The present invention relates to an electrical outlet board having multiple outlets.
An electrical receptacle is arranged to receive an electrical plug, which is a movable connector attached to an electrically operated device. The receptacle is typically fixed on equipment or affixed to some building structure and is connected to an energized electrical circuit. The electrical receptacle sometimes also referred to as a socket may be surrounded by a decorative or protective cover, which may be integral with the receptacle.
Single-phase electrical receptacles have two current-carrying connections to the power supply circuit and may also have a third pin for a safety connection to earth ground. Electrical receptacles are often provided in pairs with such an arrangement being referred to as a duplex electrical outlet.
Electrical power strips are often used to power office equipment on or around office furniture. Such power strips generally have more than two electrical receptacles along a surface of the power strip. Plugs of equipment are then plugged into the power strip.
Tables and trays exist in the earliest records of mankind. Elevated flat surfaces that provide a natural utility to the user are needed for a variety of purposes and as such have developed into numerously varied items. For example, desks, nightstands, chests of drawers, counter tops, end tables, TV trays, to name a few, all have flat upper surfaces.
In public areas, such as parks, a pedestal table can be provided having a single column support that is embedded in the ground, or in a suitable ballast to prevent movement, with a tabletop mounted to the top of the single column. A movable version is often used in reception areas in the form of small tabletops arranged at a height that allow easy use for the setting of drinks or food thereon, while people stand therearound, allowing people to congregate around for collaboration and socialization.
In each case the tables lack integrated electrical and charging circuits to power devices in common use today.
What is needed in the art is a cost-effective system that allows for the delivery of electrical power.
The present invention provides a back-to-back electrical power outlet board.
The invention in one form is directed to a tower system including a column and an electrical power outlet board positioned within the column, the electrical power outlet board having electrical power receptacles positioned on opposite sides of the board, the receptacles being accessible on opposite sides of the column.
The invention in another form is directed to an electrical distribution system insertable into a column, the system including a plurality of electrical power receptacles and an electrical power outlet board having the electrical power receptacles positioned on opposite sides of the board, the electrical power receptacles positionable for access through openings on opposite sides of the column.
The invention in yet another form is directed to a method of presenting electrical receptacles at openings in a column, the method including the steps of: connecting at least one electrical power receptacle to each side of an electrical power board; and staggering the electrical power receptacles from each other on the opposite sides of the electrical power board.
An advantage of the present invention presents electrical outlets on both sides of a printed circuit board.
Another advantage of the present invention is that the board can be fitted to a tight constrained place, such as inside a tube.
The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate embodiments of the invention and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.
Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to
Base 18 is arranged to set on a horizontal surface and provides support to column 12. Base 18 is formed to allow an electrical power cord PC to extend therefrom and have an opening through which electrical wiring can extend into column 12. Column 12 is depicted as a cylindrical tube 12, although other shapes are contemplated. Column 12 provides a wiring chase through which internal wiring is provided for the powering of outlets 20 and charging circuits that may be made available at outlets 20A. Slots are cut or formed along sides of column 12 to allow power fixtures such as outlets 20 and 20A that are presented to, and are available for, use by the user of tower tray system 10. Outlets 20 and 20A are presented on both sides of column 12, even though only one side is illustrated.
Outlets 20 and 20A have cover plates that conform with edges in the slots in column 12, so that edges of that slot are covered. The ends of the cover plates extend along the curve created by the curved ends of the slot, as seen in in
Tray collar 16 is constrained against column 12, with collar 16 being under tension, hence compressing collar 16 against column 12 to thereby prevent the movement of collar 16 relative to column 12. This allows tray 14 to rest upon tray collar 16.
Now, additionally referring to
Terminals 30AT, 30BT, 30CT, 30DT, 30ET, and 30FT respectively extend from receptacles 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D, 30E, and 30F and extend through printed circuit board 22. Printed circuit board 22 has electrical power conduction paths thereon that connect the electrical power, electrical neutral and electrical ground to each of receptacles 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D, 30E, and 30F; and to terminals 24, 26 and 28. Terminals 24, 26 and 28 allow for slide on wiring terminations on each end of printed circuit board 22, which allows the conductors of power cord PC to be connected to one end of printed circuit board 22 and terminals 24, 26 and 28 on the other end of printed circuit board 22 allow for the connection of conductors to convey electrical power to outlet board 20A.
Printed circuit board 22 is a laminated sandwich structure of insulating layers with conductive pathways or traces therebetween. The conductive traces carryout the electrical conductance that is needed for the receptacles 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D, 30E, and 30F and terminals 24, 26 and 28 to be electrically connected and to function. Printed circuit board 22 has at least two complementary functions. The first is to position and fix electronic components at designated locations on the outer layer by soldering receptacles 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D, 30E, and 30F; and terminals 24, 26 and 28 thereto. The second is to provide the electrical pathways and connections, as well as electrically isolate the pathways from each other. The electrical traces that are positioned between or on the insulating layers provides the electrical connections in the layer while feedthroughs are made by drilling precisely located holes through printed circuit board 22 and then plating the holes with copper. The feedthroughs are the electrical interconnections between the insulating layers in the laminate structure. This construct allows for a three-dimensional connection between the layers in a controlled manner that is both reliable and cost-effective for placing receptacles 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D, 30E, and 30F; and terminals 24, 26 and 28 in the desired locations. Advantageously, power outlet board 20 provides a compact assembly for the number of receptacles in the orientation they are in on a compact board. Another advantage of printed circuit board 22 is that it also insulates the conductive surfaces from moisture that could result in conductivity issues.
In
Receptacles 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D, 30E, and 30F have a face F and a height D2, the face F being oriented parallel to and outwardly away from electrical power outlet board 20. Height D2 is a distance from face F to an end of the terminals 30AT, 30BT, 30CT, 30DT, 30ET, 30FT, the height D2 being greater than distance D1 from the electrical power outlet board 22 to face F. Distance D1 from the face F of the electrical power receptacle on one side of the electrical power outlet board 22 to the face F of the electrical power receptacle 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D, 30E, and 30F on the opposite side of the electrical power outlet board 22 is less than twice the height D2.
Electrical wiring that supplies power to electrical outlets 20 and charging outlet 22 are contained within column 12. Power cord PC exits from base 18 and is connected to power electrical distribution system 20. It is also contemplated that electrical power could alternatively be supplied through an opening in the top of column 12. Although tower tray system 10 has been illustrated as being configured to set on a horizontal surface, it is also contemplated that another embodiment of tower tray system 10 would extend from a floor to a ceiling. Further it is also contemplated that a tower tray system 10 could be suspended from a ceiling or another horizontal structure in a room.
While this invention has been described with respect to at least one embodiment, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.