Wall panel with prewired power system

• US 4,370,008 A
• Filed: 04/23/1980
• Issued: 01/25/1983
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/1975
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Haworth Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Haworth Manufacturing Incorporated
• Inventors: Wilson, Harold R., Haworth, Richard G., Saylor, Charles J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Abrams, Neil
• Application Number:
  US06/142,911
• Time in Patent Office: 1,007 Days
• Field of Search: 339/20, 339/21, 339/22, 339/23, 339/4, 339/6, 52/221, 52/239
• US Class Current: 439/165
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2/7425 Details of connection of panels E04B2/7427 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2002/7466 using hooks
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2002/7487 Partitions with slotted profiles
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2002/7488 Details of wiring
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2002/749 Partitions with screw-type jacks
• CPC Class Codes: E04C 2/521 serving for locating conduits; for ventilating, heating or cooling
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/00 Coupling parts supported only by co-operation with counterpart
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 35/00 Flexible or turnable line connectors , i.e. the rotation angle being limited rotary current collectors, distributors H01R39/00
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/288 in modular walls, e.g. wall panels

Abstract

A portable, prefabricated panel adapted to be connected with a plurality of similar panels to form a wall or partition structure. The panel is electrically prewired and includes electrical power blocks disposed adjacent the opposite lower corners of the panel, which power blocks are connected by electrical cables which extend internally of the panel. When two or more panels are connected together, electrical power is transmitted between each adjacent pair of panels by a flexible electrical connector which plugs into the power blocks of the adjacent panels. The panel also has electrical sockets integrally associated therewith, which sockets are preferably associated with the power blocks. The power blocks are symmetrical so that the same electrical connections can be made on either side of the panel. A channel-like raceway extends along the bottom edge of the panel for permitting the hidden storage of communication cables. The panel preferably has a rectangular frame formed from hollow channel-like members which define an interior path around the complete periphery of the panel to facilitate the feeding of cables and conduits along the vertical or horizontal edges of the panel.

Claims

1. In a substantially free-standing interior wall system for dividing a large office area into smaller working areas, said wall system including a plurality of portable prefabricated upright panels, at least some of said panels being horizontally connected together in series so that the vertical end edges of said panels are positioned in close proximity to one another, and hinge means connected between the adjacent vertical end edges of adjacent panels for horizontally hingedly connecting said adjacent panels together to permit them to be horizontally angularly adjusted with respect to one another, the improvement comprising electrical power means formed as an integral part of said wall system for transmitting electrical energy to and between a group of said series-connected panels, said power means including:

first and second electrical terminal means fixedly mounted on each said panel of said group approximately adjacent the opposite end edges thereof in the vicinity of the lower corners of said panel, said electrical terminal means being disposed substantially between a pair of substantially parallel vertical planes as defined by the opposite side surfaces of the respective panel;

raceway means fixedly connected to each said panel of said plurality and extending horizontally across said panel adjacent the lower edge thereof, said first and second terminal means being positioned adjacent the opposite ends of said raceway means, said raceway means extending across and having a width which approximately corresponds to the width of said panel, said raceway means including wall means defining a substantially closed interior passageway which extends horizontally of said panel between said first and second electrical terminal means for permitting communication cables or the like to pass therethrough;

cable means extending horizontally across each said panel, the opposite ends of said cable means being fixedly connected to said first and second electrical terminal means for permitting transmission of electrical energy therebetween;

each said terminal means having a pair of multiconductor connection means integrally associated therewith, the pair of connection means on said first terminal means being identical to the pair of connection means on said second terminal means, each said connection means defining one-half of a separable electrical connection, said pair of connection means as associated with each said terminal means being sidewardly spaced apart in the widthwise dimension of the panel but spaced laterally inwardly from the exterior sidewalls of said raceway means, whereby one connection means of said pair is positioned more closely adjacent one of the side surfaces of the panel and the other connection means of said pair is positioned more closely adjacent the other side surface of the panel;

