Snap fit modular electrical distribution block

Claim 2

A modular electrical component for use in modular office furniture, comprising: an H-shaped housing including a first housing part and a second housing part, said first housing part being releasably engaged with said second housing part, said first housing part approximately symmetrical with said second housing part, at least one of said first housing part and said second housing part including a plurality of internal locating features, and at least one of said first housing part and said second housing part including at least one electrical connector port; a plurality of terminals, each said terminal being positionable in said first housing part and said second housing part relative to at least one of said plurality of locating features, each said terminal having a plurality of ends including one end associated with a respective said electrical connector port; and at least one releasable lock, each said lock being associated with both of said first housing part and said second housing part and effecting said releasable engagement between said first housing part and said second housing part.

Claim 3

The modular electrical component of claim 1 , wherein said at least one releasable lock comprises one of a snap fitting and a staked fitting.

Claim 4

The modular electrical component of claim 2 , wherein each said releasable lock comprises said snap fitting including a ramped projection on one of said first housing part and said second housing part and a recess on an other of said first housing part and said second housing part.

Claim 5

The modular electrical component of claim 3 , wherein said other of said first housing part and said second housing part includes an opening defining said recess.

Claim 6

The modular electrical component of claim 2 , wherein each said releasable lock comprises said staked fitting including a cylindrical projection on one of said first housing part and said second housing part and a circular recess on another of said first housing part and said second housing part.

Claim 7

The modular electrical component of claim 1 , wherein at least one of said first housing part and said second housing part includes an inside portion, and said plurality of locating features is a plurality of tabs on said inside portion, each said terminal being coupleable with a corresponding said tab.

Claim 8

The modular electrical component of claim 6 , wherein said plurality of terminals each include a locating recess, each said locating recess being coupleable with a corresponding said tab.

Claim 9

The modular electrical component of claim 1 , wherein said first housing part and said second housing part include mating edges configured to inhibit relative movement therebetween.

Claim 10

The modular electrical component of claim 8 , wherein said mating edges includes a male part and a female part, said male part includes at least one projecting edge, said female part includes at least one recessed edge, at least one said projecting edge repeatably positionable with at least one said recessed edge.

Claim 11

An electrical distribution harness for use in modular office furniture, comprising: an electrical distribution block, comprising: an H-shaped housing including a first housing part and a second housing part, said first housing part being releasably engaged with said second housing part, said first housing part approximately symmetrical with said second housing part, at least one of said first housing part and said second housing part, including a plurality of internal locating features, and at least one of said first housing part and said second housing part including at least one electrical connector port; a plurality of terminals, each said terminal being positionable in said first housing part and said second housing part relative to at least one of said plurality of locating features, each said terminal having a plurality of ends including one end associated with a respective said electrical connector port; at least one releasable lock, each said lock being associated with both of said first housing part and said second housing part and effecting said releasable engagement between said first housing part and said second housing part; and at least one wire conduit coupled with and extending from said electrical distribution block.

Claim 12

An electrical distribution harness for use in modular office furniture, comprising: an electrical distribution block, comprising: an H-shaped housing including a first housing part and a second housing part, said first housing part being releasably engaged with said second housing part, said first housing part approximately symmetrical with said second housing part, at least one of said first housing part and said second housing part, including a plurality of internal locating features, and at least one of said first housing part and said second housing part including at least one electrical connector port; a plurality of terminals, each said terminal being positionable in said first housing part and said second housing part relative to at least one of said plurality of locating features, each said terminal having a plurality of ends including one end associated with a respective said electrical connector port; at least one releasable lock, each said lock being associated with both of said first housing part and said second housing part and effecting said releasable engagement between said first housing part and said second housing part; and at least one wire conduit coupled with and extending from said electrical distribution block.

Claim 13

The modular electrical component of claim 10 , wherein said at least one releasable lock comprises one of a snap fitting and a staked fitting.

Claim 14

The modular electrical component of claim 11 , wherein each said releasable lock comprises said snap fitting including a ramped projection on one of said first housing part and said second housing part and a recess on an other of said first housing part and said second housing part.

Claim 15

The modular electrical component of claim 12 , wherein said other of said first housing part and said second housing part includes an opening defining said recess.

Claim 16

The modular electrical component of claim 11 , wherein each said releasable lock comprises said staked fitting including a cylindrical projection on one of said first housing part and said second housing part and a circular recess on another of said first housing part and said second housing part.

Claim 17

The modular electrical component of claim 10 , wherein at least one of said first housing part and said second housing part includes an inside portion, and said plurality of locating features is a plurality of tabs on said inside portion, each said terminal being coupleable with a corresponding said tab.

Claim 18

The modular electrical component of claim 15 , wherein said plurality of terminals each include a locating recess, each said locating recess being coupleable with a corresponding said tab.

Claim 19

The modular electrical component of claim 10 , wherein said first housing part and said second housing part include mating edges configured to inhibit relative movement therebetween.

Claim 20

The modular electrical component of claim 17 , wherein said mating edges includes a male part and a female part, said male part includes at least one projecting edge, said female part includes at least one recessed edge, at least one said projecting edge repeatably positionable with at least one said recessed edge.