Floor power distribution system

• US 9,685,730 B2
• Filed: 09/10/2015
• Issued: 06/20/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Steelcase Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Steelcase Incorporated
• Inventors: Payne, Jamie, Schneider, Mark Andrew, Holstege, Cody Jay, Jones, David K.
• Primary Examiner(s): TA, THO DAC
• Application Number:
  US14/850,206
• Publication Number:
  US 20160079721A1
• Time in Patent Office: 649 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/447 Shutter or cover plate
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5202 Sealing means between parts of housing or between housing part and a wall, e.g. sealing rings
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5219 Sealing means between coupling parts, e.g. interfacial seal
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5221 having cable sealing means
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/72 Means for accommodating flexible lead within the holder
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 25/006 the coupling part being secured to apparatus or structure, e.g. duplex wall receptacle
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 11/02 using take-up reel or drum
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/00 Installations of electric cables or lines or protective tubing therefor in or on buildings, equivalent structures or vehicles installations of bus-bars H02G5/00; overhead installations H02G7/00; installations in or on the ground H02G9/00
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/0431 Wall trunking
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/0437 Channels
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/0493 Service poles
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/14 Fastening of cover or lid to box
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/185 Floor outlets and access cups
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 9/025 Coverings therefor, e.g. tile

Abstract

A connection arrangement for a floor power distribution system is provided herein. The connection arrangement comprises a hub arrangement including a hub housing and an electrical connector, the hub housing configured to abut a floor. An adapter is configured to engage the hub housing of the hub arrangement and a seal member is positioned between a downwardly facing surface of the adapter and an upwardly facing surface of the hub housing, wherein a vertical downward force exerted on the adapter compresses the seal member to form a substantially watertight seal between the adapter and the hub housing.

Claims

1. A connection arrangement for a floor power distribution system, comprising:

a hub arrangement configured to distribute electrical power and including a hub housing and an electrical connector, the hub housing disposed in abutting contact with a floor and in direct electrical communication with a building power source;

an adapter configured to engage the hub housing of the hub arrangement; and

a seal member positioned between a downwardly facing surface of the adapter and an upwardly facing surface of the hub housing, wherein a vertical downward force exerted on the adapter compresses the seal member to form a substantially watertight seal between the adapter and the hub housing.

2. The connection arrangement of claim 1, wherein the seal member is configured to be substantially parallel to the floor.

3. The connection arrangement of claim 1, wherein the adapter is configured to abut the floor and at least a portion of the adapter is cantilevered over at least a portion of the hub housing.

4. The connection arrangement of claim 3, wherein the adapter comprises an electrical connector that is complementary to the electrical connector of the hub arrangement, wherein the electrical connector of the adapter is vertically aligned with the electrical connector of the hub arrangement.

5. The connection arrangement of claim 4, wherein the seal member is secured to the downwardly facing surface of the adapter and is configured to surround the electrical connector of the adapter.

6. The connection arrangement of claim 4, wherein the electrical connector of the hub arrangement comprises an electrical receptacle located on the hub housing and the electrical connector of the adapter comprises a plurality of prongs configured to be received in the electrical receptacle and extending downwardly from the portion of the adapter that is cantilevered over the portion of the hub housing.

7. The connection arrangement of claim 6, wherein the plurality of prongs are configured to be substantially perpendicular to the floor.

8. The connection arrangement of claim 1, wherein the adapter comprises a door module, the door module having a door that is movable between a closed position to prevent access to the electrical connector of the hub arrangement and an open position to allow access to the electrical connector of the hub arrangement.

9. The connection arrangement of claim 8, further comprising;

a plug arrangement configured to engage the electrical connector of the hub arrangement, the plug arrangement having a first surface that abuts the hub housing and a planar second surface that extends at an acute angle from the first surface, and wherein the door is configured to abut and is substantially aligned with the second surface wherein the plug arrangement is engaged with the electrical connector of the hub arrangement.

