position of each movable jaw 64a, 64b.

[0143] When the lever 66 is driven from its open position to its closed position, the second intermediate articulation axis B of each movable jaw 64a, 64b exceeds an alignment point between the three articulation axes A, B, C.

[0144] This alignment point corresponds to a hard point of the lever 66 and to an intermediate position of the movable jaws 64a, 64b (not illustrated).

[0145] As described previously, it is known that the tilting of the movable jaws 64a, 64b between their clamping position and their unclamping position relies on the elasticity of one of the components of the mechanism.

[0146] For this purpose, with reference to figures 14 to 16, each third shaft 77Ca, 77Cb is connected to the chassis 12 by means of a strut 136a, 136b forming a spring, to facilitate the passage of the alignment point between the three articulation axes A, B, C.

[0147] Each strut 136a, 136b comprises two bars 138a, 138b which each extend generally perpendicular to the associated second link 74a, 74b, from a lower section 140a, 140b which is connected to the associated third shaft 77Ca, 77Cb, to an upper section 142a, 142b which is connected to the chassis 12 via an anchoring block 144a, 144b.

[0148] Each strut 136a, 136b is adapted to flex substantially by elastic deformation under the effect of the rearward thrust exerted on each third shaft 77Ca, 77Cb by the associated second connecting rod 74a, 74b, to allow the passage of the hard point of the lever 66 corresponding to the alignment between the three articulation axes A, B, C.

[0149] Still according to the second embodiment of the invention, the battery 14 of the terminal 128 is arranged in the lower portion 28 of the first “C”-shaped part 22 of the chassis 12, so that the battery 14 is located under the plate 20 of the support object.

[0150] More particularly, the battery 14 is housed in a cradle 146, visible in [Fig. 15], which is interposed transversely between the two movable jaws 64a, 64b of the clamp 18.

[0151] This characteristic makes it possible in particular to free up space above the plate 20 of the support object.

[0152] The cradle 146 is fixed to the chassis 12 by the first free end 130a, 130b of each first transverse shaft 77Aa, 77Ab.

[0153] Finally, still according to the second embodiment of the invention, the charging interface 16 comprises four wired electrical connectors 56 which each extend from an end 148 connected to the battery 14, to a connection end piece 150 (two of which are visible in [Fig. 13]).

[0154] The connectors 56 are carried in pairs in a rest position, by two feet 152 which extend vertically from the upper portion 26 of the first “C”-shaped part 22 of the chassis 12.

[0155] With reference to figures 15 to 17, according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, a torsion spring 154a, 154b can be interposed between the frame 12 and each first shaft 77Aa, 77Ab for articulation of the lever 66, to increase the clamping force exerted by the clamp 18 on the plate 20 and to push the lever 66 towards its closed position.

[0156] Each torsion spring 154a, 154b must be calibrated so as not to cancel out, or even exceed, the effect of the third spring shafts 77Ca, 77Cb, which would eliminate the hard point effect and the stability of the lever 66 in the open position.

[0157] Figures 18 to 22 illustrate a mobile charging terminal 156 according to a third embodiment of the invention.

[0158] Terminal 156 according to the third embodiment is generally similar to terminal 10 according to the first embodiment previously described.

[0159] Therefore, the common parts have the same reference numbers and are not described again.

[0160] For the sake of readability, only the first lower “C”-shaped part 22 of the chassis 12 is shown in Figures 18 to 22.

[0161] The first part 22 in “C”, which is made with a similar left half-shell 32a and right half-shell 32b, delimits a housing 24 intended to be engaged on the edge of the plate 20 from rear to front.

[0162] As for terminal 10, terminal 156 according to the third embodiment comprises a clamp 18 for fixing the charging terminal 156 to the plate 20 forming a support object.

[0163] However, as can be seen in [Fig. 18], the clamp 18 of the terminal 156 has a cam mechanism and not a toggle mechanism.

[0164] More particularly, with reference to figures 18 and 19, the clamp 18 for fixing the terminal 156 comprises a first fixed jaw 62 which is integral with the chassis 12 and a second movable jaw 64 which carries two pads 110.

[0165] The movable jaw 64 is pivotally mounted on the chassis 12 by means of a transverse shaft 158 which extends along a transverse pivot axis D.

[0166] With reference to [Fig. 18], the shaft 158 extends from a first free end 160a to a second free end 160b which are received respectively in a first housing (not shown) and a second housing 162b formed by the left half-shell 32a and the right half-shell 32b of the chassis 12.

[0167] Also, the movable jaw 64 forms a cage 164 which opens transversely and which is delimited by a wall 166.

[0168] In addition, the terminal 156 according to the third embodiment comprises a cam 168 which extends transversely along an axis E, inside the cage 164 of the movable jaw 64.

[0169] The cam 168 comprises a cylindrical tubular body 170 which extends transversely along the axis E, from a first free end 172a to a second free end 172b which are mounted respectively in a first oblong hole 174a and a second oblong hole 174b formed by the left half-shell 32a and the right half-shell 32b of the chassis 12.

[0170] Thus, the cam 168 is mounted free in translation in the oblong holes 174a, 174b.

