Office furniture abstract
A raceway system is disclosed. The raceway system includes a first
office furniture panel and a second office furniture panel angularly
positioned relative to the first office furniture panel, a base
cap mountable to the first office furniture panel and the second
office furniture panel, at least one corner raceway section positionable
adjacent the base cap, and a cover securable to the base cap. The
base cap has at least one aperture for wiring to pass therethrough.
The corner raceway section has a channel extending axially therethrough,
and the corner raceway section allows the wiring to pass vertically
through the aperture and the channel.
Office furniture claims
What is claimed is:
1. A raceway system comprising: a first office furniture panel;
a second office furniture panel angularly positioned relative to
the first office furniture panel to define an opening therebetween;
a base cap mounted to the first office furniture panel and the second
office furniture panel, the base cap having at least one aperture
for wiring to pass vertically therethrough and at least one post
to control the wiring as the wiring passes vertically through the
aperture, wherein the aperture is axially aligned with the opening;
and a cover securable to the base cap.
2. The raceway system of claim 1 wherein the base cap has two
apertures for wiring to pass vertically therethrough.
3. The raceway system of claim 1 wherein the base cap has four
apertures for wiring to pass vertically therethrough.
4. The raceway system of claim 1 including a corner raceway section
having a channel extending axially therethrough, the corner raceway
section positionable adjacent the base cap to allow the wiring to
pass vertically through the aperture and the channel.
Office furniture description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a raceway system for office
furniture and, more particularly, to a raceway system that allows
for the routing of wiring from atop office furniture panels down
into corner outlets at desk or floor level.
Cable management systems are known in the raceway industry. One
such system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5831211. The '211 patent
discloses a raceway 34 comprising a series of cable channels 36
which mount to the top of most major partition panel configurations
and associated cable channel caps 38 which mount on the cable channels
36 in various positions to accommodate the different partition panel
configurations. However, none of the cable management systems, including
the one disclosed in the '211 patent, provide a raceway system having
a base cap including an aperture for routing wiring from atop office
furniture panels down into corner outlets at desk or floor level.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It would be desirable to provide a raceway system that allows for
the routing of wiring from atop office furniture panels down into
corner outlets at desk or floor level.
It would also be desirable to provide a raceway system having a
base cap including an aperture for routing wiring from atop office
furniture panels down into corner outlets at desk or floor level.
A raceway system is disclosed. The raceway system includes a base
cap mountable to a top surface of an office furniture panel, at
least one horizontal raceway section positionable adjacent the base
cap, at least one corner raceway section positionable adjacent the
base cap, and a cover securable to the base cap. The base cap has
at least one aperture for wiring to pass therethrough. The corner
raceway section has a channel extending axially therethrough, and
the corner raceway section allows the wiring to pass vertically
through the aperture and the channel.
The base cap has one aperture for wiring to pass therethrough,
and the base cap has four posts to control the wiring as the wiring
passes through the channel. Preferably, the base cap has two apertures
and six posts. More preferably, the base cap has four apertures
and eight posts.
The base cap has two recessed areas for positioning two horizontal
raceway sections therein. Preferably, the base cap has three recessed
areas for positioning three horizontal raceway sections therein.
More preferably, the base cap has four recessed areas for positioning
four horizontal raceway sections therein.
Preferably, the base cap has a slot for receiving a screw to secure
the base cap to the corner raceway section in a plurality of predetermined
positions.
Preferably, the cover has three tabs for securing the cover to
the base cap, and the cover has four breakouts to allow the wiring
to pass through the cover on each of four sides. More preferably,
the cover has four tabs.
Preferably, the corner raceway section has a grooved slot for receiving
a screw therein, and the corner raceway section has two flanges
for engaging a raceway cover or a faceplate.
The end cap assembly comprises an end cap and a bottom support.
Preferably, the end cap has two retaining slots for securing the
end cap to the corner raceway section, and the bottom support has
a plurality of ribs for locating and securing the corner raceway
section therein. Moreover, the bottom support has a cut out area
to allow the wiring to pass therethrough.
Preferably, the raceway system includes two horizontal raceway
sections. More preferably, the raceway system includes four horizontal
raceway sections.
Preferably, the raceway system includes two corner raceway sections.
More preferably, the raceway system includes four corner raceway
sections.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
FIG. 1 is a fully assembled perspective view of a raceway system
according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a fully exploded perspective view of the raceway system
of FIG. 1;
FIG. 2A is a top perspective view of a base cap utilized in the
raceway system of FIG. 1;
FIG. 2B is a bottom perspective view of the base cap utilized in
the raceway system of FIG. 1;
FIG. 2C is a top perspective view of a bottom support utilized
in the raceway system of FIG. 1;
FIG. 2D is a bottom perspective view of the bottom support utilized
in the raceway system of FIG. 1;
FIG. 2E is a bottom rear perspective view of an end cap utilized
in the raceway system of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a partially exploded perspective view of the raceway
system of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a partially exploded perspective view of the raceway
system of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged front view of the raceway system of FIG.
