Electrical connectors – Comprising coupling part of indeterminate length laterally...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-22
2001-02-06
Sircus, Brian (Department: 2839)
Electrical connectors
Comprising coupling part of indeterminate length laterally...
C439S654000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06183280
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to wire distribution systems for furniture and, more particularly, to electric, communication, and data wire distribution systems for furniture such as tables.
2. Description of the Related Art
Because of the proliferation and need for electric receptacles, communication/data jacks, and the like, coupled with the increased need for various pieces of equipment at a work station or table which utilize such receptacles and/or jacks, there is a need for office furniture to be located proximate these types of receptacles and jacks. Additionally, as the modern work area evolves, there exists a need to be able to work in spaces not typically defined by a closed office having four walls, or by cubicles incorporating power and/or communication distribution systems.
Because such power receptacles and communication/data jacks are generally fixed in location, the location of the office furniture is thereby constrained else wires and cables are strewn about the floor. Therefore, office furniture needs to be more flexible and portable.
In view of the above, articles of furniture that have legs with wire management capabilities are known in the art. Such articles range from tables to desks to other types of furniture. Other arrangements for providing wiring have also been devised, such as work tables having integral side supports in which are disposed the wiring.
However, with all of these articles of furniture, there still lacks arrangement flexibility and/or the ability to easily couple various or same pieces of work furniture together while still maintaining wire management.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a wire distribution system for furniture such as tables.
In one embodiment, the wire distribution system includes a distribution beam having a housing that is mountable to a piece of furniture and which defines an internal trough. The distribution beam retains a distribution harness within the trough which is connectable to incoming wires and couplable with appropriate receptacles and/or jacks mounted to the distribution beam.
In one form, the distribution harness is adapted to couple to and distribute electrical power from electrical wires to electrical receptacles, while communications/data wires are carried within a channel or wire passageway in the trough and is distributed to appropriate communication/data jacks.
The distribution beam preferably includes a removable cover plate that has cutouts for the various electrical receptacles, communication/data jacks and other types of receptacles and/or jacks as necessary.
The distribution harness utilizes connectors or plugs in order to provide the necessary interface between the incoming wires and any outgoing wires, as well as to the various types of receptacles and/or jacks.
Additionally, through the use of jumpers, two or more distribution beams/harness, either attached to the same piece of furniture or to separate pieces of furniture, may be coupled together while sharing a common wire feed-in source such as a furniture leg.
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Dekko Engineering, Inc.
Nguyen Son V.
Sircus Brian
Taylor & Aust P.C.
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