US 5,351,173 A · Retractable energy center with lighting

Abstract

A retractable communications terminal center (100) for providing conveniently located voice/data terminals (202) is adapted to be mounted in a work surface (104) such as a desk top or similar article of furniture. The communications terminal center (100) is manually operable and includes a stationary upper housing (128) received within a slot (122) formed in the work surface. In addition, a manually movable and slidable carriage (170) is utilized to mount the communication terminal modules (202). In response to manually exerted forces on the carriage (170), the carriage can be extended upward into an open position. Relatively small bosses (228) extend laterally from lateral sides of the carriage (170) and provide a means to support the carriage (170) in its extended position, with the bosses (228) resting on lips (236) in the housing (128). Still further, ledges (230) are integrally formed on the lateral sides of the carriage (170) near the bottom portions thereof, so as to prevent any further additional movement of the carriage (170) upwardly relative to the housing (128).

Claims27

Dependent claims

An energy center adapted to be mounted to a desk or other furniture item having a work surface, said energy center comprising:

stationary housing means;
lighting means for providing illumination in the vicinity of said energy center;
carriage means received within said housing means for mounting said lighting means so as to be vertically moveable with respect to said housing means between a closed, retracted position and an extended, open position;
first support means mounted to said carriage means for supporting said carriage means in said extended, open position, said first support means abutting said housing means when said carriage means is supported in said extended, open position;
and
pivot means coupled to said lighting means and to said carriage means for providing positional adjustment of said lighting means relative to said carriage means.

3 more elements

An energy center adapted to be mounted to a desk or other furniture item having a work surface with a slot extending therethrough, said energy center comprising:

a stationary housing mounted within said slot and having an aperture therethrough;
an elongated carriage received within said aperture and vertically movable with respect to said housing between a closed, retracted position and an extended, open position;
detent means between side walls of said carriage and said housing for selectively maintaining said carriage in said extended, open position;
and
a lighting element interconnected with an upper portion of said carriage for selectively providing illumination in the vicinity of said energy center, said lighting being substantially hidden from view below an upper portion of said work surface when said carriage is in said closed, retracted position, and said lighting element being fully accessible to a user when said carriage is in said extended, open position.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Retractable energy center with lighting

Life of this patent

Retractable energy center with lighting

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims27