Abstract: A charger comprises an input circuit that receives power from a power source, a converter circuit, an output circuit, and a switching circuit. The converter circuit is connected between the input circuit and a signal ground of the charger and converts the power from a first voltage to a second voltage. The signal ground is connected to a chassis ground of the charger. The output circuit is connected between an output of the converter circuit and the signal ground and the chassis ground, and outputs the second voltage to an output connector of the charger. The switching circuit is connected between the output of the input circuit and an electrically conducting casing of the output connector, and controls the converter circuit. The switching circuit and the electrically conducting casing of the output connector are not connected to the signal ground and the chassis ground of the charger.

Abstract: A charger comprises an input circuit that receives power from a power source, a converter circuit, an output circuit, and a switching circuit. The converter circuit is connected between the input circuit and a signal ground of the charger and converts the power from a first voltage to a second voltage. The signal ground is connected to a chassis ground of the charger. The output circuit is connected between an output of the converter circuit and the signal ground and the chassis ground, and outputs the second voltage to an output connector of the charger. The switching circuit is connected between the output of the input circuit and an electrically conducting casing of the output connector, and controls the converter circuit. The switching circuit and the electrically conducting casing of the output connector are not connected to the signal ground and the chassis ground of the charger.

Abstract: A furniture member may include first and second seat assemblies and an auxiliary assembly. The first seat assembly includes a first seat bottom and a first seatback. The second seat assembly includes a second seat bottom and a second seatback. The second seat assembly may be movable relative to the first seat assembly between a retracted position in which the first seat bottom and the first seatback portion are adjacent to the second seat bottom and the second seatback, and an extended position in which the first seat bottom and the first seatback are spaced apart from the second seat bottom and the second seatback. The auxiliary assembly is movable between a stowed position in which the auxiliary assembly is disposed below the first and second seat assemblies and a deployed position in which at least a portion of the auxiliary assembly is vertically higher than in the stowed position.

Abstract: An article of furniture having an internal frame and an upholstery covering is provided with at least one transmitting resonator carried by said frame and disposed at least partially beneath said upholstery covering. The resonator is tuned for resonance at a predetermined frequency and driven by a high frequency power source also carried by said frame. The high frequency power source is adapted for coupling to a source of electric power external to the article of furniture, such as to an AC outlet. The high frequency power source and transmitting resonator producing in the near field adjacent the at least one transmitting resonator a magnetic field that couples and transfers power at the predetermined frequency. A complementary receiving resonator or a compound passive resonator having two or more coils is coupled to the load to be powered and power is transferred by magnetic induction when the receiving resonator is positioned within the near field of the transmitting resonator.

Abstract: A furniture member may include a base frame, a seat bottom and an ottoman assembly. The seat bottom is attached to the base frame and defines a seating surface. The ottoman assembly may include a drive assembly that moves an ottoman platform relative to the seat bottom and the base frame among a retracted position, an extended position and a raised position. The ottoman platform includes a support surface that faces upward and away from a ground surface in the retracted, extended and raised positions. The ottoman platform is disposed beneath the seating surface in the retracted position and moves linearly in a horizontal direction from the retracted position to the extended position. The ottoman platform moves linearly in a vertically upward direction from the extended position to the raised position.

Abstract: A furniture member may include first and second seat assemblies and an auxiliary assembly. The first seat assembly includes a first seat bottom and a first seatback. The second seat assembly includes a second seat bottom and a second seatback. The second seat assembly may be movable relative to the first seat assembly between a retracted position in which the first seat bottom and the first seatback portion are adjacent to the second seat bottom and the second seatback, and an extended position in which the first seat bottom and the first seatback are spaced apart from the second seat bottom and the second seatback. The auxiliary assembly is movable between a stowed position in which the auxiliary assembly is disposed below the first and second seat assemblies and a deployed position in which at least a portion of the auxiliary assembly is vertically higher than in the stowed position.

Abstract: A furniture member may include a base frame, a seat bottom and an ottoman assembly. The seat bottom is attached to the base frame and defines a seating surface. The ottoman assembly may include a drive assembly that moves an ottoman platform relative to the seat bottom and the base frame among a retracted position, an extended position and a raised position. The ottoman platform includes a support surface that faces upward and away from a ground surface in the retracted, extended and raised positions. The ottoman platform is disposed beneath the seating surface in the retracted position and moves linearly in a horizontal direction from the retracted position to the extended position. The ottoman platform moves linearly in a vertically upward direction from the extended position to the raised position.

Abstract: An article of furniture having an internal frame and an upholstery covering is provided with at least one transmitting resonator carried by said frame and disposed at least partially beneath said upholstery covering. The resonator is tuned for resonance at a predetermined frequency and driven by a high frequency power source also carried by said frame. The high frequency power source is adapted for coupling to a source of electric power external to the article of furniture, such as to an AC outlet. The high frequency power source and transmitting resonator producing in the near field adjacent the at least one transmitting resonator a magnetic field that couples and transfers power at the predetermined frequency. A complementary receiving resonator or a compound passive resonator having two or more coils is coupled to the load to be powered and power is transferred by magnetic induction when the receiving resonator is positioned within the near field of the transmitting resonator.

Abstract: The switched mode power supply and method has respective AC circuit and DC circuit portions, each having their own respective grounds. To each of these respective grounds an attachment point providing an energy pathway to ground is defined. A spark gap structure, coupled between the attachment points, substantially inhibits the flow of direct current between the attachment points while providing a static electricity energy path between the attachment points. The spark gap structures may be implemented by circuit board traces, by electronic circuit component leads, by spaced apart structures such as heat sinks or by other discharging components. In this way the power supply does not need to rely on an earth ground in order to protect against damage due to electrostatic discharge.

Abstract: A system of solar powered sensors wirelessly coupled for remote monitoring using a wide area network. The sensors can be configured for monitoring a parameter associated with an oil well.