Space divider wall structure with multiple circuit power system

In a substantially freestanding space divider system formed from a plurality of series-connected upright prefabricated panels, some of said panels having an electrical power block fixedly mounted thereon and disposed substantially between the opposite sidewalls of the respective panel, some of said power blocks having a conventional electrical receptacle associated therewith and opening sidewardly of the panel for permitting a conventional electrical plug to be inserted therein, flexible electrical connector means extending between the power blocks of adjacent series-connected panels for electrically connecting the power blocks together, said flexible connector means including connector parts disposed adjacent the opposite ends thereof and adapted for releasable electrical engagement with the connected power blocks, each connector part comprising one-half of a separable plug-type electrical connection, the other half of said plug-type electrical connection being integrally associated with the power block, and a power supply conduit releasably electrically connected to a selected one of said power blocks for supplying electrical energy to said series-connected panels, said power supply conduit having a connecting portion releasably engaged with said selected one power block, said power supply conduit having the other end thereof connectible to an electrical potential source, comprising the improvement wherein said power supply conduit includes at least four electrically conductive wires terminating in said connecting portion, each said power block having at least four electrical conductor members positioned therein, the four conductor members of said selected one power block being respectively and individually connected to a selected one of said wires, said flexible connector means including at least four internal conductive elements extending between and electrically connected to said connector parts, the receptacle as associated with one said panel being connected to a first pair of said conductor members as associated with the power block of the respective panel, whereby said receptacle as connected defines a first electrical circuit, and a second pair of said conductor members as associated with the power block of the respective panel defining a second electrical circuit, light fixture means mounted on said one panel adjacent the upper edge thereof, an elongated electrical conductor connected to said light fixture means and extending downwardly through the interior of the respective panel and terminating in pluglike connection means, the power block having receptacle means for releasable engagement with said plug-like connection means, said pluglike connection means when engaged with said receptacle means being connected across said second pair of conductor members so that the lighting fixture means is connected to said second electrical circuit.

A substantially free-standing space divider system formed from a plurality of series-connected upright prefabricated panels, comprising in combination:

• a first upright panel having first prewired electrical means extending longitudinally therealong for defining at least first and second electrical circuits, said electrical means including a pair of electrical power blocks fixedly mounted on said first panel adjacent the opposite lower corners thereof and at least four electrically conductive elements extending longitudinally of said panel for electrically connecting said pair of power blocks together, each said power block including a first multi-terminal connector means connected across a first pair of said conductive elements for defining said first circuit, said first connector means defining a receptacle for permitting a conventional electrical plug to be electrically connected to said first circuit, each said power block also having a pair of second multi-terminal connector means disposed in sidewardly spaced relationship relative to the width of the panel, each said second connector means being electrically connected to said four conductive elements, and each said power block further having a third multi-terminal connector means which is also connected to said four conductive elements for permitting electrical connection to both of said first and second circuits;
• a second upright panel serially interconnected to said first panel, said second panel having second prewired electrical means mounted thereon and extending longitudinally therealong, said second prewired electrical means being identical to said first prewired electrical means;
• flexible electrical connector means extending between the power blocks of adjacent series-connected panels for electrically connecting the power blocks together so that said first and second circuits extend through said series-connected panels, said flexible connector means including a pair of fourth multi-terminal connector means which are electrically joined together by at least four electrically conductive members for transmitting said first and second circuits therethrough, each of said fourth connector means being releasably engageable with one of said second connector means for creating a pluglike electrical connection therewith;
• power supply conduit means releasably electrically connected to a selected one of the power blocks on one of said first and second panels for supplying electrical energy to said series-connected panels, said conduit means having at least four electrically conductive wires extending therethrough, said conduit means terminating in a fifth multi-terminal connector means which forms a releasable pluglike connection with the first connector means on said selected one power block for supplying electrical energy thereto so that said first and second electrical circuits can extend longitudinally through said series-connected panels;
• and
• light fixture means mounted on one of said first and second panels adjacent the top edge thereof, said light fixture means having electrical conduit means connected thereto and extending therefrom downwardly through the interior of the respective panel and terminating in a sixth multi-terminal connector means which forms a releasable pluglike connection with said first connector means associated with one of the remaining power blocks, said sixth connector means having means which when engaged with said first connector means is electrically coupled solely to said second electrical circuit.