Modular powerway with selectable receptacle
First Claim
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 Assignments
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Accused Products
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.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. A power distribution unit for office furniture of the type having a utility raceway, comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A powerway for modular furniture of the type including a utility raceway, comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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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:
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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.
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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:
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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.
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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:
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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.
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23. A mechanical connector for connecting components of a power distribution unit in a utility raceway of office furniture, comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A mechanical connector, comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30)
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31. A mechanical connector, comprising:
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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.
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Specification