Modular powerway with selectable receptacle

• US 5,252,086 A
• Filed: 05/28/1992
• Issued: 10/12/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc. (Steelcase Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Steelcase Incorporated
• Inventors: VanDyke, David A., White, Jerry P., Slager, Mark T., Anderson, Craig M., Russell, Scott H., Deer, Steven C., Ondrejka, Charles C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Paumen, Gary F.
• Application Number:
  US07/889,665
• Time in Patent Office: 502 Days
• Field of Search: 439/207-216, 439/152, 439/296, 439/170, 439/171, 439/174
• US Class Current: 439/215
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 25/00 Coupling parts adapted for simultaneous co-operation with two or more identical counterparts, e.g. for distributing energy to two or more circuits supported only by co-operation with a counterpart H01R31/00; with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/88
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/02 Intermediate parts for distributing energy to two or more circuits in parallel, e.g. splitter with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/92
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/288 in modular walls, e.g. wall panels
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/923 Separation or disconnection aid

Abstract

A power distribution system for office furniture includes a powerway having a power block with power block conductors therein. A outlet block is supported on the powerway and includes outlets for the office furniture. The outlets are connected to different conductors in the powerway by a jumper. The powerway may include at least three first connectors on one end and at least one second connector on the other end. The first and second connectors interconnect thereby facilitating connection with other identical powerways. According to one aspect, one component includes a projection and another component includes a recess which facilitate connection of these components using a substantially flat implement.

Claims

1. A power distribution unit for office furniture of the type having a utility raceway, comprising:

a power block including a power block housing adapted to be assembled within the utility raceway of associated office furniture;

a plurality of power block conductors positioned in said power block housing;

a first outlet positioned adjacent said power block;

a second outlet positioned adjacent said power block;

a first connector associated with said first outlet and not associated with said second outlet;

a second connector associated with said second outlet and not associated with said first outlet; and

a jumper including at least one jumper conductor, said at least one said jumper conductor selectively connecting said first and second connectors to at least one of said power block conductors when said jumper is connected to said power block and said first and second connectors, whereby said jumper may be manipulated to select the power block conductors to which said first and second connectors and the outlets associated therewith are connected.

2. The power distribution system as defined in claim 1, wherein said jumper includes a jumper housing and said jumper conductors are supported within said jumper housing.

3. The power distribution system as defined in claim 2, wherein each of said jumper conductors includes at least one contact, and each contact is adapted to be connected to one of said first and second power block conductors.

4. The power distribution system as defined in claim 1, further including an outlet block, wherein said first and second outlets include respective outlet openings on said outlet block and said first and second connectors are accessible through respective ones of said outlet openings.

5. The power distribution system as defined in claim 4, wherein said plurality of power block conductors include at least four conductors connected to at least two power supplies, whereby said jumper is used to select the power supply to which said first and second connectors are connected.

6. The power distribution system as defined in claim 1, comprising at least two said jumper conductors including a first jumper conductor connected to said first connector and a second jumper conductor connected to said second connector when said jumper is connected to said first and second connectors.

7. The power distribution system as defined in claim 6, wherein said plurality of power block conductors includes at least four conductors coupled to at least two power supplies, and said first jumper conductor connects said first connector to a first one of said power supplies and said second jumper conductor connects said second connector to a second one of said power supplies.

8. The power distribution system as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said jumper conductors include two contacts for connection to said first and second connectors, respectively.

9. The power distribution system as defined in claim 1, wherein said power block includes at least one power block ground conductor supported in said power block and said outlet block includes an outlet block ground connector adapted to connect to said at least one power block ground conductor.

10. The power distribution system as defined in claim 9, wherein said at least one power block ground conductor includes a ground conductor connected to safety ground and a ground conductor connected to isolated ground.

11. The power distribution system as defined in claim 10, wherein said outlet block ground connector is connected to said power block ground conductor connected to safety ground or said power block ground conductor connected to isolated ground.

12. The power distribution unit as defined in claim 1, wherein said power block is part of a powerway having a first end, said first end including at least one sidewall, said sidewall including at least one projection, and said projection including an outer edge, and said powerway including a second end, said second end including a second connector and at least one arm projecting outwardly from said second end, said at least one arm including a recess, and said recess including a periphery.

13. The power distribution system as defined in claim 1, further including a third connector associated with said first outlet and fourth connector associated with said second power outlet.

