Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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ONE IN FOUR OUT CONNECTOR
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
The invention relates to electrical power distribution systems and, more
particularly, to systems having junction block assemblies and the requirement
of providing
components which provide for multiple incoming and outgoing cable connections
to the
junction block assemblies.
Background Art
Known interior wall systems typically employ pre-fabricated modular units.
These
units are often joined together in various configurations, so as to divide a
workplace into
smaller offices or work areas. Generally, such modular wall panels may be
equipped with
means for receiving general building power and, possibly, general
communications. Such
building power may, for example, be conventional AC power received either
under floor
or from relatively permanent walls or the like. In various types of
environments
comprising electrical equipment, or wherein electrical apparatus are otherwise
employed,
interconnections of electrical components to incoming utility power are
typically provided
by means of cables or wires. For example, in office systems compromising
modular
furniture components, it is often necessary to provide electrical
interconnections between
incoming power supplies and various types of electrical devices typically used
in an office
environment, such as electric typewriters, lamps, etc. Computer-related
devices, such as
video display terminals and similar peripherals, are also now commonly
employed in
various office and industrial environments.
One advantage inherent in modular office systems is the capability to
rearrange
furniture components as necessitated by changes in space requirements,
resulting from
changes in the number of personnel and other business-related considerations.
However,
these modular systems must not only allow for change in furniture
configurations, but also
must provide for convenient interconnection of electrical devices to utility
power,
regardless of the spacial configuration of the modular systems and resultant
variable
distances between electrical devices.
In providing the interconnection of electrical apparatus and power inputs, it
is
necessary to include an arrangement for feeding the incoming utility power to
the power
outlets. in stationary structures, such as conventional industrial buildings
and the like, a
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substantial amount of room would normally exist behind stationary walls and
other areas
in which to provide the requisite cabling for interconnecting incoming utility
power to
electrical receptacles mounted in the walls. Such systems, however, can be
designed so as
to remain stationary throughout their lifetime, without requiring general
changes in the
office or industrial environment areas.
In addition to receiving electrical power from the general incoming building
power
supply, modular office systems typically require communications connections
for office
equipment such as telephones, interne communications and the like. The
problems
associated with providing distribution of communications essentially
correspond to the
same problems existing with respect to distribution of conventional electrical
power.
In this regard, it is known to provide modular wall panels with areas
characterized
as raceways. Often, these raceways are located along bottom edges of modular
panels.
The raceways are adapted to house electrical cabling and electrical junction
blocks. The
cabling and junction blocks are utilized to provide electrical outlets and
electrical power
connections to adjacent panels. However, it is also apparent that to the
extent reference is
made herein to providing electrical outlets and electrical power connections
for adjacent
panels, the same issues exist with respect to providing communications among
panels.
Still further, it is known that the raceway of one modular wall unit may be
provided with a male connector at one end, and a female connector at another
end. Pairs
of junction blocks, each provided with electrical outlets, made to be disposed
at spaced-
apart positions along the raceway. Conduits may be extended between the
junction blocks
and between the connectors in the junction blocks. In this manner,
electrical
interconnection is provided between the units.
The modular panels of a space-divider may be configured, such that adjacent
panels are in a straight line, or at various angular positions relative to
each other. It is
common to configure intersecting walls in such a fashion that three or four
modular wall
panels may intersect at right angles. Each of the panels typically requires
electrical
outlets, and may require outlets on both sides of the panels. In any event,
electrical power
has to be provided to all of the panels, and often only one of the panels at
the multiple
panel junction is connected to a power supply source. Under such
circumstances, the
interconnecting wiring becomes a significant problem. That is, special
modifications may
have to be made to power systems of wall panels to be used in such a
configuration.
Because interchangeability of wall panels is highly desirable, custom
modifications are
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preferably avoided. Still further, modifications of wall panels on site at the
installation
facility is complex and may be relatively expensive.
In addition to the foregoing issues, problems can arise with respect to the
use of
junction blocks and the amount of room which may exist within a raceway. That
is,
raceways require sufficient room so as to provide for junction blocks,
electrical outlet
receptacle blocks, and cabling extending between junction blocks and between
adjacent
panels.
One example of a prior art system is illustrated in Propst's, et al., U.S.
Patent No.
4,382,648 issued May 10, 1983. In the Propst, et al. system, mating connectors
of
opposing panels are engaged when the panels are aligned in a straight line.
