초록 ▼

A work surface coupling system has power and data capability with an elongate housing defining an internal passageway and having first and second coupling regions for coupling to one or more work surface. The housing may be a one-piece unit or multi-piece assembly, and can support at least one power

A work surface coupling system has power and data capability with an elongate housing defining an internal passageway and having first and second coupling regions for coupling to one or more work surface. The housing may be a one-piece unit or multi-piece assembly, and can support at least one power or data outlet positioned therealong. The internal passageway unobtrusively supports a plurality of electrical conductors associated with power or data outlets. Optional features include one or more removable side panels, laterally-extending support pads, an accessory mounting surface, and various work surface accessories such as shelving, privacy panels, and lighting.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A work surface coupling system adapted to provide power or data access, said system comprising: an elongate housing configured to be positioned along a work surface, said elongate housing comprising upper and lower portions, and left and right side portions;wherein at least one of said left and r

1. A work surface coupling system adapted to provide power or data access, said system comprising: an elongate housing configured to be positioned along a work surface, said elongate housing comprising upper and lower portions, and left and right side portions;wherein at least one of said left and right side portions comprises a removable side panel;at least one power or data outlet supported at said removable side panel; anda work surface coupler at or below said lower portion of said elongate housing, said work surface coupler configured for coupling to an outer perimeter edge portion of the work surface;wherein said work surface coupler is configured to releasably engage respective outer perimeter edge portions of two adjacent work surfaces, whereby said adjacent work surfaces are coupled together by said work surface coupler. 2. The work surface coupling system of claim 1, wherein said elongate housing defines an internal passageway configured to receive wiring associated with said at least one power or data outlet. 3. The work surface coupling system of claim 1, wherein said upper portion of said elongate housing comprises an accessory coupling surface that is configured to be engaged by a work surface accessory. 4. A work surface coupling system adapted to provide power or data access, said system comprising: an elongate housing configured to be positioned along a work surface, said elongate housing comprising upper and lower portions, and left and right side portions, wherein at least one of said left and right side portions comprises a removable side panel;at least one power or data outlet supported at said removable side panel;a work surface coupler at or below said lower portion of said elongate housing, said work surface coupler configured for coupling to an outer perimeter edge portion of the work surface;at least one support structure element configured to be positioned above the work surface, said support structure element having an upper portion, a lower portion, a left side portion, and a right side portion, wherein said lower portion of said support structure element forms said lower portion of said elongate housing;an internal passageway defined by said support structure element and configured to receive wiring associated with said at least one power or data outlet;an elongate rail member at said upper portion of said support structure element and forming said upper portion of said elongate housing; anda pair of said removable side panels coupled to respective ones of said left and right side portions of said support structure, said removable side panels forming said left and right side portions of said elongate housing. 5. The work surface coupling system of claim 4, wherein said work surface coupler is configured to releasably engage respective outer perimeter edge portions of two adjacent work surfaces, whereby said adjacent work surfaces are coupled together by said work surface coupler. 6. The work surface coupling system of claim 4, wherein each of said support structure element, said elongate rail member, and said left and right side panels comprises an extruded section that is configured to be cut to a desired length. 7. A work surface coupling system adapted to provide power or data access, said system comprising: an elongate housing configured to be positioned along a work surface, said elongate housing comprising upper and lower portions, and left and right side portions, wherein at least one of said left and right side portions comprises a removable side panel;at least one power or data outlet supported at said removable side panel;a work surface coupler at or below said lower portion of said elongate housing, said work surface coupler configured for coupling to an outer perimeter edge portion of the work surface; anda support pad coupled to said elongate housing and extending laterally outwardly beyond one of said left and right side portions of said elongate housing, wherein said support pad is configured to engage an upper surface of the work surface. 8. A work surface coupling system adapted to provide power or data access, said system comprising: an elongate housing configured to be positioned along a work surface, said elongate housing comprising upper and lower portions, and left and right side portions, wherein at least one of said left and right side portions comprises a removable side panel;at least one power or data outlet supported at said removable side panel;a work surface coupler at or below said lower portion of said elongate housing, said work surface coupler configured for coupling to an outer perimeter edge portion of the work surface; anda junction piece, wherein at least two of said elongate housings are coupled together in end-to-end arrangement by said junction piece disposed between said elongate housings. 9. The work surface coupling system of claim 8, wherein said junction piece comprises a central portion and a pair of outboard portions, wherein at least one of said outboard portions is pivotably coupled to said central portion and is movable to an open position that provides access to said internal passageway. 