Patent Publication Number: US-2023133279-A1

Title: Electrical power coupling

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an electrical power coupling in a tower tray system. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     An electrical power cord or appliance coupler generally has a retaining clamp used to secure the electrical power cord to the appliance or an electrical connection enclosure. The retaining clamp is a mechanical device that prevents the electrical power cord from inadvertently being pulled or shaken loose. 
     In North America, the National Electrical Manufacturers Association develops standards for electrical plugs, receptacles, electrical cables, and clamping requirements. 
     In public areas, such as parks, a pedestal table can be provided having a single column support that is embedded in the ground, or in a suitable ballast to prevent movement, with a tabletop mounted to the top of the single column. A movable version is often used in reception areas in the form of small tabletops arranged at a height that allow easy use for the setting of drinks or food thereon, while people stand therearound, allowing people to congregate around for collaboration and socialization. 
     In cases where outlets are placed into a housing, particularly a housing that is curved or non-flat, such as a pedestal for a table, there is a need to retain and position the outlets so that they can be properly presented through the non-flat surface. The electrical power cord needs to be secured to the pedestal. 
     What is needed in the art is a cost-effective power cord coupling that allows for the delivery of electrical power to electrical outlets contained in non-flat housings such as tubular columns. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides an electrical power coupling that is insertable into a tubular column. 
     The invention in one form is directed to an electrical power coupler for installation in a tower pedestal table, the tower pedestal table having a column extending up from a base. The electrical power coupler including a generally cylindrical shaped structural member that is insertable into an end of the column. There is at least one channel along a side of the structural member, and the at least one channel has an obstructed end. A power conduit extends through the structural member. 
     The invention in another form is directed to an electrical power coupler for installation in a column. The electrical power coupler including a generally cylindrical shaped structural member that is insertable into an end of the column. There is at least one channel along a side of the structural member, and the at least one channel has an obstructed end. A power conduit extends through the structural member. 
     An advantage of the present invention is that it both secures an electrical power cord to itself, it also is secured to a column into which it is inserted. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is that the electrical power coupling can be fitted into a tight constrained place, such as inside a tubular column. 
    
    
     