1;
FIG. 6 is an enlarged top view of the raceway system of FIG. 1;
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 7--7 of FIG.
6;
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 8--8 of FIG.
5;
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 9--9 of FIG.
5;
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 10--10 of FIG.
5;
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 11--11 of FIG.
6;
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 12--12 of FIG.
6;
FIG. 13 is a fully assembled perspective view of a raceway system
according to a second embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 14 is a partially exploded perspective view of the raceway
system of FIG. 13;
FIG. 15 is an enlarged top view of the raceway system of FIG. 14;
FIG. 16 is a top perspective view of a base cap utilized in the
raceway system of FIG. 13;
FIG. 17 is a bottom perspective view of the base cap utilized in
the raceway system of FIG. 13;
FIG. 18 is a fully assembled perspective view of a raceway system
according to a third embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 19 is a partially exploded perspective view of the raceway
system of FIG. 18;
FIG. 20 is an enlarged top view of the raceway system of FIG. 19;
FIG. 21 is a top perspective view of a base cap utilized in the
raceway system of FIG. 18;
FIG. 22 is a bottom perspective view of the base cap utilized in
the raceway system of FIG. 18; and
FIG. 23 is a bottom perspective view of a cover utilized in the
raceway system of FIG. 18.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The illustrated embodiments of the invention are directed to a
raceway system that allows for the routing of wiring from atop office
furniture panels down into corner outlets at desk or floor level.
FIGS. 1-12 are directed to a raceway system 30 FIGS. 13-17 are
directed to a raceway system 130 and FIGS. 18-23 are directed to
a raceway system 230.
FIG. 1 shows a fully assembled raceway system 30. Raceway system
30 allows communication cabling, such as wires 32 from horizontal
raceway sections, such as horizontal raceway sections 34 36 to
spill into the corners of office furniture panels, such as office
furniture panels 38 40. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 wires 32 pass
vertically through an aperture in a base cap, such as base cap 42
and a channel of a corner raceway section, such as corner raceway
section 44 and terminate at the desk or floor level into connector
modules, such as a communication jack. As shown in FIG. 1 wires
32 terminate at the desk level.
As shown in FIG. 2 raceway system 30 includes an end cap assembly
comprising a bottom support 46 (FIGS. 2C and D) and an end cap 48
(FIG. 2E), a corner raceway section 44 securable to bottom support
46 a base cap 42 securable to corner raceway section 44 a base
cover 50 securable to base cap 42 horizontal raceway sections 34
36 securable within base cap 42 raceway covers 52 54 and a faceplate
56.
As shown in FIGS. 2 3 and 4 base cap 42 is mounted to the top
surface of office furniture panels 38 40 via two-sided pressure
sensitive tape. It is likewise contemplated that other means may
be utilized to secure base cap 42 to the top surface of office furniture
panels 38 40. As best seen in FIGS. 3 4 and 9 base cap 42 includes
an aperture 58 for wires 32 to pass vertically therethrough. Base
cap 42 allows for ramping of wires 32 for bend radius protection
when falling through aperture 58. Moreover, as best seen in FIG.
2A, base cap 42 has four posts, such as post 60 to give stability
to base cover 50 when secured to base cap 42 and to control wires
32 as they drop into corner raceway section 44.
As best seen in FIGS. 2A and 9 base cap 42 has two recessed areas,
such as recessed area 62 for positioning horizontal raceway sections
34 36 therein. Each of the recessed areas 62 allows for the proper
alignment of horizontal raceway sections 34 36 to base cap 42.
As best seen in FIG. 1 horizontal raceway sections 34 36 are mounted
to the top surface of office furniture panels 38 40 respectively,
via two-sided pressure sensitive tape. It is likewise contemplated
that other means may be utilized to secure horizontal raceway sections
34 36 to the top surface of office furniture panels 38 40 respectively.
As best seen in FIG. 9 base cap 42 has a slot 64 for receiving
a screw to secure base cap 42 to corner raceway section 44 and
allow for adjustment of different width panels. For example, the
screw may be secured within slot 64 at a first position to accommodate
an office furniture panel having a 1.875 inch width, such as Herman
Miller A01 Office Furniture. The screw also may be secured within
slot 64 at a second position to accommodate an office furniture
panel having a 2.25 inch width, such as Steel Case 9000 Series Office
Furniture.
As shown in FIG. 6 base cover 50 has three locking tabs, such
as locking tab 66 for securing cover 50 to base cap 42. Moreover,
as best seen in FIG. 3 cover 50 has four breakouts, such as breakout
68 to allow wires 32 to pass through cover 50 on each of four sides.
Preferably, cover 50 overhangs office furniture panels 38 40 and
corner raceway section 44 to hide imperfect cuts on corner raceway
section 44.
As best seen in FIGS. 2 3 and 4 corner raceway section 44 is
positioned in the corner of office furniture panels 38 40 and
rests inside of bottom support 46. Corner raceway section 44 has
a channel 70 extending axially therethrough to allow wires 32 to
pass vertically through channel 70 to a termination point, such
as a connector module in snap-on faceplate 56. Moreover, as best
seen in FIG. 10 corner raceway section 44 has a grooved slot 72
for receiving a screw therein to secure base cap 42 to the top of
corner raceway section 44. Corner raceway section 44 also has two
flanges, such as flange 74 for engaging raceway covers 52 54
such as Panduit's T-70 cover, or faceplate 56 such as Panduit's
T70FV4 sloped, snap-on faceplate.
As best seen in FIG. 2E, end cap 48 has two retaining slots, such
as retaining slot 76 for securing end cap 48 to corner raceway
section 44 to hide bottom support 46 and any uneven cuts that may
exist on raceway cover 54. As shown in FIG. 3 raceway cover 54
has a breakout 78 to allow wires 32 to pass therethrough after end
cap 48 has been secured to bottom support 46. As shown in FIGS.
2C, 3 and 4 bottom support 46 has a plurality of ribs, such as
rib 80 for locating and securing corner raceway section 44 therein.
Bottom support 46 is mounted to the desk surface via two-sided pressure
sensitive tape. It is likewise contemplated that other means may
be utilized to secure bottom support 46 to the desk surface.
As best seen in FIG. 3 bottom support 46 has a cut out area 82
to allow wires 32 to pass from the desk level to the floor. Cut
out area 82 also allows wires 32 to pass from the floor through
corner raceway section 44 to the top of office furniture panels
38 40 for distribution to other areas in the office environment.
Conversely, cut out area 82 allows wires 32 from horizontal raceway
sections 34 36 to pass through corner raceway section 44 to the
floor, or to terminate in faceplate 56 in corner raceway section
44.
In operation, corner raceway section 44 is placed inside of the
ribs of bottom support 46 and a screw may be utilized to secure
bottom support 46 to corner raceway section 44. Bottom support 46
is then retained to the desktop surface in a corner location with
two-sided pressure sensitive tape. As best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4
base cap 42 is aligned with the top of corner raceway section 44
and a screw attaches base cap 42 to the top of corner raceway section
44. As shown in FIG. 9 horizontal raceway sections 34 36 are centered
within base cap 42 and attached to the top surface of office furniture
panels 38 40 respectively, via two-sided pressure sensitive tape.
As best seen in FIG. 3 wires 32 are routed from horizontal raceway
sections 34 36 through aperture 58 in base cap 42 entering corner
raceway section 44 and terminating in connector modules mounted
in faceplate 56. Alternatively, wires 32 may pass through cut out
area 82 and extend to the floor. Raceway covers 52 54 and faceplate
56 are attached to corner raceway section 44 and end cap 48 is
secured to corner raceway section 44. Finally, base cover 50 is
secured to base cap 42.
FIG. 13 shows a fully assembled raceway system 130. Raceway system
130 allows communication cabling, such as wires 132 from horizontal
raceway sections, such as horizontal raceway sections 133 134
135 136 to spill into the corners of office furniture panels,
such as office furniture panels 137 138 139 140. As shown in
FIGS. 14 and 15 wires 132 pass vertically through two apertures
in a base cap, such as base cap 142 and the channels of two corner
raceway sections, such as corner raceway section 144 and terminate
at the desk or floor level into connector modules, such as a communication
jack. As shown in FIG. 13 wires 132 terminate at the desk level.
Raceway system 130 includes two end cap assemblies, each comprising
a bottom support (not shown) and an end cap, such as end cap 148
two corner raceway sections, such as corner raceway section 144
securable to the bottom supports, a base cap 142 (FIGS. 16 and 17)
securable to the corner raceway sections 144 a base cover 150 securable
to base cap 142 horizontal raceway sections 133 134 135 136
securable within base cap 142 two raceway covers, such as raceway
cover 152 two raceway covers, such as raceway cover 154 and two
faceplates, such as faceplate 156.
As best seen in FIGS. 15-17 base cap 142 includes two apertures,
such as aperture 158 for wires 132 to pass vertically therethrough.
Moreover, as best seen in FIG. 16 base cap 142 has six posts, such
as post 160 to give stability to base cover 150 when secured to
base cap 142 and to control wires 132 as they drop into the corner
raceway sections 144. Further, base cap 142 has three recessed areas,
such as recessed area 162 for positioning three horizontal raceway
sections therein. Base cap 142 also has two slots, such as slot
164 for receiving screws to secure base cap 142 to the corner raceway
sections 144.
In operation, two corner raceway sections 144 are placed inside
of the ribs of two bottom supports, respectively, and screws may
be utilized to secure the bottom supports to the corner raceway
sections 144. The bottom supports are then retained to the desktop
surface in corner locations with two-sided pressure sensitive tape.
Base cap 142 is aligned with the tops of the corner raceway sections
144 and two screws attach base cap 142 to the tops of the corner
raceway sections 144. Horizontal raceway sections 133 134 135
136 are centered within base cap 142 and attached to the top surface
of office furniture panels 137 138 139 140 respectively, via
two-sided pressure sensitive tape. As best seen in FIG. 14 wires
132 are routed from horizontal raceway sections 133 134 135 136
through the apertures 158 in base cap 142 entering the corner raceway
sections 144 and terminating in connector modules mounted in faceplates
156. Alternatively, wires 132 may pass through cut out areas in
the bottom supports and extend to the floor. Two raceway covers
152 two raceway covers 154 and two faceplates 156 are attached
to the corner raceway sections 144. Finally, two end caps 148 are
secured to the corner raceway sections 144 and base cover 150 is
secured to base cap 142.
FIG. 18 shows a fully assembled raceway system 230. Raceway system
230 allows communication cabling, such as wires 232 from horizontal
raceway sections, such as horizontal raceway sections 233 234
235 236 to spill into the corners of office furniture panels,
such as office furniture panels 237 238 239 240. As shown in
FIGS. 19 and 20 wires 232 pass vertically through four apertures
in a base cap, such as base cap 242 and the channels of four corner
raceway sections, such as corner raceway section 244 and terminate
at the desk or floor level into connector modules, such as a communication
jack. As shown in FIG. 18 wires 232 terminate at the desk level.
Raceway system 230 includes four end cap assemblies, each comprising
a bottom support (not shown) and an end cap, such as end cap 248
four corner raceway sections, such as corner raceway section 244
securable to the bottom supports, a base cap 242 (FIGS. 21 and 22)
securable to the corner raceway sections 244 a base cover 250 (FIG.
23) securable to base cap 242 horizontal raceway sections 233
234 235 236 securable within base cap 242 four raceway covers,
such as raceway cover 252 four raceway covers, such as raceway
cover 254 and four faceplates, such as faceplate 256.
As best seen in FIGS. 20-22 base cap 242 includes four apertures,
such as aperture 258 for wires 232 to pass vertically therethrough.
Moreover, as best seen in FIG. 21 base cap 242 has eight posts,
such as post 260 to give stability to base cover 250 when secured
to base cap 242 and to control wires 232 as they drop into the
corner raceway sections 244. Further, base cap 242 has four recessed
areas, such as recessed area 262 for positioning four horizontal
raceway sections therein. Base cap 242 also has four slots, such
as slot 264 for receiving screws to secure base cap 242 to the
corner raceway sections 244.
In operation, four corner raceway sections 244 are placed inside
of the ribs of four bottom supports, respectively, and screws may
be utilized to secure the bottom supports to the corner raceway
sections 244. The bottom supports are then retained to the desktop
surface in corner locations with two-sided pressure sensitive tape.
Base cap 242 is aligned with the tops of the corner raceway sections
244 and four screws attach base cap 242 to the tops of the corner
raceway sections 244. Horizontal raceway sections 233 234 235
236 are centered within base cap 242 and attached to the top surface
of office furniture panels 237 238 239 240 respectively, via
two-sided pressure sensitive tape. As best seen in FIG. 19 wires
232 are routed from horizontal raceway sections 233 234 235 236
through the apertures 258 in base cap 242 entering the corner raceway
sections 244 and terminating in connector modules mounted in faceplates
256. Alternatively, wires 232 may pass through cut out areas in
the bottom supports and extend to the floor. Four raceway covers
252 four raceway covers 254 and four faceplates 256 are attached
to the corner raceway sections 244. Finally, four end caps 248 are
secured to the corner raceway sections 244 and base cover 250 is
secured to base cap 242.
The disclosed invention provides a raceway system for office furniture.
The raceway system includes a base cap having at least one aperture
for wires to pass therethrough into a corner raceway section. It
should be noted that the above-described and illustrative embodiments
and preferred embodiments of the invention are not an exhaustive
listing of the forms such a raceway system in accordance with the
invention might take; rather, they serve as exemplary and illustrative
of embodiments of the invention as presently understood. By way
of example, and without limitation, a base cap having three apertures
for wires to pass therethrough into three different corner raceway
sections is contemplated to be within the scope of the invention.
Many other forms of the invention are believed to exist. |