# US 10,873,205 B2 · Detachable surface mounting utility hub > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,873,205 B2 - Document ID: US10873205B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/687,208 - Filed: 2017-08-25 - Published: 2019-02-28 - Granted: 2020-12-22 - Earliest claimed: 2017-08-25 - Assignees: Soutono LLC - Applicants: Soutono LLC - Inventors: Jose Enrique Pacheco Cano; John Sundermeyer; Ingvald Smith-Kielland; Ju Chia Lee - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10873205B2 ## CPC - H02J 7/35: with light sensitive cells - H02J 7/342: {The other DC source being a battery actively interacting with the first one, i.e. battery to battery charging (with circuits for polarity protection H02J7/68)} - H02J 7/00: Circuit arrangements for charging or discharging batteries or for supplying loads from batteries - H02J 7/70: characterised by the mechanical construction - H02J 7/731: {specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries (H02J7/751 takes precedence)} - H02J 50/10: using inductive coupling - H02J: ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY ## Abstract Disclosed is a hub for charging and other applications when camping or away from power infrastructure. The hub mounts on an elevated surface such as a structure wall or roof to remain out of the way but still accessible. The hub has a body and an attachment ring. The body has a cylindrical column of a first diameter and a base of a greater second diameter. The cylindrical column has an input port along top and exterior threading below the input port. The elongated base has an output port along a bottom. The input port connects to a power source, such as a solar panel, and feeds current to the output port. The cylindrical column passes through an opening of a structure and the attachment ring screws onto the threading exposed on the other side of the structure, thereby attached the hub to the structure. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A utility hub comprising: a power distribution body comprising a unitary structure having a circular base with a first diameter and a cylindrical segment with a proximal end that extends with a second diameter, that is less than the first diameter, directly from a top side and center of the base to a distal end that is some distance above the top side of the base, wherein the base comprises at least a first connection interface, the first connection interface comprising a receptacle that distributes power to a device that is connected to the first connection interface, and wherein the cylindrical segment comprises threading about the proximal end and at least one second connection interface positioned above the threading about the distal end of the cylindrical segment, the second connection interface transferring power from an external source to the at least first connection interface in said base; and an attachment ring with a diameter about equal to the first diameter of the power distribution body, the attachment ring comprising a height that is less than a height of the cylindrical segment, an opening with a diameter about equal to the second diameter of the cylindrical segment, and threading within the opening, wherein the height of the attachment ring leaves the second connection interface positioned above the distal end of the cylindrical segment exposed when the attachment ring is secured flush against circular base as a result of screwing onto the threading about the proximal end of the cylindrical segment. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The utility hub of claim 1, wherein the first connection interface and the second connection interface are Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The utility hub of claim 1, wherein the at least one first connection interface comprises a first USB-C port and a different second charging port. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The utility hub of claim 1 further comprising circuitry and wiring connecting the first connection interface to the at least one second connection interface. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The utility hub of claim 1 further comprising a battery storing power input through the second connection interface and outputting said power through the at least one first connection interface in response to a device connecting to the at least one first connection interface. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The utility hub of claim 5 further comprising a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) exposed through a bottom of said base and distributed circularly about said base, said LED providing illumination based on said power from the battery. ### Claim 7 A charging apparatus comprising: a body comprising a cylindrical column of a first diameter that extends directly from a center of a base of a greater second diameter, the cylindrical column comprising a power input port with a female interface about a side of the cylindrical column and exterior threading below said power input port, wherein the female interface comprises a receptacle for receiving an extruding male interface of a device or wire, and the base comprising at least one power output port about a bottom of the base, wherein the power input port feeds electric current to the at least one power output port; and an attachment ring comprising a height about equal to a height of the exterior threading of the cylindrical column, a central opening about equal to the first diameter, interior threading around said central opening, and a diameter about equal to the second diameter, wherein the attachment ring connects flush against the base with the central opening passing through and past the power input port of the cylindrical column and with the interior threading of the attachment ring screwing onto the exterior threading of the cylindrical column such that the height of the attachment ring leaves the power input port exposed about the side of the cylindrical column, and wherein the charging apparatus mounts to an elevated surface by disposing the elevated surface between said base and said attachment ring, and by screwing said attachment to the exterior threading of the cylindrical column. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The charging apparatus of claim 7 further comprising a first wired connection between the power input port and a power source, and a second wired connection between the at least one power output port and a device with a depleted battery. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The charging apparatus of claim 8, wherein the power input port receives said electric current from the power source and transfers said electric current to the device through the at least one power output port. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The charging apparatus of claim 7, wherein the at least one power output port comprises first and second charging ports of the same interface. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The charging apparatus of claim 7, wherein the at least one power output port comprises first and second charging ports of different interfaces. ### Claim 12 (depends on 7) The charging apparatus of claim 7, wherein the body further comprises an integrated battery charging based on said electric current from the power input port. ### Claim 13 (depends on 7) The charging apparatus of claim 7, wherein the body further comprises a wireless receiver and a speaker outputting audio wirelessly received by the wireless receiver. ### Claim 14 (depends on 7) The charging apparatus of claim 7, wherein the body further comprises power control circuitry, said power control circuitry increasing or decreasing said electric current flowing to the at least one power output port in response to detecting a device that is connected to the at least one power output port. ### Claim 15 A charging system comprising: a tent comprising a surface opening and a plurality of connecting points about an exterior of said tent; a solar panel comprising a plurality of solar cells, a plurality of clasps, and a wire, said plurality of clasps securing the solar panel over an exterior of said tent by coupling to the plurality of connecting points about the exterior of said tent; and a charging hub comprising: a body comprising a base with a first diameter, at least one power output port about an exterior side of the base, and a protruding segment directly extending upwards from a center of said base with a second diameter, that is less than the first diameter, through said surface opening with a power input port at a top of the protruding segment and threading below the power input port, wherein the power input port connects to said wire of the solar panel and distributes electric current from the solar panel to the at least one power output port; and an attachment ring attaching the charging hub to said tent by passing through the top of the protruding segment below the power input port, and by coupling to the threading with the attachment ring pressing on the tent from one side and said base pressing on the tent from an opposite side, and the power input port being exposed above the attachment ring and connected to said wire of the solar panel. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The charging system of claim 15, wherein the plurality of connection points are rods used in erecting said tent. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The charging system of claim 15, wherein the plurality of connecting points are a plurality of rings attached along an exterior of said tent. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The utility hub of claim 1, wherein the first connection interface and the second connection interface are female interfaces comprising a receptacle for receiving a male interface of a separate device or wire.