Table coupling system with power and data

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9220342-B2
Application number	US-201314049376-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 9, 2013
Priority date	Oct 12, 2012
Publication date	Dec 29, 2015
Grant date	Dec 29, 2015

Abstract

A work surface coupling system has power and data capability with an elongate housing defining an internal passageway and having first and second coupling regions for coupling to one or more work surface. The housing may be a one-piece unit or multi-piece assembly, and can support at least one power or data outlet positioned therealong. The internal passageway unobtrusively supports a plurality of electrical conductors associated with power or data outlets. Optional features include one or more removable side panels, laterally-extending support pads, an accessory mounting surface, and various work surface accessories such as shelving, privacy panels, and lighting.

First claim

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A work surface coupling system adapted to provide power or data access, said system comprising:
an elongate housing configured to be positioned along a work surface, said elongate housing comprising upper and lower portions, and left and right side portions;
wherein at least one of said left and right side portions comprises a removable side panel;
at least one power or data outlet supported at said removable side panel; and
a work surface coupler at or below said lower portion of said elongate housing, said work surface coupler configured for coupling to an outer perimeter edge portion of the work surface;
wherein said work surface coupler is configured to releasably engage respective outer perimeter edge portions of two adjacent work surfaces, whereby said adjacent work surfaces are coupled together by said work surface coupler.

2. The work surface coupling system of claim 1 , wherein said elongate housing defines an internal passageway configured to receive wiring associated with said at least one power or data outlet.

3. The work surface coupling system of claim 1 , wherein said upper portion of said elongate housing comprises an accessory coupling surface that is configured to be engaged by a work surface accessory.

4. A work surface coupling system adapted to provide power or data access, said system comprising:
an elongate housing configured to be positioned along a work surface, said elongate housing comprising upper and lower portions, and left and right side portions, wherein at least one of said left and right side portions comprises a removable side panel;
at least one power or data outlet supported at said removable side panel;
a work surface coupler at or below said lower portion of said elongate housing, said work surface coupler configured for coupling to an outer perimeter edge portion of the work surface;
at least one support structure element configured to be positioned above the work surface, said support structure element having an upper portion, a lower portion, a left side portion, and a right side portion, wherein said lower portion of said support structure element forms said lower portion of said elongate housing;
an internal passageway defined by said support structure element and configured to receive wiring associated with said at least one power or data outlet;
an elongate rail member at said upper portion of said support structure element and forming said upper portion of said elongate housing; and
a pair of said removable side panels coupled to respective ones of said left and right side portions of said support structure, said removable side panels forming said left and right side portions of said elongate housing.

5. The work surface coupling system of claim 4 , wherein said work surface coupler is configured to releasably engage respective outer perimeter edge portions of two adjacent work surfaces, whereby said adjacent work surfaces are coupled together by said work surface coupler.

6. The work surface coupling system of claim 4 , wherein each of said support structure element, said elongate rail member, and said left and right side panels comprises an extruded section that is configured to be cut to a desired length.

7. A work surface coupling system adapted to provide power or data access, said system comprising:
an elongate housing configured to be positioned along a work surface, said elongate housing comprising upper and lower portions, and left and right side portions, wherein at least one of said left and right side portions comprises a removable side panel;
at least one power or data outlet supported at said removable side panel;
a work surface coupler at or below said lower portion of said elongate housing, said work surface coupler configured for coupling to an outer perimeter edge portion of the work surface; and
a support pad coupled to said elongate housing and extending laterally outwardly beyond one of said left and right side portions of said elongate housing, wherein said support pad is configured to engage an upper surface of the work surface.

8. A work surface coupling system adapted to provide power or data access, said system comprising:
an elongate housing configured to be positioned along a work surface, said elongate housing comprising upper and lower portions, and left and right side portions, wherein at least one of said left and right side portions comprises a removable side panel;
at least one power or data outlet supported at said removable side panel;
a work surface coupler at or below said lower portion of said elongate housing, said work surface coupler configured for coupling to an outer perimeter edge portion of the work surface; and
a junction piece, wherein at least two of said elongate housings are coupled together in end-to-end arrangement by said junction piece disposed between said elongate housings.

9. The work surface coupling system of claim 8 , wherein said junction piece comprises a central portion and a pair of outboard portions, wherein at least one of said outboard portions is pivotably coupled to said central portion and is movable to an open position that provides access to said internal passageway.

10. A work surface coupling system adapted to provide power or data access, said system comprising:
an elongate housing configured to be positioned along a work surface, said elongate housing comprising upper and lower portions, and left and right side portions;
an accessory coupling surface at said upper portion of said housing, wherein said accessory coupling surface is configured to be engaged by a work surface accessory;
at least one power or data outlet supported at said elongate housing; and
a work surface coupler at or below said lower portion of said elongate housing, said work surface coupler configured for coupling to an outer perimeter edge portion of the work surface;
wherein said accessory coupling surface defines at least one elongate slot in the shape of an inverted T, and wherein said at least one elongate slot is configured to receive an insert or a rail associated with the work surface accessory.

11. The work surface coupling system of claim 10 , further comprising a support pad coupled to said lower portion of said elongate housing and extending laterally outwardly beyond one of said left and right side portions, wherein said support pad is configured to engage an upper surface of one of the work surface.

12. A work surface coupling system adapted to provide power or data access, said system comprising:
an elongate housing configured to be positioned along a work surface, said elongate housing comprising upper and lower portions, and left and right side portions;
a work surface accessory comprising at least one chosen from (i) a shelf, (ii) a privacy screen, (iii) a storage unit, and (iv) a lighted accessory;
an accessory coupling surface at said upper portion of said housing, wherein said accessory coupling surface is configured to be engaged by said work surface accessory;
at least one power or data outlet supported at said elongate housing;
a work surface coupler at or below said lower portion of said elongate housing, said work surface coupler configured for coupling to an outer perimeter edge portion of the work surface.

13. The work surface coupling system of claim 12 , wherein said accessory coupling surface defines at least one elongate slot in the shape of an inverted T, and wherein said at least one elongate slot is configured to receive an insert or a rail associated with the work surface accessory.

Assignees

• Byrne Norman R
• Byrne Daniel P
• Warwick Timothy J
• Reame Brent A
• Zimmerman Chad
• Schacht William F
• Pate Randell E
• Knapp Robert L

Inventors

• Byrne Norman R
• Byrne Daniel P
• Warwick Timothy J
• Reame Brent A
• Zimmerman Chad
• Schacht William F
• Pate Randell E
• Knapp Robert L

Classifications

• A47B2021/066

  with power or communication connection interface · CPC title

• H01R33/88 Primary

  adapted for simultaneous co-operation with two or more identical counterparts · CPC title

• A47B97/00 Primary

  Furniture or accessories for furniture, not provided for in other groups of this subclass · CPC title

• A47B87/002 Primary

  Combination of tables; Linking or assembling means therefor · CPC title

• A47B21/06

  characterised by means for holding, fastening or concealing cables · CPC title