Electrical Activating Assembly and Receptacle Support Means Therefor

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to electrical activating assemblies for under-the-surface wiring distribution systems, and more particularly to improved support means supporting a receptacle substantially flush with the surface.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Modern building floors incorporate metal cellular flooring units which provide plural cells serving as wire distributing raceways, and a covering layer of concrete. The floor includes plural insert devices, each cooperating with the flooring unit to provide access to power, telephone and other services at one location in the floor.

In certain known arrangements temporary and relatively permanent power connections are made within the relatively confined space offered by the insert device. The making or breaking of a power connection is not readily accomplished--the removal, modification and reinstallation of the cover member being required. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,932,696 (FORK et al), 4,041,238 (PENCZAK).

In another known arrangement, the receptacle is secured to and movable with a pivotally supported cover member. The receptacle is flush with the floor surface when the cover is pivoted to the open position, and resides within the insert when the cover is pivoted to the closed position, see U.S. Pat. No. 3,972,579 (KOHAUT). In this arrangement most of the interior space of the insert is taken up by the path of travel of the receptacle and its support. Hence the making and breaking of power connections is facilitated but at the expense of space available for other electrical service connections.

Electrical outlet boxes also are known which provide a power receptacle substantially flush with a surface, such as that of a floor. Examples of outlet boxes supporting a single simplex receptacle are provided by U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,033,602 (ADAM), 3,027,416 (KISSEL), 3,064,850 (KELLY, JR.). Examples of outlet boxes supporting a duplex receptacle are provided by U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,996,566 (STAS), 3,956,573 (MYERS et al). An example of an outlet box supporting multiple plugs is provided by W. German Pat. No. 1,465,346.

The principal object of this invention is to provide improved means supporting either a simplex receptacle or a duplex receptacle substantially flush with the outer surface of a barrier, such as a floor, where it is readily available for plug connections.

Another object of this invention is to provide improved support means having partition means associated therewith and extends into a below-the-surface chamber--the partition means segregating low voltage wiring from high voltage wiring and providing a compartment for connection to other electrical services.

The present invention provides improvements in a barrier, such as a floor, of the type including a barrier outer surface, a chamber in the barrier having a chamber opening at the barrier outer surface, spaced-apart conduit means having conduit openings communicating with the chamber, and rim means presenting a rim opening at the chamber opening.

The present invention provides improved support means useful in the above-described barrier to provide a flush-with-the-surface electrical receptacle. The support means includes a support plate supported in part by the rim means proximate to and substantially parallel with the barrier outer surface. A plate element extends from one edge of the support plate into the chamber. A partition element overlapping the plate element cooperates therewith to divide the chamber into first and second compartments each containing one of the conduit openings. An electrical receptacle is supported by the support plate within the first compartment and presents a plug at the barrier outer surface. A closure member supported at the barrier outer surface in capping relation with the rim opening provides ready access to the receptacle.

In the preferred arrangement, the support means resides substantially entirely on one side of the bilateral axis of the rim means. Thus arranged, the receptacle resides in one-half of the rim opening whereas the other half of the rim opening provides adequate access to the second compartment for connections with other electrical services.

In an alternative embodiment, the plate element has a stepped profile including a first segment extending from the support plate into the chamber, a second segment extending laterally from the first segment and confronting the support plate, and a third segment extending from the second segment into the chamber. The arrangement is such that the second compartment is enlarged, whereby more working space is provided for making electrical connections in the second compartment.

FIG. 1 is an exploded isometric view of an activating assembly of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary isometric view illustrating a barrier incorporating the assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a support plate;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the support plate of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 5--5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an underfloor electrical distribution system incorporating the activating assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 7--7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an end view illustrating an alternative configuration of the support means; and

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, similar to FIG. 6, illustrating an electrical distribution system incorporating the support means of FIG. 8.

The present invention provides improvements in an activating assembly 30 (FIG. 1) of the type including rim means 33 providing a rim opening 34 and including a rim outer surface 59, and a cooperating closure member 31 adapted to be disposed in capping relation with the rim opening 34. The closure member 31 may have covers 32 pivotally connected thereto and removable therefrom. The rim means 33 is supported on the heads of leveling screws 40 and is secured to a substructure (not illustrated) by hold-down screws 41.

The present invention provides improved support means 35 including a support plate 36 having a central opening and means at the central opening for supporting and attaching a simplex or duplex receptacle 37, and a plate element 38 preferably formed integrally therewith and extending downwardly therefrom; and a partition element 39 which cooperates with the plate element 38 to provide partition means. When assembled, the support means 35 is presented in the rim opening 34, substantially entirely on one side of the bilateral axis X-X of the rim means 33, and with the plate element 38 extending downwardly therefrom. The support means 35 is supported in part by the rim means 33, below but proximate to the rim outer surface 59, and is secured to the rim means 33 by fasteners 42. The partition element 39 has a slot 43 receiving a fastener 44 which is threadedly engaged with the plate element 38. The fastener 44 and slot 43 permit adjusting the position of the partition element 39 relative to the plate element 38. The partition element 39 is provided with knockouts 137 which adapt the element 39 for reception of a second receptacle. The closure member 31 is secured to the support means 35 by a fastener 45 which passes through a fastener-receiving opening 46 in the closure member 31 and is threadedly engaged in an opening 47 in the support plate 36.

The activating means 30 may be installed in a barrier such as a wall or floor structure. FIG. 2 illustrates a fragment of a barrier 48 having a barrier outer surface 49 covered by a decorative covering, such as a carpet 50. Only a closure member 31 is visible at the barrier outer surface 49. The closure member 31 has a perimeter bead 51 projecting outwardly through an opening 52 in the carpet 50. The carpet edges at the perimeter of the opening 52 fit snugly against the bead 51 and are protected against unraveling. The closure member 31 has a member outer face 53 which is substantially flush with the barrier outer surface 49. The outer face 54 of that portion of the member outer face 53 presented interiorly of the bead 51 cooperates with the bead 51 to form a cover socket 55. At least one access opening 56 (two access openings being illustrated) is provided within the cover socket 55. An outlet 57 of the electrical receptacle 37 is presented in each opening 56. The outlets 57 are substantially flush-mounted with respect to the barrier outer surface 49 and are readily accessible for electrical plug connections. Each access opening 56 has a cover 32 associated therewith which is connected to the perimeter bead 51 for pivotal movement between a capping position (not illustrated) and an upstanding position. Each cover 32 may also be removed to facilitate connecting a large size accessory unit, such as an AC adapter or a multi-plug-in unit to one of the outlets 57. A multi-plug-in unit converts the single outlet 57 to a multiple outlet thereby increasing the number of available electrical connections which may be made. The closure member 31 also is adapted to pass a multi-conductor telephone cable 58.

The support means 35 (FIGS. 3-5) includes an angle-shaped member presenting the support plate 36 and the plate element 38. The support plate 36 includes a central opening 89. Support ears 88 presented at opposite ends of a central opening 89 are displaced downwardly out of the plane of the plate 36 and are each provided with a threaded opening 90. The receptacle 37 is shown in dotted outline, has mounting tabs 91 overlying the ears 88 and residing below the plane of the plate 36. The mounting tabs 91 are secured to the ears 88 by fasteners (not illustrated).

The support plate 36 includes a wing 92 (FIG. 3) along one side thereof provided with through openings 93. The wing 92 is adapted to overlie a ledge 94 (FIG. 5) of the rim means 33 and be secured thereto by the fasteners 42.

The plate element 38 includes a threaded opening 95 receiving the fastener 44 (FIG. 5) which secures the partition element 39 to the plate element 38. The plate element 38 is provided with nibs 96 which project from the outer face thereof. The nibs 96 (FIG. 5) maintain the partition element 39 spaced from the plate element 38 thereby minimizing contact therebetween and the through-conduction of heat therebetween. While the nibs 96 are shown formed in the plate element 38, the nibs could, instead, be formed in the partition element 39.

The barrier 48 (FIG. 2) may comprise a floor structure 97 such as illustrated in FIGS. 6, 7. Broadly, the floor structure 97 is of the type including a floor outer surface 103; a chamber 105 in the floor structure 97 having a chamber opening 115 at the outer surface 103; spaced-apart conduit means or cells 99, 100 having conduit or cell openings 106, 107 communicating with the chamber 105; and rim means 33 presenting the rim opening 34. The rim means resides within the chamber opening 115 and below but proximate to the floor upper surface 103.

Specifically, a sheet metal unit 98 provides the enclosed cells 99, 100 which are separated by a lengthwise trough 101. A layer 102 of monolithic concrete covers the sheet metal unit 98 and presents the floor upper surface 103. An insert 104 cooperates with the metal unit 98 to define the chamber 105 in the concrete 102 including a portion of the lengthwise trough 101. The chamber 105 and associated chamber opening 115 provide access to the cells 99, 100 through the grommeted openings 106, 107, from the floor upper surface 103. The insert 104 may be of the type described and claimed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,932,696 which is assigned to the assignee of this invention.

An upstanding partition 108 (FIG. 6) divides the chamber 105 into first and second compartments 109, 110, each communicating with one of the cells 99, 100. The upstanding partition 108 includes the partition element 39 and the plate element 38 of the support means 35. The support plate 36 is supported in part by the partition 108 and in part by the rim means 33 proximate to and substantially parallel with the floor upper surface 103. The electrical receptacle 37 is supported by the support plate 36 within the first compartment 109 and proximate to the floor upper surface 103--the outlets 57 being readily accessible from the floor upper surface 103.

It will be observed in FIG. 6 that a second receptacle shown in dotted outline at 132 may be provided. The second receptacle 132 preferably is mounted on the partition element 39 after removal of the knockouts 137 (FIG. 1). The second receptacle 132 is accessible from the second compartment 110 for electrical plug connections by removing the single fastener 45 and the closure member 31.

An alternative embodiment of the present support means--designated generally by the numeral 35'--is illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9. Corresponding numerals will be employed to identify corresponding parts heretofore described.

The support means 35' (FIG. 8) incorporates a plate element 38 having a stepped profile. The plate element 38 includes a first segment 140 extending from one edge of the support plate 36, a second segment 141 extending laterally of the first segment 140 and confronting the support plate 36, and a third segment 142 extending from the second segment 141 away from the support plate 36. The partition element 39 is secured to the third segment 142 by the fastener 44. When installed, the support means 35' (FIG. 9) divides the chamber 105 into first and second compartments 109', 110'--the second compartment 110' being enlarged, compare FIG. 9 with FIG. 6. The second compartment 110' will accommodate the larger double amphenol connectors and provides more working space for making plug connections with the second receptacle 132.