Panel wiring system

• US 4,429,934 A
• Filed: 02/22/1982
• Issued: 02/07/1984
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/1979
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Steelcase Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Steelcase Incorporated
• Inventors: Speet, Larry A., Mohr, Robert G., VandenHoek, Harold L.
• Primary Examiner(s): MCGLYNN, JOSEPH
• Application Number:
  US06/351,167
• Time in Patent Office: 715 Days
• Field of Search: 339/20, 339/21 R, 339/22 R, 339/23, 339/184-186
• US Class Current: 439/207
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2002/7483 Details of furniture, e.g. tables or shelves, associated with the partitions
• 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 first wiring means defining a first circuit extending generally from one end edge of said panel to the other;

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

at least one connector mounted in each of said panels, and including first, second and third 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 with said first wiring means for connecting lighting to said first circuit;

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

said second set of quick disconnect terminals, having a configuration which is not that of a conventional plug receptacle, and being electrically connected with said second wiring means for connecting conventional plug receptacles to said second circuit;

a conventional plug receptacle mounted on at least one of said panels, and having a fifth set of quick disconnect terminals matingly joined to said second set of quick disconnect terminals, whereby current is delivered to said conventional plug receptacle through said second wiring means;

the configuration of said first set of quick disconnect terminals being different from the configuration of said second set of quick disconnect terminals, whereby said lighting means and said conventional plug receptacles cannot be inadvertently connected to a circuit not intended for them;

said third set of quick disconnect terminals 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; and

panel power connector means joining said third set of quick disconnect terminals on the connector of one panel to the third set of quick disconnect terminals on the connector of the other panel.

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, 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 first set of quick disconnect terminals comprising three terminals, each with an electrical contact therein, including a first terminal whose electrical contact is connected to said first hot wire, a second terminal whose contact is connected to said neutral wire, and a third terminal whose contact is connected to said ground wire;

said second set of quick disconnect terminals comprising at least three terminals, each having an electrical contact therein, including one being connected to said second hot wire, another being connected to said ground wire, and a third being connected to said neutral wire;

said third set of quick disconnect terminals comprising four terminals, each having an electrical contact therein, and including a first terminal whose electrical contact is connected to said first hot wire, a second terminal whose contact is connected to said neutral wire, a third terminal whose contact is connected to said ground wire and a fourth terminal whose contact is connected to said second hot wire.

3. The panel system of claim 1 in which said conventional plug receptacle is mounted in a housing to define an enclosed receptacle unit with said mating fifth set of quick disconnect terminals located on and projecting from said receptacle unit.

4. The panel system of claim 1 or 3 in which said terminals in said second set of quick disconnect terminals are arranged into first and second groups;

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

said fifth set of quick disconnect terminals electrically mating only with said second group of said second set of quick disconnect terminals, whereby said conventional plug receptacle can be connected only to said second wiring means.

5. The panel system of claim 4 in which said first wiring means comprises a first hot wire, a neutral wire and a ground wire, 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, a first terminal connected to said neutral 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;

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

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

6. The panel system of claim 5 in which one of said four terminals of said second set of quick disconnect terminals, and each corresponding terminal of said conventional plug receptacle has a unique configuration with respect to the rest of said terminals, whereby one cannot inadvertently connect said conventional plug receptacle to said first set of quick disconnect terminals in inverted orientation or vertical misalignment.

7. A multiple terminal J-connector for panel systems of the type comprising at least two, free standing movable room divider panels having enclosed electrical wiring, and wherein each of said panels has first wiring means defining a lighting circuit extending generally from one end edge of said panel to the other, and second wiring means defining a power circuit extending generally from one end edge of said panel to the other;

said J-connector comprising;

a generally J-shaped connector body adapted for mounting on the panels;

a first set of quick disconnect terminals projecting from said connector body in the direction of the panel ends, and defining first connector means connected with the first wiring means for connecting lighting to the lighting circuit;

a second set of quick disconnect terminals projecting laterally from at least one side of said connector body, and defining second connector means connected with the second wiring means for connecting conventional plug receptacles to the power circuit;

a third set of quick disconnect terminals projecting laterally from one side of said connector body at a point spaced from said second set of terminals, and defining third connector means operably connected to both the first and second wiring means to facilitate electrical connection of both the power and lighting circuits in one panel to those in another panel.

8. A multiple terminal J-connector as set forth in claim 7, wherein:

said first and second sets of terminals have a dissimilar configuration to prevent connecting lighting and power appliances with a circuit not intended for them.

9. A multiple terminal J-connector as set forth in claim 7, wherein:

said third set of terminals has a configuration which is dissimilar to the configurations of said first and second sets of terminals to prevent improper wiring connections.

10. A multiple terminal J-connector as set forth in claim 7, wherein:

said first, second and third sets of terminals each have a configuration which is not that of a conventional, 15-amp type of plug receptacle.

11. A multiple terminal J-connector as set forth in claim 7, wherein:

said first set of quick disconnect terminals comprises three terminals, each with an electrical contact therein, and including;

a first terminal whose electrical contact is adapted for connection with a first, hot wire;

a second terminal whose contact is adapted for connection with a neutral wire; and

a third terminal whose contact is adapted for connection with a ground wire.

12. A multiple terminal J-connector as set forth in claim 7, wherein:

said second set of quick disconnect terminals comprises at least three terminals, each having an electrical contact therein, with one being connected to a second hot wire, another being connected with the ground wire and the third being connected with the neutral wire.

13. A multiple terminal J-connector as set forth in claim 7, wherein:

said third set of quick disconnect terminals comprises four terminals, each having an electrical contact therein, and including a first terminal whose electrical contact is adapted for connection with the first hot wire, a second terminal whose contact is adapted for connection with the neutral wire, a third terminal whose contact is adapted for connection with the ground wire, and a fourth terminal whose contact is adapted for connection with the second hot wire.

14. A multiple terminal J-connector as set forth in claim 7, wherein:

said second set of quick disconnect terminals comprises four separate terminals, including a first terminal adapted for connection with a neutral wire, a second terminal adapted for connection with a neutral wire, a third terminal adapted for connection with a ground wire, and a fourth terminal adapted for connection with a second hot wire.

15. A multiple terminal J-connector as set forth in claim 7, wherein:

one terminal of said second set of quick disconnect terminals has a unique configuration with respect to the rest of the terminals, whereby one cannot inadvertently connect the conventional receptacles to said second set of quick disconnect terminals in inverted orientation or vertical misalignment.

16. A multiple terminal J-connector as set forth in claim 7, including:

a fourth set of quick disconnect terminals projecting laterally from that side of said connector body opposite said third set of terminals, and defining a second one of said third connector means.

17. A multiple terminal J-connector as set forth in claim 16, wherein:

said fourth set of quick disconnect terminals comprises four terminals, each having an electrical contact therein, and including a first terminal whose electrical contact is adapted for connection with the first hot wire, a second terminal whose contact is adapted for connection with the neutral wire, a third terminal whose contact is adapted for connection with the ground wire, and a fourth terminal whose contact is adapted for connection with the second hot wire.

18. A multiple terminal J-connector as set forth in claim 16, wherein:

said first and second sets of terminals have a dissimilar configuration to prevent connecting lighting and power appliances with a circuit not intended for them.

19. A multiple terminal J-connector as set forth in claim 18, wherein:

said third set of terminals has a configuration which is dissimilar to the configurations of said first and second sets of terminals to prevent improper wiring connections.

20. A multiple terminal J-connector as set forth in claim 19, wherein:

said first, second and third sets of terminals each have a configuration which is not that of a conventional, 15-amp type of plug receptacle.

21. A multiple terminal J-connector as set forth in claim 20, wherein:

said first set of quick disconnect terminals comprises three terminals, each with an electrical contact therein, and including;

a first terminal whose electrical contact is adapted for connection with a first, hot wire;

a second terminal whose contact is adapted for connection with a neutral wire; and

a third terminal whose contact is adapted for connection with a ground wire.

22. A multiple terminal J-connector as set forth in claim 21, wherein:

said second set of quick disconnect terminals comprises at least three terminals, each having an electrical contact therein, with one being connected to a second hot wire, another being connected with the ground wire and the third being connected with the neutral wire.

23. A multiple terminal J-connector as set forth in claim 22, wherein:

said third set of quick disconnect terminals comprises four terminals, each having an electrical contact therein, and including a first terminal whose electrical contact is adapted for connection with the first hot wire, a second terminal whose contact is adapted for connection with the neutral wire, a third terminal whose contact is adapted for connection with the ground wire, and a fourth terminal whose contact is adapted for connection with the second hot wire.

24. A multiple terminal J-connector as set forth in claim 23, wherein:

said fourth set of quick disconnect terminals comprises four terminals, each having an electrical contact therein, and including a first terminal whose electrical contact is adapted for connection with the first hot wire, a second terminal whose contact is adapted for connection with the neutral wire, a third terminal whose contact is adapted for connection with the ground wire, and a fourth terminal whose contact is adapted for connection with the second hot wire.

25. A multiple terminal J-connector as set forth in claim 21, wherein:

said second set of quick disconnect terminals comprises four separate terminals, including a first terminal adapted for connection with a neutral wire, a second terminal adapted for connection with a neutral wire, a third terminal adapted for connection with a ground wire, and a fourth terminal adapted for connection with a second hot wire.

26. A multiple terminal J-connector as set forth in claim 25, in which one of said four terminals of said second set of quick disconnect terminals has a unique configuration with respect to the rest of said terminals, whereby one cannot inadvertently connect said conventional receptacle to said second set of quick disconnect terminals in inverted orientation or vertical misalignment.

27. A multiple terminal J-connector for panel systems of the type comprising at least two, free standing movable room divider panels having enclosed electrical wiring, and wherein each of said panels has first wiring means defining a first circuit extending generally from one end edge of said panel to the other, and second wiring means defining a second circuit extending generally from one end edge of said panel to the other;

said J-connector comprising;

a generally J-shaped connector body adapted for mounting on the panels;

a first set of quick disconnect terminals projecting from said connector body in the direction of the panel ends, and defining first connector means connected with the first wiring means for connecting appliances to the first circuit;

a second set of quick disconnect terminals projecting laterally from at least one side of said connector body, and defining second connector means connected with the second wiring means for connecting appliances to the second circuit;

a third set of quick disconnect terminals projecting laterally from one side of said connector body at a point spaced from said second set of terminals, and defining third connector means operably connected to both the first and second wiring means to facilitate electrical connection of both the first and second circuits in one panel to those in another panel.