Height-adjustable table with flexible electrical power distribution cable

• US 9,912,112 B1
• Filed: 06/10/2016
• Issued: 03/06/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Premier Manufacturing Group Inc (Graham Holdings Company)
• Original Assignee: Premier Manufacturing Group Inc (Graham Holdings Company)
• Inventors: Black, David, O'Keefe, Michael, Bensussan, Bernard, Brandstatter, Michael, Glenn, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Girardi, Vanessa
• Application Number:
  US15/179,911
• Time in Patent Office: 634 Days
• Field of Search: 439527, 439531, 108 5002, 52 361, 3122232, 3122233, 3122236
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/447 Shutter or cover plate
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6675 with built-in power supply
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 25/006 the coupling part being secured to apparatus or structure, e.g. duplex wall receptacle
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00 Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0045 concerning the insertion or the connection of the batteries

Abstract

A height-adjustable table comprising a worktop having a top surface, a bottom surface, a first end and an opposite second end. The table has a first adjustable leg having an upper end and a lower end wherein the upper end is attached to the bottom surface of the worktop, a first base member attached to the lower end of the first adjustable leg, a second adjustable leg having an upper end and a lower end wherein the upper end of the second adjustable leg is attached to the bottom surface of the worktop, and a second base member attached to the lower end of the second adjustable leg. The adjustable legs allow the height of the worktop to be increased or decreased. The table has an electrical power center attached to the bottom surface of the worktop. The electrical power center moves with the worktop as the height of the worktop is adjusted. The power center has a housing, a pair of electrical interface connectors mounted to the housing and electrically connected to each other, and at least one electrical power source receptacle that is electrically connected to the pair of electrical interface connectors. The table also has a first power cable having first and second electrical interface connectors, wherein the first electrical interface connector of the first power cable is electrically connected to one of the pair of the electrical interface connectors of the power center. The table also has a first bracket attached to the bottom surface of the worktop. The first bracket secures the second electrical interface connector of the first power cable to the bottom surface of the worktop. The table includes a second power cable having first and second electrical interface connectors. The first electrical interface connector of the second power cable is electrically connected to the other one of the pair of electrical interface connectors of the power center. The table also includes a second bracket attached to the bottom surface of the worktop. The second bracket secures the second electrical interface connector of the second power cable to the bottom surface of the worktop.

Claims

1. A height-adjustable table, comprising:

a worktop having a top surface, a bottom surface, a first end and an opposite second end, the worktop including a front lengthwise edge;

a first adjustable leg having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end being attached to the bottom surface of the worktop;

a first base member attached to the lower end of the first adjustable leg;

a second adjustable leg having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end of the second adjustable leg being attached to the bottom surface of the worktop;

a second base member attached to the lower end of the second adjustable leg;

said first and second adjustable legs allowing the height of the worktop to be increased or decreased;

an electrical power center attached to the bottom surface of the worktop such that the electrical power center moves upward or downward with the worktop as the height of the worktop is increased or decreased, the electrical power center being adjacent to the front lengthwise edge of the worktop in order to facilitate use of the electrical power center by a user, the electrical power center comprising a housing, a pair of electrical interface connectors mounted to the housing and electrically connected to each other, each electrical interface connector being adapted to provide an AC voltage, the electrical power center further including at least one AC electrical power receptacle that is electrically connected to the pair of electrical interface connectors and configured to provide an AC voltage, the electrical power center further including at least one USB charging port and voltage converter circuitry to convert the AC voltage provided by either of the electrical interface connectors into a DC voltage and current and to provide the DC voltage and current to the at least one USB charging port, the electrical power center including an interior storage compartment that is sized to receive electrical cables or wires and a door that is movably attached to the housing of the electrical power center and is movable to an open position to provide access to the interior storage compartment and a closed position that conceals the interior storage compartment;

a first power cable having first and second electrical interface connectors, wherein the first electrical interface connector of the first power cable is electrically connected to one of the pair of the electrical interface connectors of the electrical power center;

a first bracket attached to the bottom surface of the work top and in proximity to the first end of the worktop, the first bracket securing the second electrical interface connector of the first power cable to the bottom surface of the worktop;

a second power cable having first and second electrical interface connectors, wherein the first electrical interface connector of the second power cable is electrically connected to the other one of the pair of electrical interface connectors of the electrical power center; and

a second bracket attached to the bottom surface of the work top and in proximity to the opposite second end of the worktop, the second bracket securing the second electrical interface connector of the second power cable to the bottom surface of the worktop.

2. The height adjustable table according to claim 1 wherein the electrical power center comprises an electrical power receptacle support member that is attached to the housing, the electrical power receptacle being supported by the electrical power receptacle support member.

3. The height adjustable table according to claim 1 further comprising a first interconnecting flexible electrical power cable having a first electrical interface connector electrically connected to the second electrical interface connector of the first power cable and a second electrical interface connector adapted to be electrically connected to an electrical interface connector of an electrical power cable of a second height adjustable table.

4. The height adjustable table according to claim 3 further comprising a second interconnecting flexible electrical power cable having a first electrical interface connector electrically connected to the second electrical interface connector of the second power cable and a second electrical interface connector adapted to be electrically connected to an electrical interface connector of a power cable of a third height adjustable table.