When the
panels are positioned in an intersecting relationship, specially manufactured
couplers are
utilized. One type of special coupler is used when the panels are positioned
at right
angles. Another type is used with adjoining panels arranged at angles other
than right
angles. Consequently, costly inventory of couplers must be maintained. The
Propst, et al.
system uses a double set of connectors comprising a male and female connector
for each
conductor to be interconnected. When a single one of these prior art panels
intersects two
adjacent panels, one of the specially manufactured couplers connects the
female terminals
to one of the adjacent panels, and another of the couplers connects the male
terminals to
the adjacent panel.
A further system is disclosed in Driscoll, U.S. Patent No. 4,135,775, issued
January 23, 1979. In the Driscoll system, each panel is provided with an
electrical outlet
box in its raceway. Panels of different widths are provided with a pair of
female
connectors. Outlet boxes of adjacent panels are interconnected by means of
flexible
cables having male connectors at both ends. When three or four panels are
adjoined in an
intersecting arrangement, two cables may be connected the pair of female
connectors at
one end of an outlet box. In this manner, connection of two adjacent panels is
facilitated.
With respect to both of the foregoing systems, and other than in the special
intersecting relationship, one half of the double set of terminals of these
systems is
superfluous. There is a distinct disadvantage in modern day systems, where
several
independent electrical circuits are needed in a wall panel system, with each
requiring
separate connectors. Space for such circuits and their connectors is very
limited in the
raceway areas of modern, thin-line wall panels.
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Other systems also exist with respect to electrical connectors, junction
boxes, and
the like. For example, Rodrigues, U.S. Patent No. 1,187,010 issued June 13,
1916,
discloses a detachable and interchangeable electrical switch plug adapted for
use in
connection with various electrically heated appliances. A clamping device is
positioned in
a fixed, but detachable relationship to one end of the plug. Means are
provided to enclose
and prevent sharp flexure of the cord comprising a flexible enclosing tube
gripped under
tension by the other end of the clamping device. The plug and the clamping
device may
be simultaneously removed from the socket.
Finizie, U.S. Patent No. 2,540,575, issued February 6, 1951, discloses a cord
guide
member for utensil plugs. The concept is to reduce wear on the cord and the
connector
plug, and to provide a connection which will withstand heavy pulling strains
without
injury. Strain relief is also provided. A sectional body is equipped
anteriorally adjacent
one end of the body with terminals. The other end of the body contains an
anterior
chamber or socket. A pivotable cord-guiding member having a pivot member is
movably
mounted in the socket. A wedge-shaped strain relief insert is received within
a wedge-
shaped recess in the pivot member. A cord extends into the pivot member and
includes
wires passing from the cord toward the terminals. The incoming portions of the
wires are
moved around the insert and firmly wedged within the recess.
Byrne, U.S. Patent No. 4,551,577, issued November 5, 1985, describes a
retractable power center. The power center provides for conveniently located
electrical
power source receptacles adapted to be mounted on a work surface. In one
embodiment,
the power center includes a rectangular housing received within a slot in a
work surface.
A clamping arrangement is utilized to secure the housing to the work surface.
A lower
extrusion is connected to the lower portion of the housing. A movable power
carriage
mounts the receptacles and a catch assembly releasably maintains a carriage in
a closed
and retracted position. In response to manual activation, the catch assembly
is released
and springs tensioned between the carriage and the extrusion exert forces so
as to extend
the carriage upward into an extended, open position. In the open position, the
user can
energize the desired electrical devices from the receptacles, and then lower
the carriage
into the retracted position.
Byrne, U.S. Patent No. 4,959,021, issued September 25, 1990, discloses a
pivotable power feed connector having a pivotal connector adapted to be
connected to a
flexible conduit or cable. The cable has a series of conductors extending
there through.
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The connector is pivotably connected to a block assembly through which the
conductors
extend. The block assembly, in turn, is connectable to a contact block, with
the
conductors conductively connected to a set of prong terminals extending
outwardly from
the block. A cover is secured over the block so as to prevent the prong
terminals from
being exposed during assembly and disassembly.
The cover automatically exposes the prong terminals as the power feed
connector
is moved into engagement with a receptacle in a modular office panel. The
connector
allows the conduit or cable to be swiveled to an arc of approximately 180
degrees to any
desired position. The connector is also manually removable from
interconnection with the
block assembly. Such removal allows the conduit or cable to be pulled back
from the
conductors and cut to a desired length. The connector includes a power feed
cover which
can be utilized in part to maintain the connector in either of two spatial
configurations
relative to the block assembly.
