Worksurface power module with fiber optic capability

• US 6,885,796 B2
• Filed: 03/26/2003
• Issued: 04/26/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Group Dekko Incorporated (Graham Holdings Company)
• Original Assignee: Pent Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Rupert, Brian K., Lubkert, Kenneth H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ullah, Akm Enayet
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wood, Kevin S.
• Application Number:
  US10/397,461
• Publication Number:
  US 20030185515A1
• Time in Patent Office: 762 Days
• Field of Search: 385/48, 385/75, 385 88- 94, 385/137, 385/147, 312/223.3, 439/535
• US Class Current: 385/48
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2021/066 with power or communication connection interface
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/266 Arrangements to supply power to external peripherals either directly from the computer or under computer control, e.g. supply of power through the communication port, computer controlled power-strips
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/261 PC controlled powerstrip
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/06 for computer periphery
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 25/006 the coupling part being secured to apparatus or structure, e.g. duplex wall receptacle
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 27/02 for simultaneous co-operation with two or more dissimilar counterparts

Abstract

A power and communications assembly including a housing removably mountable to a worksurface, at least one electrical power receptacle at least partially contained in the housing and an optical splitting device configured to split one optical bi-directional signal into a plurality of additional optical bi-directional signals, the optical splitting device substantially within the housing.

Claims

1. A power and communications assembly, comprising:

a housing removably mountable to a worksurface;

at least one electrical power receptacle at least partially contained in said housing; and

an optical splitting device configured to split one optical bi-directional signal into a plurality of additional optical bi-directional signals, said optical splitting device substantially within said housing.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said housing has a contour and said optical splitting device includes at least one fiber optic cable, said fiber optic cable being routed cooperatively with said contour, such that said fiber optic cable is bent so as to not substantially attenuate said bi-directional signal.

3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said optical splitting device amplifies at least one of said plurality of additional optical bi-directional signals.

4. The assembly of claim 3, wherein said optical splitting device includes a plurality of interface connections.

5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein said housing includes a face surface having at least one connection receiving opening, at least one of said plurality of interface connections being positioned in said connection receiving.

6. The assembly of claim 5, wherein said at least one connection receiving opening is a plurality of connection receiving openings, each of said plurality of connection receiving openings receiving one of a corresponding said plurality of interface connections.

7. The assembly of claim 6, further comprising a clamping mechanism connected to said housing, said clamping mechanism configured to engage a portion of said worksurface.

8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein said housing further comprises an other surface substantially opposite said face surface, said other surface having a connection receiving opening with one of said plurality of interface connections mounted therein.

9. A work center, comprising:

a worksurface; and

a power and communications assembly mounted to said worksurface, said power and communications assembly including;

a housing;

at least one electrical power receptacle partially contained in said housing; and

an optical splitting device configured to split one optical bi-directional signal into a plurality of additional optical bi-directional signals, said optical splitting device substantially within said housing.

10. The assembly of claim 9, wherein said housing has a contour and said optical splitting device includes at least one fiber optic cable, said fiber optic cable being routed cooperatively with said contour, such that said fiber optic cable is bent so as to not substantially attenuate said bi-directional signal.

11. The assembly of claim 9, wherein said optical splitting device amplifies at least one of said plurality of additional optical bi-directional signals.

12. The assembly of claim 9, wherein said optical splitting device includes a plurality of interface connections.

13. The assembly of claim 12, wherein said housing includes a face surface having at least one connection receiving opening, at least one of said plurality of interface connections being positioned in said connection receiving opening.

14. The assembly of claim 13, wherein said at least one connection receiving opening is a plurality of connection receiving openings, each of said plurality of connection receiving openings receiving one of a corresponding said plurality of interface connections.

15. The assembly of claim 9, further comprising a clamping mechanism connected to said housing, said clamping mechanism configured to engage a portion of said worksurface.

16. A method of expanding a bi-directional signal, comprising the steps of:

combinging substantially within a housing, a power distribution receptacle and an optical signal splitting device;

splitting one bi-directional optical signal connected to said optical splitting device into a plurality of additional bi-directional optical signals; and

removably affixing said housing to worksurface.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of cooperatively routing fiber optic cable with a contour of said housing, such that said fiber optic cable is bent so as to not substantially attenuate said bi-directional optical signal.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of positioning a plurality of interface connections on a surface of said housing, said interface connections in communication with said optical signal splitting device.

19. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of clamping said housing to engage a portion of said worksurface.