摘要 |
A secure charging station 1 includes a front wall with a number of compartments 2 for temporarily securely storing one or more portable battery-operated devices, such as mobile phones. There are charging components (31, 32, 33, figure 3) for charging the portable battery-operated devices (37, figure 3) in each one of the compartments 2, and a number of closure mechanisms for securely retaining the devices (37) in the compartments 2. A user interface 3 allows a user to open and close the closure mechanisms and to place or remove the devices (37) into the compartments 2. The compartments 2 may be drawers which have a front face so that when the compartments 2 are closed they form part of the front wall of the station 1. A rear face of the compartment 2 incorporates part of the closure mechanism. When the closure mechanism is locked the compartment 2 is immobilised and when the closure mechanism is unlocked the compartment 2 is able to open. Alternatively, the station 1 may have an aperture (63, figure 6) for inserting a device (37), and a mechanism for transporting the device (37) to and from a remote charging position. |