The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 13, 2019
Filed:
Oct. 02, 2017
Snap-on Incorporated, Kenosha, WI (US);
Jason Newport, Conway, AR (US);
David C. Fly, Maumelle, AR (US);
Preston C. Phillips, Conway, AR (US);
Matthew J. Lipsey, Sherwood, AR (US);
Frederick J. Rogers, North Little Rock, AR (US);
Joseph Chwan, Mechanicsburg, PA (US);
Andrew R. Lobo, Wadsworth, IL (US);
Sean W. Ryan, Pleasant Prairie, WI (US);
SNAP-ON INCORPORATED, Kenosha, WI (US);
Abstract
An automated tool control system provides both inventory control of items stored in the system and monitoring of the charging status of rechargeable inventory items such as tools and batteries stored in the system. For these purposes, the tool control system includes storage locations for storing tools and other inventory items, and the storage locations include at least one storage location located in a charger operative to charge a rechargeable tool, battery, or battery pack disposed therein. In operation, the tool control system may monitor the charging status of any tool, battery, or battery pack disposed in the storage location of the charger through monitoring of battery status indicators of the tool, battery, battery pack, or charger; through monitoring of current or voltage drawn by the tool, battery, battery pack, or charger; or through wired or wireless communication with a communication enabled tool, battery, battery pack, or charger.