Circuit selectable receptacle

• US 7,303,417 B2
• Filed: 05/23/2006
• Issued: 12/04/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Group Dekko Incorporated (Graham Holdings Company)
• Original Assignee: Pent Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Lubkert, Kenneth H.
• Primary Examiner(s): DINH, PHUONG K
• Application Number:
  US11/439,057
• Publication Number:
  US 20060276068A1
• Time in Patent Office: 560 Days
• Field of Search: 439/215, 439/189, 439/507, 439/511, 439/512
• US Class Current: 439/215
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/465 Identification means, e.g. labels, tags, markings H01R9/2475, H01R9/2683 take precedence
• 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 29/00 Coupling parts for selective co-operation with a counterpart in different ways to establish different circuits, e.g. for voltage selection, for series-parallel selection, programmable connectors

Abstract

A modular wall panel assembly for use in a modular furniture environment including a modular wall panel and an electrical receptacle connected to the modular wall panel. The electrical receptacle includes a connector having a plurality of connector terminals, a plurality of receptacle terminals, and at least one jumper which connects one of the plurality of receptacle terminals to one of the plurality of connector terminals.

Claims

1. A modular wall panel assembly for use in a modular furniture environment, comprising:

a modular wall panel;

an electrical receptacle connected to said modular wall panel, said electrical receptacle including a connector having a plurality of connector terminals, a plurality of receptacle terminals, and at least one jumper providing connection from one of said plurality of receptacle terminals to one of said plurality of connector terminals, further including three-prong power plug receptacle openings on said electrical receptacle, said at least one jumper on a side of said electrical receptacle opposite said three-prong power receptacle openings.

2. The modular wall panel assembly of claim 1, wherein said connection of one of said plurality of receptacle terminals to one of said plurality of connector terminals is selectable by a placement of said jumper.

3. The modular wall panel assembly of claim 1, further including an indicia on said electrical receptacle indicating one of said plurality of connector terminals being connected to one of said plurality of receptacle terminals.

4. The modular wall panel assembly of claim 1, wherein said jumper includes a jumper terminal, at least one of said plurality of connector terminals includes a resilient arc, said jumper terminal is received in said resilient arc.

5. The modular wall panel assembly of claim 1, wherein said at least one jumper is a power infeed to said plurality of receptacle terminals.

6. The modular wall panel assembly of claim 1, wherein said jumper includes a jumper terminal, at least one of said plurality of receptacle terminals includes a resilient arc, said jumper terminal is received in said resilient arc.

7. The modular wall panel assembly of claim 1, further including a jumper cable providing a power infeed to said electrical receptacle.

8. The modular wall panel assembly of claim 1, further including a distribution harness providing a power infeed to said electrical receptacle.

9. The modular wall panel assembly of claim 1, wherein said jumper is removable from said electrical receptacle.

10. An electrical receptacle for use in a modular furniture environment, comprising:

a connector having a plurality of connector terminals;

a plurality of receptacle terminals;

at least one jumper providing connection from one of said plurality of receptacle terminals to one of said plurality of connector terminals; and

three-prong power plug receptacle openings on said electrical receptacle, said at least one jumper on a side of said electrical receptacle opposite said three-prong power plug receptacle openings.

11. The electrical receptacle of claim 10, wherein said connection of one of said plurality of receptacle terminals to one of said plurality of connector terminals is selectable by a placement of said jumper.

12. The electrical receptacle of claim 10, further including an indicia on said electrical receptacle indicating one of said plurality of connector terminals being connected to one of said plurality of receptacle terminals.

13. The electrical receptacle of claim 10, wherein said jumper includes a jumper terminal, at least one of said plurality of connector terminals includes a resilient arc, said jumper terminal is received in said resilient arc.

14. The electrical receptacle of claim 10, wherein said at least one jumper is a power infeed to said plurality of receptacle terminals.

15. The electrical receptacle of claim 10, wherein said jumper includes a jumper terminal, at least one of said plurality of receptacle terminals includes a resilient arc, said jumper terminal is received in said resilient arc.

16. The electrical receptacle of claim 10, wherein said jumper is removable from said electrical receptacle.

17. A method of connecting an electrical receptacle to a source of electrical power, said electrical receptacle for use in a modular furniture environment, comprising the steps of:

providing an electrical receptacle including a connector having a plurality of connector terminals, a plurality of receptacle terminals, at least one jumper and three-prong power plug receptacle openings on said electrical receptacle;

inserting said at least one jumper into said electrical receptacle on a side of said electrical receptacle opposite said three-prong power plug receptacle openings; and

connecting one of said plurality of receptacle terminals to one of said plurality of connector terminals using said jumper.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein said connecting step includes rotating said jumper in an arc in said electrical receptacle to connect one of said plurality of receptacle terminals to one of said plurality of connector terminals using said jumper during said connecting step.

19. The method of claim 17, further including the step of indicating one of said plurality of connector terminals being connected to one of said plurality of receptacle terminals using an indicia on said electrical receptacle.