Patent Publication Number: US-2004045232-A1

Title: Receptacle mounting converter

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
     [0001] This is a non-provisional application based upon U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 60/408,372, entitled “RECEPTACLE MOUNTING CONVERTER”, filed Sep. 5, 2002. 
    
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002] 1. Field of the Invention  
       [0003] The present invention relates to electrical distribution harnesses for modular wall panels, and, more particularly, to a method and a device for mounting electrical receptacles for such a harness.  
       [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art  
       [0005] Electrical distribution harnesses are located in modular wall panels to provide electrical power to a user located in a space defined by the wall panels. The electrical power can be used to power lighting, computers and other office machines in an office environment, or can be used to power lighting, tools and other equipment in a laboratory or industrial setting.  
       [0006] The electrical distribution harnesses are hidden within the modular wall panel, typically near to or attached to a frame of the modular wall panel, and provide user access to the electricity via receptacles, such as standard duplex receptacles.  
       [0007] The receptacle components need to electrically connect to the electrical distribution harness. Mechanical forces are applied to the receptacle when plugging and unplugging a power cord and the like. A stable mechanical connection is required for the receptacle to ensure that the receptacle does not work itself loose from the electrical distribution harness after multiple power cord plugging and unplugging cycles.  
       [0008] A method of mounting a receptacle to an electrical distribution harness is known whereby a receptacle retaining element is part of the electrical distribution harness. The receptacle electrically connects to an electrical port on the harness and mechanically mounts into the receptacle retaining element. A problem with this method is the receptacle retaining element adds complexity to the harness design, and at least as importantly, increases the manufacturing cycle time of the harness. Other known methods include clips (which are also part of the electrical distribution harness) to hold the receptacle module and the clips are susceptible to bending and provide limited retaining force in the direction of plug engagement and disengagement.  
       [0009] What is needed in the art is a device and method that mechanically holds a receptacle to an electrical distribution harness in a reliable and cost effective manner, and at the same time, is separate from the electrical distribution harness.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010] The present invention provides a device and method to hold a receptacle module to an electrical distribution harness, the device being separate from the electrical distribution harness and at least partially surrounding the receptacle.  
       [0011] The invention comprises, in one form thereof, a modular wall panel assembly, including a modular wall panel and an electrical distribution harness connected to the modular wall panel. The electrical distribution harness includes an electrical connector, at least one channel extending from and electrically connected with the electrical connector, an electrical receptacle connected to the electrical connector and at least one receptacle mounting bracket. The receptacle mounting bracket includes a cutout at least partially surrounding the electrical receptacle. The receptacle mounting bracket has at least one attachment element connected to the modular wall panel and/or at least one channel.  
       [0012] An advantage of the present invention is that it provides a device and method that mechanically holds a receptacle to an electrical distribution harness in a reliable and cost effective manner.  
       [0013] Another advantage of the present invention is that it is not part of the electrical distribution harness.  
       [0014] Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it provides a positive retaining force in the direction of plug engagement and disengagement.  
       [0015] A further advantage of the present invention is that it can be used with existing designs of receptacle modules.  
       [0016] A yet further advantage of the present invention is that an existing electrical distribution harness can be converted to a design with a separate receptacle mounting bracket. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0017] The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of an embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
     [0018]FIG. 1 is perspective view of an embodiment of an electrical distribution harness with a receptacle mounting bracket according to the present invention;  
     [0019]FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the electrical distribution harness of FIG. 1 shown in relation to a partial fragmentary view of an embodiment of a modular wall panel; and  
     [0020]FIG. 3 is a side view of the receptacle mounting bracket of FIG. 2 as viewed from section line  3 - 3 .  
     [0021] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplification set out herein illustrates one preferred embodiment of the invention, in one form, and such exemplification is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
     [0022] Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 2, there is shown a modular wall panel assembly  10  which generally includes a modular wall panel  12  and an electrical distribution harness  14 .  
     [0023] Modular wall panel  12  includes wall frame  16  having connected thereto holder  18 . Modular wall panel  12  further includes base cover  20  and panels  22 . Base cover  20  can include at least one aperture (not shown) through which an electrical receptacle can protrude.  
     [0024] Electrical distribution harness  14  includes electrical connector  24  and at least one channel  26  extending from and electrically connected, via conductors  28 , with electrical connector  24 . The number of conductors  28  can vary from application to application, but will generally include ground, neutral and line conductors, or some combination and/or multiples thereof. Isolated circuit conductors and/or isolated grounds can be included. Conductors  28  electrically interconnect terminals in electrical connector  24  with corresponding terminals in end connectors  32 . End connectors  32  are typically connected to a source of electrical power, another electrical distribution harness and/or a jumper cable (all not shown). At least one electrical receptacle  30  is connected to electrical connector  24 . In the embodiment shown, four electrical receptacles  30  can be connected to electrical connector  24  with two electrical receptacles  30  on each side of electrical distribution harness  14  although only two electrical receptacles  30  are shown. At least one receptacle mounting bracket  34  has a cutout  36  at least partially surrounding electrical receptacle  30 . Receptacle mounting bracket  34  has at least one attachment element  38  connected to modular wall panel  12  (at holder  18  for example) and/or to at least one channel  26 .  
     [0025] Receptacle mounting bracket  34  includes receptacle frame  40  that can be approximately rectangular in shape which is complimentary in shape to receptacle  30  as shown. Alternatively, receptacle frame  40  can be other shapes complimentary with other alternative shapes of receptacle  30 . Receptacle mounting bracket  34  can have an approximately C-shaped cross section, for a section at an end thereof, as shown in FIG. 3. Attachment element  38  can include hole  42  and fastener  44  extending through hole  42  and attached to a corresponding channel  26  or modular wall panel  12 .  
     [0026] In use, electrical distribution harness  14  is provided including at least one channel  26  and electrical connector  24 . Electrical receptacle  30  is inserted into electrical connector  24 . Receptacle mounting bracket  34  is placed over electrical receptacle  30  such that cutout  36  at least partially surrounds electrical receptacle  30 . Receptacle mounting bracket  34  is attached to electrical distribution harness  14  or modular wall panel  12 .  
     [0027] While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.