Power and Communication Distribution Using a Structural Channel Stystem

• US 20080155915A1
• Filed: 08/05/2005
• Published: 07/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Daniel W. Hillis, James B. Long, Robert W. Insalaco, Russell Howe
• Original Assignee: Daniel W. Hillis, James B. Long, Robert W. Insalaco, Russell Howe
• Inventors: Insalaco, Robert W., Howe, Russel, Hillis, Daniel W., Long, James B.
• Application Number:
  US11/659,127
• Publication Number:
  US 20080155915A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 52/220.3
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/00 Installations of electric cables or lines or protective tubing therefor in or on buildings, equivalent structures or vehicles installations of bus-bars H02G5/00; overhead installations H02G7/00; installations in or on the ground H02G9/00

Abstract

A structural channel system (100) includes a main structural channel rail (102), cross-channels (104) and cross-rails (106). A modular plug assembly (130) couples electrical power and communication signals to connector modules (132, 140, 144) which, in turn, control application of power to application devices (939, 969) based on the communication signals.

Claims

1. An overhead system for use within a building infrastructure for supporting a plurality of application devices, said system comprising:

a plurality of main rails interconnected so as to form a structural grid, said structural grid forming at least one visual plane relative to said building infrastructure;

said structural grid further forming a plurality of panel insert areas open to said building infrastructure;

a plurality of panels, said panels being inserted into said panel insert areas, said panels limiting access to space above said visual plane from below said visual plane; and

said plurality of main rails comprises means for permitting passage of cabling from above said visual plane to below said visual plane, in the absence of requiring any of said cabling to be passed through apertures of any of said panels.

2. An overhead system for use within a building infrastructure for supporting and energizing a plurality of application devices, said system comprising:

at least one main structural channel rail for providing a mechanical structure for said overhead system;

support means for supporting said one main rail from said building infrastructure;

power distribution means electrically connected to a source of electrical power, for distributing said electrical power along said main structural channel rail; and

said power distribution means comprises a plurality of modular sections connectable to each other, to said main structural channel rail, and to said source of electrical power, for providing access to said electrical power by said application devices at selected and spaced apart positions along said main structural channel rail.

3. An overhead system in accordance with claim 2, characterized in that said modular sections are selectively connectable as desired to individual lengths of said main structural channel rail.

164. An overhead system in accordance with claim 2, characterized in that said system further comprises connector means coupled to said at least one main structural channel rail for supporting vertically disposed functional elements below said main structural channel rail.

165. An overhead system in accordance with claim 164, characterized in that said functional elements comprise one or more space dividers.

166. An overhead system in accordance with claim 2, characterized in that said system further comprises:

a plurality of main structural channel rails; and

connector means connected to said main structural channel rails for supporting horizontally disposed functional elements from said main structural channel rails.

167. An overhead system in accordance with claim 166, characterized in that said functional elements comprise visual shields.

168. An overhead system in accordance with claim 2, characterized in that said system further comprises:

a plurality of main structural channel rails;

connector means connected to said main structural channel rails for supporting a plurality of functional elements above and/or below said main structural channel rails; and

said functional elements consist of one or more of the following group;

space dividers;

visual shields;

projection screens;

visual projectors; and

electric motors.

4. An overhead system for use within a building infrastructure for supporting and energizing a plurality of application devices, said system comprising:

at least one elongated main structural channel assembly, said channel assembly comprising a plurality of main structural channel rail lengths, each of said rail lengths comprising;

a longitudinally extending upper portion;

a series of spaced apart upper apertures extending through said upper portion, and functioning so as to permit passage of cables from above and from below said rail length;

a pair of opposing side panels extending downwardly from opposing lateral edges of said upper portion, said side panels comprising first and second side panels; and

a series of spaced apart side plug assembly apertures extending through said first side panel and/or said second side panel;

at least one modular plug assembly comprising a plurality of modular plug assembly sections, each of said modular plug assembly sections comprising;

a series of spaced apart principal electrical dividers positioned along at least one elongated side of said section;

channels formed within said principal electrical dividers for carrying communication cables and power cables;

a series of modular plugs coupled to said section and spaced apart on the same side of said section as the side carrying said principal electrical dividers, said modular plugs being spaced intermediate adjacent lengths of said principal electrical dividers; and

each of said modular plugs is electrically connected to said communication cables and to said power cables, and functions so as to provide access to communication signals carried on said communication cables and to power signals carried on said power cables.

5. An overhead system for use with a building infrastructure for supporting and energizing a plurality of application devices, said system comprising:

at least one elongated main structural channel assembly, said channel assembly compromising at least a first main structural channel rail, said rail comprising;

a longitudinally extending upper portion;

a pair of opposing side panels extending downwardly from opposing lateral edges of said upper portion, said side panels compromising first and second side panels;

a series of spaced apart side plug assembly apertures extending through said first side panel and/or said second side panel; and

an end aperture extending through said first side panel and/or said second side panel at least one end of said first main structural channel rail, said end aperture being of a length greater than the lengths of said spaced apart side plug assembly apertures;

at least one modular plug assembly comprising at least one modular plug assembly section, said section comprising;

channels formed within said section for carrying communication cables and power cables; and

a series of modular plugs coupled to said section and spaced apart along said section, said modular plugs adapted to extend inwardly through said side plug assembly apertures of said first main structural channel rail, and into a spatial region formed between said pair of opposing side panels.

169. An overhead system in accordance with claim 5, characterized in that said system further comprises:

said electrical connector means for connecting said modular plug assembly to other electrical components of said overhead system; and

said electrical connector means comprises a connector plug assembly extending through said end aperture and electrically coupled to one of said modular plugs which also extends through said end aperture.

6. An overhead system for use within a building infrastructure for supporting and energizing a plurality of application devices, said system comprising:

at least one elongated main structural channel assembly;

power distribution means electrically connected to a source of electrical power for distributing said electrical power along said main structural channel assembly;

said power distribution means comprises means for accessing said electrical power at selected and spaced apart locations along said structural channel assembly;

communications distribution means for distributing communication signals along said main structural channel assembly; and

said communications distribution means comprises means for accessing said communication signals at selected and spaced apart locations along said structural channel assembly.

7. An overhead system in accordance with claim 6, characterized in that said system further comprises means connectible to a first subset of said application devices and to said communications distribution means for receiving communication signals from said first subset of said application devices, and means connectible to a second subset of said application devices and to said power distribution means for selectively applying said electrical power to said second subset of said application devices.

