US5429431A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Wire management system and asssemblies therefor
Assignee: HNI Technologies Inc
•
Filing: 1992-08-10
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Granted: 1995-07-04
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Expires: 2012-08-10
Abstract
Abstract A wiring management system for use in a furniture component includes a wiring management assembly with one or more wire pass through subassemblies for routing wiring therethrough. At least one of the pass through subassemblies comprises a plurality of separable covers for concealing an electrical appliance located on a support structure proximate to the pass through subassembly, while providing ready access to the electrical appliance. The pass through subassemblies preferably include a removable rosette piece for routing wiring therethrough.
Inventors
- 👤 Ogden R. Olson
- 👤 Clayton C. Schmidt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 08:59
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47B; A47B21/00; A47B21/06; A47B2021/066; A47B2200/00; A47B2200/008; A47B2200/0082
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
A wire management system for use in a furniture component having a top surface with at least one top opening and peripheral sides with at least one side opening comprising: a support structure disposed proximate the top opening and the side opening for supporting an electrical appliance; a first removable cover member disposed in the top opening including first and second interengaged cover portions, said first cover portion being removable from said top opening for providing access to the electrical appliance and said second cover portion being independently removable from said top opening and having at least one groove therein for routing electrical wiring to a first desired location; and a second removable cover member disposed in the side opening having at least one groove for selectively routing wiring to a second desired location.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
134 words
A wire management system for use in a furniture component having a top surface with at least one top opening and peripheral sides with at least one side opening comprising: a support structure disposed proximate the top opening and the side opening for supporting an electrical appliance; a first removable cover member disposed in the top opening including first and second interengaged cover portions, said first cover portion being removable from said top opening for providing access to the electrical appliance and said second cover portion being independently removable from said top opening and having at least one groove therein for routing electrical wiring to a first desired location; and a second removable cover member disposed in the side opening having at least one groove for selectively routing wiring to a second desired location.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
141 words
The wire management system of claim 1 further comprising: a grommet frame having an outside and an inside surface, said outside surface located within the top opening, said inside surface including a ledge formed along at least a portion thereof having a first depth and a second depth, the junction of said first and second depths of said ledge providing a pivot, said first cover member being adapted for placement within said inside surface of said grommet frame, said first cover portion including a body portion disposed on one side of said pivot and a finger-engageable tongue portion disposed on the opposite side of said pivot, said first cover portion being removable by engagement of said tongue portion to rotate said body portion of said first cover portion about said pivot to gain access to the interior of the furniture component.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
78 words
The wire management system of claim 2 wherein said second cover portion comprises a rosette piece located within a portion of said ledge of said grommet frame, said rosette piece including a plurality of teeth and complemental grooves, said teeth being arranged about a portion of the outer periphery of said rosette piece with adjacent ones of said teeth being separated by one of said complemental grooves for providing a plurality of locations to direct individual wires therethrough.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
78 words
The wire management system of claim 1 further comprising: a grommet frame disposed within said side opening and a generally D-shaped body sized for placement within the grommet frame, said D-shaped body having a plurality of teeth and complemental grooves, said teeth being arranged about the outer periphery of said body with adjacent ones of said teeth being separated by said complemental grooves, each of said complemental grooves providing a location for pass through of an individual wire.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
The wire management system of claim 1 wherein said furniture component includes a super structure having first and second vertical legs mounted to said top surface, said wire management system further comprising: wire pass through means located in said first vertical leg for selectively routing wiring to a third selected location.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
The wire management system of claim 5 further comprising: a generally U-shaped grommet frame with a closed end, said grommet frame including a U-shaped portion and a removable closed end being adapted for placement within said top opening formed in the furniture component.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
101 words
The wire management system of claim 6 wherein said first vertical leg is located proximate to said top opening, said system further comprising: attaching bracket means for joining said first vertical leg with said furniture component, said attaching bracket means having a base portion with at least one latch ear at a distal end of said base portion, said base portion adapted for placement within said top opening when said closed end of said grommet frame is removed with said at least one latch ear extending through said top opening to engage the underside of the top of the furniture component.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
117 words
The wire management system of claim 5 wherein said vertical leg includes a first panel with an opening with spaced notches formed therein, and wherein said wire pass through means comprises first and second mated grommet pieces adapted to surround an individual wire, each of said grommet pieces including a base with an inner radial portion removed to receive an individual wire when mated together, radial extending latching knobs protruding from said base portion for placement through said spaced notches, and an outer peripheral flange, said grommet pieces being secured within said opening with said latching knobs located on one side of said first panel and said peripheral flange located on the opposed side of said panel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
173 words
A wire guide insert assembly for providing selective access to the interior of a furniture component comprising: a grommet frame having an outside and an inside surface, said outside surface located within an opening formed in the furniture component, said inside surface including a ledge formed along at least a portion thereof having a first depth and a second depth, the junction of said first and second depths of said ledge providing a pivot; wire guide pass through means disposed within a portion of said inside surface of said grommet frame for providing a plurality of locations to direct individual wires therethrough; and a cover piece adapted for placement within said inside surface of said grommet frame, said cover piece including a body portion disposed on one side of said pivot and a finger-engageable tongue portion disposed on the opposite side of said pivot, said cover piece being removable by engagement of said tongue portion to rotate said body portion of said cover to gain access to the interior of the furniture component.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
173 words
A wire guide insert assembly for providing selective access to the interior of a furniture component comprising: a grommet frame having an outside and an inside surface, said outside surface located within an opening formed in the furniture component, said inside surface including a ledge formed along at least a portion thereof having a first depth and a second depth, the junction of said first and second depths of said ledge providing a pivot; wire guide pass through means disposed within a portion of said inside surface of said grommet frame for providing a plurality of locations to direct individual wires therethrough; and a cover piece adapted for placement within said inside surface of said grommet frame, said cover piece including a body portion disposed on one side of said pivot and a finger-engageable tongue portion disposed on the opposite side of said pivot, said cover piece being removable by engagement of said tongue portion to rotate said body portion of said cover to gain access to the interior of the furniture component.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-07-03 | 1999-01-02 | 1999-07-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-07-03 | 2003-01-02 | 2003-07-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-07-03 | 2007-01-02 | 2007-07-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |