Herman Miller, Inc.

James H Nienhuis

Jeffrey L Clark

Michael L De Pree

Robert L Beck

Bruce Robert Gezon

Charles P Schreiner

Jeffrey S Wilcox

Jerry A DeFouw

There is disclosed an electrified wall panel system having a power distribution server locatable within a wall panel unit. The power distribution server has four receptacle module ports oriented in an H-shaped configuration in which a first receptacle port on a first side of the wall panel unit opens toward a first end of the wall panel unit, a second receptacle port on the first side of the wall panel unit opens toward a second end of the wall panel unit, a third receptacle port on a second side of the wall panel unit opens toward the first end of the wall panel unit, and fourth receptacle port on the second side of the wall panel unit opens toward the second end of the wall panel unit. First and second harnesses are each electrically connected at first ends thereof to the power distribution server, extend to opposite ends of the wall panel unit, and include connector ports on the second ends thereof for providing electrical interconnection of adjacent wall panel units. There is also disclosed an electrified wall panel system with wall panel connector interchangeably usable with the interconnection of two, three, and four wall panel units. The connector includes a hook member for connecting together adjacent vertical members of frames of adjacent wall panel units at a lower portion thereof and a draw nut for connecting together adjacent vertical members of frames of adjacent wall panel units at an upper portion thereof by vertical displacement thereof.

Electrified wall panel system

There is disclosed an electrified wall panel system having a power distribution server locatable within a wall panel unit. The power distribution server has four receptacle module ports oriented in an H-shaped configuration in which a first receptacle port on a first side of the wall panel unit opens toward a first end of the wall panel unit, a second receptacle port on the first side of the wall panel unit opens toward a second end of the wall panel unit, a third receptacle port on a second side of the wall panel unit opens toward the first end of the wall panel unit, and fourth receptacle port on the second side of the wall panel unit opens toward the second end of the wall panel unit. There is also disclosed an electrified wall panel system with wall panel connector interchangeably usable with the interconnection of two, three, and four wall panel units. The connector includes a hook member for connecting together adjacent vertical members of frames of adjacent wall panel units at a lower portion thereof and a draw nut for connecting together adjacent vertical members of frames of adjacent wall panel units at an upper portion thereof by vertical displacement thereof.

A power panel for use with wall panels of a space-divider system includes a lightweight frame structure having vertically extending end plates and a central web. Front and rear spaces are defined on either side of the web to accommodate electrical and communication wiring and receptacles on both the front and the back of the panel. A rib, extending from the web, divides the front and rear areas and provides physical separation between electrical power and communication wiring. The portion of the web on one side of the rib has an offset curved section to accommodate electrical wiring conduits extending vertically from the top to the bottom of the power panel. The power panel includes an upper area, with a removable cover, above the upper edge of the frame structure to accommodate wiring to and from, and between wall panels adjoining the power panel. A U-shaped cover is removably attached to the lower edge of the frame structure to accommodate wiring to and from, and between, panels adjoining the power panel. Snap-fit removable covers are attached to the front and back of the frame structure. The removable front and back covers and removable upper and lower covers provide easy access to the wiring in the power panel, which accommodates wiring in both the horizontal and vertical direction. The power panel accommodates receptacles on both the front and back in a back-to-back relationship, without increasing the thickness of the power panel beyond that of the standard wall panel, thereby providing an aesthetically pleasing arrangement.

Power panel structure

There is disclosed an electrified wall panel system having a power distribution server locatable within a wall panel unit. The power distribution server has four receptacle module ports oriented in an H-shaped configuration in which a first receptacle port on a first side of the wall panel unit opens toward a first end of the wall panel unit, a second receptacle port on the first side of the wall panel unit opens toward a second end of the wall panel unit, a third receptacle port on a second side of the wall panel unit opens toward the first end of the wall panel unit, and fourth receptacle port on the second side of the wall panel unit opens toward the second end of the wall panel unit. First and second harnesses are each electrically connected at first ends thereof to the power distributon server, extend to opposite ends of the wall panel unit, and include connector ports on the second ends thereof for providing electrical interconnection of adjacent wall panel units. There is also disclosed an electrified wall panel system with wall panel connector interchangeably usable with the interconnection of two, three, and four wall panel units. The connector includes a hook member for connecting together adjacent vertical members of frames of adjacent wall panel units at a lower portion thereof and a draw nut for connecting together adjacent vertical members of frames of adjacent wall panel units at an upper portion thereof by vertical displacement thereof.

An anti-static grounding arrangement is adapted for use in a work environment system having work stations (100) with work surfaces (182) and conductive storage containers (132, 160) capable of housing electronic components or similar items which are sensitive to electrostatic charge accumulations. Hanger rails (120) and dispensing rails (162) for suspending the containers (132, 160) from work station panels (102, 104) include metallic grounding plates (124, 168) which contact the conductive container (132, 160) surfaces. The grounding plates (124, 168) are conductively connected to ground wires (138, 148, 178) which provide a low impedance path from the grounding strips (124, 168) to an earth ground. The grounding arrangement also includes metallic plates (232, 252) for use with transport carts (220, 240) which transport certain of the containers (132) between work stations (100).

Anti-static grounding arrangement for work environment system

A chair adapted to continuously discharge static electricity has conductive fabric (80, 98) on backrest and seat cushions (18, 14) grounded through conductive plates (84, 100) and staples (88), bolts (34, 68) and T-nuts (62). The backrest bolts (34) are electrically connected to each chair base (16) through a metal bracket (40). The seat bolts (68) are connected directly to the chair base (16). A conductive contact spring (120) is secured to the bottom of a spindle (114) to maintain electrical contact between the spindle (114) and a hub tube (124). A drag cable assembly (140) maintains electrical communication between the base (16) and a floor surface.

Growing community of inventors

Wyoming, MI, United States of America

James H Nienhuis