US5728970A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Modular electrical system
Assignee: Group Dekko Inc
•
Filing: 1996-05-07
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Granted: 1998-03-17
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Expires: 2016-05-07
Abstract
Abstract The invention is directed to a modular electrical system attachable to a modular office partition, including an electrical distribution assembly with at least two projections extending from one side thereof. At least two projection receiving members are associated with the partition, and engageable with a respective projection. At least one resilient retainer device is biased to a retaining position for securably and releasably maintaining at least one of the projections in engagement with a respective receiving member. The resilient retainer device is also movable to a disengaging position allowing the at least one projection to be disengaged from the respective receiving member.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald E. Karst
- 👤 Shawn J. Kondas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 00:06
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02G; H02G3/00; H02G3/28; H02G3/286; H02G3/288
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
206 words
A modular electrical system attachable to a modular office partition, comprising: an electrical distribution assembly including at least two projections extending from one side thereof; at least two projection receiving members associated with the partition, each said projection being engageable with a corresponding one of said receiving members, said at least two projections being movable relative to said at least two projection receiving members in at least one predetermined direction such that said each of said at least two projections is engageable with a respective one of said at least two projection receiving members; and at least one resilient retainer means including a distal edge biased to a retaining position for securably and releasably positively locking at least one of said projections in engagement with a respective one of said receiving members, said at least one resilient retainer means also being movable to a disengaging position allowing said at least one projection to be disengaged from said corresponding one of said receiving members, at least one of said electrical distribution assembly and said modular office partition including a surface extending transverse to each said at least one predetermined direction, said distal edge of said retainer means abutting said transverse surface, and thereby effecting said positive locking.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
206 words
A modular electrical system attachable to a modular office partition, comprising: an electrical distribution assembly including at least two projections extending from one side thereof; at least two projection receiving members associated with the partition, each said projection being engageable with a corresponding one of said receiving members, said at least two projections being movable relative to said at least two projection receiving members in at least one predetermined direction such that said each of said at least two projections is engageable with a respective one of said at least two projection receiving members; and at least one resilient retainer means including a distal edge biased to a retaining position for securably and releasably positively locking at least one of said projections in engagement with a respective one of said receiving members, said at least one resilient retainer means also being movable to a disengaging position allowing said at least one projection to be disengaged from said corresponding one of said receiving members, at least one of said electrical distribution assembly and said modular office partition including a surface extending transverse to each said at least one predetermined direction, said distal edge of said retainer means abutting said transverse surface, and thereby effecting said positive locking.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The modular electrical system of claim 1, further comprising a bracket attachable to the partition, and wherein each said receiving member comprises a J-shaped hook attached to said bracket.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
129 words
A modular electrical system attachable to a modular office partition, comprising: an electrical distribution assembly including at least two projections extending from one side thereof; at least two projection receiving members associated with the partition, each said projection being engageable with a corresponding one of said receiving members; a bracket attachable to the partition, each said projection receiving member comprising an opening in said bracket; and at least one resilient retainer beans biased to a retaining position for securably and releasably maintaining at least one of said projections in engagement with a respective one of said receiving members, said at least one resilient retainer means also being movable to a disengaging position allowing said at least one projection to be disengaged from said corresponding one of said receiving members.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
129 words
A modular electrical system attachable to a modular office partition, comprising: an electrical distribution assembly including at least two projections extending from one side thereof; at least two projection receiving members associated with the partition, each said projection being engageable with a corresponding one of said receiving members; a bracket attachable to the partition, each said projection receiving member comprising an opening in said bracket; and at least one resilient retainer beans biased to a retaining position for securably and releasably maintaining at least one of said projections in engagement with a respective one of said receiving members, said at least one resilient retainer means also being movable to a disengaging position allowing said at least one projection to be disengaged from said corresponding one of said receiving members.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The modular electrical system of claim 3, wherein each said opening comprises a slot in said bracket.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The modular electrical system of claim 1, wherein each said receiving member is connected to the partition.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The modular electrical system of claim 1, wherein each said receiving member extends from the partition.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The modular electrical system of claim 1, wherein said electrical distribution assembly includes a channel and a plurality of plates attached to said channel, each said projection extending from a respective one of said plates.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The modular electrical system of claim 7, wherein each said projection extends substantially laterally from said respective one of said plates.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The modular electrical system of claim 7, wherein each said projection extends substantially longitudinally relative to said respective one of said plates.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
140 words
A modular electrical system attachable to a modular office partition, comprising: an electrical distribution assembly including a channel, a plurality of plates attached to said channel, and at least two projections, each said projection extending from a corresponding one of said plates, each said projection extending substantially parallel relative to said corresponding plate; at least two projection receiving members associated with the partition, each said projection being engageable with a corresponding one of said receiving members; and at least one resilient retainer means biased to a retaining position for securably and releasably maintaining at least one of said projections in engagement with a respective one of said receiving members, said at least one resilient retainer means also being movable to a disengaging position allowing said at least one projection to be disengaged from said corresponding one of said receiving members.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
140 words
