Work surface power module system with interchangeable covers

• US 6,717,053 B2
• Filed: 03/26/2003
• Issued: 04/06/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Group Dekko Incorporated (Graham Holdings Company)
• Original Assignee: Dekko Acquisition Parent Incorporated (Graham Holdings Company)
• Inventors: Rupert, Brian K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Reichard, Dean A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Harris, Anton B
• Application Number:
  US10/397,698
• Publication Number:
  US 20030183409A1
• Time in Patent Office: 377 Days
• Field of Search: 174/53, 174/67, 174/58, 174/57, 174/59, 220/3.6, 439/574, 439/535, 439/488
• US Class Current: 174/53
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/14 Fastening of cover or lid to box

Abstract

A work surface electrical power distribution system including a plurality of first housing portions each having a different visual indicator and an electrical power assembly. The electrical power assembly including at least one electrical power receptacle, a second housing portion removably mountable to a work surface, the at least one electrical power receptacle connected to the second housing portion and a selected one of the plurality of first housing portions removably attached to the second housing portion.

Claims

1. A work surface electrical power distribution system, comprising:

a plurality of first housing portions each having a different visual indicator; and

an electrical power assembly including;

at least one electrical power receptacle;

a second housing portion removably mountable to a work surface, said at least one electrical power receptacle connected to said second housing portion apart from said plurality of first housing portions; and

a selected one of said plurality of first housing portions removably attached to said second housing portion.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said visual indicator includes at least one of color, texture, surface pattern and surface shape.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising an other selected one of said plurality of first housing portions attached over and substantially covering said selected one of said plurality of first housing portions.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said selected one of said plurality of first housing portions is connected to said second housing portion without the use of tools.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said selected one of said plurality of first housing portions and said second housing portion include cooperative structures that connect said selected one of said plurality of first housing portions and said second housing portion together without separate fasteners.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said second housing portion includes a face surface to which said at least one electrical receptacle is connected.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a clamping mechanism connected to said second housing portion, said clamping mechanism configured to engage a portion of said work surface.

8. A work center, comprising:

a work surface; and

a work surface electrical power distribution system, including;

a plurality of first housing portions each having a different visual indicator; and

an electrical power assembly including;

at least one electrical power receptacle;

a second housing portion removably mountable to a work surface, said at least one electrical power receptacle connected to said second housing portion apart from said plurality of first housing portions; and

a selected one of said plurality of first housing portions removably attached to said second housing portion.

9. The work center of claim 8, wherein said visual indicator includes at least one of color, texture, surface pattern and surface shape.

10. The work center of claim 8, further comprising an other selected one of said plurality of first housing portions attached over and substantially covering said selected one of said plurality of first housing portions.

11. The work center of claim 8, wherein said selected one of said plurality of first housing portions is connected to said second housing portion without the use of tools.

12. The work center of claim 8, wherein said selected one of said plurality of first housing portions and said second housing portion include cooperative structures that connect said selected one of said plurality of first housing portions and said second housing portion together without separate fasteners.

13. The work center of claim 8, wherein said second housing portion includes a face surface to which said at least one electrical receptacle is connected.

14. The work center of claim 8, further comprising a clamping mechanism connected to said second housing portion, said clamping mechanism configured to engage a portion of said work surface.

15. A method of altering a visual indicator of a power module surface, comprising the steps of:

providing a power module having a first housing portion and a second housing portion in at least partial contact with said first housing portion, said first housing portion including an electrical receptacle apart from said second housing portion, said second housing portion having a first visual indicator; and

installing a third housing portion having a second visual indicator on said power module, wherein said first visual indicator is different than said second visual indicator.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of removably affixing said first housing portion to a work surface.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein said first visual indicator and said second visual indicator include at least one of the characteristics of color, texture, surface pattern and surface shape.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of removing said second housing portion from said power module.

19. A work surface electrical power distribution kit, comprising:

a plurality of first housing portions each having a different visual indicator; and

an electrical power assembly including;

at least one electrical power receptacle; and

a second housing portion removably mountable to a work surface, said at least one electrical power receptacle connected to said second housing portion apart from said first housing portion, said plurality of first housing portions configured for selective removable attachment to said second housing portion.

20. The kit of claim 19, wherein said visual indicator includes at least one of color, texture, surface pattern and surface shape.