Work surface with power and communication module

• US 4,792,881 A
• Filed: 03/27/1987
• Issued: 12/20/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/1985
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Haworth Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Haworth Incorporated
• Inventors: Wilson, Harold R., Belka, Allen B.
• Primary Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ginsburg, Morris
• Application Number:
  US07/032,107
• Time in Patent Office: 634 Days
• Field of Search: 361/48, 174/58, 174/48, 174/49, 312/208, 312/223, 200/61.62, 108/108
• US Class Current: 361/827
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2021/066 with power or communication connection interface
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/06 characterised by means for holding, fastening or concealing cables
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0082 Cable inlet in worktop or desk, e.g. grommet
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/01 Office wall with desktop function
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/18 providing line outlets

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 apppropriate 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.

Claims

1. In combination, an upright space-divider wall panel, and a work surface structure detachably mounted on said wall panel so as to project generally horizontally outwardly from one side of said wall panel in generally cantilevered relationship relative thereto, said work surface structure having a horizontally extending platelike top member with a substantially planar upper working surface, the top member being of substantially rectangular configuration and including front and rear edges and a pair of end edges extending therebetween, said work surface structure comprising:

a power module means secured to said top member adjacent to and extending longitudinally along said rear edge for providing electrical power for electrical equipment adapted to be supported on said top member;

an upwardly-oriented access opening associated with said power module means, said access opening being adjacent said rear edge and horizontally elongated generally parallel therewith;

cover means pivotally supported relative to said top member for movement between (1) a closed position wherein it closes off said access opening and is substantially flush with said upper working surface and (2) an open position wherein said access opening is exposed;

said module means including a housing which is secured to and projects downwardly relative to said top member and defines therein a main compartment which is disposed below and accessible through said access opening, 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 receptacles, said wall and the electrical receptacles thereon being accessible solely from said main compartment, said wall being spaced downwardly from said cover means and being sloped upwardly as it projects rearwardly so as to face both upwardly and forwardly for increased accessibility and visibility of the receptacles mounted thereon when the cover means is in its open position; and

said main compartment as defined within said housing defining an open space in front of said wall and extending downwardly below said receptacles for storing cables therein.

2. A combination according to claim 1, wherein the housing has a rear wall portion which is generally parallel with the wall of the power unit and has opening means extending therethrough, a communication support plate secured thereto so as to overlap the lastmentioned opening means, said communication support plate having at least one connector opening extending therethrough, at least one communication connector mounted on said support plate and projecting through the connector opening so as to project into said main compartment, and said power unit being attached to said housing rearwardly of said rear wall portion.

3. A combination according to claim 1, wherein said housing includes front and rear walls which are horizontally spaced apart and project generally downwardly in substantially aprallel relationship from said top member for defining said main compartment therebetween, said housing including a further wall which is spaced downwardly from said rear wall and which is sloped upwardly as it projects rearwardly for joining with said rear wall so that said further wall faces generally upwardly and forwardly for increased accessibility and visibility through the access opening when the cover means is in its open position, said further wall having said power unit associated therewith but disposed rearwardly thereof so that the plurality of receptacles extend along a plane which is generally parallel with said further wall, said further wall also having communication connector means mounted thereon so as to be accessible solely from said main compartment.

4. A combination according to claim 1, wherein the housing defines an elongated channel which extends longitudinally adjacent the rear edge of said top member throughout substantially the full longitudinal extent thereof, said channel including a secondary storage compartment for cable therein which is disposed longitudinally adjacent said main compartment.

5. In combination, an upright space-divider wall panel, and a work surface structure detachably mounted on said wall panel so as to project generally horizontally outwardly from one side of said wall panel in generally cantilevered relationship relative thereto, said work surface structure having a horizontally extending platelike top member with a substantially planar upper working surface, the top member being of substantially rectangular configuration and including front and rear edges and a pair of end edges extending therebeween, said work surface structure comprising:

horizontally elongated channel means stationarily secured relative to said top member adjacent said rear edge and extending therealong throughout substantially the full length of said top member, said channel means defining therein a main storage compartment which opens downwardly relative to said upper working surface and is defined between front and rear walls for permitting storage of cables or wires within said main compartment, said main compartment being horizontally elongated in a direction generally along said rear edge and defining an upwardly-oriented access opening for providing access thereto;

cover means pivotally supported relative to said top member for movement between (1) a closed position wherein it closes off said access opening and is substantially flush with said upper working surface and (2) an open position wherein said access opening is exposed;

power module means secured to said channel means for providing electrical power for electrical equipment adapted to be supported on said top member, said power module means including an electrical power unit removably secured to said channel means and having a wall which mounts thereon a plurality of electrical receptacles, said last-mentioned wall and the electrical receptacles thereon being accessible solely from said main compartment, said last-mentioned wall being spaced downwardly from said cover means and being sloped upwardly as it projects rearwardly so as to face both upwardly and forwardly for increased accessability and visibility of the receptacles mounted thereon when the cover means is in its open position;

said main compartment defining therein an open space in front of said last-mentioned wall and extending downwardly below said receptacles for storing wires or cables therein; and

said channel means defining therein a secondary compartment which is also disposed adjacent said rear edge and spaced longitudinally therealong from said main compartment, said secondary compartment permitting wires or cables to be disposed therein.

6. A combination according to claim 5, wherein said power unit is positioned rearwardly of said rear wall.