Retractable power and communication outlet arrangements

• US 6,234,812 B1
• Filed: 11/19/1999
• Issued: 05/22/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/24/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Christian K. Weber, Michael B. Ivers
• Original Assignee: Christian K. Weber, Michael B. Ivers
• Inventors: Weber, Christian K., Ivers, Michael B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bradley, Paula
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, TRUC T
• Application Number:
  US09/443,335
• Time in Patent Office: 550 Days
• Field of Search: 439/131, 439/378, 439/214, 439/215, 362/127
• US Class Current: 439/131
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2021/066 with power or communication connection interface
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2021/068 with pop-up power outlet
• 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: H01R 25/006 the coupling part being secured to apparatus or structure, e.g. duplex wall receptacle
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/0493 Service poles
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/185 Floor outlets and access cups

Abstract

Retractable power and communication outlet arrangements suitable for mounting on a work surface such as a table or desk. A first type of a retractable power outlet or a retractable communication includes a bottomless mounting cup for inserting into a hole in the work surface. The mounting cup includes a flat circular top edge and a cylinder. Two grooves are formed inside the cylinder as guides and extend from an upper end of the cylinder to a lower end of the cylinder. The first type of power or communication outlet arrangement additionally includes a mounting bracket. The mounting bracket includes a circular flat top having two opposing semicircular notches. The mounting bracket'"'"'s flat top is dimensioned to overlap the diameter of the top of the mounting cup. Integrally formed with the mounting bracket'"'"'s flat top is a longitudinally extending flat element which includes four mounting pegs that extend from the flat element in two rows of two for mounting a power or communication strip. A second type of a retractable power outlet or a communication arrangement omits the flat attachment element and includes a bottomless mounting cup, a mounting cap, and a power or communication strip. The mounting cup for the second type of arrangement includes three longitudinal ridges extending in varying lengths and a shelf in a cylinder.

Claims

1. A retractable utility arrangement for mounting on a work surface comprising:

a mounting cup including a substantially flat circular top having a diameter, a center, a beveled exterior edge, a circular hole in the center of the circular top, and a cylinder with two opposing grooves that extend from the from the circular hole for a distance;

a mounting bracket dimensioned to conform with the diameter of the top of the mounting cup that has a flat top which is substantially circular with two opposing semicircular notches, and an integrally formed longitudinally extending flat rectangular element having vertical edges with four mounting pegs extending therefrom in two rows of two, wherein the vertical edges of the flat rectangular element engage the opposing grooves in the cylinder; and

a utility strip including a rectangularly shaped housing having a front side with a plurality of utility receptacles and a back side with four holes for receiving the mounting pegs on the flat rectangular element of the mounting bracket, wherein the front side and the back side are connected together by sidewalls.

2. The retractable utility arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said mounting cup and said mounting bracket are made of plastic.

3. The retractable utility arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said utility strip is a power strip and said utility receptacles are power outlet receptacles.

4. The retractable utility arrangement according to claim 3, wherein said front side of said housing further comprises an on/off strip switch.

5. The retractable utility arrangement according to claim 3, wherein said power strip further comprises a surge protector.

6. The retractable utility arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said utility strip is a communication strip and said utility receptacles are communication receptacles.

7. The retractable utility arrangement according to claim 6, wherein said communication receptacles are telecommunication jacks.

8. The retractable utility arrangement according to claim 7, wherein there are at least four telecommunication jacks.

9. A retractable utility arrangement for mounting on a work surface comprising:

a mounting cup including a substantially flat circular top having a diameter, a center, a beveled exterior edge, a circular hole in the center of the circular top, and a cylinder with two diagonally opposing long ridges extending from a lower end of the cylinder to an upper end of the cylinder, a short ridge extending from the lower end of the cylinder for a distance of about half of the cylinder length, and a shelf which extends from one long ridge to the short ridge;

a mounting cap dimensioned to conform with the diameter of the circular top of the mounting cup, said mounting cap having a flat top and two opposing semicircular notches; and

,

a utility strip including a rectangularly shaped housing having a front side with a plurality of utility receptacles, a back side, and sidewalls connecting the front side to the back side of the housing.

10. The retractable utility arrangement according to claim 9, wherein said mounting cup and said mounting cap are made of plastic.

11. The retractable utility arrangement according to claim 9, wherein said utility strip is a power strip and said utility receptacles are power outlet receptacles.

12. The retractable utility arrangement according to claim 11, wherein said front side of said housing further comprises an on/off switch.

13. The retractable utility arrangement according to claim 11, wherein said power strip further comprises a surge protector.

14. The retractable utility arrangement according to claim 9, wherein said utility strip is a communication strip and said utility receptacles are communication receptacles.

15. The retractable utility arrangement according to claim 14, wherein said communication receptacles are telecommunication jacks.

16. The retractable utility arrangement according to claim 15, wherein there are at least four telecommunication jacks.