Wall system with multicircuit electrical system

• US 4,781,609 A
• Filed: 09/08/1986
• Issued: 11/01/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/1984
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Haworth Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Haworth Incorporated
• Inventors: Nestell, David E., Wilson, Harold R.
• Primary Examiner(s): DESMOND, EUGENE
• Application Number:
  US06/906,556
• Time in Patent Office: 785 Days
• Field of Search: 339/20, 339/21 R, 339/22 R, 339/22 B, 339/23, 339/24, 174/48, 174/68, 439/110, 439/120, 439/121, 439/171, 439/174, 439/207, 439/209, 439/210, 439/215
• US Class Current: 439/215
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 29/00 Coupling parts for selective co-operation with a counterpart in different ways to establish different circuits, e.g. for voltage selection, for series-parallel selection, programmable connectors
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/288 in modular walls, e.g. wall panels

Abstract

An electrical system for a wall system formed from a plurality of serially connected wall panels. Each panel has at least one electrical terminal mounted thereon, and the terminals are joined by electrical cables or flexible electrical connectors. The electrical system is a seven-conductor system employing three live and three neutral conductors for defining three separate electrical circuits each having a separate neutral. A portable power-tap unit, specifically a receptacle unit, can be plugged into the power block for selective engagement with any one of the three circuits. The power-tap unit has a connector portion which plugs into the power block, which connector portion is defined soley by three contacts. Two of the three contacts, namely the live and neutral contacts, are mounted on a carrier which is slidably supported on the power-tap housing so as to be slidably displaced between three selected positions so that the power-tap can be selectively joined to any one of the three circuits.

Claims

1. In an upright wall panel having an electrical power block means fixedly mounted thereon and disposed between a pair of substantially parallel vertical planes as defined by opposite side surface of the panel, said panel also having an electrical cable means associated therewith and disposed between said parallel planes and connected to said power block means, said power block means having a first connector portion associated therewith and electrically joined to said cable means, and a small portable electrical power-tap unit releasably joined to said first connector portion, said power-tap unit having an inlet portion for electrical connection to said power block means and an outlet portion defining a single electrical circuit adapted for supply of electrical energy to a circuit or device disposed externally of the panel, the outlet portion comprising a receptacle having first, second and third prong-receiving openings, the improvement comprising:

said cable means and said power block means defining a multiple-conductor system including at least three separate live conductors three separate neutral conductors and one ground conductor for defining (1) a first electrical circuit defined by a first said live conductor and a first said neutral conductor, (2) a second electrical circuit defined by a second said live conductor and a second said neutral conductor, and (3) a third electrical circuit defined by a third said live conductor and a third said neutral conductor;

said first connector portion having (1) three live electrical conductor parts which are respectively joined to said three live conductors, (2) three neutral electrical conductor parts which are respectively joined to said three neutral conductors, and (3) a ground conductor part joined to said ground conductor;

said power-tap unit including a housing having first, second and third conductive members mounted therein and each having means defining one of the prong-receiving openings of said receptacle;

said inlet portion of said power-tap unit being defined by a second connector portion which creates a plug-type engagement with said first connector portion to physically and electrically couple said power-tap unit to said power block means;

said second connector portion including three electrical contacts disposed for engagement with selected ones of the conductor parts of said first connector portion to permit said power-tap unit to be electrically connected to only a single said circuit as associated with said power block means, a first said electrical contact being selectively engageable with any one, but only one at any one time, of said three live conductor parts, a second said electrical contact being engageable with any one, but only one at any one time, of said three neutral conductor parts, and said third electrical contact being engageable solely with said ground conductor part;

means associated with said second connector portion for causing simultaneous shifting of said first and second electrical contacts between first, second and third positions relative to said housing to permit said first and second electrical contacts to be electrically joined to said first, second and third electrical circuits respectively as defined by said power block means; and

electrically conductive means joined between said first and second conductive members and said first and second electrical contacts, respectively, or permitting relative movement therebetween to accommodate the movement of said first and second electrical contacts between said positions.

2. A wall panel according to claim 1, wherein said first, second and third electrical contacts project outwardly of said unit toward said power block means, said third electrical contact being disposed between said first and second electrical contacts, and said shifting means including an insulative carrier slidably mounted on said unit housing for slidable displacement between said first, second and third positions, said carrier having said first and second electrical contacts mounted thereon.

3. A wall panel according to claim 1, wherein said shifting means includes an insulative carrier slidably mounted on said unit housing for slidable displacement between said first, second and third positions, said carrier having said first and second electrical contacts mounted thereon for synchronous displacement thereof relative to said third electrical contact into a selected one of said positions.