[0171] As can be seen in [Fig. 19], the cam 168 is also connected to the chassis 12 by a cylindrical spring bar 176.

[0172] For this purpose, the spring bar 176 extends transversely along the axis E from a first free end 178a, to a second free end 178b which are received respectively in a first housing 180a and a second housing 180b formed by the left half-shell 32a and the right half-shell 32b of the chassis 12.

[0173] The cam 168 is mounted on the spring bar 176 by means of a spacer 182 which is formed by a cylindrical ring arranged axially in the middle of the spring bar 176.

[0174] Finally, the cam 168 has an external profile 184 which has a section of variable radius, generally circular.

[0175] The outer profile 184 of the cam 168 extends transversely in an offset manner relative to its tubular body 170 and to the spring bar 176.

[0176] Also, the external profile 184 of the cam 168 is provided to cooperate with the internal wall 166 of the cage 164 forming a rolling path, in order to impart a movement to the movable jaw 64.

[0177] With reference to [Fig.21], the cam 168 is integral in movement with the lever 66 which comprises a first branch 68 and a second branch 70 which are arranged at right angles.

[0178] The first branch 68 of the lever 66 forms an actuating handle which is arranged on the back of the vertical intermediate portion 30 of the chassis 12.

[0179] The second branch 70 of the lever 66 is connected to the cam 168, on either side of the movable jaw 64, as can be seen in [Fig. 19].

[0180] The cam mechanism according to the third embodiment of the invention operates in the following manner.

[0181] The movable jaw 64 is articulated between a clamping position illustrated in Figures 18, 19 and 21, in which the fixed jaw 62 and the movable jaw 64 are brought together to clamp and pinch the plate 20, and a loosening position illustrated in [Fig.22], in which the fixed jaw 62 and the movable jaw 64 are moved apart in the vertical clamping direction, to release the plate 20 from the support object.

[0182] The lever 66 is pivotally mounted on the chassis 12 around the axis D, between an open position illustrated in [Fig.22], corresponding to the position of release of the movable jaw 64, and a closed position illustrated in [Fig.21], corresponding to the position of clamping of the movable jaw 64.

[0183] During the pivoting of the lever 66, the external profile 184 of the cam 168 slides on the internal wall 166 of the cage 164 of the movable jaw 64 in the manner of an eccentric, so that the movable jaw 64 is driven to pivot around its axis D by means of the cam 168, between its clamping position and its unclamping position.

[0184] When the lever 66 occupies its closed position, the cam 168 exerts a force Fl on the movable jaw 64, which is illustrated by an arrow in [Fig.21].

[0185] This force Fl extends generally vertically upwards, perpendicular to the tangent Tl at the point of contact of the external profile 184 of the cam 168 on the cage 168, passing through the center E of the spring bar 176.

[0186] The force Fl is provided by the spring bar 176 which is put into flexion, as can be seen in [Fig. 19].

[0187] Indeed, when the pads 110 come into contact with the plate 20, the lever 66 has not yet reached its closed position, the remaining travel of the lever 66 up to its closed position will put the spring bar 176 in flexion via the cam 168.

[0188] In other words, the spring bar 176 is designed to exert a force on the assembly formed by the movable jaw 64 and the lever 66 via the cam 168 when the movable jaw 64 occupies its clamping position, to oppose the opening of the lever 66 and maintain the lever 66 in its closed position.

[0189] Also, during said remaining travel of the lever 66 to its closed position, the cam 168 slides downwards, guided by the oblong holes 174a, 174b formed by the frame 12.

[0190] The length of the oblong holes 174a, 174b limits the travel of the cam 168 and the rotation of the cam 168, which consequently limits the bending deformation of the spring bar 176.

[0191] This characteristic makes it possible to respect the elastic deformation limits of the mechanism by limiting the forces exerted on the lever 66, the movable jaw 64 and the cam 168, in particular in a situation where the support object which cooperates with the clamp 18 would have too great a thickness.

[0192] An advantage of the cam-type clamp 18 according to the third embodiment of the invention lies in the stable positions of the lever 66 in its closed position and of the movable jaw 64 in its clamping position.

[0193] The stability of the lever 66 in its closed position is obtained thanks to the geometry of the external profile 184 of the cam 168 and the friction of the pads 110 against the plate 20.

[0194] Thus, there is little or no force on the latch 94 when it locks the lever 66 in its closed position.

[0195] In addition, the cam clamp 18 according to the third embodiment of the invention allows cam clamping of the plate 20 while allowing the use of an adhesive coating on the pads 110 of the movable jaw. Indeed, a mechanism with direct contact of the cam on the support would not allow the use of an adhesive coating to increase friction, because the cam would have to be able to “slide” on the support to be clamped.

[0196] Conversely, when the lever 66 occupies its open position illustrated in [Fig.22], the cam 168 exerts a force F2 on the movable jaw 64, this force F2 making it possible to maintain the lever 66 in its open position.

[0197] This force F2 extends generally vertically downwards, perpendicular to the tangent T2 at the point of contact of the external profile 184 of the cam 168 on the cage 168, passing through the center E of the spring bar 176 and is perpendicular.

