Wireless charging systems and methods of using them

Abstract

A wireless charging system comprising an outlet cover plate and a charger that may be used with standard outlets to recharge a plurality of devices at the same time. Through the use of a cover plate association element and a charger association element, the charger and outlet cover plate may stably retain association with one another and easily be disassociated from one another.

Description

WIRELESS CHARGING SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF USING THEM

[0001] Cross-Reference to Related Application

[0002] This patent application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. provisional patent application serial number 63 / 569,779, filed March 26, 2024, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.

[0003] Field of the Invention

[0004] The present invention relates to wireless chargers for electronic devices.

[0005] Background of the Invention

[0006] Many people have a plurality of rechargeable mobile devices such as smartphones, tablets, and other computing devices, as well as accessories such as wireless headphones and AirPods. Each of these devices requires power and, from time to time, must be recharged. Further, within a given household, each person may have a plurality of devices that need to be recharged. Consequently, within a home, often two or more people will each want to charge a plurality of devices at the same time.

[0007] Unfortunately, charging each of a plurality of devices in a separate outlet is often neither desirable nor practical. In order to address these issues, some people will use power strips that increase the number of devices that can be charged at a given outlet. However, power strips are unsightly, and when multiple cords are used, inevitably, some of those cords become tangled. Moreover, many cords look alike, and time is wasted determining which cord should be used with which device.

[0008] As the number of devices that people use has been increasing, there has also been a move in the mobile device industry to have consumers use wireless charging stations. However, commonly used wireless charging stations are designed with stands for individual devices, and thus, are both cumbersome and unhelpful when a user tries to charge multiple devices at the same time. Therefore, there remains a need for solutions for how to charge multiple portable devices both wirelessly and at the same

[0009] Summary of the Invention

[0010] The present invention provides wireless charging systems and methods for using these systems. Through the use of these systems, one can efficiently and effectively wirelessly charge one or more devices from a single outlet.

[0011] According to a first embodiment, the present invention provides a wireless charging system. The wireless charging system comprises: (a) an outlet cover plate, wherein the outlet cover plate comprises a charger association element, wherein the charger association element is located on a front face of the outlet cover plate; and (b) a charger, wherein the charger comprises: (i) a cover plate association element, (ii) a plug, and (iii) a wireless charging coil, wherein the charger association element and the cover plate association element are capable of engaging each other.

[0012] In some systems, the charger association element comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a first latch member, a second latch member, a third latch member, and a fourth latch member, wherein each latch member comprises an engagement region, wherein the engagement region is a concave region or a convex region. The engagement region of the first latch member and the engagement region of the second latch member may be oriented in a first direction, and the engagement region of the third latch member and the engagement region of the fourth latch member maybe oriented in a second direction, wherein the first direction and the second direction are opposite directions.

[0013] In some systems, the outlet cover plate, as well as a charger’s housing and cover plate association element, are made from a plastic material, through e.g., injection molding or other techniques that are now known or that come to be known to persons of ordinary skill in the art. Other components, such as charging coils, wires, plugs and printed circuit boards (PCBs) may comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of metal or a metal alloy or a combination thereof and are available from commercial sources.

[0014] According to a second embodiment, the present invention provides a method for wirelessly charging one or more devices. The method comprises associating one or more rechargeable devices with a wireless charging system, wherein the one or more devices are capable of being recharged wirelessly. The wireless charging system may comprise: (a) an outlet cover plate, wherein the outlet cover plate comprises a charger association element, wherein the charger association element is located on a front faceof the outlet cover plate; and (b) a charger, wherein the charger comprises: (i) a cover plate association element; (ii) a plug; and (iii) a wireless charging coil, wherein the charger association element and the cover plate association element are capable of engaging each other.

[0015] According to a third embodiment, the present invention provides another wireless charging system. This wireless charging system comprises: a charger, wherein the charger comprises: (i) a plug; and (ii) a plurality of loci on a front side, wherein at each of the loci, a device may be charged wirelessly.

[0016] According to a fourth embodiment, the present invention provides a method for wirelessly charging a device. This method comprises associating a device with the wireless charging system of any of the embodiments of the present invention, wherein the device comprises a battery and energy is transferred wirelessly through the charger to the device.

[0017] Various embodiments of the present invention are desirable because they are user-friendly. In embodiments of the present invention using outlet cover plates, installation may require only a screwdriver to remove an existing outlet cover plate that lacks a charger association element and replacing it with an outlet cover plate of the present invention. Next, one may plug the charger into the outlet and cause the cover plate association element and charger association element to engage each other through, for example, latch mechanisms. After these two elements are engaged, a user may associate one or more rechargeable devices with the charger to initiate wireless charging of the device or devices. Thus, there is no cutting or splicing of electrical wires, which is particularly helpful for renters or people who are uncomfortable with doing electrical work themselves and want to retrofit existing outlets. Moreover, in various embodiments, when the systems are in use, there are no visible wires or cords.

[0018] Brief Description of the Figures

[0019] Figure 1 is a system of the present invention showing a side view of a charger and an outlet cover plate.

[0020] Figure 2A is a first cross-section view of the system of figure 1. Figure 2B is a second cross-section view of the system of figure 1.

[0021] Figure 3 is a smartphone associated with a charger.

[0022] Figure 4 is the system of figure 1 as associated with a smartphone.

[0023] Figure 5 is a charger with the front portion of the housing of the charger removed to show four charging coils.

[0024] Figure 6 is an outlet cover plate.

[0025] Figure 7 is a charger as viewed from the rear side.

[0026] Figure 8 is a system comprising a charger, an outlet cover plate, a plug, and cord.

[0027] Figure 9 is another embodiment of an outlet cover plate of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 10 is an illustration of how a charger may engage the outlet cover plate of figure 9.

[0029] Figure 11 is another embodiment of an outlet cover plate of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 12A is another embodiment of a charger of the present invention. Figure 12B shows the charger with a cord connected to an outlet. Figure 12C shows the elements of figure 12B from a different vantage point. Figure 12D shows the bottom of the charger of figure 12 A.

[0031] Figure 13A is another embodiment of a charger of the present invention. In this embodiment the charging locations are raised i.e., protrude from the front of the charger. Figure 13B is a side view of the embodiment of figure 13A.

[0032] Figure 14A shows the rear view of a charger with a plug container in a first position. Figure 14B shows the charger of figure 14A with the plug container in a second position. Figure 14C shows the charger of figure 14B aligned with, but not engaged, with an outlet cover plate. Figure 14D shows the charger of figure 14C as engaged with an outlet cover plate. Figure 14E shows the charger of figure 14C aligned with, but not engaged with, an outlet cover plate and outlet. Figure 14F shows the charger of figure 14C engaged, with an outlet cover plate and outlet.

[0033] Detailed Description of the Invention

[0034] Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying figures. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, unless otherwise indicated or implicit from context, the details are intended to be examples and should not be deemed to limit the scope of the invention in any way. Additionally, features described in connection with the various or specific embodiments are not to be construed as inappropriate for use in connection with other embodiments disclosed herein, unless such exclusivity is explicitly stated or implicit from context.

[0035] The terms “about” and “approximately” mean an acceptable error for a particular value as determined by one of ordinary skill in the art, which depends, in part, on how the value is measured or determined. In certain embodiments, the term “about” or “approximately” means within 1, 2, 3, or 4 standard deviations. In certain embodiments, the term “about” or “approximately” means within 30%, 20%, 15%, 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, 1%, 0.5%, 0.1%, or 0.05%, of a given value or range.

[0036] Headers are provided for the convenience of the reader and do not limit the scope of any of the embodiments disclosed herein. Additionally, the figures are provided to facilitate the reader’s understanding of the various embodiments of the present invention. However, they are not necessarily drawn to scale, and they shall not limit the scope of the invention or any patent claims.

[0037] Systems

[0038] In some embodiments, the systems of the present invention comprise an outlet cover plate and a charger. The outlet cover plate and the charger are designed to be capable of engaging each other and stably associating with each other. Engagement may, for example, be through one or more of latch mechanisms, nesting, friction, and / or gravity. In some embodiments, the charger and outlet cover plate may be reversibly coupled to each other, i.e., they are capable of being associated with each other and disassociated from each other without undesirably destroying the integrity of either element, which allows for them to be reassociated with each other or, for example, withother outlet cover plates or chargers. Thus, in a room or home or office that has a plurality of outlets with outlet cover plates of the present invention, a user may easily relocate a charger from a first outlet that has a first outlet cover plate of the present invention to a second outlet that has a second outlet cover plate of the present invention. Additionally, or alternatively, one may move a cover plate from one outlet to another outlet. In some embodiments, as shown in profile in figure 1, the charger 120 is larger than, and thereby covers and, thus, obscures, the outlet cover plate 110 from view, and no wires, cords, or plugs are visible.

[0039] Outlet Cover Plates

[0040] In some embodiments, the outlet cover plate is a part of the system of the present invention that allows the charger to associate with an outlet. In some embodiments, see e.g., figure 6, the outlet cover plate 600 forms a frame. The frame may be defined by an inner frame edge, which forms the perimeter of an opening 690 through which one can access an outlet (not shown), and an outer frame edge, which forms the perimeter of the largest dimensions of the outlet cover plate. The outlet cover plate may have a footprint that is any regular or irregular shape, e.g., a circle, an oval, an ellipse or a rectangle.

[0041] The side of the outlet cover plate that is designed to face a wall may be referred to as a rear face, and the side of the outlet cover plate that may be designed to face away from the wall, e.g., toward a room, may be referred to as a front face. In some embodiments, the rear face is Hat, substantially flat or has a flat perimeter at one or both of the external and internal edges of the frame that is formed and is partially concave. In some embodiments, the front face is flat, or substantially flat with rounded edges at one or both of the external and internal edges and / or corners of the frame that is formed, except that it may also have one or more charger association elements that protrude from and / or recede into the otherwise flat surface.

[0042] The width (first outer side edge to second outer side edge of a face) and height (upper to lower edge of a face) may be the same as, or larger than or smaller than, outlet cover plates that are commonly used today. For example, in some embodiments, they may be from about 5 cm to about 10 cm or about 6 cm to about 8 cm wide, and about 10 cm to about 18 cm or about 12 cm to about 16 cm tall. Additionally, in someembodiments, the distance from the rear face to the front face is from about 0.25 cm to about 1.75 cm or about 0.75 cm to about 1.25 cm.

[0043] The outlet cover plates of the present invention may be designed in such a manner that a user can easily replace existing outlet cover plates. For example, the outlet cover plate may comprise an upper bore 610 and a lower bore 620 located above and below the frame opening 690, and through which one may insert screws that are capable of retaining association with the threads of the outlet with which one wishes to associate the outlet cover plate.

[0044] The outlet cover plate may comprise a charger association element. The charger association element is a set of one or more structures located on the front face of the outlet cover plate. In some embodiments, the charger association element protrudes away from the front face, i.e., into a room or away from a wall when the outlet cover plate is affixed to an outlet that is located in a wall. In some embodiments, the charger association element comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of one or more recesses. In some embodiments, the charger association element comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of one or more protruding elements. In some embodiments, the charger association element comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of both one or more protruding elements and one or more recesses.

[0045] In some embodiments, the charger association element comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a pair of channels, for example, a first channel and a second channel 660. In some embodiments, the first channel and the second channel are oriented such that the length of the channels may be parallel to each other and to the height (longer dimension) of the outlet cover plate. Thus, they may form vertical channels when the outlet cover plate is affixed to a wall outlet. In some embodiments, the length of each channel is the same as, or smaller than, the height of the outlet cover plate. In some embodiments, the length of the first channel and the length of the second channel are the same and are from about 1 cm to about 5 cm or from about 2 cm to about 4 cm. In some embodiments, the walls of each channel have a thickness of from about 0.25 cm to about 1.0 cm.

[0046] Each channel may be of a uniform width or each channel may have a decreasing or tapering width. Further, each channel may be open at both ends or open at one end, e.g., the upper end 630 and 640, and closed at the other end, e.g., the lower end. Insome embodiments, the cavity of each channel has a width of from about 0.1 cm to about 0.8 cm or from about 0.3 cm to about 0.5 cm.

[0047] In some embodiments, the channels may open in the same direction, e.g., away from the front face of the outlet cover plate such that the base of each channel is the front face or has a base that is in a plane that is partially or entirely parallel to the front face, and each channel has a first and second wall protruding away from, e.g., perpendicular to, the front face of the outlet cover plate.

[0048] In other embodiments, the channels may open in different directions, e.g., toward or away from each other such that a first side wall of each channel is part of the front face of the outlet cover plate, or is partially or completely in a plane parallel to the front face of the outlet cover plate, and each channel has a base that is formed by an element protruding from the front face; and a second wall that is partially or completely in a plane that is parallel or substantially parallel to the front face of the outlet cover plate. When the channels open toward each other, the long openings of the channels are closer to each other than the bases of the channels are to each other. When the channels open away from each other, the bases of the channels are closer to each other than the long openings of the channels are to each other.

[0049] In some embodiments, the channels are located partially or completely within the upper half of the front face of the outlet cover plate. In some embodiments, the channels are vertically centered on the front face of the outlet cover plate. In some embodiments, the upper ends of the channels are located no higher than the upper edge of the inner frame formed by the outlet cover plate, and / or the lower ends of the channels are located no lower than the lower edge of the inner frame formed by the outlet cover plate.