10. The connection arrangement of claim 9, wherein the door module further comprises a recessed entryway that surrounds the electrical connector of the hub arrangement.

11. The connection arrangement of claim 10, wherein the seal member is secured to an underside of the door.

12. A connection arrangement for a floor power distribution system, comprising:

a hub arrangement configured to distribute electrical power and including a hub housing and an electrical connector, the hub housing disposed in abutting contact with a floor and in direct electrical communication with a building power source; and

an adapter configured to engage the hub housing of the hub arrangement, wherein the adaptor abuts the floor when engaged to the hub housing and at least a portion of the adapter is cantilevered over at least a portion of the hub housing, wherein the portion of the adapter that is cantilevered over the portion of the hub housing is vertically aligned with the electrical connector of the hub arrangement.

13. The connection arrangement of claim 12, wherein the adapter comprises an electrical connector that is complementary to the electrical connector of the hub arrangement, wherein the electrical connector of the adapter is vertically aligned with the electrical connector of the hub arrangement.

14. The connection arrangement of claim 13, wherein the electrical connector of the hub arrangement comprises an electrical receptacle located on the hub housing and the electrical connector of the adapter comprises a plurality of prongs configured to be received in the electrical receptacle and extending downwardly from the portion of the adapter that is cantilevered over the portion of the hub housing.

15. The connection arrangement of claim 14, further comprising;

a seal member positioned between a downwardly facing surface of the adapter and an upwardly facing surface of the hub housing, wherein a vertical downward force exerted on the adapter compresses the seal member to form a substantially watertight seal between the adapter and the hub housing.

16. The connection arrangement of claim 15, wherein the seal member is secured to the downwardly facing surface of the adapter and is configured to surround the electrical connector of the adapter.

17. The connection arrangement of claim 15, wherein the seal member is configured to be substantially parallel to the floor.

18. The connection arrangement of claim 12, wherein the adapter comprises a door module, the door module having a door that is movable between a closed position to prevent access to the electrical connector and an open position to allow access to the electrical connector of the hub arrangement.

19. The connection arrangement of claim 18, further comprising a plug arrangement configured to engage the electrical connector of the hub arrangement, the plug arrangement including a first surface that abuts the hub housing and a planar second surface that extends at an acute angle from the first surface, and wherein the door is configured to align and abut the second surface when the plug arrangement is engaged to the electrical connector of the hub arrangement.

20. The connection arrangement of claim 19, wherein the door module further comprises a recessed entryway that surrounds the electrical connector of the hub arrangement.

21. A connection arrangement for a floor power distribution system, comprising:

a hub arrangement configured to distribute electrical power and including a hub housing and a first electrical connector, the hub housing disposed in abutting contact with a floor and in direct electrical communication with a building power source; and

an adapter configured to engage the hub housing of the hub arrangement, wherein the adapter includes a second electrical connector that is complementary to the first electrical connector and extends from a downwardly facing surface of the adapter, and wherein the second electrical connector is configured to engage the first electrical connector by moving the adapter in a downward direction with respect to the hub housing.

22. The connection arrangement of claim 21, wherein the second electrical connector is configured to engage the first electrical connector by moving the adapter in a substantially vertical downward path with respect to the hub housing.

23. The connection arrangement of claim 21, wherein the adapter is adapted to abut the floor and at least a portion of the adapter is cantilevered over at least a portion of the hub housing.

24. The connection arrangement of claim 23, wherein the first electrical connector comprises an electrical receptacle located on the hub housing and the second electrical connector comprises a plurality of prongs configured to be received in the first electrical receptacle and extending downwardly from the portion of the adapter that is cantilevered over the portion of the hub housing.

25. The connection arrangement of claim 21, further comprising:

a seal member secured to the downwardly facing surface of the adapter, wherein the seal member is configured to surround the second electrical connector.

26. The connection arrangement of claim 25, wherein the seal member is configured to be substantially parallel to the floor.