Abstract:
A concealed power/network module that can be lowered or raised from a ceiling via key switch or remote control having a weighted base with a canister providing a plurality of data and networking ports having a motorized pulley with spooled, tensioned lengths of wiring and network cables to raise and lower the canister without slack. Additionally the device has deployable support bars for stabilizing the device in a ceiling panel securely while not in use.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates generally to electrical and data connections and, more specifically, to a power/network module for offices suspended from a ceiling mounted housing having a motorized pulley with a load bearing cable attached to a canister that may be raised or lowered via a key switch or remote control. Spooled, tensioned lengths of wiring and network cables are provided originating from the upper concealed ceiling portion of the device while terminating in the canister ports to provide a neat and slack free connection from the ceiling to desk, table or floor. Additionally provided for are connections for fixedly mounting the device to a ceiling or flush mounted to a suspended ceiling. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0004]    There are other ceiling deployable devices designed for connection services while these devices may be suitable for the purposes for which they were designed, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention, as hereinafter described. 
       SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
       [0005]    A primary object of the present invention is to provide a concealed power/network module that can be lowered or raised from a ceiling via key switch or remote control. 
         [0006]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a concealed power/network module that can be lowered or raised from a ceiling having a weight on the bottom of the canister to provide stable base for the canister when deployed. 
         [0007]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a concealed power/network module that can be lowered or raised from a ceiling, providing a canister with connection and ports for electric, data, cable, networking and any other commonly used office connection. 
         [0008]    Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a concealed power/network module that can be lowered or raised from a ceiling via remote control, having a motorized pulley with a spooled tensioned length of electrical wiring and/or network cable are provided in the originating in the upper concealed ceiling portion of the device while terminating in the canister ports to provide a neat and slack free connection from the ceiling to desk, table or floor 
         [0009]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a concealed power/network module that can be lowered or raised from a ceiling via remote control having deployable support bars for stabilizing the device in a ceiling panel securely while not in use. 
         [0010]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a concealed power/network module that can be lowered or raised from a ceiling via remote control adaptable to a fixed or drop panel ceiling. 
         [0011]    Additional objects of the present invention will appear as the description proceeds. 
         [0012]    The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a concealed power/network module that can be lowered or raised from a ceiling via key switch or remote control having a weighted base with a canister providing a plurality of data and networking ports having a motorized pulley with spooled, tensioned lengths of wiring and network cables to raise and lower the canister without slack. Additionally the device has deployable support bars for stabilizing the device in a ceiling panel securely while not in use. 
         [0013]    The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear from the description to follow. In the description reference is made to the accompanying drawing, which forms a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In the accompanying drawing, like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views. 
         [0014]    The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
         [0015]    In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is an illustrative view of prior art. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is an illustrative view of the power/network module of the present invention in a retracted concealed position. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is an illustrative view of the power/network module of the present invention deploying using a remote control. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is an illustrative view of the power/network module of the present invention deployed to a desk. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is an illustrative view of the power/network module of the present invention deployed using a key switch. 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is an illustrative view of the power/network module of the present invention deployed to a desk. 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the deployable power/network module of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  is an illustrative view of the power/network components of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 10  is an illustrative view of the power/network components of the present invention in use. 
           [0026]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of an additional element of the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 12  is a sectional view of an embodiment of the power network module housing of the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 13  is a sectional view of an additional element of the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 14  is an illustrative view of the power/network components of the present invention in use. Shown is the power/network module comprising 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCED NUMERALS 
       [0030]    Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, the figures illustrate the Ceiling Deployable Electric/Data Port Module System of the present invention. With regard to the reference numerals used, the following numbering is used throughout the various drawing figures.
         10  Ceiling Deployable Electric/Network Port Module System of the present invention     12  prior art     14  electrical cord     16  data/network cable     18  module housing     20  suspended ceiling     22  high hat lighting fixture     24  key switch     26  hand held wireless remote control     28  user     30  motorized cable bundle     32  ceiling aperture     34  key switch     36  power receptacle     38  data/network port     40  weighted base of  18       42  ceiling plate of  18       44  central column of  18       46  motorized central steel cable     48  reversible motor     50  central steel cable spool     52  data/network spring tension spool     54  electrical spring tension spool     56  data/network feeder cable     58  electrical feeder wire     60  fixed ceiling     62  spreader bar     64  kill switch     66  receiver of  48       68  electrical switch       
 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0061]    The following discussion describes in detail one embodiment of the invention (and several variations of that embodiment). This discussion should not be construed, however, as limiting the invention to those particular embodiments, practitioners skilled in the art will recognize numerous other embodiments as well. For definition of the complete scope of the invention, the reader is directed to appended claims. 
         [0062]      FIG. 1  is an illustrative view of prior art 12. Currently, electrical cords  14  and internet cables  16  cause a potential tripping hazard due to the way they are draped across tables and strung along the floor to connect to a service outlet. The present invention overcomes this problem by providing a concealed power/network receptacle module for offices and conference rooms that deploys from a ceiling module. 
         [0063]      FIG. 2  is an illustrative view of the ceiling deployable electric and data ports module system  10  of the present invention in a retracted concealed position. Shown is an embodiment of the power/network module housing  18  positioned within and supported by a suspended ceiling  20 . As illustrated, the power/network module  18  is of similar appearance and size to a high hat lighting fixture  22  and therefore concealed when retracted. The present invention envisions that the module housing  18  can be affixed to any ceiling whether home, office or conference room  24  so that electrical wiring and associated receptacle(s) and optional network cables and associated receptacle(s) can be retracted out of sight eliminating the aforementioned dangers of ground based wiring and adding to the aesthetic appearance of the room. 
         [0064]      FIG. 3  is an illustrative view of the ceiling deployable electric and data ports module system  10  of the present invention deploying using a remote control  26  operated by the user  28 . Shown is the power/network module housing  18  deploying from a motorized cable bundle  30  by remote control  26 . The power/network module housing  18  has a weighted base so when deployed travels in vertical fashion to a support structure, such as a desk, and since it basically deploys through gravity and is tethered by pliable cable it can be relocated to any desired location. 
         [0065]      FIG. 4  is an illustrative view of the ceiling deployable electric and data ports module system  10  of the present invention with the module housing  18  deployed to a desk. Shown is the power/network module housing  18  deployed with a cable bundle  30  from an aperture  32  in the drop ceiling  20  by means of a provided wall mounted key switch  34  or by a provided remote control  26  so that users  28  can connect electronic equipment to the power/network module housing  18 . The present invention optionally provides network connection receptacles. The power/network module  18  has a weighted base so when deployed it travels in vertical fashion to a support structure, such as a desk, and since it basically deploys through gravity and is tethered by pliable steel cable it then can be relocated to any desired location as desired. 
         [0066]      FIG. 5  is an illustrative view of the ceiling deployable electric and data ports module system  10  of the present invention with the module housing  18  being deployed to a desk. Shown is the power/network module housing  18  being deployed with a cable bundle  30  from an aperture  32  in the drop ceiling  20  by means of a provided wall mounted key switch  34  so that users  28  can connect electronic equipment to the power/network module housing  18 . 
         [0067]      FIG. 6  is an illustrative view of the ceiling deployable electric and data ports module system  10  of the present invention deployed to a desk. Shown is the power/network module housing  18  deployed with a cable bundle  30  from an aperture  32  in the drop ceiling  20  by means of a provided wall mounted key switch  34  so that users  28  can connect electronic equipment to the power/network module housing  18 . 
         [0068]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the deployable power/network module housing  18  of the present invention. Shown is the deployable power/network module housing  18  comprising power receptacles  36  and network/data connection ports  38  in electrical communication with a source service. The housing  18  includes a conical weighted base  40  and ceiling plate  42 . Also depicted is a cable wrap  30  having a line, preferably steel cable, attached to a motorized spool with the electrical and network cables each attached to tensioned spools to aid in retracting them. 
         [0069]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the power/network module housing  18  of the present invention. Shown is a detailed perspective of the present inventions conceal able power/network module housing  18  having a weighted base  40  and ceiling plate  42  to conceal it and to rest on when deployed. A central column  44  includes a plurality of data/network ports  38  and electrical power receptacles  36  surrounding it&#39;s periphery for easy access and connection to a computer phone or other office equipment. Also depicted are the network/data cables  16  and electric power cords  14  inserted into their respective ports and receptacles. 
         [0070]      FIG. 9  is an illustrative view of the ceiling deployable electric and data ports module system  10  of the present invention with the module housing  18  in the retracted stored position. Shown is the motorized central cable  46  on its motor  48  operated spool  50  and the data/network feeder cable  56  on the data/network spring tensioned spool  52  and the electrical feeder line  58  wound onto the electrical spring tensioned spool  54 . The central cable  46  is load bearing and is in control of raising and lowering the module housing  18  while the spring tensioned spools are to take up any additional slack in the connected data and electrical lines. Also depicted is the ceiling plate  42  sitting flush against the underside of said drop ceiling  20 . 
         [0071]      FIG. 10  is an illustrative view of the ceiling deployable electric and data ports module system  10  of the present invention with said module housing  18  being deployed. Shown is the motorized central cable  46  being lowered by its motor  48  operated spool  50  and the data/network feeder cable  56  on the data/network spring tensioned spool  52  and the electrical feeder line  58  on the electrical spring tensioned spool  54  unwinding. 
         [0072]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of an additional element of the module housing  18 . Shown is an additional element of the power/network module  18  having a plurality of power receptacles  36  data/network ports  38 . Also shown are the steel central cable  50 , data/network feeder cable  56 , electrical feeder line  58 , weighted housing base  40  and ceiling plate  42  which doubles as a stand when seated on a structure. 
         [0073]      FIG. 12  is a sectional view of an embodiment of the power network module housing system  10  of the present invention. Shown is the system installed in a fixed ceiling  60  with spreader bars  62  on the top side thereof to provide additional support. 
         [0074]      FIG. 13  is a sectional view of an additional element of the present invention. Shown is the power network module housing system  10  including a sensor  64  in electrical communication with said motor  48  mounted approximate the housing module aperture  32  used to shut off the rewind spool motor  48  when the module housing  18  enters therein. 
         [0075]      FIG. 14  is an illustrative view of the power/network components of the power network module housing system  10  in use. Shown is the motor  48  having a receiver  66  in wireless communication with the remote control unit and the key switch  34  for initiating and terminating the raising and lowering of the power/network module  18 . Also shown is the kill switch  64  released by the removal of the ceiling plate  42  thereagainst. 
         [0076]    It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of methods differing from the type described above. 
         [0077]    While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. 
         [0078]    Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.