Threaded Desk Grommet Assembly for Secure Cable Access
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for integrating power, phone, video, and data lines into work surfaces, such as conference tables or office desks, are aesthetically unpleasing and often require expensive mechanisms for opening and closing, which can be prone to failure.
Innovation Solution
A power, communication, and data grommet system featuring a cap with a liner that fits into an aperture in the work surface, including a cylindrical lower liner with a threaded surface, a cap insert, and optional features like a cord wrap and cable lock anchor, allowing for tool-free installation and theft protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a metal box with lid is used to supply lines into work surface, then power and data lines can be supplied, but aesthetic integration into furniture becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The grommet system is divided into multiple components: a housing with aperture, a liner with flared top and threaded lower portion, a cap assembly with insert, and optional lock ring. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for both aesthetics and function, enabling easy integration into furniture surfaces while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The liner is inserted into the housing, the cap is placed on the liner, and the lock ring secures the assembly. This nested structure allows compact installation within the work surface aperture while maintaining aesthetic appearance from both above and below the surface.
2Ease of manufacture
If the box is recessed beneath the table to improve aesthetics, then appearance improves, but difficulty arises in opening the door and avoiding damage to adjacent surface
Solution Approach 1:
The cap is designed to be removable and replaceable, allowing dynamic access to the insert for cable management. The lock ring provides secure yet simple engagement and disengagement, enabling easy operation without complex mechanisms that could damage the work surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The threaded lock ring and cap design allows users to easily secure and remove components without special tools or complex mechanisms. The system serves itself by providing inherent security and ease of access through simple threaded connections.
3Ease of operation
If expensive electric devices are used to raise and lower the interface, then the device can be raised and lowered, but cost increases and reliability decreases due to prone to failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex electric raising and lowering mechanisms entirely. Instead, the grommet is installed at a fixed position within the work surface, eliminating the need for expensive and unreliable motorized height adjustment systems while maintaining full functionality for cable access.
4Ease of manufacture
If a simple liner is used without threading, then installation is simpler, but security and theft protection are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The lock ring with threaded engagement is pre-installed on the lower liner before final assembly. This preliminary action provides inherent security against theft and unauthorized removal while maintaining simple installation procedures. The threaded connection is built-in, requiring no additional security components.
Data Source
AI summary
A power, communications and data grommet mounted in an aperture in a work surface comprising, a housing adapted to fit into the aperture, the housing comprising a cap removably connected to a liner, the liner comprising an upper liner and a lower liner, the upper liner flaring outwardly to prevent the grommet from falling through the aperture, and a substantially cylindrical lower liner having a threaded outer surface, and a lock ring having inner threads to be threadably attached to the lower liner.