Electrical grommet device

• US 7,806,723 B2
• Filed: 01/04/2008
• Issued: 10/05/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/05/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Belkin International Incorporated (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Belkin International Incorporated (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Chong, Joseph, Mori, Kenneth, Iida, Yoko
• Primary Examiner(s): Gilman; Alexander
• Application Number:
  US11/969,607
• Publication Number:
  US 20080200064A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,005 Days
• Field of Search: 439/571, 439/357, 439/284, 439/638, 411/508, 248/214, 16/2, 361/752, 174/153.G
• US Class Current: 439/571
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/12 for flush mounting
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/22 Installations of cables or lines through walls, floors or ceilings, e.g. into buildings

Abstract

Embodiments of electrical grommet devices, and methods of use and manufacture are generally described herein. In one exemplary embodiment, an electrical device comprises a casing comprising: a grommet comprising one or more first apertures and an insertion portion; and a connection mechanism capable of being coupled to the grommet. The electrical device further comprises one or more electrical components located at least partially within the casing, and one or more electrical connectors located at least partially within the casing and coupled to the one or more electrical components. The insertion portion of the grommet can be removably placed in a grommet hole from a first side of the grommet hole, and the grommet can be removably coupled to the connection mechanism at a second side of the grommet hole opposite the first side.

Claims

1. An electrical device for attachment to a work surface having a grommet hole, the electrical device comprising:

a casing comprising;

a grommet comprising a top surface with a plurality of first apertures and an insertion portion; and

a connection mechanism capable of being coupled to the grommet;

one or more electrical components located at least partially within the casing; and

one or more electrical connectors located at least partially within the casing and coupled to the one or more electrical components,

wherein;

the insertion portion of the grommet can be placed in a grommet hole from a first side of the grommet hole; and

when the top surface of the grommet is at the first side of the grommet hole and the insertion portion is in the grommet hole, the grommet can be rotatably coupled in a mating direction to the connection mechanism at a second side of the grommet hole opposite the first side.

2. The electrical device of claim 1, wherein when the grommet is at the first side of the grommet hole and the insertion portion is in the grommet hole and the grommet is removably coupled to the connection mechanism at the second side of the grommet hole, at least a first one of the one or more electrical connectors is accessible through the one or more first apertures at the first side of the grommet hole.

3. The electrical device of claim 2 wherein:

the connection mechanism comprises one or more second apertures; and

at least a second one of the one or more electrical connectors is accessible through the one or more second apertures at the second side of the grommet hole.

4. The electrical device of claim 2, wherein:

the connection mechanism comprises one or more second apertures; and

second and third ones of the one or more electrical connectors are accessible through the one or more second apertures at the second side of the grommet hole; and

the second one of the one or more electrical connectors is perpendicular to the third one of the one or more electrical connectors.

5. The electrical device of claim 1, wherein when the grommet is at the first side of the grommet hole and the insertion portion is in the grommet hole and the grommet is removably coupled to the connection mechanism at the second side of the grommet hole, at least a first one of the one or more electrical connectors is accessible through the one or more first apertures at the second side of the grommet hole.

6. The electrical device of claim 5, wherein:

the connection mechanism comprises one or more second apertures; and

at least a second one of the one or more electrical connectors is accessible through the one or more second apertures at the first side of the grommet hole.

7. The electrical device of claim 5, wherein:

the connection mechanism comprises one or more second apertures; and

second and third ones of the one or more electrical connectors are accessible through the one or more second apertures at the first side of the grommet hole; and

the second one of the one or more electrical connectors is perpendicular to the third one of the one or more electrical connectors.

8. The electrical device of claim 1, wherein:

the electrical device is a universal serial bus hub.

9. The electrical device of claim 1, wherein:

the one or more electrical connectors are universal serial bus connectors.

10. The electrical device of claim 1, wherein:

the grommet further comprises a first coupling mechanism;

the connection mechanism comprises a second coupling mechanism; and

the connection mechanism is coupled to the grommet by coupling the second coupling mechanism to the first coupling mechanism.

