Electrical connectors – Connector movable between accessible and inaccessible positions
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-19
2001-05-22
Bradley, Paula (Department: 2833)
Electrical connectors
Connector movable between accessible and inaccessible positions
C439S378000, C439S214000, C362S127000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06234812
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to outlets, and more particularly to retractable power and communications outlet arrangements.
2. Description of Related Art
Power and communication outlets are widely used in nearly all types of residential, commercial and industrial environments. The typical work surface, such as a table or desk, is generally equipped with a number of devices requiring power or communication connections. This results in numerous power and communication cables which extend to and connect to typical equipment mounted on a work surface. As such, much effort is spent in effecting the convenient and cost effective positioning of power and commercial receptacles for supplying power and communication sources to various types of devices.
The related art is represented by the following patents of interest.
U.S. Design Pat. No. 353,363, issued on Dec. 13, 1994 to Kevin L. Toby, shows a counter top electrical outlet. Toby does not suggest retractable power and communication outlet arrangements according to the claimed invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,545,639, issued on Jul. 14, 1925 to Samuel Cohen, describes a vacuum-tube mounting which is movable to different positions. Cohen does not suggest retractable power and communication outlet arrangements according to the claimed invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,811,574, issued on Oct. 29, 1957 to John J. Guerrero, describes adjustable floor receptacles for electric or telephone connections. Guerrero '574 does not suggest retractable power and communication outlet arrangements according to the claimed invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,811,575, issued on Oct. 29, 1957 to John J. Guerrero, describes adjustable floor receptacles for electric or telephone connections. Guerrero '575 does not suggest retractable power and communication outlet arrangements according to the claimed invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,433,886, issued on Mar. 18, 1969 to John L. Myers, describes a recessible electrical service device. Myers does not suggest retractable power and communication outlet arrangements according to the claimed invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,622,684, issued on Nov. 23, 1971 to Paul R. Press, describes a rotatable floor receptacle mounting unit. Press does not suggest retractable power and communication outlet arrangements according to the claimed invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,794,956, issued on Feb. 26, 1974 to Real R. Dubreuil, describes a retractable electric floor outlet assembly. Dubreuil does not suggest retractable power and communication outlet arrangements according to the claimed invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,551,577, issued on Nov. 5, 1985 to Norman R. Byrne, describes a retractable power center. Byrne '577 does not suggest retractable power and communication outlet arrangements according to the claimed invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,747,788, issued on May 31, 1988 to Norman R. Byrne, describes a manually operable retractable power center. Byrne '788 does not suggest retractable power and communication outlet arrangements according to the claimed invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,792,881, issued on Dec. 20, 1988 to Harold R. Wilson et al., describes a work surface having a power/communication module integral therewith. Wilson et al. do not suggest retractable power and communication outlet arrangements according to the claimed invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,984,982, issued on Jan. 15, 1991 to Alan W. Brownlie et al., describes a retractable access flooring module. Brownlie et al. '982 do not suggest retractable power and communication outlet arrangements according to the claimed invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,023,396, issued on Jun. 11, 1991 to Edward C. Bartee et al., describes a retractable electrical service fitting apparatus. Bartee et al. do not suggest retractable power and communication outlet arrangements according to the claimed invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,122,069, issued on Jun. 16, 1992 to Alan W. Brownlie et al., describes a retractable access flooring module. Brownlie et al. '069 does not suggest retractable power and communication outlet arrangements according to the claimed invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,230,552, issued on Jul. 27, 1993 to Timothy H. Schipper et al., describes a retractable worksurface utilities module. Schipper et al. do not suggest retractable power and communication outlet arrangements according to the claimed invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,351,173, issued on Sep. 27, 1994 to Norman R. Byrne, describes a retractable communications terminal center. Byrne '173 does not suggest retractable power and communication outlet arrangements according to the claimed invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,575,668, issued on Nov. 19, 1996 to Paul Timmerman, describes a temporary power/data tap designed to temporarily deliver electrical power and data service from a standard electrical receptacle and data port located in a wall or floor located near a work surface. Timmerman does not suggest retractable power and communication outlet arrangements according to the claimed invention.
Germany Patent document 2,116,401, published on Oct. 12, 1972, describes a retractable junction box including a swivel frame. Germany '401 does not suggest retractable power and communication outlet arrangements according to the claimed invention.
Germany Patent document 3,416,486, published on Nov. 22, 1984, describes a retractable socket mounting base. Germany '486 does not suggest retractable power and communication outlet arrangements according to the claimed invention.
International Patent document WO 91/16741, published on Oct. 31, 1991, describes a guard removably attached to an electrical outlet socket to prevent accidental or unauthorized removal of an electrical plug from a socket. International '741 does not suggest retractable power and communication outlet arrangements according to the claimed invention.
Italy Patent document 599,844, published on Nov. 19, 1959, appears to show a retractable service device. Italy '844 does not suggest retractable power and communication outlet arrangements according to the claimed invention.
Japan Patent document 52-10586, published on Jan. 26, 1977, describes a retractable floor outlet. Japan '586 does not suggest retractable power and communication outlet arrangements according to the claimed invention.
Japan Patent document 6-22433, published on Jan. 28, 1994, describes a retractable electrical connection means. Japan '433 does not suggest retractable power and communication outlet arrangements according to the claimed invention.
Japan Patent document 6-98444, published on Apr. 8, 1994, describes a retractable spherical outlet receptacle. Japan '444 does not suggest retractable power and communication outlet arrangements according to the claimed invention.
None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention includes retractable power and communication outlets configured in arrangements suitable for mounting on a work surface, such as a table, a desk, or the like. The work surface is also equipped with an electrical appliance, such as a computer or the like. A first type of retractable power outlet arrangement includes a mounting cup for inserting into a hole in a work surface. The mounting cup includes a substantially flat circular top which has a beveled exterior edge. Positioned in the center of the circular top is a circular hole. The circular hole forms the beginning of a cylinder which extends for some distance below the circular top to a lower end. Two grooves are formed in the cylinder and extend from the upper end of the cylinder to the lower end of the cylinder.
The first type of retractable power arrangement additionally includes a mounting bracket. The mounting bracket includes a flat top which is substantially circular with the exception of two opposing semicircular notches. The mounting bracket flat top is dimensioned to conform with the diameter of the circular top of the moun
Ivers Michael B.
Weber Christian K.
Bradley Paula
Litman Richard C.
Nguyen Truc
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