Multi-tiered electrical system for furniture

• US 5,244,401 A
• Filed: 12/04/1992
• Issued: 09/14/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc.
• Original Assignee: Steelcase Incorporated
• Inventors: Weller, George V., Russell, Scott H.
• Primary Examiner(s): DESMOND, EUGENE
• Application Number:
  US07/985,872
• Time in Patent Office: 284 Days
• Field of Search: 439/207, 439/209, 439/211, 439/212, 439/215, 174/48, 174/49, 174/70
• US Class Current: 439/215
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 97/00 Furniture or accessories for furniture, not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2/7425 Details of connection of panels E04B2/7427 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2002/7488 Details of wiring
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 25/162 Electrical connections between or with rails or bus-bars rails having primarily a non electrical function H01R4/64
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/288 in modular walls, e.g. wall panels

Abstract

A multi-tiered electrical system is provided for furniture arrangements and the like of the type having a plurality of individual furniture units interconnected side-by-side. A branch raceway extends along each furniture unit, and houses therein an associated branch powerway, which is connected with adjacent branch powerways to create a branch circuit. Power taps are connected to the branch circuit to provide conventional low current power to electrical appliances. A feeder raceway extends adjacent each branch raceway, and houses therein a feeder harness that is connected by a power-in connector to a source of high current electrical power. A power jumper interconnects the feeder harness with one of the branch powerways, such that multiple branch circuits can be powered by a single power-in connector through the feeder harness.

Claims

1. In a furniture system of the type having a plurality of individual furniture units interconnected side-by-side in a predetermined arrangement, the improvement of a multi-tiered electrical system, therefor comprising:

a branch raceway extending along each of said furniture units, and being accessible at opposite ends thereof;

a plurality of modular branch powerways received in said branch raceway of at least selected ones of said furniture units, and wherein each of said branch powerways includes;

electrical conductors extending between opposite ends of the associated branch powerway, and carrying conventional low current electrical power therebetween;

first and second quick-disconnect power connectors electrically connected with said electrical conductors, and positioned adjacent to the opposite ends of the associated branch powerway;

at least one power tap electrically connected with said electrical conductors, and adapted to tap the conventional low current electrical power therefrom to operate electric appliances;

means for detachably interconnecting said first and second quick-disconnect power connectors on adjacent branch powerways to create a branch circuit in said furniture system;

a feeder raceway extending along each of said furniture units, and being accessible at opposite ends thereof;

a feeder harness received in said feeder raceway of said furniture units, and wherein said feeder harness includes;

electrical conductors extending between opposite ends of said feeder harness, and carrying high current electrical power therebetween;

a power-in connector connecting the conductors of said feeder harness with a source of high current electrical power to create a feeder circuit;

at least one power jumper having one end thereof electrically connected with the conductors in said feeder harness, and an opposite end thereof connected with the conductors in one of said branch powerways, whereby multiple branch circuits can be powered by a single power-in connector through said feeder circuit.

2. A furniture system as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said feeder harness includes a shielded connector box that is positioned in said feeder raceway, and in which said feeder harness electrical conductors and said power jumper one end are interconnected.

3. A furniture system as set forth in claim 2, wherein:

said power jumper includes means for overcurrent protection.

4. A furniture system as set forth in claim 3, wherein:

said overcurrent protection means is positioned within said connector box.

5. A furniture system as set forth in claim 4, wherein:

said feeder raceway is positioned immediately above said branch raceway in each of said furniture units.

6. A furniture system as set forth in claim 5, wherein:

each said feeder raceway includes at least one removable cover for ready access thereto, wherein said cover is connected therewith by fasteners which require a tool for removal so as to provide electrical safety.

7. A furniture system as set forth in claim 6, including:

at least one vertical passageway extending between said branch raceway and said feeder raceway, and receiving said power jumper therethrough.

8. A furniture system as set forth in claim 7, wherein:

each of said furniture units includes said vertical passageway extending between said branch raceway and said feeder raceway, with a removable closure normally covering the same.

9. A furniture system as set forth in claim 8, wherein:

said branch powerways each include a quick-disconnect power-in connector; and

said power jumper opposite end includes a quick-disconnect connector shaped to mate with said quick-disconnect power-in connector.

10. A furniture system as set forth in claim 9, wherein:

said feeder circuit includes at least one 100 amp line; and

said branch circuit includes at least one 20 amp line.