11. The electrical device of claim 1, wherein:

the one or more electrical connectors comprise a first connector and a second connector; and

the first connector is parallel to the second connector.

12. A connectivity system for an attachment to a desk having a surface containing an aperture, the connectivity system comprising:

a connection mechanism configured to be located entirely below the aperture and comprising a collar having an interior region; and

a connection hub capable of being inserted into the aperture and rotatably attached to the interior region of the collar, wherein at least a portion of the connection hub is located above the aperture, and comprising;

a top region having a surface with a plurality of openings;

a bottom region opposite to the top region;

a first connection port located at the top region; and

a second connection port located at the bottom region, wherein the connectivity system can be used with desks of different thickness.

13. The connectivity system of claim 12 wherein:

the connectivity system is capable of use in a second aperture in a second surface of a second desk; and

the second aperture is larger than the first aperture.

14. The connectivity system of claim 12 wherein:

the connection mechanism further comprises a flange configured to be located under the surface of the desk.

15. The connectivity system of claim 14, wherein the flange comprises a perimeter greater than a perimeter of the aperture.

16. The connectivity system of claim 12 wherein:

the connection hub is a USB hub.

17. The connectivity system of claim 12 wherein:

the aperture in the surface of the desk comprises a perimeter; and

the connection hub comprises a flange configured to be located over the perimeter.

18. The connectivity system of claim 17 wherein:

the connection hub comprises a flange larger than the aperture and configured to be located over all of the perimeter.

19. The connectivity system of claim 12 wherein:

the connection hub is a 5-port USB hub.

20. The connectivity system of claim 19 wherein:

the 5-port USB hub comprises;

four USB A connectors; and

one USB B connector;

the first connection port is a first one of the four USB A connectors; and

the second connection port is a second one of the four USB A connectors.

21. The connectivity system of claim 20 wherein:

the one USB B connector and the second one of the four USB A connectors are located at the bottom region; and

the one USB B connector is perpendicular to the second one of the USB A connectors.

22. The connectivity system of claim 12 wherein:

the first connection port is accessible from above the surface of the desk; and

the second connection port is accessible from underneath the surface of the desk.

23. The connectivity system of claim 12 further comprising:

a power port located at the bottom region.

24. The connectivity system of claim 12 wherein:

the connectivity system is capable of use in a second aperture in a second surface of a second desk;

the surface of the desk has a first thickness;

the aperture extends through the first thickness;

the second surface of the second desk has a second thickness greater than the first thickness; and

the second aperture extends through the second thickness.

25. The connectivity system of claim 12 wherein:

the connection mechanism and the connection hub are configured to be used with different sized apertures in different desks.

26. The connectivity system of claim 12 wherein:

the connection mechanism and the connection hub are configured to be used with desks having different surface thicknesses.

27. The connectivity system of claim 12 wherein:

the connection hub and the connection mechanism comprise different portions of a cam lever.

28. The connectivity system of claim 12 wherein:

the connection hub comprises partial threads; and

the connection mechanism comprises a full thread.

29. The connectivity system of claim 12 wherein:

the connection hub comprises partial threads; and

the connection mechanism comprises a single thread.

30. The connectivity system of claim 12 wherein:

the connection mechanism comprises a flange; and

the flange comprises a spring.

31. The connectivity system of claim 30 wherein:

the connection mechanism is configured to be located underneath the surface; and

the spring is configured to push the flange away from the surface.

32. The connectivity system of claim 12 wherein:

the connection mechanism and the connection hub define at least one connectivity system aperture located within and extending through the aperture of the desk.

33. The connectivity system of claim 32 wherein:

the at least one connectivity system aperture is two connectivity system apertures.

34. The connectivity system of claim 32 wherein:

the at least one connectivity system aperture comprises two connectivity system apertures; and

the two connectivity system apertures are located at opposite sides of the connection hub.

35. The connectivity system of claim 32 wherein:

the at least one connectivity system aperture comprises two connectivity system apertures; and

the first and second connection ports are located between the two connectivity system apertures.