[0050] In some embodiments, the outlet cover plate comprises a horizontal member 670. The horizontal member, if present, may be located lower than the lower edge of the opening of the frame formed by the outlet cover plate and be parallel or at least substantially parallel to that edge. In some embodiments, the horizontal member is located at the lower edge or near the lower edge of the front face of the outlet cover plate. The horizontal member, if present, may, for example, run from a first edge to a second edge of the front face, e.g., a left edge to a right edge or a shorter distance, e.g., be longer than the lower edge of the opening formed by the outlet cover plate but shorterthan the width of the outlet cover plate. By way of non-limiting examples, the horizontal member may, for example, be from about 3 cm to about 8 cm or about 4 cm to about 7 cm long. In some embodiments, the horizontal member is centered between the left and rights sides of the outlet cover plate on the front face of the outlet cover plate and has a thickness of from about 0.25 cm to about 1.0 cm. In some embodiments, it may protrude from the front face from about 0.25 cm to about 1.0 cm. In some embodiments, the horizontal member forms a ledge of uniform thickness with parallel, or substantially parallel, upper and lower sides, / .<?., are in parallel or substantially parallel planes.

[0051] Optionally, the outlet cover plate comprises one or more stabilization elements. In some embodiments, the charger association element, which may, for example, comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of the first channel and second channel noted above, or of the first channel, the second channel and the horizontal member noted above, which allows for the charger to engage or to retain association with the outlet cover plate by, for example, the nesting of its elements and taking advantaging of the effects of gravity. There may, however, also be stabilization elements that cause the association to be more stable and, for example, comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of one or more, e.g., two, three, or four, latch members.

[0052] Thus, there may, for example, be a first stabilization element located in the first channel and a second stabilization element located in the second channel. Additionally, or alternatively, there may be one or more stabilization elements located in the horizontal member. One or more of the stabilization elements may, for example, be latch members. When a stabilization element is in a channel such as the first channel or the second channel, it may, for example, be in the form of a concave or convex region that can temporarily be displaced when a complementary member from the charger is inserted. These elements are engaged when, for example, a convex region of the cover plate association element resides in the concave region of the charger association element. When a horizontal member comprises a stabilization element, the stabilization element may, for example, be in the form of a concave or convex region that can temporarily be displaced when a complementary member from the charger is inserted. In some embodiments, the stabilization element comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of one or more structures located at or near one or both ends of the horizontal member and forms a concave or convex region that is oriented upward or downward.Alternatively, the stabilization element may run the entire length of the horizontal member, or substantially the entire length of the horizontal member, e.g., at least 80% of the length, or at length 90% of the length, or at least 95% of the length of the horizontal member. In some embodiments, when the stabilization element is in the horizontal member, the horizontal member is an elongated concave or convex ridge. In some embodiments, the stabilization element is made of a material that may temporarily be displaced upon the application of force, so as to allow for the engagement with a reciprocal element on the charger.

[0053] In other embodiments, in addition to, or instead of, vertical channels and the optional horizontal member described above, the charger association element comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of one or more pairs of latch members. In some embodiments, there is one pair of latch members located in the upper section of the outlet cover plate. In some embodiments, there is a first pair of latch members located in the upper section of the outlet cover plate and a second pair of latch members located in the lower section of the outlet cover plate. In some embodiments, a bore for screwing the outlet cover plate to the charger is located between each pair of latch members that is present.

[0054] Figure 9 provides an example of the use of latch members, and the absence of channels, as well as the absence of a horizontal member. As shown, the outlet cover plate 900 forms a frame 950 with an opening 921 that can provide access to an outlet (not shown). A first pair of latch members, 901 and 902, is located in the upper section of outlet cover plate on the front face. Each of the latch members in this first set of latch members has a concave region that opens upward. A first bore 910 is located between these latch members.

[0055] A second pair of latch members, 903 and 904, is located in the lower section of the outlet cover plate. Each of the latch members in this second set of latch members has a concave region that opens downward. A second bore 920 is located between these latch members. In other embodiments, the latch mechanisms are located higher or lower than the bores.

[0056] Figure 11 provides another example of a cover plate 1100 that uses latch members. The latch members 1111, 1112, 1113, and 1114 are oriented in a configuration that is similar to that of figure 9. However, rather than having concaveregions, they have flat regions and terminate in a thicker region distal to the end of the front face of the cover plate. The thicker region may, for example, be convex, e.g., a nub that runs the width of the terminal end of the latch member. In latch members 1111 and 1112, the thicker regions (e.g., nubs) protrude toward the upper edge of the plate, whereas in latch members 1113 and 1114, the nubs protrude toward the lower edge of the plate. Additionally, whereas in figure 9, there is an absence of any additional structures for maintaining association between the cover plate and the charger, in figure 11, there are also lead in support members 1121, 1122, 1123, and 1124. The lead in support members aid in one or both of guiding the charger onto the cover plate and retaining association between the charger and the cover plate. A non-limiting example of a set of lead in support members are shown in figure 11 as being substantially vertical and perpendicular to the planes of the latches. Thus, whereas the latches may be parallel of substantially parallel to the upper and lower edges of a rectangular outlet cover plate, the lead in support members are parallel or substantially parallel to the side (e.g., right and left) edges of a rectangular outlet cover plate. The four lead in support members, as shown, are oriented in two pairs. Optionally, one may have fewer or more lead in support members, e.g., one pair, three pairs, four pairs, five pairs, or six pairs or more. In this embodiment as shown in the figure, the distance between the upper pair of latch members and the lower pair of latch members is less than the distance between the upper bore and the lower bore. Alternatively, the distance between the upper pair of latch members and the lower pair of latch members may be greater than the distance between the upper bore and the lower bore.

[0057] The shape of the lead in support members may be any regular or irregular shape, and they may, for example, be exclusively flat or have a flat vertical region, e.g., 1141, 1151, and as shown, also contain small horizontal bracing elements 1142, 1152 (the horizontal elements of 1121 and 1123 are obscured from view). When there are two or more pairs of lead in support members, then within each pair, a flat region may be coplanar with the flat region of another lead in support member of another pair, e.g., 1141 and 1151 are co-planar and 1161 and 1171 are co-planar. As shown, the horizontal elements are located on the lead in support members on the sides proximate to the outer edges of the cover plates.

[0058] When the lead in support members are present, within each pair, the distance between their most distant surfaces may be the same as or slightly greater than theopening of the width of the cavity in the charger. By being spaced at this distance, when the charger is associated with the outlet cover plate, the lead in support members will exert opposite directional forces on the charger. The charger may or may not have reciprocal elements for engaging the lead in support members. If the charger has an absence of reciprocal members, then the lead in support members will exert force solely on the side walls of the cavity of the charger.