10. A work surface coupling system adapted to provide power or data access, said system comprising: an elongate housing configured to be positioned along a work surface, said elongate housing comprising upper and lower portions, and left and right side portions;an accessory coupling surface at said upper portion of said housing, wherein said accessory coupling surface is configured to be engaged by a work surface accessory;at least one power or data outlet supported at said elongate housing; anda work surface coupler at or below said lower portion of said elongate housing, said work surface coupler configured for coupling to an outer perimeter edge portion of the work surface;wherein said accessory coupling surface defines at least one elongate slot in the shape of an inverted T, and wherein said at least one elongate slot is configured to receive an insert or a rail associated with the work surface accessory. 11. The work surface coupling system of claim 10, further comprising a support pad coupled to said lower portion of said elongate housing and extending laterally outwardly beyond one of said left and right side portions, wherein said support pad is configured to engage an upper surface of one of the work surface. 12. A work surface coupling system adapted to provide power or data access, said system comprising: an elongate housing configured to be positioned along a work surface, said elongate housing comprising upper and lower portions, and left and right side portions;a work surface accessory comprising at least one chosen from (i) a shelf, (ii) a privacy screen, (iii) a storage unit, and (iv) a lighted accessory;an accessory coupling surface at said upper portion of said housing, wherein said accessory coupling surface is configured to be engaged by said work surface accessory;at least one power or data outlet supported at said elongate housing;a work surface coupler at or below said lower portion of said elongate housing, said work surface coupler configured for coupling to an outer perimeter edge portion of the work surface. 13. The work surface coupling system of claim 12, wherein said accessory coupling surface defines at least one elongate slot in the shape of an inverted T, and wherein said at least one elongate slot is configured to receive an insert or a rail associated with the work surface accessory. 14. A work surface coupling system adapted to provide power or data access, said system comprising: at least two support structure elements in spaced arrangement, said support structure elements having upper and lower portions, left and right side portions, and each of said support structure elements defining an internal passageway;left and right side panels spanning between said support structure elements and coupled to said left and right side portions of said support structure elements, wherein at least one of said left and right side panels is configured to support at least one power or data outlet;a work surface coupler at said lower portion of said support structure, said work surface coupler configured for coupling first and second work surfaces together; andwherein said internal passageway of said support structure element is configured to receive electrical wiring associated with the at least one power or data outlet. 15. The work surface coupling system of claim 14, further comprising a support pad coupled to said support structure element and extending laterally outwardly beyond one of said left and right side panels, wherein said support pad is configured to engage an upper surface of one of the first and second work surfaces. 16. The work surface coupling system of claim 14, further comprising an elongate rail member at said upper portion of said support structure, wherein said elongate rail member comprises an accessory coupling surface that is configured to be engaged by a work surface accessory. 17. The work surface coupling system of claim 16, further in combination with the work surface accessory, said work surface accessory comprising at least one chosen from (i) a shelf, (ii) a privacy screen, (iii) a storage unit, and (iv) a lighted accessory. 18. The work surface coupling system of claim 14, further comprising: an elongate rail member, wherein said elongate rail member and said left and right side panels span between said support structure elements;at least one power or data outlet mounted at an opening formed in each of said left and right side panels;wherein said elongate rail member, said left and right side panels, and said support structure elements cooperate to define a housing having opposite end portions;an end cap mounted at each opposite end portion of said housing; andwherein said support structure elements, said left and right side panels, and said end caps are configured to be mounted above the first and second work surfaces. 19. A work surface coupling system adapted to provide power or data access, said system comprising: at least one support structure element having upper and lower portions, left and right side portions, and said support structure element defining an internal passageway;left and right side panels coupled to said left and right side portions of said support structure, wherein at least one of said left and right side panels is configured to support at least one power or data outlet;a work surface coupler at said lower portion of said support structure, said work surface coupler configured for coupling first and second work surfaces together;wherein said work surface coupler comprises movable lower coupler portions that are configured to engage respective lower surfaces of said two adjacent work surfaces, each of said movable lower coupler portions comprising at least one chosen from (i) a threaded fastener, (ii) a screw clamp, (iii) a ratchet clamp, and (iv) a resilient clip; andwherein said internal passageway of said support structure element is configured to receive electrical wiring associated with the at least one power or data outlet. 20. The work surface coupling system of claim 19, comprising at least two of said support structure elements in spaced arrangement, with said left and right side panels spanning between said support structure elements.