U.S. patent application number 10/715942 was filed with the patent office on 2004-05-27 for quad receptacle, dual circuit flush poke-through wiring fitting with internally mountable communication/data jacks.
Invention is credited to Arthur, Richard Lee, Bambardekar, Shailesh Shashikant, Castellani, Norman, Kohaut, John.
Application Number | 20040099429 10/715942 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22533852 |
Filed Date | 2004-05-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040099429 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Castellani, Norman ; et
al. |
May 27, 2004 |
Quad receptacle, dual circuit flush poke-through wiring fitting
with internally mountable communication/data jacks
Abstract
An in-floor, flush poke-through wiring fitting may be installed
in the floor of a structure to enable the activation of power,
communication, and/or data services at the fitting location. The
poke-through fitting internally supports four power receptacles and
a plurality of communication/data jacks. The power receptacles may
be connected in a single electrical circuit, or may be connected in
dual electrical circuits. The poke-through fitting will support
data connectors in either a flush mount position or a recessed
mounting position. An access cover includes separate sliding covers
for each of the power receptacles and communication/data jacks.
Inventors: |
Castellani, Norman;
(Edenton, NC) ; Kohaut, John; (Port Murray,
NJ) ; Arthur, Richard Lee; (Parkersburg, WV) ;
Bambardekar, Shailesh Shashikant; (Vienna, WV) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Kirk A. Vander Leest
McAndrews, Held & Malloy, Ltd.
34th Floor
500 West Madison Street
Chicago
IL
60661
US
|
Family ID: |
22533852 |
Appl. No.: |
10/715942 |
Filed: |
November 18, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10715942 |
Nov 18, 2003 |
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10268310 |
Oct 10, 2002 |
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6720495 |
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10268310 |
Oct 10, 2002 |
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09642951 |
Aug 21, 2000 |
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6696640 |
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60150285 |
Aug 23, 1999 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
174/483 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H02G 3/185 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
174/048 |
International
Class: |
H02G 003/04 |
Claims
1. A poke-through fitting of the type that is adapted to be
supported in a circular opening in a floor of a building structure,
the fitting comprising: an insert sized for insertion into the
circular floor opening; and four separately formed simplex power
receptacles supported by the insert.
2. The poke-through fitting of claim 1, wherein the simplex
receptacles are configured to snap fit into a portion of the
insert.
3. The poke-through fitting of claim 1, further comprising fire
stopping material disposed within the insert.
4. The poke-through fitting of claim 1, wherein at least two of the
simplex power receptacles are wired in separate electrical
circuits.
5. The poke through fitting of claim 1, further comprising a cover
assembly overlying the insert, the cover assembly including access
covers for selectively covering and exposing the simplex power
receptacles.
6. A poke-through fitting of the type that is adapted to be
supported in a circular opening in a floor of a building structure,
the fitting comprising: an insert sized for insertion into the
circular floor opening; four separately formed simplex power
receptacles supported within the insert; and four
communication/data jacks supported within the insert.
7. The poke-through fitting of claim 6, wherein the simplex
receptacles are configured to snap fit into a portion of the
insert.
8. The poke-through fitting of claim 6, further comprising fire
stopping material disposed within the insert.
9. The poke-through fitting of claim 6, wherein at least two of the
simplex power receptacles are wired in separate electrical
circuits.
10. The poke through fitting of claim 6, further comprising a cover
assembly overlying the insert, the cover assembly including access
covers for selectively covering and exposing the simplex power
receptacles.
11. A flush poke-through wiring fitting that is adapted to be
supported in a floor opening in a floor of a building structure,
the poke-through fitting comprising: an insert configured for
insertion into the floor opening, the insert having an upper end
adjacent to the floor and having a chamber defined therein which
extends downwardly from the upper end; a cover overlying the
insert, the cover having an upper surface; four communication/data
jacks mounted within the fitting such that the communication/data
jacks do not extend upwardly beyond the upper surface of the cover;
and four separately formed simplex power receptacles mounted within
the fitting such that the power receptacles do not extend upwardly
beyond the upper surface of the cover.
12. The poke-through fitting of claim 11, further comprising a fire
stopping material disposed in the insert so that the fire rating of
the floor, with the floor opening formed in the floor and with the
poke-through wiring fitting supported in the floor opening, is
substantially the same as the fire rating of the floor without the
floor opening formed in the floor.
13. The poke-through fitting of claim 11, wherein at least two of
the simplex power receptacles are wired in separate electrical
circuits.