8. An overhead system in accordance with claim 6, characterized in that said system further comprises control means responsive to a subset of said communication signals for selectively controlling application of electrical power to said application devices.

9. An overhead system in accordance with claim 6, characterized in that:

said elongated main structural channel assembly comprises a plurality of main rails; and

said overhead system is an open architectural system, in that said plurality of main rails, said power distribution means and said communication distribution means can be expanded as to size, either singularly or in combination, without requiring substitution or other replacement of components of a first, original structure of said elongated main rail assembly, said power distribution means or said communications distribution means.

10. An overhead system in accordance with claim 6, characterized in that said elongated main rail assembly, said power distribution means and said communications distribution means are all reconfigurable, independent of assembly, disassembly or modifications to said building infrastructure.

11. An overhead system in accordance with claim 6, characterized in that said power distribution means comprises a plurality of connector modules electrically connected to said source of electrical power, and physically located at spaced apart positions along said elongated main structural channel assembly.

12. An overhead system in accordance with claim 11, characterized in that said plurality of connector modules comprises processor means responsive to said communication signals transmitted on said communications distribution means for controlling energization of application devices connected to said connector modules, and for effecting logical control relationships among application devices connected to said overhead system.

13. An overhead system in accordance with claim 6, characterized in that said application devices comprise controlled and controlling devices, and said overhead system comprises controlled and correlation means for selectively energizing certain of said application devices from said power distribution means, and for effecting logical control relationships among said controlled and said controlling devices, in the absence of any centralized processing means or centralized control means.

151. An overhead system in accordance with claim 11, characterized in that said system further comprises:

flexible connectors for electrically interconnecting appropriate ones of said main rails;

a first switch communicatively coupled to said communication distribution means through a first connector module located on a first one of said main rails; and

light fixtures interconnected to one or more connector modules, located on either the same or different ones of said main rails, relative to said main rail to which said first connector module coupled to said first switch is located.

152. An overhead system in accordance with claim 151, characterized in that:

said communication distribution means are programmed so that said first switch controls said light fixtures as to individual states of said light fixtures; and

programming of correlation between said light fixtures and said first switch results in enablement of said first switch causing communication signals to be applied through said first connector module coupled to said first switch and to said connector modules coupled to said light fixtures.

14. An overhead system for use within a building infrastructure for supporting and energizing a plurality of application devices, said system comprising:

at least one elongated main structural channel assembly;

power distribution means electrically connected to a source of electrical power for distributing said electrical power along said main structural channel assembly;

communications distribution means for distributing communication signals along said main structural channel assembly; and

said power distribution means and said communications distribution means comprise distribution components contained within modular plug assemblies.

15. An overhead system in accordance with claim 14, characterized in that:

said system comprises a plurality of individual lengths of said modular plug assemblies; and

said individual lengths of said modular plug assemblies can be selectively located at desired positions along said main structural channel assembly, without requiring said individual lengths of said modular plug assemblies to be coupled to said main structural channel assembly along an entirety of a length of said main structural channel assembly.

16. An overhead system for use within a building infrastructure for supporting and energizing a plurality of application devices, said system comprising:

at least one main structural channel assembly, said channel assembly having a plurality of spaced apart apertures extending therethrough;

power distribution means electrically connected to a source of electrical power, for distributing said electrical power along said main structural channel assembly; and

said power distribution means comprises at least one modular plug assembly, said modular plug assembly having said distributed electrical power extending therethrough, and further having means for accessing said electrical power at spaced apart locations extending through said apertures of said main structural channel assembly.

17. An overhead system in accordance with claim 16, characterized in that said modular plug assembly is completely nonintegral with said main structural channel assembly.

18. An overhead system for use within a building infrastructure for supporting and/or energizing one or more application devices from said overhead system, said system comprising:

at least one main structural channel rail for providing a mechanical structure for said overhead system;

support means for supporting said main structural channel rail from said building infrastructure;

power distribution means electrically connected to a source of electrical power, for distributing said electrical power along said structural channel rail, so as to energize said application devices; and

communications distribution means for distributing communication signals along said main structural channel rail.

19. An overhead system in accordance with claim 18, characterized in that said power distribution means comprises a plurality of modular sections connectable to each other, to said main structural channel rail, and to said source of electrical power, for providing access to said electrical power by said application devices at selected and spaced apart positions along said main structural channel rail.

20. An overhead system in accordance with claim 18, characterized in that said modular sections are selectively connectable as desired to individual lengths of said main structural channel rail.

21. An overhead system in accordance with claim 18, characterized in that said system further comprises control means responsive to a subset of said communication signals for selectively controlling application of electrical power to said application devices.

22. An overhead system in accordance with claim 18, characterized in that said power distribution means and said communications distribution means comprise distribution components contained with modular plug assemblies.

23. An overhead system in accordance with claim 22, characterized in that:

said system comprises a plurality of individual lengths of said modular plug assemblies; and

said individual lengths of said modular plug assemblies can be selectively located at desired positions along said main structural channel rail, without requiring individual lengths of said modular plug assemblies to be coupled to said main structural channel rail along an entirety of a length of said main structural channel rail.

24. An overhead system in accordance with claim 18, characterized in that:

said main structural channel rail comprises a plurality of spaced apart apertures extending therethrough; and

said power distribution means comprises at least one modular plug assembly, said modular plug assembly having said distributed electrical power extending therein, and further having means for accessing said distributed electrical power.

25. An overhead system in accordance with claim 24, characterized in that said apertures extend through lateral sides on said main structural channel rail.

26. An overhead system in accordance with claim 18, characterized in that said power distribution means further comprises a plurality of connector modules electrically connected to said source of electrical power through said power distribution means, and locatable at desired positions along said main structural channel rail, so as to be selectively connectable with said application devices to be energized.

27. An overhead system in accordance with claim 26, characterized in that said system is configured so to provide for releasable interconnection of said connector modules at spaced apart locations along said main structural channel rail.

28. An overhead system in accordance with claim 26, characterized in that each of said plurality of connector modules comprises means responsive to a subset of said communication signals for selectively controlling application of electrical power from said connector modules to said devices.

29. An overhead system in accordance with claim 26, characterized in that said power distribution means comprises DC means connected to at least one source of DC power for distributing said DC power to said plurality of connector modules.