flexible electrical connector means extending between and connected to the opposed pair of electrical terminal means as provided on first and second said panels which are disposed adjacent and horizontally series-connected for transmitting electrical energy between said first and second panels, said flexible electrical connector means including a pair of housing parts each having connecting means associated therewith and joined together by a center portion which permits said pair of housing parts to be horizontally angularly displaced relative to one another so as to accommodate the horizontal angular relationship between the series-connected first and second panels, each said connecting means being incompatible and not engageable with a conventional two- or three-conductor plug or socket, said flexible electrical connector means also including electrical conductor means extending through said center portion for electrically joining said pair of connecting means together, each of said connecting means defining one-half of said separable electrical connection and being slidably engageable with one of said connection means as associated with each electrical terminal means of said opposed pair, and said housing parts being disposed so as to not extend laterally outwardly of said raceway means when said connecting means and said connection means are joined together;

said flexible connector means being disposed substantially between or flush with parallel vertical planes as defined by the opposed sides of said first and second panels, one of said connecting means being slidably engaged with the connection means disposed adjacent said one side of said wall system and as associated with the electrical terminal means mounted on said first panel in close proximity to said second panel, the other said connecting means being slidably engageable with the connection means as disposed more closely adjacent said one side of said wall system and as associated with the electrical terminal means of said second panel as disposed in close proximity to said first panel, whereby said first and second panels are electrically joined together;

said flexible electrical connector means being electrically connectible between said opposed pair of terminal means by being alternatively releasably joined to either (1) the opposed pair of connection means as disposed more closely adjacent said one side of said wall system, or (2) the other opposed pair of connection means as disposed more closely adjacent the other side of said wall system, but not to both at the same time, whereby said flexible electrical connector means can be electrically connected between the opposed pair of electrical terminal means by being positioned adjacent either side of said wall system but not on both sides at the same time so as to permit any desired alignment or angularity between the series-connected panels;

one said electrical terminal means as associated with each panel also including a further connection means associated therewith for defining one-half of a plug-in type separable electrical connection, said further connection means being positioned in close proximity to and approximately between said pair of first-mentioned connection means, and elongated electrical cable means projecting vertically downwardly through an interior passageway in one of said panels and terminating at its lower end in another connection means defining one-half of said last-mentioned electrical connection, said another connection means being slidably engageable with said further connection means.

2. A wall system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said electrical terminal means as associated with some of said panels has a conventional two- or three-conductor electrical socket opening sidewardly through one of the side surfaces of the respective panel for accommodating a conventional two- or three-prong electrical plug, and each said connecting means and connection means being structurally and functionally different from and not engageable with a conventional two- or three-conductor electrical socket or plug.

3. A wall system according to claim 2, wherein said raceway means includes a pair of side cover plates which extend longitudinally of the respective panel and are disposed within planes substantially coplanar with the side surfaces of the panel, said pair of cover plates being individually movable sidewardly relative to the respective panel into an open position for providing convenient access to the interior of said raceway means.

4. A wall system according to claim 2, wherein one of the opposed pair of terminal means has a second identical said flexible electrical connector means slidably engaged with the other connection means which is not engaged by said first-mentioned flexible electrical connector means, whereby the second flexible electrical connector means can be joined to a third panel.

5. In an interior wall system for dividing a large area into smaller working areas, said system including a plurality of portable upright panels horizontally serially connected so that vertical ends of said panels are positioned in close proximity to one another, and electrical power means formed as an integral part of said wall system for transmitting electrical energy to and between at least some of the serially connected panels, the improvement wherein said power means comprises:

first and second substantially identical electrical power blocks fixedly mounted on each said panel of said plurality approximately adjacent the opposite vertical ends thereof, said electrical power blocks being disposed substantially between a pair of substantially parallel vertical planes as defined by the opposite sides of the respective panel;

cable means extending between and connected to said first and second electrical power blocks for permitting transmission of electrical energy therebetween;

each said power block having identical first and second connection means integrally associated therewith, the two said connection means on said first power block being identical to the two said connection means on said second power block, each said first and second connection means defining one half of a separable electrical connection, said two connection means as associated with each said power block being spaced inwardly from the sides of its respective panel;

electrical connector means extending between and connected to an opposed pair of said electrical power blocks as provided on first and second said panels which are disposed adjacent and horizontally serially connected for transmitting electrical energy between said first and second panels, said electrical connector means including a pair of substantially identical third connection means joined together by a center portion which permits said pair of third connection means to be horizontally angularly displaced relative to one another to accommodate the horizontal angular relationship between the serially-connected first and second panels, said third connection means defining one half of said separable electrical connection and being alternatively releasably engageable with either one of said first and second connection means;