[0198] The force F2 is provided by the spring bar 176 which is flexed.

[0199] Naturally, the invention is described in the foregoing by way of example. It is it is understood that a person skilled in the art is able to carry out different variant embodiments of the invention without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0200] For example, the different embodiments of the invention can be combined with each other.

[0201] Also, as can be seen in [Fig.23], the charging terminal according to the invention can be equipped with a photovoltaic cell 186 intended to recharge the battery 14.

[0202] Similarly, the charging interface 16 can be supplemented by an induction charger 188 designed to recharge an electrical device 190 without physically connecting the latter.

Claims

Claims

1. Mobile charging terminal (10) for an electrical device, which is intended to be fixed to a support object in a removable manner, the charging terminal (10) comprising at least: • a chassis (12), • an electrical energy source (14) which is mounted on the chassis (12), • a charging interface (16) intended to electrically power at least one electrical device by means of said energy source, and • a clamp (18) for fixing the charging terminal (10) to the support object, which comprises a first fixed jaw (62) secured to the frame (12) and a second movable jaw (64) which is mounted movable relative to the first fixed jaw (62) in a clamping direction, between a clamping position in which said jaws (62, 64) are brought together to clamp the support object, and a loosening position in which said jaws (62, 64) are moved apart to release the support object, characterized in that the second movable jaw (64) is driven in movement by a lever (66) which is pivotally mounted on the chassis (12) around a first articulation axis (A), between an open position corresponding to the loosening position of the second movable jaw (64), and a closed position corresponding to the clamping position of the second movable jaw (64), and in that the charging terminal (10) is equipped with a lock (94) provided to lock said lever (66) in its closed position in order to secure the charging terminal (10) on the associated support object.

2. Mobile charging terminal (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the fixing clamp (18) is of the toggle type, the second movable jaw (64) successively comprising: • a first connecting rod (72) which extends from front to rear from a first front end (76) which is connected to the lever (66) and which is pivotally mounted on the chassis (12) around said first articulation axis (A), up to a second rear end (78), and • a second link (74) which extends back and forth from a first front end (80) which is pivotally mounted on the second rear end (78) of the first link (72) about a second intermediate articulation axis (B), to a second front end (82) which is pivotally mounted on the chassis (12) about a third articulation axis (C), said three articulation axes (A, B, C) being parallel, and in that, when the lever (66) is driven in movement between its open position and its closed position, the second intermediate articulation axis (B) exceeds a point of alignment between the three articulation axes (A, B, C) corresponding to a hard point on the lever (66) and to a passage of the lever (66) from its stable open position to its stable closed position.

3. Mobile charging terminal (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that the third articulation axis (C) is materialized by a shaft (77C) which is elastically deformable, to promote the passage of said alignment point between the three articulation axes (A, B, C), corresponding to the hard point of the lever (66).

4. Mobile charging terminal (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that the third articulation axis (C) is materialized by at least one shaft (77Ca, 77Cb) which is connected to the chassis (12) by means of a spring-forming strut (136a, 136b), to promote the passage of said alignment point between the three articulation axes (A, B, C), corresponding to the hard point of the lever (66).

5. Mobile charging terminal (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the fixing clamp (18) is of the cam type, said clamp (18) comprising a cam (168) which is driven in movement by the lever around a pivot axis (D) and which has an external profile (184) which cooperates with a wall (166) of the movable jaw (64), so that during the pivoting of the lever (66), the external profile (184) of the cam (168) slides on said wall (166) of the movable jaw (64), and so that the lever (66) is driven in pivoting around its axis (D) between its clamping position and its loosening position, by means of the cam (168).

6. Mobile charging terminal (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that it comprises a spring bar (176) which is interposed between the frame (12) and the cam (168) and which is designed to exert a force on the assembly formed by the movable jaw (64) and the lever (66) via the cam (168) when the movable jaw (64) occupies its clamping position, to oppose the opening of the lever (66) and maintain the lever (66) in its closed position.

7. Mobile charging terminal (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second movable jaw (64) is equipped with at least one pad (110) which is provided to cooperate with the support object and which is capable of being substantially compressed to promote the clamping of said support object.

8. Mobile charging terminal (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that it comprises a set (122) of pads (110, 124, 126) which are intended to be mounted on the second movable jaw (64) interchangeably and which each have a different thickness to allow adaptation of the spacing between said jaws (62, 64) in the clamping position, depending on the thickness of the support object to be clamped.

9. Mobile charging station (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrical energy source is a rechargeable electric battery (14).

10. Mobile charging station (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lock (94) comprises a latch (100) which is integral with the frame (12) and a bolt (98) which is movably mounted on the lever (66) between a locking position in which the bolt (98) cooperates with the latch (100) to block the lever (66) in its closed position on the frame (12), and an unlocking position in which the bolt (98) is retracted to release the lever (66), the bolt (98) being actuated by a removable key.

11. Mobile charging terminal (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the charging interface (16) comprises a plurality of wired electrical connectors (56) which are each equipped with a different connection tip (571, 572, 573) and which are each provided to connect said energy source (14) to an electrical device to be recharged.

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