Service poles

Claim 2

A service pole for supplying power and/or telephone outlets in a room, the pole being adapted to extend between the floor and the ceiling of the room and the ceiling being the suspended type having inverted T-bar members for supporting panels, the pole comprising: an elongated, hollow housing for carrying power and/or telephone conductors, the housing being formed with one side open; a cover removably connected to the housing and extending over said open side, the open side providing access to the interior of the housing with the cover removed; and a T-bar and tie-rod hanger comprising a base engaging said housing adjacent the top thereof, removable clamp means engaging the housing and said base and holding the hanger against the housing, a pair of spaced jaws extending outwardly from the bottom of the base for receiving the leg of a T-bar therebetween, a screw threaded in one jaw and operative to engage the T-bar leg and clamp the same against the other jaw and a connector flange extending outwardly from the top of the base and having a slot for receiving a tie rod, said base, said clamp, said jaws and said connector flange each being spaced from said cover so as not to interfere with removal of the cover.

Claim 3

A construction in accordance with claim 1 wherein said removable clamp means comprises: a bolt support formed in said base; a pair of grips each engaging said housing and disposed on opposite sides of said bolt support; and a nut and bolt assembly, the bolt extending through said support and through said grips, the head of the bolt engaging one grip and the nut engaging the other grip, the nUt and bolt being operative to pull the grips tight against the housing and tight against the base to thereby secure the hanger to the housing.

Claim 4

A service pole for supplying power and/or telephone outlets in a room, the pole being adapted to extend between the floor and the ceiling of the room and the ceiling being the suspended type having inverted T-bar members for supporting panels, the pole comprising: an elongated, hollow housing for carrying power and/or telephone conductors, the housing being formed with one side open; a cover removably connected to the housing and extending over said open side, the open side providing access to the interior of the housing with the cover removed; and a T-bar hanger comprising a base engaging said hollow housing adjacent to the top thereof, removable clamp means engaging the housing and the base and holding the hanger against the housing, a pair of spaced jaws extending outwardly from the bottom of the base for receiving the leg of a T-bar therebetween, a screw threaded in one jaw and operative to engage the leg of the T-bar and clamp the same against the other jaw, said base, said clamp and said jaws each being spaced from said cover so as not to interfere with removal of the cover.

Claim 5

A service pole for supplying power and/or telephone outlets in a room, the pole being adapted to extend between the floor and the ceiling of the room and the ceiling being the suspended type having inverted T-bar members for supporting panels, the pole comprising: an elongated, hollow housing for carrying power and/or telephone conductors, the housing being formed with one side open; a cover removably connected to the housing and extending over said open side, the open side providing access to the interior of the housing with the cover removed; and a T-bar hanger comprising a base engaging said hollow housing adjacent to the top thereof, removable clamp means engaging the housing and the base and holding the hanger against the housing, a pair of spaced jaws extending outwardly from the bottom of the base for receiving the leg of a T-bar therebetween, a screw threaded in one jaw and operative to engage the leg of the T-bar and clamp the same against the other jaw, said base, said clamp and said jaws each being spaced from said cover so as not to interfere with removal of the cover.

Claim 6

A service pole for supplying power and/or telephone outlets in a room, the pole being adapted to extend between the floor and ceiling of the room and the ceiling being the suspended type having means for supporting panels, the pole comprising: an elongated, hollow housing for carrying power and/or telephone conductors, the housing being formed of one side open; a cover removably connected to the housing and extending over said open side, the open side providing access to the interior of the housing with the cover removed; means adjacent the top of the housing for connecting the housing to ceiling whereby to support the housing in an upright position; a pedestal at the bottom of the housing for supporting said housing on the floor comprising a bracket inside the housing having a base engaging the housing, means securing the base to the housing and a pair of flanges respectively connected adjacent to the top and bottom of the base and extending outwardly therefrom, the flanges being formed with aligned apertures, the aperture in one of the flanges being formed with a flat; a foot having a base and a threaded leg, the leg extending through said aligned apertures and making a sliding therewith, and the leg having a flat engaging said aperture flat to prevent rotation of the pedestal with respect to the housing and the leg being spaced from the housing and cover to provide an opening accommodating the passage of telephone cable; and a pair of nuts threaded on said leg respectively on the top side and bottom side of one of said flanges for securing the leg to the flange, the position of the bottom nut determining the relative vertical position of the housing and pedestal.