said connector means, when joined to said opposed pair of power blocks, being disposed substantially between, or flush with parallel vertical planes as defined by the opposed sides of said first and second panels;

one of said third connection means being releasably engaged with the first connection means associated with one of the electrical power blocks of said opposed pair as mounted on said first panel, the other said third connection means being releasably engageable with the first connection means associated with the other electrical power block of said opposed pair as mounted on said second panel, whereby said first and second panels are electrically joined together; and

said electrical connector means being electrically connectible between said opposed pair of electrical power blocks by being alternatively releasably joined to either the opposed pair of first connection means or the opposed pair of second connection means, but not to both at the same time.

6. A wall system according to claim 5, wherein each of said first, second and third connection means is different from and not engageable with a conventional three-prong electrical plug or three-hole electrical receptacle.

7. A wall system according to claim 6, wherein the panel includes raceway means fixed thereto and extending horizontally thereof along a lower edge, said first and second electrical power blocks being mounted on said panel adjacent the opposite ends of said raceway means in the vicinity of the lower panel corner, said raceway defining therein an interior passage for permitting extension therethrough of communication cables or the like.

8. A wall system according to claim 7, wherein said raceway means includes a pair of side cover plates which extend longitudinally of the respective panel and are disposed within planes substantially coplanar with the side surfaces of the panel, said pair of cover plates being individually movable sidewardly relative to the respective panel into an open position for providing convenient access to the interior of said raceway means.

9. A wall system according to claim 6, including elongated cablelike power supply means for supplying electrical energy to said series-connected panels from an external power source, said supply means having one end thereof connected to said external power source, said supply means having one half of a separable electrical connector thereon which is removably connected to one of said electrical power blocks of said opposed air by means of a plug-in type connection for supplying electrical energy thereto.

10. A wall system according to claim 9, wherein one of said panels has means defining an interior passage projecting vertically downwardly through the interior of said panel adjacent one vertical end edge thereof, said power source being located adjacent the ceiling, and said supply means projecting vertically downwardly from said power source and through said interior passage for connection with the electrical power block which is mounted on the respective panel adjacent the respective end edge.

11. A wall system according to claim 6, wherein at least one of said electrical power blocks as associated with some of said panels has socket means fixedly connected thereto and opening sidewardly through one of the side surfaces of the respective panel for accommodating a conventional two- or three-prong electrical plug.

12. A wall system according to claim 6, wherein the separable electrical connection is of the plug-in type.

13. In an upright interior wall structure formed from a plurality of portable upright partitions adapted to be joined together so that the vertical edges thereof are adjacent one another with the partitions being at any desired horizontal angular orientation relative to each other, the improvement comprising:

raceway means fixed to a horizontally extending edge of each upright partition and extending longitudinally therealong, said raceway means including spaced and substantially parallel vertical surfaces defining therebetween longitudinally extending interior passageway means;

a pair of electrical power block means fixedly mounted on each of said partitions, each of said electrical power block means of said pair being disposed adjacent a respective end of said raceway means, each said electrical power block means being disposed so as not to extend laterally outwardly of said raceway means, each said power block means also having a pair of identical first electrical connections portions facing toward the opposite sides of the partition;

electrical cable means disposed within and extending through said interior passageway means and connected to said pair of electrical power block means for transmitting electrical energy therebetween;

an electrical connecting device electrically connecting a first said power block means disposed adjacent a first vertical edge of a first partition to a second said power block means disposed adjacent a second vertical edge of a second partition when said first and second partitions are disposed with said first and second vertical edges closely adjacent one another, said electrical connecting device including means which permits it to angularly adjust to the desired horizontal angular orientation between the joined partitions;

said electrical connecting device further including two housing parts joined by an intermediate hinge, the two housing parts having identical second electrical connector portions associated therewith and releasably engageable with the first connector portions, said two housing parts being disposed so as to not extend laterally outwardly of said raceway means when engaged with said first and second power block means;

said electrical connecting device being electrically connectible between said first and second power block means by being alternatively releasably joined to either (1) the opposed pair of first connector portions which face toward one side of the wall structure, or (2) the other opposed pair of first connector portions which face toward the other side of said wall structure, but not to both at the same time.

