CA1278812C - Work surface with power and communication module - Google Patents

Abstract

WORK SURFACE WITH POWER AND COMMUNICATION MODULE

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A work surface structure having a power/communica-tion module integral therewith. This module is hidden beneath a door which is flush with and forms a part of the top of the work surface structure. This module permits numerous power and communication (i.e. data) cables to be fed into the module for connection to appropriate connectors, and excess lengths of cable can be stored within a compartment of the module.

Description

8~2 WORK SURFACE WITH POWER AND COMMUNICATION MODULE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a work surface structure, such as a table for mounting on a wall panel, having a power and communication module associated therewith.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A typical ofEice has numerous power and communica-tion cables which connect to equipment (such as com-puters) mounted on a work surface such as a table or desk. In many ofices, large open areas are subdivided by systems oE upright wall panels which mount thereon accessories such as work tables, the latter commonly being reFerred to as "work surfaces". Due to the amount of equipment positioned on the work surfaces and the substantial number of power and communication cables which extend therefrom, the handling of these cables both on the work surface and in the surrounding environ-ment, such as on the floor, has created a serious problem.
In an attempt to resolve this problem, numerous solutions have been sugcJested. For example, power receptacles have been mounted in walls substantially at desk height so as to avoid running cords along the .?"~
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floor, although such receptacles still result in unde-sirable lengths of ca~le being positioned on the work surface so as to significantly interfere with usage thereof. Power receptacles have also been provided directly on the upper surface of the work surface, but these possess the same disadvantage. Attempts have also been made to provide a large recessed channel along one edge of the work surface, although such channel is normally accessible by a large removahle cover which does not permit efficient utilization of all the avail-able work surface.
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved work surface structure, either for mounting on a wall panel or for a free standing table or desk, which significantly improved upon the known structures by eliminating or minimizing many of the above disadvantages. The improved work surface struc-ture of this invention provides a power/communication module associated therewith. This module is con-veniently accessible, but is hidden beneath a coverwhich is flush with and forms a part of the top of the work surface structure so as to not interfere with the usability of the overall working surface area. This module permits numerous power and communication cables to be fed into the module for connection to appropriate connectors, and excess lengths of cable can be stored within a compartment of the module.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF T~IE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a front perspective view of the work surface structure illustrating the cover in a closed position.
Figure 2 is a similar view showing the cover in an open position.

Figure 3 is a rear perspective view.
Figure 4 is a side elevational view of the work surface structure as mounted on a wall panel.
Figure 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view taken along line V-V in Figure 6.
Figure 5A is a fragmentary sectional view of a modification.
Figure 6 is a fragmentary, sectional view taken along line VI-VI in Figure 5.
Figure 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary, elevational view showing the backside of the work surface structure.
Figure 8 is a sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in Figure 7.
Figure 9 is a perspective view which illustrates a modified work surface arrangement according to the present invention, two such arrangements being disposed in side-by-side relationship.
Figure 10 is a partial sectional view taken along line X-X in Figure 9.
Figure 11 is a perspective view which illustrates the power and communication channel arrangement of Figures 9-10 in an exploded condition.
DETAILED DRSCRIPTION
Figures 1-4 illustrate a work surface structure 10 according to the present invention. This structure includes a flat sheetlike top member 11 having parallel front and rear edges 12 and 13, respectively, and parallel end edyes 1~. The top member defines thereon a horizontally enlarged planar upper working surface 15.
The structure 10 is provided with a pair of L-shaped support arms 16 which detachably mount to the undersurface of the structure 10 directly adjacent the opposite end edges thereof. These support arms 16 have rearwardly projecting hooks ]7 associated with the vertical leg thereof, which hooks releasably engage within a vertically slotted end post as associated with an upright wall panel 18. The structure 10 projects outwardly from the front surface 19 of the wall panel in substantially perpendicular relationship thereto. The arms 16 and their attachment to the structure 10 and panel 18 is conventional and is illustrated in U.S.
Patent No. 4 198 913.
The work surface structure 10 mounts thereon a power and communication module 31 disposed adjacent the reax edge 13 of top member 11 and is accessible through an access opening 32, the latter being closed by a swingable cover 33.
The power and communication module 31 includes an elongated channel 36 fixed to the underside of the top 11. Channel 36 extends longitudinally throughout substantially the full length of top 11 and is disposed closely adjacen~ the rear edye 13 thereof. Channel 36 includes a front wall 37, a bottom wall 38 and a rear wall 39 which is o~ a generally Z-shaped configuration.
Rear wall 39 includes a lower vertical portion 41 and an upper vertical portion 42 which is offset rearwardly.
These portions 41 and ~2 are joined by an int~rmediate portion 43 which slopes upwardly and rearwardly from the lower portion 41 to the upper portion 42 at an angle of approximately 45. Channel 36 is closed at opposite ends by end walls 44 and 45. The upper s;de of the channel 36 is generally closed by the top member 11.
The channel 36 has intermediate divider walls 46 and 47 which extend vertically thereacross close to but slightly outwardly from the end edges of the access opening 32.

