Modular powerway with selectable receptacle

A powerway for modular furniture of the type including a utility raceway, comprising:

• a power block including a power block housing adapted to be assembled within the utility raceway of the modular furniture, said power block housing supported on a first end of said powerway, said power block housing including at least three first connectors;
• a plurality of conductors positioned in said power block housing;
• and
• a second connector carried on a second end of said power block generally opposite said first end, wherein said first connectors are adapted to be connected with second connectors of powerways associated with adjacent furniture units whereby said power block is adapted to be connected with at least three of said second connectors.

In an office furniture system of the type having a plurality of individual furniture units positioned side-by-side in a predetermined orientation, and wherein each of said furniture units includes a utility raceway therethrough accessible at opposite sides of said furniture unit, the improvement of a modular powerway for each of said furniture units, each said powerway comprising:

• an elongated housing received within the utility raceway of an associated one of said furniture units, and including first and second ends thereof positioned adjacent opposite ends of said utility raceway;
• conductors mounted in said housing for conducting electrical power between opposite ends of said powerway;
• end thereof, and including first, second and third sets of vertically oriented, quick-disconnect power connectors arranged in a side-by-side fashion, and electrically connected with said electrical conducting means;
• a power tap electrically connected with said electrical conducting means, and adapted to tap electrical power from said powerway;
• and
• a flexible flag connector having one end thereof fixedly mounted in said housing adjacent said second end thereof, and including a flag terminal mounted on the opposite end of said flag connector, and movable relative to said housing;
• said flag terminal including a set of quick-disconnect power connectors electrically connected with said electrical conducting means, and adapted to mate with one of the first, second and third sets of quick-disconnect power connectors associated with another one of said powerways, whereby adjacent powerways may be electrically interconnected in "L", "T", "X" and in-line relationships by connecting the quick-disconnect connectors on the flag terminal of each powerway with an adjacent one of the first, second and third sets of quick-disconnect connectors on the power terminal of an adjacent powerway.

In an office furniture unit of the type having a utility raceway therethrough accessible at opposite sides of said furniture unit, the improvement of a modular powerway comprising:

• an elongated housing received within the utility raceway of said furniture unit, and including first and second ends thereof positioned adjacent opposite ends of said utility raceway;
• means mounted in said housing for conducting electrical power between opposite ends of said powerway;
• a power terminal mounted in said housing adjacent said first end thereof, and including first, second and third sets of vertically oriented, quick-disconnect power connectors arranged in a side-by-side fashion, and electrically connected with said electrical conducting means;
• a power tap electrically connected with said electrical conducting means, and adapted to tap electrical power from said powerway;
• and
• a flexible flag connector having one end thereof fixedly mounted in said housing adjacent said second end thereof, and including a flag terminal mounted on the opposite end of said flag connector, and movable relative to said housing;
• said flag terminal including a set of quick-disconnect power connectors electrically connected with said electrical conducting means, and adapted to mate with one of the first, second and third sets of quick-disconnect power connectors on a power terminal of a powerway associated with another furniture unit, whereby adjacent powerways may be electrically interconnected in "L", "T", "X" and in-line relationships by connecting the quick-disconnect connectors on the flag terminal of each powerway with an adjacent one of the first, second and third sets of quick-disconnect connectors on the power terminal of an adjacent powerway.

A modular powerway for an office furniture unit and the like, of the type having a utility raceway therethrough accessible at opposite sides of the furniture unit, said modular powerway comprising:

• an elongated housing shaped for reception within the utility raceway of the furniture unit, and including first and second ends thereof configured for positioning adjacent opposite ends of the utility raceway;
• means mounted in said housing for conducting electrical power between opposite ends of said powerway;
• a power terminal mounted in said housing adjacent said first end thereof, and including first, second and third sets of vertically oriented, quick-disconnect power connectors arranged in a side-by-side fashion, and electrically connected with said electrical conducting means;
• a power tap electrically connected with said electrical conducting means, and adapted to tap electrical power from said powerway;
• and
• a flexible flag connector having one end thereof fixedly mounted in said housing adjacent said second end thereof, and including a flag terminal mounted on the opposite end of said flag connector, and movable relative to said housing;
• said flag terminal including a set of quick-disconnect power connectors electrically connected with said electrical conducting means, and adapted to mate with one of the first, second and third sets of quick-disconnect power connectors on a power terminal of a powerway associated with another furniture unit, whereby adjacent powerways may be electrically interconnected in "L", "T", "X" and in-line relationships by connecting the quick-disconnect connectors on the flag terminal of each powerway with an adjacent one of the first, second and third sets of quick-disconnect connectors on the power terminal of an adjacent powerway.