The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 21, 1999
Filed:
Apr. 07, 1998
Burton L Siegal, Skokie, IL (US);
David R Gutgsell, Jasper, IN (US);
Scott Schwinghammer, Jasper, IN (US);
Ditto Sales, Inc., Jasper, IN (US);
Abstract
An extendable/retractable temporary electrical receptacle assembly 10 is provided for mounting within an opening formed in the work surface S of an article of furniture, such as a table T. The receptacle assembly 10 includes a bezel 11 that is mounted by use of resilient locking tabs within the opening and a hollow receptacle formed from an upper portion 12 joined to a lower portion 3. The upper portion 12 carries an array of electrical/data sockets 21, 22 that are accessible above the work surface S when the receptacle assembly 10 is in an extended position. In a retracted position, the upper portion 12 is wholly contained within the bezel 11 to hide the array of sockets 21, 22. A pair of compression springs 55 is disposed within spring channels 52, 53 formed in the upper and lower portions of the receptacle. The springs 55 are bottomed on tabs 38 projecting inwardly from the bezel 11 and into the spring channels 52 in the receptacle. The bezel 11 also includes four evenly disposed inwardly projecting tabs 36 that are contacted by the receptacle at the retracted position to prevent over-depression of the assembly 10. The receptacle is provided with strain relief members 70 disposed in the cord openings in the lower portion 13 of the receptacle and engaged about cords providing power/signals to the sockets 21, 22 carried by the receptacle. The strain relief members 70 include outwardly projecting flaps 80 that contact the lower rim 37 of the bezel 11 to limit the upward travel of the receptacle in its extended position.