{"schema_version":"1.0","canonical_url":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9853405","patent":{"patent_number":"US-9853405","title":"Portable furniture power outlet","assignee":null,"inventors":[],"filing_date":"2016-01-25T00:00:00.000Z","publication_date":"2017-12-26T00:00:00.000Z","cpc_codes":["H02J","H02J"],"num_claims":18,"abstract":"A portable furniture power outlet includes a power module having one or more AC receptacles and DC connector ports. A transformer supplies DC power to the DC connector ports at different voltages and provides wireless device charging. An elongated fin member extends downward from the power module and includes a shape and size for being positioned between two cushions in either a vertical or horizontal orientation. The fin member is secured to the power module by a two axis hinge that allows the power module to spin and pivot with respect to the fin member."},"analysis":{"summary":"The Portable Furniture Power Outlet (US-9853405) is an innovative patent describing a highly adaptable power solution designed to integrate seamlessly into cushioned furniture. Its core innovation lies in providing versatile power access—including AC receptacles, multi-voltage DC connector ports, and wireless device charging—directly within soft furnishings like sofas or chairs.\n\nThe primary problem this invention solves is the pervasive inconvenience of limited and fixed power access in modern living and working spaces. Current solutions often involve unsightly extension cords, which clutter environments, create tripping hazards, and restrict furniture arrangement flexibility. The Portable Furniture Power Outlet addresses these issues by offering a discreet, on-demand power source that moves with the furniture or user.\n\nKey to its technical approach is a power module housing the electrical components, coupled with a unique elongated fin member. This fin is specifically shaped to be inserted and secured between two cushions, in either a vertical or horizontal orientation, making it exceptionally versatile. A sophisticated two-axis hinge connects the fin to the power module, allowing the module to spin and pivot. This mechanical flexibility ensures optimal positioning and easy access to the outlets from various angles, enhancing user experience.\n\nThe business value and applications of this technology are substantial. It offers a significant competitive advantage in the smart home and office furniture markets, enabling manufacturers to provide truly integrated and flexible power solutions. For consumers, it means unparalleled convenience, decluttered spaces, and enhanced safety. For commercial environments like co-working spaces, lounges, or hospitality settings, it facilitates dynamic layouts and improves guest satisfaction by providing ubiquitous, accessible charging. The inclusion of wireless charging also future-proofs the device, aligning with evolving consumer technology trends.\n\nThis patent opens up a considerable market opportunity for furniture manufacturers, accessory providers, and smart home integrators. It allows for the creation of more functional and appealing furniture designs, capable of meeting the power demands of the modern digital lifestyle. The Portable Furniture Power Outlet is poised to redefine how we interact with our furniture, transforming static pieces into dynamic, connected hubs.","layman_explanation":"### 1. What Problem Does This Solve?\nImagine you're relaxing on your favorite sofa, trying to work on your laptop or scroll through your phone, and suddenly your battery warning flashes. The nearest wall outlet is across the room, requiring a long, unsightly extension cord that's a tripping hazard and messes up your decor. Or perhaps you're in a modern office lounge, and every comfortable seat is miles away from a power source, forcing you to huddle awkwardly near a wall. This common frustration – the lack of convenient, accessible, and aesthetically pleasing power outlets in our most comfortable and frequently used spaces – is precisely what the Portable Furniture Power Outlet patent aims to solve.\n\nExisting solutions are largely inadequate. Built-in furniture outlets are often fixed, limiting flexibility if you rearrange your space. Traditional power strips are bulky and don't integrate seamlessly, creating clutter. The core business problem is a disconnect between the static nature of power infrastructure and the dynamic, mobile way we use our electronic devices in homes, offices, and public spaces.\n\n### 2. How Does It Work?\nAt its heart, this innovation is a clever power module that's designed to be almost invisible. Think of it as a sleek, compact box that contains multiple ways to charge your devices. It has standard electrical outlets (AC receptacles) for things like lamps or laptops, and also smaller ports (DC connector ports) for charging your phone or tablet, even at different speeds or voltages. The really cool part? It can also charge your phone wirelessly, just by placing it on top! No cords needed for that specific feature.\n\nBut how does it get power to your furniture? The ingenious part is an elongated, flat 'fin' that extends from this power module. This fin is specially shaped to slide discreetly and securely between the cushions of your sofa, armchair, or even bed. Whether the cushions are side-by-side or stacked, the fin fits. To make it even more user-friendly, the power module is attached to this fin with a special 'two-axis hinge.' This means you can spin the module around and pivot it up or down, ensuring the outlets are always facing you perfectly, no matter how you've inserted the fin or how you're sitting. It's like giving your furniture a flexible, hidden power station.\n\n### 3. Why Does This Matter?\nThis innovation matters because it fundamentally redefines how we interact with our living and working environments. For consumers, it means unparalleled convenience: power is always within arm's reach, making our homes tidier, safer, and more functional. Imagine a living room free from tangled cords, where every seat is a potential charging hub. This enhances the comfort and utility of furniture, turning passive pieces into active, smart components of our lives.\n\nFor businesses, the implications are even more profound. Furniture manufacturers can integrate this technology to offer premium, differentiated products, tapping into the growing smart home and office market. Commercial spaces, such as co-working environments, hotel lobbies, or airport lounges, can create more adaptive and user-friendly layouts, boosting customer satisfaction and operational efficiency. The ability to easily reconfigure spaces without worrying about power access is a significant competitive advantage. This patent provides a clear pathway to increased customer satisfaction, improved aesthetics, and greater flexibility, ultimately driving market share and revenue growth for adopters.\n\n### 4. What's Next?\nLooking ahead, the Portable Furniture Power Outlet could become a standard feature in modern furniture design, similar to how USB ports are now common in cars. We could see this technology evolving to include even faster charging protocols, smart energy management features (e.g., scheduling charging or monitoring power consumption), or integration with broader smart home ecosystems. Its adaptable nature also lends itself to future applications in modular furniture systems, public transportation, or even healthcare waiting areas. As our world becomes increasingly mobile and connected, solutions like this will move from innovative luxury to essential infrastructure, offering significant investment opportunities in the years to come.","technical_analysis":"The Portable Furniture Power Outlet (US-9853405) presents a novel approach to integrated power delivery within soft furnishings, leveraging a combination of electrical versatility and mechanical ingenuity. The system's architecture centers around a compact yet robust power module designed to handle diverse power requirements and user interactions.\n\n**Technical Architecture:**\nThe core component is the power module, which acts as the central power distribution unit. This module is equipped with: \n1.  **AC Receptacles:** Standard alternating current outlets, typically 120V or 240V depending on regional standards, for powering larger devices like laptops, lamps, or small appliances.\n2.  **DC Connector Ports:** Multiple direct current ports, often USB-A, USB-C, or proprietary connectors, designed to supply power at different voltages (e.g., 5V, 9V, 12V, 20V). This multi-voltage capability is crucial for charging a wide array of mobile devices, tablets, and other low-power electronics efficiently.\n3.  **Integrated Transformer:** An essential internal component responsible for converting incoming AC power to the necessary DC voltages for the DC connector ports. This transformer also likely incorporates rectification circuitry to ensure stable DC output. For optimal efficiency and compact size, a switched-mode power supply (SMPS) topology would be a probable design choice.\n4.  **Wireless Device Charging:** The patent explicitly mentions wireless charging. This indicates the presence of an inductive charging coil and associated control electronics (e.g., compliant with Qi standard) within the power module, enabling contactless power transfer to compatible devices placed on or near its surface.\n\n**Implementation Details:**\nThe power module itself would require careful engineering for thermal management, given the power conversion processes and potential for high current draw from multiple devices. Passive cooling (heat sinks) and potentially active cooling (small fans) might be necessary, depending on the power rating. Overload protection, short-circuit protection, and surge protection circuitry are critical for safety and device longevity. The enclosure material would need to be durable, fire-retardant, and aesthetically pleasing.\n\n**Algorithm Specifics (Power Management):**\nWhile the patent doesn't detail specific algorithms, the intelligent supply of DC power at 'different voltages' implies a sophisticated power management integrated circuit (PMIC). This PMIC would likely: \n*   **Negotiate Power:** For modern DC charging standards like USB Power Delivery (USB-PD), the PMIC would communicate with connected devices to negotiate optimal voltage and current levels.\n*   **Dynamic Power Allocation:** Distribute available power efficiently among multiple connected devices, potentially prioritizing certain ports or devices based on pre-set rules or power demands.\n*   **Overload Protection:** Monitor total power draw and cut off power to specific ports or the entire module if thresholds are exceeded.\n\n**Integration Patterns (Mechanical):**\nThe most innovative mechanical aspect is the elongated fin member. This fin is designed for insertion between two cushions, either vertically or horizontally. Its shape and size are critical: \n*   **Shape:** Likely thin and rigid enough to slide between cushions without deforming, but possibly with a slightly wider base or textured surface for better grip and stability once inserted.\n*   **Material:** Must be durable, non-abrasive to fabric, and capable of supporting the power module's weight without bending or breaking.\n\nThe two-axis hinge connecting the fin to the power module is a key enabler of flexibility. This hinge allows for:\n*   **Spin:** Rotation around an axis perpendicular to the fin's main plane, enabling the user to orient the module horizontally or vertically relative to the fin's insertion.\n*   **Pivot:** Tilting around an axis parallel to the fin's main plane, allowing the module to angle upwards or downwards, improving ergonomic access to ports.\n\nThis hinge mechanism would require robust components (e.g., metal or high-strength polymer pivots) to withstand repeated stress and provide smooth, controlled movement. Friction hinges or detent mechanisms could be incorporated to maintain the desired angle once set.\n\n**Performance Characteristics:**\n*   **Efficiency:** High power conversion efficiency is paramount to minimize heat generation and energy waste.\n*   **Output Stability:** Consistent and clean power output (low ripple) is essential for sensitive electronics.\n*   **Charging Speed:** For DC ports, supporting fast-charging protocols (e.g., Quick Charge, USB-PD) would be a key performance metric.\n*   **Wireless Charging Range/Efficiency:** Standard compliance (e.g., Qi) and efficient power transfer distance.\n\n**Code-Level Implications:**\nFor the power management and wireless charging components, embedded firmware would be necessary. This firmware would manage: \n*   Power negotiation protocols (e.g., USB-PD state machines).\n*   Wireless charging communication and power control.\n*   Fault detection and safety shutdown procedures.\n*   User interface elements, if any (e.g., LED indicators for charging status).\n\nIn conclusion, the Portable Furniture Power Outlet represents a sophisticated integration of electrical engineering (multi-voltage power conversion, wireless charging, smart power management) and mechanical design (adaptable fin, two-axis hinge). This holistic approach creates a highly functional, safe, and user-friendly power solution for modern environments, addressing the growing demand for ubiquitous and flexible device charging.","business_analysis":"The Portable Furniture Power Outlet (US-9853405) addresses a significant and growing market need for flexible, integrated power solutions in both residential and commercial settings. This patent positions itself to disrupt traditional power accessory markets and create new opportunities within the furniture and smart home sectors.\n\n**Market Opportunity Size:**\nThe global market for smart home devices, including integrated power solutions, is experiencing robust growth, projected to reach hundreds of billions of dollars within the next decade. Within this, the segment for power accessories and furniture with integrated technology is substantial. Every home and office with upholstered furniture represents a potential installation point for this innovation. The sheer volume of existing furniture and the constant refresh cycle for new pieces indicate a vast addressable market. Furthermore, the increasing reliance on mobile devices means the demand for convenient charging will only intensify.\n\n**Competitive Advantages:**\n1.  **Unparalleled Flexibility:** Unlike fixed furniture power solutions or traditional wall outlets, this invention offers dynamic placement and orientation thanks to its fin and two-axis hinge. This adaptability is a key differentiator.\n2.  **Clutter Reduction & Aesthetics:** It eliminates the need for unsightly extension cords and power strips, significantly enhancing the aesthetic appeal of a space—a major selling point for interior designers and homeowners.\n3.  **Comprehensive Charging:** The combination of AC, multi-voltage DC, and wireless charging in a single, integrated unit provides a versatile solution that covers nearly all personal electronic device charging needs.\n4.  **Ease of Integration:** It can be easily added to existing furniture without modification or built into new furniture designs, offering a low barrier to adoption.\n5.  **Future-Proofing:** The inclusion of wireless charging aligns with evolving technology trends, making the solution more appealing and relevant over time.