GB2305855A - Power supply on work surfaces - Google Patents

Abstract

A structure comprising a retractable array of power sockets is provided at a work station, to enable e.g. computer, printer, modem, etc., to be connected thereto. The structure consists of an upright column 21 to which a single power supply is connected and having an array of power sockets 22. The array is carried by a carrier member 24 which can be slid from a depressed position under the work surface, to an elevated position above the work surface, in which the array of sockets is accessible. In the depressed position, the top 26 of the structure is flush with the work surface. The carrier member is moveable under the action of a gas spring, and the member can be pushed back to the depressed position, in which it is releasably latched, after connection of the electrical equipment, and the cables from the equipment can be largely contained out of sight in the columnar structure.

Description

Improvements relating to power supplies on work surfaces This invention relates to improvements in power supply means on work surfaces, and in particular to multiple power supply on office desks and means of concealing such a supply in a corner leg support of such a desk.

Before the occurrence of desktop personal computers, desks were designed to accommodate typewriters, which were initially large and cumbersome items. A simple rectangular desk did not have sufficient surface area to accommodate both ample working space and such typewriters, and so an additional section, at a lower level from the main desk, (to facilitate a comfortable typing posture, as the keyboards on such typewriters were elevated above the base of the machine) was frequently added on one side of the (usually central) sitting position of the desk. This section, known as a "typist return", was often integral in the construction of the desk and made the desk L-shaped in plan.

As these typewriters required only a single power connection and were unlikely to be moved, such desks were usually conveniently situated adjacent a wall provided with such a power source, obviating the need for any cabling measures and power socket arrangements within the desk.

Initial desktop computers were also cumbersome, and often all the necessary components (such as hard disk drive, visual display unit, and keyboard) were housed within a single unit. However, although the desk which had previously accommodated the typewriters could easily accommodate the new computers, the typing position was uncomfortable due to the lower typist return section of the desk. Thus the typist return section was raised to become level with work surface area of the desk, enabling the desk to be manufactured using a single Lshaped top surface.

Currently, more than one item of electronic equipment may need to be positioned on a desk to provide an efficient workspace (e.g. personal computer, facsimile machine, modem, telephone). The additional power supplies required for these machines, which have inherent portability, has thus necessitated a desk unit with an adapter containing an array of sockets which may be powered by a single proximate connection, and which is easily accessible in the event that any of the electrical items powered therefrom needs to be moved.

In European patent No 0543067 there is disclosed a substantially hollow column of square cross-section, the upper part of which is shown with two perpendicular sides cut away to provide a triangular support for the corner of a desktop at the required distance from the floor, and this is also shown with a triangular section extending above the surface of the desktop for mounting an electrical socket array adapter therein. The corner piece of the desk surface is also cut away, the perpendicular sides of this cut-out piece being similar in length to the sides of the supporting column. The resulting arrangement provides a columnar support for a corner of the desk, the edges of the desktop remaining flush with the sides of the column.

The electrical socket array adapter is mounted on a separate triangular drawer designed to be inserted within the triangular column section, and which has stopping means attached to prevent the insert and attached socket array from descending within the portion of the column beneath the desktop. The said insert may also be removed for the purposes of maintenance and repair.

The proud-standing portion can be enclosed by a curved section of suitable length designed to slide within grooves in the proud-standing portion of the column, said curved section being capped in such a manner so as to cover the uppermost edges of the proud-standing column. This cover is used exclusively as a means for concealing the sockets of the power supply in the proud-standing portion of the column.

Although this system provides a compact and accessible multiple power supply means on a desktop, the triangular section standing proud over the desktop presents a danger to persons and equipment unless the desk is situated against a wall. This limitation is inconvenient as modern desk and office furniture arrangements rarely involve all desks being situated against walls.

Also, although electrical and electronic equipment may be powered from the electrical socket array provided, there is no means for concealing excessive lengths of cable commonly supplied with modern equipment. Such a deficiency may prove to be an additional danger if equipment cables drape over the edges of the desktop. Also, the desktop may become unnecessarily cluttered with cables as the amount of equipment requiring power supply increases.

It is the object of this invention to provide an electrical socket array within a desk or similar work surface to supply power to electrical equipment in use thereon, which does not detract from the aesthetic quality of the desk, and yet is easily accessible, but is free from the disadvantages of the known arrangement described above. In the invention at least in its preferred forms, an electrical socket array may be housed within a hollow supporting strut or leg of the desk, and the hollow strut within which the socket array resides may also provide a means for concealing a portion of the cables of the electrical equipment which is being used.

According to the present invention, there is provided an apparatus comprising a desk top or other work surface to which electrical power is to be supplied, wherein the power is supplied via an upright columnar structure comprising a strut on which a carrier member having a supply means for single or multiple power and/or telecommunications and the like can slide, characterised in that the columnar structure is arranged in relation to the desk or other work surface so that in a first or depressed condition, the top of the structure is flush or substantially flush with the top of the desk or other work surface, and in a second or raised position, the carrier member projects above the level of the desk or other work surface and accessibly presents the power supply means.

Preferably, the carrier member is capable of being depressed by hand from the raised position to the depressed position against the action of spring means, and there is a press and release latch means which latches the carrier member in the depressed position, but releases same to lift by the action of the spring means by pressing on the carrier member when in the depressed position.

The carrier member which can slide vertically preferably rises 332mm above the level of the desk when in its fully elevated condition; this dimension can be varied to suit requirements.

The preferable total extended height of the assembly is 1 060mum, but again this can be varied.

The preferable height of the assembly when the carrier member which can slide vertically is in its fully depressed condition is 728mm, but again this can be varied.

The upright columnar structure preferably comprise two back sides arranged at approximately 90 (or other angles) to one another, and has a curved inner guard which forms a cable deflector and which is suitably attached to said back sides to form a recess within which said carrier member may slide as it approaches its fully depressed condition, and a second curved outer guard also suitably attached to said back sides such that a recess is formed between the said inner guard and outer guard.

The inner guard is preferably of an acrylic material, whereas the outer guard is preferably metallic in nature.

The spring means is preferably a gas piston and cylinder of a total extended length similar to the total height of the assembly when the carrier member is in its fully elevated condition, but in any case long enough to give the desired extended rise.

The said gas piston and cylinder is preferably attached by the cylinder end to an upper part of the carrier member, and the piston end is attached to a lower part of the upright columnar structure, so ensuring that as the carrier member is depressed, the gas in the cylinder is compressed, and when the carrier member is released from its fully depressed condition, the gas is allowed to expand elevating the carrier member.

The assembly is preferably provided with push-release latch means.

The push-release latch means preferably consists of an adjustable pushrelease catch bracket, attached to the bottom of the carrier member, and having an aperture in a horizontal section of the bracket through which is arranged to pass a rotating cam latch of similar shape to the aperture, the cam rotating through 90o on actuation by the bracket and preventing the edges of the aperture in the bracket (and thus the member) from returning to the elevated condition. Depressing the carrier member again depresses the said bracket which rotates the cam by 90o in the same direction as the first rotation thus allowing the aperture to pass over the cam and the carrier member to return to its fully elevated condition.

The said aperture is preferably of rectangular shape.

The carrier member preferably has a horizontal top piece attached thereto which forms a corner of the desk and whose edges and upper surface are flush with those of the desk when the said member is in its fully depressed condition.

The perpendicular edges of the top piece are preferably 240mm each.

The said horizontal top piece is preferably shaped or cut away so as to provide a slot through which electrical or data/telecommunications cables of equipment powered from the power supply means when beneath said top piece may pass when the socket array is in the depressed position, said opening being formed between the desk and the top piece when the carrier member is in its fully depressed condition.

The power supply means is preferably an electrical socket array adapter powered itself by a single power connection.

The present invention has a number of advantages over the relevant art arising mainly as a result of the entirely concealed nature of the socket array.

Desk equipment requiring power is connected to the socket array when in its elevated condition, but equipment cables may be lengthy and drape over the desk edges. When the socket array is manually depressed, the cables are entrained within the columnar support as the socket array descends, thus concealing at least a portion and usually the major portion of the cable of the equipment. As the socket array descends further with the column, it moves within the aforementioned acrylic inner guard which catches the cable which supplies the socket array and the cables attached to the socket array which supply the desk equipment on its upper edge. These cables are thus prevented from interfering with the motion of the carrier member as the majority of their lengths is contained in the recess formed by the inner and outer guards.Also, to some extent, the said cables are prevented from resting on the floor next to the base of the apparatus as they are supported by the upper edge of the inner guard and are allowed to drape over said upper edge.

These cables are also protected from external interference (e.g. feet of persons sat at the desk) by the second curved outer guard already described.

It is also possible to free the desk surface of all unnecessary cables by simply dropping any excessive lengths within the column, and specifically within the recess formed by the inner and outer guards, before depressing the socket array. Again entanglement is prevented close to the socket array by the guard arrangement described above.

The larger volumes of excess cables can be contained by the use of an optional cable storage basket/container which can be located outside the main columnar structure.

In the event that any piece of desk equipment requires disconnecting, perhaps to be moved, the flush top piece is manually depressed releasing the latch, and the socket array rises drawing with it the cables attached to the plugs connected to the array.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the desk support column with the socket array in its fully elevated position and in use within a desk arrangement; Fig. 2A and 2B are perspective views of the desk support column unit respectively in the elevated and depressed conditions respectively, but without the surrounding desk arrangement; Fig. 3 shows in exploded perspective view the major parts of the desk support column; and Fig. 4 is an enlarged detailed perspective view of the push release latch bracket and cam. (This figure is included for the sake of clarity only, and does not show the mechanism of the push- release arrangement.) Referring initially to Fig. 1, in this embodiment of the invention, there is provided a desk arrangement 2 comprising an upper work surface 4 with vertical edges 6, 8 at right angles to each other, forming an Lshape which is completed by vertical curved edge 10 and vertical side edges 12, 14. The work surface is supported at side edges 12, 14 by leg support members 16, 18. At the outer corner of the L-shaped desk arrangement 2, a segment has been cut away to produce a further vertical curved edge 20.

At said corner, there is provided a hollow supporting column 21 (see in particular Fig.2) forming a third leg of the desk, and on which there is a vertical electrical socket array 22 attached to and carried by a carrier member 24 which can slide vertically between an elevated position and a depressed position, but which is constrained to slide vertically within a recess 25 of the supporting column.

The carrier member 24 has a top 26 with vertical edges 28, 30, 32 and 34, the edge 32 being curved and edge 34 being indented in edge 32.

The top 26 is attached by suitable means (not shown) to the carrier member 24. The carrier member 24 is shown in Fig. 1 in its elevated position, but in its fully depressed position, shown in Fig. 2B, said carrier member 24 and top 26 are designed so that; (a) perpendicular edges 28, 30 are in alignment and co-planar with the perpendicular edges of the desk 6, 8; (b) the top surface of the top 26 is flush with the top surface of the desk 4; and (c) indentation 34 in the curved edge 32 of the top 26 forms an opening with the curved edge of the desk 20, so that cables connected to the said socket array 22 may pass therethrough.

Referring to Figs. 2A and 2B, the supporting column 21 is shown respectively in its depressed position 40 and elevated position 42. The preferable dimensions of the assembly are shown in this figure also.

Referring now to Fig. 3, the electrical socket array 22 is attached to a back plate 50 of the carrier member 24 and top piece 26 is attached to a horizontal plate end 52 of the member 24. Runner strips 54 preferably made of PVC to lessen frictional resistance and improve the electrical insulation of the member 24 are forced on the edges 56 of said member 24.