14. A flush poke-through wiring fitting of the type that is adapted
to be supported in a floor opening in a floor of a building
structure, the poke-through fitting comprising: an insert
configured for insertion into the floor opening; a cover overlying
the insert, the cover having an upper surface; and four simplex
power receptacles mounted within the fitting in a protected fashion
such that the power receptacles do not extend upwardly beyond the
upper surface of the cover.
15. The poke-through fitting of claim 14, further comprising a fire
stopping material disposed within the fitting so that the fire
rating of the floor, with the floor opening formed in the floor and
with the poke-through wiring fitting supported in the floor
opening, is substantially the same as the fire rating of the floor
without the floor opening formed in the floor.
16. A poke-through wiring fitting of the type that is adapted to be
supported in a circular floor opening in a floor of a building
structure, the poke-through fitting comprising: four
communication/data jacks mounted within the fitting, the
communication/data jacks being arranged in a longitudinal row; a
first pair of simplex electrical receptacles disposed on a first
lateral side of the communication/data jack; and a second pair of
simplex receptacles disposed on a second lateral side of the
communication data jacks.
17. The poke-through fitting of claim 16, wherein the first pair of
simplex power receptacles are wired in a separate electrical
circuit from the second pair of simplex receptacles.
18. A method of delivering flush poke-through wiring fitting that
is adapted to be supported in a floor opening in a floor of a
building structure, the method comprising: providing a cover that
overlies the fitting and has an upper surface; mounting four
communication/data jacks within the fitting such that the
communication/data jacks do not extend upwardly beyond the upper
surface of the cover; mounting four separately formed simplex power
receptacles within the fitting such that the simplex power
receptacles do not extend upwardly beyond the upper surface of the
cover.
19. The method of claim 18, further comprising disposing a fire
stopping material in the fitting so that the fire rating of the
floor, with the floor opening formed in the floor and with the
poke-through wiring fitting supported in the floor opening, is
substantially the same as the fire rating of the floor without the
floor opening formed in the floor.
20. The method of claim 18, further comprising wiring at least two
of the simplex power receptacles in separate electrical
circuits.
21. A method for providing a poke-through fitting of the type that
is adapted to be supported in a circular opening in a floor of a
building structure, the method comprising: providing an insert
sized for insertion into the circular floor opening; and mounting
four separately formed simplex power receptacles within said
insert.
22. The method of claim 21, wherein the simplex receptacles are
configured to snap fit into a portion of the insert.
23. The method of claim 21, further comprising disposing a fire
stopping material within the insert.
24. The method of claim 21, further comprising wiring at least two
of the simplex receptacles in separate electrical circuits.
25. The method of claim 21, further comprising disposing a cover
assembly over the insert, the cover assembly including access
covers for selectively covering and exposing the simplex power
receptacles.
26. A method for providing a poke-through fitting of the type that
is adapted to be supported in a circular opening in a floor of a
building structure, the method comprising: providing an insert
sized for insertion into the circular floor opening; mounting four
separately formed simplex power receptacles within the insert; and
mounting four communication/data jacks within the insert.
27. A method for providing a poke-through wiring fitting of the
type that is adapted to be supported in a circular floor opening in
a floor of a building structure, the method comprising: mounting
four communication/data jacks within the fitting, the
communication/data jacks being arranged in a longitudinal row;
mounting a first pair of simplex power receptacles on a first
lateral side of the communication/data jack; mounting a second pair
of simplex receptacles on a second lateral side of the
communication data jacks.
28. The method of claim 27, further comprising wiring the first
pair of simplex power receptacles are in a separate electrical
circuit from the second pair of simplex receptacles.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority of Provisional Application
Serial No. 60/150,285 filed Aug. 23, 1999. This application is a
continuation of application Ser. No. 10/268,310, filed Oct. 10,
2002 which is a continuation of Ser. No. 09/642,951, filed Aug. 21,
2000. The disclosures of the '285 provisional application and the
'951 and '310 utility applications are incorporated herein in their
entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates generally to in-floor, flush
poke-through wiring or service fittings for enabling activation of
power and low-voltage data services (e.g., video,
telecommunication, computer network, etc.) at the in-floor
locations of the fittings. More particularly, the present invention
relates to flush poke-through wiring fittings that provides four
outlets with dual circuit capability and which can accommodate a
variety of low-voltage service connectors in an internally mounted,
protected fashion.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] An object of the invention is to provide a flush
poke-through fitting which internally supports four electrical
receptacles and four communication/data connectors.
[0004] A further object of the invention is to provide a flush
poke-through fitting in which the electrical receptacles can be
connected either in a single circuit, or in electrically isolated
circuits.
[0005] Still another object of the present invention is to provide
a flush poke-through fitting that can accommodate either 15 or 20
amp electrical receptacles.
[0006] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
flush poke-through fitting which can internally support
communication/data connectors in either a flush mount or recessed
fashion.
