Keyed power cord
First Claim
1. An electrical power distribution system for supplying electrical energy to power utilization equipment, comprising:
- a plurality of power taps, each having an electrical inlet connector, an electrical outlet connector and a power lead for connection to power utilization equipment, certain ones of the inlet and outlet connectors configured differently from other of the inlet and outlet connectors;
a plurality of power transmitting jumpers, each having a pair of electrical connectors, one at each of the opposite ends thereof, for interconnecting the outlet connector of one power tap to the inlet connector of another power tap, certain ones of the jumper electrical connectors configured differently from other of the jumper electrical connectors to connect to only selected ones of the power tap connectors; and
a power supply jumper having an electrical connector at each of the opposite ends thereof, one electrical connector comprising a power plug for receiving electrical energy from a source, and the other electrical connector comprising a universally configured connector adapted to connect to any one of the power tap inlet connectors.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electrical power distribution system for supplying electrical energy to power utilization equipment located, for example, at multiple work stations in a modular furniture installation, has a plurality of power taps, each having an electrical inlet connector, an electrical outlet connector and a power lead for connection to the power utilization equipment. Some of the inlet and outlet connectors are configured differently from others. A plurality of power transmitting jumpers, each having an electrical connector at each of the opposite ends thereof interconnect the outlet connector of one power tap and the inlet connector of another power tap. Certain ones of the jumper electrical connectors are configured differently from other of the jumper electrical connectors so as to connect to only selected ones of the power tap connectors. The differing configurations necessitate interconnection of the power taps in a prescribed order and the number of different configurations effectively limits the maximum number of power taps that can be chained together. A power supply jumper having a power supply plug at one end for receiving electrical energy from a source and a universally configured electrical connector at the opposite end may connect to any one of the power tap inlet connectors to supply power to that and all subsequent power taps.
128 Citations
19 Claims
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1. An electrical power distribution system for supplying electrical energy to power utilization equipment, comprising:
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a plurality of power taps, each having an electrical inlet connector, an electrical outlet connector and a power lead for connection to power utilization equipment, certain ones of the inlet and outlet connectors configured differently from other of the inlet and outlet connectors;
a plurality of power transmitting jumpers, each having a pair of electrical connectors, one at each of the opposite ends thereof, for interconnecting the outlet connector of one power tap to the inlet connector of another power tap, certain ones of the jumper electrical connectors configured differently from other of the jumper electrical connectors to connect to only selected ones of the power tap connectors; and
a power supply jumper having an electrical connector at each of the opposite ends thereof, one electrical connector comprising a power plug for receiving electrical energy from a source, and the other electrical connector comprising a universally configured connector adapted to connect to any one of the power tap inlet connectors. - View Dependent Claims (2, 8)
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3. An electrical power distribution system for supplying electrical energy to power utilization equipment, comprising:
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a plurality of power taps, each having an electrical inlet connector, an electrical outlet connector and a power lead for connection to power utilization equipment, certain ones of the inlet and outlet connectors configured differently from other of the inlet and outlet connectors; and
a plurality of power transmitting jumpers, each having a pair of electrical connectors, one at each of the opposite ends thereof, for interconnecting the outlet connector of one power tap to the inlet connector of another power tap, certain ones of the jumper electrical connectors configured differently from other of the jumper electrical connectors to connect to only selected ones of the power tap connectors;
wherein the differing connector configurations comprise patterns of webs and grooves. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10)
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11. An electrical power distribution system for supplying electrical energy to at least two power utilization devices, comprising:
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first and second power taps, each having an electrical inlet connector, an electrical outlet connector and a power lead for connection to a power utilization device, the two inlet connectors configured differently from one another;
a power transmitting jumper having a pair of electrical connectors, one at each of the opposite ends thereof, for interconnecting the outlet connector of the first power tap to the inlet connector of the second power tap, one of the jumper electrical connectors configured to connect to the inlet connector of the second power tap, but not to the first power tap, and the other jumper electrical connector configured to connect to the outlet of the first power tap, but not to the second power tap; and
a power supply jumper having an electrical connector at each of the opposite ends thereof, one electrical connector comprising a power plug for receiving electrical energy from a source, and the other electrical connector comprising a universally configured connector adapted to connect to either one of the power tap inlet connectors. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An electrical power distribution system for supplying electrical energy from a source to at least two power utilization devices, comprising:
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a power tap having a power lead for connection to a first power utilization device;
two pair of matable connectors, each pair having a portion which precludes mating between either connector from one pair and a connector from the other pair, one connector pair for supplying electrical energy from the source by way of the power lead to the first power utilization device, and the other connector pair for supplying electrical energy from the power tap to a second power utilization device; and
a power supply jumper having an electrical connector at each of the opposite ends thereof, one electrical connector comprising a power plug for receiving electrical energy from a source, and the other electrical connector comprising a universally configured connector adapted to connect to the power tap. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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Specification