Wiring Access Means

Abstract

A wiring access enclosure for insertion into a wiring access opening in a desk or the like. The enclosure is adapted to accept and secure various wire sizes and includes a generally cube-shaped plug member having wire-receiving apertures of different sizes on each of its several sides. A mounting member fixed in an access opening or recess formed in the furniture is adapted to releasably secure the plug member in any one of several positions so that a selected aperture is positioned for passage of a wire. One side of the plug is solid to close the access opening when desired.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In office furniture such as desks and the like, wire access openings are generally provided in one of the exterior vertical panels to provide a means to pass wires and other cabling to the top surface for telephones, dictating equipment and the like electrical appliances. Such openings are generally punched through one of the panels and lined with a rubber 0 ring to prevent cutting or abrasion of the wire. The opening must be of a size large enough to accommodate the largest diameter of wire which might be utilized. The opening is unsightly and severely detracts from the aesthetic appearance of the furniture.

In an attempt to obviate this unsightliness, some constructions utilize a rectangular slot which is provided with a slidable access door to close the opening when wiring is not utilized. The sliding door is finished in the same manner as the remainder of the furniture such that when closed, it blends with the furniture. This type of access opening, however, adds to the cost of the finished product as it requires extra machining and finishing operations. In addtion, since the aperture must be sufficiently large to accommodate the largest anticipated wire, placing smaller wire through the opening and partially closing the door still leaves a fairly large opening visible. The wire being free to slide up and down makes cutting of the wire possible.

In addition to the drawbacks referred to above, it is significant that the sliding door construction is not readily adaptable for use in wood desks or desks having wood-clad side panels. In wood desks, the only alternative is to go around the wooden panel or to cut an oversized hole therein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a wiring access means which is capable of accommodating several different diameter wires in a way which is attractive and which does not leave unsightly holes or gaps in the desk surface. Further, the present invention is particularly adapted for use on wood or wood-clad desks. The access means of this invention comprises a closure member for a wiring aperture which when fixed at the edge of a desk top or at the upper edge of one of the exterior, vertical panels in an appropriate mounting means, can be selectively positioned to accommodate different size wires. Such a member can readily be used as an insert in an appropriate opening in a wood or wood-clad desk or the like. The access means may also be positioned to completely close the opening. The closure member or plug is generally cube-shaped and can be rotated to expose any one of its several faces. One of the faces, when positioned in the receiving member, presents a continuous unbroken surface which blends with the furniture construction and closes the wire access opening. The remaining faces each have an aperture of a different size formed therein through which wire cables of different sizes can be passed in a closely fitting and eye-appealing manner. This close fit is not only eye-appealing but also it minimizes movement of the wire which could lead to damage thereto. When not used, the unbroken face is positioned to close the opening without detracting from the appearance of the furniture.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a wiring access means formed as a generally cube-shaped plug having different size openings on each face thereof to accommodate wiring cables of various diameters at the edge of a desk top or the like without excessive gap. More specifically, it is an object to provide an access means which can be used in wood desks. These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be more fully appreciated upon reading the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings illustrating several embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of the invention as mounted in a vertical panel of an article of furniture as a desk;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view illustrating the plug and mounting member of FIG. 1 in an assembled position;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the assembled plug and mounting member with a desk top positioned above the vertical panel;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 through 3 illustrating the assembly with a wire passing therethrough;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a second embodiment of the plug member adapted for use at the edge of a desk top;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a mounting member for the plug member of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the assembly of the plug and mounting members of FIGS. 5 and 6 in a desk top with a wire passing therethrough;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a third embodiment of the plug member adapted for use in an aperture cut in the edge of a desk top;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a mounting member for the plug member of FIG. 8; and

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the assembly of the plug and mounting members of FIGS. 8 and 9 in a desk top with a wire passing therethrough.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIRST EMBODIMENT

Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 4, a first embodiment of the invention will be described in detail. The wiring access means is generally indicated by the numeral 10 and includes two separable components, a plug or closure member 12 and a receiving member or mount 14. The closure has a plurality of side walls at least two of which have apertures of different sizes therein whereby the closure can be oriented with different-sized apertures exposed to view.