\n\n**Revenue Potential:**\nRevenue streams could emerge from several avenues:\n*   **Direct Sales to Consumers:** As a standalone accessory sold through retail channels or e-commerce.\n*   **OEM Partnerships:** Licensing the technology or supplying modules to furniture manufacturers for integrated designs.\n*   **Commercial Installations:** Targeting businesses (e.g., hotels, co-working spaces, airports, cafes) that require flexible and discreet power solutions for public seating.\n*   **Premium Pricing:** The unique value proposition and advanced features justify a premium price point compared to basic power strips.\n\n**Business Models:**\n*   **Product Sales:** Manufacturing and selling the device directly.\n*   **Licensing:** Offering the patent for use by other companies in exchange for royalties.\n*   **Subscription/Service:** Potentially integrating with smart home platforms for energy monitoring or scheduled charging (though less likely for this specific patent).\n*   **B2B Solutions:** Customizing and providing solutions for commercial furniture manufacturers or interior design firms.\n\n**Strategic Positioning:**\nThis patent can be strategically positioned as a premium, innovative solution in the smart home accessories market or as a value-add for high-end furniture manufacturers. It can appeal to tech-savvy consumers, interior designers, and businesses focused on modern, functional, and aesthetically pleasing environments. The invention allows companies to differentiate their product offerings by providing superior convenience and design integration.\n\n**ROI Projections:**\nInvestment in developing and commercializing this technology could yield strong returns due to:\n*   **High Demand:** Addresses a universal pain point of power access.\n*   **Strong Differentiation:** Unique features provide a clear competitive edge.\n*   **Versatile Applications:** Appeals to multiple market segments (residential, commercial, hospitality).\n*   **Scalability:** Manufacturing a modular unit allows for economies of scale.\n\nEarly movers could capture significant market share and establish brand leadership in the integrated furniture power segment. The ability to seamlessly blend functionality with design makes the Portable Furniture Power Outlet a highly attractive proposition for investors looking for innovations with broad market appeal and substantial growth potential.","faqs":[{"answer":"The Portable Furniture Power Outlet (US-9853405) is an innovative patented device designed to provide convenient and flexible power access directly within cushioned furniture. It's a self-contained power module that combines multiple charging capabilities into one discreet unit.\n\nThis invention liberates users from the constraints of traditional wall outlets and messy extension cords. It allows for on-demand power access wherever one is comfortably seated, enhancing both the functionality and aesthetics of any space.\n\nAt its core, this technology aims to solve the common frustration of limited power access in modern homes, offices, and public spaces, making power as mobile and adaptable as the devices we use daily. It represents a significant step forward in integrated power solutions for contemporary living.","question":"What is Portable Furniture Power Outlet?"},{"answer":"The Portable Furniture Power Outlet operates through a clever combination of electrical and mechanical design. It features a power module equipped with standard AC receptacles, multiple DC connector ports (which can supply different voltages for various devices), and integrated wireless device charging capabilities.\n\nThis power module is connected to an elongated fin member. This fin is specifically shaped and sized to be inserted securely and discreetly between two cushions of any upholstered furniture, whether in a vertical or horizontal orientation. This allows the power module to sit stably within or alongside your furniture without permanent installation.\n\nCrucially, a two-axis hinge connects the fin to the power module. This hinge enables the module to both spin (rotate horizontally) and pivot (tilt vertically), ensuring that the outlets are always optimally positioned and easily accessible to the user, regardless of how the fin is inserted or the furniture is arranged. This dynamic adjustability is a key feature of the Portable Furniture Power Outlet.","question":"How does Portable Furniture Power Outlet work?"},{"answer":"The Portable Furniture Power Outlet solves the pervasive problem of inconvenient and limited power access in modern environments. In an increasingly connected world, people rely heavily on multiple electronic devices, but traditional wall outlets are static and often poorly placed, forcing users to remain tethered or resort to unsightly and hazardous extension cords.\n\nThis patent addresses the clutter, safety risks (like tripping hazards), and aesthetic compromises associated with current power solutions. It frees furniture arrangements from the dictates of wall outlets, allowing for more flexible and visually appealing interior designs.\n\nUltimately, the Portable Furniture Power Outlet enhances user convenience and comfort by providing on-demand power directly where it's needed most, transforming any cushioned seat into a versatile and intelligent charging hub. This eliminates the 'outlet scramble' and improves the overall functionality of living and working spaces.","question":"What problem does Portable Furniture Power Outlet solve?"},{"answer":"The patent for the Portable Furniture Power Outlet (US-9853405) does not list specific inventors or an assignee in the provided data. However, the innovation described in the patent abstract signifies a collaborative effort in engineering and design to address a common modern challenge.\n\nPatent filings are often the result of dedicated research and development teams within companies or individual inventors seeking to protect their intellectual property. While the specific individuals behind this particular filing are not detailed here, the ingenuity of the Portable Furniture Power Outlet system is evident in its comprehensive and adaptable design.\n\nThe development of such a solution typically involves expertise in electrical engineering (for power conversion and charging technologies) and mechanical engineering (for the unique fin and hinge mechanism), showcasing a multidisciplinary approach to innovation.","question":"Who invented Portable Furniture Power Outlet?"},{"answer":"The Portable Furniture Power Outlet offers a multitude of key benefits that significantly enhance user experience and spatial design.\n\nFirstly, it provides **unparalleled convenience** by bringing power directly to where you're seated, eliminating the need to search for wall outlets or stretch cords across rooms. Secondly, it drastically **reduces clutter and improves aesthetics** by discreetly integrating into furniture cushions, removing unsightly extension cords and power strips. Thirdly, its combination of **AC, multi-voltage DC, and wireless charging** offers a comprehensive power solution for virtually all personal electronic devices, making it incredibly versatile.\n\nFurthermore, the unique two-axis hinge allows for **dynamic adjustability**, ensuring outlets are always perfectly oriented for easy access. Lastly, this innovation enhances **safety** by minimizing tripping hazards associated with loose cables. These benefits collectively position the Portable Furniture Power Outlet as a superior solution for modern, connected living and working environments.","question":"What are the key benefits of Portable Furniture Power Outlet?"},{"answer":"The Portable Furniture Power Outlet distinguishes itself from prior art through several key innovations that address the shortcomings of existing power solutions.\n\nUnlike traditional power strips, which are often bulky, unsightly, and create clutter, this invention offers a discreet, integrated solution that disappears into furniture. It provides a cleaner aesthetic and reduces tripping hazards. Compared to furniture with fixed, built-in outlets, the Portable Furniture Power Outlet offers superior flexibility and portability; its unique fin allows it to be moved between different pieces of furniture, and its two-axis hinge enables dynamic orientation of the outlets, which fixed solutions cannot do.\n\nMoreover, the comprehensive nature of this system—combining AC, multi-voltage DC, and wireless charging in a single, adaptable module—surpasses the limited capabilities of standalone wireless chargers or basic power strips. This makes the Portable Furniture Power Outlet a more versatile, user-centric, and design-friendly solution than any prior art.","question":"How is Portable Furniture Power Outlet different from prior art?"},{"answer":"The Portable Furniture Power Outlet (US-9853405) has the potential to significantly impact several industries due to its versatile application and problem-solving capabilities.\n\n**Furniture Manufacturing:** It can revolutionize furniture design, allowing manufacturers to offer 'smart' sofas, chairs, and beds with integrated, flexible power solutions as a premium feature. This could drive innovation in product lines and provide a strong competitive differentiator. **Interior Design & Architecture:** Designers will gain unprecedented freedom in space planning, no longer constrained by fixed outlet locations. This enables the creation of more fluid, aesthetically pleasing, and functional layouts in homes, offices, and public spaces.\n\n**Hospitality & Commercial Real Estate:** Hotels, co-working spaces, airport lounges, and cafes can enhance customer satisfaction and operational flexibility by providing ubiquitous, discreet power access. **Consumer Electronics & Accessories:** The patent could also influence the accessory market, offering a standalone product for consumers to upgrade their existing furniture. Overall, the Portable Furniture Power Outlet is a foundational technology for creating truly connected and adaptable environments.","question":"What industries will Portable Furniture Power Outlet impact?"},{"answer":"The patent for the Portable Furniture Power Outlet, identified by the number US-9853405, has specific dates associated with its journey through the patent process.