[0007] Still another object of the present invention is to provide
a flush poke-through fitting which shields the data connectors from
electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio frequency interference
(RFI).
[0008] Still another object of the present invention is to provide
a flush poke-through fitting having individual slide covers for
each of the electrical receptacles and communication/data
connectors.
[0009] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
flush poke-through fitting that can internally support
communication/data connectors from a variety of manufacturers.
[0010] A further object of the invention is to provide a flush
poke-through fitting that has a height adjustable data mounting
bracket.
[0011] One or more of the above objects and advantages are provided
by a flush poke-through wiring fitting that is adapted to be
supported in a floor opening in a floor of a building structure,
the poke-through fitting includes an insert having an upper end
adjacent to the floor and having a chamber defined therein which
extends downwardly from the upper end. A fire stopping material
disposed in the insert so that the fire rating of the floor, with
the floor opening formed in the floor and with the poke-through
wiring fitting supported in the floor opening, is substantially the
same as the fire rating of the floor without the floor opening
formed in the floor. A top assembly is connected with the upper end
of the insert. The top assembly overlies the floor opening and has
an upper, outwardly facing surface. A first means is provided for
internally mounting four communication/data jacks within the
fitting in a protected fashion such that the data jacks do not
extend upwardly beyond the outwardly facing surface of the top
assembly. A second means for internally mounting four power
receptacles within the fitting in a protected fashion such that the
power receptacles do not extend upwardly beyond the outwardly
facing surface of the top assembly.
[0012] The first means may include a mounting bracket having a
portion that is height adjustable relative to the top assembly such
that data jacks of varying heights can be internally mounted in the
fitting in a protected fashion.
[0013] The poke-through fitting is constructed so that the power
receptacles can be wired in single or multiple circuits.
[0014] The poke-through fitting includes a cover plate having a
body portion and a plurality of communication/data access covers
movably connected with the body portion. Each communication/data
access cover is associated with a different one of the
communication/data jacks and is movable between a first position at
which the cover overlies the associated communication/data jack to
prevent access thereto and a second position at which the
associated communication/data jack is exposed to provide access
thereto.
[0015] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, four
communication/data access covers consist of first and second pairs
of communication/data covers. Each pair of access covers is
configured such that one of the covers slides under the other cover
in a respective pair. To this end, each pair includes an first
cover that is slidably connected to the body portion along a first
generally horizontal plane and a second cover that is slidably
connected to the body portion along a second generally horizontal
plane that is different from the first generally horizontal
plane.
[0016] The cover plate also includes a plurality of second or power
receptacle access covers. Each power receptacle access cover is
associated with a different one of the power receptacles and is
movable between a first position at which the cover overlies the
associated power receptacle to prevent access thereto and a second
position at which the associated power receptacle is exposed to
provide access thereto.
[0017] According to another aspect, the poke-through fitting
includes a data housing disposed in the upper chamber. The data
housing divides the upper chamber into a central portion and a pair
of radially outer side portions. A mounting bracket is disposed in
the central portion and is adapted to support a plurality of
communication/data jacks within the data housing such that the data
jacks do not extend upwardly beyond the outwardly facing surface of
the top assembly. Power receptacle mounting brackets disposed in
each of the outer side portions are adapted to support at least one
electrical receptacle within the fitting in a protected fashion
such that the power receptacle does not extend upwardly beyond the
outwardly facing surface of the top assembly.
[0018] According to another aspect of the present invention, two
communication/data mounting brackets can be mounted in the central
portion. Each of the mounting brackets comprises one of a flush
mounting bracket and a recessed mounting bracket. The flush
mounting bracket is adapted to support a pair of communication/data
jacks in a flush mounted position wherein the bracket is generally
aligns with the top of the data housing. The recessed mounting
bracket is adapted to support a pair of communication/data jacks in
a recessed mounted position such that the bracket is recessed below
the top of the data housing by a predetermined amount.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a poke-through fitting in
accordance with the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view along line 2-2 of FIG.
1.
[0021] FIG. 3 is a enlarged partial view of FIG. 2.
[0022] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view along line 4-4 of FIG. 1,
showing an optimal communications adapter.
[0023] FIG. 5 is a partial bottom perspective view of a portion of
the poke-through fitting of FIG. 1, with the two-piece metal jacket
removed from the data housing.
[0024] FIG. 6 is a partial exploded perspective view showing the
manner in which the data housing is installed to the poke-through
fitting of FIG. 1.
[0025] FIG. 7 is a partial exploded perspective view, showing
details of a data housing employed in the poke-through fitting of
FIG. 1.
