US 6,183,280 B2Granted

Wire distribution system for furniture

AssigneeDekko Engineering, Inc.

InventorGregg E. Laukhuf

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Abstract

A wire distribution system for furniture, especially for electric power, communications, and data includes a common feed-in source. In one embodiment, the common feed-in source is a leg assembly adapted to carry the incoming wires. A distribution beam attached to the piece of furniture and defining a trough, carries a distribution harness, which together carry and distribute the power and communications/data wires. Exiting wires from the leg assembly are connected to the distribution harness. The distribution beam has electric receptacles and communications/data jacks, and includes a connectors/plugs to which is attached a connector/plug emanating from the leg assembly carrying the wires. Various pieces of furniture may be coupled together wherein the various distribution beams/harnesses may be coupled together via jumpers.

Claims12

Dependent claims

A system for distributing electrical power, the system comprising:

a piece of furniture including a leg having:
at least one channel;
and
at least one fitting in communication with said at least one channel;
at least one conduit, each said conduit being attached to a respective said fitting;
a plurality of electrical power wires routed through each of said at least one channel, said at least one fitting and said at least one conduit, said electrical power wires terminating in a first electrical power connector, said electrical power wires being configured for transmitting the electrical power from a source of electrical power;
a distribution beam having a housing defining an internal cavity, said housing having a cover plate with a plurality of cutouts, and mounting flanges attaching said distribution beam to said piece of furniture;
a distribution harness retained in said internal cavity and having a second electrical power connector coupled with the first electrical power connector, and a third electrical power connector adapted to couple to a fourth electrical power connector;
and
a plurality of electrical receptacles accessible through said plurality of cutouts and in communication with said distribution harness to receive the electrical power therefrom.

7 more elements

A system for distributing electrical power to a plurality of tables, the system comprising:

a plurality of distribution systems equal in number to the plurality of tables, each of said distribution systems including a distribution beam having a housing being mounted onto a respective table of said plurality of tables, said housing including a housing portion with a bottom side, said housing also including a removable cover plate having a bottom portion disposed interior of said bottom side of said housing portion, a distribution harness retained in said housing of said distribution beam, said distribution harness including a first electrical power connector disposed at one end thereof and adapted to receive incoming electrical power, a second electrical power connector disposed at another end of said distribution harness, and said distribution beam including an electrical receptacle accessible through said removable cover plate and coupled to receive the electrical power from said distribution harness;
wherein a first one of said distribution systems receives the electrical power from a source of electrical power via electrical wires terminating in a source connector being coupled to said first electrical power connector thereof;
and
a plurality of jumpers each having a first jumper connector adapted to couple to the second electrical power connector of a distribution harness, and a second jumper connector adapted to couple to the first electrical power connector of an other said distribution harness.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.