WO2001091243A1

WO2001091243A1 - Recessed electrical receptacle and work surface

Info

Publication number: WO2001091243A1
Application number: PCT/CA2000/000608
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mark Müller
Original assignee: Nienkämper Furniture & Accessories, Inc.
Priority date: 2000-05-25
Filing date: 2000-05-25
Publication date: 2001-11-29
Also published as: AU4905100A

Abstract

An electrical receptacle adapted to be recessed into a work surface, having concealed compartments containing modular ports for connection to a remote power supply and/or communications devices and an exposed compartment for connecting cables to the ports. The ports may be mounted on the front and/or rear partitions of the exposed compartment, which isolate the exposed compartment from the concealed compartments. Preferably the partitions are disposed at oblique angles relative to the work surface to facilitate the connection and detachment of cables. The modular ports may be engaged to the housing in snap-fit relation and the spacers in slip-fit relation.

Description

RECESSED ELECTRICAL RECEPTACLE AND WORK SURFACE

Field of Invention

This invention relates to electrical receptacles, hi particular, this invention relates to a recessed receptacle for a workstation or table which permits the connection of power and/or communications cables to ports providing remote power supply and/or communications connections.

Background of the Invention

Today's workplace incorporates many kinds of electrical devices, most notably computers (particularly personal computers) and communications facilities such as voice and data transmission lines. A typical workstation will have a computer which may be connected to a modem, to a local area network (LAN), to a dedicated or shared printer and/or remote storage devices, intercom, video interface and many other widely available electrical devices that increase productivity and communications capacity in the workplace.

Most such devices require a power supply, and many require communications cables to interface with other local and remote devices, h a permanent workstation the power supply and interface cabling can be installed and bundled, but this tends to be unsightly and can interfere with the efficient use of space in a small workstation, hi temporary workstations such as boardroom tables, research cubicles and the like where portable devices (e.g. laptop computers, video monitors etc.) are used, it can be cumbersome and time consuming to connect and organize power supply and interface cables for a short period of use.

Permanent floor-mounted receptacles or "floor monuments" are available for such purposes, but they often cannot be conveniently located in anticipation of where such facilities may be required, and they reduce the ability to rearrange office furniture. Receptacles affixed to or recessed into the work surface itself have recently become more popular, but they tend to be difficult to use because the cabling is connected to the receptacle at an angle perpendicular to the work surface and thus protrudes upwardly into the work space. Where a receptacle mounted parallel to the work surface is recessed, accessibility is significantly diminished because the connection ports are often not easily visible and a user must approach the receptacle from directly above it. hi a large work surface such as a boardroom table, this can require that the user lean uncomfortably over the table while attempting to align the cable plug with the compatible port for connection, and the vertical motion required to connect or disconnect a cable is awkward and unnatural making connecting and disconnecting electrical cables physically difficult.

U.S. Patent No. 5,980,279 issued November 9, 1999 to Muller, which is incorporated herein by reference, teaches an electrical receptacle adapted to be recessed into a work surface, in which the power supply, communications, video and any other desired ports are disposed at an oblique angle relative to the work surface. Thus, the user has a direct line of sight to the port plate from a normal standing position, and can insert a plug into (or detach a plug from) the appropriate port relatively laterally, which is a more natural motion that facilitates connection or detachment, especially where the plug and the port fit very snugly together. Further, because of the oblique angle of the ports the cabling protrudes from the receptacle substantially flush with the work surface, providing a less cluttered appearance and diminishing intrusive interference with the use of the work space.