[0026] FIG. 8A is a partial cross section view along line 8-8 of
FIG. 6, with the two-piece metal jacket removed from the data
housing.
[0027] FIG. 8B is an enlarged portion of FIG. 8A encircled by the
broken line.
[0028] FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating the manner in
which power receptacles are mounted in the fitting.
[0029] FIG. 10 is an exploded view of a top assembly employed in
the poke-through fitting FIG. 1.
[0030] FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the
manner in which communication/data mounting brackets are installed
in the poke-through.
[0031] FIG. 12 illustrates the manner in which where a pair of
flush mount communication/data mounting brackets are installed in
the data housings.
[0032] FIG. 13 illustrates the manner in which a pair of recessed
communication/data mounting brackets are mounted in the data
housing.
[0033] FIG. 14 illustrates the manner in which a flush and a
recessed communication/data mounting bracket are mounted in the
data housing.
[0034] FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating the manner in
which the power sliders are mounted in the cover plate of the
poke-through fitting of FIG. 1.
[0035] FIG. 16 is a top view of FIG. 15.
[0036] FIG. 17 is a bottom view of FIG. 15.
[0037] FIG. 18 is a section view along line 18-18 of FIG. 16.
[0038] FIG. 19 is an end view of FIG. 15.
[0039] FIGS. 20a-20d illustrate operation of the communication/data
covers.
[0040] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed
description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention,
will be better understood when read in conjunction with the
appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the preferred
embodiments of the present invention, there is shown in the
drawings, embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be
understood, however, that the present invention is not limited to
the arrangements and instrumentality shown in the attached
drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0041] Referring to the drawings a flush poke-through fitting 10 in
accordance with the present invention will be described. The
poke-through fitting includes many components that are the same as
or similar to components described U.S. patent application Ser. No.
09/201,492 (the "'492 application) which was filed on Nov. 30, 1998
and is entitled "Improved Poke-through Wiring Fitting Having A
Height Adjustable Data Jack Mounting Bracket" and application Ser.
No. 09/098,797, which was filed on Jun. 17, 1998, issued as U.S.
Pat. No. 6,018,126 (the "'126 patent"), and is entitled "Flush
Poke-through Wire Fitting". The disclosures of the '492 application
and the '126 patent are hereby incorporated in their entirety by
reference.
[0042] The poke-through fitting 10 is adapted to be installed in a
fire-rated floor A of a building, such as a commercial office
building. More specifically, the poke-through fitting 10 may be
installed in a circular opening B formed in floor A to activate a
desired floor location. It is adapted to be activated by connecting
source power service and source signal service cables, which are
otherwise disposed in the plenum C below the floor A, to fittings
such as power receptacles and data jacks, respectively, mounted
internally in the poke-through fitting 10. This enables above-floor
A power plugs and signal transferring devices to be connected the
poke-through fitting 10 and to thus transfer power and
communication/data signals to equipment located on or above the
floor A.
[0043] The poke-through fitting 10 comprises an insert 12 that is
adapted to be installed in a floor opening B. Insert 12 includes an
upper, generally cylindrical chamber 14, which is generally defined
at the insert's upper end by a horizontally disposed top plate 16
and at its lower end by a horizontally disposed middle plate 18.
(In the illustrated embodiment, the top plate 16 is generally
defined by the finishing ring 82 and power receptacle support
plates 300). A data housing 20 divides the upper chamber 14 into a
central space or portion 24 in which the communication/data
connectors 32 are disposed, and pair of radially outer,
semi-annular side spaces or portions 26 in which the power
receptacles 28 are disposed. In this respect, the fitting 10
includes four power receptacles 28 that are adapted to be activated
within the fitting 10 by high-voltage power cables 30 within the
housing. The power receptacles 28 may be wired in a single circuit
or may be wired in a two electrically isolated circuits. In the
illustrated embodiment, the receptacles 28 are wired in two
electrically isolated circuits. Specifically, the two receptacles
in the left side space (in FIG. 2) are wired in one circuit, while
the receptacles in the right side space are wired in a second
circuit. The fitting 10 also internally supports a plurality (four
in the illustrated embodiment) of low-voltage service connectors or
jacks 32 that are adapted to be activated within the fitting 10 by
low-voltage source signal service cables 34. These jacks 32 are
generally referred to herein as communication/data jacks. Terminals
in the upper faces of the communication/data jacks 32 are
accessible through sliders in the cover plate 84. In the
illustrated embodiment, the fitting 10 includes two RJ-45 category
5 jacks 36 and two fiber optic jacks 38. (See FIG. 4). Terminals in
the lower ends of the jacks 32 are positioned in the data housing
20 where they are interconnected with the cables 34.
[0044] The data housing 20 physically separates and electrically
isolates the connection between the power receptacles 28 and the
source power service cables 30 from the connection between the
communication/data jacks 32 and the source signal service cables 34
so as to shield the source signal service cables, and their
associated jacks 32, from E.M.I. and/or R.F.I. emanating from the
source power service cables 30. As can be seen in FIGS. 5-7, the
data housing 20 is generally rectangular and includes a bottom wall
40, a pair of opposed side walls 42, a pair of opposed end walls
44, and a top opening 46 which define the central space 24. The
side walls 42 extend across the chamber like chords and serve to
divide the central space 24 from the side spaces 26. The data
housing 20 shields the central space 24, where the low-voltage
services cables 34 are connected to the communication/data jacks
32, from the radially outer spaces 26, where the high-voltage power
cables 30 are connected to the power receptacles 28. The data
housing 20 is preferably made from two interlocking half-sections
48a, 48b. Interlocking fingers 51 formed on the top edges of the
end walls 44 help secure the sections 48a, 48b together. (See FIG.
7) Openings 50 are formed in the bottom wall 40 for routing
communication/data cables 34 into the central space 24. Flanges 52
extend from the bottom wall around the openings 50. The flange 52
engage in reciprocal openings 54 (see FIG. 6) in the middle plate
18 to further secure the housing sections 48a, 48b together.
[0045] The data housing 20 is comprised of a dielectric material
such as polyvinyl chloride. As is shown generally in FIG. 6, an
E.M.I/R.F.I. shield 58 is disposed about the data housing 20. (It
should be noted that, for illustration purposes, the shield 58 has
not been shown in FIGS. 3 and 5). In the illustrated embodiment,
the shield 58 is in the form of a two-piece metal jacket 65 which
is configured to snap around the exterior of the data housing 20.
(See FIG. 7). In addition to shielding the data jacks from
electromagnetic and radio frequency interference, the metal jacket
65 ensures compliance with local building codes that preclude
exposed plastic housings. The metal jacket 65 also helps secure the
housing sections 48a, 48b together. In some applications it may be
economically desirable to replace the metal jacket with a foil
collector, as is described in the '492 application and the '126
patent.
[0046] Mounting flanges 56 extend from the bottom edges of the side
walls 42. The metal jacket has flanges 59 that align with the
mounting flanges 56. Metallic fasteners 61, such as screws, extend
through apertures in the flanges 56, 59 and thread into reciprocal
apertures in the middle plate to secure the data housing 20 to the
plate 18. (See FIGS. 3 and 6. Note that in FIG. 3, the conductors
have been shown in broken line so that the connection between the
housing 20 and plate 18 can be seen). This connection also serves
to ground the shield 58 to drain E.M.I. and R.F.I which is
generated in the chamber 14. Specifically, the shield 58 is
grounded through the fasteners 61 to the middle plate 18, and in
turn through a metallic fastener 60, such as a rivet or bolt, to a
horizontally disposed bottom plate 62 which is in turn grounded
through conventional electrical metalized tubing (EMT) 64. It
should be noted that a single set of fasteners could be used to
secure the entire assembly together.
[0047] Insert 12 further includes two fire stopping elements 66,
comprised intumescent material such as hydrated sodium silicate.
The elements 66 form an insulating barrier to control temperature
increases and retard the spread of flames. The elements 66 further
protect against heat and flame by forming a refractory char as the
temperature continues to rise. The details of the intumescent
material and more fully described in the aforementioned '492
application and the '126 patent.
[0048] The fire stopping elements 66 each include a central, hollow
passage 68 (see FIG. 3) that defines and forms a central raceway
through which the source power service cables 30 are extendable.
The elements 66 similarly include two side hollow passages 70 that
define two side raceways through which the communication/data
signal service cables 34 are extendable. (See FIG. 4)
[0049] The fire stopping elements 66 are supported between the
middle plate 18 and the bottom plate 62. The middle and bottom
plates 18, 62 have openings which are aligned with the passages 68,
70 in the elements 66 to permit wires to pass between the plenum C
and the upper chamber 14.
[0050] The upper end of the electrical metalized tubing 64 is
connected to the bottom plate 62 for securing a conduit system
thereto and for improving grounding capability. A conventional
junction box 74 may be connected to the lower end of the tube
64.
[0051] Insert 12 also includes a conventional annular retainer 76
which is disposed adjacent the middle plate 18. The retainer 76
retains the poke-through fitting 10 in floor opening B. The
fasteners 60 extend between and are connected between the plates 18
and 62 for assisting in securing the fire stopping elements 66
between the plates, and as noted above, to facilitate grounding of
the barrier EMI/RFI collector 58.
