UNION BLOCK WALL MOUNTING ARRANGEMENT
Field of Invention The invention relates to electrical interconnection systems, and more particularly to a mounting arrangement for such systems in the distribution of electrical power to modular wall panels or the like. Prior Art Known interior wall systems typically employ modular, pre-fabricated wall units, which are joined together in various configurations to divide a work space into smaller offices or work areas. Generally, such modular wall panels are equipped with guides, for example along a lower edge of the modular panels, to house electrical wiring and junction blocks in order to provide electrical outlets and electrical power connections to adjacent panels. . The guides and connecting blocks typically have a mechanical mounting system for securing the connecting blocks to the guides, so that the connecting blocks depend downwards from the upper part of the guides. The guide of a modular wall unit can be provided with a pair of joint blocks having electrical outlets, arranged in separate positions along the guide. Conduits that
Extend between the junction blocks provide electrical interconnection between these units. A typical wall panel mounting system is described in my United States Patent No. 4,993,576, which is incorporated herein by reference. When it is desired to provide electrical outlets to other places not associated in particular with modular wall units, such as along vertically oriented surfaces of walls or office furniture, the joint block assembly system for panel guides of The wall does not provide any means for joining the joining blocks thereto. The current joint block mounting systems only allow the union of the joint block along its upper horizontal surface. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION These and other problems of the prior art are overcome by means of a mounting system for joining junction blocks along a vertical wall. According to one aspect of the invention, a joint block having duplicate sides is provided. One side of the junction block receives a modular outlet, while the other side receives a mounting assembly to secure the junction block to a vertical surface. According to an embodiment of the invention, the assembly assembly is first secured to the surface
vertical and the joint block is subsequently attached to the assembly. According to another embodiment of the invention, the assembly assembly is arranged in two components. The first component is secured to a vertical surface, and the second component forms an interface between the joint block and the first component to secure the junction block to the vertical surface. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is an exploded view of a mounting system for a joint block assembly and the accompanying receptacle block according to the invention; Figure 2 is an enlarged side view of the receptacle block of Figure 1; Figure 3 is an enlarged orthographic view of the rear part of the mounting system of Figure 1; Figure 4 is an exploded view of a mounting system for a joint block assembly and accompanying receptacle block according to a second embodiment of the invention; Figure 5 is an enlarged orthographic view of the rear part of the mounting system of Figure 4; Figure 6 is a top view of an L-shaped joint block for use with the mounting systems of the present invention;
Figure 7 is a side view taken along line 7-7 of Figure 6, showing the end connection of the L-shaped terminal; Figure 8 is a top view of two joint blocks mounted around the inner corner of vertical surfaces attached through the mounting systems; and Figure 9 is a top view of two joint blocks mounted around the outer corner of vertical surfaces appended through the mounting systems. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT As shown in Figure 1, a joint block assembly 10 includes one or more power cable assemblies 20 and one or more electrical outlet receptacle blocks 100 (Figures 1 and 2) . The receptacle blocks 100 provide power to electrical equipment (not shown) located in proximity thereto. Each connecting block 22 includes a pair of female connector blocks 34 at each end. Each pair of female connector blocks 34 may be independently interconnected to one or more power cable assemblies 20, and each is provided with two columns 38, 40 of a plurality of female connector terminals for connection to male connector terminals of the connector assemblies. power cable. Column 38 is electrically connected to column 40 in a manner similar to that described in my United States Patent No. 5,096,434. The connecting block 22 has a lower wall 26, an upper wall 28, and
a middle wall 30 forming an open spatial area 32 on each side of the joint block 22 (only one side of which is illustrated in Figure 1). A pair of female connector blocks 34 can be electrically connected to the other pair of female connector blocks 34 of the joint block 22 through internal wiring (not shown) in the joint block. It should be noted that the two halves of the joint block 22, as defined by a seam line 86, are identical and therefore a description with respect to one half of the joint block also refers to the other half. A female receptacle connector 88 is located within each half of the junction block 22 within the open spatial area 32. A closure flange 31 extends downwardly from the upper wall 28 to link and hold the receptacle blocks of the receptacle electrical 100. The electrical outlet receptacle blocks 100 are adapted to link the female receptacle connectors 88 on each side of the junction block 22. With additional reference to Figure 1, the pairs of female connector blocks 34 are provided, each, with a pair of side tabs 90 having upper and lower recessed areas 91, for linking with tabs 125 of a male connector 120 that is part of the power cord assembly 20. Tabs 90 are made of a resilient plastic material and are provided with an inclined end surface, which is
92. Outwardly extending 92. When the surfaces 92 of the side flanges 90 are linked by flanges 125 of the male connector 120, the side flanges 90 will be deviated inwardly, allowing the flanges 125 to link recess areas 91 to provide mechanical closure linkage. the male and female connectors. The pairs of female connector blocks 34 are each provided with two columns 38, 40 of a plurality of female connector terminals 94 and a wedge protrusion 95. The male connector 120 of the cable assembly 20 is provided with a plurality of spaces for corresponding male connector terminals (not shown) for receiving male connector terminals (not shown) and a wedge opening (not shown) for receiving wedge protrusion 95. Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, it is shown an electrical outlet receptacle block 100 for connection to the female receptacles 88 of the junction block 22. The receptacle block 100 includes a first open end 101 and a second open end 102. The first and second open ends 101, 102 they include a plurality of terminal spaces 103 for receiving male terminals 103A for connection to a plurality of female terminals 109A located within the spaces for female terminals 109 within the female receptacle connectors 88 in the joint block 22. A top receptacle portion 104 of the block 100 includes one or more receptacles 105 for receiving receptacle pegs (not
shown) of electrically operated equipment. An upper wall 106 and a lower wall 107 are spaced apart so as to provide a loose fit between the upper wall 28 and the lower wall 26 of the joint block. The receptacle 100 is provided with a spring latch 108 disposed in the recess 110 in the upper wall 106 of the receptacle 100. The upper wall 106 links the upper wall 28 when the receptacle 100 is installed in the joint block. The locking flange 31 projecting from the upper wall 28 will be aligned with the recess 110 when the receptacle 100 is inserted between upper and lower walls 28, 26, causing the spring latch 108 to be depressed. The receptacle 100 can then be moved to the left or to the right (depending on the side on which the joint block receptacle 100 is installed) to attach one of the open ends 101, 102, such that the male terminals 103A link the female terminals 109A within the receptacle 88 Recesses 112 are provided in the receptacle 100 to accommodate the closure flange 31 on the top wall 28. Movement of the receptacle to the left or right at a sufficient distance will cause the spring latch 108 to be moved beyond the closing tab 31, causing the spring latch 108 to return to its extended position. Therefore, the receptacle 100 will be retained in a closed position. The receptacle 100 can be removed by depressing the spring latch 108 and sliding the receptacle 100 either to the left
or to the right to align the closing flange 31 with the recess 110. In order to releasably secure the junction block 22 to a vertical mounting surface, and with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3, a mounting system 130 it includes a mounting block 132 having a first end 134 and a second end 135. The first and second ends 134 and 135 include a plurality of spaces for male terminals 136 for connection to a plurality of spaces for female terminals 109 located within the receptacle connectors 88 in the joint block 22. The spaces for male and female terminals only interconnect mechanically, since the spaces for male terminals 136 do not contain male terminals. An upper wall 138 and a lower wall 140 are spaced so as to provide a loose fit between the upper wall 28 and the lower wall 26 of the joint block. A rear wall 141 extends between the upper and lower walls 138, 140 and the first and second ends 134, 135. A plurality of mounting holes 143 extend through the rear wall for receiving screws 145, bolts or the like, for securing the mounting block to a vertical surface before receiving the joint block 22. Four L-shaped extensions 148 are integrally molded or otherwise attached to the rear wall and extend outwardly therefrom. A space 150 is defined between a leg of each L-shaped extension and the
upper or lower wall 138, 140. The space 150 is dimensioned to loosely receive the thickness of the upper or lower wall 28, 26 of the connecting block 22 when the mounting block and the connecting block are secured together, for mechanical support additional. As with the receptacle 100, the mounting block 132 is provided with a spring latch 142 disposed in the recess 144 in the top wall 138. The top wall 138 links the top wall 28 when the joint block is attached to the mounting block 132. The locking flange 31 projecting from the upper wall 28 will be aligned with the recess 144 when the mounting block 132 is received between the upper and lower walls 28, 26, causing the spring latch 142 to be depressed. Union block 22 can then be moved either to the left or to the right (depending on which side of the joint block is being mounted adjacent to the vertical surface) to link one end 134, 135 such that the male terminal spaces 103 link spaces for female terminals 136 inside the receptacle 88. Recesses 146 are provided in the mounting block 132 to accommodate the closing flange 31 in the upper wall 28. The movement of the block either to the left or to the right by a sufficient distance will cause the spring latch 142 to be moved beyond the closing flange 31, causing the spring latch 142 to return to its extended position. Therefore, the joint block 22 will be retained in a closed position
with respect to the vertical surface. The joint block can be removed by pressing the spring latch 142 and sliding the joint block 22 either to the left or to the right to align the closure flange 31 with the recess 144. Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, a mounting system 230 is shown for a joint block assembly and an accompanying receptacle block according to a second embodiment of the invention, where like reference numbers of the previous embodiment are used to identify equal parts in this embodiment. The mounting system 230 includes a mounting block 232 and a mounting bracket 260. The mounting block 232 has a first end 234 and a second end 235. The first and second ends 234 and 235 include a plurality of spaces for male terminals 236 for connection to a plurality of spaces for female terminals 109 located within the female receptacle connectors 88 in the connecting block 22, as in the previous embodiment. Again, the male terminal spaces 236 do not contain male terminals. An upper wall 238 and a lower wall 240 are spaced apart so as to provide a loose fit between the upper wall 28 and the lower wall 26 of the joint block when the joint block is secured to the mounting block. A rear wall 241 extends between the upper and lower walls 238, 240 and the first and second ends 234, 235. A protrusion of
L-shaped assembly, left 252, an L-shaped mounting boss, right 254, and latching members 256, 258 that interlock, are integrally mounted in or molded to the upper surface of the rear wall 241. A clamp assembly 260 includes a retaining tab 262, a left support bracket 264 and a right support bracket 268. A plurality of mounting holes 270 extend through the rear wall 268 for receiving screws 145, bolts, or the like. , for clamping the mounting bracket to a vertical surface before receiving the mounting block 232 and the joining block 22. The mounting bracket is preferably constructed of metal, but may also be constructed of other materials. After the mounting bracket is secured to a vertical surface, the mounting block 232 can be held in place by linking the support brackets 264, 266, with the L-shaped mounting protrusions 252, 254, respectively, and by linking the retaining tab 262 with the bolt members that mesh 256, 258 in a manner similar to that described in my United States Patent No. 4,993,576, issued February 19, 1991, the material of which is incorporated in FIG. present by reference. Four L-shaped extensions 248 are integrally molded in or otherwise attached to the rear wall 241 of the mounting block and extend outwardly therefrom. A space 250 is defined between a leg of each extension in shape
of L and the upper or lower wall 238, 240. The space 250 is dimensioned to loosely receive the thickness of the upper or lower wall 28, 26 of the connecting block 22 when the mounting block and the connecting block are secured to each other , for additional mechanical support. As with the receptacle 100, the mounting block 232 is provided with a second latch 242 disposed in the recess 244 in the upper wall 238. The upper wall 238 links the upper wall 28 when the joint block is attached to the mounting block 232 The closing flange 31 projecting from the upper wall 28 will be aligned with the recess 244 when the mounting block 232 is received between the upper and lower walls 28, 26, causing the spring latch 242 to be depressed. 22 can then be moved either to the left or to the right (depending on which side of the joint block is being mounted adjacent to the vertical surface) to link one of the ends 234, 235 so that the terminal spaces male 103 links the spaces for female terminals 236 within the receptacle 88. Recesses 246 are provided in the mounting block 232 to accommodate the closing flange 31 in the upper wall 28. The movement The length of the joint block either to the left or to the right by a sufficient distance will cause the spring latch 242 to be moved past the closure flange 31, causing the spring latch 242 to return to its extended position. Therefore, the union block 22 will be
retained in a closed position with respect to the mounting block 232. The joint block can be removed by pressing the spring latch 242 and sliding the joint block 22 either to the left or to the right to align the latch tab 31 with the recess 244. The mounting block 232 can also be removed from the mounting bracket 260 by depressing the latching members 256, 258 and sliding the support clamps 264, 266 out of the L-shaped mounting protrusions 252, 254. It will be apparent that the joint block and the mounting block can be secured together before attaching the mounting block to the mounting bracket. Referring now to Figures 6 and 7, there is shown an L-shaped joint block 300 having a joint block portion 302 substantially identical to the previously described joint block 22 and therefore, equal elements are identified by equal reference numbers. An arm 304 is integrally attached to the joint block portion 302 and extends outwardly therefrom. The outward end of the arm 304 includes a male connector 306 similar to the male connector 120 associated with the cable assembly 20 previously described and includes a plurality of spaces for male connector terminals 308 for receiving male connector terminals 310 and a wedge opening 312 Tabs 314 are provided in male connector 306 and serve the same function as tabs 125 in male connector 120. Male connector 306
it is adapted for connection to a pair of female connector blocks 34 of a joint block 22 having a wedge protrusion 95 and female terminals 94. This arrangement allows joining blocks to be extended around internal and / or external corners of panels. wall or other office furniture. As shown in Figs. 8 and 9, a first joint block 22 is attached to a second L-shaped joint block 300 by the male connector 306 and the pair of connector blocks 34. In Fig. 8, the blocks of The joints are arranged to extend around an inner corner, and include a first mounting system 130 attached to the outside of the joint block 22 and a second mounting system 230 attached to the exterior of the joint block 300. Similarly, in Figure 9, the connecting blocks are arranged to extend around an outer corner and include a first mounting system 130 attached to the interior of the joint block 22 and a second mounting system 230 attached to the interior of the joint block 300. The mounting systems 130 and 230 may be arranged on each side of the connecting blocks, due to the identical arrangement of the two halves of the connecting block 22 and the identical arrangement of the left and right sides of the mounting systems. 130 and 230. Receptacle blocks 100 are mounted on the junction blocks opposite the mounting systems to provide electrical power. It should be noted that the mounting systems 130, 230 are interchangeable and can be used alone or in combination,
as illustrated in figures 8 and 9. Although the invention has been described with reference to its preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes can be made and equivalents can be substituted for their elements, without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. For example, although the mounting system of the present invention has been described for mounting a connecting block to a vertical surface, it should be noted that the mounting system can be applied to horizontal surfaces of counter tops, office furniture, ceilings, floors, etc.