Patent ID: 7524203

Claim:
A modular furniture power distribution system, comprising: at least two multiconductor electrical cables, each having an electrical connector at a first end thereof; at least two upstanding partition panels, each having an elongated generally horizontally extending channel for receiving a corresponding electrical cable; a stanchion for supporting juxtaposed partition panel ends, the stanchion forming an obstacle precluding direct communication between adjacent partition channels and providing inadequate clearance to accommodate electrical coupling between the electrical connectors; and a collar at least partially encircling the stanchion and forming an electrical coupling for circumventing the obstacle and electrically coupling the connector of the cable in one channel with a corresponding connector of the cable in the other channel, the collar including a pair of electrical connectors at opposite ends of the collar, each adapted to mate with a corresponding cable connector, the mating cable connector and collar electrical connector pairs engaging and disengaging by relative motion in the direction of channel elongation.