Nienhuis, et al., U.S. Patent No. 5, 013,252, issued May 7, 1991, discloses an
electrified wall panel system having a power distribution server located
within a wall
panel unit. The server includes four receptacle module ports oriented in an h-
shaped
configuration. A first receptacle port is located on the first side of the
wall panel unit and
opens toward a first end of the unit. A second receptacle unit is also located
on the first
side of the wall panel unit, and opens toward a second end of the wall panel
unit. A third
receptacle port and a second sided wall panel unit opens toward the first end
of the wall
panel unit, while correspondingly, a fourth receptacle port on the second side
of the wall
panel unit opens toward the second end of the wall panel unit. First and
second harnesses
are each electrically connected at first ends thereof to the power
distribution server. They
extend to opposite ends of the wall paneled unit and include connector ports
on the second
ends thereof for providing electrical interconnection of adjacent wall panel
units. The
Nienhuis, et al. patent also discloses a system with a wall panel connector
interchangeably
usable with the interconnection of two, three or four units. The connector
includes a hook
member for connecting together adjacent vertical members of frames of adjacent
wall
panel units at a lower portion thereof A draw naught for connecting together
adjacent
vertical members of frames of adjacent wall panel units and an odd proportion
thereof is
provided by vertical displacement thereof
Lincoln, et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,073,120, issued December 17, 1991,
discloses a
power distribution assembly having a bussing distribution connector. The
connector
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includes a series of bus terminals positioned within an electrically
insulative housing. A
series of electrical terminals are positioned in the housing for distributing
more than one
electrical circuit. At least one ground terminal, one neutral terminal, and
three hot
terminals are provided. A grounding shell partially surrounds the bus
connector and
includes a grounding tab grounding the one ground terminal to the metallic
grounding
shell. In another embodiment, two bus connectors are interconnected together,
so as to
provide for an increased number of output ports.
Byrne, U.S. Patent No. 5,096,431, issued March 17, 1992, discloses an outlet
receptacle with rearrangeable terminals. The receptacle is provided with input
terminals to
selected positions, for engagement with terminals of an electrical junction
block. The
block includes a series of terminals representing a plurality of different
electrical circuits.
The receptacle block has neutral, ground and positive flexible positive
conductor bars
electrically connected to neutral, ground and positive electrical terminals.
Input terminals
of the block are formed integral with the flexible conductor bars and levers
are provided
for moving the terminal ends of the conductor bars to physically different
positions. In
one configuration, the receptacle block housing is provided with openings at
opposing
ends, and the flexible conductor bars have terminal ends controlled by levers
at both ends
of the outlet receptacle block. In another configuration, the block has output
terminals in a
front wall, and the input terminals of the receptacle block are formed as ends
of the
flexible bars and extend at an approximately 90 degree angle to the bars. They
further
send through openings in the back wall of the outlet receptacle for engagement
with
terminals of a junction block. Levers are provided in the back wall of the
receptacle block
for positioning the terminal ends in alignment with different terminals of the
junction
block, and windowed openings in the front wall expose indices on the levers
identifying
selected circuits.
Byrne, U.S. Patent No. 5,096,434, issued March 17, 1992, discloses an
electrical
interconnection assembly for use in wall panels of a space divider wall
system. The
system includes junction blocks having several receptacle connectors, so as to
provide a
plurality of electrical outlets on both sides of a wall panel. The junction
block is
connected by means of conduits extending from both ends of the junction block
to
oppositely directed connector blocks for connection to adjoining panels. The
assembly of
the junction block and connector blocks allows electrical power to be supplied
to one end
of the panel and conducted to and through the junction block to other panels.
The
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receptacle connectors on the junction block each have one type of terminal
configuration,
e.g., a female electrical terminal configuration. One of the connector blocks
is provided
with the identical terminal configuration. The other connector block is
provided with a
matching terminal configuration, e.g., a male electrical terminal
configuration. When two
wall panels are joined at their respective edges, the male connector block may
be readily
connected to the female connector block in the adjacent panel. When two panels
are
joined to a third panel, all at one point, the arrangement of this invention
allows the male
connector block to be connected to the female connector block of one of the
other two
panels, and the male connector of the other of the two panels may be connected
to one of
the receptacle connectors of the junction block on either of the other two
panels, in this
manner establishing a three way interconnection arrangement. In a similar
fashion, a
fourth, or other additional panels may be added to the junction and plug into
receptacle
outlets of other panels in order to provide an arrangement of panels that is
totally
interconnected, electrically.