[0059] Chargers

[0060] The charger, an example of which is shown in figure 7, contains the hardware for wirelessly recharging devices and is capable of associating with the outlet cover plate. Thus, in figure 7, the charger 700 comprises a cover plate association element and one or more wireless charging coils. The charger has a housing, which defines the outer volume of the charger, and contains the hardware for delivering power to the device or devices to be recharged. In some embodiments, the housing has dimensions of: a width of from about 16 cm to about 20 cm, or about 17 cm to about 19 cm; a length of from about 16 cm to about 20 cm, or about 17 cm to about 19 cm; and a depth of from about 1 cm to about 5 cm, or about 2 cm to about 4 cm.

[0061] The cover plate association element in the figure is a set of one or more structures that is capable of mating, nesting or otherwise associating or engaging with one or more structures of the charger association element of the outlet cover plate. In some embodiments, the cover plate association element is a set of guide walls, e.g., a first guide wall 720 and a second guide wall 730. The first guide wall is of a size and shape that fits partially or entirely within the first channel of the outlet cover plate, and the second guide wall is of a size and shape that fits partially or entirely within the second channel of the outlet cover plate.

[0062] In some embodiments, the charger may have a rear side 710, which is the side that will be proximate to the outlet cover plate when the charger is associated with the outlet cover plate, and it may have a front side, which is the side that will be distal to the outlet cover plate when the charger is associated with the outlet cover plate. The rear side may have an opening to a cavity 740. The opening to this cavity may be entirely in the rear side, or it may partially be in the rear side of the charger and partially in one or more side walls of the charger 721, e.g., the lower side wall, which is a sidewall that is in a plane that is perpendicular, or substantially perpendicular, to the guide walls. In figure 8, the charger 810 is shown connected to the outlet within an outlet cover plate 890, but for illustrative purposes laying down, as might be the case when one inserts the plug into the outlet but prior to having the outlet cover plate and charger engage each other. A cord for carrying electricity 882 extends from the charger and terminates with a plug 881 that is connected to the outlet.

[0063] When guide walls are present, in some embodiments, they are located at or near edges of the opening of the cavity but span only a portion of the edges of the cavity. By way of a non-limiting example, the first guide wall 831 may be located at or near a first edge of the opening of the cavity, and the second guide wall 832 may be located at or near a second edge of the opening of the cavity. The first edge and the second edge may, for example, be opposite edges. Thus, the first guide wall and the second guide wall may, for example, protrude from their respective edges and toward each other in the same plane as the edge or slightly set back in the cavity, e.g., from about 1 mm to about 5 mm lower into the cavity than the face of the rear side of the charger. Alternatively, the first guide wall may form or be part of a first edge of the cavity, and the second guide wall may form or be part of a second edge of the cavity. In some embodiments, each guide wall has a length of from about 0.5 to about 3 cm or from about 1.0 cm to about 2 cm.

[0064] Optionally, each guide wall comprises a mating element that is capable of mating with, and of being engaged by, a stabilization element. Thus, the first guide wall may comprise a first mating element, and the second guide wall may comprise a second mating element. Each mating element may, for example, be in the form of a concave or convex region.

[0065] Additionally, or alternatively, there are one or more mating elements that are designed to engage the stabilization element or elements of a horizontal member. Thus, by way of a non-limiting example, when the opening of the cavity is exclusively in the rear side of the charger, and the cavity has side walls, the lower side wall of the cavity, (the side wall that will be parallel and proximate to the horizontal member), may comprise one or more concave or convex regions that are capable of mating with the stabilization element or elements of the horizontal member. Thus, there may be a convex region of the lower side wall of the cavity that spans the width, or substantiallythe width, of the lower wall of the cavity. Alternatively, there may be concave regions on the lower side wall of the cavity.

[0066] In other embodiments, as shown in figure 10, instead of vertical guide walls and the optional mating element for a horizontal member, the charger may have convex structures, such as nubs, that are oriented upward or downward and are located at regions that allow for engagement with latch members. For illustrative purposes, figure 10 shows a cut away of a charger 1000 and outlet cover plate 900, and thus, shows only one of each of the pair of latch members shown in figure 9. As assembled, an upper latch member 902 and a lower latch member 904 each protrude into cavity 1020 of the charger. The first latch member 902 has a concave region that opens upward. The charger has a first convex structure, such as a nub 1002, that is oriented downward and protrudes into the cavity. The second latch member 904 has a concave region that opens downward and protrudes into the cavity. The charger has a second convex structure such as a nub 1004 that is oriented upward into the cavity.

[0067] One may cause association of this charger with the outlet cover plate by, for example, inserting the upper convex structures into the upper latch members, then pulling down and urging or snapping the lower convex structures into the lower latch members. Alternatively, association of this charger may, for example, be accomplished by inserting the lower convex structures into the lower latch members and then pulling up and urging or snapping the upper convex structures into the upper latch members. The latch members and / or convex and concave structures, if present, may be made of a material that is displaceable to a degree and allows the convex and concave structures to be urged into place though mechanical force. By way of further non-limiting example, the latch members may contain protrusions that mate with recesses or gaps in the walls of the cavity of a charger.

[0068] In some embodiments, the charger also comprises a location 760 for a wire or cord to be connected to, and thus, also be detached from, the charger. In other embodiments, the wire or cord is not detachable and extends from the interior of the housing of the charger. In either case, the wire or cord runs from the charger to a plug, and when the charger is not in use, the plug and portion of the wire or cord that is not within the interior of the charger may be stored in the cavity. Additionally, when the plug is connected to the outlet and the charger and outlet cover plate are engaged, a portion or all of the wire may reside in the cavity.

[0069] The plug is capable of being inserted into the outlet and receiving electricity from the outlet.

[0070] Within the charger are one more charging coils, e.g., one, two, three or four charging coils. The charging coils define charging regions, which are the regions on the housing at which the devices to be charged may be placed in order to receive the charge from the charger. In some embodiments, the charging coils are of a size and power of Qi2 wireless chargers that are now known, or that will come to be known, to persons of ordinary skill in the art for wirelessly charging devices such as smartphones and tablets. Thus, they may follow, e.g., the Qi2 Standard, and obtain power from a control board. Each coil may have a separate control board interface for device communication. The charging coils may connect to a main PCB via ribbon cables in a plurality, e.g., two, three, four or more assemblies. The main PCB of the charger may, for example, be capable of converting 120v AC to DC (approximately 120 Watts) power that is needed by the charging coils and any of the optional USB ports, e.g., USB- C ports that are present. If any USB-C ports are present as described below, they may be mounted on the main PCB. The aforementioned standards are currently employed in the United States. As persons of ordinary skill in the art will recognize, different jurisdictions may use different standards, as may the United States in the future, and within the scope of the present invention, chargers are tailored for those standards in order to receive electricity from a power source and to deliver it through wireless charging coils that comply with those standards.

[0071] Referring to figure 3, the housing of the charger 120 may have a cover with a front side, wherein the front side comprises a first charging region 350, a second charging region 360, a third charging region 370 and a fourth charging region 380. The first charging coil is located behind the first charging region, the second charging coil is located behind the second charging region, the third charging coil is located behind the third charging region, and the fourth charging coil is located behind the fourth charging region. In some embodiments, the front side is at least substantially a rectangle; e.g., a square or substantially a square, e.g. , a square except that it has rounded corners and / or edges. The first region may be a left upper region of the front side. The second region may be a left lower region of the front side. The third region may be a right lower region of the front side. The fourth region may be a right upper region of the front side. A rechargeable device 320 may be placed at any one of thecharging regions and held there by magnetic forces. Although not shown in figure 3, additional rechargeable devices may be placed at the other charging regions at the same time. For illustrative purposes, within figure 3, the aforementioned regions are shown by circles. However, in some embodiments, the front face of the charger does not contain visible signs of the charging regions, and the front side is flat. In other embodiments, regardless of whether the front side is flat, the charging regions may be denoted by designs or lights that are visible when devices are not being charged and / or partially visible when devices are being charged.

[0072] Figure 4 provides a profile view of the system of figure 3, in which the outlet cover plate 110 is associated with the charger 120, which is associated with a smartphone 320. In some embodiments, when the charger is in use, the front side is in a plane that is parallel to the wall and / or front side of the outlet cover plate (which are perpendicular to the plane of the ground), and magnetic forces hold the device(s) with sufficient strength that the device(s) to be charged can be oriented vertically and will not be moved toward the ground or floor by gravity.

[0073] Figure 5 shows a charger 120 with the front face removed. Four charging coils are shown 550, 560, 570, and 580. By their locations, these charging coils define the locations of the charging regions of the charger’s front side (not shown).

[0074] In some embodiments, the charger obscures the entirety of both the outlet and the front face of the outlet cover plate. In some embodiments, the front face of the outlet cover plate is in a first plane, and the front side of the charger is in a second plane, wherein the first plane and the second plane are parallel.

[0075] According to another embodiment, the present invention provides a wireless charging system that comprises a charger, wherein the charger comprises (i) a plug, and (ii) a plurality of loci on a front side, wherein at each of the loci, a device may be charged wirelessly. In this embodiment, one may charge a plurality of devices at the same time.

[0076] The plug may be the same as the plugs used in connection with other embodiments of the present invention or it may be housed in a plug container as described below.

[0077] In some embodiments, the front side of the charger is smooth. In some embodiments, the front side of the charger is flat, existing in a single plane.

[0078] In other embodiments, the front side of the charger has one or more protruding regions. The protruding regions may be regular or irregular shapes and, when there is a plurality of protruding regions, each one may be the same size and / or shape or two or more may be different sizes or shapes. For example, there may be a first protruding region, and a second protruding region, and optionally a third protruding region, and a fourth protruding region. Each of these regions may, for example, be in the shape of a disc, a cylinder, cuboid, a triangular prism, a pentagonal prism, or a hexagonal prism or other regular or irregular three-dimensional shape.

[0079] In some embodiments, each protruding region in front of or comprises a charging region, e.g., contained within each protruding region may be a charging coil. For example, if there are four protruding regions, within the charger there may be a first charging coil, a second charging coil, a third charging coil, and a fourth charging coil. Thus, in some embodiments, a first protruding region comprises a first charging region, and a second protruding region comprises a second charging region. Optionally, there may be a third protruding region that comprises a third charging region. Additionally, there may be a fourth protruding region that comprises a fourth charging region.

[0080] In some embodiments, the front side of the charger is at least substantially a rectangle (e.g., may be a square) and the first protruding region is a left upper region of the front side, the second protruding region is a left lower region of the front side, the third protruding region is a right lower region of the front side, and the fourth protruding region is a right upper region of the front side.

[0081] In some embodiments, each protruding region has a flat face. The flat faces of the protruding regions may be co-planar. In some embodiments, although the flat faces of the protruding regions are co-planar, they are not contiguous, and thus, they are discrete. Optionally, the protruding regions have walls that are perpendicular to the flat faces. Further, when there are protruding regions, in some embodiments, the portion of the front face of the charger that is not within the protruding regions is planar and optionally in a plane that is parallel to the plane of the flat faces of the protruding regions.

[0082] These systems may, for example, be used in connection with attachment mechanisms and cover plates of other embodiments of the present invention. For example, the systems may further comprise: (a) an outlet cover plate, wherein the outlet cover plate comprises a charger association element, wherein the charger association element is located on a front face of the outlet cover plate; and (b) a cover plateassociation element, wherein the cover plate association element is part of the charger, wherein the charger association element and the cover plate association element are capable of engaging each other.

[0083] Additionally, or alternatively, the various systems of the present invention may comprise a plug container wherein the plug container, housing a plug and is capable of moving, e.g., sliding between a first position to a second position. In some of these embodiments, there is a plurality of side elements, wherein at least one side element is located on the right side of the plug container, and at least one side element is located on the left side of the plug container. Additionally, or alternatively, there is also a plurality of guides, wherein at least one guide is located on the right side of a cavity in which the plug container is located, and at least one guide is located on the left side of the cavity. For example, there may be two to twelve or four to eight guides and side elements. When a plug container is in a first position, each side element is not behind a guide, and when the plug container is in the second position, each side element is behind a guide.

[0084] Figure 12A shows a configuration for another charger 1200 from its rear side. This charger has a footprint and a front face that are substantially square. In the center is a cavity 1220 for protrusion elements from a cover plate, not shown, to enter. The upper and lower side walls of the cavity contain locations or reciprocal members 1221, 1222, 1223, and 1224 with which latching elements, not shown, may mate. Also shown is a channel 1210 descending from the lower wall of the cavity. The inclusion of the channel allows for the charger to be used in a plurality of ways: (i) with the charger covering the cover plate, in which case the channel would not be used and any cord and plug would be obscured; and (ii) with the charger located a distance away from the outlet e.g., hanging on a wall, thereby by exposing the cord and plug. Figures 12B and 12C show the latter use from the back and front. Figure 12B shows the charger 1200 with an electric cord 1211 engaged with it at one end of the cord 1213. The other end of the electric cord is engaged with an outlet 1212 via a plug 1230. Figure 12C shows the same charger 1200 with an electric cord 1211 engaged with an outlet 1212 via a plug 1230.