14. A powerway for modular furniture of the type including a utility raceway, comprising:

a power block including a power block housing adapted to be assembled within the utility raceway of the modular furniture, said power block housing supported on a first end of said powerway, said power block housing including at least three first connectors;

a plurality of conductors positioned in said power block housing; and

a second connector carried on a second end of said power block generally opposite said first end, wherein said first connectors are adapted to be connected with second connectors of powerways associated with adjacent furniture units whereby said power block is adapted to be connected with at least three of said second connectors.

15. The powerway as defined in claim 14, further including an elongated substantially rigid cover, said power block positioned at least partially within said cover.

16. The powerway as defined in claim 14, further including a flexible cable, said second connector carried on one end of said cable, whereby said flexible cable facilitates manipulation of the position of said second connector.

17. The powerway as defined in claim 14, wherein each of said first and second connectors includes a plurality of contacts.

18. The powerway as defined in claim 14, further including a outlet block adapted to be assembled to said power block, said outlet block housing outlet conductors, and a jumper adapted to connect said conductors of said outlet block to said conductors supported in said power block, whereby the connection of said outlet conductors to the power block is selected using said jumper.

19. The powerway as defined in claim 14, further including a first connector including a first end, said first end including at least one sidewall, said sidewall including at least one projection, and said projection including an outer edge, and further including a second end, said second end including a second connector, and at least one arm projecting outwardly from said second end, said at least one arm including a recess, and said recess including a periphery.

20. In an office furniture system of the type having a plurality of individual furniture units positioned side-by-side in a predetermined orientation, and wherein each of said furniture units includes a utility raceway therethrough accessible at opposite sides of said furniture unit, the improvement of a modular powerway for each of said furniture units, each said powerway comprising:

an elongated housing received within the utility raceway of an associated one of said furniture units, and including first and second ends thereof positioned adjacent opposite ends of said utility raceway;

conductors mounted in said housing for conducting electrical power between opposite ends of said powerway;

end thereof, and including first, second and third sets of vertically oriented, quick-disconnect power connectors arranged in a side-by-side fashion, and electrically connected with said electrical conducting means;

a power tap electrically connected with said electrical conducting means, and adapted to tap electrical power from said powerway; and

a flexible flag connector having one end thereof fixedly mounted in said housing adjacent said second end thereof, and including a flag terminal mounted on the opposite end of said flag connector, and movable relative to said housing;

said flag terminal including a set of quick-disconnect power connectors electrically connected with said electrical conducting means, and adapted to mate with one of the first, second and third sets of quick-disconnect power connectors associated with another one of said powerways, whereby adjacent powerways may be electrically interconnected in "L", "T", "X" and in-line relationships by connecting the quick-disconnect connectors on the flag terminal of each powerway with an adjacent one of the first, second and third sets of quick-disconnect connectors on the power terminal of an adjacent powerway.

21. In an office furniture unit of the type having a utility raceway therethrough accessible at opposite sides of said furniture unit, the improvement of a modular powerway comprising:

an elongated housing received within the utility raceway of said furniture unit, and including first and second ends thereof positioned adjacent opposite ends of said utility raceway;

means mounted in said housing for conducting electrical power between opposite ends of said powerway;

a power terminal mounted in said housing adjacent said first end thereof, and including first, second and third sets of vertically oriented, quick-disconnect power connectors arranged in a side-by-side fashion, and electrically connected with said electrical conducting means;

a power tap electrically connected with said electrical conducting means, and adapted to tap electrical power from said powerway; and

a flexible flag connector having one end thereof fixedly mounted in said housing adjacent said second end thereof, and including a flag terminal mounted on the opposite end of said flag connector, and movable relative to said housing;

said flag terminal including a set of quick-disconnect power connectors electrically connected with said electrical conducting means, and adapted to mate with one of the first, second and third sets of quick-disconnect power connectors on a power terminal of a powerway associated with another furniture unit, whereby adjacent powerways may be electrically interconnected in "L", "T", "X" and in-line relationships by connecting the quick-disconnect connectors on the flag terminal of each powerway with an adjacent one of the first, second and third sets of quick-disconnect connectors on the power terminal of an adjacent powerway.

