The present invention relates to electrical power receptacles units, and, more particularly to, electrically in-line power units for coupling with work surfaces.
In many applications, electrical receptacles are needed to receive and distribute power. They are required in permanent locations such as walls in fixed structures, as well as temporary locations such as modular office furniture. Many types of receptacles are required according to the needs of users. Some receptacles, for example, include distribution of power for computers, telephones, corded appliances, and charging stations etc. The electrical receptacles also are required in places that are convenient for the user, and may need to be re-located. A typical workstation will have a computer which is connected to a local area network (LAN), to a dedicated or shared printer and/or remote storage devices. Most such devices require access to a power supply, and many require communications cables to interface with other local and remote devices. In a workstation the power supply and interface cabling can be installed and bundled, but this tends to be unsightly and can interfere with the efficient use of space in a small workstation.
Workstations that are vertically extendable additionally have issues with power cords that may disengage or be pulled off of the surface when the elevation of the work surface is changed.
What is needed in the art is a receptacle system assembly that will allow a work surface accessible receptacle housing to receive electrical power delivery that is not impacted by movement of the work surface.
The present invention is directed to an improved electrical receptacle arrangement having housings on top and bottom sides of a work surface.
The present invention provides an electrical receptacle assembly that is couplable to a work surface and includes first and second electrical power cables; and first and second housings. The first housing has at least one electrical power receptacle, with the first electrical power cable providing electrical power to the first housing. The second electrical power cable is directly electrically coupled to the first electrical power cable. The second housing has at least one electrical receptacle connector presented on a face thereof. The second electrical power cable is coupled to the second housing and supplies electrical power to the electrical receptacle of the second housing.
The present invention further provides an elevatable work apparatus with an electrical receptacle assembly. The apparatus including a work surface and an elevation changing mechanism coupled to the work surface. The electrical receptacle assembly is coupled to the work surface and includes first and second electrical power cables; and first and second housings. The first housing has at least one electrical power receptacle, with the first electrical power cable providing electrical power to the first housing. The second electrical power cable is directly electrically coupled to the first electrical power cable. The second housing has at least one electrical receptacle connector presented on a face thereof. The second electrical power cable is coupled to the second housing and supplies electrical power to the electrical receptacle of the second housing.
An advantage of the present invention is that the work surface power delivery device is coupled to another housing secured to the bottom side of the work surface.
Another advantage of the present invention is that the power cord leaving the surface power delivery system is not stressed as the work surface is elevated or lowered.
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 an embodiment 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
Elevation changing mechanism 16 is coupled to a portion of workstation 12 and moves work surface 14 in a generally up and down direction D by way of a control, not shown.
Electrical receptacle assembly 18 is an in-line power unit 18 and includes an electrical plug 28, a power cable 30, a housing 32, a power cable 34 and a housing 36. Housing 36 has a clamping mechanism 38 that engages bottom 22 to hold housing 36 in an elevated position above side 20. Clamping mechanism 38 runs along edge 26 and is generally aligned with edge 26 along edge 26. Clamping mechanism 38 is a securing technique 38, and it is contemplated that securing technique 38 can be in the form of fasteners that would engage work surface 14 to hold housing 36 thereto. Securing technique 38 can also be in the form of the insertion of housing 36 into a pocket, hole or cavity in work surface 14 thereby presenting housing 36 as built into work surface 14.
Now, additionally referring to
Elevatable work apparatus 12 has electrical receptacle assembly 18 coupled thereto and the elevation changing mechanism 16 is coupled to the work surface 14 so as to raise and lower surface 14 as directed by a user. Electrical receptacle assembly 18 is situation such that electrical power cable 30 provides electrical power to housing 32, and electrical power cable 34 is directly electrically coupled to electrical power cable 30 inside of housing 32. Elevation changing mechanism is electrically coupled to housing 32 or to another electrical outlet. Housing 36 has electrical receptacle connectors 40 presented on face 44 thereof. Electrical power cable 34 is coupled to housing 36 and supplies electrical power to electrical receptacles 40.
Housing 32 is coupled to bottom side 22 of work surface 14. Housing 36 is coupled to top side 20 of work surface 14, and is secured to work surface 14 by way of clamping mechanism 38. Electrical power cable 34 is less than half of as long as electrical power cable 30, and may be less than one fourth as long as electrical power cable 30.
Advantageously electrical receptacle assembly 18 is coupled to surface 14, with one portion 36 on top and the other portion 32 beneath. This allows for there to be no or at least reduced stress on power cable 34 as surface 14 is moved in direction D. Further, the present invention eliminates the daisy chaining of power strips, which can present electrical concerns in the workplace. The direct electrical coupling of power cables 30 and 34 and the presenting of electrical outlet 46 meets the electrical needs beneath surface 14 while precluding the daisy chaining of multiple power strips.
While electrical receptacles have 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.