14. A wall structure according to claim 13, wherein said raceway means includes a pair of side covers which extend longitudinally of the respective partition and are disposed within planes which are substantially coplanar with the side surfaces of the partition, said pair of side covers being individually movable sidewardly relative to the respective partition into an open position for providing convenient access to the interior of said raceway means, said side covers being positioned so that the housing parts associated with said electrical connecting device do not project laterally outwardly beyond the exterior surfaces of the side covers.

15. A wall structure according to claim 13, wherein each housing part as associated with the electrical connecting device is relatively stiff and extends inwardly from an end of said electrical connecting device with said two housing parts being joined together by an intermediate hinge structure, said two housing parts having substantially planar exterior vertical surfaces, and the second connector portions as associated with said housing parts each extending perpendicularly inwardly relative to the respective housing part so as to be slidably engageable with a respective first connector portion by being pushed inwardly in a direction substantially perpendicular to the planar side of the respective panel, the two second connector portions both projecting sidewardly in substantially the same direction and in substantially parallel relationship when the electrical connecting device is in a straight or non-angled condition.

16. In an upright wall structure formed from a plurality of portable upright partitions which are joined together so that the vertical edges thereof are adjacent one another, the improvement comprising:

raceway means fixed to a horizontally extending edge of each upright partition and extending longitudinally therealong, said raceway means defining therein a longitudinally extending interior passageway, said raceway means also extending substantially across the width of said partition and being defined between a pair of openable side covers disposed adjacent the opposite sides of the partition;

a pair of electrical power block means fixedly mounted on each of said partitions, said pair of power block means being disposed adjacent the opposite ends of said raceway means in the vicinity of the opposite vertical edges of said partition;

electrical cable means disposed within and extending through said raceway means and connected to the power block means as disposed adjacent the opposite end of said raceway means for transmitting electrical energy therebetween;

an electrical connecting device for electrically connecting a first said power block means as disposed adjacent a first vertical edge of a first partition to a second said power block means as disposed adjacent a second vertical edge of a second partition when said first and second partitions are disposed with said first and second vertical edges closely adjacent one another, said electrical connecting device including intermediate means which permits it to angularly adjust to the desired horizontal angular orientation between the joined partitions;

a first plug-in electrical connector coacting between said electrical connecting device and said first power block means for electrically connecting same together, and a second plug-in electrical connector coacting between said electrical connecting device and said second power block means for electrically connecting same together, each of said first and second plug-in electrical connectors being identical and formed by two separable mating portions;

each said power block means of said first and second partitions having an identical pair of identical first said mating portions associated therewith, and said electrical connecting device having an identical pair of second said mating portions each engageable with one of said first mating portions and spaced apart by said intermediate means;

said power block means including a housing positioned substantially centrally of the partition when viewed in the width-wise dimension thereof, said housing having a pair of oppositely facing sidewalls which are each spaced laterally inwardly from the respectively adjacent side cover so as to define an open region between a plane defined by the exterior side surface of the adjacent side cover and the adjacent sidewall, each sidewall of said pair having a said first mating portion associated therewith and accessible from the respective open region;

said electrical connecting device including two housing parts joined together by said intermediate means, each said housing part having a said second mating portion associated therewith and each being positionable within said open region so that said housing part does not project laterally outwardly of said plane; and

said electrical connecting device being alternatively positionable adjacent either side of said joined partitions so that the housing parts thereof are within the adjacent open regions located on either one side or the other side, but not both, of said joined partitions.

17. In an upright space divider system having a plurality of interconnected portable upright partitions which are serially joined together so that the vertical edges thereof are adjacent one another, the improvement comprising:

means fixedly associated with selected ones of said partitions and defining an elongated channel-like space which extends longitudinally of the respective partition adjacent the lower edge thereof, said space being disposed between a pair of substantially parallel vertical planes which effectively define the opposite side surfaces of the respective partition, and a removable side cover associated with at least one side of said means for permitting access to said elongated space;

a pair of substantially identical electrical power block means fixedly mounted on selected ones of said partitions, said pair of power block means being mouned on the respective partition adjacent the opposite ends of the respective space and being disposed substantially between said two vertical planes, each said power block means having identical first and second socket-like means associated therewith and disposed within the region defined between said two vertical planes;

flexible electrical connector means extending between two of said selected partitions for electrically joining a first said power block means of a first selected partition to a second said power block means of a second selected partition to enable said first and second partitions to be relatively horizontally angularly moved while being electrically interconnected, said flexible electrical connector means including a first housing part having first electrical plug-like means adapted for engagement with one of the socket-like means associated with the first power block means and a second housing part having second electrical plug-like means adapted for engagement with one of the socket-like means of the second power block means, said flexible connector means when joined between said first and second power block means being engaged solely with said one socket-like means as associated with each said power block means, and said flexible electrical connector means being positioned adjacent the lower edges of said partitions and disposed so as to lie substantially within the vertical boundaries of said partitions; and

electrical cable means for supplying electrical energy to one of said first and second power block means from a remote power source, said electrical cable means extending vertically downwardly through the interior of one of said partitions and terminating in a plug-like connector engageable with the other socket-like means of one of said first and second power block means, said plug-like connector being disposed between said planes.

18. In a portable prefabricated wall panel having means defining an elongated passageway disposed interiorly of the panel adjacent one edge thereof, and electrical cable means disposed within said passageway and extending longitudinally therethrough, the improvement comprising:

a pair of substantially identical electrical power block means fixedly mounted on said panel adjacent the opposite vertical edges thereof, said power block means being mounted on said panel adjacent the opposite ends of said passageway, and said electrical cable means being connected to and between said pair of power block means;

said power block means comprising a housing constructed of an electrically insulative material and a plurality of electrically conductive elements mounted within said housing and insulated from one another, said electrically conductive elements being electrically connected to said electrical cable means;

each said power block means including first electrical receptacle means for permitting said power block to be electrically connected to a substantially identical power block means of a further panel, said first receptacle means including a first set of openings formed in a wall of said housing and cooperating with said electrically conductive elements;

each said first receptacle means also including a pair of electrically conductive prongs disposed adjacent the first set of openings and projecting outwardly from the sidewall of the housing, said first pair of electrically conductive prongs being electrically isolated from the electrically conductive elements; and

each said power block means including second electrical receptacle means associated therewith for permitting connection to an external power source, said second receptacle means including a second set of openings formed in a wall of said housing and cooperating with said electrically conductive elements.

20. A wall panel according to claim 18, including electrical connector means for electrically connecting together a first said power block means of one panel with a second said power block means as associated with a further panel, said electrical connector means including first and second substantially indentical plug means adapted for engagement with the first receptacle means as associated with the first and second power block means respectively, each of said plug means including a set of electrically conductive prongs adapted to be inserted into said first set of openings, said electrical connector means also including electrical conductor means extending between the prongs of said first and second plug means, at least some of the prongs of said first and second plug means being normally isolated from said electrical conductor means, each said plug means having a slot means associated therewith for isolating the latter-mentioned prongs from said electrical conductor means, and the prongs associated with said first receptacle means comprising dummy prongs disposed adjacent said first set of openings and constructed of an electrically conductive material so that said dummy prongs are inserted into said slot means simultaneous with the insertion of the electrically conductive prongs of said plug means into said first set of openings so that said electrically conductive prongs are electrically connected to said electrical conductor means.

21. A wall panel according to claim 18, wherein each said power block means includes third electrical receptacle means for receiving a conventional two- or three-pronged plug, and wherein said first receptacle means includes two identical receptacles disposed on opposite sides of said housing, the configuration of the receptacles defined by said first and third receptacle means being different so as to accommodate different types of plugs.

22. In a wall structure formed from a plurality of portable prefabricated partitions, and securing means for joining the adjacent vertical edges of said partitions together, the improvement comprising:

raceway means fixed to each partition and extending longitudinally therealong, said raceway means defining a longitudinally extending interior passageway;

a pair of electrical power block means fixedly mounted on each of said partitions, said pair of power block means being disposed adjacent the opposite ends of said raceway means and adjacent the opposite vertical edges of said partitions;

electrical cable means disposed within and extending through said interior passageway and connected to the power block means as disposed adjacent the opposite ends of said raceway means for transmitting electrical energy therebetween;

electrical connector means for electrically connecting a first said power block means as disposed adjacent a first vertical edge of a first partition to a second said power block means as disposed adjacent a second vertical edge of a second partition when said first and second partitions are disposed closely adjacent one another and are connected together by said securing means, said electrical connector means being disposed substantially between the vertical planes defining the opposite sides of the wall structure;