Snodgrass, et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,164,544, issued November 17, 1992,
describes
an electrified space dividing panel having a panel member, raceway, modular,
or electric
system disposed in a raceway and raceway covers for gaining access to the
system. The
system includes a single terminal block having end and side sockets, with
first and second
electrical receptacles being respectively removeably engaged with the end
socket and the
side sockets, such that the first and second electrical receptacles are
disposed in
horizontally spaced, side-by-side relation and project outwardly for
predetermined light
dimensions through receptacle openings in one of the raceway covers. The
raceway can
include a web having an opening which cooperates with a support ear on the
first
receptacle during engagement of the first receptacle with an end socket, so as
to provide
additional lateral support for the electrical receptacle when a plug is
removed there from.
Kilpatrick, et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,178,555, discloses a kit which includes
a
junction box for installation along a raceway. The kit includes a mounting
bracket having
a first adjustable mounting mechanism for locating the bracket along the
raceway. This
provides an initial adjustment, and a second adjustable mounting mechanism is
provided
for securing the junction box to the mounting bracket. This adjustably locates
the junction
box along the mounting bracket, and provides a second or final adjustment to
accurately
locate the junction box between two pre-measured lengths of cable.
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Byrne, U.S. Patent No. 5,259,787, issued November 9, 1993, discloses an
electrical
junction block mounting assembly, which may be utilized for mounting the
junction block
within a raceway. The assembly includes a cantilever beam formed on an outer
wall of the
junction block. This beam is provided with a transversely extending channel
for
engagement with a support structure. The beam is attached to the junction
block by means
of a resilient hinge section, and is provided with a first arm section
extending between the
hinge section and the channel, and a second arm section extending beyond the
channel.
The first arm section has a sloping surface sloping away from the outer
channel between
the hinge section of the panel. The second armed section has a sloping surface
sloping
toward the wall beyond the channel. The surfaces will contact a mounting rail
or similar
structure during installation of the junction block. In this manner, the
hinged cantilever
beam is deflected until the rail is in alignment with the channel for
engagement with the
structural support member.
One issue which exists with respect to power distribution systems for use in
raceways and other configurations relates to the concept of providing
components which
permit power distribution in varying and multiple directions. Also, in some
systems where
the connector cable assemblies are essentially "inline," in may be desirable
for an
interconnected junction block assembly to have a directional orientation
different from the
particular orientation of the connector cable assemblies.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a prior art, fragmentary elevation view of a plurality of adjacent
wall
panels and electrical connection assemblies arranged in the panels;
FIG. 2 is a prior art, enlarged perspective view of one of the electrical
interconnection assemblies of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a prior art cross-sectional view taken along lines 3-3 of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a prior art, enlarged perspective view of an outlet receptacle shown
in
FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a prior art side elevation view of the outlet receptacle of FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a prior art, fragmentary plan view of raceway areas of four wall
panels,
illustrating wall panel interconnections;
FIG. 7 is a prior art, fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along lines 7-7
of FIG.
2;
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FIG. 8 is a prior art, perspective view of a receptacle contact blade shown in
FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is a plan view of a one in four out connector assembly in accordance
with
the invention, with the view of FIG. 9 and other views corresponding to the
orientation of
the one in four out connector assembly shown in FIG. 32;
FIG. 10 is a front, elevation view of the connector assembly shown in FIG. 9;
FIG. 11 is a left-side end view of the connector assembly shown in FIG. 9;
FIG. 12 is an underside view of the connector assembly shown in FIG. 9;
FIG. 13 is a right-side end view of the connector assembly shown in FIG. 9;
FIG. 14 is what is being characterized as a rear, elevation view of the
connector
assembly shown in FIG. 9;
FIG. 15 is a right, perspective view of the connector assembly shown in FIG.
9;
FIG. 16 is a left, perspective view of the connector assembly shown in FIG. 9;
FIG. 17 is a further perspective view of the connector assembly shown in FIG.
9,
but with the view being at a rotation of 90 relative to the view of FIG. 16;
FIG. 18 is a perspective, partial and exploded view of a portion of the
connector
assembly shown in FIG. 9, and specifically showing a rear terminal section
housing, and
an internal wiring assembly comprising a series of wires having interconnected
H-
connectors and male terminal blades at their ends;
FIG. 19 is a perspective and exploded view similar to the view of FIG. 18, but
showing the front housing half, cable connector, cable connector side cover
and the
internal wiring assembly as assembled with the rear housing half;
FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the connector assembly shown in FIG. 9, with
the
view being similar to FIG. 19, but showing, in an exploded format, the
relative positioning
of the connector assembly side plates for assembly;
FIG. 21 is a perspective view showing the connector assembly in FIG. 9 in a
fully
assembled state;
FIG. 22 is an elevation view of the connector assembly shown in FIG. 9, with
the
view being similar to the views of FIGS. 11 and 13;
FIG. 22A is an enlarged view of a pair of terminal connector sets having a
first
upper key arrangement and a first intermediate key arrangement;
FIG. 23 is an elevation view of a further embodiment of the connector
assembly,
showing an alternative keying arrangement;
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FIG. 23A is an enlarged view of the keying arrangement shown in FIG. 23, with
the pair of terminal connector sets each having the first upper key
arrangement and a
second intermediate key arrangement;
FIG. 24 is an elevation view of a third embodiment of the connector assembly,
showing a still further alternative keying arrangement;
FIG. 24A is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 24, showing the pair of
terminal
connector sets as having a second upper key arrangement and the first
intermediate key
arrangement;
FIG. 25 is an elevation view of a still further embodiment of the connector
assembly, showing a still further alterative keying arrangement;
FIG. 25A is an enlarged view of the terminal connector sets shown in FIG. 25,
with each of the pair of connector sets having the second upper key
arrangement and the
second intermediate key arrangement;
FIG. 26 is an elevation view of yet another embodiment of the connector
assembly;
FIG. 26A is an enlarged view of the connector assembly shown in FIG. 26, and
showing the pair of terminal connector sets as having the second upper key
arrangement
and a third, alternative intermediate key arrangement;
FIG. 27 is a plan view of the connector assembly shown in FIG. 9, and
expressly
showing the power connector set of the connector assembly shown in FIG. 9;
FIG. 27A is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 27, and expressly showing
the
power connector set as having a first upper key arrangement and a second
intermediate
key arrangement;
FIG. 28 is a plan view of a further embodiment of the connector assembly;
FIG. 28A is an enlarged view of a portion of the connector assembly shown in
FIG. 28, and showing the power connector group as having the first upper key
arrangement and a second intermediate key arrangement;
FIG. 29 is a plan view of a still further embodiment of the connector
assembly;
FIG. 29A is an enlarged view of a portion of the connector assembly shown in
FIG. 29, and showing a second upper key arrangement and a second intermediate
key
arrangement;
FIG. 30 is a plan view of a still further embodiment of the connector
assembly;
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FIG. 30A is an enlarged view of a portion of the connector assembly shown in
FIG. 30, and showing the power connector set as having the second upper key
arrangement and the second intermediate key arrangement;
FIG. 31 is a plan view of a yet further embodiment of the connector assembly;
FIG. 31A is an enlarged view of a portion of the connector assembly shown in
FIG. 31, and showing the power connector set as having the second upper key
arrangement and a third intermediate key arrangement;
FIG. 32 is a perspective view showing the connector assembly of FIG. 9 as
positioned for insertion into a raceway, and further showing positions of
other components
to be interconnected to the connector assembly, the other components being a
junction
block with associated receptacle block, and four connector cable assemblies;
FIG. 33 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 32, but showing the four
connector
cable assemblies, connector assembly and junction block with associated
receptacle block
in a fully assembled state; and
FIG. 34 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 33, but showing the relative
positioning of the four connector cable assemblies below a wall panel, with
the receptacle
block and junction block positioned above the connector assembly.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The principles of the invention are disclosed, by way of example, in a one in
four
out connector assembly as illustrated in several embodiments shown in FIGS. 9
¨ 34. For
purposes of brevity and description, the one in four out connector assembly
will be
described herein with alternative terms, such as "connector assembly." These
connector
assemblies advantageously provide the capability of electrically engaging a
junction block
and at least four connector cable assemblies where the connector cable
assemblies extend
in a different direction and a different plane then an interconnected junction
block
assembly.
For purposes of describing power distribution configurations where vertical
junction block assemblies in accordance with the invention may be utilized,
the following
paragraphs describe prior art electrical interconnection assemblies which
could be adapted
for use within wall panels of a space divider wall system. These assemblies
are shown in
the prior art drawings of FIGS. 1-8. Specifically, FIGS. 1-8 describe and
depict a junction
block with several receptacle connectors, so as to accommodate a series of
electrical
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outlets on both sides of a wall panel. The junction block is connected by
means of
conduits extending from both ends of the junction block to associated
connector blocks for
connection to adjoining panels. Following the description of the prior art
electrical
interconnection assemblies, the vertical junction block assemblies in
accordance with the
invention will be described with respect to FIGS. 9-29.
FIG. 1 is a prior art fragmentary elevational view of adjacent modular wall
panels
101, 102, 103 of a rearrangeable wall system. The wall panels are provided
with electrical
interconnection assemblies 105, 107 and 109 in a raceway area formed along the
lower
edge of panels 101, 102 and 103. Each of the panels is provided with
substantially flat
support legs 112 which allow for passage of electrical conduits in the
raceway. Raceway
covers, customarily used, have been omitted from the drawing in FIG. 1 to
better show the
electrical junction assemblies. Each of the electrical interconnection
assemblies 105, 107,
and 109 is provided with a junction block 120, a female electrical connector
block 140 and
a matching male connector block 145. The connector blocks 140, 145 are
connected to
associated junction blocks 120 by means of conduit sections 142 and 147,
respectively.
Each of the junction blocks 120 is shown in FIG. 1 to be provided with a pair
of electrical
outlet receptacles 150. Junction blocks 120 are double sided and corresponding
pairs or
outlet receptacles are provided on the opposite side of each of the wall
panels 101, 102 and
103 (not shown in the drawing) to allow various electrical equipments to be
plugged into
the outlets from either side of the panel.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the electrical
interconnection
assemblies, for example assembly 107. The junction block 120 is provided with
support
lugs 122 by which the junction block is supported by standard fasteners
extended through
support tables extending from the bottom edge of the wall panel, e.g., wall
panel 102.
Junction block 120 comprises an elongated housing having opposing ends 121 and
123
and a symmetrical center section comprising four female receptacle connectors
126. Only
one of the receptacle connectors 126 is fully exposed in FIG. 2. There is a
pair of
connectors 126 on each side of the housing and the connection on each side
face in
opposite directions. Support flanges 130 are provided adjacent each of the
female
connectors to provide support for electrical outlet receptacles engaged with
the connectors
126. In this manner, junction block 120 is adapted to support four electrical
outlet
receptacles, two on each side of a wall panel to which junction block 120 is
attached. The
junction block assembly further comprises end connector block 140, provided
with a
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female connector 141, and connected via a standard electrical conduit 142,
which may be
a flexible conduit, to end 123 of junction block 120. Similarly, connector
block 145,
provided with a male connector 146 is connected via flexible conduit 147 to
end 121 of
junction block 120. In a straight line connection arrangement, as depicted for
example in
FIG 1, wherein a plurality of panels are positioned adjacent each other,
electrical power is
transmitted between panels by connection of male connector block 145 to female
connector block 140 of the adjacent junction assembly.
Electrical power is transmitted through the junction assembly by means of
electrical wires disposed in the conduits 142, 147, terminated on connectors
141 and 146,
respectively, and connected to receptacle connectors 126 in junction block
120.
Accordingly, electrical power is transmitted through interconnecting panels
and is at the
same time made available at electrical outlet receptacles in each panel.
Conduit 147,
provided with the male connector block 145, may be a fixed-length conduit and
conduit
142 may be of a length such that female connector block 140 is positioned at
substantially
the same distance from the panel edge in each panel independent of the width
of the panel.
Thus, female connector block 140 will always be accessible to male connector
block 145
independent of the width of the panels. To accommodate panels of different
widths,
conduit 142 may be an expandable flexible conduit, such as are well known in
the art. In
that case, connector block 140 may be provided with an inner spatial area 136,
as shown in
a partially broken-away view in FIG. 2. The inner spatial area 136 is provided
for storage
of excess length of electrical wiring 138 in a coiled or other configuration.
The excess
length of electrical wiring 138 may be withdrawn when conduit 142 is expanded
to an
extended length. This arrangement is similar to that disclosed in my earlier
patent, U.S.
Pat. No. 4,579,403 (dated Apr. 1, 1986) and entitled ELECTRICAL JUNCTION
ASSEMBLY WITH ADJUSTABLE CONNECTORS.
The conduit 147 is preferably a flexible conduit which may be bent to
accommodate a connection to adjacent panels which are disposed at angular
positions with
respect to each other, rather than in a straight line. The junction assemblies
of this
invention readily accommodate an arrangement in which three or more panels are
disposed in an intersecting relationship, as will be discussed further herein
with respect to
FIG. 6. In such a configuration, the male connector block 145 of one of the
panels may be
connected to one of the female receptacle connectors 126 of a junction block
assembly in
an adjacent wall panel. For this purpose, the female connector 141 of
connector block 140
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CA 02783131 2012-07-16
and female receptacle connectors 126 on junction block 120 have been made
identical.
Similarly, the male connector 146 on connector block 145 has been made
identical to the
male connector of electrical outlet receptacle 150, shown in FIG. 1. Greater
detail of the
receptacle 150 is shown in FIG. 4 and is described below. As may be seen from
FIG. 2,
the female connectors 126 and 141 are each provided with a pair of side
flanges 129
having upper and lower recessed areas 128, for engagement with flanges 148 of
a male
connector to provide a locking arrangement. Figures 129, which are made of a
resilient
plastic material and formed integral to the housing to which they are
connected, are
provided with an outwardly extending inclined end surface 135. When surfaces
135 are
engaged by flanges such as flanges 148 of connector 146 on connector block
145, the
flanges 129 will be deflected inward, allowing flanges 148 of the male
connector to
engage recesses 128 to provide a locking engagement of the male and the female
connectors. A protuberance 137 is provided with a generally rounded edge
surface 139
and acts as an entry guide as a male connector is engaged in female connector
126. The
female connectors 126, 141 are each provided with a plurality of female
connector
terminals 125 and a key lug 127. Male connector 146 is provided with a
plurality of male
connector terminals 149 and an opening 143 for receiving key lug 127.
The electrical outlet receptacle 150, shown in FIG. 4, is provided with male
connectors 151 at both ends, allowing the receptacle to be plugged into any
one of the four
female receptacle connectors 126 of junction block 120. As shown in FIG. 2,
junction
block 120 is provided with upper and lower support flanges 130 to support
receptacles 150
in each of the four female connectors 126. The lower support flanges 130 are
provided
with a locking flange 132. The receptacle 150 is provided with a spring latch
152
disposed in recess 154 in the surface 156 of receptacle 150. Surface 156
engages one of
the lower support flanges 130 when the receptacle 150 is installed in the
junction block
120. The locking flanges 132 will be aligned with the recess 154 when the
receptacle 150
is inserted between flanges 130, causing the spring latch 152 to be depressed.
The
receptacle 150 may then be moved to either the left or to the right to engage
one of the
female connectors 126. Recesses 158 are provided in receptacle 150 to
accommodate
locking flange 132 and movement to either the left or to the right by a
sufficient distance
will cause the spring latch 152 to be moved past locking flange 132, causing
the spring
latch 152 to return to its extended position. Hence, receptacle 150 will be
retained in a
locked position. The receptacle may be removed by depressing spring latch 152
and
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CA 02783131 2012-07-16
sliding the receptacle 150 to either left or right to align the locking flange
132 with recess
154. FIG. 5 is a right-hand elevation of receptacle 150 showing a right-hand
elevation or
receptacle 150 showing right-hand male connector 151.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of junction block 120 taken along line 3-3 of
FIG.
2. FIG. 3 shows two of the four receptacle connectors 126 of connector block
120. One
of the two connectors 126 shown in FIG. 3 is disposed on each side of the
central housing
section 131, which contains a plurality of wires 133. An eight-wire system is
shown in
this illustrative embodiment. Each of the male and female connectors are
provided with
eight separate terminals, and eight separate electrical wires 133 extend
through the
connector blocks 140, 145, the conduits 142, 147 and the central section 131
of the
junction block 120. By way of example, these may include two ground terminal
wires,
three neutral wires and three positive wires representing three separate
circuits, with a
shared ground for two of the circuits. Similarly, 10- or 12-wire systems may
be readily
accommodated, having corresponding number of terminals on each of the
connectors and
providing a greater number of separate circuits. The four female receptacle
connectors
126 are each connected to the wires 133 by means of a plurality of contact
blades,
described later herein with respect to Figs. 7 and 8. Each wire, together with
the connector
block terminals and receptacle connector terminals to which it is connected,
is referred to
herein as a circuit element. A particular circuit may be selected for use by
one of the
receptacles 150 by appropriate wiring connections internal to the receptacle.
Since all of
the circuits are connected to each one of the receptacle connectors 126 of
junction block
120, a connector block 145 of an adjacent panel, equipped with a male
connector, may be
connected to any one of the receptacle connectors 126. In this manner,
electrical power
may be provided to receptacle connectors to junction block 120 and to
associated
connector blocks 140, 145 and hence to any adjacent panels to which these
connectors
may be connected. Similarly, a connector block 145 equipped with a male
connector
connected to one of the female connectors 126 may receive electrical power for
distribution to a panel to which the connector block 145 belongs. Such
interconnecting
arrangements are described further herein with respect to FIG. 6.
FIG. 7 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view along line 7-7 of FIG. 2. Shown
in
FIG. 7 is a contact blade structure 170 which is one of eight such blades
disposed in
central housing section 131. Each such blade is in electrical contact with one
of the
conductors 133. Connection to conductor 133 is made by means of a crimped
connection
CA 02783131 2012-07-16
of blade extension member 172 to conductor 133. As may be more readily seen
from the
perspective view of FIG. 8, the extension member 172 is part of a center
section 173
which is connected to left-hand upper and lower contact blades 174 and right-
hand upper
and lower contact blades 175. The upper and lower contact blades on each side
from the
female opening part of the conductor 126 for engagement with blades of a male
connector.
FIG. 6 is a fragmentary plan view of raceway areas of four wall panels
illustrating
the connections of interconnection assemblies of the invention in a
configuration in which
the four panels are disposed at right angles to each other. As will be
apparent from the
following description, the specific angle at which the panels are positioned
is not
particularly significant. Each of the four panels is provided with an
interconnection
assembly, as shown in FIG. 2, comprising a junction block 120, a male
connector block
145, and a female connector block 140 attached to the junction block 120 by
means of
flexible conduits 147 and 142, respectively. The junction block 120 is
disposed within
each panel raceway near one edge of the panel. Panels 200, 201, 202 are
positioned such
that the end at which these panels are joined to other panels is the end near
which the
junction block 120 is positioned. One of the panels, panel 203, is positioned
with an
opposite orientation in which the end near which the junction block 120 is
located is
positioned opposite the point of junction of the four panels. The flexible
conduit 147,
provided with the male connector block 145, extends beyond the end of the
panel in which
it is positioned, and the flexible conduit 142, provided with a female
connector block 140,
is terminated just short of the end of the panel.
Thus, as is also shown in FIG. 1, a connection is made between panels by
extending the flexible conduit 147 with male connector block 145 into the
raceway area of
the adjacent panel to engage the female connector block 140 at the end of
flexible conduit
142. In the configuration of FIG. 6, the male connector block 145 of panel 202
and its
associated flexible conduit 147 extend into the raceway area of panel 202 to
engage
female connector block 140 of panel 203. It will be apparent that the
connection as shown
between panel 202 and 203 may be made whenever these panels are adjacent and
independent of the angle at which the panels are disposed with respect to each
other. In
the configuration of FIG. 6, the flexible conduit 147, with its male connector
block 145,
associated with the panel 200 are extended into the raceway area of panel 202
for
engagement with one of the female receptacle connectors 126 of junction block
120 in
panel 202. In this manner, an electrical connection is established among the
junction
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CA 02783131 2012-07-16
blocks of the three panels 200, 202, and 203. Thus, electrical power provided
from an
external source to any one of these three may be distributed to the other two
by means of
the connection arrangement shown by way of example in FIG. 6. In the
arrangement of
FIG. 6, flexible conduit 147 and its male connector block 145 of panel 202 is
connected to
one of the female connectors 126 of junction block 120 of panel 200 thereby
establishing
an electrical connection between panels 200 and 201. This connection, in
combination
with the other connections shown in FIG. 6 and described in the previous
sentences,
completes an arrangement for establishing an electrical connection from any
one of four
panels to the entire four-panel configuration. Additional connections may be
envisioned
by connections of male connectors 145 from other panels into additional ones
of the
female receptacle connectors 126 of the junction blocks 120 of any of the
panels 201
through 203, should one choose to provide an arrangement of more than four
intersecting
panels. Furthermore, additional conduits, such as conduit 210 shown in FIG. 6,
may be
connected by means of a male connector to any of the receptacle connectors 126
to
provide electrical power to lamps or other fixtures.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the pertinent arts that still other
embodiments
of connector assemblies in accordance with the invention can be designed. That
is, the
principles of a connector assembly in accordance with the invention are not
limited to the
specific embodiments described herein. Accordingly, it will be apparent to
those skilled in
the art that modifications and other variations of the above-described
illustrative
embodiments of the invention may be effected without departing from the spirit
and scope
of the novel concepts of the invention.
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