Raceway with multi-positionable receptacle blocks

• US 7,465,178 B2
• Filed: 05/04/2006
• Issued: 12/16/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Norman R. Byrne
• Original Assignee: Norman R. Byrne
• Inventors: Byrne, Norman R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Abrams; Neil
• Assistant Examiner(s): Patel; Harshad C
• Application Number:
  US11/913,477
• Publication Number:
  US 20080188106A1
• Time in Patent Office: 957 Days
• Field of Search: 439/215, 439/654, 439207-213, 439/717
• US Class Current: 439/215
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/514 composed as a modular blocks or assembly, i.e. composed of co-operating parts provided with contact members or holding contact members between them
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 25/162 Electrical connections between or with rails or bus-bars rails having primarily a non electrical function H01R4/64
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/288 in modular walls, e.g. wall panels

Abstract

A raceway system (500) includes a junction block (502) having a housing (503). The housing (503) includes a first recessed area (520) having lower receptacle channels (576) and upper receptacle channels (578). An electrical receptacle block (542) includes a lower tab (580) and an upper tab (582) which selectively engage one of each of the lower receptacle channels (576) and upper receptacle channels (578). The selective engagement determines how far laterally outward the receptacle block (542) extends, relative to the junction block (502).

Claims

1. A raceway system for carrying electrical power and for providing electrical devices external to said raceway system with access to said electrical power, said system comprising:

at least one junction block having a housing;

a first cable assembly;

cable connector means for connecting said first cable assembly to one end of said junction block housing;

a pair of connector blocks extending outwardly from an opposing end of said junction block housing, with each of said connector blocks having a connector set, and with each of said connector blocks being adapted to selectively engage second cable assemblies so that said second cable assemblies are structurally and electrically attached to said connector blocks;

said junction block housing having a first recessed area located on a first lateral side of said junction block, said first recessed area being formed by a lower wall, an upper wall, a back wall and a side wall;

a first electrical connector set extending longitudinally outwardly from said side wall;

at least one electrical receptacle block, said electrical receptacle block having a first receptacle block connector set;

said lower wall on said first lateral side of said junction block having a plurality of lower receptacle channels;

said upper wall of said first lateral side of said junction block having a plurality of upper receptacle channels, with said lower receptacle channels being aligned with said upper receptacle channels; and

said electrical receptacle block comprising engaging means for selectively engaging one of said lower receptacle channels and one of said upper receptacle channels at a given time, said selective engagement of said engaging means with said lower receptacle channels and said upper receptacle channels being determinative of the extension of said first receptacle block laterally outward from said junction block.