Mount 14 is adapted for securement in a recess in a vertical panel P, as for example, the front panel or side panel of a desk. Mount 14 is adapted for releasable engagement with the closure member such that any selected one of the plurality of sides can be exposed to the outside of the article of furniture. Mount 14 is formed of sheet metal and includes a base portion 16 and a pair of upstanding side flanges 18. At their innermost ends, i.e., that portion of the flanges to the inside of the desk, flanges 18 extend downwardly and form legs 20 below the plane of base 16. When positioned, legs 20 abut against an inner wall of vertical panel P and hole mount 14 in proper position for securement in the recess as by a wood screw 22 passing through an opening provided in base 16. A rounded upper corner 24 is formed at the juncture of flanges 18 with legs 20 so that the closure member or plug can be slid downwardly over the rounded corner onto the flanges.

Plug 12 (FIG. 1) is formed from square, hollow tubing and has four side walls of equal size. A first side wall 26 has a first opening 28 provided therein. A second side wall 30, adjacent the first, includes an opening 32 slightly larger than opening 28. Third side wall 34, opposite side wall 30, has a third opening 36 formed therein which is larger than openings 28 and 32. The fourth side wall 38, opposite the first, presents an unbroken flat planar face. There are no openings in side wall 38. Plug 12 is open at the bottom thereof and through the center thereof to define an internal passage communicating with the side wall openings. The open bottom is an interior opening, communicating with the interior of the desk, whereas each of the side wall openings is designed to be an exterior opening if desired.

Plug 12 and mount 14 are adapted for interengagement with each other. The inner dimensions of the plug between any pair of opposite side walls closely approximate the outer dimension across flanges 18 and legs 20 of mount 14 for assembly purposes.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, plug 12 is shown in mating engagement with mount 14. Plug 12 is installed by urging it downwardly through the recess in panel P until a pair of its opposite sides contact and embrace flanges 18. The radius 24 at flanges 18 and legs 20 compensates for misalignment and allows the bottom edge 48 of plug 12 to slide downwardly thereover. Plug 12 is pressed downwardly until it bottoms in the recess. As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the outer face of the plug is flush with the outer surface of the panel in which it is installed. The inner surfaces of the plug abut the outermost ends of flanges 18 and base 16 and is held in position by its abutment with the edges of legs 20. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, when the flat planar side wall or face 38 is positioned outwardly, the plug completely closes the recess in the panel. Preferably, the plug either has a finish thereon which corresponds to the finish of the desk or has a strikingly distinctive finish such as chrome. Plug 12 is positioned as shown in FIG. 3 when the furniture is shipped and when it is used without electrical accessories thereon which would require wiring to be brought to the upper surface.

In FIG. 4, the plug is rotated such that side wall 34 and opening 36 are flush with the outer face of vertical panel P. In this position, a large diameter wire W (shown in phantom) or a group of smaller diameter wires may be passed through opening 36 and brought out to the upper surface of the desk top. The wire passes between flanges 18, legs 20, and through the space between the inner surface of the panel, the open lower end of plug 12, and the inner facing wall 30. When smaller diameter wires are utilized, the plug is rotated so that a side wall having a smaller opening is positioned flush with the outer surface of the vertical panel. Accordingly, wiring cables of different diameters can be positioned in the plug in a closely fitting and more eye-appealing manner. When not in use, the plug is positioned with flat planar face 38 outwardly so that an unsightly opening does not detract from the appearance of the desk.

Preferably, the largest aperture 36 is opposite the next largest opening 32, the smallest opening 28 being opposite the unbroken side wall 38. In this way, a large wire for passage through aperture 36 can pass not only through the open bottom of plug 12, but also partially through the next smaller aperture 32. In reverse, a wire for passage through aperture 32 can readily be partially accommodated by aperture 36. In this way, the exposed opening at the bottom of plug 12 does not have to be designed sufficiently large to accommodate in and of itself the largest wires which will pass through plug 12.

When a proper size opening 28, 32, or 36 is selected for a given wire diameter, the wire passes through an opening which is no larger than absolutely necessary to hold the wire securely in position.

In an example of the first embodiment of the invention, both the plug and mount are fabricated from 18-gauge sheet metal. The plug is of 1-1/8 inch square tubular material and is 7/8 of an inch in length. The opening 28 is 3/8 inch in width and depth and opening 32 is one-half inch in width and depth. Opening 38, which accommodates larger size wires is 9/16 inch wide by approximately 5/8 inch deep. A radius is provided at the bottom of each opening to closely follow the diameter of the wire positioned therein and to securely hold it in place. Preferably, the plug is chrome plated but may be finished as the furniture in which it is installed.

The outer dimensions of the mount, i.e., across flanges 18 and along their length to the outermost edge of legs 20, forms a square approximately 1-1/32 inches. The flanges extend upwardly one-half inch and the lowermost portion of leg 20 is three-sixteenths of an inch from the top of the flange. Since the mount is not visible when assembled, it may be finished in any conventional manner as, for example, zinc plating. The opening in the side walls of the plug are preferably arranged as outlined above so that the larger diameter openings are on opposite side walls. In this manner, a wire passing therethrough, as for example illustrated in FIG. 4, will have additional clearance provided between the inner surface of the panel and the innermost side wall of the plug.

SECOND EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 5, 6, and 7, a second embodiment of the invention is illustrated. This embodiment is used where the wiring access opening is the edge of the top surface of the furniture. A plug 112 in the shpae of a square box, open at one end, includes a plurality of side walls 126, 130, and 134 having slots or openings 128, 132, and 136 respectively formed therein. A flat planar side wall 138 is also provided. An end wall 140 closes one end of the plug while the opposite end is open. The plug can be molded of plastic or like material or can be formed of metal. It includes reinforcing ribs 142 in the inner corners at the juncture of the side walls. Pin-like members or protrusions 144 formed on ribs 142 extend outwardly at the open end of the plug for cooperative engagement with apertures 146 provided in a receiving member or mount 114. The pin and aperture type of mounting could also be used in the first embodiment.

Mount 114 (FIGS. 6 and 7) is adapted for positioning and securement in a stepped recess formed at the top surface of a desk. The mount is fixed therein by a wood screw 122 passing through an opening 123 formed in a back wall 116 of the mount.

Mount 114 includes back wall 116, an intermediate wall 117, and side walls 118. Apertures 146 are formed in intermediate wall 117. The side walls at the open or plug-receiving end of the mount extend to the intermediate wall and extend upwardly a distance equal to the thickness of a desk top in which it is to be installed. This distance also corresponds to the outer dimensions of plug 112. In addition, side walls 118 extend outwardly from the intermediate wall a distance equal to the length of the plug, i.e., from the open end to the top of end wall 140. The opposite end of the mount, extending from the intermediate wall to the back wall, has a step 120 formed therein which fits into a corresponding step in the recess in the desk top. A central opening 124 extends to the back wall from the intermediate wall.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, when plug 112 is used, a wire (shown in plantom) positioned behind a vertical panel of the desk passes through the rear portion of mount 114 between side walls 118 through opening 124 in the intermediate wall and through the hollow interior of the plug where it is directed outwardly through a side wall of the plug to the upper surface of the desk. As illustrated, the plug is positioned so that opening 136 in side wall 134 is in the upper position and flush with the top of the desk. The plug may be rotated so that any one of the side walls and openings therein are positioned at the top surface to accommodate wires of different diameter.

The plug (and the wire passing therethrough) is securely held in position by the mating engagement of pins 144 on the plug with the apertures 146 formed in the mount. The plug is additionally held by the embracing relationship of side walls 118 with side walls of the plug. Removal and rotation of the plug is accomplished by simply snapping the plug out of engagement with the mount. When not used for wire, the planar face 138 is positioned flush with the top surface. Regardless of which way the plug is rotated in the mount, end wall 140 always faces outwardly and is flush with the edge of the desk top.

THIRD EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

A third embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 8 through 10. This, and the above-described second embodiment are particularly adapted for mounting and use where wiring access is provided at the top surface of a desk. The plug or closure element 212 is in the shape of a box, open at one end, and includes a plurality of side walls 226, 230, and 234 having wire-receiving slots or openings 228, 232, and 236 respectively formed therein. A fourth side wall 238 has a flat planar face surface. End wall 240 closes one end of the plug. The plug may be molded of plastic or like material or formed of metal. The side walls at the open end of the plug each include an outwardly extending peripheral lip 244 which forms a slot or groove 248 about the four side walls for cooperative engagement with guideways 217 (FIG. 9) formed in a mounting member 214. This general type of mounting could also be used in the first embodiment of the invention.

Mount 214, illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, is similar to the mount of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 6. The mount is adapted for positioning and securement in a stepped recess formed in the top surface of a desk and is fixed therein by means of a screw 222 passing through an opening 223 formed in a back wall 216 of the mount.

Mount 214 also includes a pair of side walls 218 formed with back wall 216. A pair of guideways 217 forms an intermediate wall area including a cross member 219 extending between the side walls and providing a stop abutment for the plug when it is positioned in the mounting member. Side wall 218 at the open or plug-receiving end of the mount extends from the open end to the intermediate wall and upwardly a distance equal to the thickness of a desk top into which it is to be installed. This distance also corresponds to the outer dimension of plug 212. In addition, side walls 218 extend outwardly toward the open end from guideways 217 a distance equal to the length of the plug, i.e., from groove 248 to the outside or face of end wall 240. The opposite end of the mount extending from the guideways 217 to the back wall has a step 220 formed therein which fits into a corresponding step in the recess in the desk top. When the mount is secured in a desk top as illustrated in FIG. 10, the front panel P of the desk is temporarily moved out of the position illustrated and the plug is slipped into position through the lower portion of mount 214 by the interengagement of guideways 217 on the mount and the recesses 248 formed about the side walls of the plug. As in the previous embodiment, the plug can be rotated to any one of four positions to accommodate different diameter wires or to provide a flat planar surface at the top surface of the desk. The end wall 240 is always flush with the outer edge of the desk top. Upper cross member 219 fits into the groove adjacent the upper facing side wall of the plug to prevent the plug from extending above the top surface of the desk.

As mentioned above, the plug and mount members may be formed of metal or plastic-like materials and if desired, the plug may be finished such that it is compatible with the furniture in which it is utilized. The first embodiment (FIGS. 1 through 4) is particularly adapted for use in the vertical panels of metal office furniture although they may be used in other types of furniture with equal facility. The second and third embodiments are generally used in wooden furniture constructions and are particularly adapted to provide wiring access to the upper surface of the top. The mount and plug members can be arranged at many different positions and on different structural components of the furniture. It will also be realized that the wiring access means of the present invention provides a simple yet very efficient means of accommodating wire sizes of various diameters or for accepting several wires of different diameter and holding them securely in place without excessive gap. By utilizing the present invention, a finished back panel, end panel, top surface, or like components of furniture structure can be readily converted between a smooth flush appearance to an arrangement in which various size wire-accepting openings are simple and rapidly provided. No special tools are required and the plug can be rotated to expose one of the several faces, each face having an aperture therein of a different size. In this manner, wiring cables of different diameters can be passed through the plug in a closely fitting and more eye-appealing manner.

While several embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described in detail, it will be readily recognized by those skilled in the art that many other modifications incorporating the teachings hereof may readily be made in light of this disclosure. For example, other types of mounting means and plug members may be provided and adapted for mating engagement through the utilization of spring retainers and the like. Accordingly, all modifications embodying the principles thereof are to be considered as included in the appended claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.

Claims

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or

1. In an article of furniture or the like having a wiring access opening, the improvement comprising: a closure member having a plurality of side walls, each of at least two of said side walls having an aperture therein, said apertures being of different sizes whereby said closure means can be oriented with a different sized aperture exposed to view in said wiring access opening; cooperating engagement means on said closure member and said wiring access opening whereby said closure member can be mounted in said wiring access opening with one of said two side walls exposed to

2. The article of claim 1 comprising: a passageway opening to the interior of said furniture when said closure member is in said access opening; said passageway communicating with each of said apertures whereby wiring can be brought from the inside of said furniture, through said passageway, and

3. The article of claim 2 in which at least one of said plurality of sides is unbroken, having no aperture therein, whereby said one side can be oriented in an exposed position when no wiring means is to pass through said access opening; said cooperating engagement means being adapted to facilitate mounting of said closure member with said one side exposed to

4. The article of claim 3 in which each of said apertures extends from the opening of said passage a portion of the distance along said side, the two apertures closest to one another in size dimensions being positioned in generally opposite sides whereby a wire can pass into said closure member partially through said passage opening and partially through whichever of said opposite apertures is positioned to the inside of said article of

5. The article of claim 4 in which said cooperating engagement means includes mounting means positioned in said wiring access and releaseable engaging means on said closure member and said mounting means adapted for releasable engagement in such a way that any of said plurality of sides

6. The article of claim 2 in which said cooperating engagement means includes mounting means positioned in said wiring access and releasable engaging means on said closure member and said mounting means adapted for releasable engagement in such a way that any of said plurality of sides