However, this receptacle does not readily permit replacing existing ports with ports of different sizes and configurations, for example where the electrical requirements of the work area require alternate port configurations or the standards in one particular region differ from the standards in another region. For example, one work area may require multiple RJ11 port connections for telephone modems while another work area requires multiple RJ45 port connections for a local area network (LAN), both of which are North American standards. Many regions of the world operate on a 220 V power supply, the plug for which is available in many forms and differs considerably from a plug for a standard North American 110 V power supply. The typical 220 V plug used in the United Kingdom is inserted at a right angle and configured with the grounding prong furthest from the cable connection, as shown in UK Registered Design No. 1,008,682 issued to Tobylane Limited , and thus not only has a different configuration but also requires a different angle of approach to the receptacle. The device described in U.S. Patent No. 5,980,279, while not restricted to particular types of ports, would require a different face plate in order to adapt to different standards and receptacle types. Summary of the Invention

The present invention overcomes these disadvantages by providing an electrical receptacle which is adapted to be recessed into a work surface having modular ports and^" spacer components. The modular ports and spacer components are disposed at oblique angles relative to the work surface. Thus, plugs may be inserted into, or detached from, the ports relatively laterally regardless of the configuration of the plug head and prongs. Furthermore, the modular ports may be mounted in the receptacle such that regardless of the configuration of the plug head, the cabling will protrude from the receptacle substantially flush with the work surface, with the advantages described above. The spacer components allow the receptacle of the invention to accommodate ports of varying configurations without exposing concealed compartments or requiring custom-designed mounting plates for different combinations of ports.

In the preferred embodiment the invention comprises an exposed compartment for connecting cables to the modular^' ports having a cover which closes flush with the work surface and leaves a gap for the egress of cables from the receptacle, and a plurality of concealed compartments isolated from the exposed compartment, at least one of which contains the electrical ports and wiring in communication with one or more remote devices and/or power supplies. The receptacle of the invention is thus much more accessible from a user's normal working position, and provides a less cluttered and more efficiently organized work space.

Preferably, flexible bristles are disposed across the gap defined between the cover and the housing , which permits egress of the cables between the bristles while retarding liquid seepage, dust accumulation, or other contamination within the receptacle.

Preferably, the cover plate is affixed to the rear portion along a hinge disposed at an intermediate position on the cover plate, mounted in cantilevered relation, h one embodiment the rear edge of the cover plate abuts a stop surface disposed along an upper limit of the rear portion to maintain the cover plate flush with the work surface in the closed position. The present invention thus provides an electrical receptacle for recessing into a work surface, comprising an exposed compartment accessible through the work surface, at least one concealed compartment, and at least one partition comprising a frame for removably supporting a plurality of modular components, comprising ports for the connection of electrical cables or communications cables, or both, and spacers, wherein when mounted in the partition the ports are accessible for the connection of at least one cable through the exposed compartment, and whereby the partition isolates the concealed compartment from the exposed compartment.

The present invention further provides a work surface having at least one electrical receptacle for recessing into a work surface, the electrical receptacle comprising an exposed compartment accessible through the work surface, at least one concealed compartment, and at least one partition comprising a frame for removably supporting a plurality of modular components comprising ports for the connection of electrical cables or communications cables, or both, and spacers, wherein when mounted in the partition the ports are accessible for the connection of at least one cable through the exposed compartment, and whereby the partition isolates the concealed compartment from the exposed compartment.

hi further aspects of the invention the partition comprises a plurality of ports and a plurality of spacers; the partition is disposed at an oblique angle relative to the work surface; the spacers are mounted to the frame in slip-fit relation; the frame provides opposed grooves and the spacers are slip-fitted into the grooves; the ports are mounted to the frame in snap-fit relation; the receptacle is provided with a cover plate which in the closed position provides a gap between the cover plate and a front wall of the exposed compartment for the egress of electrical cables; the cover plate provides a hinge adapted to engage a pivot along an intermediate portion of the receptacle, to mount the cover plate in cantilevered relation substantially flush with the work surface; a series of flexible bristles is mounted to cover the gap; and/or the receptacle is provided with front and rear concealed compartments, each concealed compartment being isolated from the exposed compartment by a partition.

Brief Description of the Drawings hi drawings which illustrate by way of example only a preferred embodiment of the invention, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a work surface having receptacles embodying the invention,

Figure 2 is a perspective view of an electrical receptacle embodying the invention showing the cover plate in the open position,

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the receptacle of Figure 2 showing the cover plate in the closed position, and

Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the receptacle of Figure 2.

Detailed Description of the Invention

Figure 1 illustrates a boardroom table 10 having a work surface 12 embodying the invention. The table 10 is provided with one or more receptacles 20 of the invention, at any desired position, recessed into the table preferably such that the receptacles 20 are flush with the work surface 12. The invention will be described with reference to the table 10 shown in Figure 1, however it will be appreciated that the invention can be equally applied to any other work surface 12, including desks, workstations, cubicles, countertops and the like, and the invention is not intended to be limited to any particular type of work space.

A preferred embodiment of the electrical receptacle of the invention is illustrated in Figures 2 to 4. hi the preferred embodiment the receptacle 20 comprises an outer housing indicated generally at 22 comprising a rear housing 50 which encloses a concealed rear compartment 30 containing modular electrical ports of any desired type, such as a power supply port 2 and/or a communications port 4 for voice, data, video, audio etc., and an exposed compartment 40 which is accessible to a user for connecting and disconnecting cables such as a power cable 105 and/or a communications interface cable 107 to the respective ports 2, 4. Optionally a front housing 52 is provided to enclose a concealed front compartment 32, which may also contain ports 2, 4. The modular ports 2, 4 are accessible through the top opening 42 of the exposed compartment 40, which is covered by a hinged cover plate 80 that in the closed position rests substantially flush with the work surface 12. The dimensions of the rear and front concealed compartments 30 and 32 should meet electrical code requirements for the particular region in which the receptacle 20 is intended to be used. The receptacle 20 is preferably formed from the following components, as illustrated in Figure 4: A rear housing 50; a front housing 52; a rear frame 60; a front frame 62 which preferably interlocks with the rear frame along a slip-fit interlock 61; spacers 70; a cover plate 80; and end plates 36. The various components of the receptacle 20 are preferably longitudinally linear, i.e. the components have no curvature or other non-linear topography in the longitudinal direction, which allows the components to be extruded, for example from aluminum or any other suitable material permitted by local electrical codes. In the preferred embodiment one of the upper frames 60 or 62 is provided with an enlargement 61a and the other of the upper frames 62 or 60 is provided with a complementary channel 61b adapted to receive the enlargement in interlocking relation as along interlock 61 disposed longitudinally along the bottom edges of the upper housings 60, 62.

The rear and front housings 50, 52 are preferably mounted to the rear and front frames 60, 62. In the preferred embodiment shown, each housing 50, 52 is provided with an enlargement or hooked flange 54a near its top edge, which fits into a complementary channel 54b provided on the respective rear or front frame 60, 62. The housings 50, 52 may also be provided with a channel 56a which aligns with a corresponding peak 56b provided near the bottom edges of the frames 60, 62. Thus, when the hooked flange 54a is fitted into the channel 54b the housings 50, 52 can be pivoted into a position in which the chamiel 56a snaps over the peak 56b, and the housings 50, 52 are retained in this position when the end plates 36 are affixed to the frames 60, 62, for example by screws 24 engaged into channels or bores 25, 26, 27. It will be appreciated that this configuration is intended primarily to facilitate assembly of the receptacle 20, and it is also possible to engage the various components of the receptacle 20 merely by screwing or bolting all components to the end plates 36. The end plates 36 are fixed to either end of the housing 22 in any case so as to substantially enclose the concealed compartments 30 and 32.