The channel 36 defines therein a first cable storage compartment 48 as disposed between end wall 44 and divider 46, this compartment being accessihle through an opening 49 formed in the rear wall 39. A
second cable storage compartment 51 is formed between end wall 45 and divider wall 47, and a further opening 52 is formed in rear wall 39 so as to access the compart-ment 51.
Channel 36 also defines therein a console compart-ment 53 which extends between the dividers 46 and 47 and is accessible through the opening 32. Compartment 53 is divided into cable storage chambers 54 and 55 by an intermediate divider wall 56. This wall 56 extends upwardly from bottom wall 38 to an elevation correspond-ing to the height of the lower rear wall portion 41.
The power and communication module 31 includes a power unit 61 detachably secured to the channel 36 and accessible from the console compartment 53. This power unit 61 (Figures 3 and 4) includes a housing 62 which is of a five-sided configuration and includes a lower vertical front wall 63 and an upper sloped front wall 64, which walls are positionable directly adjacent the rear walls 41 and 43, respectively. The power unit 61 is secured to channe] 36 by fasteners 65 and 66.
Power unit 61 mounts thereon a plurality, here six, of conventional three-hole electrical receptacles 67 which project outwardly from the sloped front wall 64.
The rear wall portion 43 of channel 36, within the compartment 53, has an elongated slot 68 which is closed by the sloped wall 64 of the power unit 61 so that the receptacles 67 project through the slot 68 and are accessible within the compartment 53. The one cable storage chamber 54 extends throughout approximately the B~

length of the power unit 61 and is positioned in front of the receptacles 67.
Power unit 61 has a cord 69 projecting therefrom and terminating in a plug adapted for insertion into an electrical receptacle to energize the power unit 61.
The power unit 61 is preferably provided with one of the receptacles 67 functioning as a master receptacle so as to permit energization of the remaining recepta-cles only when the master receptacle has an equipment plugged therein. The power unit can also be provided with filtering equipment if necessary. The internal structure of the power unit 61 is conventional.
The console compartment 53 also provides access to a communication connector unit 75. For this purpose, the rear wall portion 43 of the channel has a further elongated slot 76 formed therethrough and extending substantially along the length of the other cable storage chamber 55. A connector support plate 77 is secured to the wall portion 43, as by screws 78, to close off the slot 76. This support plate 77 has connector holes 79 therethrough, such as holes 79A
through 79D. These holes have configurations for mounting therein standard communication connectors, such as for computer or telephone connectors. The connectors (not shown~ are individually secured to the support plate 77 in a conventional manner so that the connectors project into and are accessible from within the compart-ment 53. The connectors project upwardly and inwardly at an ang1e of substantially 45 degrees, similar to receptacles 67, so as to be accessible through access opening 32 when cover 33 is open. The support plate 77 is detachahly secured to the channel 36, and a family of .7~

plates 77 ~lay be provided having different combinations of connector holes therein.
The cover 33 has a rear edge 81 which aligns with the top member rear edge 13 when the cover is closed.
This cover 33 has a flat upper surface 82 which, when the cover is closed, is coplanar with and defines an extension of the upper working surface 15.
Cover 33 is secured by a horizontally elongated hinge 83~ such as a piano-type hinge, to the channel 36.
This hinge 83 is spaced inwardly from the rear edges 13 and 81 to enable the cover to vertically swing upwardly into an open vertical position as illustrated by dot-ted lines in Figure 4. When in this open position, cover 33 is positioned forwardly from rear edge 13 so that the cover will accommodate the positioning of a tack board 22 (Figure 4) on the wall panel. This positioning of the hinge also effects a partial counterbalancing of the cover during its swinging movement, and in fact the cover weight is disposed rearwardly of the hinge when ~he cover is fully opened so as to hold the cover open.
To support the cover 33 in its closed position (Figure 6), the front edge 84 of the cover rests against a small horizontal flange 85 which is secured to the front wall of the channel 36.
The end edges of the access opening 32 have strips 86 of a resilient or elastomeric material secured thereto, as by adhesive bonding. These strips 86 may be of a generally L-shaped configuration as illustrated in Figure 5. In fact, the upper leg is preferably of a hollow tubelike configuration as shown in Figure 5A to facilitate the compression thereof. The end edges 87 of the cover may be inwardly sloped as they pro~ect down-wardly to facilitate snug engagement of the edges 87 with the resilient strips 86 when the cover is moved into its closed position.
The strips 86 are preferably of substantial width, such as in the order of 1/2 to 3/4 inch, to permit sufficient deformatiorl so as to enable electrical, communication or data cab]es to pass through the strips 86 directly adjacent the cover edges 87, as illustrated by cables 88 in Figure 1.
OPERATION
To energize the power unit 61, the plug on cord 69 is inserted into a conventional receptacle. If neces-sary, any excess length of cord can be coiled and positioned within storage compartment 51.
Similarly, communication cables can be fed from external loca-tions to the rear of the support plate 77 for connection to appropriate connectors. Any excess length of cable can be coiled and inserted into the compartment 48 or 51.
User equipment such as telephones, computers and the li~e are supported on surface 15. Cover 33 is manually swung open. Equipment having conventional plugs is electrified by inserting the plugs into the receptacles 67. Similarly, communication cables are joined to the connectors associated with the connector unit 75. The user can insert any excess power cable into the storage chamber 54, and any excess data/communication cable into the storage chamher 55.
The cables leaving the compartment 53 are positioned so that they pass over one of the deformable edge strips 86, whereupon the cover 33 is then manually closed. The cables can be slid rearwardly along the strips ~6 toward the rear edge 13 so as to position the cables in a location whlch is least apt to cxeate an inconvenience to the user. After closing of the cover 33, some of the equipment can be positioned over the cover if desired.
The a-ttachment of power/data/communication cables to the power and communication module is simple and convenient since, when cover 33 is open, all of the power/data/communication connectors are oriented for-wardly and upwardly at an angle of about 45. At the same time, the connectors are disposed entirely below the cover when the latter is closed.
~ODIFICATION
Figures 9-11 illustrate a modified work surface structure 110 according to the invention. This struc-ture includes a flat sheetlike top member 111 which defines a horizon-tally enlarged planar upper working surface 114 and has substantially parallel rear and front edges 112 and 113.
The work surface structure 110 has a power and communication module 115 associated therewith. This module 115 includes an elongated channel arrangement 116 fixed to and extending longitudinally along the rear edge of the top member 111. This channel arrangement 116 includes a shallow upwardly opening channel member 117 having a bottom wall 118 and upwardly projecting sidewalls 121 and 122. The channel arrangement 116 extends throughout the complete length of the work surface structure 110. The channel 117 defines a top opening 123 providing access into the interior space 124 defined within the channel. This opening 123 is at least partially closed by a plurality of covers 126 disposed side-by-side. Each cover 126 is connected at its front edge by a molded plastic hinge 125 to the channel sidewall 121 adjacent the upper end thereof, whereby the cover 126 has a hinge whlch is close to the ~.~7~ 2 --10~

upper surface 114 so that cover 126 can be swung upwardly and forwardly into an open position wherein it lays over the surface 114, as appearing in Figure 10.
This provides access to the channel space 12~ through the full width of the top opening 123. Cover 126, however, can be swung into a closed position wherein it extends substantially across the -top opening 123 and is substantially coplanar with the top surface 11~. ~Ihen in this closed position, the cover 126, adjacent the free edge thereof, bears on a pair of fixed stops 127 which engage the cover adjacent the opposite ends thereof.
wnlen the cover or covers 126 are in the closed position, the covers have upwardly projecting flanges 128 adjacent the free ends thereof, and these flanges are spaced forwardly from an opposed flange 129 formed on the rear sidewall of the channel member 117. These flanges 128 and 12~ are spaced apart by an access slot 131 which is relatively narrow, such as one-half inch to one inch in width. This access slot 131 extends the full length of the channel and provides continuous communication to the space 124 for permitting communication and/or electrical cables to project outwardly therethrough for connection to equipment located on the work surface, even when the covers are closed.
The bottom wall 118 has openings 133 and 134 extending therethrough. The bottom wall 118 defines bridge portions 136 which separate the openl.ngs from one another or from the adjacent end of the channel.
The opening 133 supports therein an elongated housing or tray module 1~1 (Figure 11) which is of a generally channel-shaped configuration and includes a bottom wall 142 joined to upwardly projecting sidewalls 8~

143, the latter at their upper ends having outwardly projecting mounting flanyes 144. This tray 141 defines an appropriate storage compartment 146 therein which is rather shallow, and the opposite ends of the tray are open as indicated at 147.
The tray 1~1. has a length which corresponds to that oE opening l.33, and the tray is positioned within and projects downwardly through the opening 133. The tray can be moved downwardly throu~h the opening 133 so that ]0 the sidewalls 143 define a snug fit with the edges o-E
the opening 133. The flanges 144 project outwardly and overlap ribs 148 defined by the bottom wall 118. With the tray 141 supported within the opening 133, the bottom wall 1~2 is disposed downwardly a small distance from the c'nannel bottom wall 118. This increases the usable space of the channel arrangement when the covers are closed, thereby providing additional space for storage oE cables.
Depending upon where the cables originate, the cables can pass outwardly through the open end 147 of the tray to project downwardly Eor connection to a communication point disposed near the floor.
One o-E the openings, such as opening 134, can be provided with a housing or tray module 151 which mounts an electrical power unit 150 to permit electrical power receptacles and the like to be provided substantially at work surface height.
Tray 151 has sidewalls 152 and 153 which define an enlarged compartment 154 therebetween, which sidewalls at their upper ends terminate in outwardly projecting flanges 156. These flan~es 156 project outwardly to overlap and be supported by the ribs 148 which extend along the bottom wall 118.

.7~

As illustrated by Figures 10 and 11, the sidewalls 152 and 153 of the tray have respective lower wall portions 161 and 16~ which slope downwardly and rear-wardly to provide the interior channel space 154 with substantial depth. These wall portlons 161-162 are joined by a sloped bottom wall 163. This provides the channel space 154 with sufficient space to accommodake therein the power unit 150, the latter being fixedly secured to this bottom wall 163.
The power unit 150 is conventional (and corresponds to unit 161 described above) and includes a plurality of conventional electrical receptacles 164 accessible through a sidewall of the housing. Power is supplied to the unit 150 through a conventional power cord 156.
While the illustrated tray 151 mounts the power unit 150 in the interior thereof, the power unit can a~so be mounted to the external side of the tray similar to that illustrated by Figures 3-6 so as to project up through the bottom wall 163.
Wall 163 also has an opening 176 which is covered by plate 177, the latter being adapted to have a communication connector mounted thereon (similar to plate 77 in Figure 5).
The tray 151 also has an auxiliary cab]e-holding tray 167 associated therewith. This latter comprises a channel-like member which is ~ixed to and projects downwardly from the tray 151. Channel member 167 defines therein a storage compartment 173 for excess cable, this compartment ]73 being accessible through an opening 174 which faces rearwardly. The lower leg has a flange 176 projecting upwardly a small extent along the rear edge thereof, thereby partially closing off the compartment 173 to facilitate the confinement of cable therein.