30. An overhead system in accordance with claim 26, characterized in that a subset of said plurality of connector modules comprises means for transmitting and receiving communication signals to and from said communications distribution means and at least a subset of said application devices.

31. An overhead system in accordance with claim 25, characterized in that:

at least one structural channel rail forms a centralized and elongated channel; and

at least a subset of said plurality of connector modules are electrically coupled to said power distribution means with said subset of connector modules fitting within said channel.

32. An overhead system in accordance with claim 26, characterized in that at least a subset of said plurality of connector modules comprises DC power means for generating DC power.

33. An overhead system in accordance with claim 26, characterized in that:

said mechanical structure further comprises a plurality of structural channel rails forming a mechanical grid; and

said mechanical grid, said power distribution means, and said communications distribution means are all reconfigurable, independent of assembly, disassembly, or modifications to said infrastructure.

34. An overhead system in accordance with claim 26, characterized in that:

said overhead system comprises a plurality of main structural channel rails, each of said main structural channel rails capable of supporting components of said power distribution means and said communications distribution means; and

said overhead system is an open architectural system, in that said plurality of structural channel rails, said power distribution means, and said communications distribution means can be expanded as to size, either singularly or in combination, without requiring substitute or other replacement of components of a first, original structure of said mechanical, said power distribution means, or said communication distribution means

35. An overhead system in accordance with claim 26, characterized in that said system comprises means for distributing electrical power and for providing a distributed, intelligence system for transmitting and receiving certain of said communication signals from said application devices physically located throughout an entirety of said mechanical structure.

36. An overhead system in accordance with claim 26, characterized in that said system further comprises device connection means physically connectable to said mechanical structure, for mechanically connecting said application devices to said mechanical structure.

37. An overhead system in accordance with claim 26, characterized in that said system further comprises device connection means manually releasable and movable so as to be connected at a desired one of a plurality of different locations through said mechanical structure, and so as to provide for releasable interconnection and movement of said application devices throughout said mechanical structure.

38. An overhead system in accordance with claim 26, characterized in that said system further comprises means for positioning sets of electrical conductors in vertically disposed configurations.

39. An overhead system in accordance with claim 18, characterized in that said system further comprises one or more wireways for distributing and carrying sets of electrical cables throughout said mechanical structure.

40. An overhead system in accordance with claim 39, characterized in that said wireways comprise means for electrically isolating and shielding said electrical cables from other electrical and communication signal conductors associated with said overhead system.

41. An overhead system in accordance with claim 39, characterized in that said overhead system further comprises means for vertically stacking a plurality of said wireways, one above the other.

42. An overhead system in accordance with claim 18, characterized in that said system further comprises height adjustment means coupled to said support means, for varying the height of a general horizontal plane of said mechanical structure.

43. An overhead system in accordance with claim 18, characterized in that said system further comprises device height adjustment means for selectively varying the vertical location of selected ones of said application devices, relative to a general horizontal plane of said mechanical structure.

44. An overhead system in accordance with claim 18, characterized in that said system further comprises:

a first set of structural components comprising a plurality of said main structural channel rails, with said first set of structural components carrying components of said power distribution means and components of said communications distribution means;

a second set of structural components; and

suspension bracket means coupled to said support means and to said mechanical structure for translating gravitational loads from said second set of structural components directly to said support means, so that substantially none of said gravitational loads from said second set of structural components are carried by said first set of said structural components.

45. An overhead system in accordance with claim 44, characterized in that said suspension bracket means comprise means for translating gravitational loads of said first set of structural components directly to said support means.

46. An overhead system in accordance with claim 45, characterized in that said suspension bracket means comprise individual means for connecting to a single one of said first set of said structural components, and to a pair of said second set of said structural components.

47. An overhead system in accordance with claim 46, characterized in that gravitational loads exerted on said suspension bracket means from said pair of said second set of structural components act so as to increase coupling forces between certain components of said suspension bracket means.

48. An overhead system in accordance with claim 44, characterized in that said support means comprise a plurality of support rods, and each of said suspension bracket means comprises means for connecting to a single one of said plurality of support rods.

49. An overhead system in accordance with claim 44, characterized in that said system further comprises:

at least one wireway for distributing and carrying sets of electrical cables throughout said overhead system; and

said wireway is carried on said overhead system so that gravitational loads are carried by said support means, and not carried by either said first set of structural components or said second set of structural components.

50. An overhead system in accordance with claim 49, characterized in that:

said support means comprises a plurality of vertically disposed support rods; and

said suspension bracket means comprises a plurality of suspension brackets, each of said suspension brackets being stackable on individual ones of said support rods, with said suspension brackets being independent of any connection to said first set of structural components or said second set of structural components.

51. An overhead system in accordance with claim 49, characterized in that said suspension bracket means comprise means for vertically stacking said second set of structural components.

52. An overhead system in accordance with claim 44, characterized in that:

said support means comprise a plurality of vertically disposed support rods; and

said suspension bracket means comprise a plurality of suspension brackets, with each of said suspension brackets being connectable to any single one of said plurality of said support rods.

53. An overhead system in accordance with claim 44, characterized in that said suspension bracket means comprises a plurality of suspension brackets, each of said suspension brackets comprising:

first section means coupled to a first one of said second set of structural components;

second section means connected to a second one of said second set of structural components;

central support section means connected to a first one of said first set of structural components, said first section means, said second section means and said support means; and

said central support section means is connected to said support means so that gravitational loads from said first section means and said second section means are translated directly to said support means, and said gravitational loads are not carried by said first one of said first set of structural components.

54. An overhead system in accordance with claim 53, characterized in that:

said first section means comprises a central portion having a leg formed on one side thereof, so as to configure a capturing slot, and an arcuate arm formed on an opposing side of said central portion;

said second section means is substantially identical to said first section means; and

when assembled, said arcuate arm of said first section means is captured within said capturing slot of said section means, and said arcuate arm of said second section means is captured within said capturing slot of said first section means.

55. An overhead system in accordance with claim 53, characterized in that:

said first section means comprises a first suspension bracket section half; and

said second section means comprises a second suspension bracket section half, with said second suspension bracket section half being substantially identical to said first suspension bracket section half.

56. An overhead system in accordance with claim 55, characterized in that when one of said suspension brackets is assembled with said suspension bracket section halves being coupled together, outwardly directed forces exerted on said suspension bracket section halves of said one suspension bracket will act so as to increase coupling forces between said suspension bracket section halves.

57. An overhead system in accordance with claim 44, characterized in that:

said suspension bracket means comprise a plurality of suspension brackets, each of said suspension brackets comprising a universal suspension plate assembly connected to said support means; and

said universal suspension plate assembly is adapted to be used independently of other components of said suspension bracket, for purposes of directly securing structural elements to said support means.

58. An overhead system in accordance with claim 44, characterized in that said suspension bracket means comprises a plurality of suspension brackets, and each of said suspension brackets comprises means for mounting at least one cableway.

59. An overhead system in accordance with claim 58, characterized in that said suspension brackets comprise means for mounting said cableway so that gravitational loads of said cableway are carried by said support means, and are not carried by said first set of said structural components.

60. An overhead system in accordance with claim 44, characterized in that:

said support means comprises a plurality of support rods;

said suspension bracket means comprises a plurality of suspension brackets; and

each of said suspension brackets comprise means for being coupled to at least one of said support rods, so that individual ones of said suspension brackets are vertically stackable, one above the other on a single support rod.

61. An overhead system in accordance with claim 60, characterized in that said suspension brackets comprise means for connecting to said second set of structural components, so that elements of said second set of structural components are capable of being vertically stacked in correspondence with vertical stacking of said suspension brackets.

62. An overhead system in accordance with claim 61, characterized in that said suspension brackets comprise means for said vertical stacking of said second set of structural components, independent of any interconnection to said first set of structural components.

63. An overhead system in accordance with claim 18, characterized in that said system further comprises:

a plurality of main structural channel rails;

a plurality of structural cross channels connected between pairs of said main structural channel rails;

said support means comprises a plurality of suspension brackets and a plurality of elongated supporting elements connected to said infrastructure and further connected to at least one of said main structural channel rails; and

said plurality of main rails, said plurality of suspension brackets, said plurality of structural cross channels and said plurality of elongated supporting elements form a structural grid comprising a common base for implementing various configurations of said overhead system.

64. An overhead system in accordance with claim 63, characterized in that an overhead system of an initial structural configuration can be expanded in size so as to form a second overhead system, without modification of said initial structural configuration.

65. An overhead system in accordance with claim 63, characterized in that:

said system further comprises a plurality of suspension points or nodes, where each suspension point or node is formed at a location along one of said main structural channel rails, and where ends of a pair of said structural cross channels, one of said suspension brackets and one of said elongated supporting elements are coupled together; and

said coupling is provided by said suspension bracket supporting, at least in part, said pair of said structural cross channels, and said elongated supporting element supporting said suspension bracket, said main structural channel rail in part, and said pair of said structural cross channels.

66. An overhead system in accordance with claim 18, characterized in that said system further comprises:

a plurality of main structural channel rails; and

said plurality of main structural channel rails comprises a series of spaced apart apertures, said spaced apart apertures adapted to permit passage of electrical cables therethrough.

67. An overhead system in accordance with claim 66, characterized in that said main structural channel rails are supported by said support means, and load ratings of any given one of said structural channel rails may be varied by varying the intervals at which said structural channel rails are supported by said support means.

68. An overhead system in accordance with claim 18, characterized in that said mechanical structure further comprises:

a plurality of main structural channel rails, each of said main structural channel rails being supported by said support means; and

a plurality of cross channels, each of said cross channels being coupled to and supported by said support means.

69. An overhead system in accordance with claim 68, characterized in that each of said plurality of cross channels has opposing ends positioned adjacent to said structural channel rails, with each of said cross channels being supported by said support means.

70. An overhead system in accordance with claim 68, characterized in that each of said main structural channel rails includes a series of spaced apart apertures, said spaced apart apertures adapted to permit passage of electrical cables therethrough.

71. An overhead system in accordance with claim 18, characterized in that said mechanical structure comprises:

a plurality of main structural channel rails;

a plurality of cross channels having opposing ends positioned adjacent two of said main structural channel rails, with each of said cross channels being supported by said support means; and

a plurality of cross rails coupled to and supported by one or more of said main structural channel rails.

72. An overhead system in accordance with claim 71, characterized in that said overhead system further comprises connection means for connecting one or more of said cross rails to one or more of said cross channels.

73. An overhead system in accordance with claim 71, characterized in that said overhead system comprises connection means for connecting one or more of said cross rails to one or more of said main structural channel rails, at an acute angle relative to an elongated length of an interconnected one of said main structural channel rails.

74. An overhead system in accordance with claim 73, characterized in that said connection means comprises a cross rail connector assembly, said cross rail connector assembly comprising:

a universal structural channel attachment assembly, comprising a pair of opposing left side and right side brackets, said brackets adapted to be coupled to one of said main structural channel rails; and

a suspension rod coupled to said pair of opposing brackets and to said cross rail.

75. An overhead system in accordance with claim 18, characterized in that said system further comprises:

a plurality of main structural channel rails interconnected so as to form a structural grid, said structural grid forming at least one substantially horizontal plane relative to said building infrastructure; and

connection means connectable to components of said structural grid and to a subset of said application devices, so as to support said subset of said application devices above said substantially horizontal plane of said structural grid.

76. An overhead system in accordance with claim 18, characterized in that said power distribution means comprises:

a plurality of connector modules electrically connected to said source of electrical power through said power distribution means, and locatable at desired positions along said main structural channel rail, so as to be selectively connectable with said application devices to be energized;

plug assembly means electrically connected to said power supply, for carrying electrical power throughout said mechanical structure;

plug assembly connection means for selectively and mechanically connecting said plug assembly means to components of said mechanical structure; and

said plug assembly means comprise a plurality of tap means located at spaced apart positions along said plug assembly means, and electrically connectable to said connector modules for supplying said electrical power from said power supply means to said connector modules.

77. An overhead system in accordance with claim 76, characterized in that said plug assembly means comprises:

a plurality of modular plug assembly sections, each section having an elongated configuration and connectable to components of said mechanical structure; and

modular plug assembly connector means for electrically connecting together individual ones of said modular plug assembly sections.

78. An overhead system in accordance with claim 77, characterized in that:

each of said modular plug assembly sections carries a set of electrical power conductors, electrically connected to said power supply;

said tap means comprise a plurality of modular plugs, each of said modular plugs having terminals electrically tapped into said electrical power conductors, with said modular plugs being located at spaced apart positions along said modular plug assembly sections; and

said modular plug terminals are connectable to said connector modules.

79. An overhead system in accordance with claim 77, characterized in that said modular plug assembly sections are adapted to be used independent of any mechanical connections to components of said structural grid.

80. An overhead system in accordance with claim 77, characterized in that:

each of said modular plug assembly sections carries at least one set of communication conductors, carrying said communication signals;

each of said modular plug assembly sections carries at least one set of electrical power conductors, electrically coupled to said power supply means and to said tap means; and

said modular plug assembly sections comprise means for mechanically and electrically isolating said electrical power conductors from said communication conductors.

81. An overhead system in accordance with claim 80, characterized in that said tap means comprise means for tapping into said communication conductors, and supplying communication signals carried by said communication conductors to said connector modules.

82. An overhead system in accordance with claim 81, characterized in that said communication conductors comprise at least one conductor carrying DC power.

83. An overhead system in accordance with claim 80, characterized in that said tap means comprise:

means for tapping into said communication conductors, and supplying communication signals carried by said communication conductors to said connector modules; and

means for simultaneously tapping into said electrical power conductors, and supplying electrical signals carried by said electrical power conductors to said connector modules.

84. An overhead system in accordance with claim 77, characterized in that said modular plug assembly connector means comprise:

a right hand jumper assembly having right hand terminal means electrically and mechanically connectable to a connector plug of a first modular power assembly section;

a left hand jumper assembly having left hand terminal means electrically and mechanically connectable to a connector plug of a second one of said modular plug assembly sections; and

electrical conduit means mechanically connected to said right hand jumper assembly and said left hand jumper assembly, and carrying electrical power conductors electrically connected to said right hand terminal means and to said left hand terminal means.

85. An overhead system in accordance with claim 84, characterized in that said left hand jumper assembly and said right hand jumper assembly are configured so that said modular plug assembly connector means are unidirectional, in that said modular plug assembly connector means are capable of being electrically and physically connected to adjoining ones of said modular plug assembly sections only in one direction.

86. An overhead system in accordance with claim 84, characterized in that said modular plug assembly connector means comprise means for electrically connecting together communications signal conductors from said modular plug assembly sections.

87. An overhead system in accordance with claim 18, characterized in that said system further comprises:

a plurality of connector modules electrically connected to said source of electrical power;

wireway means for carrying high voltage and other conductors carrying electrical power and/or communication signals separate and independent of other conductors of said power distribution means and/or said communications distribution means which are carrying electrical power and/or communication signals, respectively; and

wireway access means for tapping into said high voltage and other conductors at selected locations throughout said mechanical structure, for purposes of supplying electrical power and/or communication signals to one or more of said plurality of connector modules, and/or one or more of said application devices.

88. An overhead system in accordance with claim 18, characterized in that:

said mechanical structure comprises a plurality of elongated main structural channel rails; and

said overhead system further comprises a plurality of universal suspension plate assemblies connectable to said main structural channel rails and to said support means in a first configuration for supporting said main structural channel rails from said building infrastructure.

89. An overhead system in accordance with claim 88, characterized in that each of said universal suspension plate assemblies is further adapted to be connectable to said main structural channel rails in a second configuration so as to support various elements from said main structural channel rails, with said elements being positioned below said main structural channel rails.

90. An overhead system in accordance with claim 88, characterized in that said universal suspension plate assemblies are adapted to be configured in a third configuration, whereby a single one of said universal suspension plate assemblies in said third configuration is connected to said support means and is also mechanically interconnected to adjacent ends of a pair of said main structural channel rails.

91. An overhead system in accordance with claim 18, characterized in that said system further comprises:

a plurality of main structural channel rails;

a plurality of cross channels adapted to be mechanically interconnected between two or more of said main structural channel rails, so that said main structural channel rails and said cross channels form said mechanical structure;

bracket configuration means mechanically supported on one or more of said cross channels, for purposes of supporting functional devices above a general plane of said mechanical structure; and

said bracket configuration means have a plurality of braces and a plurality of T-brackets and 90°

brackets for purposes of interconnecting together two or more braces of said bracket assembly means, and for connecting said braces to said cross channels.

92. An overhead system in accordance with claim 18, characterized in that said system further comprises:

at least one cableway adapted to be positioned above said main structural channel rail, and comprising individual cableway sections for carrying conductors, with said conductors carrying power and/or communication signals; and

each of said cableway sections comprises a living hinge for access to interiors of said cableway sections.

93. An overhead system in accordance with claim 18, characterized in that:

said system further comprises a plurality of main structural channel rails adapted to support various components of said overhead system, including said power distribution means and said communication distribution means; and

said main structural channel rails are configured so as to include apertures therein, whereby space is provided for structural and electrical components of said overhead system to be extended above a general plane of said main structural channel rails through center portions of said main structural channel rails.

94. An overhead system in accordance with claim 93, characterized in that:

said support means comprises a plurality of support rods having an upper end attached to said infrastructure; and

said main structural channel rails and said support rods are positionable so that said support rods can be directly extended through said center portions of said main structural channel rails, and connected to other devices associated with said overhead system, without supporting or otherwise being connected to said structural channel rails.

95. An overhead system in accordance with claim 18, characterized in that said power distribution means further comprise power entry means directly connected to said power supply source for applying electrical power from said power supply source to other components of said system.

96. An overhead system in accordance with claim 95, characterized in that said power entry means comprise means responsive to said power supply source for generating DC power.

97. An overhead system in accordance with claim 95, characterized in that said power entry means comprise:

a plurality of power entry boxes directly connected to said power supply source, and adapted to be secured to and supported by components of said mechanical structure; and

a plurality of power box connectors, each connector associated with a corresponding one of said power entry boxes, and having means for electrically connecting said power entry boxes to other components of said power distribution means.

98. An overhead system in accordance with claim 97, characterized in that at least a subset of said plurality of said power entry boxes comprise means for receiving power of multiple voltages from said power supply source.

99. An overhead system in accordance with claim 95, characterized in that said power entry means comprise network circuit means for providing certain circuit paths for said communication signals.

100. An overhead system for use within a building infrastructure for supporting and energizing a plurality of application devices, said system comprising:

at least one main structural channel rail for providing a mechanical structure for said overhead system;

power distribution means for distributing electrical power along said main rail;

communications distribution means for distributing communication signals along said main rail;

a plurality of connector modules, with at least a subset of said plurality of connector modules comprising;

input power connection means for releasably interconnecting said connector modules to said power distribution means, and for receiving said electrical power;

output power connection means coupled to said input power connection means, and releasably connectable to one or more of said application devices, for energizing said application devices;

communication input connection means for releasably interconnecting said subset of connector modules to said communications distribution means, and for receiving a first set of communication signals;

processor means responsive to said first set of communication signals, for generating a first set of power control signals; and

said output power connection means are responsive to said first set of power control signals, so as to selectively apply electrical power as output signals from said output power connection means.

101. An overhead system in accordance with claim 100, characterized in that:

said processor means are further responsive to said received first set of communication signals, for reading data embodied within said first set of communication signals; and

said processor means are responsive to said data embodied within said first set of communication signals so as to apply said first set of communication signals or a second set of communication signals to said communications distribution means through said communication input connection means.

102. An overhead system in accordance with claim 100, characterized in that each of said subset of connector modules comprises means for receiving DC power from said communications distribution means, and using said DC power for operating components of said connector module.

103. An overhead system in accordance with claim 100, characterized in that each of said subset of said connector modules comprises means for generating DC power.

104. An overhead system in accordance with claim 100, characterized in that each of said subset of said connector modules further comprises:

spatial signal receiving means for receiving spatial control signals from external sources; and

means for applying said received spatial control signals to said processor means.

105. An overhead system in accordance with claim 104, characterized in that said processor means is responsive to said received spatial control signals so as to generate communication signals, and apply said communication signals to said communications distribution means.

106. An overhead system in accordance with claim 100, characterized in that:

said power distribution means comprise a modular plug assembly, having modular plug assembly sections with a plurality of modular plugs thereon;

said modular plug assembly sections are mechanically connected to said main structural channel rail; and

each of said subset of connector modules comprises a latch assembly manually operable so as to releasably secure said connector module to one of said modular plug assembly sections.

107. An overhead system in accordance with claim 100, characterized in that each of said subset of connector modules further comprises at least one connector port for transmitting and for receiving communication signals directly from application devices.

108. An overhead system in accordance with claim 107, characterized in that said connector port further comprises means for transmitting DC power to a subset of said application devices.

109. An overhead system in accordance with claim 100, characterized in that said output power connection means comprises at least one outlet receptacle adapted to releasably receive a conventional AC plug from an application device.

110. An overhead system in accordance with claim 100, characterized in that said output power connection means comprise at least one universal connector adapted to receive a multi-terminal mating power connector associated with at least one of said application devices.

111. An overhead system in accordance with claim 100, characterized in that said output power connection means comprises at least one multiple voltage relay adapted to be releasably connected to a multiple voltage switch of one of said application devices.

112. An overhead system in accordance with claim 100, characterized in that each of said subset of connector modules comprises visual means for visually indicating to a user a status of said connector module.

113. An overhead system in accordance with claim 100, characterized in that said system further comprises spatial signal receiver means for receiving spatial control signals from a user, with said receiver means being remote from a subset of said plurality of said connector modules.

114. An overhead system in accordance with claim 100, characterized in that at least a subset of said communication signals are utilized to control and reconfigure control among various ones of said application devices.

115. An overhead system in accordance with claim 100, characterized in that said system provides for reconfiguration in real time of control relationships between and among at least a subset of said application devices.

116. An overhead system in accordance with claim 100, characterized in that:

at least a subset of said plurality of connector modules are electrically coupled to certain of said application devices; and

said connector modules comprise processor means and associated circuitry responsive to a subset of said communication signals, so as to selectively control said interconnected application devices, in response to certain of said communication signals being received from others of said application devices.

117. An overhead system in accordance with claim 100, characterized in that said system comprises means for distributing electrical power and for providing a distributed intelligence system for transmitting and receiving certain of said communication signals from application devices physically located throughout the entirety of said structural grid.

118. An overhead system in accordance with claim 100, characterized in that a subset of said plurality of connector modules comprise means for transmitting and receiving communication signals to and from said communications distribution means and at least a subset of said application devices.

119. An overhead system in accordance with claim 100, characterized in that:

said application devices comprise at least one controlling device, said controlling device having signal generating means for generating a first set of said communication signals;

said application devices further comprise at least one controlled device, said controlled device being associated with one of said plurality of connector modules, and having at least first and second states; and

said first set of said communication signals is utilized to effect a logical control relationship between said controlling device and said controlled device, so that said controlling device controls whether said controlled device is in said first state or said second state.

120. An overhead system in accordance with claim 119, characterized in that said logical control relationship between said controlling device and said controlled device is capable of reconfiguration at least in part with a second set of said communication signals, in the absence of any physical relocation of any physical rewiring associated with said controlling device and said controlled device.

121. An overhead system in accordance with claim 119, characterized in that said controlling device is communicatively coupled to a first one of said connector modules, and said first set of said communication signals is applied to said communications distribution means through said first connector module.

122. An overhead system in accordance with claim 121, characterized in that said controlled device is electrically coupled to a second one of said connector modules, and said second one of said connector modules is responsive to said first set of said communication signals to selectively apply electrical power to said controlled device, so as to cause said controlled device to function in either said first state or said second state.

123. An overhead system in accordance with claim 119, characterized in that said controlling device comprises processor means responsive to external control signals for generating communication signals so as to effect said logical control relationship between said controlling device and said controlled device.

124. An overhead system in accordance with claim 119, characterized in that said controlling device is electrically coupled to a first connector module through a series of connector ports and at least one patch cord.

125. An overhead system in accordance with claim 124, characterized in that said patch cord and said connector ports are adapted to apply DC power from said first connector module to said controlling device.

126. An overhead system in accordance with claim 119, characterized in that:

said first set of said communication signals generated from said controlling device are applied as input signals to a first one of said connector modules; and

said first connector module comprises processor means responsive to said first set of communication signals, for applying said first set of said communication signals to said communications distribution means.

127. An overhead system in accordance with claim 126, characterized in that:

said controlled device is electrically coupled to a second one of said connector modules;

said second connector module comprises means for receiving said first set of communication signals; and

said second connector module further comprises processor means responsive to said first set of communication signals for generating control signals and a second set of communication signals indicative of whether said controlled device is to be controlled by said controlling device.

128. An overhead system in accordance with claim 119, characterized in that said communication signals carried on said communications distribution means are in a differential signal format.

129. An overhead system in accordance with claim 119, characterized in that at least a subset of said connector modules comprises processor means programmable by a user so as to initiate or otherwise modify said logical control relationship among said controlling and controlled devices.

130. An overhead system in accordance with claim 119, characterized in that said system comprises remote programming means for transmitting spatial signals to one or more of said connector modules.

131. An overhead system in accordance with claim 130, characterized in that said remote programming means further comprises means for transmitting spatial signals to said controlling device, thereby causing said controlling device to be assigned as a control for said first connector module.

132. An overhead system in accordance with claim 130, characterized in that said spatial signals transmitted to said first connector module announce to said communications distribution means that said first connector module is available for purposes of control.

133. An overhead system in accordance with claim 119, characterized in that said first set of said communication signals generated by said controlling device are applied to said communications distribution means as wireless signals.

134. An overhead system in accordance with claim 119, characterized in that said system comprises a first manually operable programming means for transmitting programming signals to said controlling device and to said connector module associated with said controlled device, said programming signals acting so as to effect said logical control relationship.

135. An overhead system in accordance with claim 134, characterized in that said programming means comprise a hand-held device.

136. An overhead system in accordance with claim 119, characterized in that:

said mechanical structure comprises a plurality of structural channel rail sections;

said power distribution means comprises a modular plug assembly having a plurality of plug assembly sections, each section having a plurality of modular plugs adapted to be physically and electrically connected to said connector modules;

said controlling devices comprise a plurality of switches, including a first switch; and

said controlled devices comprise a plurality of lighting fixtures and other powered devices.

137. An overhead system in accordance with claim 136, characterized in that:

said mechanical structure comprises a first set of said structural channel rail sections, with at least two of said rail sections having a longitudinally aligned configuration;

said power distribution means comprises a plurality of power entry boxes, with at least a subset of said structural channel rail sections having a power entry box connected to each of said subset of rail sections; and

said power entry boxes having electrical power cables and outgoing communication cables, with said power cables and said communication cables being connected to plug assembly sections of said modular plug assembly.

138. An overhead system in accordance with claim 137, characterized in that:

said power entry boxes comprise network circuits forming circuit paths for said communication signals; and

said system further comprises means for daisy chaining together individual ones of said power entry boxes, so as to link said network circuits together to form said communications distribution means.

139. An overhead system in accordance with claim 138, characterized in that said system further comprises:

flexible connectors for interconnecting appropriate ones of said plug assembly sections;

said first switch is communicatively coupled to said communications distribution means through a first connector module located on a first one of said structural channel rail sections; and

said light fixtures are interconnected to one or more of said connector modules, located on either the same or different ones of said main structural channel rail sections, relative to the main structural channel rail section to which said first connector module coupled to said first switch is located.

140. An overhead system in accordance with claim 139, characterized in that:

said communications distribution means has been programmed so that said first switch controls said light fixtures as to individual states of said light fixtures; and

programming of correlation between said light fixtures and said first switch results in enablement of said first switch causing communication signals to be applied through said first connector module coupled to said first switch and to said connector modules coupled to said light fixtures.

141. An overhead system in accordance with claim 119, characterized in that said connector module coupled to said controlled device is programmable so as to have a unique address identifiable through said communications distribution means.

142. An overhead system for use with a building infrastructure for supporting and energizing a plurality of application devices, said system comprising:

at least one main structural channel rail for providing a mechanical structure for said overhead system, said main structural channel rail comprising first and second opposing lateral sides, with a series of spaced apart apertures extending through each of said opposing lateral sides;

support means for supporting said one main rail from said building infrastructure;

at least one modular plug assembly electrically connected to power supply means and extending along said main structural channel rail, said modular plug assembly comprising;

power distribution means electrically connected to said power supply means for distributing electrical power along said main structural channel rail;

communications distribution means for distributing communication signals along said main structural channel rail;

said power distribution means comprises a series of modular plugs electrically connected to said power supply means and adapted to extend through said apertures of said main structural channel rail; and

said communication signals are carried within said modular plugs.

143. An overhead system for use with a building infrastructure for supporting and energizing a plurality of application devices, said system comprising:

a plurality of main structural channel rails for providing a mechanical structure for said overhead system;

a plurality of cross channels connected between pairs of said plurality of main structural channel rails;

support means for supporting said main structural channel rails and said cross channels from said building infrastructure;

power distribution means electrically connected to power supply means for distributing electrical power along said main structural channel rail;

communications distribution means for distributing communication signals along said main structural channel rail;

a plurality of suspension brackets coupled to said support means and to said mechanical structure for translating gravitational loads from said cross channels to said support means, so that substantially none of said gravitational loads from said cross channels are carried by said main structural channel rails; and

modular means connected to said power supply means and extending at least in part along said main structural channel rails, for carrying said power distribution means and said communication distribution means.

145. An overhead system in accordance with claim 143, characterized in that said system further comprises connection means for connecting one or more of said cross rails to one or more of said main structural channel rails, at an acute angle relative to an elongated length of an interconnected one of said main structural channel rails.

146. An overhead system in accordance with claim 145, characterized in that said connection means comprises a cross rail connector assembly, said cross rail connector assembly comprising:

a universal structural channel attachment assembly, comprising a pair of opposing left side and right side brackets, said brackets adapted to be coupled to one of said main structural channel rails; and

a suspension rod coupled to said pair of opposing brackets and to said cross rail.

144. An overhead system for use with a building infrastructure for supporting and energizing a plurality of application devices, said system comprising:

a plurality of main structural channel rails for providing a mechanical structure for said overhead system;

support means for supporting said structural channel rails from said building infrastructure;

power distribution means electrically connected to power supply means for distributing electrical power along said main structural channel rails;

communications distribution means for distributing communication signals along said main structural channel rails; and

a plurality of cross rails coupled to and supported by one or more of said main structural channel rails.

147. An overhead system for use with a building infrastructure for supporting and energizing a plurality of application devices, said system comprising:

at least one main rail for providing a mechanical structure for said overhead system;

support means for supporting said one main rail from said infrastructure;

power distribution means electrically connected to power supply means for distributing electrical power along said main rail;

communications distribution means for distributing communication signals along said main rail;

a wireway adapted to carry electrical cables at a position above a general plane of said mechanical structure;

said wireway comprising a plurality of elongated wireway sections, each section having means for electrically and physically isolating said electrical cables from other electrical components associated with said overhead system; and

said wireway further comprises joiner sections for mechanically interconnecting ends of pairs of adjacent wireway sections, so as to maintain electrical isolation of said electrical cables as said electrical cables pass from one of said wireway sections to an adjacent one of said wireway sections.

148. An overhead system in accordance with claim 147, characterized in that each of said wireway sections comprises a hinged cover for providing access to said electrical cables, while also selectively maintaining an isolating covering for each of said wireway sections.

149. An overhead system in accordance with claim 148, characterized in that:

said mechanical structure further comprises a plurality of suspension brackets, for mechanically coupling other components of said mechanical structure to said support means;

each of said wireways is sized and configured so as to be supported on said suspension brackets; and

said wireways and said suspension brackets comprise means for securing said wireways to said suspension brackets.

150. An overhead system for use with a building infrastructure for supporting and energizing a plurality of application devices coupled to said overhead system, said system comprising:

a plurality of elongated main rails forming a mechanical structure;

power distribution means electrically connected to a source of electrical power for distributing said electrical power throughout said mechanical structure;

communication distribution means for distributing communication signals throughout said mechanical structure;

power entry means comprising network circuits forming circuit paths for said communication signals; and

means for daisy chaining together individual ones of said power entry means, so as to link said network circuits together to form a communications network.

153. A suspension bracket system for suspending a plurality of structural elements from a building structure, said system comprising:

at least one suspension bracket;

support means connected to said suspension bracket for supporting said suspension bracket; and

said plurality of structural elements comprising;

a first set of first structural elements comprising at least one first structural element; and

a second set of second structural elements comprising at least a pair of said second structural elements;

said suspension bracket comprises first connection means for releasably connecting said suspension bracket to said at least one first structural element;

said suspension bracket further comprises second connection means for releasably connecting said suspension bracket to said at least one pair of said second structural elements; and

when said suspension bracket is connected to said at least one first structural element and said at least a pair of second structural elements, said first connection means and said second connection means act so as to cause at least a portion of gravitational loads of said pair of second structural elements to be carried by said support means, to cause at least a portion of said gravitational loads of said at least one first structural element to be carried by said support means, and to prevent substantially any gravitational loads of said pair of second structural elements from being carried by said at least one first structural element.

154. A suspension bracket in accordance with claim 153, characterized in that gravitational loads exerted on said suspension bracket from said pair of said second set of second structural elements act so as to increase coupling forces between certain components of said suspension bracket.

155. An overhead system in accordance with claim 153, characterized in that said support means comprise a plurality of support rods, and said suspension bracket comprises means for connecting to a single one of said plurality of support rods.

156. A suspension bracket system in accordance with claim 153, characterized in that said system further comprises:

at least one wireway for distributing and carrying sets of electrical cables; and

said at least one wireway is supported so that gravitational loads are carried by said support means, and not carried by either said first set of structural elements or said second set of structural elements.

157. A suspension bracket system in accordance with claim 153, characterized in that:

said support means comprises a plurality of vertically disposed support rods; and

said system further comprises a plurality of said suspension brackets, each of said suspension brackets being stackable on individual ones of said support rods, with said suspension brackets being independent of any connection to said first set of structural elements or said second set of structural elements.

158. A suspension bracket system in accordance with claim 153, characterized in that said suspension bracket comprises:

first section means coupled to a first one of said second set of structural elements;

second section means connected to a second one of said second set of structural elements;

central support section means connected to a first one of said first set of structural elements, said first section means, said second section means and said support means; and

said central support section means is connected to said support means so that gravitational loads from said first section means and said second section means are translated directly to said support means, and said gravitational loads are not carried by said first one of said first set of structural components.

159. A suspension bracket system in accordance with claim 158, characterized in that:

said first section means comprises a central portion having a leg formed on one side thereof, so as to configure a capturing slot, and an arcuate arm formed on an opposing side of said central portion;

said second section means is substantially identical to said first section means; and

when assembled, said arcuate arm of said first section means is captured within said capturing slot of said second section means, and said arcuate arm of said second section means is captured within said capturing slot of said first section means.

160. A suspension bracket system in accordance with claim 158 characterized in that:

said first section means comprises a first suspension bracket section half; and

said second section means comprises a second suspension bracket section half, with said second suspension bracket section half being substantially identical to said first suspension bracket section half.

161. A suspension bracket system in accordance with claim 159 characterized in that when one of said suspension brackets is assembled with said suspension bracket section halves being coupled together, outwardly directed forces exerted on said suspension bracket section half of said one suspension bracket will act so as to increase coupling forces between said suspension bracket section halves.

162. An overhead system for use within a building infrastructure for supporting a plurality of application devices, said system comprising:

a structural grid comprising a plurality of main structural channel rails and a plurality of cross channels;

a plurality of suspension brackets;

a plurality of supporting elements connected to said building infrastructure and to said structural grid;

said structural grid comprises a plurality of suspension nodes, each node comprising a spatial location where one of said suspension brackets is connected to one of said supporting elements, one of said main structural channel rails and a pair of said cross channels; and

said suspension nodes are formed so that said structural grid can physically support ceiling coverings, space dividers, lighting fixtures, ductwork and other application devices, with said suspension nodes providing for gravitational loads of said main structural channel rails, said cross channels, said ceiling coverings, said space dividers and said application devices being carried by said plurality of supporting elements.

163. An overhead system for use within a building infrastructure for supporting and energizing a plurality of application devices, said system comprising:

at least one main structural channel rail for providing a mechanical structure for said overhead system;

power distribution means for distributing electrical power along said main rail;

communications distribution means for distributing communication signals along said main rail;

a plurality of connector modules, with at least a subset of said plurality of connector modules comprising;

input power connection means for releasably interconnecting said connector modules to said power distribution means, and for receiving said electrical power;

communication input connection means for releasably interconnecting said subset of connector modules to said communications distribution means, and for receiving said communication signals;

processor means responsive to said communication signals, for generating application device control signals for controlling application of power to interconnected ones of said application devices;

spatial signal receiver means for receiving spatial control signals from a user;

cable means connecting said spatial signal receiver means directly to a first connector module to be controlled by said spatial control signals; and

said cable means is connected to said first connector module to be controlled by said spatial control signals so that said spatial control signals are received by said first connector module in the same manner as said first connector module receives said communication signals from said communications distribution means.