Flush Utility Receptacle Grommet for Continuous Work Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power and communication outlet units mounted under work surfaces of furniture lack a seamless integration with the surface, making them less aesthetically pleasing and less functional when not in use, as they require a lid that disrupts the surface continuity.
Innovation Solution
A utility receptacle apparatus comprising a grommet member with a frame structure and a receptacle base member, where the grommet member is mounted through an opening in the furniture surface, allowing the receptacle base with utility outlets to be accessible while maintaining a flush surface when not in use, using a lid mechanism that can be supported by protrusions or brush members for closure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a lid is used to cover the outlet unit when not in use, then the outlets are hidden and protected, but the surface continuity is disrupted and aesthetics are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet unit is extracted from beneath the work surface and mounted within an opening cut through the surface, allowing the outlets to be accessible when needed and the surface to remain continuous when covered by the lid. The grommet member with downwardly extending walls is inserted into the opening, and the lid covers the opening to maintain surface continuity while protecting the outlets.
Solution Approach 2:
The outlet unit is nested within the opening in the work surface, with the grommet member's downwardly extending walls inserted into the opening and the receptacle base member positioned below the work surface. The lid member nestedly covers the opening, creating a nested structure that maintains surface continuity while providing access to the outlets.
2Shape
If the outlet unit is mounted below the work surface, then the surface appearance is maintained, but accessibility to the outlets is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet unit is segmented into multiple components: the grommet member with downwardly extending walls that is inserted into the opening, the receptacle base member that is mounted below the work surface, and the lid member that covers the opening. This segmentation allows the outlets to be positioned for easy accessibility while the lid maintains the surface appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The outlet unit transitions from a purely horizontal arrangement to a vertical arrangement, with the grommet member extending downward from the work surface, the receptacle base member mounted below the surface, and the lid covering the opening. This vertical arrangement in another dimension allows both surface appearance and outlet accessibility to be optimized.
3Ease of operation
If a traditional outlet unit is used, then the outlets are accessible, but the surface is disrupted and equipment cannot be placed on the surface
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet unit is extracted from beneath the work surface and repositioned within an opening cut through the surface. The grommet member with downwardly extending walls is inserted into the opening, and the receptacle base member is mounted below the surface. This extraction allows the outlets to remain accessible while the lid maintains the surface continuity, enabling equipment to be placed on the surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The outlet unit is nested within the opening in the work surface, with the grommet member's downwardly extending walls nested into the opening and the receptacle base member nested below the surface. The lid member nestedly covers the opening, creating a nested structure that preserves the usable surface area while maintaining outlet accessibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A utility receptacle apparatus for use with a work surface. The utility receptacle apparatus has a grommet member that has a frame structure. The frame structure has an opening therein and an upper peripheral portion that extends about the opening. The upper peripheral portion has a top side and bottom side wherein the bottom side has a surface for contacting a work surface of an article of furniture. The frame structure includes a front wall, a rear wall and a pair of sidewalls that extend downward from and are attached to the bottom side of the peripheral portion. A lid member is located within the opening of the frame structure and is movably attached to the sidewalls of the frame structure. The utility receptacle apparatus includes a receptacle base member that has a top plate section which has a top side and a bottom side. The top plate section has a pair of oppositely positioned raised sections and a recessed section that is located between the raised sections. Each raised section has at least one opening therein to receive a fastener device to allow the receptacle base member to be attached under a work surface of an article of furniture.