Abstract:
A hollow-spine cable tray has cable arms wherein the hollow channel of the body spine is adapted for running and holding electrical wiring. This is achieved by enlarging the spine, and thus its hollow channel, and by molding one side face of the spine so as to open outwardly except when covered by one or more snap-on cover plates. The cover plates may include mounts suitable for holding standard 110 or 220 volt electrical outlets, modular telephone jacks, or the like. Preferably, however, separate outlet plates bearing or adapted to bear the outlets are configured to snap on over the open face of the spine between adjacent cover plates.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not applicable. 
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to cable trays—more particularly, to a cable tray having a spine with at least one open side face, through which open face may be passed electrical wiring, or data networking or telephone cabling, for ducting through the hollow interior of the spine. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Cable trays comprise beamed or spined members having regularly spaced transverse arms for cradling cables, wiring, tubes and the like, such as for computer networks, telecommunications and the like. Cable trays normally are suspended from ceilings on rods. In computer network installations, cable trays are used for routing network cables along the ceiling of a dedicated room to upright components known as racks. Occasionally, the cable trays might be laid out on top of the racks. 
     It is also necessary, however, to run electrical power into and around the room to the racks and to other related equipment. For purposes of isolating the electrical power wiring from interference with communication signals in the network cables, and for reasons of safety, electrical power wiring typically is carried within the hollows of separately mounted ducts called raceways. Prior art cable trays, which are limited to carrying externally exposed cabling, therefore are not suitable for electrical wiring. To run electrical wiring along the cable arms thereof would not be in compliance with building code requirements. In order to meet building code requirements and the IEEE specifications, a metallic barrier must separate electrical wiring and low voltage cabling. 
     Prior developments in this field may be generally illustrated by reference to the following information disclosure statement: 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 U.S. Patent Documents 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 U.S. Pat. No. 
                 Patentee 
                 Issue Date 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 5,629,496 
                 J. Navazo 
                 May 13, 1997 
               
               
                   
                 5,659,151 
                 J. Dale 
                 Aug. 19, 1997 
               
               
                   
                 5,123,618 
                 D. Guterman et al. 
                 Jun. 23, 1992 
               
               
                   
                 5,323,988 
                 I. Handler 
                 Jun. 28, 1994 
               
               
                   
                 5,131,860 
                 S. Bogiel 
                 Jul. 21, 1992 
               
               
                   
                 4,166,195 
                 A. Schwab 
                 Aug. 28, 1979 
               
               
                   
                 4,017,137 
                 W. Parks 
                 Apr. 12, 1977 
               
               
                   
