WO2015076737A1

WO2015076737A1 - Device for providing electric and/or communication connection in a board

Info

Publication number: WO2015076737A1
Application number: PCT/SE2014/051375
Authority: WO
Inventors: Anders AXEEN; Jan Westerlund
Original assignee: Kondator Ab
Priority date: 2013-11-22
Filing date: 2014-11-19
Publication date: 2015-05-28
Also published as: EP3072186A4; CN104659526A; DK3072186T3; PL3072186T3; EP3072186A1; EP3072186B1; CN104659526B

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device (100) for providing electric and/or communication connection, which device comprises a casing (20) and an insert (10), wherein: - the casing (20) is arranged to be fitted in a board and to contain the insert (10); and - the insert (10) is arranged to be able to assume a plurality of different axial positions in the casing (20), and comprises at least one electric (11) and/or one communication connection (12) for analog or digital communication. Furthermore, the invention relates to a system comprising at least one such device.

Description

DEVICE FOR PROVIDING ELECTRIC AND/OR COMMUNICATION CONNECTION

IN A BOARD

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a device for providing electric and/or communication connection in a board. The present invention also relates to a system comprising such a device . BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

With increased use of communication devices, such as portable computers and mobile phones, the need also increases for recharging these (as they often have a rechargeable battery) , to connect them to mains for driving the communication device, and/or to connect them to suitable communication interfaces so that these types of devices may communicate with other

communication devices.

The need is especially large in office and conference

environments, as computers and mobile phones now have become important tools. According to the prior art there exist devices arranged fixed in a table top, which known device consists of one integrated unit. This device may comprise an AC outlet and one or more communication connections, such as, e.g., for USB and LAN (Local Area Network) .

However, devices according to the prior art have some

drawbacks. They are for example cumbersome and time consuming to install in boards due to their integrated construction. Furthermore, the prior constructions are static in nature with regard to type and number of connections. Thus, there is a need for an improved device within the technical field.

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a solution, which entirely or partly solves problems and/or drawbacks wi' prior solutions.

Especially, the invention aims at providing a device with which flexibility and options are offered for connections in device mounted/integrated in a board.

According to an aspect of the invention the above mentioned

-are achieved with a device (100) for providing

electric and/or communication connection, which device

comprises a casing (20) and an insert (10), wherein:

- the casing (20) is arranged to be fitted in a board/screen and to contain the insert (10) ; and

- the insert (10) is arranged to be able to assume a plurality of different axial positions in the casing (20) , and comprises at least one electric (11) and/or communication connection (12) for analog or digital communication.

Different embodiments of the device above, are defined in the to the device appended independent claims. Furthermore, the invention relates to a system comprising at least one such device .

A device according to the present invention provides a

solution, which is easy to fit in a board/screen. Furthermore, the insert is adjustable axially in the casing, which provides flexibility, which has not been offered with devices according to the prior art, as the space in the casing above the insert may be adjusted and thereby also the position of the

connections in the same.

Furthermore, the insert in the present device may be exchanged so that the device may offer different combinations of

electric and/or communication connections, depending on the requirements. This may be done without dismantling the casing from the board, which both saves time and is cost effective. Further advantages and applications of the invention will be evident from the following detailed description.

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The present invention is described with reference to the appended drawings in which:

Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a device according to the present invention; Fig. 2 shows a different embodiment of a device according to the present invention in which the insert assumes position LI;

Fig. 3 shows the embodiment in Fig. 2 when the insert assumes position L2 ;

Fig. 4 shows the embodiment in Fig. 2 when the insert assumes position L3 ;

Fig. 5 shows the insert without casing;

Fig. 6 shows another insert without casing;

Fig. 7 shows the insert in Fig. 5 from a different view; Fig. 8 shows a casing, without insert, and a nut for the casing;

Fig. 9 shows the casing in Fig. 8 from a different view;

Fig. 10 shows the casing in Fig. 8 from a further different view;

Fig. 11 shows a system comprising a cover and a second

engagement means in the form of a nut; and

Fig. 12 shows examples on typical dimensions for the device in mm . DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In order to achieve the above mentioned and further objects, the present invention relates to a device arranged to provide at least an electric and/or communication connection for one or more external devices, such as, e.g., computers, mobile phones, tablets, hand held devices, and so on.

The present device according to the invention comprises a casing 20, which is arranged to be fitted in a board, and furthermore the casing (which defines an inner space) is arranged to contain an insert 10. In order to provide desired functions the insert comprises according to the invention at least one electric 11 and/or a communication connection 12 for analog or digital communication. Furthermore, the insert 10 is arranged to assume a plurality of different actual positions in the casing 20 so that its axial position may be varied in the casing depending on requirements. In this way a device is provided which is very easy to

assemble, as it consists of a separate casing and an insert which may be fitted separately. Furthermore, thanks to the insert being able to assume different axial positions in the casing a flexibility is provided which cannot be found in devices according to the prior art. For example, the position of the connections in the casing may be varied and furthermore the space in the casing above the insert may be varied.

Additionally, different inserts may be used for the same casing, which makes it possible to adapt the number and type of connections in accordance with the requirements for, e.g., office work spaces, hotel rooms, conference rooms, home environments and so on. The present invention is arranged to be fitted in a vertical board/screen (for example a wall or a vertical so called screen wall) , a horizontal board (for example a conference, desk or work table board) or in a board which assumes an intermediate position between the vertical or horizontal position. Preferably the casing is fitted in the board so that the upper side of the casing essentially is in level with the surface of the board, but also other ways of fitting the casing are possible. Furthermore, the axial extension of the casing extends perpendicularly to the surface of the board according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

According to a different embodiment the board is a horizontal board such as a table board.

A suitable way of fitting the device in the board, is that the board has a through hole whose shape corresponds to the outer shape of casing, so that a good fit is provided when the casing is fitted into the hole during fitting. Then, the casing may be locked with a suitable locking means, or element which is described further in the following description.

With the regard to the different axial positions the insert may assume at least two different axial positions in the casing, e.g., LI and L2 or L3 , but also more positions is of course possible. According to a preferred embodiment the insert is caused to assume its different positions in the casing using a first member 13 arranged on the outside of the casing and one to the first member co-operating at least second member 23 arranged on the inside of the casing. A number of different of such combinations of first 13 and second 23 members may be used. Figs. 5-6 and 9-10 show such an embodiment in which the first member is a recess and the second member is co-operating projections arranged to fit into the recess and to follow the extension of the recess so that the insert is manoeuvred in the casing. As is shown in Fig. 5 and 6 a longer recess extends essentially along the entire axial extension of the insert and for the different positions LI, L2 , L3 , there are shorter projections which are arranged perpendicularly to the axial recess and are connected with this. In these shorter recesses the projections of the casing are inserted, so that the insert in this way assumes one of its positions, depending on which one of the short recesses that is used for the moment .

Figs. 9 and 10 show clearly the projections arranged on the inside of the casing. In this case the casing has three separate projections arranged on the same level and at the same distance from each other in the inner periphery of the casing. With this design the upper side of the insert is entirely perpendicular to its and the casings axial extension at the same time as the insert assumes its different positions very stably and safely. Also solutions with a plurality of symmetrically arranged projections are possible.

With an electric connection is meant a connection with which an external device may be connected electrically so that the external device is provided with an electrical current/voltage in the form of alternating current or direct current. For example, the electric connection may be an AC connection at 220 volts or 110 volts with suitable connector depending on which connection standard that is used. But the electrical connection may also be a DC connection so that the external device is provided with a DC current at connection. If the connection is a DC connection the insert may according to a different embodiment of the invention also comprise a so called battery charger. That is, a device which transforms AC current to suitable DC current (for example 4, 6 or 8 volts) , so that the batteries of the external device thereby are charged. Examples on typical external devices to be connected to the device according to the invention are mobile phones (inclusive of so called "smart phones") , hand held computers, tablets ("pads") , so called "tablets", portable computers and variants of these. But it may also be devices for

presentation, such as projectors and externals screens.

Furthermore, with a communication connection for analog or digital communication is meant a connection which enables for an external device, when it is connected to the communication connection of the invention, may communicate (electronically) with any other communication unit, device, or member by means of suitable communication protocols. The communication

connection may be wireless, or by wire depending on application and may be, e.g. be a communication interface (so called interface) . Examples on digital communication

connections are USB, HDMI, Firewire; and an example on an analog communication connection is VGA.

Figs. 1-4 show two different embodiments of the present invention, in which the two embodiments differs in that the insert in Fig. 1 comprises an electric connection and four through holes, while the insert in Fig. 2-4 comprises an electric connection and two different communica ion

connections .

Figs. 5 and 6 show the insert without the casing. From the Figure it is clearly evident that the insert may have both electric and communication connections. In Fig. 5 the insert has an AC outlet, as well as an USB contact 12 and a network connection 12 for LAN.

Also the insert in Fig. 6 has an AC outlet, but in this figure the insert also has four through holes 14. By giving the through holes suitable dimensions, cables (for example

electric or communication cable) may be drawn through the holes, so than an external device may be connected to an electric and/or communication connection which is not arranged in the insert, but instead outside the same. It should also be noted that the connections are arranged on the upper side of the insert so that the connections are easily reached when the external devices are to be connected. As is shown in the appended drawings the casing assumes, according to a preferred embodiment, an essentially

cylindrical shape whose axial extension is larger than its radial extension, which means that the casing has an extended shape in the axial direction. Furthermore, the casing has an upper (first) opening and one in the axial direction opposite lower (second) opening. At least the upper opening has such dimensions that the insert may be inserted through it for example during fitting of the insert in anyone of its

different axial positions in the casing according to a

preferred embodiment of the invention. Typical dimensions may be 60 mm and 78 mm for the height and outer diameter inclusive of thread height, respectively, for the casing; and 73 mm and 80 mm for the diameter and height, respectively, of the insert as is shown in Fig. 12. But the casing and insert may also have other dimensions depending on the dimensions of the board, the number of connections in the insert, the size of the connections, and so on.

The device according to the depending drawings shows an embodiment in which the insert 10 has an extension, in the axial direction, which is larger than the extension of the casing 20 in the axial direction. Furthermore, the insert exhibits at its lower part one or more manoeuvring elements 22 for axial movement and turning, respectively, of the insert 10 within the casing 20. In this way the insert may easily be adjusted to assume its different positions within the casing for example by means of co-operating recesses and projections. The manoeuvring elements shall for this reason be

ergonomically designed for easy manoeuvring during handling of the same. In Fig. 8 the manoeuvring elements have a wave shape in the lower edge of the insert, but also other suitable shapes may be used. Furthermore, it should be noted that the insert does not have to be longer than the casing in the axial direction, but this is often preferred. According to another preferred embodiment of the invention the outside of casing has a first engagement member 21, which in co-operation with a second corresponding engagement member 24 locks the casing to the board. In the embodiments in the figures the first and second engagement members are cooperating threads. This means that the second engagement member may be arranged on the inside of a nut which is screwed onto the threads of the casing. Fig. 8 shows the casing and the second engagement member 24 in the form of a nut. During fitting the nut is threaded onto the co-operating threads of the casing and is then pulled with a suitable torque so that the casing is firmly fixed to the board. Then a suitable insert is mounted in the casing at a suitable axial height. With this embodiment a very safe and simple fitting of the casing in the board is provided as the casing is locked to the board. Furthermore, it is very simple to dismount the casing and thereby the entire device from the board, by a simple manoeuvre with the nut according to this embodiment. The present invention relates also to a system, comprising at least a device according to the invention and a cover and/or a second engagement member 24. Fig. 11 shows a system comprising a cover 30, and a second engagement member 24 in the form of a nut . The cover is in this case arranged to be placed on a supporting collar, arranged on the inside of the upper part of the casing so that the upper side of the cover, when it rests on the supporting collar, is in level with the upper side of the casing which gives an aesthetically pleasing solution, and results in that nothing extends above the surface of the board, which could be obstructing. Furthermore, the cover covers essentially the entire opening of the casing. This is with exception for a slit opening through which one or more cables may be inserted (the cover may of course have a plurality of openings) . The cover may also be entirely

covering and may also comprise a locking device so that authorized has access to the connections of the insert, example when high security is desired.

Finally, it should be realised that the present invention is not limited to the above described embodiments of the

invention, but relates to and comprises all embodiments within the scope of the appended independent claims .

Claims

C L A I M S

1. Device (100) for providing electric and/or communication connection, which device is c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that it comprises a casing (20) and an insert (10), wherein:

- the casing (10) is arranged to be fitted in a board/screen and to contain the insert (10) ; and

- the insert (10) is arranged to assume a plurality of

different axial positions in the casing (20) , and comprises at least one electric (11) and/or communication connection (12) for analog or digital communication.

2. Device according to anyone of the proceeding claims, wherein the casing (20), in the axial direction, has a lower opening and an opposite upper opening through which the insert (10) may be inserted through.

3. Device according to claim 2, wherein the casing (20) essentially has the shape of a cylinder whose axial extension is larger than its radial extension.

4. Device according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the electric connection (11) is a connection for alternating current or a connection for direct current.

5. Device according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the insert (10) exhibits at least a through hole (14) through which an electric cable or a communication cable may be drawn.

6. Device according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the insert (10) is arranged to be manoeuvred to the plurality of different positions by means of at least a first member (13) arranged on the outside of the insert and one, to the first member co-operating, at least second member (23) arranged on the inside of the casing.

7. Device according to claim 6, wherein the first member (13) is a recess and the second member (23) is a projection or vice versa .

8. Device according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the electric (11) and/or communication connection (12) is arranged on the upper side of the insert (10) .

9. Device according to claim 8, wherein the insert (10) has an extension, in the axial direction, which is larger than the extension of the casing (20) in the axial direction and at its lower part exhibits at least one manoeuvring element (22) for axial movement and turning, respectively, of the insert (10) inside the casing (20) .

10. Device according to anyone of the proceeding claims, wherein the outside of the casing (20) exhibits at least a first engagement member (21) in order to, in co-operation with the second engagement member (24) lock the casing (20) to the board .

11. Device according to claim 10, wherein the first engagement member (21) and the second engagement member (24) are cooperating threads.

12. Device according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the insert (10) is arranged to at least be able to assume a first position (LI) and a second position (L2) in the casing (20) , wherein the upper side of the insert (10) essentially is in level with the upper side of the casing (20) when the insert (10) assumes the first position (LI) .

13. Device according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the casing (20) is fitted in the board so that the upper side of the casing (20) essentially is in level with the surface of the board.

14. Device according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the device comprises a built in battery charger.

15. System comprising at least one device according to anyone of the preceding claims and one or more of:

- a cover arranged to entirely or partly cover the upper side of the insert; and/or the second engagement member (24) .