Two vertical wire management strips 58 are also attached to the back plate 50 on either side of the socket array 22 (or to one side if the socket array 22 needs to be offset) to ensure that cables from connectors on the array do not hinder the vertical movement of the member 24 and that such cables are confined in the space created by the strips 58 and in front of the socket array 22.

Towards the lower edge 60 of the member 24, a push-release latch bracket 62 and an adjustment label 64 are attached to the back plate 50, preferably with screws 63. The said bracket 62 may then be adjusted with reference to the calibration markings 66 on said adjustment label 64 by loosening the screws and sliding the bracket to the desired position. With the adjustment of the bracket, it is possible to ensure that the upper surface of the top 26 is exactly flush with the upper surface of the desk 4 when the member 24 is in its fully depressed condition.

The main body 70 of the vertical columnar strut member 21 is preferably fabricated from a single metallic sheet bent into the required shape and has a number of attachments welded thereto.

At the upper end of said main body 70, a desk surface support bracket 72 is attached to vertical edge flanges 74, 76 of the main body 70. As well as supporting the desk surface, this bracket 72 also maintains the cross-sectional shape of the column. Fixing brackets 78, 80 are attached to the inner faces 82, 84 of the main body 70 to enable said main body 70 to be attached to a support foot 86, and also attached to the inner faces 82, 84 are two guide rails 88, 90 which constrain the member 24 to travel in a vertical direction without sway or wobble.

Three floor engaging height adjusters 92 are preferably screwed into the base 94 of the support foot 86, enabling the assembly to be maintained in an upright position, irrespective of minor floor surface undulations, and on the upper surface of the support foot 86 is attached a push release latch 96. A cam block 98 (Fig. 4) of latch 96 is arranged to pass through an aperture 100 in the push-release bracket 62.

A gas piston and cylinder spring 106 has a piston rod 104 screwed into the support foot 86 and a cylinder 102 which is attached by a ball and socket type joint to the underside of the horizontal end plate 52 of the member 24. The gas spring 106 is disposed behind the front plate 50 of the member 24. The gas spring 106 is therefore shielded from the cables and it will not be possible for cables interfere with the movement of the gas spring cylinder 102 as the member 24 is elevated and depressed.

Also attached to the main body 70 of the column is a sheet material inner guard 108, preferably of acrylic material, which is flexed into an outwardly curved shape (not shown) and is clipped into position behind the edges 74, 76 of the body 70 so that its lower edge is level with the lower edge of the main body 70. The inner guard 108 preferably has pressed fitted to the upper and lower edges thereof flexible protective strips 110, 112.

A second outer guard 43 (shown in Figs. 2A and 2B) is similarly attached on the outer edges of flanges 74, 76 but spaced from the inner guard, so as to create a recess between the said acrylic inner guard through which socket array power supply cable 23 passes, which ensures that cable 23 is constrained to move on elevation and depression of the member 24, within the space between the quards. This space may also accommodate any excess cables from the desk equipment to conceal same when the apparatus is in its depressed condition..The said guard 108, with the inner faces 82, 84 of the main body walls, define the recess 25, and therefore as the socket array 22 travels within this recess when member 24 is depressed, any cables connected to the socket array meet the upper edge 110 of the guard and will be restrained by the friction between the cables ans the said edge 110, from entering the recess 25. Thus the socket array remains free of dangerously excessive cabling. A further advantage of the guard arrangement is that cables are supported by the said upper edge 110 of guard 108, and thus do not entangle on the floor next to the supporting foot 86 of the main body 70.

The method of operation of the apparatus will be understood from the foregoing but the following summary is given.

A piece of desk equipment requiring connection to a power supply will usually have a length of cable terminated by a plug at one end. The article is placed on the desk in the appropriate position, and assuming the member 24 of the apparatus of the invention is in the depressed condition, the top piece 26 is depressed releasing the latch 96. Under the action of the gas spring 106, the member 24, rises at a speed dependent on the gas spring 106, to reveal the socket array 22. The plug of the desk equipment is connected to said socket array 22, and any excess cable from the equipment can be dropped into the space between the guards whilst the member 24 is in its elevated position.

It may be preferable for member 24 to remain in its elevated position if access to the sockets is frequently required, but normally the member will be depressed to its depressed position, concealing the socket array 22. This is easily achieved by pressed manually on the top piece 26, whereby the member 24 slides within the column and simultaneously compresses the gas in the gas spring 106 until the push-release latch bracket aperture 100 actuates the rotating cam latch 96. At this time, there is an audible click and the downward force on the top piece 26 may be removed leaving the member 24 in its depressed position as shown in Fig. 2B. In this position, the upper surface of the top piece 26 is flush or substantially flush with the upper surface of the desk 4 and the edges 28, 30 of the top piece 26 are in alignment and co-planar with the edges of the desk 6, 8. The cable of the equipment extends through the aperture formed by the indented edge 34 of the top piece 26 and the curved edge of the desk 20.

A strain relief clamp is attached to base 86 to provide clamping and retention of the mains power feed cable 23 as required by British Standard BS 6396.

To connect another item of electrical equipment, or disconnect any item, the process is simply repeated.

Claims (15)

Claims

1. In or for an apparatus comprising a desk top or other work surface to which electrical power is to be supplied, an upright columnar structure by which the electrical power is supplied, and comprising a strut on which a carrier member having a supply means for single or multiple power and/or telecommunications and the like can slide, characterised in that the columnar structure is arranged or adapted to be arranged in relation to the desk or other work surface so that in a first or depressed condition, the top of the structure is flush or substantially flush with the top of the desk or other work surface, and in a second or raised position, the carrier member projects above the level of the desk or other work surface and accessibly presents the power supply means.

2, A structure according to claim 1, wherein the carrier member is capable of being depressed by hand from the raised position to the depressed position against the action of spring means.

3. A structure according to claim 2, wherein there is a press and release latch means which latches the carrier member in the depressed position, but releases same to lift by the action of the spring means by pressing on the carrier member when in the depressed position.

4. A structure according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the upright columnar structure preferably comprise two back sides arranged at approximately 90O (or other angles) to one another.

5. A structure according to claim 4, wherein the structure has a curved inner guard which forms a cable deflector and which is suitably attached to said back sides to form a recess within which said carrier member slides

6. A structure according to claim 5, wherein the structure has as a second curved outer guard also attached to said back sides such that a recess is formed between the said inner guard and outer guard.

7. A structure according to any preceding claim, wherein the spring means is a gas piston and cylinder.

8. A structure according to claim 7, wherein the said gas piston and cylinder is attached by the cylinder end to an upper part of the carrier member, and the piston end is attached to a lower part of the upright columnar structure.

9. A structure according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the structure includes push-release latch means which holds the carrier member in the depressed position.

10. A structure according to claim 9, wherein the push-release latch means consists of an adjustable push-release catch bracket, attached to the bottom of the carrier member, said bracket having an aperture in a horizontal section thereof and through which is arranged to pass a rotating cam latch of similar shape to the aperture, the cam rotating through 90O on actuation by the bracket and preventing the edges of the aperture in the bracket (and thus the member) from returning to the elevated position.

11. A structure according to claim 10, wherein the said aperture is preferably of rectangular shape.

12. A structure according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the carrier member has a horizontal top piece attached thereto which forms a corner of or for the desk and whose edges and upper surface in use are flush with those of the desk when the said member is in its depressed position.

13. A structure according to claim 12, wherein the said horizontal top piece is shaped or cut away so as in use to provide a slot through which electrical or data/telecommunications cables of equipment powered from the power supply means may pass when the socket array is in the depressed position, said opening being formed in use between the desk and the top piece when the carrier member is in its depressed position.

14. A structure according to any preceding claim, wherein the power supply means is an electrical socket array adapter powered itself by a single power connection.

15. In or for an apparatus comprising a desk top or other work surface to which electrical power is to be supplied, a columnar structure substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drwaings.