Claim 7

A service pole for supplying power and/or telephone outlets in a room, the pole being adapted to extend between the floor and ceiling of the room and the ceiling being the suspended type having means for supporting panels, the pole comprising: an elongated, hollow housing for carrying power and/or telephone conductors, the housing being formed of one side open; a cover removably connected to the housing and extending over said open side, the open side providing access to the interior of the housing with the cover removed; means adjacent the top of the housing for connecting the housing to ceiling whereby to support the housing in an upright position; a pedestal at the bottom of the housing for supporting said housing on the floor comprising a bracket inside the housing having a base engaging the housing, means securing the base to the housing and a pair of flanges respectively connected adjacent to the top and bottom of the base and extending outwardly therefrom, the flanges being formed with aligned apertures, the aperture in one of the flanges being formed with a flat; a foot having a base and a threaded leg, the leg extending through said aligned apertures and making a sliding therewith, and the leg having a flat engaging said aperture flat to prevent rotation of the pedestal with respect to the housing and the leg being spaced from the housing and cover to provide an opening accommodating the passage of telephone cable; and a pair of nuts threaded on said leg respectively on the top side and bottom side of one of said flanges for securing the leg to the flange, the position of the bottom nut determining the relative vertical position of the housing and pedestal.

Claim 8

A construction in accordance with claim 4 further including: plate means having a clearance aperture formed in the center thereof; a cavity on the bottom of said base mounting said plate means; and a locating aperture formed on the bottom of said base and aligned with said plate clearance aperture, said apertures being adapted to receive a locating and holding stud anchored to the floor.

Claim 9

A construction in accordance with claim 5 wherein said plate means comprises: a body made of resilient material, the resiliency adapting the service pole for use with a tile floor.

Claim 10

A construction in accordance with claim 5 wherein said plate means comprises: a body made of resilient material and having a plurality of carpet grippers extending downwardly from the bottom of the plate, the grippers adapting the service pole for use with a floor carpet.

Claim 11

A service pole for supplying power and/or telephone outlets in a room, the pole being adapted to extend between the floor and ceilinG of the room and the ceiling being the suspended type having means for supporting panels, the pole comprising: an elongated, hollow C-shaped housing for carrying power and/or telephone conductors, the housing having a base and two sides and the joinder area between the base and the sides being formed with outwardly extending pockets; a cover removably connected to the housing and extending over the open side of the housing, the open side providing access to the interior of the housing with the cover removed; means adjacent the top of the housing for connecting the same with the ceiling whereby to support the housing in an upright position; a pedestal at the bottom of said housing for supporting the housing on the floor comprising a bracket inside the housing having a base engaging the housing and extending into and engaging said pockets to provide lateral stability for the bracket, means securing the base to the housing and a pair of flanges respectively connected to the top and bottom of the base and extending outwardly therefrom, the flanges being formed with aligned apertures, the aperture in one of the flanges being formed with a flat; a foot having a base and a threaded leg, the leg extending through said aligned apertures and making a sliding therewith, and the leg having a flat engaging said aperture flat to prevent rotation of the pedestal with respect to the housing and the leg being spaced from the housing and cover to provide an opening accommodating the passage of telephone cable; and a pair of nuts threaded on said leg respectively on the top side and bottom side of one of said flanges, the position of the bottom nut determining the relative vertical position of the housing and pedestal.

Claim 12

A service pole for supplying power and/or telephone outlets in a room, the pole being adapted to extend between the floor and ceilinG of the room and the ceiling being the suspended type having means for supporting panels, the pole comprising: an elongated, hollow C-shaped housing for carrying power and/or telephone conductors, the housing having a base and two sides and the joinder area between the base and the sides being formed with outwardly extending pockets; a cover removably connected to the housing and extending over the open side of the housing, the open side providing access to the interior of the housing with the cover removed; means adjacent the top of the housing for connecting the same with the ceiling whereby to support the housing in an upright position; a pedestal at the bottom of said housing for supporting the housing on the floor comprising a bracket inside the housing having a base engaging the housing and extending into and engaging said pockets to provide lateral stability for the bracket, means securing the base to the housing and a pair of flanges respectively connected to the top and bottom of the base and extending outwardly therefrom, the flanges being formed with aligned apertures, the aperture in one of the flanges being formed with a flat; a foot having a base and a threaded leg, the leg extending through said aligned apertures and making a sliding therewith, and the leg having a flat engaging said aperture flat to prevent rotation of the pedestal with respect to the housing and the leg being spaced from the housing and cover to provide an opening accommodating the passage of telephone cable; and a pair of nuts threaded on said leg respectively on the top side and bottom side of one of said flanges, the position of the bottom nut determining the relative vertical position of the housing and pedestal.

Claim 13

A service pole for supplying power and/or telephone outlets in a room, the pole being adapted to extend between the floor and the ceiling of the room and the ceiling being the suspended type having means for supporting panels, the pole comprising: an elongated, hollow, C-shaped outer housing for carrying power and/or telephone conductors, the housing having a base and two sides and the joinder area between the base and the sides being formed with outwardly extending pockets; a cover removably connected to the housing and extending over the open side of the housing, the open side providing access to the interior of the housing with the cover removed; means adjacent the top of the outer housing for connecting the same with the ceiling whereby to support the housing in an upright position; an elongated, hollow, C-shaped inner housing disposed within the outer housing and adapted to carry power conductors and having a cross-sectional area smaller that the cross sectional area of the outer housing, the difference in cross sectional area providing space forming a channel between the inner and outer housings, the channel being for use in carrying telephone conductors and said open side of the inner housing being covered by one wall of said outer housing and the inner housing isolating the power conductors from the telephone conductor channel; a plurality of retainers disposed within the outer housing, each retainer having a base engaging the base of the outer housing and extending into and engaging said pockets and also having a C-shaped socket surrounding said inner housing to maintain the inner housing in position; means holding the retainers in the outer housing; a plurality of receptacle openings in said side of the outer housing which covers the open side of the inner housing; and a plurality of power receptacles mounted in said inner housing and extending outwardly thru the open side thereof and also extending thru said receptacle openings and providing power service outlets.

Claim 14

A service pole for supplying power and/or telephone outlets in a room, the pole being adapted to extend between the floor and the ceiling of the room and the ceiling being the suspended type having means for supporting panels, the pole comprising: an elongated, hollow, C-shaped outer housing for carrying power and/or telephone conductors, the housing having a base and two sides and the joinder area between the base and the sides being formed with outwardly extending pockets; a cover removably connected to the housing and extending over the open side of the housing, the open side providing access to the interior of the housing with the cover removed; means adjacent the top of the outer housing for connecting the same with the ceiling whereby to support the housing in an upright position; an elongated, hollow, C-shaped inner housing disposed within the outer housing and adapted to carry power conductors and having a cross-sectional area smaller that the cross sectional area of the outer housing, the difference in cross sectional area providing space forming a channel between the inner and outer housings, the channel being for use in carrying telephone conductors and said open side of the inner housing being covered by one wall of said outer housing and the inner housing isolating the power conductors from the telephone conductor channel; a plurality of retainers disposed within the outer housing, each retainer having a base engaging the base of the outer housing and extending into and engaging said pockets and also having a C-shaped socket surrounding said inner housing to maintain the inner housing in position; means holding the retainers in the outer housing; a plurality of receptacle openings in said side of the outer housing which covers the open side of the inner housing; and a plurality of power receptacles mounted in said inner housing and extending outwardly thru the open side thereof and also extending thru said receptacle openings and providing power service outlets.

Claim 15

A construction in accordance with claim 9 further including a hollow junction box comprising: constructed body generally in the form of a cube disposed at the top of said inner housing, the body being consTruced as by a closed top, three closed sides, an open side and an open bottom; means connecting one of said closed sides to the inner housing; an L-shaped cover one leg of which extends over the open side of the body and the other leg of which extends over the bottom of the body and partially covers the open end of the inner housing to an extent to provide an open end to said channel and said other leg having an opening aligned with the open end of the inner housing to provide a passage for power conductors between the inner housing and the interior of the body; and means connecting the L-shaped cover to the body.

Claim 16

A construction in accordance with claim 10 wherein said means connecting the L-shaped cover to the body comprises a pair of mounting flanges respectively connected to said closed sides and extending into said open side in engagement with said one leg and screw means joining the leg to the flanges.

Claim 17

A service pole for supplying power and/or telephone outlets in a room, the pole being adapted to extend between the floor and ceiling of the room and the ceiling being the suspended type having means for supporting panels, the pole comprising: an elongated, hollow, C-shaped housing for carrying power and/or telephone conductors, the housing having a base and two sides and the joinder area between the base and the sides being formed with outwardly extending pockets; a cover removably connected to the housing and extending over the open side of the housing, the open side providing access to the interior of the housing with the cover removed; means adjacent the top of the housing for connecting the same with the ceiling whereby to support the housing in an upright position; an elongated, hollow, C-shaped inner housing disposed within the outer housing and adapted to carry power conductors and having a cross-sectional area smaller than the cross-sectional area of the outer housing, the difference in cross sectional area providing space forming a channel between the inner and outer housings, the channel being for use in carrying telephone conductors and said open side of the inner housing being covered by one wall of said outer housing walls and the inner housing isolating the power conductors from the telephone conductor channel: a plurality of retainers disposed within the outer housing, each retainer having a base engaging the base of the outer housing and extending into and engaging said pockets and also having a C-shaped socket surrounding said inner housing to maintain the inner housing in position; locking means locking the retainers in the outer housing; the base of said socket being dimensioned to provde for a snug, sliding fit between the base and said pockets whereby, for assembly, the retainer can be slid into the outer housing to a desired position and locked in such position by said locking means; said socket and said inner housing being dimensioned to provide for a snug, sliding fit between the inner housing and the socket whereby, for assembly, the inner housing can be slid into the socket when the same is positioned in the outer housing; and means preventing the inner housing from sliding downwardly with respect to the retainers.

Claim 18

A service pole for supplying power and/or telephone outlets in a room, the pole being adapted to extend between the floor and ceiling of the room and the ceiling being the suspended type having means for supporting panels, the pole comprising: an elongated, hollow, C-shaped housing for carrying power and/or telephone conductors, the housing having a base and two sides and the joinder area between the base and the sides being formed with outwardly extending pockets; a cover removably connected to the housing and extending over the open side of the housing, the open side providing access to the interior of the housing with the cover removed; means adjacent the top of the housing for connecting the same with the ceiling whereby to support the housing in an upright position; an elongated, hollow, C-shaped inner housing disposed within the outer housing and adapted to carry power conductors and having a cross-sectional area smaller than the cross-sectional area of the outer housing, the difference in cross sectional area providing space forming a channel between the inner and outer housings, the channel being for use in carrying telephone conductors and said open side of the inner housing being covered by one wall of said outer housing walls and the inner housing isolating the power conductors from the telephone conductor channel: a plurality of retainers disposed within the outer housing, each retainer having a base engaging the base of the outer housing and extending into and engaging said pockets and also having a C-shaped socket surrounding said inner housing to maintain the inner housing in position; locking means locking the retainers in the outer housing; the base of said socket being dimensioned to provde for a snug, sliding fit between the base and said pockets whereby, for assembly, the retainer can be slid into the outer housing to a desired position and locked in such position by said locking means; said socket and said inner housing being dimensioned to provide for a snug, sliding fit between the inner housing and the socket whereby, for assembly, the inner housing can be slid into the socket when the same is positioned in the outer housing; and means preventing the inner housing from sliding downwardly with respect to the retainers.

Claim 19

A construction in accordance with claim 12 wherein said means preventing sliding of the inner housing includes a set screw in at least one retainer and bearing on said inner housing.

Claim 20

In a service pole for supplying power and/or telephone outlets in a room the pole being adapted to extend between the floor and ceiling of the room and the ceiling being the suspended type having means for supporting panels, the sub-assembly comprising: an elongated, hollow, C-shaped housing for carrying power and/or telephone conductors, the housing having a base and two sides and the joinder area between the base and the sides being formed with outwardly extending pockets; an elongated, hollow, C-shaped inner housing disposed within thE outer housing and adapted to carry power conductors and having a cross-sectional area smaller than the cross-sectional area of the outer housing, the difference in cross sectional area providing space forming a channel between the inner and outer housings, the channel being for use in carrying telephone conductors and said open side of the inner housing being covered by one wall of said outer housing wall and the inner housing isolating the power conductors from the telephone conductor channel; a plurality of retainers disposed within the outer housing, each retainer having a base engaging the base of the outer housing and extending into and engaging said pockets and also having a C-shaped socket surrounding said inner housing to maintain the inner housing in position; locking means locking the retainers in the outer housing; the base of said socket being dimensioned to provide for a snug, sliding fit between the base and said pockets whereby, for assembly, the retainer can be slid into the outer housing to a desired position and locked in such position by said locking means; and said socket and said inner housing being dimensioned to provide for a snug, sliding fit between the inner housing and the socket whereby, for assembly, the inner housing can be slid into the socket when the same is positioned in the outer housing.

Claim 21

In a service pole for supplying power and/or telephone outlets in a room the pole being adapted to extend between the floor and ceiling of the room and the ceiling being the suspended type having means for supporting panels, the sub-assembly comprising: an elongated, hollow, C-shaped housing for carrying power and/or telephone conductors, the housing having a base and two sides and the joinder area between the base and the sides being formed with outwardly extending pockets; an elongated, hollow, C-shaped inner housing disposed within thE outer housing and adapted to carry power conductors and having a cross-sectional area smaller than the cross-sectional area of the outer housing, the difference in cross sectional area providing space forming a channel between the inner and outer housings, the channel being for use in carrying telephone conductors and said open side of the inner housing being covered by one wall of said outer housing wall and the inner housing isolating the power conductors from the telephone conductor channel; a plurality of retainers disposed within the outer housing, each retainer having a base engaging the base of the outer housing and extending into and engaging said pockets and also having a C-shaped socket surrounding said inner housing to maintain the inner housing in position; locking means locking the retainers in the outer housing; the base of said socket being dimensioned to provide for a snug, sliding fit between the base and said pockets whereby, for assembly, the retainer can be slid into the outer housing to a desired position and locked in such position by said locking means; and said socket and said inner housing being dimensioned to provide for a snug, sliding fit between the inner housing and the socket whereby, for assembly, the inner housing can be slid into the socket when the same is positioned in the outer housing.

Claim 22

For a service pole for supplying power and/or telephone outlets in a room, the pole being adapted to extend between the floor and ceiling of the room and the ceiling between the suspended type having means for supporting panels, a junction box comprising: a body generally in the form of a cube, the body being constructed as by a closed top, three closed sides, an open side and an open bottom; an L-shaped cover one leg of which extends over the open side of the body and the other leg of which extends over the bottom of the body, the other leg having an opening providing a passage to the interior of the box; a first, flat tongue connected to and extending away from one of said closed sides; a second, flat tongue connected to and extending away from a closed side adjacent to said one closed side whereby the flat tongues are oriented at right angles to one another; and means connecting the L-shaped cover to the body.

Claim 23

For a service pole for supplying power and/or telephone outlets in a room, the pole being adapted to extend between the floor and ceiling of the room and the ceiling between the suspended type having means for supporting panels, a junction box comprising: a body generally in the form of a cube, the body being constructed as by a closed top, three closed sides, an open side and an open bottom; an L-shaped cover one leg of which extends over the open side of the body and the other leg of which extends over the bottom of the body, the other leg having an opening providing a passage to the interior of the box; a first, flat tongue connected to and extending away from one of said closed sides; a second, flat tongue connected to and extending away from a closed side adjacent to said one closed side whereby the flat tongues are oriented at right angles to one another; and means connecting the L-shaped cover to the body.

Claim 24

A construction in accordance with claim 15 wherein said means connecting the L-shaped cover to the body comprises a pair of mounting flanges respectively connected to said closed sides and extending into said open side in engagement with said one leg and screw means joining the leg of the flanges.