7. The article of claim 5 in which said mounting means comprises a pair of spaced flanges in said access opening, said closure member fitting over said flanges with opposite ones of said side walls embracing said flanges; said side walls having the same dimensions; said flanges having a length equal to the length of each of said side walls; each of said flanges having a rounded upper corner such that said closure member can be slid

8. The article of claim 7 in which each of said flanges has a downwardly projecting leg whereby said flanges can be seated in said access opening with said legs projecting downwardly therefrom in abutment with the inside of said article of furniture to thereby provide a means for locating said

9. The article of claim 6 comprising: at least two of said plurality of side walls having an aperture therein, said apertures being of differing dimensions for accommodating different sized wires; at least one of said side walls being solid whereby the exposed side wall of said closure

10. The article of claim 9 and further comprising: an end wall closing one end of said closure member, the other end of said closure member being open, and said releasable engaging means including means on said other end of said closure member adapted for engagement with said mounting means.

11. The article of claim 9 wherein said engaging means on said other end of said closure member includes a plurality of pin members extending ouwardly therefrom and said mounting means includes a plurality of pin-receiving apertures formed in said mounting means and releasably engaging said pin

12. In an article of furniture having a wiring access opening therein through which a wire may be passed, the improvement comprising: a hollow plug having a plurality of side walls, at least one of said side walls having a wire-receiving aperture therein; mounting means in said wiring access opening; and cooperable engaging means on said plug member and said mounting means adapted for releasable engagement with any one of said one side and another side of said plug exposed to the exterior of said desk; said plug member being mounted on said mounting means by said cooperable

13. The article of claim 12 wherein said plug includes four side walls forming a square, three of said side walls each having a wire-receiving aperture therein forming a passageway opening to the interior of said furniture, the apertures on said side walls being of different sizes on different side walls of said plug to accommodate various sizes of wire passing therethrough, said cooperable engaging means being adapted for releasable engagement with any one of said four sides exposed to the

14. The article of claim 13 wherein a fourth side wall of said plug member is solid to thereby completely close said access opening when selectively

15. The article of claim 14 in which each of said apertures extends from the opening of said passage a portion of the distance along said side walls, the two apertures closest to one another in size dimensions being positioned in generally opposite sides whereby a wire can pass into said closure member partially through said passage opening and partially through whichever of said opposite apertures is positioned to the inside

16. The article of claim 12 comprising: at least two of said plurality of side walls having an aperture therein, said apertures being of differing dimensions for accommodating different-sized wires; at least one of said side walls being solid whereby the exposed side wall of said plug can

17. The article of claim 16 and further comprising: an end wall closing one end of said plug member, the other end of said plug member being open, and said cooperable engaging means including means on said other end of said plug member adapted for cooperable engagement with said mounting means.

18. The article of claim 17 wherein said engaging means on said other end of said plug member includes a plurality of pin members extending outwardly therefrom and said mounting means includes a plurality of pin-receiving apertures formed in said mounting means and releasably

19. The article of claim 18 wherein said engaging means on said other end of said plug member includes a continuous peripheral groove formed on said side walls and extending parallel to said end wall; guideways formed in said mounting means for slidable engagement with the grooves formed in

20. The article of claim 19 and further including positioning means on said guideways adapted to abut portions of said grooves adjacent a selected one of said side walls to position said plug member with respect to said mounting member when said plug member and said mounting means are

21. An article of furniture having a wiring access opening, the improvement comprising: a first member adapted for mounting in the access opening; a second member releasably engaging said first member, said second member having a plurality of walls thereon; means on said first and said second members for selectively positioning said second member with respect to said first member; at least one of said walls being adapted, when said second member is in a first selected position, to provide a wire passageway therethrough; another of said walls being adapted, when said second member is in a second selected position, to close said wire access

22. The closure article of claim 21 wherein said second member is a plug having four side walls forming a square, three of said side walls having wire-receiving openings formed therein, the openings on said side walls being of different sizes on different side walls of said plug to accommodate various sizes of wire passing therethrough; another of said walls being solid to thereby completely close said access opening when

23. The article of claim 22 in which each of said openings extends from the opening of said passage a portion of the distance along said side walls, the two openings closest to one another in size dimensions being positioned in generally opposite sides whereby a wire can pass into said closure member partially through said passage opening and partially through whichever of said opposite openings is positioned to the inside of

24. The article of claim 23 and further comprising: an end wall closing one end of said plug member, the other end of said plug member being open, and cooperable engaging means including means on said other end of said plug member adapted for engagement with said first member.