Retrofit electric vehicle charging system with optional advertising and networking functionality and retrofitting methods for the same
AssigneeAllpole, LLC
InventorHarri T. Rauma
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems and methods for retrofitting existing light and other poles to provide additional functionality in the form of one or more electric vehicle charging stations. Exemplary systems include EV charging station bases that are interposable between an existing pole and its associated buried anchor base, and include one or more EV charging stations that may be powered through the existing electrical wiring of the pole to be retrofit. Exemplary systems may offer additional functionality in the form of optional advertising, Internet connectivity, and other features.
Claims20
A retrofit electric vehicle (EV) charging system, comprising:
- an existing pole to be retrofit;
- a custom EV charging station base comprising a secure, substantially hollow enclosure interposed between the pole to be retrofit and an existing buried anchor base to which the pole is initially secured;
- and
- at least one EV charging station built into the EV charging station base, the at least one EV charging station configured for protected connection within the EV charging station base to a source of electrical energy and to permit the charging of an electric vehicle from the exterior of the EV charging station base.
A method of retrofitting an existing pole to add at least one electric vehicle (EV) charging station, comprising:
- providing a custom EV charging station base comprising a secure, substantially hollow enclosure, the EV charging station base further comprising at least one EV charging station;
- disconnecting the pole to be retrofit from an existing buried anchor base residing subjacent to the pole;
- securing a lower end of the EV charging station base to the buried anchor base;
- affixing a base of the pole to a top end of the EV charging station base such that the EV charging station base is securely interposed between the pole and the anchor base;
- and
- connecting the at least one EV charging station to a source of electrical energy at a point within the EV charging station base;
- and
- wherein an electric vehicle may be charged by the at least one EV charging station from outside the EV charging station base.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.