The frames 60 and 62 are provided with ledges 63 to support the modular ports 2, 4, and slots 64 to support spacers 70. Braces 65 disposed at either end of the upper frames 60 and 62 , along with ledges 63 and slots 64, define a window 66 in each of the frames 60 and 62. The rear frame 60 is provided with a hinge wall 67 which extends above the window 66 to hingedly attach the cover plate 80 to the receptacle 20. The front frame 62 provides a front wall 68 of the exposed compartment 40, which is preferably substantially flat and has a blunt upper edge to allow for the egress of cables 105 without pinching or kinking.

As shown in Figure 4, the spacers 70 are of varying width, as required for any particular combination of ports 2, 4. hi the embodiment shown the spacers 70 are provided with flanges 71 which are dimensioned to slip-fit into the slots 64. The ports 2, 4 are modular components, for example the modular power supply port described in UK Registered Design No. 1,047,972 issued to Caradon MK Electric Ltd , which are provided with flanges or protrusions 2a and 4a respectively, that permit snap-fitting of the ports 2, 4 into the slots 64, optionally bearing against the ledges 63 for a secure mount. The ports 2, 4 may alternatively by configured to slip-fit into the slots 64 or in some other fashion be mounted within the window 60, and spacers 70 of the appropriate widths to fill in any gaps may be positioned longitudinally along the length of the window 66 between the ports 2, 4.

Since the ports 2, 4 and the spacers 70 are modular and preferably removably supported by the frame 60 or 62, any desired combination of ports 2, 4 may be mounted to the rear and front frames 60, 62, according to the requirements for the particular work surface 12 or local electrical code requirements, limited only by the length of the window 66. hi the embodiment shown in Figures 2 to 4, by way of example, the rear frame 60 is provided with two modular power supply ports 2 and three spacers 70, and the front frame 62 is provided with two modular communications ports 4 and three spacers 70. The cumulative width of the spacers 70 and ports 2, 4 on each upper housing 60, 62 extends between the end plates 36 such that window 66 is completely filled with no gaps between the modular components 2, 4, 70 and the end plates 36 on either side of the receptacle 20. The frames 60, 62, together with ports 2, 4 and spacers 70, comprise partitions which isolate the concealed compartments 30, 32 from the exposed compartment 40, protecting the user from exposed electrical wiring.

In the embodiment shown, preferably the modular component immediately adjacent an end plate 36 of the receptacle is a face spacer 70, in which case there will be no gap beside the end plate 36 regardless of the shape of the port 2, 4, and the brace 65 will not interfere with the positioning of a face spacer 70 abutting the end plate 36. It will be appreciated that the braces 65 are provided to hold the upper and lower portions of each frame 60, 62 together to facilitate assembly; however, the frames 60, 62 may alternatively be formed from separate upper and lower extrusions which are held in position by the end plates 36, in which case the braces 65 are omitted and it may be possible to fit more ports 2, 4 into the windows 66.

More or fewer ports 2, 4 and spacers 70 may be mounted as desired for any particular application. The modular nature of the ports 2, 4 and spacers 70 allows the receptacle to accommodate any combination of components as will fit into the windows 66.

Further, it is not necessary to provide ports 2, 4 in both the front and rear concealed compartments 30, 32. The embodiment shown in Figures 2 to 4 shows a power supply port 2 mounted on the front frame 62, which is suitable for use in the United Kingdom where power plugs typically require a right-angle insertion. Thus, when a power supply cable 105 having a plug 104 such as that described in UK Registered Design No. 1,008,682, shown in phantom in Figure 3, is plugged in to a the power supply port 2, the cable 105 will lie along the front partition without any bending or kinking of the power supply cable 105. in this embodiment communications ports 4 are mounted to the rear frame 60. Where the power supply plug is configured for parallel insertion, as is standard in most other countries, the modular power supply ports 2 may be mounted solely on the rear frame 60, together with the communications ports 4. h this case the front concealed compartment 32 is not needed for ports 2, 4, so the front window 66 may be filled with a spacer 70 extending between the end plates 36 and the front housing 52 can be omitted entirely. In this embodiment a divider wall (not shown) may be inserted into the concealed compartment 30 to isolate power cables from communications cables.

The rear and front frames 60, 62 are preferably disposed at oblique angles relative to the work surface 12, in the preferred embodiment shown at approximately 45°, so that a user can approach the ports 2, 4 from a natural angle when standing in front of the table 10 It will be appreciated that other angles may be appropriate for a particular use, depending for example on how far the receptacle 20 is set back from the edge of the table 10, and the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific angle illustrated.

The front partition of the exposed compartment 40 preferably approaches the rear partition at approximately a right angle, which facilitates accessibility of the ports 2, 4, provides an attractive appearance and renders the exposed compartment 40 more easily accessible for cleaning.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 2 to 4, the rear concealed compartment 30 supports communications ports 4. The rear wall 57 of rear housing 50 is thus provided with suitable openings 58 for data/voice sockets 59 which are coupled to the communications ports 4. This allows the receptacles 2 to be readily connected to existing communications facilities using patch cords of a suitable length. Alternatively, a strain relief sleeve (not shown) maybe fitted to the openings 58 to permit the ingress of permanent communications wiring (not shown) into the rear concealed compartment 30.

Similarly, in the embodiment shown the front concealed compartment 32 accommodates the power supply ports 2. hi this case an end plate 36 is provided with a suitable opening 37 in alignment with the front concealed front compartment 32 for a power inlet socket 38 which is wired to the power supply ports 2. This allows multiple receptacles to be readily connected to the mains power supply in series or, depending upon the power requirements of the work surface 2, in parallel. Alternatively, a strain relief sleeve (not shown) may be fitted in the opening 37 to permit ingress of permanent power supply wiring (not shown) into the front concealed compartment 32.

If a modular power supply port 2 is not required in the front concealed compartment 32, then opening 37 in the end plate 36 may be positioned in alignment with the rear concealed compartment 30 for one or more power supply ports 2. The same end plate 36 can be used on the other side of the receptacle to realign the opening 37 with the rear concealed compartment 30, or a suitable opening (not shown) for power socket 38 maybe provided in the rear wall 57 of the housing 50.

The rear frame 60 comprises a hinge member 82 which preferably is an elongated bead or pivot having a substantially circular cross-section disposed along the top edge of the hinge wall 67. This hinge member 82 is preferably provided at an intermediate position of the exposed compartment 40, generally near the rear of the exposed compartment 40 and slightly below the level of the work surface 12. The rear frame 60 is further provided with a web 84 terminating at its lower edge in a tab or lip 85 which will abut the underside of the work surface 12, and terminating at its upper edge in a stop ledge 86 which projects in the direction of the exposed compartment 40 generally flush with the work surface 12 to provide a lower limit of travel for the cover plate 80. A reinforcing wall 87 may extend between the web 84 and the hinge wall 67, as shown in Figure 3.

Preferably, the hinge member 81 on cover plate 80 comprises a front member 81a and a rear member 81b, which together create a channel circular in cross-section corresponding to pivot 82 and forming an arc greater than 180° so that the hinge 81 grasps the pivot 82 in snap-fit or slip-fit engagement. The rear hinge member 81b is truncated to allow the cover plate 80 to swing to an open position at an angle of approximately 65° relative to the work surface 12, at which point rear hinge member 81b abuts the hinge wall 67 as shown in Figure 2, defining an upper limit for the cover plate 80. The hinge member 81 is preferably disposed along an intermediate portion of the cover plate 80, so that the cover plate 80 pivots in a cantilevered fashion.

The top surface of the rear edge 88 of the cover plate 80 is preferably recessed, providing a surface which abuts the bottom of the stop ledge 86 when the cover plate 80 is in the closed position as shown in Figure 3, thus retaining the cover plate 80 in a position flush with the work surface 12. The rear edge 88 also abuts wall 87 when the cover plate 80 is swung to an open position at an angle of approximately 65° relative to the work surface 12, thus preventing the cover plate 80 from over-extending the intended arc of motion and becoming dislodged from the pivot 82. The cover plate 80 is advantageously mounted in cantilevered relation, since the stop ledge 86 exerts a downward force on the cover plate 80, thus preventing the cover plate 80 from dislodging from the pivot 82 in the event that a load is inadvertently placed on top of the receptacle 20

As best illustrated in Figure 3, the cover plate 80 when closed does not extend fully to cover the top opening 42, leaving a gap 89 through which the connected cables emerge from the receptacle 20 to the various electrical devices (not shown) to which they are connected. The gap 89 is preferably filled with a brush or a series of flexible bristles 90, which are mounted on a backing which may be slip- or snap-fit into a corresponding groove 92 provided in the front wall 68, such that the ends of the bristles are in slight contact with the underside of cover plate 80. The bristles 90 are sufficiently flexible to permit egress of the cables, for example the power cable 105 shown in Figure 3, while retarding the ingress of contaminants such as spilled liquids and dust into the exposed compartment 40.

The front upper housing 62 is provided with a web 94 which abuts the front wall 68 at an upper edge 98 and fills in the opening in the work surface 12. The lower edge of web 94 is provided with a tab or lip 96 which will abut the underside of the work surface 12. The housing 22 is affixed to the underside of the table 10 by the tabs or lips 85 and 96, for example using screws (not shown), such that the upper edge 98 and stop ledge 86 are flush with the work surface 12.

To assemble the receptacle 20 of the invention, the rear frame 60 is engaged to the front frame 62 by sliding the enlargement 61a into the channel 61b until the frames 60, 62 are in alignment. The spacers 70 are slip-fitted into the slots 64 on the front and/or rear frames 62, 60 as required for the particular combination of ports 2,4 to be mounted to the frame 60 and/or 62. The rear and front housings 30 and 32 are mounted to the upper housings 60, 62 by slip-fitting hooks 54a into slots 54b. Any communications sockets 59 installed in the openings 58 are wired to the corresponding communications ports 4 and fitted into the openings 58. Likewise, power inlet sockets 38 are installed into an opening 37 in an end plate 36 (or housing 30, 32), and connected to the power supply ports 2. It will be appreciated that the sockets 38, 59 are for convenience and the incoming wiring can alternatively be connected directly to the ports 2, 4.

The power supply ports 2 and communications ports 4 are then snap-fitted into place on the rear and front frames 60, 62, either in side-by-side relation or interspersed between spacers 70. The hinge 81 of the cover plate 80 is slid onto the pivot 82, and the brush 90 is inserted into the groove 92. The end plates 36 are affixed to the receptacle 20 by suitable fastening members 24.

hi use a single receptacle 20 may be employed, for example at a personal workstation or research cubicle, or multiple receptacles 20 maybe used as in the table 10 illustrated in Figure 1. It will be understood that as many receptacles 20 as desired may be used in work surface 12, subject to local electrical code restrictions. Openings dimensioned to receive the receptacles 20 are cut or otherwise formed through the work surface 12. The receptacle 20 is assembled as described above, mounted to the table 10 from underneath and affixed by screws 29 or other suitable fastening members. Electrical wiring from a remote power supply, communications network etc. (not shown) is connected to the sockets 38 59, respectively. The wiring may be conventionally connected between the sockets 38, 59 and a floor monument or conveniently located wall receptacle, or may advantageously fed through a wire management channel in a leg or pedestal supporting the work surface 12. Multiple receptacles 20 maybe coupled in parallel beneath the work surface 12, although it will in most cases be beneficial to connect all communications ports 4 directly to the communications facility in order that each receptacle maybe used independently of the other receptacles 20.

To connect a workstation device a user simply lifts the cover plate 80 to the open position and inserts the plug 104 for the power supply and/or plugs 106 for communications cables 107 (shown in phantom in Figure 3) into the appropriate ports 2, 4 as required. The user has a direct line of sight to the rear frame 60 from a position standing in front of the table 10, and can insert a plug into the port 2 or 4 using a natural lateral thrusting motion which is similar to that used when plugging a cord into a wall receptacle. Although the user does not have a direct line of sight to the front frame 62, the motion used to insert a right-angle insertion plug into a port 2 mounted on the front frame 62 is also relatively lateral. The cover plate 80 may be closed without interference by the cables egressing through the gap 89.

A preferred embodiment of the invention having been thus described by way of example only, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that certain modifications and adaptations may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The invention is intended to include all such modifications and adaptations as fall within the appended claims.

Claims

I CLAIM:

1. An electrical receptacle for recessing into a work surface, comprising an exposed compartment accessible through the work surface, at least one concealed compartment, and at least one partition comprising a frame for removably supporting a plurality of modular components, comprising ports for the connection of electrical cables or communications cables, or both, and spacers, wherein when mounted in the partition the ports are accessible for the connection of at least one cable through the exposed compartment, and whereby the partition isolates the concealed compartment from the exposed compartment.

2. The electrical receptacle of claim 1 wherein the partition comprises a plurality of ports and a plurality of spacers.

3. The electrical receptacle of claim 2 wherein the partition is disposed at an oblique angle relative to the work surface.

4. The electrical receptacle of claim 2 wherein the spacers are mounted to the frame in slip-fit relation.

5. The electrical receptacle of claim 4 wherein the frame provides opposed grooves and the spacers are slip-fitted into the grooves.

6. The electrical receptacle of claim 4 wherein the ports are mounted to the frame in snap-fit relation.

7. The electrical receptacle of claim 2 wherein the receptacle is provided with a cover plate which in the closed position provides a gap between the cover plate and a front wall of the exposed compartment for the egress of cables.

8. The electrical receptacle of claim 7 wherein the cover plate provides a hinge adapted to engage a pivot along an intermediate portion of the receptacle, to mount the cover plate in cantilevered relation substantially flush with the work surface.

9. The electrical receptacle of claim 7 wherein a series of flexible bristles is mounted to cover the gap.

10. The electrical receptacle of claim 2 wherein the receptacle is provided with front and rear concealed compartments, each concealed compartment being isolated from the exposed compartment by a partition.

11. A work surface having at least one electrical receptacle for recessing into a work surface, the electrical receptacle comprising an exposed compartment accessible through the work surface, at least one concealed compartment, and at least one partition comprising a frame for removably supporting a plurality of modular components comprising ports for the connection of electrical cables or communications cables, or both, and spacers, wherein when mounted in the partition the ports are accessible for the connection of at least one cable through the exposed compartment, and whereby the partition isolates the concealed compartment from the exposed compartment.

12. The work surface of claim 11 wherein the partition comprises a plurality of ports and a plurality of spacers.

13. The work surface of claim 12 wherein the partition is disposed at an oblique angle relative to the work surface.

14. The work surface of claim 12 wherein the spacers are mounted to the frame in slip-fit relation.

15. The work surface of claim 14 wherein the frame provides opposed grooves and the spacers are slip-fitted into the grooves.

16. The work surface of claim 14 wherein the ports are mounted to the frame in snap-fit relation.

17. The work surface of claim 12 wherein the receptacle is provided with a cover plate which in the closed position provides a gap between the cover plate and a front wall of the exposed compartment for the egress of cables.

18. The work surface of claim 17 wherein the cover plate provides a hinge adapted to engage a pivot along an intermediate portion of the receptacle, to mount the cover plate in cantilevered relation substantially flush with the work surface.

19. The work surface of claim 17 wherein a series of flexible bristles is mounted to cover the gap.

20. The work surface of claim 12 wherein the receptacle is provided with front and rear concealed compartments, each concealed compartment being isolated from the exposed compartment by a partition.