[0085] Although the systems of the present invention allow for wirelessly charging devices, they may also be designed to provide the option of wired charging. Thus, in some embodiments, as shown in figure 12D, the charger 1200 comprises one or moreUSB ports, e.g., two USB ports such as USB-C ports 1298 and 1299, which may, e.g., be located in the lower side of the charger, which may be the same side as the exit of a channel for a cord 1210, if present, and the ports may be symmetrically distributed around the opening of that channel.

[0086] By way of a non-limiting example and referring to the charger of figures 12A - 12D, the front face may be a square or substantially a square with a length and width of from about 17.5 cm to about 22.5 cm or from about 19.0 cm to about 21.0 cm. The charger may have a thickness (front to back) of from about 2.5 cm to about 3.5 cm or from about 2.8 cm to about 3.2 cm. The window for the outlet may have a length of from about 11.0 cm to about 13.0 cm or from about 11.5 cm to about 12.5 cm, and a width of from about 6.5 cm to about 8.5 cm or from about 7.0 cm to about 8.0 cm.

[0087] When the charger is in use but not engaged with a cover plate, the device may, for example, rest on a countertop, rest against a wall, or be associated with a wall through, for example, an adhesive material such as glue or tape or the upper edge of the cavity may rest on a hook or other protrusion from a wall.

[0088] Figures 12C and 12D show a front face that is flat. Thus, the charging regions are co-planar with the non-charging regions of the front face. In an alternative embodiment, the charging regions of the front face are not co-planar with non- charging regions. Instead, as shown in figure 13A, the charging regions 1301, 1302, 1303 and 1304 protrude from and, thus, are raised relative to other regions of the front side of the charger 1300. Figure 13B shows a side view of the charger of figure 13A.

[0089] When the charging regions protrude from the front face, they may be easier to identify than if they are co-planar with the front face. The protruding regions may be any regular or irregular shape and each may have a flat front surface. Further when there are a plurality of charging regions, two or more, if not all, of their front surfaces may not be contiguous with one another but be co-planar. As shown in figures 13A and 13B, for illustrative purposes, they are each cylindrical. In some embodiments, they have a height of up to 2.0 cm, e.g., about 0. 1 cm to about 2.0 cm, or about 0.5 cm to about 1.5 cm. In some embodiments, they each have width, or if they have circular cross-sections, each has a diameter, of about 2.0 cm to about 12.0 cm, or about 4.0 cm to about 10.0 cm. Within or near the raised region are the components for delivering a charge wirelessly and the magnets for retaining association between the device to be charged and the charger. In some embodiments there is a single magnet. In otherembodiments, there is a plurality of magnets, e.g., two, three, four or more magnets. In some embodiments, there is a different magnet for each charging region.

[0090] Figures 14A - 14E illustrates an embodiment of a charger 1400 and an outlet in which there are elements to provide for stabilization when unplugging the charger. As shown in figure 14A, the plug is contained within a plug container 1410. The plug container is shown at a first position. The plug container has a plurality, e.g., two, four, six or eight side elements. For illustrative purposes, as shown in the figure, there are four side elements, two on a first side 1461 and 1462 and two on a second side, 1463 and 1464. Alignment demarcations, e.g., carats or arrows, may be present near the side elements. The side elements are lower in the cavity and, thus, not flush with the rear face of the plug container. The charger also has a plurality of guides, which also may be referred to as flaps, for example, two, four, six or eight guides. In some embodiments, there are the same number of guides as there are side elements. Thus, for each side element, when the plug container is in the first position, a guide may be vertically higher than the plug container and, thus, not as deep as the side elements.

[0091] As shown in figure 14A, which has the plug container in a first position, there are four guides 1451, 1452, 1453, and 1454. Optionally, each guide has an alignment demarcation feature, e.g., a carat or arrow. The guides are located on the perimeter of a cavity in which the plug container sits. However, they are located closer to the plane of the outer rear surface of the charger than the side elements, thereby providing space for the side elements to slide behind them when the plug container is moved to the second position.

[0092] These flaps are beneficial because when disassociating the charger from the wall, i.e.. unplugging it, one wants to avoid transmitting the force necessary for unplugging through the plug itself. When the flaps are present, they receive some or all of the force that would otherwise be displaced onto the plug.

[0093] The second position is illustrated by figure 14B. In that figure, the same plug is contained within a plug container 1410. However, the plug container is shown at a second position. Here, because the plug container is in a second position, its side elements are obscured by the guides, 1451, 1452, 1453 and 1454. The alignment demarcations of the plug container and the guides are aligned, confirming that the plug container is in the second position. As shown, the side elements are obscured when the plug container is in the second position.

[0094] As persons of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, the plug container is slidable relative to the remainder of the housing of the charger. Thus, as shown in figure 14A, the plug container is in the first position, which is vertically lower than the second position of figure 14B. If and when the charger is not plugged into an outlet, the plug container is in the first position, the charger may be plugged into the wall and used without sliding the plug container. If and when the charger is not plugged into an outlet, the plug container is in the second position, a user may slide the plug container to the first position either prior to plugging the charger into the outlet or after plugging the charger into the outlet.

[0095] When one wishes to remove the charger from the outlet, one may cause the plug container to move from the first position to the second position by sliding the housing of the charger relative to the outlet while the plug container remains fixed in the outlet. Figure 14C shows the relative position of the plug container 1410 to the outlet cover plate 1420. By way of further illustration, figure 14D shows the outlet cover plate associated with the outlet plug container 1420. Figure 14E shows the charger 1410 aligned with, but unplugged from, the outlet cover plate 1420 and the outlet 1430. Figure 14F shows the charger plugged into the outlet just prior to unplugging, when the outlet cover plate 1420 and the outlet 1430 obscure the plug container.

[0096] In some embodiments, when using a plug container such as that of figures 14A- 14F, the plug container remains within the housing of the charger at all times and cannot be removed from it. In other embodiments, there is also a cord (not shown) that connects the plug container so that plug container can be pulled away from the charger’s housing while remaining connected to it. For example, it may be a retractable cord.

[0097] Lights

[0098] Optionally, the charger may comprise one or more lighting elements. For example, in some embodiments, the charger has a lighting element that serves as a nightlight. This nightlight feature may cause the charger to be illuminated in one or more areas, such as around its perimeter. This lighting feature may be designed suchthat it is always on when the charger is plugged into an outlet and / or there may be a switch to activate or deactivate this feature.

