Service posts for electrical and air delivery to workstations

Abstract

A polygonal service post provides electrical services and optionally air to one or more workstations. The service post has a square cross-sectional shape with vertical faces having a channel for mounting a panel wherein adjacent panels form a workstation and having power and data outlets and an air damper for delivering air to each workstation. Alternatively, the service post has a hexagonal or octagonal cross-sectional shape with first vertical mounting faces alternating with second vertical utility faces. The first vertical faces provide a surface for mounting a panel wherein adjacent panels form a workstation and each second vertical face includes electrical outlets and an air damper for delivering air to each workstation. Wiring for power and data delivery is provided to the service post from the floor or alternatively, from a ceiling wiring system whereas air may be provided from an access floor or a cellular floor system.

Description

CLAIM TO PRIORITY[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 007,338 filed on Dec. 12, 2007, the contents of which are hereby incorporated into this application.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates generally to a device for delivering electrical services and / or environmental air to workstations in office buildings, schools, libraries, and other types of commercial buildings. More particularly, the invention relates to a power-data-air (PDA) service post configured to supply air and / or electrical services to a workplace, for example, an office workstation.[0004]2. Description of the Prior Art[0005]Commercial buildings, such as office buildings, are generally steel and / or concrete framed and require the delivery of power and data wiring to cubicles, which are used to subdivide large open spaces referred to as “landscaped offices” into multiple, individual workstations. Typically, commo...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0021]A further embodiment of the square PDA post provides pockets extending along the vertical length of each vertical face for receiving and mounting a partition panel. The pockets eliminate the need for a mounting channel or other mounting devices required in the other PDA post embodiments of the present invention.

[0022]A square PDA service post, either with or without mounting pockets, allows the use of square cornered desks or tables which fit closely to the PDA service post. A square PDA service post therefore eliminates any gap existing between square cornered furniture and the diagonal faces of the PDA posts having other than a square cross-sectional configuration.

[0024]It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a versatile electrical and air delivery system to the building and interior design markets for either existing or new buildings.

[0026]It is a still further object of the present invention to provide an improved and simplified design for a service post adapted to deliver power and / or data and / or air to one or more workstations.

[0027]And a still further object of the present invention is to provide a PDA service post designed to simplify the manner in which power and / or data and / or air is delivered to one or more workstations whereby the equipment currently used for electrical, data and air delivery may be eliminated thereby offering greater economies to the construction market.

Problems solved by technology

Although some present day service poles may provide a direct electrical plug-in on at least one vertical face, no present day service poles are constructed to provide plug-in capability directly in each cubicle where cables enter the service pole from an in-floor or under-floor raceway.

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