7~

The module 115 can, in its entirety, be readily fitted to virtually any type of work surface 110, and can be retrofitted to existing work surfaces. For this purpose, the channel member 117 has a forwardly project-ing mounting flange 181 adapted to snugly overlie the upper surface of the work surface member 111. A further platelike mounting flange 182 is secured to the under-side of the work surface member 111. This flange 182 comprises an elongated platelike strip which is fixed to and extends throughout the length of the channel member.
With this arrangement, the channel arrangement can be readily fitted, either .in the factory or at the job site, to a preconstructed work surface member.
When the work surface arrangement 110 is positioned to define an exposed edge, the end of the channel 117 may be closed by an end cap 186 which is secured in position by a pair of screws.
When the tray 151 is utilized, as appearing in Figure 10, the storage compartment 154 defined within the interior of tray 151 provides substantial space for storage of cables, particularly since this provides accessible space which projects downwardly below the receptacles 164. The cables can be stored in the bottom portion of this space 154, and hence not interfere with access to the receptacles 164. The cables can, if required, extend out through openings defined at opposite ends of the tray 151.

Claims (17)

1. In combination, an upright space-divider wall panel, and a work surface structure detachably mounted on said wall panel so as to project generally horizon-tally outwardly from one side of said wall panel in generally cantilevered relationship relative thereto, said work surface structure having a horizontally extending platelike top member with a substantially planar upper working surface, the top member being of substantially rectangular configuration and including front and rear edges and a pair of end edges extending therebetween, said work surface structure comprising:
a power module means secured to said top member adjacent to and extending longitudinally along said rear edge for providing electrical power for electrical equipment adapted to be supported on said top member;
an upwardly-oriented access opening associated with said power module means, said access opening being adjacent said rear edge and horizontally elongated generally parallel therewith;
cover means pivotally supported relative to said top member for movement between (1) a closed position where-in it closes off said access opening and is substan-tially flush with said upper working surface and (2) an open position wherein said access opening is exposed;
said module means including a housing which is secured to and projects downwardly relative to said top member and defines therein a main compartment which is disposed below and accessible through said access open-ing, said housing being horizontally elongated generally parallel with said rear edge;
said module means including an electrical power unit removably secured to said housing and having a wall which mounts thereon a plurality of electrical recep-tacles, said wall and the electrical receptacles thereon being accessible solely from said main compartment, said wall being spaced downwardly from said cover means and being sloped upwardly as it projects rearwardly so as to face both upwardly and forwardly for increased acces-sibility and visibility of the receptacles mounted thereon when the cover means is in its open position;
and said main compartment as defined within said housing defining an open space in front of said wall and extend-ing downwardly below said receptacles for storing cables therein.

2. A combination according to claim 1, wherein the housing has a rear wall portion which is generally parallel with the wall of the power unit and has opening means extending therethrough, a communication support plate secured thereto so as to overlap the last-mentioned opening means, said communication support plate having at least one connector opening extending therethrough, at least one communication connector mounted on said support plate and projecting through the connector opening so as to project into said main com-partment, and said power unit being attached to said housing rearwardly of said rear wall portion.

3. A combination according to claim 1, wherein said housing includes front and rear walls which are horizontally spaced apart and project generally down-wardly in substantially parallel relationship from said top member for defining said main compartment there-between, said housing including a further wall which is spaced downwardly from said rear wall and which is sloped upwardly as it projects rearwardly for joining with said rear wall so that said further wall faces generally upwardly and forwardly for increased acces-sibility and visibility through the access opening when the cover means is in its open position, said further wall having said power unit associated therewith but disposed rearwardly thereof so that the plurality of receptacles extend along a plane which is generally parallel with said further wall, said further wall also having communication connector means mounted thereon so as to be accessible solely from said main compartment.

4. A combination according to claim 1, wherein the housing defines an elongated channel which extends longitudinally adjacent the rear edge of said top member throughout substantially the full longitudinal extent thereof, said channel including a secondary storage compartment for cable therein which is disposed longitudinally adjacent said main compartment.

5. In combination, an upright space-divider wall panel, and a work surface structure detachably mounted on said wall panel so as to project generally horizon-tally outwardly from one side of said wall panel in generally cantilevered relationship relative thereto, said work surface structure having a horizontally extending platelike top member with a substantially planar upper working surface, the top member being of substantially rectangular configuration and including front and rear edges and a pair of end edges extending therebetween, said work surface structure comprising:
horizontally elongated channel means stationarily secured relative to said top member adjacent said rear edge and extending therealong throughout substantially the full length of said top member, said channel means defining therein a main storage compartment which opens downwardly relative to said upper working surface and is defined between front and rear walls for permitting storage of cables or wires within said main compartment, said main compartment being horizontally elongated in a direction generally along said rear edge and defining an upwardly-oriented access opening for providing access thereto;
cover means pivotally supported relative to said top member for movement between (1) a closed position where-in it closes off said access opening and is substan-tially flush with said upper working surface and (2) an open position wherein said access opening is exposed;
power module means secured to said channel means for providing electrical power for electrical equipment adapted to be supported on said top member, said power module means including an electrical power unit re-movably secured to said channel means and having a wall which mounts thereon a plurality of electrical recep-tacles, said last-mentioned wall and the electrical receptacles thereon being accessible solely from said main compartment, said last-mentioned wall being spaced downwardly from said cover means and being sloped up-wardly as it projects rearwardly so as to face both upwardly and forwardly for increased accessibility and visibility of the receptacles mounted thereon when the cover means is in its open position;
said main compartment defining therein an open space in front of said last-mentioned wall and extending down-wardly below said receptacles for storing wires or cables therein; and said channel means defining therein a secondary compartment which is also disposed adjacent said rear edge and spaced longitudinally therealong from said main compartment, said secondary compartment permitting wires or cables to be disposed therein.

6. A combination according to claim 5, wherein said power unit is positioned rearwardly of said rear wall.

7. In a work surface structure having a horizon-tally enlarged top member with an enlarged and substan-tially planar upper working surface, the top member being of substantially rectangular configuration and including longitudinally extending front and rear edges, the improvement comprising:
channel means fixedly secured to and extending longitudinally along said rear edge for defining an elongated channel-like space for cables or conduits, said channel means including a longitudinally elongated channel-like member having a bottom wall, and openable cover means associated with said channel-like member and being pivotally mounted relative thereto for swinging movement between open and closed positions, said cover means when in said closed position extending across and substantially closing off the upper side of said channel member and being approximately flush with the upper working surface;
said bottom wall of said channel-like member having first and second openings extending therethrough, said openings being spaced apart from one another and individually elongated in the longitudinal direction of said channel-like member;
first and second removable, longitudinally elongated tray modules respectively positioned within said first and second openings and removably supported on the bottom wall of said channel-like member, said first and second tray modules substantially occupying said first and second openings and having side flanges which up-wardly overlap said bottom wall adjacent the sides of said openings for permitting the tray modules to be removably supported on the bottom wall when occupying said first and second openings.

8. A structure according to claim 7, wherein said first tray module has a shallow channel-shaped cross section defined by a bottom wall and a pair of upwardly projecting sidewalls which terminate in said side flanges which project over and are supportingly engaged on the bottom wall of the channel-like member, the bottom wall of said first tray module being substan-tially parallel with but spaced downwardly a small distance from the bottom wall of said channel-like member.

9. A structure according to claim 7, wherein said first tray module is of a shallow channel-shaped cross section for permitting storage of cables therein, and wherein said second tray module is of a deep channel-shaped cross section, said second tray module mounting therein on a wall thereof an electrical power block which defines thereon a plurality of conventional recep-tacles.

10. A structure according to claim 9, wherein said channel-like member is of shallow depth in that the channel-like member has a depth which is similar to the depth of the top member, and said first and second tray modules projecting downwardly beyond the bottom wall of said channel-like member.

11. A structure according to claim 7, wherein said cover means is hinged adjacent its forward edge so that the cover means swing backwardly toward the front edge of said top member when opened, said cover means when closed having a width less than the width of the channel-like space to define a continuously open elon-gated access opening extending along the free edge of the cover means for permitting cables to extend there-through.

12. A structure according to claim 7, wherein said channel-like member includes a top mounting flange which extends longitudinally along the upper edge of one sidewall and projects forwardly outwardly to overlap the working surface of said top member, said channel means including a lower longitudinally elongated platelike mounting flange which extends substantially parallel to said top flange and overlaps a lower surface of said top member adjacent the rear edge thereof, said lower mount-ing flange being fixedly secured longitudinally to said top member and said channel-like member so that said top member in the vicinity of the rear edge thereof is rigidly sandwiched between said top and lower flanges.

13. A work surface structure having a horizontally extending platelike top member with a substantially planar upper working surface, the top member being of substantially rectangular configuration and including front and rear edges and a pair of end edges extending therebetween, comprising:
a power module means secured to said top member adjacent to and extending longitudinally along said rear edge for providing electrical power for electrical equipment adapted to be supported on said top member;
an upwardly-oriented access opening associated with said power module means, said access opening being adjacent said rear edge and horizontally elongated generally parallel therewith;
said module means including a housing which is secured to and projects downwardly from said top member and defines therein a main compartment which is disposed below and accessible through said access opening, said housing being horizontally elongated generally parallel with said rear edge;
a rear flange extending longitudinally along the rear edge of said access opening and being fixedly related relative to the top member;
cover means pivotally supported by a hinge for movement relative to said top member between (1) a closed position wherein it closes off said access open-ing and is substantially flush with said upper working surface and (2) an open position wherein said access opening is exposed;
said cover means being hinged relative to the top member along a longitudinally extending front edge of the cover means so that the cover means swings upwardly and forwardly about the hinge when being moved into the open position, said cover means when in the open posi-tion overlapping a part of the upper working surface, said cover means having a longitudinally extending free edge which is disposed adjacent but spaced slightly forwardly from said rear flange when said cover means is closed so as to define between said free edge and said rear flange a narrow longitudinally extending slot which communicates with said main compartment for permitting cables to pass therethrough;
said module means including an electrical power unit removably secured to said housing and having a wall which mounts thereon a plurality of electrical recep-tacles, said wall and the electrical receptacles thereon being accessible solely from said main compartment, said wall being spaced downwardly from said cover means and being sloped upwardly as it projects rearwardly so as to face both upwardly and forwardly for increased acces-sibility and visibility of the receptacles mounted thereon when the cover means is in its open position;
and said main compartment as defined within said housing defining an open space in front of said wall and extend-ing downwardly below said receptacles for storing cables therein.

14. A structure according to claim 13, wherein the housing defines an elongated channel which extends longitudinally along the rear edge of said top member throughout the full longitudinal extent thereof, said channel including a secondary storage compartment there-in which is disposed longitudinally adjacent said main compartment.

15. A structure according to claim 13, wherein said cover means includes a plurality of individual covers which are disposed in side-by-side relationship lon-gitudinally along said access opening, said covers being individually pivotally movable between open and closed positions about a common hinge axis.

16. A work surface structure having longitudinally extending front and rear edges joined together by side edges, said structure including a top member which defines thereon a substantially planar upper working surface, comprising:
a power module means secured to said top member and extending longitudinally along said rear edge for provi-ding electrical power for electrical equipment adapted to be supported on said top member;
said power module means including an elongated channel-like housing which is fixed relative to said top member and extends longitudinally along and directly adjacent said rear edge, said channel-like housing opening downwardly from said upper working surface and defining therein an interior compartment, said channel-like housing also having in the upper extremity thereof an upwardly-oriented access opening disposed substan-tially within the plane of said upper working surface;
manually movable cover means pivotally supported relative to said top member for movement between (1) a closed position wherein it substantially closes off said access opening and is substantially flush with said upper working surface and (2) an open position wherein the access opening is exposed, said cover means being connected by a hinge along its longitudinally extending front edge relative to said top member so that the cover means is swung upwardly and forwardly to overlap the upper working surface when the cover means is moved into its open position, said cover means when in said closed position being disposed with its free edge disposed rearwardly from said hinge in close proximity to said rear edge, the free edge of said cover means when in said closed position cooperating with said access open-ing to define a narrow longitudinally extending slot which is disposed closely adjacent said rear edge and permits cables to project through said slot into said compartment;
said module means including an electrical power unit removably secured to said housing and having a wall which mounts thereon a plurality of electrical recep-tacles, said wall and the electrical receptacles thereon being accessible solely from said compartment, said wall being spaced downwardly from said cover means, said compartment including a space therein disposed below said cover means for permitting storage of cable.

17. A structure according to claim 16, wherein said cover means includes a plurality of individually swin-gable cover members arranged longitudinally along said access opening in side-by-side relationship.