Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
Agent Docket No. P9346CA00
OVERHEAD ELECTRICAL INFEED
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to electrical outlets and wiring for work
areas, living
spaces, and the like.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Electrical infeeds are used to provide users with convenient access to
electrical
power, and typically include at least one electrical socket or connector that
is compatible
with electrical or electronic devices that are commonly used in a work area,
living space, or
the like.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention provides an overhead electrical infeed system for
providing
height-adjustable electrical or electronic data outlets to users in a work
area, living space,
or the like. The system includes an overhead mount, an electrical cord coupled
to the
overhead mount surface, and an electrical outlet assembly coupled to a distal
end portion of
the cord having a proximal end portion mounted to the overhead mount surface
and a distal
end portion spaced from the proximal end portion. At least a portion of the
weight of the
electrical outlet assembly is supported by the electrical cord. A retractor is
positioned
along the electrical cord and is operable to raise the electrical outlet
assembly or to retain
the electrical outlet assembly at a selected height or elevation. An
electrical outlet at the
outlet assembly is electrically energized by the electrical cord and is
mounted to the
electrical outlet assembly, to provide users with access to electrical or data
signals.
[0004] In one form of the present invention, an overhead electrical infeed
system includes
an overhead mount, an electrical cord, an electrical outlet assembly, and a
retractor. The
overhead mount includes a cord securement portion and a cord movement portion.
The
electrical cord includes a proximal end portion, a free distal end portion,
and an
intermediate portion. The cord's proximal end portion is fixedly mounted to
the cord
securement portion of the overhead mount, the cord's free distal end portion
is spaced from
the proximal end portion, and the intermediate portion is disposed between the
proximal
end portion and the free distal end portion. The intermediate portion includes
a first region
that moves along or over the cord movement portion of the overhead mount, and
a second
1
CA 3068715 2020-01-17
Agent Docket No. P9346CA00
region that is between the first region and the proximal end portion and
supports the
retractor. The electrical outlet assembly is coupled to and suspended from the
free distal
end portion of the electrical cord. The retractor includes a cord-engaging
member that is
movably disposed along the second region of the intermediate portion of the
electrical cord.
The retractor is configured to counterbalance the electrical outlet assembly
by maintaining
the electrical outlet assembly at a selected elevation below the overhead
mount, or by
raising the electrical outlet assembly relative to the overhead mount.
[0005] In another form of the present invention, an overhead electrical infeed
system
includes and electrical cord, an electrical outlet assembly, and a slidable
mount. The
electrical cord has a proximal end portion configured to be fixedly mounted to
an overhead
mount, a free distal end portion spaced from the proximal end portion, and an
intermediate
portion between the cord's proximal end portion and the free distal end
portion. The
electrical outlet assembly is coupled to the free distal end portion of the
electrical cord, the
slidable mount is movably disposed along the electrical cord, and the
electrical outlet
assembly is releasably securable to the slidable mount. The slidable mount is
frictionally
engaged with an outer surface of the electrical cord and is configured to
support the
electrical outlet assembly along the intermediate portion of the electrical
cord.
100061 In yet another form of the present invention, an overhead electrical
infeed system
includes a horizontal retractor track, a retractor pulley, a fixed pulley, and
an electrical
cord. The horizontal retractor track is mountable in an elevated location, and
has a
proximal end portion and a distal end portion opposite the proximal end
portion. The
retractor pulley is movably disposed along the retractor track, and the fixed
pulley is
spaced from the distal end portion of the retractor track. The electrical cord
includes a
proximal end portion for fixed mounting at the elevated location proximate the
retractor
track, a free distal end portion spaced from the proximal end portion; and an
intermediate
portion disposed between the proximal end portion and the free distal end
portion. The
cord's intermediate portion includes a first region that is reeved around the
retractor pulley,
and a second region that is reeved around the fixed pulley. The electrical
outlet assembly
is coupled to and suspended from the free distal end portion of the electrical
cord, below
the fixed pulley. The retractor pulley is biased toward the proximal end
portion of the
2
CA 3068715 2020-01-17
Agent Docket No. P9346CA00
retractor track in order to maintain the electrical outlet assembly at a
selected elevation
below the fixed pulley, or to raise the electrical outlet assembly relative to
the fixed pulley.
[0007] Therefore, the overhead electrical infeed system includes an outlet
assembly or
other portion (such as the retractor) that can be easily grasped by a user and
manually
raised or lowered to thereby change the elevation of the electrical outlet(s)
to a convenient
location for the user. The weight of the outlet assembly and outlet(s) are
generally
counterbalanced by the retractor, while friction elements may be disposed
along the cord
(such as friction bearings for pulleys) to help maintain a desired elevation
for the outlet
assembly.
[0008] These and other objects, advantages, purposes and features of the
present invention
will become apparent upon review of the following specification in conjunction
with the
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an overhead electrical infeed
device in
accordance with the present invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of another overhead electrical
infeed device in
accordance with the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of another overhead electrical
infeed device in
accordance with the present invention;
[00121 FIG. 3A is a front perspective view of another overhead electrical
infeed device that
is similar to the overhead electrical infeed device of FIG. 3;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of another overhead electrical
infeed device in
accordance with the present invention;
[00141 FIG. 5A is a front perspective view of another overhead electrical
infeed device in
accordance with the present invention, shown in a retracted position;
[0015] FIG. 5B is another front perspective view the overhead electrical
infeed device of
FIG. 5A, shown in an extended position;
[0016] FIG. 6A is a front perspective view of another overhead electrical
infeed device in
accordance with the present invention, shown in a retracted position;
[0017] FIG. 6B is another front perspective view the overhead electrical
infeed device of
FIG. 6A, shown in an extended position;
3
CA 3068715 2020-01-17
Agent Docket No. P9346CA00
100181 FIG. 7A is a front perspective view of another overhead electrical
infeed device in
accordance with the present invention, shown in a retracted position;
100191 FIG. 7B is another front perspective view the overhead electrical
infeed device of
FIG. 7A, shown in an extended position;
100201 FIG. 8 is a series of front perspective views of four spool-type
electrical infeed
devices in accordance with the present invention;
100211 FIG. 9 is a series of perspective views of a plurality of mounting
plates and pulleys
compatible for use with a subset of the overhead electrical infeed devices;
100221 FIG. 10 is a series of perspective views of a plurality of different
weights
compatible for use with a subset of the overhead electrical infeed devices;
100231 FIG. 11 is a series of perspective views of a plurality of electrical
outlet assemblies
compatible for use with the overhead electrical infeed devices;
100241 FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a pair of enclosed coil-type
electrical infeed
devices in accordance with the present invention, shown in retracted and
extended
configurations;
100251 FIG. 12A is a perspective view of a recessed above-the-ceiling coil-
type electrical
infeed device;
100261 FIG. 12B is a perspective view of another enclosed coil-type electrical
infeed
device, shown in a recessed above-the-ceiling arrangement;
100271 FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a ceiling-suspended electrical infeed
device with
downwardly-directed lighting positioned over a work surface;
100281 FIG. 14 is a side elevation of another overhead electrical infeed
device in
accordance with the present invention;
100291 FIG. 15 is an enlarged bottom perspective view of an upper region of
the electrical
infeed device of FIG. 14;
100301 FIG. 16 is a side elevation of another overhead electrical infeed
device in
accordance with the present invention;
100311 FIG. 17 is a top perspective view of the overhead electrical infeed
device of FIG.
16;
100321 FIG. 18 is an exploded top perspective view of the overhead electrical
infeed device
of FIG. 16;
4
CA 3068715 2020-01-17
Agent Docket No. P9346CA00
[0033] FIG. 19 is a bottom perspective view of another overhead electrical
infeed device in
accordance with the present invention;
[0034] FIG. 20 is a bottom perspective view of the overhead electrical infeed
device of
FIG. 19, in which an outer housing has been omitted to show internal
structure;
[0035] FIG. 21 is a bottom perspective view of another overhead electrical
infeed device in
accordance with the present invention;
[0036] FIG. 22 is a side elevation of another overhead electrical infeed
device in
accordance with the present invention;
[0037] FIG. 23A is a side elevation of another overhead electrical infeed
device in
accordance with the present invention, shown in a raised configuration;
[0038] FIG. 23B is another side elevation of the overhead electrical infeed
device of FIG.
23A, shown in a lowered configuration;
[0039] FIG. 24 is an enlarged view of a portion of the overhead electrical
infeed device of
FIG. 23A;
[0040] FIG. 25 is an enlarged rear perspective view of an outlet assembly of
the overhead
electrical infeed device of FIGS. 23A and 23B;
[0041] FIG. 26A is a side perspective view of another overhead electrical
infeed device in
accordance with the present invention, shown in a lowered configuration;
[0042] FIG. 26B is another side perspective view of the overhead electrical
infeed device
of FIG. 26A, shown in a raised configuration;
[0043] FIG. 27 is a side perspective view of a lower region of another
overhead electrical
infeed device in accordance with the present invention;
[0044] FIG. 28 is a side perspective view of a lower region of another
overhead electrical
infeed device in accordance with the present invention;
[0045] FIG. 29 is a side perspective view of a lower region of another
overhead electrical
infeed device in accordance with the present invention;
[0046] FIG. 30 is a side elevation of another overhead electrical infeed
device in
accordance with the present invention;
[0047] FIG. 31 is an exploded perspective view of an upper pulley and shroud
of the
overhead electrical infeed device of FIG. 30;
CA 3068715 2020-01-17
Agent Docket No. P9346CA00
100481 FIG. 32 is an exploded perspective view of an electrical box, conduit,
and shroud of
the overhead electrical infeed device of FIG. 30; and
100491 FIG. 33 is a side perspective view of a floor-supported overhead
electrical infeed
device in accordance with the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
100501 Referring now to the drawings and the illustrative embodiments depicted
therein,
various overhead electrical infeed systems and related products are disclosed.
In each of
the overhead electrical infeed systems, an electrical power outlet assembly is
vertically
extendable and retractable relative to an upper mounting location (such as a
ceiling surface)
for an electrical cord associated with the outlet assembly. The electrical
outlet assemblies
may support one or more high voltage AC power outlets such as 110V or 220V AC
outlets,
and/or may support one or more low voltage DC power outlets such as 5V to 18V
DC
outlets (e.g., USB-style outlets). Where only high voltage AC power is
supplied to a given
electrical outlet assembly, the high voltage AC power may be routed directly
to any high
voltage AC power outlets, and through a DC power converter contained within
housing 16
to supply the lower voltage DC power to any DC power outlets. Although
primarily
described as an electrical power system, it will be appreciated that the
principles of the
present invention are equally applicable to electronic data systems having
electronic signal
receptacles and the like, and that the invention is not intended to be limited
to systems for
electrically powering other devices.
[0051] With reference to FIG. 1, an overhead electrical infeed system 10
includes an
overhead mount plate 12, an electrical cord or cable 14 for carrying
electrical power and/or
electronic data signals has a proximal end portion 14a fixed to mount plate 12
and a distal
end portion 14b where an electrical power outlet assembly 16 is attached, with
an
intermediate cord portion 14c disposed therebetween. In each of the
embodiments
described herein, an electrical power outlet assembly 16 is vertically
extendable and
retractable relative to the corresponding mount plate, which may be attached
to a ceiling
surface, an overhead girder, or substantially any other overhead or elevated
structure. The
electrical outlet assemblies 16 may support one or more high voltage AC power
outlets
18a, such as 110V or 220V AC outlets, and/or may support one or more low
voltage DC
power outlets 18b, such as 5V to 18V DC outlets (e.g., USB-style outlets).
Where only
6
CA 3068715 2020-01-17
Agent Docket No. P9346CA00
high voltage AC power is supplied to a given electrical outlet assembly 16,
the high voltage
AC power may be routed directly to any high voltage AC power outlets 18a, and
through a
DC power converter contained within housing 16 to supply the lower voltage DC
power to
any DC power outlets 18b. Although primarily described as an electrical power
system, it
will be appreciated that the principles of the present invention are equally
applicable to
electronic data systems having electronic signal receptacles and the like, and
that the
invention is not intended to be limited to systems for electrically powering
other devices.
100521 In the embodiment of FIG. 1, a pair of support cables 20 extend down
from
overhead mount plate 12, which is in the form of a generally cylindrical
housing, to a
retractor assembly 22. Power cord 14 may be wound onto a self-retracting spool
contained
in retractor assembly 22, so that a lower portion of cord 14 (including distal
end portion
14b) is extendable and retractable relative to retractor assembly 22. In an
alternative
arrangement, retractor assembly 22 may house a simple pulley system in which
support
cables 20 are wound or routed in such a manner as to cause retractor assembly
22 to rise
and fall relative to overhead mount plate 12, with electrical outlet assembly
16 and distal
end portion 14b of the power cord rising and falling with retractor assembly
22. A clock
spring, electric winder, or similar mechanism may be used to provide lifting
force for
raising electrical outlet assembly 16, and optionally for also raising
retractor assembly 22.
10053] Referring now to FIG. 2, another overhead electrical infeed system 110
includes an
overhead mount plate 112 having proximal end portion 14a of power cord 14
fixed thereto,
and with a pulley 130 also attached to overhead mount plate 112, spaced
laterally from the
cord proximal end portion 14a. A counterweight 132 is positioned along a
section of
power cord 14 between proximal end portion 14a and pulley 140, and has its own
pulley
134 to facilitate rolling along power cord 14 as electrical outlet assembly 16
is manually
raised and lowered by a user. The weight of counterweight 132 is sufficient to
balance the
weight of electrical outlet assembly 16 and electrical power outlets 18a, 18b,
so that
electrical outlet assembly 16 will remain vertically fixed when not being
manually moved.
It will be appreciated that pulley 130 may be fitted with a frictional bearing
136 to resist
rotation of its pulley wheel. This friction compensates for the changing
amount of power
cord 14 (and its weight) between electrical outlet assembly 16 and pulley 130,
so that as
electrical outlet assembly 16 is lowered and released, the added weight of
cord 14 between
7
CA 3068715 2020-01-17
Agent Docket No. P9346CA00
housing 16 and pulley 130 will not cause the housing 16 to continue to drop.
Thus, it will
be appreciated that pulley 130 and counterweight 132 cooperate to act as a
retractor for
power cord 14 as electrical outlet assembly 16 is manually raised by a user.
[0054] Optionally, a variation on the overhead electrical infeed system 110 is
another
overhead electrical infeed system 210 (FIG. 3) in which a counterweight 232
with its own
counterweight pulley 234 has a laterally-extending counterweight housing
portion 240 with
a vertically-aligned guide channel or bore 242 through which passes a portion
of power
cord 14 located between electrical outlet assembly 16 and a pulley 230 that is
fixedly
mounted to an overhead mount plate 212. Guide channel 242 permits power cord
14 to
slide freely through counterweight housing portion 240 as electrical outlet
assembly 16 is
raised and lowered, and serves to prevent entanglement or rubbing of
respective cord
portions, and to prevent entanglement or rubbing of cord portions with
counterweight 232,
as the outlet assembly 16 is moved laterally and/or raised and lowered.
Optionally, a
clamping device (such as a lever-actuated or button-actuated clamping device)
may be
incorporated into counterweight housing portion 240 and operable to
selectively impinge
on power cord 14 inside of guide channel 242, to allow a user to selectively
secure the
vertical position of electrical outlet assembly 16 until choosing to release
the clamping
device. Suitable clamping devices may include, for example, a cam-lever, a
spring-biased
peg or other extendable member, a V-shaped impinging element, or the like. In
other
respects overhead electrical infeed system 210 may be substantially similar or
identical to
system 110, described above, with like numerals used to designate components
of system
210 that correspond to like components of system 110 with the addition of 100.
[0055] Another overhead electrical infeed system 210' (FIG. 3A) provides a
similar
configuration as the infeed system 210. Infeed system 210' includes an
overhead pulley
230' with bearing 236' mounted to an overhead mount plate 212, and a
counterweight 232'
that may be weighted portions of a counterweight housing portion 240'. A
counterweight
pulley 234' is rotatably supported in housing portion 240 and has an
intermediate cord
portion 14c routed underneath, up to overhead pulley 230', and back down
through a
vertically-aligned guide channel 242' in the counterweight housing portion
240'. A
plurality of counterweight pulleys 231' are rotatably supported in the guide
channel 242'
and are laterally spaced from the counterweight pulley 234' to maintain a
substantially
8
CA 3068715 2020-01-17
Agent Docket No. P9346CA00
fixed lateral spacing between the regions of intermediate cord portion 14c
that are passing
through the counterweight housing portion 240'.
[0056] In a still further embodiment that is similar to overhead electrical
infeed system
110, another electrical infeed system 310 is fitted with a generally ring-
shaped or annular
counterweight 332 (FIG. 4) that simply slides along a section of power cord 14
located
between the power cord's proximal end portion 14a and a pulley 330 that is
mounted to an
overhead mount plate 312. Ring-shaped counterweight 332 may have polished
radially-
inwardly facing surfaces to limit or prevent abrading power cord 14. Ring-
shaped
counterweight 332 may be lower in cost to produce as compared to
counterweights 132,
232, and may also be considered more aesthetically pleasing due to its simple
shape and
lack of a pulley or extraneous parts. In other respects overhead electrical
infeed system
210 may be substantially similar or identical to system 110, described above,
with like
numerals used to designate components of system 310 that correspond to like
components
of system 110 with the addition of 200.
[0057] Various other types of counterweights are envisioned, such as shown in
FIG. 10.
For example, there are shown a first alternative counterweight 132a having an
upper ring
with polished inner surfaces and a lower weighted portion, a second
alternative
counterweight 132b having an upper pulley mounted to a lower weighted portion
via a pair
of brackets, a third alternative counterweight 132c having an upper pulley
mounted to a
lower weighted portion via a pair of integral brackets extending upwardly from
an upper
surface of the lower weighted portion, a fourth alternative counterweight 132d
having an
integral pulley contained in an upper end portion of a weight, and a fifth
alternative
counterweight 132e that is substantially identical to the fourth alternative
counterweight
132d except for fifth alternative counterweight 132e having a rounded bottom
end.
Moreover, various other shapes and configurations of overhead mount plates and
ceiling-
mounted or plate-mounted pulleys are envisioned, such as shown in FIG. 9. In
addition,
various shapes and configurations of power outlet assemblies 16a-e are
envisioned, such as
shown in FIG. 11.
[0058] It is further envisioned that spring-loaded pulleys may be used to
provide vertical
adjustment for an overhead-mounted electrical outlet assembly. For example, in
FIGS. 5A-
6B there are shown two implementations of spring-loaded pulleys. FIGS. 5A and
5B
9
CA 3068715 2020-01-17
Agent Docket No. P9346CA00
depict an electrical infeed system 410 in which power cord 14 is supported by
an overhead
mount plate 412 and has a retractor 450 having a clamping side 450a secured to
proximal
end portion 14a of power cord 14 just below mount plate 412. A power cord loop
14c is
formed in a central region of power cord 14, between proximal end portion 14a
and distal
end portion 14b. A cord clamp or gripper 452 is secured to power cord 14 near
an end of
power cord loop 14c that is closer to distal end portion 14b. A retractor cord
454 is wound
around a pulley or winding spool 456 that is disposed in a retractor side 450b
of the
retractor 450, and has a distal end 454b attached to the cord clamp or gripper
452.
Retractor 450 contains a clock spring or other biasing member that winds
retractor cord
454 onto the winding spool 456, thus drawing electrical outlet assembly 16
upwardly to a
raised or retracted position such as shown in FIG. 5A. A ratcheting device,
centrifugal
clutch, or similar mechanism may be incorporated into retractor 450 to
selectively limit or
cancel the upward biasing force when electrical outlet assembly 16 is at a
lowered position
(FIG. 5B), so that electrical outlet assembly 16 will remain at that lowered
position until a
user manually raises the outlet assembly 16 or gives an initial downward pull
on the outlet
assembly to release the mechanism and permit retractor cord 454 to be wound
onto the
winding spool 456 as the outlet assembly and distal end portion 14b of the
power cord are
raised. In other respects, overhead electrical infeed system 410 may be
substantially
similar or identical to system 110, described above, with like numerals used
to designate
components of system 410 that correspond to like components of system 110 with
the
addition of 300.
100591 Another electrical infeed system 510 (FIGS. 6A and 6B) is similar in
some respects
to electrical infeed system 410 of FIGS. 5A and 5B, including a retractor 550
with a
retractor cord 554 wound around a pulley or winding spool 556 that is disposed
in a
retractor or spool side 550b. However, the retractor 550 of electrical infeed
system 510 has
a securing side 550a that is configured to mount to a surface such as a
ceiling surface or
other overhead support, which may be the same surface to which an overhead
mount plate
512 is attached. A distal end portion 554b of retractor cord 554 is attached
directly to
electrical power outlet assembly 16, and rather than forming a loop in the
power cord as in
the system 410 of FIGS. 5A and 5B), system 510 includes a power cord 514
having a
spring-like resilient middle cord section 514c disposed between a proximal end
portion
CA 3068715 2020-01-17
Agent Docket No. P9346CA00
514a attached to overhead mount plate 512 and a distal end portion 514b
attached to
electrical power outlet assembly 16.
100601 As outlet assembly 16 is manually grasped and lowered by a user,
retractor cord
554 is payed out from retractor 550 as it unwinds from winding spool 556,
against the
biasing force applied to the spool by a biasing mechanism in retractor 550.
The resilient
middle cord section 514c expands like a coil spring as outlet assembly 16 is
lowered, such
as shown in FIG. 6B. When outlet assembly 16 is raised, the resilience of
middle cord
section 514c causes it to retract again toward the more compact configuration
of FIG. 5A,
as retractor cord 554 is wound back onto winding spool 556. It will be
appreciated that
resilient middle cord section 514c does not have enough resilient biasing
force to raise
outlet assembly 16 from the lowered position of FIG. 5B, such that retractor
cord 554
remains in tension and supports a portion of the weight of the outlet assembly
16 when the
outlet assembly is in its lowered position. The additional biasing force
provided by
retractor 550 is needed to lift outlet assembly 16 from its lowered position.
[0061] In another arrangement an electrical infeed system 610 (FIGS. 7A and
7B) is
similar in some respects to both the electrical infeed system 410 of FIGS. 5A
and 5B, and
the electrical infeed system 510 of FIGS. 6A and 6B. In the case of electrical
infeed
system 610, however, there is no winding retractor or pulley, and instead a
coil "helper
spring" or resilient cord 660 is provided to facilitate raising power outlet
assembly 16, and
there is no mechanism provided to retain power outlet assembly 16 in the
lowered position
of FIG. 7B. An electrical power cord 614 includes a resilient middle cord
section 614c
disposed between an upper or proximal end portion 614a and a lower or distal
end portion
614b. The coil helper spring or resilient cord 660 has a proximal end portion
660a attached
to an overhead mount plate 612 and a distal end portion 660b attached to power
cord 614 at
a lower end of the resilient cord section 614c via a cord clamp or gripper
652. Electrical
power cord 614 has its proximal end portion 614a attached to overhead mount
plate 612,
and its distal end portion 614b coupled directly to power outlet assembly 16.
Coil helper
spring or resilient cord 660 extends centrally through the coiled resilient
cord section 614,
as best shown in FIG. 7B, and may be substantially obscured from view by the
coiled
resilient cord section 614 when power outlet assembly 16 is raised (FIG. 7A).
Because no
mechanism is provided to retain power outlet assembly 16 in the lowered
position of FIG.
11
CA 3068715 2020-01-17
Agent Docket No. P9346CA00
7B, power outlet assembly 16 may be free to raise and lower during use,
according to the
amount of downward force applied to electrical cords and devices plugged into
its one or
more electrical outlets 18a, 18b.
10062] Referring now to FIG. 8, a spool-type overhead electrical infeed system
810
includes an exposed manually-wound retractor assembly 850 includes a spool 870
with
enlarged-diameter end flanges 872, and L-brackets 874 mounted at the opposite
ends of a
spindle or axle 876 that extends through a central axis of spool 870. Proximal
end portion
14a of power cord 14 is fitted with a conventional 110V AC plug for engaging
an electrical
power source, such as a conventional ceiling-mounted power outlet. A biasing
winding
force may be selectively applied to spool 870, in the direction of a curved
arrow in FIG. 8,
by a user pulling downwardly on a winding cord 878 that is drawn off of spool
870 on an
opposite side from where the electrical outlet assembly 16 and outlets 18a are
suspended by
the distal end portion 14b of the cord 14. A knob 880 or other grasping
feature may be
provided to facilitate gripping by a user for raising or lowering the winding
cord 878.
Optionally, spool 870 incorporates a friction feature, ratcheting feature,
spring-biasing
element, or the like, which allows the spool 870 to be stopped at different
elevations of the
outlet assembly 16. Optionally, winding cord 878 and/or knob 880 may be
weighted to
counterbalance the outlet assembly 16 and portion of the cord 14 that extends
between the
outlet assembly 16 and the spool 870.
100631 In another arrangement an electrical infeed system 1110, two of which
are depicted
in FIG. 12 at raised (left) and lowered (right) positions, an electrical cord
or cable 1114 for
carrying electrical power and/or electronic data signals has a proximal end
portion 1114a
fixed to mount plate 1112 and a distal end portion 14b where an electrical
power outlet
assembly 1116 is attached. In the embodiment of FIG. 12, a retractor assembly
1150
contains a coiled or spooled section of cable 1114, which permits a user to
pull down on
the outlet assembly 1116 and extend (or release to shorten) the distance
between the power
outlet assembly 1116 and the mount plate 1112 or associated ceiling surface.
Optionally,
and as shown in FIG. 12B, the retractor assembly 1150 may be recessed above a
ceiling
surface C, in which case the retractor assembly 1150 may be retained in a
fixed position
above the ceiling surface C. However, it is further envisioned that the
retractor assembly
1150 can be configured so that the electrical cord or cable 1114 may be payed
out and
12
CA 3068715 2020-01-17
Agent Docket No. P9346CA00
,
retracted into both the top end 1150a and bottom end 1150b of the retractor
assembly 1150.
Referring to FIG. 12A, a ceiling-concealed retractor 1150' is shown to be
recessed and
hidden above the ceiling surface C, so that only a portion of electrical cord
or cable 1114 is
visible entering the ceiling surface C from below, and retraction and
extension of cable
1114 above ceiling surface C.
[0064] Optionally, lighting capability may be provided in an electrical infeed
system 1210,
such as shown in FIG. 13. Electrical infeed system includes an elongated
housing 1212
supporting a plurality of electrical outlets 1214 along one or more sides
1212a of the
housing 1212. A pair of removable end caps 1212b provide access to an interior
of the
housing 1212, where wiring, electrical lighting 1216, and portions of the
outlets 1214 are
located. Lighting 1216 shines downwardly through a slot or opening 1218 in a
lower panel
1212c of the housing 1212, which slot or opening 1218 may optionally be fitted
with a
lens. An electrical power cord 1220 extends downwardly and enters housing 1212
to
supply electrical energy to the outlets 1214 and the lighting 1216. A set of
suspension
cords extend downwardly from the ceiling and attach to the housing 1212 to
support the
infeed system 1210 over a work surface 1224. Optionally, pulleys are provided
for
mounting the cords to the ceiling, to provide height-adjustability for the
electrical infeed
system 1210.
[0065] Referring now to FIG. 14, there is shown an overhead electrical infeed
device 1310
with an electrical cord 1312 routed around a fixed radiused bearing component
1314 and a
movable weighted radiused bearing component 1316. Fixed bearing component 1314
is
coupled to an upper mounting bracket 1322 and includes a convex-up radiused
cord
support region 1314a at a lower region thereof. The convex-up radiused cord
support
region 1314a (FIGS. 14 and 15) slidingly receives a portion of the cord 1312
that is located
between the movable bearing component 1316 and an electrical power outlet
assembly
1320. The movable weighted radiused bearing component 1316 defines a channel
that
slidingly receives another portion of the cord 1312 that is located between
its entry point
1312a into a fixed ceiling-mount bracket 1322 and the fixed bearing component
1314. The
fixed ceiling-mount bracket 1322 may be secured to a ceiling surface by
fasteners 1324
(FIG. 14), and provides space for an end of the power cord 1312 to be routed
toward and
connected to a source of electrical power.
13
CA 3068715 2020-01-17
Agent Docket No. P9346CA00
=
100661 The movable bearing component 1316 acts as a cord support or retractor
that
enables the electrical power outlet assembly 1320 to remain in a static
position when no
external forces are acting upon the power outlet assembly 1320, the cord 1312,
or the
movable bearing component 1316. Movable bearing component 1316 may be a
weighted
or inherently heavy component made of dense material, and formed in the shape
of a semi-
circular tube that slidably receives the cord 1312. The movable bearing
component 1316
counteracts the weight of the electrical outlet assembly 1320 at the free end
of the power
cord 1312. A user may grasp the movable bearing component 1316 and manually
raise or
lower it to cause the electrical outlet assembly 1320 to lower or raise,
respectively.
Alternatively, a user may grasp the electrical outlet assembly 1320 to
manually raise or
lower it, causing the movable bearing component 1316 to lower or raise,
respectively, with
the movable bearing component 1316 always remaining at the bottom of a 180-
degree loop
formed along the cord 1312.
[0067] The cord material and radiused bearing components are selected to
facilitate sliding
movement of the cord 1312 in the bearing components, substantially without
abrasion to
the cord, but with sufficient friction to hold the outlet assembly at
different desired
elevations. The shape of the movable bearing component 1316 allows it to be
easily
grasped by a user and raised or lowered to change the elevation of the outlet
assembly,
which can also be grasped directly to change its elevation. Thus, the overhead
electrical
infeed device 1310 of FIGS. 14 and 15 is a pulley-less system that operates
similarly to a
pulley system, such as will be described below.
100681 FIGS. 16-18 depict overhead electrical infeed device 1410 with an upper
mounting
bracket 1422 including a pulley system in place of sliding features of the
device of FIGS.
14 and 15. In FIGS. 16-18 the overhead electrical infeed device 1410 utilizes
a pair of
pulley assemblies 1414, 1416 for reduced friction as compared to radiused
bearing
components 1314, 1316 of FIGS. 14 and 15, and is otherwise configured
similarly to the
pulley-less system 1310 of FIGS. 14 and 15. Overhead electrical infeed device
1410
includes an electrical cord 1412 routed or reeved around a fixed pulley
assembly 1414 and
a movable weighted pulley assembly 1416. Fixed pulley assembly 1414 is coupled
to an
upper mounting bracket 1422 and includes a rotatable pulley 1414a coupled to a
bracket
piece 1414b via a spindle or bearing 1414c, with a portion of the cord 1412
that is located
14
CA 3068715 2020-01-17
Agent Docket No. P9346CA00
between the movable pulley assembly 1416 and an electrical power outlet
assembly 1420
reeved over a top of the pulley 1414a. The movable weighted pulley assembly
1416
includes a rotatable pulley 1416a that receives another portion of the cord
1412 that is
located between the cord's entry point 1412a into the fixed ceiling-mount
bracket 1422, and
the fixed pulley assembly 1414. The fixed ceiling-mount bracket 1422 may be
secured to a
ceiling surface by fasteners 1424 (FIG. 14), and provides space for an end of
the power
cord 1412 to be routed toward and connected to a source of electrical power.
[0069] The movable pulley assembly 1416 acts as a cord support or retractor
that may
permit the electrical power outlet assembly 1420 to remain in a static
position when no
external forces are acting upon the power outlet assembly 1420, the cord 1412,
or the
movable pulley assembly 1416. However, the movable pulley assembly 1416 may be
sufficiently weighted so that it causes the power outlet assembly 1420 to rise
when no
external forces are acting upon it. Optionally, a bracket piece 1416b of the
movable pulley
assembly 1416 may be selected for its weight in order to balance the
electrical outlet
assembly 1420 in a static position or to cause the electrical outlet assembly
1420 to slowly
rise when not in use, depending on the weight of the selected electrical
outlet assembly
1420. Thus, the movable pulley assembly 1416 counteracts the weight of the
electrical
outlet assembly 1420 at the free end of the power cord 1412. A user may grasp
the
movable pulley assembly 1416 and manually raise or lower it to cause the
electrical outlet
assembly 1420 to lower or raise, respectively. Alternatively, a user may grasp
the
electrical outlet assembly 1420 to manually raise or lower it, causing the
movable pulley
assembly 1416 to lower or raise, respectively, with the movable pulley
assembly 1416
always remaining at the bottom of a 180-degree loop formed along the cord
1412.
100701 In FIGS. 17 and 18 there are shown additional structure of the fixed
ceiling-mount
bracket 1422, which may be substantially identical to the fixed ceiling-mount
bracket 1322
of the overhead electrical infeed device 1310 of FIGS. 14 and 15. As best
shown in FIG.
18, the bracket 1422 includes a main cover 1426, an inner bracket 1428 that is
received in
an upper cavity of the main cover 1426, and a ceiling-mount flange plate 1430
that is
secured directly to a ceiling surface by the fasteners 1424. The flange plate
1430 is
generally shaped as an inverted-U including a central bight region 1430a and a
pair of
lateral outwardly-directed flanges 1430b spaced below the bight region 1430a.
The flange
CA 3068715 2020-01-17
Agent Docket No. P9346CA00
plate's lateral flanges 1430b are slidingly received by a pair of inwardly-
directed flanges
1428a of the inner bracket 1428, the inwardly-directed flanges 1428a only
extending along
a portion of the length of the inner bracket 1428 so that the inner bracket
1428 and the main
cover 1426 can together be slidingly engaged with the flange plate 1430, such
as shown in
FIG. 17.
100711 The inner bracket 1428 further includes an end recess 1428b (FIG. 18)
that provides
clearance for a spring tab 1426a of the main cover 1426. It should be
understood that FIG.
18 does not illustrate the actual path of the cord 1412 relative to the parts
of fixed ceiling-
mount bracket 1422 and the bracket piece 1414b. As such, the cord 1412 does
not pass
through the inner bracket 1428 or the main cover 1426 as appears in the
exploded view of
FIG. 18, except near the cord's entry point 1412a into the fixed ceiling-mount
bracket 1422,
as shown in FIG. 17. Instead the cord 1412 passes around the fixed-position
rotatable
pulley 1414a beneath the main cover 1426 and inner bracket 1428 as will be
understood
with reference to FIG. 16. Spring tab 1426a helps to elevate the cord 1412
after the cord
passes through a slot defined between the flange plate 1430 and the inner
bracket 1428,
such as shown in FIG. 17. Spring tab 1426a may also serve to support the
bracket piece
1414b of the fixed pulley assembly 1414 and secure the bracket piece 1414b to
the fixed
ceiling-mount bracket 1422, such as by engaging a top plate 1432 of the
bracket piece
1414b. In this arrangement, the fixed pulley assembly 1414 (with cord 1412
reeved around
the pulley 1414a) may be attached to the main cover 1426 by engaging the
bracket piece's
top plate 1432 over the spring tab 1426a at a slot or recess 1426c formed in
the main cover
1426. Optionally, the spring tab 1426a may provide a selective
securing/releasing function
for the fixed pulley assembly's bracket piece 1414b.
[0072] FIGS. 19-22 illustrate several overhead electrical infeed devices 1500,
1600, 1700
with horizontal cord retraction arrangements. Referring to FIG. 19, an
overhead electrical
infeed device 1500 includes a retractor shroud or housing 1502 that encloses a
retractor
track 1504 and a retractor pulley 1506 (FIG. 20). A fixed pulley 1508 is
mounted at the
ends of a pair of spaced-apart arms 1510 that extend forwardly and downwardly
away from
an open front end 1502a of the retractor housing 1502, with a distal end
portion of a cord
1512 reeved around the fixed pulley 1508 and down to an electrical outlet
assembly 1514.
The retractor track 1504 is made up of two elongate track members 1504a, 1504b
that
16
CA 3068715 2020-01-17
Agent Docket No. P9346CA00
define respective elongate slots 1516. The elongate slots 1516 receive
respective ends of a
spindle 1518 on which the retractor pulley 1506 is rotatably supported, with
the spindle
1518 and retractor pulley 1506 permitted to travel together along the track
1504 inside of
the retractor housing 1502. A spring or other biasing member urges the
retractor pulley
1506 away from the open front end 1502a of the retractor housing 1502, and
toward a
closed rear end 1502b of the retractor housing. Although the spring or biasing
element is
not shown in FIGS. 19 or 20, it will be appreciated that a biasing element
similar to the
spring retractors of FIGS. 21 and 22 (described below) may be used. Other
options for
biasing elements include elastic members, an electric motor, or pneumatic
device, any of
which may be operable to hold the retractor pulley 1506 in a fixed position,
or to retract
and raise the outlet assembly 1514 when desired.
100731 Optionally, the track 1504, retractor pulley 1506, and biasing element
(not shown)
may be unshrouded, such as shown in FIG. 20. In that case, a different support
structure
such as one or more open brackets will be needed to support the track 1504 and
the fixed
pulley 1508 in position. It will also be appreciated that a track for
supporting the retractor
pulley 1506 may be formed directly along interior surfaces of the retractor
shroud or
housing 1502, obviating the need for separate track members 1504a, 1504b to be
inserted
and mounted inside the retractor housing 1502.
100741 The force of the biasing member acting upon the retractor pulley 1506
causes the
cord 1512, which is reeved around the retractor pulley 1506, to either be
drawn into the
open end 1502a of the retractor housing 1502 or to be maintained in a static
position when
no outside forces are applied to the electrical outlet assembly 1514. A user
may grasp the
electrical outlet assembly 1514 and pull it downwardly from a retracted
(raised) position to
a lowered in-use position. It will be appreciated that attaching an electrical
plug with cord
to the electrical outlet assembly 1514 may apply sufficient downward force on
the outlet
assembly 1514 to maintain the outlet assembly 1514 in the lowered position,
whereas
disconnecting the plug and cord may allow the outlet assembly 1514 to be
slowly raised by
the spring or biasing element inside the retractor housing 1502. The spring or
biasing
element may apply a maximum retraction force when the outlet assembly 1514 is
fully
lowered, which corresponds to a maximum length (and weight) of cord 1512
extending
down from the fixed pulley 1508. Therefore, the amount of downward force that
must be
17
CA 3068715 2020-01-17
Agent Docket No. P9346CA00
=
applied to the outlet assembly 1514 in order to lower it can be substantially
constant along
the travel range of the outlet assembly 1514. This is because the retraction
force will
gradually build as the outlet assembly 1514 is lowered, but the increasing
retraction force
will be counteracted by increasing weight of the increasing length of cord
extending from
the fixed pulley 1508 to the outlet assembly 1514. With proper selection of
the biasing
member for the length and size (or weight-per-length) of the cord, as well as
for the weight
of the outlet assembly 1514, the overhead electrical infeed device 1500 can
maintain the
outlet assembly 1514 in substantially any position between fully retracted and
fully
extended when no outside forces are applied.
[0075] The overhead electrical infeed devices 1600, 1700 of FIGS. 21 and 22
are
functionally similar to the overhead electrical infeed device 1500 of FIG. 19.
The overhead
electrical infeed device 1600 of FIG. 21 utilizes a support track 1602 that is
securable to a
ceiling surface. The support track 1602 defines an elongate T-shaped channel
1604 that
slidably supports a pulley bracket 1606 on which a retractor pulley 1608 is
supported
below the track 1602. The retractor pulley 1608 is rotatable on the pulley
bracket 1606,
and is horizontally translatable along the track 1602 from a distal end 1602a
to a proximal
end 1602b thereof. A retractor cord 1610 has a distal end 1610a coupled to the
pulley
bracket 1606 and exerts a pulling force toward the proximal end 1602b of the
track 1602.
A power cord 1612 is connected to a ceiling-mounted electrical power source
behind a
ceiling plate 1614, extends generally horizontally to the top of the retractor
pulley 1608
where it is reeved around and returns forwardly toward the ceiling plate 1614.
The cord
1612 is then reeved around the top of a fixed pulley 1616 that is suspended
below the
ceiling plate 1614, and extends downwardly where it terminates at a power
outlet assembly
1618. Depending on the flexibility and weight-per-length of the cord 1612, the
position of
the retractor pulley 1608, and the weight of the power outlet assembly 1618,
the sections of
cord extending between the retractor pulley 1608 and the ceiling plate 1614
and fixed
pulley 1616 may be expected to sag by varying degrees, such as shown in FIG.
21.
[0076] The tension in the retractor cord 1610 is determined by the weight of
the power
outlet assembly 1618, the weight of the cord extending from the fixed pulley
1616 to the
outlet assembly 1618, and any outside forces applied to the outlet assembly
1618. In
substantially the same manner discussed above with respect to the biasing
element of the
18
CA 3068715 2020-01-17
Agent Docket No. P9346CA00
electrical infeed device 1500, the retraction forces of the biasing element
that is housed at
the proximal end portion 1602b of the track 1602 can be selected according to
the weight
of the outlet assembly and the weight-per-length of the power cord 1612, in
order to
balance or counteract the weight of the outlet assembly 1618.
