Component-based utility supply apparatus

A component-based utility supply apparatus includes a wall mounting bracket, a utility distribution unit mounted to the wall mounting bracket and an equipment management rail. The wall mounting bracket includes a longitudinally extending wall mounting flange and at least one longitudinally extending supporting flange. The utility distribution unit can comprise a fluid (gas) manifold, or a power distribution assembly, or both the gas manifold and the power distribution assembly may be coupled together with the wall mounting bracket and equipment rail to provide a combined power and gas utility configuration. The utility supply apparatus further comprises integrated lighting devices and light transmissive lens panel for supplying light along at least a portion of the utility supply apparatus.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The instant invention relates to wall mounted systems for delivering fluid and power to hospital rooms and laboratory facilities, and more particularly to a component-based system that can be easily installed and configured to provide equipment management, or fluid and equipment management, or power and equipment management, or fluid, power and equipment management, all further including an integrated lighting system and improved interconnection systems.

Wall mounted systems for delivering utilities, such as fluid (gases and liquids) and power to hospital rooms and laboratory facilities are known in the art. Furthermore, component-based wall-mounted systems for delivering fluid and power to hospital rooms are also known in the art. For example, the U.S. patents to Pitchford et al U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,553,892 and 5,756,993 disclose modular systems for delivering fluid and/or power to hospital rooms.

While each of the systems in the prior art has its own unique features, each of these systems is also somewhat difficult to install, requiring excessive amounts of labor at the installation site. In particular, the prior art systems are directed to fluid rail systems in which the fluid conduits of separate fluid modules are connected with brazed pipe fittings. Such plumbing connections are labor intensive and costly. Each of the prior art systems also has many exposed joints and gaps in the external surfaces, which promote the collection of dust and debris, making these systems difficult to clean and sanitize. Finally, few, if any, of the prior art systems include an integrated lighting system.

The instant invention provides a component-based utility supply apparatus including a mounting bracket, a utility distribution unit (power or fluid) mounted to the mounting bracket and an equipment management rail. The mounting bracket includes a longitudinally extending wall mounting flange and at least one longitudinally extending supporting flange. The utility distribution unit can comprise a fluid (gas) manifold, or a power distribution assembly, or both the fluid manifold and the power distribution assembly may be coupled together to provide a combined power and gas utility supply configuration. The utility supply apparatus further comprises integrated lighting devices and light transmissive lens panel for supplying light along at least a portion of the utility supply apparatus. Multiple utility supply units can be coupled together in linear alignment to provide custom lengths suitable for use in any size room. Customized alignment plates interfittingly engage between side-by-side units to properly space the units and properly align the units for acceptance of standard cover panels. All of the exterior surfaces of the various components are configured and arranged to merge together to form continuous contoured surfaces that are easy to clean and sanitize.

Accordingly, among the objects of the instant invention are: the provision of a component-based system for delivering and managing utilities and equipment;

the provision of such a component-based utility and equipment management system that can be configured in a plurality of different configurations depending on the needs of the facility;

the provision of such a component-based utility and equipment management system that is easy to configure, install and adapt to various needs;

the provision of a component-based utility and equipment management system that includes integrated lighting elements;

the provision of a component-based utility and equipment management system where the fluid connections comprise simplified O-ring flanged fittings and o-ring seals that do not require brazing operations; and

the provision of a component-based utility and equipment management system that can be configured to provide either equipment management, or fluid and equipment management, or power and equipment management, or fluid, power and equipment management as determined by the needs of the facility.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention shall become apparent as the description thereof proceeds when considered in connection with the accompanying illustrative drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings, a fluid and equipment management configuration of the component-based utility supply apparatus of the instant invention is illustrated and generally indicated at10inFIGS. 1-12. A power and equipment management configuration is illustrated and generally indicated at200inFIGS. 13-23, a combined power, fluid and equipment management configuration is illustrated and generally indicated at300inFIGS. 24 and 25, and an equipment management configuration is illustrated and generally indicated at400inFIG. 26

As will hereinafter be more fully described, the instant invention provides a component-based utility supply system, which can be arranged in several different configurations to provide equipment management, fluid (gas) and equipment management, power and equipment management, or power, gas and equipment management, all configurations optionally including integrated lighting components, such as fluorescent lighting. Each utility configuration is uniquely designed with components, cover panels, end panels and lens panels that merge together at their transition edges to provide continuous outer surface contours that are both aesthetically pleasing and easy to clean and sanitize. The components of the component-based system are also easy to install and to couple together in side-by-side arrangements to provide custom length units.

The term “fluid”, as used in this specification, refers to liquids and gases. In hospitals and laboratories, typical gases include oxygen, air and nitrogen; typical liquids may include water. Fluid pressure through the present invention can be either positive or negative (vacuum). That is, fluids can be delivered from the facility through this invention and into the particular room where the invention is installed (positive pressure), or the fluid can originate in the particular room, and travel through this invention to a further collection or distribution point in the facility. An example of the use of negative pressure for fluids is the use of suction (vacuum) to evacuate bodily fluids in a hospital, or to crate a vacuum in a laboratory.

In this specification, “fluid supply line” encompasses the delivery of fluids and gases, and further encompasses reversed flow, where fluids and gases may flow toward the facility, as may be the case with vacuum and suction arrangements.

The term “power”, as used in this specification, refers to electrical current flow, and includes electricity, telephone, data, cable television, fax and other similar low voltage electrical circuits. In hospitals and laboratories, typical electric circuits include 120 v and 240 v alternating currents, and low voltage (12 v and 24 v) alternating and direct current circuits. In this specification, “power supply line” encompasses the delivery of electricity as well as two-way electrical communications as found with telephone, data, and cable transmission lines.

Turning back toFIGS. 1-12, the fluid and equipment management assembly10comprises a mounting bracket generally indicated at12, a fluid manifold generally indicated at14, an equipment management rail generally indicated at16, lighting components18,20, lighting lens panels22,24, and end panels25.

With respect to the preferred embodiments illustrated herein, all of the elongated mounting brackets and components are preferably formed as extruded aluminum parts. However, the use of other metals and manufacturing techniques is also contemplated. Plastic and composite materials may also be used in selected areas of the system, where found to be appropriate for material handling, building codes and other requirements.

Referring toFIGS. 3-5, the mounting bracket12comprises a vertically oriented, longitudinally extending wall mounting flange26, and a plurality of supporting flanges28,30,32,34extending outwardly from the front surface of the wall mounting flange26. The wall mounting flange26is configured and arranged to be secured to a vertically oriented wall structure36with threaded mounting screws or bolts38, or other appropriate wall fasteners. The wall mounting flange26further includes a channel structure40on the rear surface to accommodate a splicing plate42, used to couple two side-by-side units together. Referring now to the supporting flanges, there are first and second lower supporting flanges28,30and first and second upper supporting flanges32,34. The first, lower and upper supporting flanges28,32are slightly longer and are utilized for mounting of the fluid manifold. The second lower and upper supporting flanges30,34cooperate with the first upper and lower supporting flanges28,32to define wiring ducts44,46for the lighting components20,22. Cover panels48,50are secured over the wiring ducts44,46to isolate the wiring from the rest of the unit.

The fluid manifold14is preferably formed as an extruded aluminum part and has an elongated body with opposing end faces52,54. However, the use of other metals and manufacturing techniques is also contemplated. Plastic and composite materials may also be used in selected areas of the system, where found to be appropriate for material handling, building codes and other requirements. Preferably, three separate fluid conduits56,58,60extend through the body between the end faces52,54. While there are three conduits shown in the illustrated embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited by the illustrated number of fluid conduits. These three separate fluid conduits56,58,60generally define three separate lobe structures62,64,66for the fluid manifold. The central lobe66includes upper and lower mounting shoulders68,70that are configured and arranged to be received between the first upper and lower supporting flanges28,32on the mounting bracket12. These mounting shoulders68,70are snugly received between the supporting flanges28,32and are secured in place with threaded fasteners72at various locations along the length thereof.

Referring briefly toFIGS. 2 and 3each of the fluid conduits56,58,60may be connected to a corresponding fluid supply line74,76,78located in the supporting wall36adjacent to the mounting point of the utility supply10assembly. The end faces52,54of the fluid manifold14, as shown inFIGS. 4 and 9are machined substantially flat and true, and the fluid conduits56,58,60can be provided with bored and tapped ends (seeFIG. 9), preferably to receive standard pipe fittings. Pipe couplings80,82,84are installed in the bored and tapped ends of the fluid conduits56,58,60for connection to the facility fluid supply lines74,76,78. Preferably known pipe couplings are utilized for the fluid connections. However, any suitable connection methods, including crimping, brazing, compression fittings and/or O-ring flanged fittings may be used. On the opposing end of the fluid conduits56,58,60, plugs86may be installed to seal the end of a conduit (See alsoFIG. 9).

Commercially available fluid outlet fittings88,90,92(DISS gas outlet fittings) are installed in the front face of the fluid manifold14. Referring toFIGS. 8A-8C, outlets88,90,92may be fastened into threaded ports94,96,98that have been machined into the front face of the fluid manifold. Fluids from the facility fluid supply lines74,76,78may flow into a specific threaded port94,96,98through a fluid passage that has been previously drilled for the specific port. The orientation and number of fluid passages between the fluid conduits and a specific port determines which fluid will be delivered to the individual port. Referring toFIG. 8A, the fluid outlet port94is connected to the central fluid conduit58through a port100drilled into the bottom of the outlet port94. Referring toFIG. 8B, the fluid outlet port96is connected to the lower fluid conduit60through a port102drilled into the side of the outlet port96. More specifically, a through hole104is drilled straight through the fluid conduit60from the outside of the lower lobe66. In this regard, the outer surface of the lower lobe66is provided with a flat drilling shoulder106to facilitate drilling of the through hole104. The port102is drilled until the connection to the outlet port96is completed, and then the outer section of the hole104is drilled again and tapped to receive a plug108to seal the opening. This arrangement is considered to be an improvement over the prior art wherein the connection ports had to be drilled from within the outlet port. In the prior art, this drilling arrangement was awkward, and often damaged the internal threads. The present arrangement provides a more stable way to grasp the fluid manifold, and a flat outer surface on which to start the drilling operation. More reliable and consistent results are obtained. Referring toFIG. 8C, the fluid outlet port98is connected to the upper fluid conduit56in the same manner through the upper lobe62including upper port110, upper through port112, upper drilling shoulder114, and plug116.

Installed in the front face of the fluid manifold is a decorative vinyl face plate118(SeeFIGS. 1,3and4), which can be used for labeling of the fluid outlets88,90,92, and can be color matched to the décor of the room in which the system is installed.

The upper lobe62further includes an elongated mounting channel120, which is configured and arranged to receive a complementary supporting tongue (described hereinbelow) formed on the equipment rail. The lower lobe66includes a rounded corner wall122with a contoured outer surface.

Referring toFIGS. 3,4, and7, the equipment management rail16is an elongated body having main equipment rail124, a lower wall126with a supporting tongue structure128at the terminal end thereof, an upper wall130, a primary mounting flange132, and a secondary power distribution support flange134.

The main equipment rail124is configured and arranged to have a known cross-sectional profile (seeFIGS. 1 and 7), which is suitable for accepting known mounting adapters136attached to or formed on commercially available hospital and laboratory equipment138(FIG. 1). The front face of the main equipment rail124includes opposing undercuts139, which are configured to receive a decorative face plate135that may be color matched to the room decor. The upper and lower walls126,130have smooth contoured outer surfaces. The equipment management rail16is received and secured in mounted relation onto the fluid manifold14by inserting the supporting tongue128into the complementary mounting channel120on the upper lobe62, and securing the primary mounting flange132to a complementary mounting boss140(also formed on the upper lobe62of the fluid manifold), with a fastener142. The primary mounting flange132includes a downwardly extending hook portion144that receives and carries the horizontal load vector of the equipment management rail16. The fastener142maintains the hook portion144in engagement with the shoulder of the mounting boss140for structural support. In the fluid and equipment configuration as shown inFIGS. 1-12, the secondary power-rail mounting flange134is not utilized.

When the supporting tongue128is received into the complementary mounting channel120in the fluid manifold14, the contoured outer surface of the lower wall126merges together with the contoured front surface of the fluid manifold14to form a substantially continuous outer contoured surface.

The lighting components18,20preferably comprise elongated fluorescent tube components. These types of components are readily available from a variety of commercial vendors and can be easily integrated into the present system as illustrated. However, it is to be understood that any one of a variety of different lighting components can be used with equal effectiveness. For example, the same lighting can be accomplished with strings of LED or incandescent lights, or a plurality of individually placed LED, incandescent or fluorescent lights.

In the preferred embodiments as illustrated, an upper fluorescent lighting component18is mounted on top of the second upper supporting flange34so that it is adjacent the upper edge of the mounting flange26, while a lower fluorescent lighting component20is mounted under the first lower supporting flange28so that it is adjacent the lower end of the wall mounting flange26. Ballasts (not shown) for the fluorescent lighting fixtures18,20can be mounted at various locations on the supporting flanges28,30,32,34, or elsewhere within the system, as appropriate. The placement of the lighting components18,20at the upper and lower edges of the wall mounting flange26provides a superior location for both up-lighting and down-lighting of the supporting wall structure36.

Mounted over the lighting component18,20are the lens, sizes for the upper lens panel22and the lower lens panel24, with both sizes using similar mounting details. These lens panels22,24, are preferably manufactured from a light transmissive plastic material, and can be either clear or tinted, optionally with optically refractive and/or reflective characteristics, to provide desired lighting effects with the fluorescent lighting fixture. Both lens panels22,24have a rear edge and a front edge with a contoured surface extending between the two edges. The rear edges of both panels22,24include a hinge channel146,148which are snap received over complementary hinge fulcrums150,152formed on the upper and lower edges of the wall mounting flange26. The front edges154,156of both panels22,24include opposing clips158,159that are snap received over the respective terminal edges17,123of the upper contoured wall130of the equipment management rail16and the lower rounded corner122of the fluid manifold14. The lens panels22,24, are pivotably movable on the hinge fulcrums150,152to provide access to the fluorescent lights therein for repair and/or replacement. The outer surfaces of lens panels22,24, equipment management rail16and fluid manifold16effectively merge together at their transition edges to provide continuous outer surface contours that are both aesthetically pleasing and easy to clean and sanitize.

Referring now to FIGS.2and10-12, two of the fluid and equipment rail systems (COMPONENT A and COMPONENT B) are joined together in side-by-side relation to form an elongated utility supply system. Economical considerations of manufacturing, such as cost effective aluminum extruding, casting, molding or sheet forming, and practical handling during manufacturing, shipment, and installation, limit the practical maximum lengths of the fluid manifold and equipment management rails. Varying room sizes and facilities may thus require that two or more fluid manifolds be joined in the field to achieve the required total length of a specified installation. In the configuration shown in theFIG. 2, two of the fluid and equipment rail modules10,10A are joined together. Generally speaking, in this arrangement, Module A has an inlet end which is connected to the facility fluid supply lines74,76,78and an outlet end which is connected to the inlet end of Module B. The opposing outlet end of Module B is capped.

The end surfaces of the fluid manifolds14are machined substantially flat and true (FIGS. 3 and 4), and the fluid conduits may have bored and tapped ends to receive standard piping connections and/or end caps (FIG. 9). Turning toFIG. 2, the inlet end of Component A is connected with standard piping connections80,82,84to the facility fluid supply74,76,78. The outlet ends of the conduits of Component B are capped with caps86(FIG. 9). The outlet end of Component A is connected to the inlet end of Component B with pipe assemblies generally indicated at160,162,164. It is noted here that the connections can be reversed and can be mixed and matched with other types of connections providing additional flexibility. Preferably, these assemblies160,162,164comprise flexible copper pipes having corrugated center sections to provide for adjustment. However, other forms of flexible and/or adjustable piping or tubing are also contemplated within the scope of the invention.

Turning toFIGS. 10-12, each of the pipe assemblies160,162,164preferably includes a flexible corrugated copper pipe166, and a copper pipe coupling168brazed or otherwise formed onto each end thereof. The copper pipe couplings168each include a connection flange170and an O-ring seal172received in an O-ring channel173formed on the end surface52of the fluid manifold14. The respective ends of the copper pipe assemblies160,162,164are aligned with the respective fluid conduits56,58,60and secured to the respective inlet and outlet ends of Components A and B with a connection plate176and threaded fasteners178. The coupling flanges170and O-rings172are captured between the connection plate176and the end surfaces of the fluid manifolds where O-rings172sit against the outer ends of the fluid manifolds and are compressed to form a fluid seal. This joining method has the advantaged of permitting the O-rings to be field serviced and replaced after installation, as the corrugated tubing allows release of the flanges and access to the O-rings without a need to loosen or move the installed gas manifolds14. As indicated above, other suitable connection methods are also contemplated including crimping, brazing, standard compression and O-ring flanged fittings.

Covering the open area between adjacent Components A and B are decorative cover panels180, that may include all of the external surface features of the combined fluid and equipment management Components A and B, including lens panels24and the main equipment rail. The splicing plate42and alignment channels40consistently provide uniform spacing between the Components A and B so that a standard cover panel180can be utilized. The cover panels180are aligned with the adjacent component through the use of alignment pins182that are received into corresponding bosses184provided on the end surfaces of the various components.

Turning now toFIGS. 13-23, a power and equipment management rail configuration is illustrated and generally indicated at200. The power and equipment configuration comprises a modified wall mounting bracket generally indicated at212, an equipment rail generally indicated at16, a power distribution assembly generally indicated at214, lighting components18,20and lighting lens panels24A,24B.

The equipment rail16is substantially identical to the equipment rail16described hereinabove, and will not be described with respect to the current configuration.

Referring toFIGS. 13,14and21, the modified mounting bracket212comprises a vertically oriented, longitudinally extending wall mounting flange216, an upper supporting flange218and a lower supporting flange220. The wall mounting flange216is configured and arranged to be secured to a vertically oriented wall structure36with threaded mounting screws or bolts38, and further includes an upper hinge fulcrum213and lower hinge fulcrum215. The wall mounting flange216further includes a channel structure222on the rear surface to accommodate a splicing plate42, used to couple two side-by-side units together.

The upper and lower mounting flanges218,220merge at their forward edges to define a contoured front facing surface224having an upper edge and a lower edge. The upper edge of the contoured surface224includes an elongated mounting channel226, configured and arranged to receive the supporting tongue128formed on the equipment management rail16. The lower edge of the contoured surface224is configured with a rounded corner228.

The equipment management rail16is received and secured in mounted relation onto the modified mounting bracket212by inserting the supporting tongue128into the complementary mounting channel226, and securing the primary mounting flange132to a complementary mounting boss230also formed on the upper supporting flange218of the mounting bracket212with a threaded fastener232. In the power and equipment configuration as shown inFIGS. 13-23, the secondary power distribution mounting flange134will be utilized to secure the power distribution panel.

When the supporting tongue128is received into the complementary mounting channel226in the modified mounting bracket212, the contoured outer surface of the lower wall126of the equipment management rail16merges together with the contoured outer surface224of the mounting bracket212to form a substantially continuous outer contoured surface.

The power distribution assembly214comprises a back wall panel generally indicated at234, a power distribution face plate generally indicated at236, and a plurality of partitioning panels to be described in detail hereinbelow.

The back wall panel234comprises a longitudinally extending mounting wall238with an upper hinge fulcrum239, a lower wall240, an upper wall242, a lower dividing wall244, and an upper dividing wall246. A mounting lip248is formed at the junction between the mounting wall238and lower wall240wherein the mounting lip248is received in mated relation with the upper hinge fulcrum213(shown inFIG. 9) of the modified wall mounting bracket212to seat the back wall panel234on top of the modified mounting bracket212. The mounting wall238is configured and arranged to be secured to a vertically oriented wall structure36with threaded mounting screws or bolts38. The lower wall240including a downwardly angled mounting flange250, which is secured to the secondary mounting flange134on the equipment management rail16by a threaded fastener252.

Still referring toFIG. 13, the four walls240,242,244,246of the back wall panel234extend in generally parallel relation and cooperate to define three (3) separate power conduits254,256,258for supplying different types of power and electrical signals along the length of the power distribution assembly. For purposes of the current disclosure, we will identify the conduits as Emergency Power (110 or 220 VAC)254, Normal Power (not backed-up)256, and Low Voltage (signal, data, nurse call, etc,)258, which will ultimately be terminated in conventional wall receptacles, such as electrical receptacles260, telephone/data receptacles262and cable receptacles (SeeFIG. 14)264. Wiring supplying each type of power to the power distribution assembly is first routed into well-known wiring boxes266(only one shown) installed in a support structure. Knockouts or openings270A,270B and270C (FIG. 22) in the mounting wall238, are positioned in alignment with the knock-outs in the covers of the respective wiring boxes266. The knock-outs270A,270B and270C are positioned so that each wiring box is in communication with only one of the power channels254,256,258, permit routing of each type of power to the appropriate wiring compartment under strict separation. Referring back toFIG. 13, wiring268into the assembly is generally provided through knockouts270A,270B and270C in the rear of the wall panel234. Wiring268of each power type enters the appropriate conduit254,256258of the assembly where it runs along the length of the respective power conduit264,256or258while maintaining separation for further termination within individual compartments271as seen inFIGS. 15-17.

Referring toFIGS. 15-17, the portions of the wiring conduits that don't feed specific wiring devices are enclosed with flat access plates272to maintain separation between the different power types. Generally, the fluorescent lighting ballasts may be located within one of the wiring channel behind these plates272, with the plates272removable for access and repair of the ballast, or the fluorescent lighting ballasts may be mounted to the front of the plates272for easy service access after removing the face plate236. The portions of the wiring conduits that feed specific wiring devices are enclosed with a plurality of individual receptacle partitions274,276,278, each having a side wall274a,276a,278a, and a rear wall274b,276b,278bwith either a bottom opening278c(FIG. 20), middle opening276c(FIG. 19) or top opening274c(FIG. 18) for routing wiring from the respective conduit into the respective compartment271. These partitions are secured to the upper dividing wall246with fasteners280that are received through openings274d,276dand278d, and into a mounting channel282on the terminal end of the upper dividing wall246(FIG. 17). Any two adjoining partitions, in cooperation with the lower wall240, the mounting lip248and a receptacle plate284, will form a fully enclosed wiring compartment. The “tips” of the partitions244,246align with the ledges of the partitions240and242so that panels272and rear walls274b,276b, and278bof partitions274,276,278will be supported so as to complete the separation of the power conduits.

Still referring toFIG. 17, individual receptacle plates284are thereafter seated over the partitions by inserting an upper edge thereof into a deep channel286on the end of the upper wall242and dropping the lower edge into a shallower channel288on the end of the lower wall240. These receptacle plates284are optional, as the receptacles260,262,264can be directly mounted to the rear surface of the face plate236. Respective wiring268within each of the partitions is then terminated on the desired receptacles,260,262,264and then the receptacles secured to the receptacle plates284. Thus, when removing the face plate236during service and repair, no live wiring will be exposed.

Referring toFIGS. 13 and 23, the power distribution face plate236comprises a front face panel290, and a rearwardly extending mounting wall292. The front face panel290has a contoured surface with a plurality of openings294(FIG. 23) for receiving the various receptacles260,262,264as mounted within the underlying power distribution assembly. The power distribution face plate236is secured to upper wall242with fasteners296that are received into a mounting channel298formed in the upper surface of the upper wall242. The lower edge of the front face panel290is received in adjacent relation with the upper contoured wall130of the equipment management rail16. An optional gasket297closes the gap between face plate236and equipment rail16.

An upper fluorescent lighting component18is mounted on top of the upper wall242so that it is adjacent the upper edge of the back wall panel234, while a lower fluorescent lighting component20is mounted under the lower supporting flange220so that it is adjacent the lower end of the mounting flange216. Ballasts (not shown) for the fluorescent lighting fixtures18,20can be mounted at various locations on the supporting flanges as appropriate. The placement of the lighting components18,20at the upper and lower edges of the mounting flange provides a superior location for both uplighting and downlighting of the supporting wall structure36.

Mounted over the lighting components18,20are lens panels24A,24B. In this embodiment, the upper lens panel24A and the lower lens panel24B are the same, being the lower lens panel24as previously described hereinabove. The lens panels24have a rear edge and a front edge with a contoured surface extending between the two edges. The rear edges of both panels includes a hinge channel148which is snap received over complementary hinge fulcrums239and215respectively formed on the upper and lower edge of the wall mounting flanges. The front edge of both lens panels24A,24B include an opposing clip158that is snap received over the lip formed on the rearwardly extending edge of the front panel290of the power distribution face plate236and the rounded wall of the mounting bracket228. The lens panels24A,24B are pivotably movable on the hinge fulcrums239,215to provide access to the fluorescent bulbs therein for repair and/or replacement. The outer surfaces of lens panels24A,24B, equipment management rail16and mounting bracket212effectively merge together at their transition edges to provide continuous outer surface contours that are both aesthetically pleasing and easy to clean and sanitize.

Referring toFIGS. 24 and 25, a combined fluid, power and equipment management configuration is illustrated and generally indicated at300. This configuration300comprises a standard mounting bracket12as described hereinabove with respect to the fluid and equipment management configuration10, a fluid manifold14mounted to the mounting bracket12, an equipment management rail16mounted to the fluid manifold14, and a power distribution assembly214mounted to the mounting bracket12and the equipment management rail16, all components being as described hereinabove.

Referring toFIG. 26, a stand-alone equipment management configuration is illustrated and generally indicated at400. This configuration400comprises the modified mounting bracket212as described hereinabove with respect to the power and equipment management configuration10, and an equipment management rail16mounted to the mounting bracket212.

It can therefore be seen that the present invention provides a component-based utility supply system that can be arranged in several different configurations to provide equipment management alone, fluid (gas) and equipment management, power and equipment management, or power, fluid and equipment management, all configurations including optional integrated lighting components. Each system component is uniquely designed with functional components, cover panels and lens panels that merge together at their transition edges to provide continuous outer surface contours that are both aesthetically pleasing and easy to clean and sanitize. The component-based configurations are also easy to install and to couple together in side-by-side arrangements to provide custom length units.

For these reasons, the instant invention is believed to represent a significant advancement in the art, which has substantial commercial merit.