Panel wiring system

• US 4,376,561 A
• Filed: 09/27/1979
• Issued: 03/15/1983
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/1978
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc.
• Original Assignee: Steelcase Incorporated
• Inventors: Speet, Larry A., Mohr, Robert G., Vanden Hoek, Harold L.
• Primary Examiner(s): McGlynn, Joseph H.
• Application Number:
  US06/079,490
• Time in Patent Office: 1,265 Days
• Field of Search: 339/20, 339/21 R, 339/22 R, 339/23, 339/184-186
• US Class Current: 439/210
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2/7427 with adjustable angular connection of panels
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2002/7483 Details of furniture, e.g. tables or shelves, associated with the partitions
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 25/161 Details
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/04 Protective tubing or conduits, e.g. cable ladders or cable troughs
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/288 in modular walls, e.g. wall panels

Abstract

The specification discloses a hard wired, free standing movable room divider panel system in which wiring is provided for two separate circuits, one of which is especially adapted for connecting to panel mounted lighting through an internal quick disconnect connector. This is referred to as the lighting circuit. The second circuit is adapted only for mounting conventional outlet receptacles via quick disconnect connectors. The wiring terminates in connectors which provide terminals for connecting into the lighting circuit, terminals for connecting into the power circuit and terminals for connecting into both circuits which facilitate electrically connecting adjacent panels through a panel power connector. In one embodiment of the invention, conventional outlets receptacles can optionally be connected to the lighting circuit as well. However, the two types of conventional outlets cannot be inadvertently connected to the wrong circuit.

Claims

1. In a panel system comprised of at least two free standing movable room divider panels having enclosed electrical wiring, the improvement comprising:

each of said panels having opposite end edges with first wiring means defining a first circuit extending generally from one end edge of said panel to the other end edge of said panel;

second wiring means defining a second circuit extending generally from one end edge of said panel to the other end edge of said panel;

at least one connector mounted in each of said panels, and including first and second sets of quick disconnect terminals;

said first set of quick disconnect terminals having a configuration which is not that of a conventional plug receptacle, and being electrically connected to both said first and second wiring means to facilitate electrical connection of both the first and second circuits in one panel to those in another panel;

panel power connector means joining said first set of quick disconnector terminals on one panel to said first set of quick disconnector terminals on the other panel;

said second set of quick disconnect terminals having a configuration which is not that of a conventional plug receptacle, and having a plurality of terminals arranged into first and second groups;

said first group being electrically connected to said first wiring means, and said second group being electrically connected to said second wiring means;

a first conventional plug receptacle mounted on at least one of said panels, and having a set of quick disconnect terminals shaped for physical connection with said second set of quick disconnect terminals, and electrically mating only with said second group of terminals, whereby said first conventional plug receptacle can be electrically connected only to said second wiring means;

a second conventional plug receptacle having a set of quick disconnect terminals shaped for physical connection with said second set of quick disconnect terminals, and electrically mating only with said first group of terminals, whereby said second conventional receptacle can be connected only to said first wiring means, yet whereby both said first and second conventional receptacles physically connect to said second set of quick disconnect terminals.

2. The panel system of claim 1 in which said first wiring means comprises a first hot wire, a neutral wire and a ground wire, and said second wiring means comprises a second hot wire and said neutral wire and said ground wire;

said neutral and said ground wires being common to both said first and second wiring means;

said second set of quick disconnect terminals comprising four separate terminals including a first terminal connected to said first hot wire, a second terminal connected to said neutral wire, a third terminal connected to said ground wire, and a fourth terminal connected to said second hot wire, all of said terminals including electrical contacts therein;

each of said first and said second conventional receptacles including four terminals thereon, comprising first, second, third and fourth terminals adapted for mating engagement with said first, second, third and fourth terminals respectively of said second set of quick disconnect terminals;

said second, third and fourth terminals of said first conventional receptacle including electrical contacts therein, and said first terminal thereof being free of electrical contact means, whereby said first conventional receptacle will electrically connect only with said second wiring means; and

said first, second and third terminals of said second conventional receptacle including electrical contacts therein, with said fourth terminal being free of electrical contact means, whereby said second conventional receptacle will connect electrically only with said first wiring means.

3. The panel system of claim 2 in which one of said four terminals of said second set of quick disconnect terminals and each corresponding terminal of said first and second conventional receptacles has a unique configuration with respect to the rest of said terminals, whereby one cannot inadvertently connect said first and second conventional receptacles to said second set of quick disconnect terminals in inverted orientation or in vertical misalignment.

4. The panel system of claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein:

said connector including a third set of quick disconnect terminals having a configuration which is not that of a conventional plug receptacle, and is electrically connected with said first wiring means for connecting lighting to said first circuit;

lighting means mounted on at least one of said panels, and including connector means matingly joined to said third set of quick disconnect terminals, whereby current is delivered to said lighting means through said first wiring means.

5. The panel system of claim 4, wherein:

the configuration of said third set of quick disconnect terminals is different from the configuration of said second set of quick disconnect terminals, whereby said lighting means cannot be inadvertently connected with said second wiring means and said first conventional plug receptacle cannot be inadvertently connected with said first wiring means at said third set of quick disconnect terminals.