said electrical connector means including an electrically insulative housing having first and second parts and electrically conductive means disposed within said housing and extending between said first and second parts;

cooperating means associated with said power block means and said electrical connector means for releasably electrically connecting same together, said cooperating means including first means associated with each of said first and second parts and second means associated with each of said power block means, said first and second means forming a releasable plug-in connection between said electrical connector means and each of said first and second power block means;

each of said first and second means including male and female portions, whereby the male and female portions of said first means respectively engage the female and male portions of said second means;

the male portion of said first means comprising a plurality of first prongs which are of an electrically conductive material, at least some of said first prongs being separated and electrically isolated from the electrically conductive means by intermediate gaps, the female portion of said first means comprising first openings formed in the housing of said electrical connector means and communicating with said gaps; and

the female portion of said second means comprising second openings formed in the housing of said power block means and associated with electrically conductive elements disposed within said housing, and the male portion of said second means comprising a plurality of second prongs which are also of an electrically conductive material, said second prongs being isolated from the electrically conductive elements within the housing of said power block means, said second prongs being insertable into the gaps associated with said first means for bridging these gaps to thereby electrically energize the first prongs when they are inserted into said second openings.

23. A wall structure according to claim 22, wherein each said power block means has first electrical socket means formed therein for reception of a conventional two- or three-pronged plug, and wherein each said power block means includes second electrical socket means disposed therein, said second socket means having a configuration different from said first socket means, said second socket means being adapted for connection to the plug of a power supply device which is connected to an external power source.

24. In a portable prefabricated wall panel, the improvement comprising:

elongated tubular raceway means fixed to said panel and extending longitudinally along an edge thereof, said raceway means defining an interior passageway extending therethrough;

a pair of electrical power block means fixedly mounted on said panel adjacent the opposite vertical edges thereof, said power block means being mounted on said panel adjacent the opposite ends of said passageway, each of said power block means comprising a housing constructed of an electrically insulative material having a plurality of electrically conductive elements mounted therein;

electrical cable means disposed within said passageway and extending longitudinally therethrough, said electrical cable means having the opposite ends thereof electrically connected to the electrically conductive elements mounted within said pair of power block means;

at least one of said power block means having electrical socket means associated therewith for accommodating a conventional two- or three-pronged plug;

electrical input means for supplying electrical energy to a selected one of said power block means from an external source, said electrical input means including an elongated tubular element extending between said source and said panel and having a multi-wire electrically conductive cable disposed therein, said cable terminating in a power connector adapted for releasable connection to said selected one power block means;

said selected one power block means and said power connector respectively having first and second cooperative means for forming a releasable plug-in electrical connection between said selected one power block means and said power connector;

said first cooperative means including first male and female portions, said second cooperative means including second male and female portions respectively disposed for engagement with said first female and male portions when the first and second cooperative means are joined together, the first and second male portions each being electrically de-energized whenever the power connector is disconnected from said selected one power block means;

said second male portion as associated with said power connector including a plurality of outwardly projecting prongs constructed of an electrically conductive material, at least some of said prongs being permanently separated from said multi-wire cable by appropriate gaps therebetween, and said first male portion as associated with said selected one power block means including plural prongs constructed of an electrically conductive material and disposed so as to be inserted into said gaps for bridging same, said last-mentioned prongs being electrically isolated from the electrically conductive elements disposed within said selected one power block means.

25. A wall panel according to claim 24, wherein said pair of power block means are identical, and wherein each said power block means includes second electrical socket means associated therewith, said second socket means including a pair of identical sockets each having a set of openings disposed for cooperation with the electrically conductive elements disposed within said housing, the sockets of said second socket means having a configuration which is different from said first-mentioned socket means so as to accommodate a different type of plug.

26. A wall panel according to claim 25, wherein said power connector includes a cover portion which is positioned adjacent and substantially aligned with the sidewall of said power block means and said panel, said power connector also having means associated therewith and disposed in engagement with one of the sockets of said second socket means for mounting said power connector on said panel.

27. In a portable prefabricated wall panel, the improvement comprising:

elongated tubular raceway means fixed to said panel and extending longitudinally along an edge thereof, said raceway means defining an interior passageway extending therethrough;

a pair of electrical power block means fixedly mounted on said panel adjacent the opposite vertical edges thereof, said power block means being mounted on said panel adjacent the opposite ends of said passageway, each of said power block means comprising a housing constructed of an electrically insulative material having a plurality of electrically conductive elements mounted therein;

electrical cable means disposed within said passageway and extending longitudinally therethrough, said electrical cable means having the opposite ends thereof electrically connected to the electrically conductive elements mounted within said pair of power block means;

at least one of said power block means having electrical socket means associated therewith for accommodating a conventional two- or three-pronged plug, said socket means including a set of openings formed in said housing and cooperating with the electrically conductive elements;

electrical input means for supplying electrical energy to a selected one of said power block means from an external source, said electrical input means including an elongated tubular element extending between said source and said panel and having a multi-wire electrically conductive cable disposed therein, said cable terminating in a power connector adapted for releasable connection to said selected one power block means;

said selected one power block means and said power connector respectively having first and second cooperative means for forming a releasable plug-and-socket electrical connection between said selected one power block means and said power connector;

said first cooperative means including first male and female portions, said second cooperative means including second male and female portions respectively disposed for engagement with said first female and male portions when the first and second cooperative means are joined together, the first and second male portions each being electrically de-energized whenever the power connector is disconnected from said selected one power block means;

said raceway means extending along said panel adjacent the lower edge thereof, said panel including a rigid rectangular frame defined by elongated rail members which define a hollow interior passage therealong, said external power source being disposed above the wall panel and said tubular element extending vertically downwardly so as to be telescopically slidably received within the hollow passage defined by one of the side rail members of said frame, said power connector being disposed centrally of the panel adjacent one end of said power block means, and a pair of removable cover means positioned adjacent the opposite sides of said panel for enclosing said power connector therebetween.

19. A wall panel according to claim 28, wherein each of said first and second receptacle means has a pair of said electrically conductive prongs associated therewith.

28. A wall panel according to claim 27, wherein each said power block means includes second electrical socket means associated therewith, said second socket means including a pair of identical sockets each having a set of openings disposed for cooperation with the electrically conductive elements disposed within said housing, the sockets of said second socket means having a configuration which is different from said first socket means, and a removable cover positioned adjacent at least one side of said panel for at least partially covering a respective one of said power block means, said removable cover having means associated therewith and disposed in engagement with said second socket means for fixedly mounting said cover on said one power block means.

29. In an interior wall system for dividing a large area into smaller working areas, said system including a plurality of portable upright panels horizontally serially-connected so that vertical ends of said panels are positioned in close proximity to one another, and electrical power means formed as an integral part of said wall system for transmitting electrical energy to and between at least some of the serially-connected panels, the improvement wherein said power means comprises:

first and second electrical power block means fixedly mounted on each said panel of said plurality approximately adjacent the opposite vertical ends thereof, said electrical power block means being disposed substantially between a pair of substantially parallel vertical planes as defined by the opposite sides of the respective panel;

cable means extending between and connected to said first and second electrical power block means for permitting transmission of electrical energy therebetween;

said first power block means having first and second multiconductor electrical connectors integrally associated therewith, said second power block means having first and second multiconductor electrical connectors integrally associated therewith and being respectively identical to said first and second connectors on said first power block means, each of said connectors defining one-half of a separable electrical connection, the said two connectors as associated with each of said first and second power block means being spaced inwardly from the sides of the respective panel;

electrical connector means extending between and connected to an opposed pair of said electrical power block means as provided on first and second said panels which are disposed adjacent and horizontally serially-connected for transmitting electrical energy between said first and second panels, said opposed pair of power block means including the first power block means as mounted on said first panel and the second power block means as mounted on said second panel;

said electrical connector means including third and fourth multiconductor electrical connectors joined together by a center portion which permits said third and fourth connectors to be horizontally angularly displaced relative to one another to accommodate the horizontal angular relationship between the serially-connected first and second panels, each of said third and fourth connectors defining one-half of said separable electrical connection and each being alternately releasably engageable with either said first power block means or said second power block means but not engageable with both at the same time;

each said separable electrical connection, as defined by the cooperation of two said connectors, being incompatible and not engageable with a conventional two- or three-conductor plug or socket;

said electrical connector means, when joined to said opposed pair of power block means, being disposed substantially between, or flush with, parallel vertical planes substantially as defined by the opposed sides of said first and second panels;

