Manually operable retractable power center

• US 4,747,788 A
• Filed: 01/28/1987
• Issued: 05/31/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/1987
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Norman R. Byrne
• Original Assignee: Norman R. Byrne
• Inventors: Byrne, Norman R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Desmond, Eugene F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BRADLEY, PAULA A
• Application Number:
  US07/007,622
• Time in Patent Office: 489 Days
• Field of Search: 174/48, 174/57, 339/34, 339/125 R, 339/126 R, 339/135, 439/576, 439/571, 439/544, 439/531, 439/131
• US Class Current: 439/131
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2021/066 with power or communication connection interface
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2021/068 with pop-up power outlet
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/06 characterised by means for holding, fastening or concealing cables
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/74 Means for mounting coupling parts in openings of a panel

Abstract

A retractable power center (100) for providing conveniently located electrical power source receptacles (170) is adapted to be mounted in a work surface (104) such as a desk top or similar article of furniture. The power center (100) is manually operable and includes a stationary upper housing (108) received within a slot (102) formed in the work surface, and a clamping arrangement (118, 128, 138) to secure the housing (108) to the work surface (104). In addition, a manually movable and slideable power carriage (150) is utilized to mount the receptacles (170). In response to manually exerted forces on the power carriage (150), the carriage can be extended upward into an open position. Relatively small bosses (180) extend laterally from lateral sides of the carriage (150) and provide a means to support the carriage (150) in its extended position, with the bosses (180) resting on the top portion of the housing (108). Still further, ledges (182) are integrally formed on the lateral sides of the carriage (150) near the bottom portions thereof, so as to prevent any further additional movement of the carriage (150) upwardly relative to the housing (108).

Claims

1. A manually-operable power center adapted to be mounted in a desk or other furniture item having a work surface, and comprising a slot formed in the work surface, the power center comprising:

stationary housing means mounted within said slot;

electrical receptacle means for supplying electrical power from an interconnected common power source to selectively interconnected electrical devices;

carriage means received within said housing means for mounting said electrical receptacle means so as to be vertically moveable with respect to said housing means between a closed, retracted position and an extended, open position, said carriage means comprising opposing lateral sides;

first support means extending outwardly from said opposing lateral sides of said carriage means for supporting said carriage means in said extended, open position, said first support means abutting a top portion of the said housing means when said carriage means is in said extended, open position;

clamping means coupled to said housing means and rigidly securing said housing means to said work surface, wherein said clamping means comprises;

a pair of inwardly-directed flanges mounted to inner surfaces of said housing means, and comprising a central flange portion extending from a top portion of said housing means to a positon below a vertical midpoint of said housing means, side flange portions integral with said central flange portion and extending downwardly to a bottom portion of said housing means, and opposing guide slots formed in said side flange portions and extending in a vertical direction;

L-shaped locking members associated with each of said inwardly-directed flanges, and each comprising a vertical upright extending upwardly in a manner so as to be adjacent outer vertical surfaces of said housing means, a horizontally-disposed base portion integral with an associated vertical upright, and vertically-disposed tabs integral with said horizontally-disposed base portion and sized so as to be slidable within said guide slots;

clearance holes extending in a vertical direction in each of said central portion and in each of said horizontally-disposed base portions; and

threaded means rotatably secured within said clearance holes, whereby rotation of said threaded means causes upward or downward movement of said L-shaped locking members relative to said housing means as a result of said vertical tabs being maintained within said guide slots, and wherein said housing means is rigidly secured to said work surface by the vertical uprights being abutted against a lower portion of said work surface.

2. A manually-operable power center in accordance with claim 1 and further comprising a pair of grooves integrally formed on inner vertical surfaces of said housing means and extending from a lowermost position of said housing means upwardly to a position near a top portion of said housing means.

3. A manually-operable power center in accordance with claim 2, wherein said first support means comprises a pair of bosses extending outwardly from said opposing lateral sides of said carriage means, and said bosses are aligned with said grooves so as to be receivable within said grooves when said carriage means is moved upwardly toward an extended, open position.