4. A wall panel according to claim 3, wherein said housing has a first wall defining therein small openings which are aligned with the prong-receiving openings of said receptacle, and wherein said housing has a second wall spaced from said first wall and through which project outwardly said first, second and third electrical contacts, said second wall having elongated slot means formed therein through which project said first and second electrical contacts for accommodating the displacement of said first and second electrical contacts between said first, second and third positions.

5. A small portable electrical power-tap unit adapted to be releasably coupled both physically and electrically to an electrical terminal by means of a pluglike connection, the terminal having multiple conductors associated therewith defining at least first and second electrical circuits each having separate live and neutral conductors, said power-tap unit comprising:

a blocklike housing of electrically insulative material defining a hollow interior therein;

first, second and third conductive members mounted within said hollow interior in electrically spaced relationship and having conductor parts which define three individual pronglike receptacles associated with a three-hole electrical socket, said housing having three openings formed in one wall thereof in alignment with said conductor parts for defining said three-hole socket for permitting supply of electrical energy to a circuit or device disposed externally of the unit;

a pluglike connector portion associated with a further wall of said housing for permitting said unit to be physically and electrically coupled to the terminal by means of a pluglike connection;

said connector portion including first, second and third electrical contacts which are adapted to create releasable electrical engagement with the terminal, said first and second electrical contacts being movably supported on said housing within the hollow interior thereof and projecting outwardly therefrom, said third electrical contact being fixedly supported within said housing and projecting outwardly therefrom;

carrier means of an electrically insulative material slidably supported on said housing and having said first and second electrical contacts stationarily mounted thereof for permitting said first and second contacts to be synchronously moved relative to said third electrical contact between at least first and second positions which permit the power-tap unit to be coupled to the terminal for connection to different electrical circuits;

electrically conductive means connecting said first and second electrical contacts to said first and second conductive members, respectively, for permitting relative movement therebetween as said first and second electrical contacts more between said first and second positions, said third electrical contact being electrically connected to said third conductive member;

said carrier means being movably supported on said housing for slidable displacement in a direction which is substantially perpendicular to the outwardly projecting direction of the electrical contacts;

said further wall or said housing having elongated slot means formed therein through which project said first and second electrical contacts for permitting said contacts to be displaced along said slot means between said first and second positions; and

said carrier means having fixedly associated therewith first and second shroudlike parts which are also of electrically insulative material and are disposed in surrounding relationship to the first and second electrical contacts respectively, said first and second shroudlike parts projecting outwardly through said slot means and being transversely slidably displaceable therealong between said first and second positions.

6. A power-tap unit according to claim 5, wherein said housing has a tubelike shroud fixed to said further wall and projecting outwardly therefrom in surrounding relationship to said third electrical contact, said shroud projecting outwardly through a greater extent than said first and second shroudlike portions so as to act as a pilot when the power-tap unit is plugged into the terminal.

7. In an upright wall panel having an electrical power block means fixedly mounted thereon and disposed between a pair of substantially parallel vertical panels as defined by opposite side surfaces of the panel, said panel also having an electrical cable means associated therewith and disposed between said parallel planes and connected to said power block means, said power block means having a first connector portion associated therewith and electrically joined to said cable means, and a small portable electrical power-tap unit releasably joined to said first connector portion, said power-tap unit having an inlet portion for electrical connection to said power block means and an outlet portion defining a single electrical circuit adapted for supply of electrical energy to a circuit or device disposed externally of the panel, the outlet portion comprising a receptacle having first, second and third prong-receiving openings, the improvement comprising:

said cable means and said power block means defining at least a seven conductor system including at least three separate live conductors, three separate neutral conductors and one ground conductor for defining three different electrical circuits each having a different said neutral conductor, said first connector portion having seven electrical conductor parts which are respectively electrically joined to said seven conductors;

said power-tap unit including a housing having first, second and third conductive members mounted therein and each having means defining one of the prong-receiving openings of said receptacle;

said inlet portion of said power-tap unit being defined by a second connector portion which creates a plug-type engagement with said first connector portion to physically and electrically coupled said power-tap unit to said power block means;

said second connector portion including three electrical contacts disposed for engagement with selected one of the conductor parts of said first connector portion to permit said power-tap unit to be electrically connected to only a single said circuit as associated with power block means, a first said electrical contact being selectively engageable with any one, but only one at any one time, of said three live conductor parts, a second said electrical contact being engageable with any one, but only one at any one time, of said three neutral conductor parts, and said third electrical contact being engageable solely with said ground conductor part;

said first, second and third electrical contacts projecting outwardly of said unit toward said power block means, said third electrical contact being disposed between said first and second electrical contacts;

shifting means associated with said second connector portion for causing simultaneous shifting of said first and second electrical contacts between first, second and third positions relative to said unit housing to permit said first and second electrical contacts to be electrically joined to any selected one, but to only one at any one time, of the three circuits defined by said power block means;

electrically conductive means joined between said first and second conductive members and said first and second electrical contacts, respectively, for permitting relative movement therebetween to accommodate the movement of said first and second electrical contacts between said positions;

said shifting means including an insulative carrier slidably mounted on said unit housing for slidable displacement between said first, second and third positions, said carrier having said first and second electrical contacts mounted thereon for movement therewith;

said unit housing includes a tube-like protective shroud which projects outwardly and rearwardly thereof in surrounding relationship to said third electrical contact, said housing having a hollow interior and being provided with a pair of vertically elongated aligned slots opening through a rear wall thereof and disposed vertically on opposite sides of said protective shroud; and

said carrier being slidably supported on said housing within said hollow interior and having a pair of rearwardly projecting shroudlike portions which individually slidably project outwardly through and are vertically slidably guided by said slots, each of said shroudlike portions having one of said first and second electrical contacts mounted therein.

8. A wall panel according to claim 7, wherein said first and second electrical contacts are fixedly associated with first and second conductive elements, respectively, which are mounted on and vertically slidably displaceable with said carrier, and said electrically conductive means including first and second contact portions fixedly associated with the first and second conductive elements, respectively, and disposed in slidable and electrical engagement with elongated platelike parts of said first and second conductive members, respectively.

9. A wall panel according to claim 7, wherein said first, second and third electrical contacts all comprise elongated pronglike elements which project in a rearward direction of said housing for engagement with selected ones of the conductor parts mounted on the terminal.

10. A wall panel according to claim 7, wherein the shroud surrounding the third electrical contact projects rearwardly through a distance greater than the shroudlike portions surrounding the first and second electrical contacts to function as a pilot for properly positioning and aligning the unit when it is plugged into the terminal.

11. In an upright wall panel having an electrical power block means fixedly mounted thereon and disposed between a pair of substantially parallel vertical planes as defined by opposite side surface of the panel, said panel also having an electrical cable means associated therewith and disposed between said parallel planes and connected to said power block means, said power block means having a first connector portion associated therewith and electrically joined to said cable means, and a small portable electrical power-tap unit releasably joined to said first connector portion, said power-tap unit having an inlet portion for electrical connection to said power block means and an outlet portion defining a single electrical circuit adapted for supply of electrical energy to a circuit or device disposed externally of the panel, the outlet portion comprising a receptacle having first, second and third prong-receiving openings, the improvement comprising:

said cable means and said power block means defining a multiple conductor system having seven conductors including at least three separate live conductors, three separate neutral conductors and one ground conductor for defining three different electrical circuits each having a different said neutral conductors, said first connector portion having seven electrical conductor part which are respectively electrically joined to said seven conductors;

said power-tap unit including a housing having first, second and third conductive members mounted therein and each having means defining one of the prong-receiving openings of said receptacle;

said inlet portion of said power-tap unit being defined by a second connector portion which creates a plug-type engagement with said first connector portion to physically and electrically couple said power-tap unit to said power block means;

said second connector portion including three electrical contacts disposed for engagement with selected ones of the conductor parts of said first connector portion to permit said power-tap unit to be electrically connected to only a signal said circuit as associated with said power block means, a first said electrical contact being selectively engageable with any one, but only one at any one time, of said three live conductor parts, a second said electrical contact being engageable with any one, but only one at any one time, of said three neutral conductor parts, and said third electrical contact being engageable solely with said ground conductor part;

means associated with said second connector portion for causing simultaneous shifting of said first and second electrical contacts between first, second and third positions relative to said housing to permit said first and second electrical contacts to be electrically joined to any selected one, but to only one at any one time, of the three circuits defined by said power block means;

electrically conductive means joined between said first and second conductive members and said first and second electrical contacts, respectively, for permitting relative movement therebetween to accommodate the movement of said first and second electrical contacts between said positions;

said shifting means includes an insulative carrier movably mounted on said housing for displacement between said first, second and third positions, said carrier having said first and second electrical contacts mounted thereon for synchronous displacement thereof relative to said third electrical contact into a selected one of said positions;

said housing having a first wall defining therein small openings which are aligned with the prong-receiving openings of said receptacle, and said housing having a second wall spaced from said first wall and through which project outwardly said first, second and third electrical contacts, said second wall having elongated slot means formed therein through which project said first and second electrical contacts for accommodating the displacement of said first and second electrical contacts between said first, second and third positions; and

said carrier including thereon outwardly projecting shroud-like portions which project outwardly through said slot means and are slidably guided thereby, each of said shroudlike portions having one of said first and second electrical contacts mounted therein.

12. A wall panel according to claim 11, wherein said unit housing has a tubelike protective shroud which projects outwardly from said second wall in surrounding relationship to said third electrical contact, said shroud projecting outwardly through a distance greater than the shroudlike portions so as to function as a pilot for properly positioning and aligning the unit when it is plugged into the terminal.