POWER MAT

• US 20090056970A1
• Filed: 08/27/2008
• Published: 03/05/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Wiremold Co (Legrand SA)
• Original Assignee: Wiremold Co (Legrand SA)
• Inventors: Hoffman, Nathan, Picard, Richard R. JR.
• Application Number:
  US12/198,980
• Publication Number:
  US 20090056970A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 174/66
• 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 power mat provides power to a variety of locations throughout a room, without obstructing traffic through the room. The power mat covers at least a portion of the floor of the room, and comprises a plurality of outlets, at least one cable connecting the plurality of outlets and an inlet plug for providing power to the mat from the external outlet.

Claims

1. A power mat comprising:

a mat body;

a plurality of mat outlets supported by the mat body;

a plurality of internal cables connecting the plurality of outlets; and

an external cable extending from the mat body and terminating in an inlet plug for attachment to an external outlet.

2. The power mat according to claim 1, wherein the internal cable is an electrical power cable.

3. The power mat according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of mat outlets includes at least one mat high voltage outlet and at least one mat low voltage outlet.

4. The power mat according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of mat outlets is mounted in a faceplate such that the outlet is substantially flush with an outer surface of the mat.

5. The power mat according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of mat outlets is mounted substantially flush with an outer surface of the mat.

6. The power mat according to claim 1, further comprising a cover to cover the outlet, wherein the cover is substantially flush with an outer surface of the mat.

7. The power mat according to claim 6, wherein the cover is sealed to protect the outlet from moisture.

8. The power mat according to claim 6, wherein the cover is slidably movable between a closed position substantially covering the faceplate and a plurality of open positions.

9. The power mat according to claim 6, wherein the cover is biased toward the closed position.

10. The power mat according to claim 6, wherein the cover is adapted to protect the faceplate and outlet from mechanical impact when the cover is in closed position.

11. The power mat according to claim 1, wherein the internal cable is arranged in a single circuit.

12. The power mat according to claim 1, wherein the internal cable is arranged in a plurality of circuits.

13. The power mat according to claim 1, further comprising means for over-current protection.

14. The power mat according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of articulate sections.

15. The power mat according to claim 14, wherein the plurality of articulate sections are connected by mechanical linkages.

16. The power mat according to claim 1, further comprising a threshold.

17. The power mat according to claim 1, wherein the mat body is fabricated from a flexible continuous web.

18. The power mat according to claim 1, wherein the mat body is fabricated from a waffle-type material.

19. The power mat according to claim 1, wherein the mat body is flexible.

20. The power mat according to claim 1, wherein the mat body comprises two layers with the internal cables disposed therebetween.

21. The power mat according to claim 20, wherein the two layers are co-molded.

22. The power mat according to claim 20, wherein the two layers are laminated.

23. The power mat according to claim 1, wherein internal cables are molded into the mat body.

24. The power mat according to claim 1, wherein at least one outlet is disposed on a side of the mat to facilitate attachment of an adjacent mat.

25. A flexible power mat for placement onto a floor of a room, the mat comprising:

a mat body;

a plurality of mat outlets supported by the mat body;

a plurality of internal cables connecting the plurality of outlets; and

an external cable extending from the mat body and terminating in an inlet plug for attachment to an external outlet.