Floor power distribution system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10050424-B2
Application number	US-201715585290-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 3, 2017
Priority date	Sep 12, 2014
Publication date	Aug 14, 2018
Grant date	Aug 14, 2018

Abstract

A connection arrangement for a floor power distribution system is provided herein. The connection arrangement includes a hub arrangement having a hub housing and an electrical connector. The hub housing is configured to abut a floor. The connection arrangement also includes a door module having a lower portion configured to abut the floor, a raised portion configured to engage the hub housing of the hub arrangement, and a door that is movable between a closed position to prevent access to the electrical connector and an open position to allow access to the electrical connector.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A connection arrangement for a floor power distribution system, comprising:
a hub arrangement comprising a hub housing and an electrical connector, the hub housing configured to abut a floor; and
a door module comprising:
a lower portion configured to abut the floor;
a raised portion configured to engage the hub housing of the hub arrangement; and
a door coupled to the raised portion and movable between a closed position to prevent access to the electrical connector and an open position to allow access to the electrical connector.

2. The connection arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the raised portion is cantilevered from the lower portion and is configured to engage a periphery of the hub housing.

3. The connection arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the door module further comprises a seal member coupled to the door and configured to seal the electrical connector when the door is in the closed position.

4. The connection arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the door is spring biased.

5. The connection arrangement of claim 1 , further comprising a plug arrangement configured to engage the electrical connector, the plug arrangement comprising a first surface configured to abut the hub housing and a second surface that extends from the first surface, wherein the door is configured to abut and is substantially aligned with the second surface when the plug arrangement is engaged with the electrical connector.

6. The connection arrangement of claim 5 , wherein the second surface is planar and extends at an acute angle form the first surface.

7. The connection arrangement of claim 5 , wherein the plug arrangement further comprises a plug housing and an electrical supply line extending from the plug housing at an angle between a longitudinal and lateral axis of the plug housing.

8. A connection arrangement for a floor power distribution system, comprising:
a hub arrangement comprising a hub housing configured to abut a floor, a first electrical connector, and a second electrical connector spaced longitudinally from the first electrical connector along a longitudinal axis;
a first plug arrangement comprising a first plug housing, a first electrical supply line coupled to the first plug housing, and a third electrical connector configured to engage the first electrical connector; and
a second plug arrangement comprising a second plug housing, a second electrical supply line coupled to the second plug housing, and a fourth electrical connector configured to engage the second electrical connector;
wherein the first electrical supply line and the second electrical supply line extend in substantially opposite directions that are non-parallel with the longitudinal axis when the third electrical connector is coupled with the first electrical connector and the fourth electrical connector is coupled with the second electrical connector.

9. The connection arrangement of claim 8 , wherein the first and second electrical supply lines each extend at substantially 45° from the longitudinal axis.

10. The connection arrangement of claim 8 , wherein the first electrical supply line and the second electrical supply line are substantially parallel to each other.

11. The connection arrangement of claim 8 , further comprising a number of door modules configured to engage the hub housing of the hub arrangement and each comprising a door that is movable between a closed position to prevent access to a corresponding one of the first and second electrical connectors and an open position to allow access to the corresponding one of the first and second electrical connectors.

12. The connection arrangement of claim 11 , wherein each door module further comprises a recessed entryway configured to surround the corresponding one of the first and second electrical connectors.

13. The connection arrangement of claim 11 , wherein each door module further comprises a lower portion configured to abut the floor and a raised portion that is cantilevered from the lower portion and is configured to engage a periphery of the hub housing.

14. A connection arrangement for a floor power distribution system, comprising:
a hub arrangement comprising a hub housing configured to abut a floor, and a first electrical connector;
a door module configured to at least partially abut the floor and to engage the hub housing, the door module comprising a door that is movable between a closed position preventing access to the first electrical connector and an open position allowing access to the first electrical connector; and
a plug arrangement comprising a second electrical connector configured to engage the first electrical connector from more than a single orientation of the plug arrangement with respect to the hub housing;
wherein the door is coupled to the hub housing at a position that prevents the second electrical connector from coupling with the first electrical connector in all but the single orientation of the plug arrangement with respect to the hub housing.

15. The connection arrangement of claim 14 , wherein the first electrical connector is substantially symmetrical about a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis of the first electrical connector, and the second electrical connector is substantially symmetrical about a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis of the second electrical connector.

16. The connection arrangement of claim 14 , wherein the door module further comprises a recessed entryway that surrounds the first electrical connector, and wherein the plug arrangement is received in the recessed entryway.

17. The connection arrangement of claim 14 , wherein the door module further comprises a lower portion configured to abut the floor and a raised portion that is cantilevered from the lower portion and is configured to engage a periphery of the hub housing.

18. The connection arrangement of claim 14 , wherein the plug arrangement further comprises a plug housing and an electrical supply line coupled to the plug housing that extends in a direction non-parallel to a longitudinal axis of the plug housing and a lateral axis of the plug housing.

19. The connection arrangement of claim 14 , wherein the plug arrangement further comprises a first surface configured to abut the hub housing and a second surface that extends from the first surface, wherein the door is configured to abut and is substantially aligned with the second surface when the plug arrangement is engaged with the electrical connector.

20. The connection arrangement of claim 19 , wherein the second surface is planar and extends at an acute angle from the first surface.

Assignees

• Steelcase Inc

Inventors

• Jones David K
• Payne Jamie
• Holstege Cody Jay
• Schneider Mark Andrew

Classifications

• H02G3/0431

  Wall trunking · CPC title

• H01R13/5221 Primary

  having cable sealing means · CPC title

• H01R13/72

  Means for accommodating flexible lead within the holder · CPC title

• H02G3/185

  Floor outlets and access cups · CPC title

• H02G9/025

  Coverings therefor, e.g. tile · CPC title