                 5,614,695 
                 J. Benito Navazo 
                 Mar. 25, 1997 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,123,618 and 5,323,988 teach typical cable trays having arms that are designed to hold multiple strands of cable in a distribution system. 
     U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,131,860, 4,166,195, 4,017,137 and 5,614,695 teach electrical wiring raceways comprising hollow ducts with snap-on covers. Some of these covers feature knockout or punch-out tabs for accepting electrical outlets. 
     U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,629,496 and 5,659,151 teach other box-like hollow mechanisms having provisions for electrical outlets and wiring. 
     It is common to find cable trays and electrical raceways mounted side-by-side in a single installation, resulting in a great deal of duplication of effort, materials and the like—not to mention the amount of space wasted in rooms which often are no larger than closets. There has been no suggestion in the art that such unnecessary duplication could be eliminated were a single device to be designed to perform both functions safely. 
     Accordingly, there continues to be a need for a new and improved cable tray which addresses the problems of construction, effectiveness and ease of use that are attendant in the prior art. In this respect, the present invention substantially fulfills this need. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the disadvantages inherent in the known art, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to teach a new and improved cable tray with power channel which has all of the important advantages of the prior art and few, if any, of the disadvantages. 
     The present invention is a hollow-spine cable tray having cable arms wherein the hollow channel of the body spine (presently unused in the art) is adapted for running and holding electrical wiring. This is achieved by enlarging the spine, and thus its hollow channel, and by molding one side face of the spine so as to open outwardly except when covered by one or more snap-on cover plates. 
     The cover plates may include mounts suitable for holding standard 110 volt, 220 volt or NEMA outlets. Preferably, however, separate fixtures (herein “outlet plates”) bearing or adapted to bear the outlets are configured to snap on over the open face of the spine between adjacent cover plates. 
     FEATURES AND ADVANTAGES 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved cable tray with power channel which has all, or nearly all, of the advantages of the prior art, while simultaneously overcoming most of the disadvantages normally associated therewith. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved cable tray with power channel which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed. 
     A further object or feature of the present invention is a new and improved cable tray with power channel which is of a durable and reliable construction. 
     An even further object of the present invention is to provide a novel cable tray with power channel which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the public, thereby making the cable tray with power channel economically available to the trade. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novel cable tray with power channel wherein an increased ease of assembly is permitted relative to the art. 
     Another object or feature is a new and improved cable tray with power channel that is easy to use, tidy in function and appearance, and suitable for mass production. 
     Accordingly, a feature of this invention is a cable tray including: a hollow spine elongated along a longitudinal axis; a top wall of said spine; a bottom wall of said spine; at least one open side face of said spine between said top and bottom walls, said open side face forming an elongated first opening parallel to said longitudinal axis; a plurality of cable arms mounted through said at least one open face perpendicular thereto and perpendicular to said longitudinal axis; and means for mounting at least one type of electrical outlet, said mounting means releasably engaged with said first opening. 
     A further feature is such an apparatus wherein said cable arms are U-shaped, and further including at least one snap-on cover plate releasably engaged with said first opening. 
     Still another feature is disclosed wherein said at least one snap-on cover plate includes said mounting means. 
     Another feature is wherein said mounting means is a plurality of opposed pairs of knockout tabs adapted to form apertures within which to engage said at least one type of electrical outlet. 
     In one preferred embodiment, said at least one type of electrical outlet is 110 volt. 
     A further feature is wherein said mounting means is at least one aperture within which to engage said at least one type of electrical outlet. 
     As a preferred feature, there are at least two snap-on outlet plates, namely, at least one 110 volt outlet plate having a pair of said at least one apertures within which to engage a first said type of electrical outlet, namely, a 110 volt electrical outlet, and at least one 220 volt (or, alternatively, a NEMA) outlet plate having one of said at least one apertures within which to engage a second said type of electrical outlet, namely, a 220 volt electrical outlet. 
     Another featured apparatus is one wherein there are two said open faces, namely, a first open face and a second open face, said first and second open faces mounted parallel to each other along opposite longitudinal edges of said top and bottom walls, said first open face forming said first opening, and said second open face forming a second opening parallel to said longitudinal axis, onto which second opening at least said snap-on cover plates may be snapped. 
     Yet another apparatus features at least one snap-on outlet plate, which said at least one outlet plate includes said mounting means, and features a code separation wall running parallel to said longitudinal axis and connecting said top and bottom walls. 
     Other novel features which are characteristic of the invention, as to organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof will be better understood from the following description considered in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawing is for illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming part of this disclosure. The invention resides not in any one of these features taken alone, but rather in the particular combination of all of its structures for the functions specified. 
     There has thus been broadly outlined the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form additional subject matter of the claims appended hereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based readily may be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     Further, the purpose of the Abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The Abstract is neither intended to define the invention of this application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. 
     Certain terminology and derivations thereof may be used in the following description for convenience in reference only, and will not be limiting. For example, words such as “upward,” “downward,” “left,” and “right” would refer to directions in the drawings to which reference is made unless otherwise stated. Similarly, words such as “inward” and “outward” would refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of a device or area and designated parts thereof. References in the singular tense include the plural, and vice versa, unless otherwise noted. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawing wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a broken exploded perspective view of a first preferred cable tray with power channel of this invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a broken right side elevation of the device of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a broken plan view of the device of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is an exploded cross sectional frontal elevation of the device of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 5 is an exploded cross sectional frontal elevation of a second preferred cable tray with power channel of this invention; 
     FIG. 6 is a broken cross sectional right side elevation showing the interconnection of a pair of the devices of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the cover plate of the device of FIG. 1; and 
     FIG. 8 is an exploded cross sectional frontal elevation of a third preferred cable tray with power channel of this invention. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Drawing Reference Numerals 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 10 
                 cable tray with power channel 
               
               
                 12 
                 spine 
               
               
                 12a 
                 spine 
               
               
                 14 
                 power channel 
               
               
                 15 
                 bottom 
               
               
                 16 
                 top 
               
               
                 17 
                 opening 
               
               
                 18 
                 open face 
               
               
                 20 
                 closed face 
               
               
                 21 
                 cable arm 
               
               
                 22 
                 rod aperture 
               
               
                 24 
                 connector 
               
               
                 26 
                 cover plate 
               
               
                 27 
                 tabbed cover plate 
               
               
                 28 
                 male flange 
               
               
                 30 
                 female flange 
               
               
                 32 
                 upper stub wall 
               
               
                 33 
                 lower stub wall 
               
               
                 34 
                 ceiling rod 
               
               
                 34a 
                 ceiling rod 
               
               
                 36 
                 110 V outlet plate 
               
               
                 38 
                 aperture 
               
               
                 39 
                 knockout tab 
               
               
                 40 
                 110 V outlet 
               
               
                 41 
                 screw hole 
               
               
                 42 
                 220 V outlet plate 
               
               
                 43 
                 knockout tab 
               
               
                 44 
                 aperture 
               
               
                 46 
                 220 V outlet 
               
               
                 48 
                 ring 
               
               
                 50 
                 spacer 
               
               
                 52 
                 washer 
               
               
                 54 
                 nut 
               
               
                 56 
                 cables 
               
               
                 58 
                 electrical wiring 
               
               
                 60 
                 tie 
               
               
                 110 
                 cable tray with power channel 
               
               
                 112 
                 spine 
               
               
                 114 
                 power channel 
               
               
                 116 
                 top 
               
               
                 118 
                 open face 
               
               
                 121 
                 cable arm 
               
               
                 123 
                 reinforcement wall 
               
               
                 126 
                 cover plate 
               
               
                 134 
                 ceiling rod 
               
               
                 136 
                 outlet plate 
               
               
                 148 
                 insulator 
               
               
                 149 
                 shaft 
               
               
                 210 
                 cable tray with power channel 
               
               
                 212 
                 spine 
               
               
                 213 
                 telephone channel 
               
               
                 214 
                 power channel 
               
               
                 215 
                 bottom 
               
               
                 216 
                 top 
               
               
                 218 
                 open face 
               
               
                 220 
                 open face 
               
               
                 221 
                 cable arm 
               
               
                 222 
                 rod aperture 
               
               
                 223 
                 code separation wall 
               
               
                 226 
                 cover plate 
               
               
                 226a 
                 cover plate 
               
               
                 234 
                 ceiling rod 
               
               
                 236 
                 outlet plate 
               
               
                 236a 
                 outlet plate 
               
               
                 256 
                 cables 
               
               
                 258 
                 electrical wiring 
               
               
                 259 
                 telephone cabling 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
    
    
     It is to be noted that, for convenience, the last two positions of the reference numerals of alternative embodiments of the invention duplicate those of the numerals of the embodiment of FIG. 1, where reference is made to similar or corresponding parts. However, it should not be concluded merely from this numbering convention that similarly numbered parts are equivalents. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to FIG. 1, there is illustrated therein a first preferred cable tray with power channel  10  of this invention. Cable tray  10  principally comprises a hollow, longitudinally-extended, beam-like spine  12 , which spine is pierced by a regularly spaced plurality of U-shaped cable arms  21  arranged transversely with respect to the spine  12  (perpendicular to its longitudinal axis). Preferably, the spine is extruded aluminum, but it can be fabricated by standard means from plastic or any of a number of equivalent materials. Preferably, the cable arms  21  also are aluminum. The cable tray  10  preferably is suspended from the ceiling of a room from a series of ceiling rods  34 , or it may be laid on top of equipment or other horizontal surfaces. The ceiling rods  34  travel though rod apertures  22  in both the bottom  15  and the top  16  of the spine  12 . Except for the apertures  22 , the top and bottom walls are generally closed. Turning briefly to FIG. 4, it can be seen that bundles of cables  56  may be laid loosely along the tops of both sides of the cable arms  21  so as to run parallel to the longitudinal axis of the spine  12 . This much is standard in the art. 
     Novel to this invention is an open face  18  on at least one side of the spine  12  (the right side in FIG.  1 ). Preferably, the opposite side will have a closed face  20 . The top  16  and bottom  15  also are continuous panels, giving the spine  12  an overall “C” shape. The open face  18  has an opening  17 , formed between an upper stub wall  32  and a lower stub wall  33 , which opening extends along the entire length of the spine  12 . 
     At least one, and preferably a plurality, of cover plates  26  snap onto the stub walls by means of opposed pairs of male flanges  28  on the backs of the cover plates  26 , which male flanges  28  compress and mate with opposed pairs of female flanges  30  (or simple edges) found on the bottom of the upper stub wall  32  and the top of the lower stub wall  33 , respectively. Preferably, such snap-on cover plates are “closed,” i.e., they are continuous (without apertures) so as to be able to fully cover whatever portion of the opening  17  onto which they are snapped. 
     Additionally, electrical outlets are provided, or at least means for mounting at least one electrical outlet (preferably a variety of types of such outlets), such as outlet mounting plates therefor. A 110 V outlet plate  36  forms a pair of apertures  38  adapted to mount and hold a standard 110 V outlet  40 . Plate  36  has an opposed pair of male flanges  28  for snapping the 110 V outlet plate  36  onto the female flanges or edges of the upper stub wall  32  and lower stub wall  33 . 
     A 220 V outlet plate  42  forms an aperture  44  adapted to hold a standard 220 V outlet  46  and has an opposed pair of male flanges  28  for snapping the 220 V outlet plate  42  onto the female flanges  30  of the stub walls. Other types of outlet plates can be provided for standard outlets, such as the NEMA type (not illustrated). 
     As seen in FIG. 2, a suitable assortment of cover plates  26 , 110 V outlet plates  36 , and 220 V outlet plates  42  may be assembled together to allow the entire opening  17  of the open face  18  to be closed. Furthermore, individual cover plates  26  may be cut to size where necessary, so as to allow particular outlet plates  36 ,  42  to be precisely positioned wherever desired along any length of spine. 
     The novel provision of an open face  18  allows the hollow interior channel of the spine  12  to be used as a power channel  14 , i.e., suitable bundles of electrical wiring  58  may be stuffed through the opening  17  into the power channel  14 , where they may run unimpeded throughout the longitudinal extent of the cable tray with power channel  10  (FIG.  4 ). Therein, the electrical wiring  58  is sufficiently isolated as to prevent interference with the telecommunication cables  56  carried externally on the cable arms  21 . Furthermore, once the opening  17  is fully closed by a full length of cover plates  26 , 110 V outlet plates  36 , and 220 V outlet plates  42 , the electrical wiring  58  is covered from view and touch. Provided proper insulation and grounding is provided to the spine  12  when required, storage of electrical wiring  58  in the power channel  14  should meet all applicable code requirements. 
     FIG. 4 illustrates one means for electrically insulating the spine  12  of a cable tray with power channel  10  from the ceiling rods  34 , which rods connect the device  10  to the external environment. As noted above, each ceiling rod  34  passes through rod apertures  22  in the top  16  and the bottom  15  of the spine  12 . A nut  54  threaded on the end of each ceiling rod  34  bears the weight of the apparatus  10 , perhaps aided by a washer  52  or the like. Where electrical insulation between the spine  12  and the ceiling rods  34  is desired, rubber or similar insulating rings  48  in the rod apertures  22  shield each ceiling rod  34  from electrical contact with the spine  12 . A tubular insulating spacer  50  may be provided between the top and bottom of the spine. Spacers  50  could perform the dual function of insulating the ceiling rods  34  from electrical contact with the electrical wiring  58  while providing structural support between the top  16  and the bottom  15  walls of the spine  12 . 
     FIGS. 3 and 6 illustrate the manner in which abutting adjacent lengths of spine  12  and  12   a  may be interconnected by means of a C-shaped connector  24  to form a unitary cable tray with power channel  10  of any desired length. If desired, the two ceiling rods  34  and  34   a  nearest the interconnected ends of spine may be tied together by a simple tie  60  (FIG. 6) or similar means, where desired to prevent longitudinal movement during earthquake, storm or the like. FIG. 6 also illustrates the fact that the insulating rings  48  of FIG. 4 possibly may be eliminated—for example, for use of the device in applications wherein electrical insulation is not needed. For example, the channel  14  might be used to carry telephone cables rather than power wires. 
     Screw holes  41  are positioned in the outlet plates as required to hold in the outlets  40 ,  46 . Holes may be provided, if desired, for screwing the outlet plates onto the stub walls, for added security. 
     FIG. 7 illustrates an alternate form of tabbed cover plate  27  for use on the device  10  of FIG. 1, namely, one which is designed to be used without separate outlet plates (such as outlet plates  36  and  42 ). In tabbed cover plate  27  a regularly spaced plurality of means for mounting at least one type of electrical outlet (preferably a variety thereof), is provided, namely, a large plurality of opposed pairs of knockout (punch-out) tabs  39  adapted to form apertures within which to engage 110 V outlets  40  and a large number of knockout tabs  43  adapted to form apertures within which to engage 220 V outlets  46 . As before, the back side of the tabbed cover plate  27  contains opposed pairs of male flanges  28  for snapping the tabbed cover plate  27  onto the open face  18  of a cable tray with power channel  10 . A single tabbed cover plate  27  of standard length (matching the length of a standard spine  12 ) can be used to cover the open face  18 . Alternatively, the tabbed cover plate  27  and spine  12  can be cut to length at the job site. 
     Referring to FIG. 5, there is illustrated therein a second preferred cable tray with power channel  110  of this invention. Cable tray  110  principally comprises a hollow, longitudinally-extended, beam-like spine  112 , which spine is pierced by a regularly spaced plurality of cable arms  121 . Preferably, the cable tray is extruded aluminum, but it can be fabricated by standard means from plastic or any of an number of equivalent materials. The cable tray  110  preferably is suspended from the ceiling of a room from a series of ceiling rods  134 . In this embodiment, a horizontal reinforcement wall  123  has been added just below, and parallel to, the top wall  116  of the C-shaped spine  112 . The ceiling rods  134  travel though rod apertures in both the top  116  and the reinforcement  123  walls. This feature creates a larger power channel  114  than the previous embodiment, but requires more material to construct. 
     At least one, and preferably a plurality, of cover plates  126  snap onto the open face  118 . A variety of electrical outlets, or at least mounting plates therefor, are provided—for example, outlet plate  136 . 
     FIG. 5 illustrates a second means for electrically insulating the spine  112  of a cable tray with power channel  110  from the ceiling rods  134 , which rods connect the device  110  to the external environment. Where electrical insulation between the spine  112  and the ceiling rods  134  is desired, a one-piece insulating ring  148  travels from the top wall  116  to the reinforcement wall  123  to shield each ceiling rod  134  from electrical contact with the spine  112 . Essentially, the insulator  148  incorporates the tubular insulating spacer  50  of the previous embodiment shown in FIG. 1, by means of having an elongated central shaft  149 . 
     Referring to FIG. 8, there is illustrated therein a third preferred cable tray with power channel  210  of this invention. Cable tray  210  principally comprises a hollow, longitudinally-extended, beam-like spine  212 , which spine is pierced by a regularly spaced plurality of cable arms  221  arranged transversely with respect to the spine  212  at right angles to its longitudinal axis. Preferably, the spine and cable arms  221  are extruded aluminum. The cable tray  210  is suspended from the ceiling of a room from a series of ceiling rods  234 , or it may be laid on top of equipment or other horizontal surfaces. The ceiling rods  234  travel though rod apertures  222  in both the bottom  215  and the top  216  of the spine  212 . Bundles of cables  256  may be laid loosely along the tops of either or both sides of the cable arms  221  so as to run parallel to the longitudinal axis of the spine  212 . This much of FIG. 8 is, again, standard in the art. 
     Novel to this invention is an open face  218  on a first vertical side of the spine  212  (the right side in FIG.  8 ). In this embodiment, the opposite second vertical side also has a novel open face  220 . At least one vertical code separation wall  223  travels the length of the hollow interior of the spine  212 , dividing the hollow interior into two channels: on the right, a telephone channel  213  and, on the left, a power channel  214 . Alternatively, there could be two such vertical separation walls, one on either side of the ceiling rods  234 , in order to assure that the weight of the device is supported evenly. However, this result also can be accomplished with one interior wall  223  if the rod apertures are drilled slightly off to the opposite side of the central longitudinal axis. This latter alternative (shown in FIG. 8) conserves material. The top  216  and bottom  215  also are continuous panels, giving the spine  212  an overall reclining “H” shape. 
     As before, the open face  218  has an opening formed between an opposed pair of stub walls. At least one, and preferably a plurality, of cover plates  226  snap or screw onto the stub walls by means of opposed pairs of male flanges on the backs of the cover plates  226 , which male flanges compress and mate with opposed pairs of female flanges found on the stub walls. A variety of telephone outlets or telephone outlet holders, such as outlet plate  236  for a modular phone jack, are provided for snapping or screwing onto the open face  218 . 
     The second open face  220  has an opening formed between an opposed pair of stub walls. At least one, and preferably a plurality, of cover plates  226   a  snap onto the stub walls by means of opposed pairs of male flanges on the backs of the cover plates  226 . A plurality of means for mounting at least one electrical outlet, preferably a variety thereof, such as outlet plate  236   a , are provided for snapping onto the open face  220 . 
     The novel provision of the open face  220  allows the left side of the hollow interior channel of the spine  212  to be used as a power channel  214 , i.e., suitable bundles of electrical wiring  258  may be stuffed therein. On the right, the telephone channel  213  carries separate bundles (or a single cable) of telephone cabling  259 . 
     If insulation and grounding is required by applicable code requirements for storage of electrical wiring  258  in the power channel  214 , such may be provided to the spine  212 . In FIG. 8, however, no special insulation is shown (being the configuration the invention will assume where no insulation is required). However, suitable insulating members, such as ring  48  of the embodiment of FIG. 1 or the insulator  148  of the embodiment of FIG. 5 may be provided. Furthermore, the ceiling rod  234  itself may be made (or covered) with electrically insulating material. 
     As to the manner of usage and operation of the instant invention, the same should be apparent from the above disclosure, and accordingly no further discussion relative to the manner of usage and operation of the instant invention need be provided. 
     The above disclosure is sufficient to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention, and provides the best mode of practicing the invention presently contemplated by the inventor. While there is provided herein a full and complete disclosure of the preferred embodiments of this invention, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction, dimensional relationships, and operation shown and described. Various modifications, alternative constructions, changes and equivalents will readily occur to those skilled in the art and may be employed, as suitable, without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. Such changes might involve alternative materials, components, structural arrangements, sizes, shapes, forms, functions, operational features or the like. 
     For example, the cover plates and/or outlet plates may be affixed to the open faces by alternate means—the snap-on flanges might be eliminated and replaced by a hinging arrangement or, where a more permanent arrangement is desired, perhaps simply by screws or rivets. The female flanges could be eliminated from the stub walls, whereby the male flanges of the cover plates and outlet plates would simply snap onto the edges of the stub walls. These types of releasable plates are equivalent to the snap-on plates described above. 
     Therefore, the above description and illustrations should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appended claims.