       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 embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of an embodiment of a tower tray system having an embodiment of an electrical power coupling of the present invention therein; 
         FIG.  2    is a side view of the tower tray system of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  3    is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of the electrical power coupling of the present invention that is inserted into the tower tray system of  FIGS.  1  and  2   ; 
         FIG.  4    is a perspective view of part of the base of the tower tray system of  FIGS.  1  and  2    and is also shown in  FIG.  3   ; 
         FIG.  5    is a perspective view of the electrical power coupling of the present invention that is insertable into the column of the tower tray system of  FIGS.  1  and  2    and is also illustrated in  FIG.  3   ; and 
         FIG.  6    is an exploded partially schematical view of the electrical power coupling of  FIGS.  3  and  5   , illustrating its positioning within the tower tray system of  FIGS.  1  and  2    and how it relates to the electrical power receptacles. 
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate embodiments of the invention and such exemplifications are 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  FIGS.  1  and  2   , there is shown an embodiment of a tower system  10  including a column  12 , a tray  14 , a tray collar  16 , a base  18 , a set of outlets  20 , and a set of outlets  20 A. Tray collar  16  can also be referred to as a tray clamp  16 . Tray column  12  may be a cylindrical tube  12  having electrical and data connections presented along the sides that are connected to electrical conductors that run therein. Tray  14  is illustrated as a disk-shaped tray  14 , although other shapes are also contemplated. Tray  14  has an opening  24  though which column  12  extends. Tower system  10  is generally symmetrical along axis A in that outlets  20  and  20 A are present on each side of column  12 , although the positioning of the individual receptacles are offset in the longitudinal direction along axis A, so that the compact placement of the receptacles is possible in column  12 . 
     Base  18  is arranged to set on a horizontal surface and provides support to column  12 . Base  18  is formed to allow an electrical power cord PC to extend therefrom and have an opening through which electrical wiring can extend into column  12 . Column  12  is depicted as a cylindrical tube  12 , although other shapes are contemplated. Column  12  provides a wiring chase through which internal wiring is provided for the powering of outlets  20  and charging circuits that may be made available at outlets  20 A. Slots are cut or formed along sides of column  12  to allow power fixtures such as outlets  20  and  20 A that are presented to, and are available for, use by the user of tower tray system  10 . Outlets  20  and  20 A are presented on both sides of column  12 , even though only one side is illustrated. 
     Outlets  20  and  20 A have faceplates (additionally see  FIG.  7   ) that conform with edges in the slots in column  12 , so that edges of that slot are covered. The ends of the cover plates extend along the curve created by the curved ends of the slot, as seen in in  FIG.  1   , and the curve of the surface of column  12 . The placing of outlets  20  and  20 A along surfaces of column  12  are a mater of choice and can be at various positions along the length of column  12 . Outlets  20  include electrical receptacles  20 . A top plate P can be inserted at the top of column  12  to provide a finished look, and top plate P can be removed to provide access to the interior of column  12 . 
     Tray collar  16  is constrained against column  12 , with collar  16  being under tension, hence compressing collar  16  against column  12  to thereby prevent the movement of collar  16  relative to column  12 . This allows tray  14  to rest upon tray collar  16 . 
     Now, additionally referring to  FIG.  3   , there is shown an exploded view of elements of base  18  and part of the electrical system within column  12 , and particularly an electrical power coupling EC that includes a structural member  22 . Elements of base  18  include an upper plate  24 , a middle plate  26  and a lower plate  28 . Middle plate  26  has a serpentine spacer  30  that spaces middle plate  26  from upper plate  24 . Serpentine spacer  30  allows power cord PC to extend into the central portion of upper plate  24  and on into column  12  to supply electrical power to receptacles  20 . As can be seen serpentine spacer  30  is spaced in from the outer edges of upper plate  24  and middle plate  26  so that power cord PC can be wrapped around the outer boundary of serpentine spacer  30  and be stored there largely within the outer space created by the height of serpentine spacer  30 . It is also contemplated that serpentine spacer could extend from upper plate  24  rather than from middle plate  26 . It is further contemplated that bottom plate  28  could be omitted, with middle plate  26  then serving as the portion of base  18  that would sit on a floor. 
     Electrical power coupling EC is shown being inserted into column  12  and is secured to column  12  by way of screws  32 . Then upper plate  24  is at least partially inserted into column  12  and is secured to electrical power coupling EC with fasteners (not shown). 
     Now, additionally referring to  FIG.  4   , there is shown a bottom perspective view of upper plate  24 . Upper plate  24  has a short truncated cylinder  34  with an opening therethrough so that power cord PC can extend through upper plate  24 . 
     Now, additionally referring to  FIG.  5   , there is shown a perspective view of structural member  22  with a generally cylindrical outer wall  36 , two channels  38 , each truncated with an obstructed end  40  in channel  38 . An opening  42  extends through obstructed end  40  allowing screws  32  to extend into a feature within column  12 . Column  12  has either tabs, protrusions or an extending feature the orients channels  38  and stop the continued insertion of electrical power coupling EC into column  12  when the feature encounters obstructed end  40 . Then screws  32  are secured to the feature thereby coupling structural member  22  to column  12 . 
     Structural member  22  has a series of webs  44  that extend radially inward from outer wall  36 . Some of webs  44  intersect with cylindrical webs  46  that have openings  48  that extend in an axial direction parallel to axis A. Structural member  22  also has a series of arcuate webs  48  that extend between cylindrical webs  46 . 
     Now, additionally referring to  FIG.  6    there is shown an electrical power set of conductors  52  extending through power conduit  50  of structural member  22 . The electrical power set of conductors  52  are electrically coupled to electrical receptacles  20  further up the column, as schematically shown in  FIG.  6   , and as can be seen in  FIGS.  1  and  2   . Further up column  12  are power supplies  20 A, which are also electrically connected to conductors  52 , by way of the electrical connections within outlets  20 , with power within column  12  being delivered by way of power cord PC. A securing element  54  secures power cord PC in power conduit  50  and thus to structural member  52 , with power cord PC extending from the base of column  12 , and base  18 . 
     While this invention has been described with respect to at least one embodiment, 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.