Work surface with power and communication module
First Claim
1. In a working surface structure having a horizontally extending top member with a substantially planar upper work surface, the top member being of substantially rectangular configuration and including front and rear edges and a pair of end edges extending therebetween, the improvement comprising:
- access opening means formed through said top member adjacent said rear edge, said access opening means being spaced inwardly from the end edges of the top member and opening rearwardly through the rear edge thereof;
door means pivotally supported on said top member for movement between (1) a closed position wherein it closes off said access opening means and is substantially flush with said work surface and (2) an open position wherein said access opening means is exposed, said door means having a rear edge thereof which is substantially aligned with the rear edge of said top member when the door means is in said closed position;
a power and communication module secured to said top member and accessible through said access opening means;
said module including a housing which is secured to and projects downwardly from said top member and defines therein a compartment which is disposed below and accessible through said access opening means;
said module also including electrical receptacle means and communication connector means mounted on said housing and accessible solely from said compartment through said access opening means when said door means is in said open position; and
resiliently deformable strip means extending along each end edge of said access opening means when said door means is in said closed position for permitting communication and/or power cables to pass therethrough from above said work surface into said compartment.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A work surface structure having a power/communication module integral therewith. This module is hidden beneath a door which is flush with and forms a part of the top of the work surface structure. This module permits numerous power and communication (i.e. data) cables to be fed into the module for connection to appropriate connectors, and excess lengths of cable can be stored within a compartment of the module. Additional cable storage compartments are hidden below the top of the work surface for storing therein excess lengths of power/communication cables which extend from external locations to the module.
-
Citations
13 Claims
-
1. In a working surface structure having a horizontally extending top member with a substantially planar upper work surface, the top member being of substantially rectangular configuration and including front and rear edges and a pair of end edges extending therebetween, the improvement comprising:
-
access opening means formed through said top member adjacent said rear edge, said access opening means being spaced inwardly from the end edges of the top member and opening rearwardly through the rear edge thereof; door means pivotally supported on said top member for movement between (1) a closed position wherein it closes off said access opening means and is substantially flush with said work surface and (2) an open position wherein said access opening means is exposed, said door means having a rear edge thereof which is substantially aligned with the rear edge of said top member when the door means is in said closed position; a power and communication module secured to said top member and accessible through said access opening means; said module including a housing which is secured to and projects downwardly from said top member and defines therein a compartment which is disposed below and accessible through said access opening means; said module also including electrical receptacle means and communication connector means mounted on said housing and accessible solely from said compartment through said access opening means when said door means is in said open position; and resiliently deformable strip means extending along each end edge of said access opening means when said door means is in said closed position for permitting communication and/or power cables to pass therethrough from above said work surface into said compartment. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
-
-
9. In a working surface structure having a horizontally extending platelike top member with a substantially planar upper work surface, the top member being of substantially rectangular configuration and including front and rear edges and a pair of end edges extending therebetween, the improvement comprising:
-
access opening means formed through said top member adjacent said rear edge, said access opening means being horizontally elongated generally parallel with said rear edge; door means pivotally supported on said top member for movement between (1) a closed position wherein it closes off said access opening means and is substantially flush with said upper work surface and (2) an open position wherein said access opening means is exposed; power module means secured to said top member and accessible through said access opening means for providing electrical power for electrical equipment adapted to be supported on said top member; said module means including a housing which is secured to and projects downwardly from said top member and defines therein a main compartment which is disposed below and accessible through said access opening means, said housing being horizontally elongated generally parallel with said rear edge; said module means including an electrical power unit removably secured to said housing and having a wall which mounts thereon a plurality of electrical receptacle means, said wall and the electrical receptacle means thereon being accessible solely from said main compartment, said wall being spaced downwardly from said door means and being sloped upwardly as it projects rearwardly so as to face both upwardly and forwardly for increased accessibility and visibility of the receptacle means mounted thereon when the door means is in its open position; said main compartment as defined within said housing defining an open region of substantial magnitude in front of said wall and extending downwardly below the level of said receptacle means for storing cabling therein. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
-
Specification