said third connector as associated with said electrical connector means being releasably slidably engageable with either the first connector on said first panel, or the first connector on said second panel, but not with both at the same time;

said fourth connector as associated with said electrical connector means being releasably slidably engageable with either the second connector on said second panel, or the second connector on said first panel, but not with both at the same time;

said electrical connector means being electrically connectibly joined between said opposed pair of power block means either by being joined to the first and second connectors on said first and second panels respectively, or by being joined to the first and second connectors on said second and first panels respectively, but not to both at the same time, and one of the power block means of said opposed pair having a second identical said electrical connector means releasably electrically joined thereto so that a third said panel can be disposed with an end edge thereof in the vicinity of the adjacent end edges of said first and second panels with said third panel being electrically connected to said first and second panels, said second electrical connector means being joined to the remaining said connector as associated with the selected power block and being disposed substantially between or flush with the opposed sides of the joined panels; and

some of said power block means also having at least one conventional two- or three-conductor electrical socket associated therewith and opening sidewardly of the respective panel.

30. In an interior wall system for dividing a large area into smaller working areas, said system including a plurality of portable upright panels horizontally serially-connected so that vertical ends of said panels are positioned in close proximity to one another, and electrical power means formed as an integral part of said wall system for transmitting electrical energy to and between at least some of the serially-connected panels, the improvement wherein said power means comprises:

first and second electrical power block means fixedly mounted on each said panel of said plurality approximately adjacent the opposite vertical ends thereof, said electrical power block means being disposed substantially between a pair of substantially parallel vertical planes as defined by the opposite sides of the respective panel;

cable means extending between and connected to said first and second electrical power block means for permitting transmission of electrical energy therebetween;

said first power block means having first and second multiconductor electrical connectors integrally associated therewith, said second power block means having first and second multiconductor electrical connectors integrally associated therewith and being respectively identical to said first and second connectors on said first power block means, each of said connectors defining one-half of a separable electrical connection, the said two connectors as associated with each of said first and second power block means being spaced inwardly from the sides of the respective panel;

electrical connector means extending between and connected to an opposed pair of said electrical power block means as provided on first and second said panels which are disposed adjacent and horizontally serially-connected for transmitting electrical energy between said first and second panels, said opposed pair of power block means including the first power block means as mounted on said first panel and the second power block means as mounted on said second panel;

said electrical connector means including third and fourth multiconductor electrical connectors joined together by a center portion which permits said third and fourth connectors to be horizontally angularly displaced relative to one another to accommodate the horizontal angular relationship between the serially-connected first and second panels, each of said third and fourth connectors defining one-half of said separable electrical connection and each being alternately releasably engageable with either said first power block means or said second power block means but not engageable with both at the same time;

each said separable electrical connection, as defined by the cooperation of two said connectors, being incompatible and not engageable with a conventional two- or three-conductor plug or socket;

said electrical connector means, when joined to said opposed pair of power block means, being disposed substantially between, or flush with, parallel vertical planes substantially as defined by the opposed sides of said first and second panels;

said third connector as associated with said electrical connector means being releasably slidably engageable with either the first connector on said first panel, or the first connector on said second panel, but not with both at the same time;

said fourth connector as associated with said electrical connector means being releasably slidably engageable with either the second connector on said second panel, or the second connector on said first panel, but not with both at the same time;

said electrical connector means being electrically connectibly joined between said opposed pair of power block means either by being joined to the first and second connectors on said first and second panels respectively, or by being joined to the first and second connectors on said second and first panels respectively, but not to both at the same time, whereby either power block means of said opposed pair permits a second identical said electrical connector means to be releasably electrically joined thereto so that a third said panel can be disposed with an end edge thereof in the vicinity of the adjacent end edges of said first and second panels;

each of said first, second, third and fourth connectors having structure associated therewith for preventing accidental human contact with electrified conductors associated with the respective connector in the event the connectors defining said separable electrical connection are structurally disconnected from one another, such as when either connector on said electrical connector means becomes disconnected from its respective power block means whereas the other connector on said electrical connector means remains electrically joined to the other power block means; and

at least one said power block means of said opposed pair also having at least one conventional two- or three-conductor electrical socket associated therewith and opening sidewardly of the respective panel.