[0099] Additionally, or alternatively, at each of the charging locations, e.g., in the proximity of each charging element, there may be lighting element. This lighting element may be designed such that no light appears when no device is present at that location, and the light is activated when a device is located at that location. In some embodiments, the light may be a first color when the device is in the process of being charged, e.g., red, and a second color, e.g., green, when the device is associated with the wireless charger but is fully charged. Thus, in some embodiments, the system comprises a first lighting element, a second lighting element, and optionally, a third lighting element and a fourth lighting element, wherein, the first lighting element is capable of displaying a light that indicates when a device is charging at the first charging region, the second lighting element is capable of displaying a light that indicates when a device is charging at the second charging region, and if present, the third lighting element is capable of displaying a light that indicates when a device is charging at the third charging region, and the fourth lighting element is capable of displaying a light that indicates when a device is charging at the fourth charging region. Additionally, or alternatively, the first lighting element is capable of displaying a light that indicates when a device at the first charging region is fully charged, the second lighting element is capable of displaying a light that indicates when a device at the second charging region is fully charged, the third lighting element is capable of displaying a light that indicates when a device at the third charging region is fully charged, and the fourth lighting element is capable of displaying a light that indicates when a device at the fourth charging coil is fully charged. When the system is capable of displaying lights that indicate both charging and charged statuses, preferably, the lights are different colors so as to convey the different statuses.

[0100] In some embodiments in which the lighting elements are present, the front face of the charger is flat. In other embodiments in which the lighting elements are present, the front face of the charger is not flat, and there are one or more raised regions at which charging may take place. In this latter embodiment, the lighting, if present, may be on the forward-facing surface of the raised regions and / or on one ormore the side walls or near the base of the side walls but not part of the protruding regions.

[0101] Messaging

[0102] Optionally, the charger may have one or more regions at which messages can be provided or displayed. The messages may, for example, be logos or trademarks of a company and static, or they may be dynamic and in the form of LCD or other screens or static. For example, there may be a photo display that is dynamic or static. The messaging locations may, for example, be on the front face of the charger device and / or on one or more sides.

[0103] Methods of Use

[0104] Assembly and use of some embodiments of the systems of the present invention may be further illustrated by reference to figure 8. As shown, the outlet cover plate 820 has been affixed to an outlet to form a frame around the outlet. The plug 881 is engaged with the outlet and connects the charger 810 to the outlet through a wire 882. The first guide wall 831 and the second guide wall 832 are at a location and of a size that that they may be slid down into the first channel 861 and the second channel 860. Optionally (not shown), there is a stabilization element within each channel that has the ability to engage with a mating element of the respective wall guide.

[0105] The cavity 821 opens to both the rear side and the bottom 822 of the charger. The opening at the bottom of the charger may be designed to be the same size or of a larger width than the length of the horizontal member 880. Optionally, though not shown, the charger comprises a convex region as a mating element that runs the width of the bottom opening of the charger and the horizontal member has a corresponding concave region.

[0106] Figures 2A and 2B provide cross-sections of the system of figure 1, in which the outlet cover plate 110 is associated with the charger 120 and further illustrates the use of stabilization elements and mating elements of some embodiments. Figure 2A shows the base 210 of a first channel that opens toward a side of the device. Figure 2B shows the wall insert 212 in the second channel and afront wall 214 of that second channel, which is tapered. The horizontal member 220 extends across the width of the outlet cover plate and has a concave region that spans the length of the horizontal member. The charger has a convex region 230 that is the same length as the horizontal member and is of a size and shape that it may be retained by the horizontal member. Thus, the horizontal member has a stabilization element that is a latch member, and the charger has a mating element for engaging the latch member. To assemble this system, after the outlet cover plate has been screwed into the outlet, the guide walls may be slid into the channels, and then through mechanical force, a small amount of force may be applied to the horizontal member to temporarily cause it to be slightly displaced, thereby allowing the mating element of the charger to be moved into the desired position. Upon removal of the force, the stabilization element will engage with the mating element, thereby allowing the charger to snap into place.

[0107] When the outlet cover plates only contain pairs of latching mechanisms, one may first plug the charger into the outlet and then, by mechanical force, cause the latching members to engage with the reciprocal members of the charger. For example, when there are two pairs of latching members, one may first angle the charger to engage either the upper or lower pair and then push the charger up or down to cause the other pair to engage.

[0108] When the outlet cover plate only contains pairs of latching mechanisms and lead in support members, one may first plug the charger into the outlet and then by mechanical force cause a first set of latching members to engage with the reciprocal members of the charger. For example, when there are two pairs of latching members, one may first angle the charger to engage either the upper or lower pair, then while pushing the charger up or down to cause the other pair to engage, causing any lead in support members in a pair to be displaced toward the other member of its pair while exerting force outward toward the walls of the cavity of the charger.

[0109] After the charger and outlet cover plate are engaged, the outlet may be obscured from view, and one may associate a first rechargeable device with the charger at the first region of the charger. Through the first charging coil, the charger wirelessly transfers energy to the first rechargeable device. Optionally, one associates a second rechargeable device with the charger at the second region of the charger, and through the second charging coil, the charger wirelessly transfers energy to the second rechargeable device. Optionally, one associates a third rechargeable device with thecharger at the third region of the charger, and through the third charging coil, the charger wirelessly transfers energy to the third rechargeable device. Optionally, one associates a fourth rechargeable device with the charger at the fourth region of the charger, and through the fourth charging coil, the charger wirelessly transfers energy to the fourth rechargeable device.

Claims

ClaimsWe claim:

1. A wireless charging system comprising:(a) an outlet cover plate, wherein the outlet cover plate comprises a charger association element, wherein the charger association element is located on a front face of the outlet cover plate; and(b) a charger, wherein the charger comprises(i.) a cover plate association element,(ii.) a plug, and(iii.) a wireless charging coil, wherein the charger association element and the cover plate association element are capable of engaging each other.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the charger association element comprises a first latch member and a second latch member.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein each of the first latch member and the second latch member protrudes from the front face of the outlet cover plate.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein each of the first latch member and the second latch member comprises an engagement region, wherein the engagement region is a concave region or a convex region.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the outlet cover plate further comprises a third latch member and a fourth latch member.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein each of the third latch member and the fourth latch member comprises an engagement region, wherein the engagement region is a concave region or a convex region, and wherein the engagement region of the first latch member and the engagement region of the second latch member are oriented in a first direction, and the engagement region of the third latch member and the engagement region of the fourth latch member are oriented in a second direction, wherein the first direction and the second direction are opposite directions.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the first direction is up and the second region is down.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the charger association element protrudes from the front face of the outlet cover plate and the charger association element comprises a first channel and a second channel.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the first channel comprises a first stabilization element and the second channel comprises a second stabilization element.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the outlet cover plate further comprises a horizontal member, wherein the horizontal member is located at or near a lower edge of the front face of the outlet cover plate and the horizontal member protrudes from the front face of the outlet cover plate.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the horizontal member comprises a latch member.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the charger further comprises a first guide wall and a second guide wall, wherein the first guide wall is configured to sit, at least in part, in the first channel and the second guide wall is configured to sit, at least in part, in the second channel.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the first guide wall comprises a first convex region and the second guide wall comprises a second convex region.

14. The system of any of claims 1 to 13, wherein the charger has a rear side and a cavity, wherein the cavity forms an opening, wherein the opening is at least in part oriented toward the rear side of the charger.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the cavity opening extends to a bottom side of the charger.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the plug is connected to a wire and at least a portion of the wire is located in the cavity.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the charging coil is a first charging coil and the system further comprises a second charging coil.

18. The system of claim 17 further comprising a third charging coil.

19. The system of claim 18 further comprising a fourth charging coil.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the charger has a front side, wherein the front side comprises a first charging region, a second charging region, a third charging region and a fourth charging region, wherein the first charging coil is located behind the first charging region, the second charging coil is located behind the second charging region, the third charging coil is located behind the third charging region and the fourth charging coil is located behind the fourth charging region.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the front side is flat.

22. The system of claim 20, wherein the front side has a first protruding region, a second protruding region, a third protruding region, and a fourth protruding region.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the first protruding region comprises the first charging region, the second protruding region comprises the second charging region, the third protruding region comprises the third charging region, and the fourth protruding region comprises the fourth charging region.

24. The system of claim 20, wherein the front side is at least substantially a rectangle and the first region is a left upper region of the front side, the second region is a left lower region of the front side, the third region is a right lower region of the front side, and the fourth region is a right upper region of the front side.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein the rectangle is at least substantially a square.

26. The system of claim 20 further comprising an outlet, wherein the outlet cover plate forms a frame around the outlet.

27. The system of claim 26 further comprising a magnet and a first rechargeable device, wherein the first rechargeable device is associated with the charger by magnetic forces.

28. The system of claim 27 further comprising a second rechargeable device, wherein the second rechargeable device is associated with the charger by magnetic forces.

29. The system of claim 28 further comprising a third rechargeable device, wherein the third rechargeable device is associated with the charger by magnetic forces.

30. The system of claim 29 further comprising a fourth rechargeable device, wherein the fourth rechargeable device is associated with the charger by magnetic forces.

31. The system of claim 30, wherein the charger covers the entirety of the front face of the outlet cover plate.

32. The system of claim 31, wherein the front face of the outlet cover plate is in a first plane and the charger has a front side, wherein the front side is in a second plane, wherein the first plane and the second plane are parallel planes.

33. The system of claim 32 further comprising a USB port.

34. The system of claim 33, wherein the USB port is a USB-C port.

35. The system of claim 1 further comprising a lighting element.

36. The system of claim 20 further comprising a first lighting element, a second lighting element, a third lighting element, and a fourth lighting element, wherein, the first lighting element is capable of displaying a light thatindicates when a device is charging at the first charging region, the second lighting element is capable of displaying a light that indicates when a device is charging at the second charging region, the third lighting element is capable of displaying a light that indicates when a device is charging at the third charging region, and the fourth lighting element is capable of displaying a light that indicates when a device is charging at the fourth charging region.

37. The system of claim 36 further comprising a first pair of lead in support members and a second pair of lead in support members, wherein each lead in support member of each pair of lead in support members protrudes from the front face of the outlet cover plate.

38. The system of claim 37, wherein each lead in support member of each pair of lead in support members comprises a vertical or substantially vertical component.

39. The system of claim 38, wherein each lead in support member of each pair of lead in support member further comprises a horizontal or substantially horizontal component.

40. A wireless charging system comprising a charger, wherein the charger: (i) a plug; and (ii) a plurality of regions on a front side, wherein at each of the regions, a device may be charged wirelessly.

41. The wireless charging system of claim 40, wherein the plurality of regions comprises a first protruding region, a second protruding region, a third protruding region, and a fourth protruding region, and the front side further comprises a non-protruding region, wherein each protruding region is raised relative to the non-protruding regions.

42. The wireless charging system of claim 41, where each protruding region comprises a flat face.

43. The wireless charging system of claim 42, where the flat faces are co-planar but not contiguous.

44. The wireless charging system of claim 43, where the non-protruding region is in a plane that is parallel to the plane of the flat faces.

45. The system of claim 44, wherein the first protruding region comprises a first charging region, the second protruding region comprises a second charging region, the third protruding region comprises a third charging region, and the fourth protruding region comprises a fourth charging region.

46. The system of claim 45, wherein the front side is at least substantially a rectangle and the first region is a left upper region of the front side, the second region is a left lower region of the front side, the third region is a right lower region of the front side, and the fourth region is a right upper region of the front side.

47. The system of claim 46 further comprising a first charging coil, a second charging coil, a third charging coil, and a fourth charging coil.

48. The system of claim 47 comprising one or more magnets.

49. The system of claim 47 further comprising:(a) an outlet cover plate, wherein the outlet cover plate comprises a charger association element, wherein the charger association element is located on a front face of the outlet cover plate; and(b) a cover plate association element, wherein the cover plate association element is part of the charger, wherein the charger association element and the cover plate association element are capable of engaging each other.

50. The system of any of claims 42-49 further comprising a plug container wherein the plug container is capable of sliding between a first position to a second position.

51. The system of claim 50 further comprising a plurality of side elements, wherein at least one side element is located on the right side of the plugcontainer and at least one side element is located on the left side of the plug container.

52. The system of claim 51 further comprising a plurality of guides, wherein at least one guide is located on the right side of a cavity in which the plug container is located and at least one guide is located on the left side of the cavity.

53. The system of claim 52, wherein when the plug container is in a first position, each side element is not behind a guide and when the plug container is in the second position, each side element is behind a guide.

54. A method for wirelessly charging a device, said method comprising associating a device with the wireless charging system of any of claims 1 to 13, wherein the device comprises a battery and energy is transferred wirelessly through the charger to the device.

55. A method for wirelessly charging a device, said method comprising associating a device with the wireless charging system of claim 14, wherein the device comprises a battery and energy is transferred wirelessly through the charger to the device.

56. A method for wirelessly charging a device, said method comprising associating a device with the wireless charging system of any of claims 15 to 23, wherein the device comprises a battery and energy is transferred wirelessly through the charger to the device.

57. A method for wirelessly charging a device, said method comprising associating a device with the wireless charging system of any of claims 42 to 52, wherein the device comprises a battery and energy is transferred wirelessly through the charger to the device.

58. A method for wirelessly charging one or more devices, wherein said method comprises associating one or more rechargeable devices with a wireless charging system, wherein the one or more devices are capable of beingrecharged wirelessly, and the wireless charging system comprises: (a) an outlet cover plate, wherein the outlet cover plate comprises a charger association element, wherein the charger association element is located on a front face of the outlet cover plate; and (b) a charger, wherein the charger comprises: (i) a cover plate association element; (ii) a plug; and (iii) a wireless charging coil, wherein the charger association element and the cover plate association element are capable of engaging each other.

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