A modular electrical system attachable to a modular office partition, comprising: an electrical distribution assembly including a channel, a plurality of plates attached to said channel, and at least two projections, each said projection extending from a corresponding one of said plates, each said projection extending substantially parallel relative to said corresponding plate; at least two projection receiving members associated with the partition, each said projection being engageable with a corresponding one of said receiving members; and at least one resilient retainer means biased to a retaining position for securably and releasably maintaining at least one of said projections in engagement with a respective one of said receiving members, said at least one resilient retainer means also being movable to a disengaging position allowing said at least one projection to be disengaged from said corresponding one of said receiving members.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The modular electrical system of claim 7, wherein each said receiving member comprises a J-shaped hook.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The modular electrical system of claim 7, further comprising a bracket attachable to the partition, and wherein each said receiving member comprises an opening in said bracket.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
The modular electrical system of claim 1, wherein said at least one resilient retainer means comprises a spring catch engageable with at least one of said projections when said projections are engaged with said receiving members.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The modular electrical system of claim 1, wherein at least one of said projections includes one of said at least one resilient retainer means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
38 words
The modular electrical system of claim 14, wherein each said projection is comprised of a resilient material allowing elastic deformation of said projection in a predetermined direction, said resilient material defining said at least one resilient retainer means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
215 words
A modular electrical system, comprising: an electrical distribution assembly; a modular office partition; one of said electrical distribution assembly and said partition including at least two openings associated therewith; at least two projections connected to and extending from the other of said electrical distribution assembly and said partition, each said projection being engageable with a corresponding one of said openings, said at least two projections and said at least two openings being movable relative to each other in at least one predetermined direction such that said each of said at least two projections is engageable with said corresponding one of said at least two openings; and at least one resilient retainer means including a distal edge biased to a retaining position for securably and releasably positively locking at least one of said projections in engagement with a respective one of said openings, said at least one resilient retainer means also being movable to a disengaging position allowing said at least one projection to be disengaged from said respective one of said openings; at least one of said electrical distribution assembly and said modular office partition including a surface extending transverse to each said at least one predetermined direction, said distal edge of said retainer means abutting said transverse surface, and thereby effecting said positive locking.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
215 words
A modular electrical system, comprising: an electrical distribution assembly; a modular office partition; one of said electrical distribution assembly and said partition including at least two openings associated therewith; at least two projections connected to and extending from the other of said electrical distribution assembly and said partition, each said projection being engageable with a corresponding one of said openings, said at least two projections and said at least two openings being movable relative to each other in at least one predetermined direction such that said each of said at least two projections is engageable with said corresponding one of said at least two openings; and at least one resilient retainer means including a distal edge biased to a retaining position for securably and releasably positively locking at least one of said projections in engagement with a respective one of said openings, said at least one resilient retainer means also being movable to a disengaging position allowing said at least one projection to be disengaged from said respective one of said openings; at least one of said electrical distribution assembly and said modular office partition including a surface extending transverse to each said at least one predetermined direction, said distal edge of said retainer means abutting said transverse surface, and thereby effecting said positive locking.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
113 words
A modular electrical system, comprising: an electrical distribution assembly; a modular office partition; a bracket attached to the partition, said bracket including at least two openings; at least two projections connected to and extending from said electrical distribution assembly, each said projection being engageable with a corresponding one of said openings; and at least one resilient retainer means biased to a retaining position for securably and releasably maintaining at least one of said projections in engagement with a respective one of said openings, said at least one resilient retainer means also being movable to a disengaging position allowing said at least one projection to be disengaged from said respective one of said openings.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
113 words
A modular electrical system, comprising: an electrical distribution assembly; a modular office partition; a bracket attached to the partition, said bracket including at least two openings; at least two projections connected to and extending from said electrical distribution assembly, each said projection being engageable with a corresponding one of said openings; and at least one resilient retainer means biased to a retaining position for securably and releasably maintaining at least one of said projections in engagement with a respective one of said openings, said at least one resilient retainer means also being movable to a disengaging position allowing said at least one projection to be disengaged from said respective one of said openings.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
111 words
A modular electrical system, comprising: an electrical distribution assembly; a modular office partition; a bracket attached to the partition, said bracket including two openings; at least two projections connected to and extending from said electrical distribution assembly, each said projection being engageable with a corresponding one of said openings; and at least one resilient retainer means biased to a retaining position for securably and releasably maintaining at least one of said projections in engagement with a respective one of said openings, said at least one resilient retainer means also being movable to a disengaging position allowing said at least one projection to be disengaged from said respective one of said openings.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
111 words
A modular electrical system, comprising: an electrical distribution assembly; a modular office partition; a bracket attached to the partition, said bracket including two openings; at least two projections connected to and extending from said electrical distribution assembly, each said projection being engageable with a corresponding one of said openings; and at least one resilient retainer means biased to a retaining position for securably and releasably maintaining at least one of said projections in engagement with a respective one of said openings, said at least one resilient retainer means also being movable to a disengaging position allowing said at least one projection to be disengaged from said respective one of said openings.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
35 words
The modular electrical system of claim 16, wherein said at least one resilient retainer means comprises a spring catch engageable with at least one of said projections when said projections are engaged with said openings.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
24 words
The modular electrical system of claim 16, wherein at least one of said projections includes one of said at least one resilient retainer means.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
38 words
The modular electrical system of claim 20, wherein each said projection is comprised of a resilient material allowing elastic deformation of said projection in a predetermined direction, said resilient material defining said at least one resilient retainer means.
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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) | 2001-03-16 | 2001-09-15 | 2002-03-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-03-16 | 2005-09-15 | 2006-03-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-03-16 | 2009-09-15 | 2010-03-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |