Recessed electrical receptacle and work surface

An electrical receptacle adapted to be recessed into a work surface, having a concealed compartment containing electrical ports for connection to a remote power supply and communications devices and an exposed compartment for connecting electrical cables to the ports. The ports are mounted on a partition plate isolating the exposed compartment from the concealed compartment, which is disposed at an oblique angle relative to the work surface to facilitate the connection and detachment of electrical cables and reduce clutter in the work space.

FIELD OF INVENTION 
This invention relates to electrical receptacles. In particular, this 
invention relates to a recessed receptacle for a workstation or table 
which permits the connection of electrical cables to ports providing 
remote power supply and/or communications connections. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
Todays workplace incorporates many kinds of electrical devices, most 
notably computers (particularly personal computers) and communications 
facilities such a voice and data transmission lines. A typical workstation 
will have a computer which may be connected to modem, to a local area 
network (LAN), to a dedicated or shared printer and/or remote storage 
devices, intercom, video interface and many other widely available 
electrical devices that increase productivity and communications capacity 
in the workplace. 
Most such devices require a power supply, and many require communications 
cables to interface with other local and remote devices. In a permanent 
workstation the power supply and interface cabling can be installed and 
bundled, but this tends to be unsightly and can interfere with the 
efficient use of space in a small workstation. In temporary workstations 
such as boardroom tables, research cubicles and the like where portable 
devices (eg. laptop computers, video monitors etc.) are used, it can be 
cumbersome and time consuming to connect and organize power supply and 
interface cables for a short period of use. 
Permanent floor-mounted receptacles or "floor monuments" are available for 
such purposes, but they often cannot be conveniently located in 
anticipation of where such facilities may be required, and they reduce the 
ability to rearrange office furniture. Receptacles affixed to or recessed 
into the work surface itself have recently become more popular, but they 
tend to be difficult to use because the cabling is connected to the 
receptacle at an angle perpendicular to the work surface and thus 
protrudes upwardly into the work space. Where a receptacle is recessed 
accessibility is significantly diminished because the connection ports are 
often not easily visible and a user must approach the receptacle from 
directly above it. In a large work surface such as a boardroom table can 
require that the user lean uncomfortably over the table while attempting 
to align the cable plug with the compatible port for connection, and the 
vertical motion required to connect or disconnect a cable is awkward and 
unnatural making connecting and disconnecting electrical cables physically 
difficult. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention overcomes these disadvantages by providing an 
electrical receptacle adapted to be recessed into a work surface, in which 
the power supply, communications, video and any other desired ports are 
disposed at an oblique angle relative to the work surface. Thus, the user 
has a direct line of sight to the port plate from a normal standing 
position, and can insert a plug into (or detach a plug from) the 
appropriate port relatively laterally, which is a more natural motion that 
facilitates connection or detachment especially where the plug and the 
port fit very snugly together. Further, because of the oblique angle of 
the ports the cabling protrudes from the receptacle substantially flush 
with the work surface, providing a less cluttered appearance and 
diminishing intrusive interference with the use of the work space. 
In the preferred embodiment the invention comprises an exposed compartment 
for connecting electrical cables to the ports having a cover which closes 
flush with the work surface and leaves a small gap for the egress of 
cables from the receptacle, and a concealed compartment isolated from the 
exposed compartment which contains the electrical ports and wiring in 
communication with one or more remote devices and/or power supplies. The 
receptacle of the invention is thus much more accessible from a user's 
normal working position, and provides a less cluttered and more 
efficiently organized work space. 
The present invention thus provides an electrical receptacle adapted to be 
recessed into a work surface, comprising a concealed compartment 
containing ports in electrical communication with at least one remote 
device or power source, and an exposed compartment for connecting 
electrical cables to the ports, accessible through the work surface, the 
ports being mounted on a partition plate isolating the exposed compartment 
from the concealed compartment, wherein the partition plate is disposed at 
an oblique angle relative to the work surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
FIG. 1 illustrates a boardroom table 10 having a work surface 12 embodying 
the invention. The table 10 is provided in suitable locations with 
receptacles 20 of the invention, recessed into the table preferably such 
that the receptacles 20 are flush with the work surface 12. The invention 
will be described with reference to the table 10 shown in FIG. 1, however 
it will be appreciated that the invention can be equally applied to any 
other work surface 12, including desks, workstations, cubicles, 
countertops and the like, and the invention is not intended to be limited 
to any particular type of work space. 
In the preferred embodiment the receptacle 20 comprises an outer housing 22 
which houses a concealed compartment 30 containing electrical ports of any 
desired type, such as standard power supply port 2 and/or communications 
port 4, and an exposed compartment 40 which is accessible to a user for 
connecting and disconnecting electrical cables such as a power cable 6 
and/or communications interface cable 8 to the respective ports 2, 4. The 
ports 2, 4 are accessible through the top opening 42 of the exposed 
compartment 40, which is covered by a hinged cover plate 60 that in the 
closed position rests substantially flush with the work surface 12. 
The receptacle 20 is preferably formed from the following components, 
illustrated in FIG. 4: A front portion 20a; a rear portion 20b which 
interlocks with the front portion 20a along a slip-fit interlock 31, a 
partition plate 50, the cover plate 60 and end plates 23. The various 
components of the receptacle 20 are preferably extruded, for example from 
aluminum, plastic or any other suitable material permitted by local 
electrical codes. However, the receptacle 20 of the invention may also be 
formed from sheet material or cast, moulded or otherwise manufactured and 
the invention is not intended to be limited thereby. 
As shown in FIG. 3, the ports 2, 4 are mounted in conventional fashion on a 
partition plate 50 which isolates the exposed compartment 40 from the 
concealed compartment 30. The partition plate 50 is provided with openings 
suitable for accommodating the ports 2, 4, and extends fully between the 
end plates 23 of the receptacle 20. The partition plate 50 is preferably 
removable, in the embodiment shown being detachably affixed by tabs 51 
which snap-fit to a pair of opposing lips 24 projecting from the housing 
22. 
The partition plate 50 is mounted to the housing 22 at an oblique angle 
relative to the work surface 12, in the preferred embodiment shown 
approximately 45.degree., so that a user can approach the ports 2, 4 from 
a natural angle when standing in front of the table 10. It will be 
appreciated that other angles may be appropriate for a particular use, 
depending for example on how far the receptacle 20 is set back from the 
edge of the table 10, and the invention is not intended to be limited to 
the specific angle illustrated. The front end 44 of the exposed 
compartment 40 preferably approaches the partition plate 50 at 
approximately a right angle, which facilitates accessibility of the ports 
2, 4, provides an attractive appearance and renders the exposed 
compartment 40 easier to clean. 
In the preferred embodiment the exposed compartment 40 thus forms 
substantially a right-angled triangle in cross-section, with the 
hypotenuse parallel to and substantially flush with the work surface 12. 
In the embodiment illustrated the front end 44 of the exposed compartment 
40 extends to the work surface, while the housing 22 diverges therefrom 
and is affixed to the underside of the table at tab or lip 26. For 
additional reinforcement a web 25 connects the top edge of the front end 
44 of the exposed compartment 40 to the housing 22. 
The concealed compartment 30 is defined by the housing 22, the partition 
plate 50 and a wall 32. In the embodiment shown the concealed compartment 
30 accommodates a communications port 4 and a power supply port 2, 
isolated from one another by a divider 34 to form separate power supply 
and communications compartments 30a, 30b within the concealed compartment 
30. The rear wall 28 of the housing 22 is provided with suitable openings 
36a, 36b for strain relief sleeves 38a, 38b through which the power supply 
and communications wiring 7, 9 enter the concealed compartment 30. The 
rear wall 28 mounts to the underside of the table 10 at tab or lip 27. The 
dimensions of the concealed compartment 30 and spacing of the divider 34 
should meet electrical code requirements for the particular region in 
which the receptacle 20 is intended to be used, as will be known to those 
skilled in the art. 
The cover plate 60 when closed does not extend fully to the front of the 
receptacle, leaving a gap 58 through which the connected cables 6, 8 
emerge from the receptacle 20 to the various electrical devices (not 
shown) to which they are connected. The rear of the cover plate 60 is 
provided with a hinge 64 that mounts about a pivot 62, which is preferably 
formed on the top edge of the wall 32, allowing the cover plate 60 to 
swing from the closed position (shown in solid lines in FIG. 3) to the 
open position (shown in phantom lines in FIG. 3). A flange 66 along the 
rear of the cover plate 60 is provided with an enlarged edge, which 
snap-fits under a tooth 68 formed beneath the hinge pivot 62, allowing the 
cover plate 60 to be locked into the open position. The hinge 64 is 
designed to abut a ledge 33 formed in the wall 32 when the cover plate 60 
is flush with the work surface 12, so that the closed cover plate 60 does 
not rest against the cables 6, 8. 
In use a single receptacle 20 may be employed, for example at a personal 
workstation or research cubicle, or multiple receptacles 20 may be used as 
in the table 10 illustrated in FIG. 1. Openings dimensioned to receive the 
receptacles 20 are cut or otherwise formed through the work surface 12. 
The receptacle 20 is assembled and the strain relief sleeves 38a, 38b are 
inserted through the openings 36a, 36b, respectively, in the rear wall 28 
of the concealed compartment 30. The receptacle 20 is mounted to the table 
10 from underneath and affixed by screws 29 or other suitable fastening 
members, and electrical wiring 7, 9 from a remote power supply, 
communications devices etc. (not shown) is inserted through the strain 
relief members 38 (multiple receptacles 20 may be wired in parallel 
beneath the table 10). The partition plate 50 is removed and the ports 2, 
4 are mounted into their respective openings 52. The required electrical 
connections between the ports 2, 4 and the wiring 7, 9 are made in 
conventional fashion, and the partition plate 50 is snap-fitted to the 
receptacle 20. 
To connect a workstation device a user simply lifts the cover plate 60 
until it locks in the open position and inserts the plugs for the power 
supply and/or communications cables 6, 8 into the appropriate ports 2, 4 
as required. The user has a direct line of sight to the partition plate 
from a position standing in front of the table 10, and can insert a plug 
into the port 2 or 4 using a natural lateral thrusting motion which is 
similar to that used when plugging a cord into a wall receptacle. 
A preferred embodiment of the invention having been thus described by way 
of example only, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that 
certain modifications and adaptations may be made without departing from 
the scope of the invention, as set out in the appended claims.