[0052] Referring additionally to FIG. 10, the poke-through fitting
10 further includes a top assembly 80 which is connected with the
upper end of the insert and which overlies the floor opening B. The
top assembly 80 includes a carpet flange or finish ring 82 and a
cover plate 84. The finishing ring 82 is secured to the insert 12
by fasteners (now shown) that extend through the finishing ring 82
and thread into reciprocal openings in legs 86 (see FIG. 6) that
extend upwardly from the middle plate 18. (Note that in FIG. 6 the
front leg 86 is drawn in broken line so that the top of plate 18
can be seen more clearly). The finishing ring 82 has a central
opening 83 that overlies the upper chamber 14 of the insert to
provide access therefor.
[0053] The cover plate 84 is generally circular and is sized to fit
in a generally annular recess 90 formed in the top of the finish
ring 82 around the central opening 83. Threaded fasteners 85 secure
the cover plate 84 to the finish ring 82. (See, e.g. FIG. 2). The
cover plate 84 includes four power covers 92 that are positioned to
overlay the side spaces 26 and hence the power receptacles 28.
Slots 94 in the covers 92 are alignable with corresponding blade
receiving slots in the power receptacle 28. In use, the covers 92
may be moved outwardly so that outlet slots 94 in the covers 92
align with corresponding slots in the power receptacle 28, to
permit an electrical plug (not shown) to be connected to the
receptacle 28 for activation of above floor A power services.
[0054] The cover plate 84 also has four communication/data jack
covers or sliders 100 that are positioned to overlay the central
space 24 of the chamber 14. The covers 100 are slidably movable
between positions covering and uncovering the associated
communication/data jacks 32. The communication/data covers 100 are
constructed such that any of the communication/data jacks are
covered (protected) when they are not in use. In particular, the
covers 100 include a pair of lower, inner covers 102 and a pair of
upper, outer covers 104. The lower covers 102 are slidably mounted
in lower grooves formed in the cover plate 84, whereas the upper
covers 104 are mounted in upper grooves in the cover plate. Each
covers 102, 104 can be moved outwardly to expose the underlying
communication/data jack independently of the other sliders 102,
104.
[0055] Referring to FIGS. 4-8 and 11-14, the manner in which the
communication/data jacks 32 are mounted within the insert 10 will
be described in greater detail. The data housing 20 is configured
to support communication/data jacks at either a flush mount
position (left half of FIG. 8A) or recessed position (right half of
FIG. 8A). For this purpose, the data housing 20 includes an upper
ribs or flanges 202 formed on the inside of each of the end walls
44 and lower ribs or flanges 204 formed on the end walls and the
side walls. In the illustrated embodiment, the lower flanges 204 on
the side walls align generally with vertical slots 206 in the side
walls. The data housing 20 further includes a vertical divider 208
that slidably engages in the vertical slots 206.
[0056] A recessed mounting bracket 210 is provided for mounting a
pair of communication/data connectors, such as co-axial connectors,
in a recessed fashion. The top wall 212 of the bracket 210 overlies
and is supported by the lower flanges 204. In use, the recessed
mounting bracket 210 is installed prior to the vertical divider
208.
[0057] A flush mounting bracket 216 is provided for mounting a pair
of communication/data jacks, such as RJ-45 Category 5 jacks, in a
flush mount fashion. The flush mount bracket 216 is adapted to be
supported in the housing at its outer end by the upper flange 202
and at its inner end by the top edge of the central divider 208.
Locking tabs 218 are provided for locking the mounting bracket into
the housing. As the flush mount bracket 216 is slid into the data
housing, the locking tabs 218 are biased inwardly by the top flange
202 and the divider 208. Once the outer locking tab 218 moves
downwardly beyond the top flange 202 it snaps outwardly to secure
the upper flange between the tab 218 and the top wall 220 of the
bracket. Similarly, the inner locking tab is configured to snap
into a reciprocal opening 219 or slot formed in the vertical
divider 208. Once installed, the top wall 220 of the flush mount
bracket 216 is generally flush with the top wall of the data
housing 20.
[0058] Depending on the application, any combination of the
mounting brackets 210, 216 may be used. For example, in many
instances it will be desirable to use both a flush mount bracket
and a recessed bracket. (See FIGS. 8, 14) However, in some
instances, it may be desirable to use two of the flush mount
brackets (see FIG. 12) or, alternatively, two of the recess mount
brackets (see FIG. 13). It should be appreciated that, for clarity,
only one half of the data housing is shown in FIGS. 12-14. It
should also be appreciated that the data housing 20 cannot be
removed from the fitting, as is shown in the upper drawings in
FIGS. 12-14. These views are provided for better illustrating how
the brackets fit into the housing 20. In practice, the mounting
brackets are designed to be installed into the fully assembled
poke-through fitting either just prior to is insertion into the
floor or after it has been installed in the floor.
[0059] With reference to FIG. 12, when two flush mount brackets 216
are installed the divider 208 is initially inserted in the slot
206. Thereafter, one of the flush mount brackets 216 (with the data
jacks installed and wired) is inserted into the housing 20. After
the first flush mount bracket 216 is installed, the other flush
mount bracket is installed in the same manner. By contrast, when
two recessed brackets are installed (as shown in FIG. 13), both of
the recessed brackets 210 are installed in the housing 20 before
the divider 208 is inserted in the slots 206. When both a recessed
bracket 210 and a flush mount bracket 216 are installed (as shown
in FIG. 14) the recessed bracket 210 is initially installed in the
housing 220. Thereafter, the divider 208 is inserted into the slots
206, after which the flush mount bracket is inserted into the
housing 20.
[0060] The flush mounting bracket 216 is generally similar to the
bracket second portion 202A shown in FIG. 4 and described in detail
on pages 13 to 16 of the '492 application. As is noted in the '492
application, this component is commercially available from
Interlink division of the Wiremold Company as a model 2A-U2 KEY
connector, and is constructed to support a pair of Keystone data
jacks that are also commercially available from Interlink.
Similarly, the recess mounting bracket generally corresponds to the
bracket second portion 202B which is shown in FIG. 5 and described
in detail on pages 16 to 17 of the '492 application. It will be
appreciated that other mounting brackets may readily be used to
support communication/data connectors of differing constructions.
Moreover, a single mounting bracket could be provided for
supporting four communication/data receptacles within the housing
20.
[0061] Referring to FIG. 9, the manner in which the power
receptacles 28 are mounted and the poke-through will be described
in greater detail. The poke-through 10 includes a pair of
receptacle mounting brackets 300 that are adapted to slidably
engage with the side walls of the data housing 20. Preferably, the
mounting brackets 300 are formed of metal. Each of the receptacle
mounting brackets 300 has a top plate 302 and a downwardly
extending side plate 304. The side plates 304 are configured to
slidably engage with flanges 306 formed in the side walls 42 of the
data housing 20 to secure the receptacle mounting brackets
thereto.
[0062] The electrical receptacles 28 are in the form of simplex
receptacles which are configured to snap into mounting apertures
308 formed in the top plate 302 of the power receptacle mounting
brackets 300. For this purpose, the housing of the power receptacle
28 includes a pair of opposing locking tabs 310 that extend
outwardly from the housing. The mounting bracket top plate 302 is
compressed between the locking tabs 310 and the top wall 312 of the
receptacle 28 when the receptacle is inserted into the bracket 300.
In use, the mounting brackets are not removable from the fitting
once it is installed in the floor.
[0063] Preferably, the four power receptacles 28 are connected in
dual, isolated circuits. In such instances, six power source
conductor cables/wires are fed into the fitting through the EMT 64.
In particular, each circuit includes a neutral conductor 30a, a
line conductor 30b, and a ground conductor 30c. Alternatively, the
receptacles may all be wired on a single circuit by branching feed
wires from a single set of power supply wires. The conductors for a
given circuit extend upwardly through the conduit 64 and are routed
into one of the side spaces 26 of the chamber 14 through a wiring
tunnel 320 formed in the bottom of the data housing 20. (See FIGS.
3, 5 and 6). The power connectors fit into grooves or slots 322
formed in the bottom of the power receptacles. As the wires are
pushed into the slots 322, the insulation on the wires is abraded
by terminals in the power receptacles, thereby completing the
circuit between the source cables 30 and the power receptacles 28.
Stuffer caps 324 are used to force the power cables into the
terminals and connection slots 322 in the bottom of the
receptacles. The stuffer caps 324 snap onto the bottoms of the
receptacles 28.
[0064] As can be seen in FIG. 1, for example, the power receptacles
28 in a given pair (i.e., the receptacles on a given side of the
center spaces) are positioned such that they face in opposite
directions. More specifically, they are mounted with their ground
slots facing each other. As a result, the line and neutral slots in
the two associated power receptacles do not align with each other.
Hence, for a given pair of power receptacles, the line and neutral
cables must criss-cross at the transition between the two power
receptacles.
[0065] Referring to FIGS. 15-19, the manner in which the power
covers 92 and communication/data covers 100 are connected to the
cover plate 84 will be explained in greater detail. The cover plate
84 includes a pair of outer recess 400 and a central recess 404.
The outer recesses 400 are positioned to overlay the side spaces 26
and the central recess 404 is positioned to overlay the central
space 24.
[0066] Each of the outer recesses 400 is configured to carry two of
the power covers 92. For this purpose, each of the recesses 400 is
divided into a first portion 406 which carries a first cover 92a
and a second portion 408 which carries a second cover 92b. These
portions are generally delineated by a transverse support flange
410. The first and second covers 92a, 92b and the first and second
recessed portions 406, 408 are mirror images of one another,
respectively. Hence, only one cover and one recessed portion will
be described. Specifically, installation of the left most cover 92a
(in FIG. 15) cover 92a into the first portion 406 of the recess 400
will be described. The cover 92a has an outwardly extending flange
412 formed along a portion the lower end of its outer edge. This
outwardly extending flange 412 is configured to slidably engage in
a horizontal groove 414 formed in the outer edge of the recess 400.
The cover 92a also includes a bent leg 416 extending from its
bottom along a portion of its inner edge. This bent leg 416 is
configured to slidably engage with a reciprocal bent leg 418 formed
along a portion of the inner edge of the recess.
[0067] Once installed, the cover 92a is normally biased inwardly to
its closed position by a spring 420. The spring 420 is mounted on a
post 422 formed in the bottom of the recess. The spring has a first
leg 424 that engages against the body of the cover plate and a
second leg 426 that is positioned to engage against a spring post
428 that extends downwardly from the slider cover 92a. As the cover
92a is moved outwardly (in the direction of arrow 425), the spring
post 428 engages against the second leg 426 of the spring 420,
thereby compressing the spring 420. When the cover 92a is released,
the force of the spring 420 returns the cover to its closed, inner
position. A slot 430 is formed in the recess so as to slidably
receive the spring post 428 (see FIG. 17). The interface between
the spring post 428 and the outer end of the slot 430 functions as
a stop to limit outward travel of the slider 92.
[0068] The cover 92a is installed by initially tilting the outer
edge downward and inserting the outer flange 412 into the
reciprocal groove 414. The cover 92a is then moved inwardly (in the
direction opposite the arrow 425) until its bent leg 416 is
positioned inwardly of the bent leg 418 in the recess. At this
position, the spring post 428 is also positioned inwardly of the
spring 420. The inner edge of the cover 92a is pivoted downward (in
the direction of the arrow 434) until the cover is seated in the
recess. The cover 92a is then slid outwardly (in the direction of
arrow 425) until the bent leg 416 on the cover moves past a flange
on notch 436 formed on the bent leg 418, thereby locking the cover
92a in place. The interface between the notch 436 and the bent leg
416 also serves to limit inward movement (i.e., opposite arrow 425)
of the cover 92a. The second cover 92b is installed in the same
manner, except that the first cover 92a must be slid outwardly to
provide clearance for the second cover 92b during its
installation.
[0069] Referring additionally to FIG. 10, the four
communication/data sliders or covers 100 are divided into first
pair of covers, e.g., the two left cover 100 in FIG. 10, and a
second pair of covers, e.g., the two right covers 100 in FIG. 10.
The first pair of covers 100 are mounted in a first portion 504 of
the central recess 404 and the second pair of covers are mounted in
a second portion 506 of the recess 404. The first and second
portions 504, 506 of the recess are delineated by a transverse
flange 508 that also serves as an inner stop for the inner covers
102. Each pair of covers includes a first or outer cover 104 that
is slidably connected to the cover plate along a first generally
horizontal plane 510. In this respect, the outer cover includes
outwardly extending flanges 514 that are configured to slidably
engage with a reciprocal set of upper grooves 516 formed in the
outer edges of the central recess. Each pair of covers also
includes a second or inner cover 102 slidably that is connected to
the cover plate along a second generally horizontal plane 512 that
is different from the first plane 510. In this respect, the inner
cover includes outwardly extending flanges 520 that are configured
to slidably engage with a reciprocal set of lower grooves 522
formed in the outer edges of the central recess. Hence, in the
illustrated embodiment, the inner cover slides in a plane that is
below outer cover, such that the inner cover can be slid underneath
the outer cover. The covers 102, 104 are installed into the cover
plate by first sliding the inner cover 102 into the lower set of
grooves 522. Inward travel of the inner cover 102 is limited by the
transverse flange 508. The outer cover 104 is then slid into the
upper set of grooves 516. Tabs 530 (see FIG. 10) formed on the
outer edges of the flanges 514 lock the outer cover 104 into the
grooves 516.
[0070] While the invention has been described with reference to a
preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the
art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be
substituted without departing from the scope of the invention. In
addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular
situation or material to the teachings of the invention without
departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the
invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed,
but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within
the scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *