WO2010119406A1

WO2010119406A1 - Power supply systems

Info

Publication number: WO2010119406A1
Application number: PCT/IB2010/051614
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ray Mazullo; Brian Van Zyl; Nicholas Brear
Original assignee: Ray Mazullo; Brian Van Zyl; Nicholas Brear
Priority date: 2009-04-15
Filing date: 2010-04-14
Publication date: 2010-10-21
Also published as: GB0906432D0

Abstract

The power supply system disclosed comprises a first vertically elongate structure (12) intended to be fitted in an opening in a work top. A second vertically elongate structure (14) is movable vertically with respect to the structure (12) between an upper in-use position and a lower stored position. A gas strut urges the structure (14) upwardly towards its upper position. A latch holds the structure (14) in its lower stored position. When the latch is released the structure (14) is free to move upwardly. A seal is provided for inhibiting liquid ingress between the first and second structures (12, 14) when the structure (14) is in its lower position. Downward pressure on the structure (14), whilst it is in its lower position, causes the seal to be compressed thereby permitting further downward movement of the structure (14) though a distance sufficient to activate the latch to its released condition and permit the gas strut to lift the structure (14).

Description

POWER SUPPLY SYSTEMS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to power supply systems.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Power supply systems which comprise a vertical casing that passes through a work surface are well-known. The casing carries electrical sockets and other electrical components. In its "in use" position, the casing extends upwardly from the work surface and all or some of the electrical components are accessible from above the work surface. When in its retracted inoperative position, all the electrical components are below the work surface.

A power supply system of this type is disclosed in

WO2006/34513. In this system, the casing is displaced manually both in the upward direction to its operative position and in the downward direction to its inoperative position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a power supply system comprising a first vertically elongate structure intended to be fitted in an opening in a work top, a second vertically elongate structure within the first structure and movable vertically with respect thereto between an upper in-use position and a lower stored position, means for urging said second structure upwardly towards its upper position, a latch which, when in its engaged condition, holds the second structure in its lower stored position, the latch further having a released condition, the second structure being free to move upwardly upon the latch moving from its engaged condition to its released condition, and sealing means for inhibiting liquid ingress between the first and second structures when the second structure is in its lower position, downward pressure on the second structure whilst it is in its lower position causing said sealing means to be compressed thereby permitting further downward movement of the second structure though a distance sufficient to activate the latch to its released condition and permit said means to lift the second structure.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a power supply system comprising a first vertically elongate structure intended to be fitted in an opening in a work top, a second vertically elongate structure within the first structure and movable vertically with respect thereto between an upper in-use position and a lower stored position, means for urging said second structure upwardly towards its upper position, the first structure including a sealing ring which encircles the first structure and seals between the first and second structures to inhibit liquid ingress, the second structure including a circular upper zone, a circular lower zone and a non- circular area between said zones, said sealing ring co-operating with said upper zone when the second structure is in its lower stored position and said lower zone when the second structure is in its upper in-use position. Said non-circular area can be in the form of a flat.

The means for lifting the second structure can be a gas strut.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of a non-limiting example, to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a pictorial view from above of a power supply system in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a further pictorial view of the power supply system;

Figure 3 shows an outer sleeve and a number of other components of the system;

Figure 4 is a pictorial front view of the system of Figure 1 with the movable column fully retracted and with an outer sleeve removed;

Figure 5 is a pictorial front view similar to Figure 2 but with further parts removed to enable the internal structure to be illustrated;

Figure 6 is a view similar to that of Figure 3 but showing the system from the rear;

Figure 7 is a view similar to that of Figures 3 and 4 but showing the column fully extended;

Figures 8 and 9 are pictorial views of a collar;

Figure 10 is a pictorial view of a locking ring; Figure 11 is a pictorial view of a sleeve;

Figure 12 is a section illustrating the upper part of the column;

Figure 13 is a pictorial view from below of the lower part of the system;

Figure 14 illustrates the upper part of the column;

Figure 15 is a cross section through an extrusion;

Figure 16 is a pictorial view of the power supply system with the column fully lifted; and

Figure 17 is a similar pictorial view with the column partly lifted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The power supply system 10 shown in Figures 1 and 2 comprises an outer structure 12 and an inner structure 14 which moves vertically within the structure 12.

The structure 12 comprises a vertically elongate sleeve 16 and a collar 18 (see also Figures 8 and 9) which is secured to the upper end of the sleeve 16 and has external threading. There is a flange 20 at the upper end of the collar 18, and protruding tabs 22 which have screw holes 24 in them at the lower end of the collar. Screws 26 secure the collar 18 to the sleeve 16 as will be described.

A locking ring 28, also shown in Figure 10, has internal threading compatible with the threading of the collar 18 and is screwed onto the collar 18. The ring 28 is tightened to clamp a work top W (Figure 1 ) between the flange 20 and the ring 28. A sealing ring 28.1 (only shown in Figure 12) seals between the ring 28 and the work top W.

The inner structure 14 includes a plurality of sockets 30 (see Figures 2, 4 and 15) which enable the power cables (not shown) of equipment to be plugged in. The structure 14 is closed at its upper end by a top cap generally designated 32.

A moulded structure designated 34 (see Figures 4, 5 and 6) fits into the lower end of the sleeve 16 and is thus immovable. Power connectors are provided within the structure 34. In Figure 2 a power feed cable is shown at 36.

A part cylindrical extrusion 38 (see particularly Figure 15) extends upwardly from a base plate 40 (Figures 4, 5 and 6). The extrusion 38 has internal rib and groove formations 42. The sockets 30 are carried by a component 44 (see Figures 4 and 5) the edges of which are configured to fit in the formations 42. The component 44 is mounted on the extrusion 38 by sliding it in from one end of the extrusion. The sockets 30 lie, as best seen in Figure 4, in the elongate axially extending gap 46 of the extrusion 38. Other components are also mounted on the extrusion in this way as will be described hereinafter.

An inner sleeve 48 (Figures 3, 4 and 11 ) has a flared bottom section 50 terminating in a narrow protruding flange 52. At its upper end the sleeve 48 has a step 56 in it which forms a seat for a sealing ring 58 (Figure 3) which fits over the end of the sleeve 48. The wall of the sleeve 48 is not continuous but has a gap 48.1 in it. Flexible tabs 60 protrude from the lower end of the cylindrical wall of the sleeve 48. The tabs 60 have screw holes 62 in them.

Turning now to Figures 3 and 12, these Figures illustrate the sealing structures of the power supply system. The sleeve 16, collar 18, locking ring 28 and inner sleeve 48 are illustrated in Figure 3.

A disc 64 constitutes the exposed component of the cap 32.

A sealing ring 66 fits into an annular recess 68 provided therefor in the top surface of the flange 20.

The disc 64 is secured by a locking plate 70 to an end cap 72. The end cap 72 fits into the upper end of the extrusion 38. The plate 70 is secured by screws (not shown) to the underside of the disc 64 and there is a bayonet type connection for releasably securing the plate 70 to the end cap 72.

A metal ring 74 covers the sealing ring 66 and snap fits onto the flange 20. There is a further sealing ring 76 which is secured by adhesive to the underside of the disc 64. The sleeve 48 slides into the collar 18, the tabs 22 being aligned with the tabs 60. The holes 24, 62 are aligned with holes 78 in the sleeve 16 and the screws 26 are passed through the aligned holes to secure the collar 18 and the sleeve 48 to the sleeve 16. The sealing ring 58 seals the annular gap between the upper ends of the collar 18 and sleeve 48.

The lower edge of the collar 48 bears on the upper edge of the sleeve 16. Any liquid which should enter the gap between the collar 18 and the sleeve 48 runs onto the flared section 50 and is directed to the outside of the sleeve 16 and not to the inside.

The sealing ring 58 includes protrusions 80 on the circumferentially inner edge thereof which fit into openings 82 in the sleeve 48 above the step 56 thereby to locate the ring 58.

It will be understood that the sleeve 16, collar 18, ring 28, sleeve 48, sealing rings 58 and 66 and ring 74 form part of the outer structure 12. The disc 64, the plate 70, the end cap 72 and the ring 76 form part of the inner structure 14.

A latch 84 (see Figure 13) is mounted on the fixed structure 34. The latch has an actuating arm 86 with a roller 88 at its free end. The latch 84 is of the type which is activated when downward pressure is exerted on the arm 86 by way of the roller 88. Such latches are widely used on cupboard doors. As shown in Figure 13, a latch operating element 90 is mounted on the underside of the bottom plate 40 of the structure 14. The element 90 co-operates with the roller 88. The element 90 has an opening in it which receives the roller 88.

To latch the inner structure 14 in its retracted, that is, lowermost position, it is pressed down into the structure 12. The underside of the plate 40 encounters the roller 88. As the inner structure 14 moves through the last part of its movement, the roller 88 rolls on the underside of the plate 40 and the arm 86 moves downwardly. The latch 84 eventually locks into its lower position, the roller 88 interlocking with the element 90 to hold the structure 14 in its lowermost position.

By depressing the structure 14 through a further distance, the latch 84 is released and its internal spring pushes the arm 86 upwardly disengaging the roller 88 from the element 90. The structure 14 is now free to move upwardly.

The downward movement of the structure 14 needed to release the latch 84 obtained by exerting downward pressure on the cap 32. When the structure 14 reaches its locked position, the sealing ring 76 is in contact with the ring 74 but only compressed to the extent sufficient to seal between the cap 32 and the ring 74. Downward pressure on the cap 32 further compresses the ring 76 and the downward movement that this permits is sufficient to release the latch 84.

A gas strut 92 (Figures 6 and 7) within the extrusion 38 extends between the base structure 34 and a connector 94 mounted on the underside of the end cap 72. When the latch 84 is released to free the structure 14, the gas strut 92 extends pushing the structure 14 to its raised position.

A microswitch 96 (Figure 7) is mounted on the plate 40. When the structure 14 is in its retracted position the switch 96 is open so that the sockets 30 are disconnected from the power supply. Only when the structure 14 approaches its fully extended position does the microswitch 96 encounter an operating member carried by the structure 12. The microswitch 96 then closes but re-opens immediately downward movement of the structure 14 commences.

As described above the component 44 on which the sockets are mounted slides into the extrusion 38. Reference numeral 98 (Figures 4, 5, 16 and 17) designates a further component which slides into the formations 42. The lower part of the front face of the component 98 has a rounded configuration which forms a continuation of the outer surface of the extrusion 38. This ensures that in the position shown in Figure 2 the inner periphery of the ring 66 is in sealing contact with a continuous circumferential surface of the structure 14. The component 98 includes a projecting structure which comprises a platform 100 with three ribs 102 projecting upwardly from it. As the structure 14 moves upwardly, the ribs 102 enter the gap 48.1 in the sleeve 48. Contact between the horizontal top edge of the gap 48.1 and the top edges of the ribs 102 limits upward movement of the structure 14.

An inverted component of similar configuration to the component 98 is provided above the component 44. This ensures that, when the structure 14 is in the retracted position of Figure 1 , there is again contact between the inner periphery of the ring 66 and a continuous circular surface of the structure 14.

If it is desired to provide sets of socket in a back-to-back arrangement, the single extrusion 38 is replaced by a pair of spaced extrusions which provide two diametrically opposed gaps 46.

As the electrical wiring forms no part of the present invention, the wiring extending from the structure 34 to the sockets 30 will not be described.

Claims

1. A power supply system comprising a first vertically elongate structure intended to be fitted in an opening in a work top, a second vertically elongate structure within the first structure and movable vertically with respect thereto between an upper in-use position and a lower stored position, means for urging said second structure upwardly towards its upper position, a latch which, when in its engaged condition, holds the second structure in its lower stored position, the latch further having a released condition, the second structure being free to move upwardly upon the latch moving from its engaged condition to its released condition, and sealing means for inhibiting liquid ingress between the first and second structures when the second structure is in its lower position, downward pressure on the second structure whilst it is in its lower position causing said sealing means to be compressed thereby permitting further downward movement of the second structure though a distance sufficient to activate the latch to its released condition and permit said means to lift the second structure.

2. A power supply system comprising a first vertically elongate structure intended to be fitted in an opening in a work top, a second vertically elongate structure within the first structure and movable vertically with respect thereto between an upper in-use position and a lower stored position, means for urging said second structure upwardly towards its upper position, the first structure including a sealing ring which encircles the first structure and seals between the first and second structures to inhibit liquid ingress, the second structure including a circular upper zone, a circular lower zone and a non-circular area between said zones, said sealing ring co-operating with said upper zone when the second structure is in its lower stored position and said lower zone when the second structure is in its upper in-use position.

3. A power supply system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said non-circular area is in the form of a flat.

4. A power supply system as claimed in claim 1 , 2 or 3, wherein the means for lifting the second structure is a gas strut.