\n\nIts **Filing Date** was **2016-01-25**. This is the date when the patent application was officially submitted to the patent office, marking the beginning of the examination process. It establishes the priority date for the invention.\n\nThe **Publication Date** for this patent was **2017-12-26**. This is the date when the patent document, including its claims and descriptions, was made publicly available by the patent office. While a patent may be published before it is granted, this date signifies its official public disclosure. These dates are crucial for understanding the timeline of the innovation and its entry into the public domain of intellectual property.","question":"When was Portable Furniture Power Outlet filed/granted?"},{"answer":"The commercial applications of the Portable Furniture Power Outlet are extensive, spanning various sectors due to its ability to solve a universal problem with an elegant solution.\n\n**Residential Market:** It can be sold as a premium accessory for homeowners seeking to declutter their living spaces, enhance convenience, and modernize their furniture. It's ideal for living rooms, bedrooms, and home offices where multiple devices are used. **Commercial Spaces:** Co-working environments, corporate lounges, hotel lobbies, and airport waiting areas can significantly benefit. This innovation allows these businesses to offer superior amenities to clients and employees, fostering productivity and comfort by providing easily accessible power points that adapt to flexible layouts.\n\n**Furniture Manufacturing:** Furniture companies can integrate this technology directly into new product lines, offering 'smart furniture' that stands out in a competitive market. This adds significant value and differentiation to their offerings. **Retail & E-commerce:** The Portable Furniture Power Outlet can be a popular item in electronics stores, home goods retailers, and online marketplaces, appealing to a broad consumer base looking for innovative power solutions. These diverse applications highlight its strong market potential and commercial viability.","question":"What are the commercial applications of Portable Furniture Power Outlet?"},{"answer":"Looking ahead, the Portable Furniture Power Outlet holds significant potential for future developments, building upon its already innovative foundation.\n\nOne key area of evolution could be **enhanced power delivery technologies**, such as faster USB Power Delivery (USB-PD) protocols, enabling quicker charging for an even wider range of high-power devices. We might also see the integration of **smart energy management features**, allowing users to monitor power consumption, schedule charging times, or even prioritize power distribution to specific devices through a connected app or smart home ecosystem.\n\nFurther advancements in **wireless charging** could include 'power over distance' capabilities, where devices charge simply by being in the vicinity of the furniture, eliminating the need for precise placement. Additionally, **material science** could lead to even more durable, thinner, and aesthetically versatile fin members and power module enclosures, perhaps with self-cleaning or adaptive properties. Ultimately, the Portable Furniture Power Outlet could become a foundational component of truly 'smart' and adaptive living environments, seamlessly blending power, connectivity, and design into the fabric of our everyday spaces.","question":"What are the future developments expected for Portable Furniture Power Outlet?"}],"topics":["portable furniture power outlet","furniture charging","wireless charging patent","flexible power solution","integrated power outlet","burgeoning","demand","ubiquitous"],"tech_cluster":null},"seo":{"title":"Portable Furniture Power Outlet - Patent US-9853405","description":"Discover the Portable Furniture Power Outlet patent (US-9853405): flexible AC, DC, and wireless charging integrated into furniture. Full analysis & benefits.","keywords":["portable furniture power outlet","furniture charging","wireless charging patent","flexible power solution","integrated power outlet","smart furniture","US-9853405 patent","AC DC charging","home office power","cushion power outlet","patentable app"]},"attribution":{"source":"Patentable","source_url":"https://patentable.app","canonical_url":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9853405","license":"CC-BY-4.0-like","license_terms":"AI-generated analysis on this page (summary, layman_explanation, technical_analysis, business_analysis, faqs) may be reused with attribution and a visible link back to the canonical URL above. Patent abstracts, claims, and bibliographic data are USPTO public domain.","required_link":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9853405","citation_suggestion":"Patentable. \"Portable furniture power outlet\" (US-9853405). https://patentable.app/patents/US-9853405","copyright_holder":"Nomic Interactive Technology LLC"},"links":{"html":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9853405","json":"https://patentable.app/api/llm-context/US-9853405","site":"https://patentable.app","llms_txt":"https://patentable.app/llms.txt"},"generated_at":"2026-06-06T08:21:11.673Z"}