GB2101175A

GB2101175A - Screen

Info

Publication number: GB2101175A
Application number: GB08218268A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Leslie Russell Lee Baillie
Original assignee: PROJECT OFFICE FURNITURE LIMIT
Current assignee: PROJECT OFFICE FURNITURE LIMIT
Priority date: 1981-06-27
Filing date: 1982-06-24
Publication date: 1983-01-12
Also published as: GB2101175B

Abstract

Partitioning having its own electrical connections for fitment of an appliance, the partitioning being in the form of a panel 1 having a guide member 6 which carries electrical wiring between a power source and a connector 7 for receiving the appliance wiring. The connection may be movable on the panel vertically and horizontally for selection of an appropriate position for connection to the appliance. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Screen This invention relates to a screen, especially but not exclusively a screen for use in partitioning areas of office space and the like.

It is well known to use screens in the form of panels to divide the area of an open-plan office into smaller sections, but in so doing problems can arise in providing an electricity supply to the partitioned area. Hitherto cables have been run from a mains supply on the permanent wall of the office through cables running either along the floor or suspended from the ceiling. In the former case there is a danger of office staff tripping over the cables, while the latter arrangement is unsightly.

According to the present invention there is provided partitioning comprising an upright panel, and a guide member extending from an edge of the panel and carrying electrical wiring between a first connector for a power source and a second connector on the panel which presents means for electrical engagement with an appliance.

Preferably the second connector is adjustable in position, for example slidable, on the guide member for easy access of an appliance. The guide member may be movable on the panel, and this can be achieved for example by providing formations at opposite ends of the panel, the guide member being mounted on the formations in a movable manner.

These formations may be pins or sockets for engagemenu with complementary formations on the guide member. Alternatively the formations may be runners in which the guide member is slidable. The guide member may therefore span the width of the panel.

The guide member and/or connectors may have permanent or temporary connections for the electrical wiring. Temporary connections are preferable when the connectors are movable relative to the panel so that an appropriate length of wiring can be used.

The panels may be interconnectable, and the connectors on adjacent screens may be wired together, generally in series, for supply from a single mains power source.

The connector may have one or more connections for engagement with an electrical appliance. These connections may be standard sockets for receiving a plug on the appliance.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figures 1 and 2 are perspective views of alternative systems using screens of the present invention.

Corresponding parts of the screens in Figures 1 and 2 have been given the same reference numerals.

Referring to Figure leach screen has a rectangular panel 1 held between two upright side supports 2 which are apertured at the front faces in two parallel rows of spaced slots 3. At their bottom ends the supports 2 have feet 4 to give stability.

The system of Figure 1 is made up of three side-by-side screens.

Mounted on the side supports 2 of each screen and spanning between them is an electrical connector assembly 5 made up of a plastics housing 6 having a pair of 3-pin 13 amp electrical sockets 7 set into it. A 3-core cable runs from the sockets 7 inside the housing 6 and connects with a main cable which runs from an upper socket 8 and a corresponding lower socket (not shown) on the underside of the housing 6 to an upper socket 9 and a corresponding lower socket (not shown) at the other end of the housing 6. The upper and lower sockets provide alternative connections for electrical wiring to a mains supply and to adjacent screens.

In Figure 1 the mains supply is shown as a permanent connection through a cable 10 to the first screen, but this can be replaced by a plug engaging in the upper or lower socket. The central screen is connected to the screen on the electrical "input" side by a short cable 11 and to the other screen by a coiled length of cable 12. In each case the exposed cable is kept adjacent the screens and does not present a danger to office staff.

Each housing 6 has at each end a bracket 13 having projections which engage in the slots 3 of the supports 2 to hold the housing 6 in position. The housing can be moved simply by releasing the projections from the slots 3 and re-inserting them at another position on the supports 2.

Referring now to Figure 2, the general arrangement is similarto that of Figure 1, but the housing 6 is replaced by a channel member 14 formed by a plastics or metal extrusion. The channel member 14 holds a multi-socket electrical adaptor 15 in a manner allowing the adaptor to be slidable along the channel.

The channel members 14 of Figure 2 are movable in position on the supports 2 as are the housings 6 of Figure 1.

In each of these embodiments a screen system is provided with a number of electrical sockets for plugging in typewriters, heaters, dictating machines, calculators and other items of electrical equipment without having cables lying on the floor or passing overhead.

Modifications and improvements can be incorporated without departing from the scope of the invention.

1. Partitioning comprising an upright panel, and a guide member extending from an edge of the panel and carrying electrical wiring between a first connectorfor a power source and a second connector on the panel which presents means for electrical engagement with an appliance.

2. Partitioning according to Claim 1, wherein the guide member is movable on the panel.

3. Partitioning according to Claim 2, wherein the guide member is held between formations at opposite edges of the panel and is movable along the formations.

4. Partitioning according to Claim 3, wherein the formations are in the form of upright runners along which the guide member is slidable.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Screen This invention relates to a screen, especially but not exclusively a screen for use in partitioning areas of office space and the like. It is well known to use screens in the form of panels to divide the area of an open-plan office into smaller sections, but in so doing problems can arise in providing an electricity supply to the partitioned area. Hitherto cables have been run from a mains supply on the permanent wall of the office through cables running either along the floor or suspended from the ceiling. In the former case there is a danger of office staff tripping over the cables, while the latter arrangement is unsightly. According to the present invention there is provided partitioning comprising an upright panel, and a guide member extending from an edge of the panel and carrying electrical wiring between a first connector for a power source and a second connector on the panel which presents means for electrical engagement with an appliance. Preferably the second connector is adjustable in position, for example slidable, on the guide member for easy access of an appliance. The guide member may be movable on the panel, and this can be achieved for example by providing formations at opposite ends of the panel, the guide member being mounted on the formations in a movable manner. These formations may be pins or sockets for engagemenu with complementary formations on the guide member. Alternatively the formations may be runners in which the guide member is slidable. The guide member may therefore span the width of the panel. The guide member and/or connectors may have permanent or temporary connections for the electrical wiring. Temporary connections are preferable when the connectors are movable relative to the panel so that an appropriate length of wiring can be used. The panels may be interconnectable, and the connectors on adjacent screens may be wired together, generally in series, for supply from a single mains power source. The connector may have one or more connections for engagement with an electrical appliance. These connections may be standard sockets for receiving a plug on the appliance. Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figures 1 and 2 are perspective views of alternative systems using screens of the present invention. Corresponding parts of the screens in Figures 1 and 2 have been given the same reference numerals. Referring to Figure leach screen has a rectangular panel 1 held between two upright side supports 2 which are apertured at the front faces in two parallel rows of spaced slots 3. At their bottom ends the supports 2 have feet 4 to give stability. The system of Figure 1 is made up of three side-by-side screens. Mounted on the side supports 2 of each screen and spanning between them is an electrical connector assembly 5 made up of a plastics housing 6 having a pair of 3-pin 13 amp electrical sockets 7 set into it. A 3-core cable runs from the sockets 7 inside the housing 6 and connects with a main cable which runs from an upper socket 8 and a corresponding lower socket (not shown) on the underside of the housing 6 to an upper socket 9 and a corresponding lower socket (not shown) at the other end of the housing 6. The upper and lower sockets provide alternative connections for electrical wiring to a mains supply and to adjacent screens. In Figure 1 the mains supply is shown as a permanent connection through a cable 10 to the first screen, but this can be replaced by a plug engaging in the upper or lower socket. The central screen is connected to the screen on the electrical "input" side by a short cable 11 and to the other screen by a coiled length of cable 12. In each case the exposed cable is kept adjacent the screens and does not present a danger to office staff. Each housing 6 has at each end a bracket 13 having projections which engage in the slots 3 of the supports 2 to hold the housing 6 in position. The housing can be moved simply by releasing the projections from the slots 3 and re-inserting them at another position on the supports 2. Referring now to Figure 2, the general arrangement is similarto that of Figure 1, but the housing 6 is replaced by a channel member 14 formed by a plastics or metal extrusion. The channel member 14 holds a multi-socket electrical adaptor 15 in a manner allowing the adaptor to be slidable along the channel. The channel members 14 of Figure 2 are movable in position on the supports 2 as are the housings 6 of Figure 1. In each of these embodiments a screen system is provided with a number of electrical sockets for plugging in typewriters, heaters, dictating machines, calculators and other items of electrical equipment without having cables lying on the floor or passing overhead. Modifications and improvements can be incorporated without departing from the scope of the invention. CLAIMS

5. Partitioning according to Claim 3, wherein the formations engage with the guide member through a pin-and-socket arrangement.

6. Partitioning according to any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the second connector is movable along the guide member.

7. Partitioning according to Claim 6, wherein the guide member forms a channel within which the second connector and the wiring are retained.

8. Partitioning according to any one of the preceding Claims, wherein a plurality cfthe panels are interconnected to form a continuous screen, and the electrical wiring of adjacent panels is connected in series.

9. Partitioning substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.

10. Partitioning substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings.