Patent Publication Number: US-6910903-B2

Title: Receptacle mounting bracket attached to frame

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is a non-provisional application based upon U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/408,373, entitled “RECEPTACLE MOUNTING BRACKET ATTACHED TO FRAME”, filed Sep. 5, 2002. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     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 and/or the electrical distribution harness to the modular wall panel. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     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. 
     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. 
     The receptacle components need to electrically connect to the electrical distribution harness. Mechanical forces are applied to the receptacle, and therefore to the electrical distribution harness via 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. A stable mechanical connection is also required for the electrical distribution harness to ensure that the electrical distribution harness does not work itself loose from the modular wall panel after multiple power cord plugging and unplugging cycles. 
     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 and includes legs that connect to the modular wall panel. 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. The previously mentioned legs that interconnect the electrical distribution harness and the modular wall panel also provide limited retaining force in the direction of plug engagement and disengagement. 
     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, and that can be used to hold the electrical distribution harness to the modular wall panel. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a device and method to hold a receptacle module to an electrical distribution harness, the device is separate from the electrical distribution harness, and can also be used to hold the electrical distribution harness to the modular wall panel. 
     The invention comprises, in one form thereof, a modular wall panel assembly including a modular wall panel and a mounting bracket connected to the modular wall panel. The mounting bracket includes a base configured for connection to the modular wall panel and a pair of parallel side plates connected to and extending transverse from the base. An electrical distribution harness is included with at least one channel at least partially enclosed by the pair of parallel side plates. 
     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, and that it can also be used to hold the electrical distribution harness to the modular wall panel. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is that it is not part of the electrical distribution harness. 
     Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it provides a positive retaining force in the direction of plug engagement and disengagement for both the receptacle and the electrical distribution harness. 
     A further advantage of the present invention is that it can be used with existing designs of receptacle modules. 
     A yet further advantage of the present invention is that an existing electrical distribution harness can be converted to a design with a separate mounting bracket. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       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: 
         FIG. 1  is perspective view of an embodiment of an electrical distribution harness with a mounting bracket according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the electrical distribution harness of  FIG. 1  shown in relation to a partial fragmentary exploded view of an embodiment of a modular wall panel; and 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the modular wall panel assembly of  FIG. 2  as viewed from section line  3 — 3  when assembled. 
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplification set out herein illustrate 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 
     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 , an electrical distribution harness  14  and a mounting bracket  16 . 
     Modular wall panel  12  includes wall frame  18 , base cover  20  and panels  22 . Base cover  20  can include at least one aperture (not shown) through which an electrical receptacle can protrude. 
     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  30 . End connectors  30  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  32  is connected to electrical connector  24 . In the embodiment shown, four electrical receptacles  32  can be connected to electrical connector  24  with two electrical receptacles  32  on each side of electrical distribution harness  14  although only two electrical receptacles  32  are shown. 
     Mounting bracket  16  is connected to modular wall panel  12  at wall frame  18 , for example, although other mounting configurations are possible. Mounting bracket  16  includes base  34  configured for connection to modular wall panel  12  and a pair of parallel side plates  36  connected to and extending transverse from base  34 . Mounting bracket  16  can include a u-shaped cross-section as shown in FIG.  3 . Electrical distribution harness  14  has at least one channel  26  at least partially enclosed by the pair of parallel side plates  36 . Each parallel side plates  36  can include a slot  38 . Slots  38  can be generally aligned with each other with electrical distribution harness  14  including electrical connector  24  received within slots  38 . Electrical receptacle  32  can be connected to mounting bracket  16  with fastener  40  for example. 
     In use, electrical distribution harness  14  is connected to modular wall panel assembly  10  by connecting mounting bracket  16  to modular wall panel assembly  10 . Electrical distribution harness  14  is inserted into mounting bracket  16  with at least one electrical connector  24  at least partially disposed within at least one slot  38 . At least one receptacle  32  can be electrically connected to at least one electrical connector  24 . At least one receptacle  32  can be attached to mounting bracket  16 . 
     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.