Expandable power and data center adapted for use with multiple mounts

• US 7,736,178 B2
• Filed: 06/13/2006
• Issued: 06/15/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2005
• 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): NGUYEN, PHUONGCHI T
• Application Number:
  US11/917,264
• Publication Number:
  US 20090142947A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,463 Days
• Field of Search: 439/574, 439/575, 439/527, 439/534, 439/542
• US Class Current: 439/574
• 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

Abstract

An expandable power and data center (300) is mounted to a work surface (332), and includes a front face surface (302). Extending outwardly from an aperture (338) within the face (302) are power receptacles (310) and data ports (312). A housing (322) extends rearwardly of the front face (302) and includes a bracket mount (340). The bracket mount (340) is formed by the rear portion (330) of the housing (322) having a central portion (348) intermediate a set of L-slots (342). The L-slots (342) releasably engage various configurations of mounting brackets (350, 390) for use in mounting the power and data center (300) to various types of surfaces.

Claims

1. A power and data center adapted to be mounted to a work surface, vertical side surface, wall, or surface edge, said power and data center comprising:

a front face surface having an aperture therein;

at least one electrical power receptacle extending outwardly from said aperture within said face surface;

at least one data port extending forwardly through said aperture of said face surface;

energized conductors for providing electrical energy to said power receptacle;

at least one data line connected to said data port;

a housing extending rearwardly from said front face surface, and having a rear portion comprising, in part, a bracket mount;

said bracket mount being formed by said rear portion having a central portion intermediate a set of L-shaped slots, said slots extending horizontally across the length of said rear portion; and

said slots being utilized to releasably connect a plurality of configurations of mounting brackets to said bracket mount, for mounting said power and data center to a plurality of differing types of surfaces, each of said mounting brackets comprising a set of flanges which engage said set of L-shaped slots.