11. A furniture system as set forth in claim 10, including:

a transformer positioned within said connector box.

12. A furniture system as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said power jumper includes means for overcurrent protection.

13. A furniture system as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said feeder raceway is positioned immediately above said branch raceway in said furniture units.

14. A furniture system as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

each said feeder raceway includes at least one removable cover for ready access thereto, wherein said cover is connected therewith by fasteners which require a tool for removal so as to provide electrical safety.

15. A furniture system as set forth in claim 1, including:

at least one vertical passageway extending between said branch raceway and said feeder raceway, and receiving said power jumper therethrough.

16. A furniture system as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

each of said furniture units includes a vertical passageway extending between said branch raceway and said feeder raceway, with a removable closure normally covering the same.

17. A furniture system as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said branch powerways each include a quick-disconnect power-in connector; and

said power jumper opposite end includes a quick-disconnect connector shaped to mate with said quick-disconnect power-in connector.

18. A furniture system as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said feeder circuit includes at least one 100 amp line; and

said branch circuit includes at least one 20 amp line.

19. A furniture system as set forth in claim 1, including:

a transformer positioned within said feeder raceway.

20. A multi-tiered electrical system for furniture systems of the type having a plurality of individual furniture units interconnected side-by-side in a predetermined arrangement, said electrical system comprising:

a branch raceway shaped to extend along each of the furniture units, and being accessible at opposite ends thereof;

a plurality of modular branch powerways received in said branch raceway of at least selected ones of the furniture units, and wherein each of said branch powerways includes;

electrical conductors extending between opposite ends of the associated branch powerway, and carrying conventional low current electrical power therebetween;

first and second quick-disconnect power connectors electrically connected with said electrical conductors, and positioned adjacent to the opposite ends of the associated branch powerway;

at least one power tap electrically connected with said electrical conductors, and adapted to tap the conventional low current electrical power therefrom to operate electric appliances;

means for detachably interconnecting said first and second quick-disconnect power connectors on adjacent branch powerways to create a branch circuit in the furniture system;

a feeder raceway shaped to extend along each of the furniture units, and being accessible at opposite ends thereof;

a feeder harness received in said feeder raceway of the selected furniture units, and wherein said feeder harness includes;

electrical conductors extending between opposite ends of said feeder harness, and carrying high current electrical power therebetween;

a power-in connector connecting the conductors of said feeder harness with a source of high current electrical power;

at least one power jumper having one end thereof electrically connected with the conductors in said feeder harness, and an opposite end thereof connected with the conductors in one of said branch powerways, whereby multiple branch circuits can be powered by a single power-in connector through said feeder circuit.

21. A multi-tiered electrical system as set forth in claim 20, wherein:

said feeder harness includes a shielded connector box that is positioned in said feeder raceway, and in which said feeder harness electrical conductors and said power jumper one end are interconnected.

22. A multi-tiered electrical system as set forth in claim 21, wherein:

said power jumper includes means for overcurrent protection.

23. A multi-tiered electrical system as set forth in claim 22, wherein:

said overcurrent protection means is positioned within said connector box.

24. A multi-tiered electrical system as set forth in claim 23, wherein:

said feeder raceway is positioned immediately above said branch raceway.

25. A multi-tiered electrical system as set forth in claim 24, wherein:

each said feeder raceway includes at least one removable cover for ready access thereto, wherein said cover is connected therewith by fasteners which require a tool for removal so as to provide electrical safety.

26. A multi-tiered electrical system as set forth in claim 25, including:

at least one vertical passageway extending between said branch raceway and said feeder raceway, and receiving said power jumper therethrough.

27. A multi-tiered electrical system as set forth in claim 26, wherein:

each of said furniture units includes said vertical passageway extending between said branch raceway and said feeder raceway, with a removable closure normally covering the same.

28. A multi-tiered electrical system as set forth in claim 27, wherein:

said branch powerways each include a quick-disconnect power-in connector; and

said power jumper opposite end includes a quick-disconnect connector shaped to mate with said quick-disconnect power-in connector.

29. A multi-tiered electrical system as set forth in claim 28, wherein:

said feeder circuit includes at least one 100 amp line; and

said branch circuit includes at least one 20 amp line.

30. A multi-tiered electrical system as set forth in claim 29, including:

a transformer positioned within said connector box.