100771 Referring to FIG. 22, the overhead electrical infeed device 1700
includes a support
track 1702 that is securable to a ceiling surface with a pair of brackets
1704. The support
track 1702 may be a simple beam having a top surface on which a support pulley
1706 rolls
back and forth in response to a power outlet assembly 1708 being raised and
lowered by a
user. The support pulley 1706 is connected to a retractor pulley 1710 spaced
below the
support track 1702 by a pulley link 1712. A retractor cord 1714 has a distal
end 1714a
coupled to the lower end of the pulley link 1712 and exerts a pulling force
toward a spring
retractor 1716 at a proximal end of the track 1702. A power cord 1718 is
connected to a
ceiling-mounted electrical power source behind a ceiling plate 1720, extends
downwardly
and then generally horizontally to the top of the retractor pulley 1710 where
it is reeved
around and returns forwardly toward the ceiling plate 1720. The cord 1718 is
then reeved
around the top of a fixed pulley 1722 that is suspended below the ceiling
plate 1720 by a
pulley hanger 1724, and extends downwardly where it terminates at the power
outlet
assembly 1708. Horizontal travel of the retractor pulley 1710 along the track
1702 is
limited by the brackets 1704 at opposite ends of the track, or may be further
limited by the
length of the retractor cord 1714. The various other operating characteristics
and design
choices (such as biasing force of the retractor 1716) will be substantially
the same as for
the overhead electrical infeed devices 1500, 1600, and may be readily
understood with
reference to the above descriptions.
100781 Referring now to FIGS. 23A and 23B, an electrical outlet assembly 1810
can be
lowered to hang freely below an overhead mount 1812 as shown in FIG. 23B. The
outlet
assembly 1810 can also be friction-clipped to its own power cord 1814 with a
rear clip
1816 (FIGS. 23A and 25) that includes a resilient cord-engaging portion 1816a
and a
manual release tab 1816b. The manual release tab 1816b can be pressed toward a
rear
surface of the outlet assembly 1810 to open the cord-engaging portion 1816a
and thereby
permit the cord 1814 to slide through the cord-engaging portion 1816a, or to
permit the
cord 1814 to be entirely removed from the cord-engaging portion 1816a. A
generally
19
CA 3068715 2020-01-17
Agent Docket No. P9346CA00
spherical grasping ball 1818 is slidably mounted along the cord 1814, and
provides a
convenient grasping surface that allows a user to pull down on the ball 1818
to lower the
outlet assembly 1810. This can be accomplished when the ball 1818 is disposed
along a
loop region 1814a that can be formed in the cord 206 below the outlet assembly
1810
(FIGS. 23A and 24) when the housing is frictionally clipped to an intermediate
portion of
the cord 1814. An interior surface of the ball 1818, which defines a bore
through which the
cord 1814 may pass, may be lined with a low friction material to facilitate
the cord 1814
sliding through the ball 1818 when the ball is pulled downwardly. It will be
appreciated
that the spring force of the resilient cord-engaging portion 1816a of the rear
clip 1816
impinging on the cord 1814 at the rear of the power outlet assembly 1810 will
also affect
the amount of downward force required on the ball 1818 to cause the power
outlet
assembly 1810 to slide downwardly along the cord 1814.
[0079] FIGS. 26A and 26B illustrate a power outlet assembly 1910 that is at
least partially
made of magnetically permeable material, such as steel, such that the assembly
1910 can be
releasably attached to a magnetic slide 1912 that is frictionally disposed
along a power cord
1914. Magnetic slide 1912 can be manually slid along the cord 1914 to
different heights or
elevations according to a user's preference, and the outlet assembly 1910 then
attached to it
and held in place along the cord 1914 by friction and the magnetic field
generated by the
slide 1912. Optionally, the magnetic attractive force of the magnetic slide
1912 to the
outlet assembly 1910 may be sufficiently strong, and the frictional engagement
of the
magnetic slide 1912 along the cord 1914 may be sufficiently low, that a user
pulling
directly on the outlet assembly 1910 or pulling down on a cord loop 1914a
below the outlet
assembly 1910 (with or without the aid of a grasping ball like the ball 1818
described
above), will cause the outlet assembly 1910 and the magnetic slide 1912 to
slide
downwardly together along the cord 1914, lowering the outlet assembly 1910
until the loop
1914a has been all but fully taken up. Otherwise, if the frictional engagement
of the
magnetic slide 1912 along the cord 1914 is sufficiently strong to overcome the
attractive
force of the magnetic slide 1912 to the outlet assembly 1910, a user pulling
down on the
cord loop 1914a or pulling directly on the outlet assembly may cause the
outlet assembly
1910 to separate from the magnetic slide 1912 before the magnetic slide 1912
will slide
down the cord 1914. Optionally, the force required to move the magnetic slide
1912 away
CA 3068715 2020-01-17
Agent Docket No. P9346CA00
from the outlet assembly 1910 may be increased by forming a detent recess in a
rear
surface of the outlet assembly 1910, the detent recess sized and shaped
correspondingly to
the magnetic slide 1912. Further, a friction adjustment mechanism such as a
threaded
fastener may be provided at the magnetic slide 1912, to allow a user to
increase or decrease
the sliding resistance of the magnetic slide 1912 along the cord 1914.
[0080] FIGS. 27-29 illustrate variations of the overhead electrical infeed
device 1410 of
FIGS. 16-18, in which different movable weighted pulley assemblies include
stabilizing
arms that engage the power cord section directly above the electrical power
outlet.
Referring to FIG. 27, a perspective view of a lower region of an overhead
electrical infeed
device, an electrical outlet assembly 2010 is suspended at the free end of a
cord 2012. The
2012 cord extends upwardly and over a fixed pulley of the type described above
with
reference to FIG. 16, and then down to a movable lower pulley 2014 that has a
weight 2016
to help counterbalance the weight of outlet assembly 2010. A horizontal
bracket or
stabilizing arm 2018 extends from an axle 2020 of the movable lower pulley
2014 to the
section of cord 2012 that is directly above the outlet assembly 2010. The
bracket arm 2018
includes a loop end 2018a that turns 180-degrees around the cord 2012 and is
fitted with a
grommet or bushing 2022. Loop end 2018a and bushing 2022 help to reduce
swaying and
limits the maximum height or elevation to which the housing 2010 can be
raised.
Counterweight 2016 is coupled to a downwardly-extending end 2018b of the
bracket arm
2018, and may be detachably coupled to permit exchanging for lighter or
heavier
counterweights according to the weight of the selected power outlet assembly
2010 and the
amount of retraction (outlet-raising) force desired.
[0081] The embodiments of FIGS. 28 and 29 are minor variations of the
embodiment of
FIG. 27. For example, in FIG. 28 there is shown a lower region of another
overhead
electrical infeed device in which an electrical outlet assembly 2110 is
suspended at the free
end of a cord 2112. A dual horizontal bracket arm 2118 has a pair of
vertically-spaced
horizontal legs 2118a that each loop around the cord 2112 and are joined by a
vertical leg
2118b that extends down from an axle 2120 of the movable lower pulley 2114 to
a
counterweight 2116. The counterweight 2116 may have a threaded bore for
attachment to
a threaded lower region of the vertical leg 2118b, to facilitate exchanging
for lighter or
heavier counterweights as desired.
21
CA 3068715 2020-01-17
Agent Docket No. P9346CA00
[0082] In FIG. 29 there is shown a lower region of another overhead electrical
infeed
device in which an electrical outlet assembly 2210 is suspended at the free
end of a cord
2212. A horizontal bracket arm 2218 extends from an axle 2220 of the movable
lower
pulley 2214 to the section of cord 2212 that is directly above the outlet
assembly 2210.
The bracket arm 2218 includes a loop end 2218a that turns 180-degrees around
the cord
2212 and is fitted with a grommet or bushing 2222. A counterweight 2216 is
coupled to a
downwardly-extending end 2218b of the bracket arm 2218 by a plurality of
fasteners 2224.
The fasteners 2224 are optionally removable to permit exchanging the
counterweight 2216
for lighter or heavier counterweights as desired.
[0083] FIGS. 30-32 illustrate another overhead electrical infeed device 2310
that is similar
to the device 1410 embodiment of FIG. 16-18, but with two separate and spaced-
apart
ceiling-mounted housings 2312, 2314. A power connection housing 2312 surrounds
a
fixed upper mount and power connection for a cord 2316, such as shown in FIGS.
30 and
32. A fixed pulley housing 2314 surrounds the upper region of a fixed pulley
2318 and
engages a spindle 2320 for the fixed pulley 2318, such as shown in FIGS. 30
and 31. A
movable weighted pulley assembly 2322 includes a shroud 2324 that surrounds a
lower end
of a movable pulley 2326, and that engages a spindle (not shown) of the
movable pulley
2326. An electrical power outlet assembly 2328 is suspended from a distal end
of the cord
2316, which is reeved over the fixed pulley 2318 and through the fixed pulley
housing
2314. The fixed pulley housing 2314 defines a pair of slots 2330 (FIG. 31)
through which
the cord 2316 passes. After passing over the fixed pulley 2328, the cord 2316
extends
down to the movable weighted pulley assembly 2322 where it is reeved below and
around
the movable pulley 2326 and back up to the power connection housing 2312 where
the
cord 2316 connects to a power source.
[0084] The power connection housing 2312 contains an electrical box 2332 with
conduits
2334 for routing electrical wiring to an electrical receptacle or splice
connections (not
shown) that supply power to the conductors of the electrical cord 2316, which
may be fitted
with a conventional plug 2336 as shown, or which may terminate in bare wire.
An inner
shroud 2338 is sized and shaped to pass around the outer walls of the
electrical box 2332 to
close a bottom opening of the electrical box 2332 while providing clearance
for the plug
2336 to extend below the electrical box 2332. However, it will be appreciated
that a more
22
CA 3068715 2020-01-17
Agent Docket No. P9346CA00
conventional bottom cover may be used for the electrical box 2332,
particularly if splice
connections are used instead of the plug 2336. The power connection housing
2312 and
inner shroud 2338 both have respective upper recesses 2340, 2342 that allow
the upper
portions of the housing 2312 and shroud 2338 to pass around the conduits 2334
for a
cleaner appearance. Two knockout pieces 2344 are shown at the power connection
2312
housing, where two additional upper recesses could be formed, if desired. The
power
connection housing 2312 and/or conduits 2334 may be attached to ceiling
structure in any
conventional manner. Referring again to FIG. 31, a top plate 2346 encloses the
fixed
pulley 2318 inside the fixed pulley housing 2314, while threaded fasteners
2348 may be
used to secure the top plate 2346 to a ceiling surface, thereby securing the
fixed pulley
2318 in a horizontally spaced arrangement from the power connection housing
231, such as
shown in FIG. 30.
100851 Turning now to FIG. 33, a freestanding overhead or elevated electrical
infeed
device 2410 includes a pivotable support arm 2412 that is fixed to an upper
end 2414a of
an upright support tube 2414. A power cord 2416 extends from a power source
(not
shown) into a base 2418 of the infeed device 2410 and up through the upright
support tube
2414, exiting the support tube 2414 at the upper end 2414a. From the support
tube 2414,
the power cord 2416 extends rearwardly to a movable pulley 2420 from which a
weight
2422 is hung. The power cord 2416 is reeved around the lower surface of the
movable
pulley 2420, and then extends further rearwardly to a rear support arm pulley
2424 at a rear
end 2412a of the support arm 2412. After being reeved around the rear support
arm pulley
2424, the cord 2416 extends forwardly along and above the support arm 2412 to
a forward
support arm pulley 2426 at a forward end 2412b of the support arm 2412. The
cord 2416 is
then reeved over the top of the forward support arm pulley 2426 and down to an
electrical
power outlet assembly 2428, which suspended from the cord 2416.
[0086] The movable pulley 2420 and its weight 2422 are free to move along the
cord 2416
in the cord region between the upright support tube 2414 and the rear support
arm pulley
2424. Vertical adjustment of the electrical outlet assembly 2428 may be
accomplished by
grasping pulling the assembly 2428 down, which raises the movable pulley 2420
and its
counterweight 2422, or by lifting the assembly 2428 to allow the movable
pulley 2420 and
its counterweight 2422 to drop. In the alternative, the movable pulley 2420
and its
23
CA 3068715 2020-01-17
Agent Docket No. P9346CA00
counterweight 2422 can be grasped and then raised and lowered to cause the
outlet
assembly 2428 to lower or rise, respectively. The pivotable support arm 2412
can be tilted
as desired to further adjust the height of the outlet assembly 2428 above a
floor surface
upon which the base 2418 is supported. As in the other embodiments described
above, the
weight 2422 may be selected to balance or overcome the weight of the outlet
assembly
2428, as desired.
100871 Thus, the overhead electrical infeed systems of the present invention
provide
various arrangements and mechanisms for providing convenient overhead access
to
electrical power for users of a work area, living space, or substantially any
enclosed or
partially-enclosed area having overhead support structure capable of
supporting electrical
wiring. Various embodiments may permit a power outlet assembly of the system
to be
retained at a desired lowered position for convenient access by a user, and
allow the user to
easily raise the power outlet assembly to an elevated position by simply
grasping and
moving the power outlet assembly to a desired elevation. Thus, users with
portable
electrical devices such as tools or appliances, or portable electronic devices
such as mobile
phones and computers, may be provided with convenient access to electrical
power at
overhead locations.
100881 Changes and modifications in the specifically-described embodiments may
be carried out without departing from the principles of the present invention,
which is
intended to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims as interpreted
according to
the principles of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents.
24
CA 3068715 2020-01-17