22. A modular powerway for an office furniture unit and the like, of the type having a utility raceway therethrough accessible at opposite sides of the furniture unit, said modular powerway comprising:

an elongated housing shaped for reception within the utility raceway of the furniture unit, and including first and second ends thereof configured for positioning adjacent opposite ends of the utility raceway;

means mounted in said housing for conducting electrical power between opposite ends of said powerway;

a power terminal mounted in said housing adjacent said first end thereof, and including first, second and third sets of vertically oriented, quick-disconnect power connectors arranged in a side-by-side fashion, and electrically connected with said electrical conducting means;

a power tap electrically connected with said electrical conducting means, and adapted to tap electrical power from said powerway; and

a flexible flag connector having one end thereof fixedly mounted in said housing adjacent said second end thereof, and including a flag terminal mounted on the opposite end of said flag connector, and movable relative to said housing;

said flag terminal including a set of quick-disconnect power connectors electrically connected with said electrical conducting means, and adapted to mate with one of the first, second and third sets of quick-disconnect power connectors on a power terminal of a powerway associated with another furniture unit, whereby adjacent powerways may be electrically interconnected in "L", "T", "X" and in-line relationships by connecting the quick-disconnect connectors on the flag terminal of each powerway with an adjacent one of the first, second and third sets of quick-disconnect connectors on the power terminal of an adjacent powerway.

23. A mechanical connector for connecting components of a power distribution unit in a utility raceway of office furniture, comprising:

a first connector including a housing, said connector housing including a first end and at least one sidewall, said sidewall including at least one projection, and said projection including an outer edge; and

a powerway including a second end, said second end including a second connector adapted to interconnect with said first connector, and said powerway including at least one arm projecting outwardly from said second end, said at least one arm including a recess, and said recess including a periphery, said projection accessible through said recess when said first end abuts said second end whereby, when said first and second connectors are disconnected, a substantially flat implement inserted between said edge of said projection and said periphery of said recess is used to interconnect said first and second connectors, and when said first and second connectors are interconnected, a substantially flat implement inserted between said edge of said projection and said periphery of said recess is used to disconnect said first and second connectors.

24. A mechanical connector as defined in claim 23, wherein said edge of said at least one projection includes a first projection sidewall, a second projection sidewall extending nonlinearly from one end of said first projection sidewall, and a third sidewall extending nonlinearly from said second sidewall, said second and third projection sidewalls providing a pivot for said implement and said first sidewall preventing sliding of said implement when said implement pivots on said second and third projection sidewalls.

25. The mechanical connector as defined in claim 23, wherein said recess includes at least a first recess sidewall and a second recess sidewall extending nonlinerearly from said first recess sidewall whereby the flat implement pivots around said first and second recess sidewalls to move said first housing relative to said second housing.

26. The mechanical connector as defined in claim 23, wherein said first connector includes electrical contacts and said second connector includes electrical conductors, whereby said electrical contacts and said electrical conductors are interconnected when said first and second connectors interconnect.

27. The mechanical connector as defined in claim 26, wherein said first connector housing includes a third end opposite said first end, and further including a third connector including a third connector housing, said third connector housing including a fourth connector connected to said third end, whereby said first connector housing is connected between said second connector and said fourth connector.

28. A mechanical connector, comprising:

a first housing including a first end and at least one housing sidewall, said sidewall including at least one projection, and said projection including an outer edge, said first end including a first connector; and

a second housing including a second end, said second end including a second connector adapted to interconnect with said first connector, and said housing including at least one arm projecting outwardly from said second end, said at least one arm including a recess, and said recess including a periphery, said projection accessible through said recess when said first end abuts said second end whereby a substantially flat implement inserted between said edge of said projection and said periphery of said recess is used to interconnect said first and second connectors.

29. A mechanical connector as defined in claim 28 wherein said edge of said at least one projection includes a first projection sidewall, a second projection sidewall extending nonlinerealy from one end of said first projection sidewall, and a third projection sidewall extending nonlinerearly from said second projection sidewall, said second and third projection sidewalls providing a pivot for said implement and said first sidewall preventing sliding of said implement when said implement pivots around said second and third projection sidewalls.

30. The mechanical connector as defined in claim 28, wherein said recess includes at least a first recess sidewall and a second recess sidewall extending nonlinerearly from said first recess sidewall whereby the flat implement pivots around said first and second recess sidewalls to move said first housing relative to said second housing.

31. A mechanical connector, comprising:

a first housing including a first end and at least one sidewall, said sidewall including at least one projection, and said projection including an outer edge, said first end including a first connector; and

a second housing including a second end, said second end including a second connector interconnected with said first connector, and said housing including at least one arm projecting outwardly from said second end, said at least one outwardly projecting arm including a recess, and said recess including a periphery, said projection accessible through said recess whereby a substantially flat implement inserted between said edge of said projection and said periphery of said recess is used to disconnect said first and second connectors.