Power module having multiple power receptacles

• US 9,614,338 B2
• Filed: 06/05/2014
• Issued: 04/04/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Millerknoll Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Herman Miller Incorporated (Millerknoll Incorporated)
• Inventors: Kallio, III, Lawrence W., Alexander, Brian, Keyzer, Peter, Johnson, Michael, Clark, Jeffrey L.
• Primary Examiner(s): PAYNE, SHARON E
• Application Number:
  US14/296,996
• Publication Number:
  US 20150009652A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,034 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2021/068 with pop-up power outlet
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/717 with built-in light source
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 25/006 the coupling part being secured to apparatus or structure, e.g. duplex wall receptacle
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 35/04 Turnable line connectors with limited rotation angle with frictional contact members

Abstract

A power receptacle module for a work surface having multiple power receptacles includes a mounting frame configured to be received within an aperture in the work surface, a pivoting receptacle assembly pivotally mounted in the mounting frame and configured to pivot between a first orientation and a second orientation, relative to the mounting frame. The pivoting receptacle assembly has a flat face plate and a plurality of power receptacles fixedly mounted below the flat face plate. When the pivoting receptacle assembly is in the first orientation, the flat face plate is flush with a top surface of the work surface, and the plurality of power receptacles are hidden below the work surface. When the pivoting receptacle assembly is in the second orientation, the flat face plate is disposed at an oblique angle relative to the work surface, and the plurality of power receptacles are exposed.

Claims

1. A power receptacle module for a work surface, comprising:

a mounting frame configured to be received within an aperture in the work surface;

a pivoting receptacle assembly pivotally mounted in the mounting frame and configured to pivot between a first orientation, a second orientation, and a third orientation relative to the mounting frame;

the pivoting receptacle assembly having a flat face plate and a plurality of power receptacles fixedly mounted below the flat face plate;

wherein when the pivoting receptacle assembly is in the first orientation, the flat face plate is flush with a top surface of the work surface, and the plurality of power receptacles are hidden below the work surface;

wherein when the pivoting receptacle assembly is in the second orientation, the flat face plate is disposed at an acute angle relative to the work surface, and the plurality of power receptacles are exposed; and

wherein when the pivoting receptacle assembly is in the third orientation, the flat face plate is disposed at an obtuse angle relative to the work surface, and the plurality of power receptacles are exposed above the work surface.

2. The module of claim 1, wherein the plurality of power receptacles are AC power receptacles.

3. The module of claim 1, wherein the plurality of AC power receptacles are arranged in juxtaposed spaced relation to each other to maximize a number of power cords, transformer modules, and/or international-standard plugs, received therein.

4. The module of claim 1, wherein each AC power receptacle is rotated ninety degrees relative to an adjacent AC power receptacle.

5. The module of claim 1, wherein the plurality of power receptacles are DC or USB-type receptacles.

6. The module of claim 1, wherein the plurality of power receptacles are a combination of AC power receptacles and DC or USB-type receptacles.

7. The module of claim 1, wherein the face plate further includes one or more illumination sources configured to provide backlighting.

8. The module of claim 7, further including a proximity sensor configured to turn on the illumination sources when activated by a hand of a user.

9. The module of claim 7, further including a gyroscope configured to turn on the illumination sources when activated by a hand of a user.

10. The module of claim 1, wherein the mounting frame is configured to pivotally retain two pivoting receptacle assemblies in a back-to-back mounting configuration.

11. A power receptacle module for a work surface, comprising:

a mounting frame configured to be received within an aperture in the work surface;

a pivoting receptacle assembly pivotally mounted in the mounting frame and configured to pivot between a first orientation, a second orientation and a third orientation, relative to the mounting frame;

the pivoting receptacle assembly comprising a face plate and at least one power receptacle mounted below the face plate;

wherein when the pivoting receptacle assembly is in the first orientation, the face plate is substantially parallel with a top surface of the work surface, and the at least one power receptacle is hidden below the work surface;

wherein when the pivoting receptacle assembly is in the second orientation, the face plate is disposed at an acute angle relative to the work surface, and the at least one power receptacle is exposed above the work surface and is accessible from a first direction; and

wherein when the pivoting receptacle assembly is in the third orientation, the face plate is disposed at an obtuse angle relative to the work surface, and the at least one power receptacle is exposed above the work surface and is accessible from a second direction opposite the first direction.

12. The module of claim 11 wherein the acute angle is approximately 45 degrees.

13. The module of claim 11 wherein the obtuse angle is approximately 135 degrees.

14. The module of claim 11 wherein the pivoting receptacle assembly is pivotally mounted to the mounting frame with a pivot member.

15. The module of claim 11 wherein the pivot member extends from a side portion of the mounting frame, and wherein the receptacle assembly comprise an opening shaped to receive the pivot member.

16. The module of claim 11 further comprising an indexing member disposed between the receptacle assembly and the mounting frame, the indexing member holding maintaining the receptacle assembly in the second and third orientations.

17. The module of claim 16 wherein said indexing member comprises a detent disposed one of the receptacle assembly or mounting frame and releasably engaging the other of the receptacle assembly or mounting frame.

18. The module of claim 17 wherein the detent is disposed on the receptacle assembly and releasably engages the mounting frame at a first opening when the receptacle assembly is in the second orientation and releasably engages the mounting frame at a second opening when the receptacle assembly is in the third orientation.

19. The module of claim 11 wherein the mounting frame comprises a stop positioned to engage the face plate when the receptacle assembly is in the first orientation.

20. The module of claim 11 wherein the at least one power receptacle comprises a plurality of AC power receptacles.

21. The module of claim 20 wherein the plurality of AC power receptacles are arranged in juxtaposed spaced relation to each other to maximize a number of power cords, transformer modules, and/or international-standard plugs, received therein.

22. The module of claim 21 wherein each AC power receptacle is rotated ninety degrees relative to an adjacent AC power receptacle.

23. The module of claim 11 wherein the at least one power receptacle comprises a DC or USB-type receptacle.

24. The module of claim 11 wherein the at least one power receptacle comprises a plurality of power receptacles comprising a combination of AC power receptacles and DC or USB-type receptacles.

25. The module of claim 11 wherein the face plate further includes one or more illumination sources configured to provide backlighting.

26. The module of claim 25 further including a proximity sensor configured to turn on the illumination sources when activated by a hand of a user.

27. The module of claim 25 further including a gyroscope configured to turn on the illumination sources when activated by a hand of a user.