Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a power module for a desk.

Background of the Invention

Electric power modules for receiving power from a mains power supply and supplying power to an electrical device are known. For example, a type of electric power module known as an extension lead, power extender, trailing socket or power strip comprises a length of electrical power cable having a plug on one end, typically a mains socket type plug, and having one or more sockets on the other end, typically to receive a mains socket type plug. This type of electric power module may be used between a mains socket and an electrical device plug to increase the distance from the mains socket that the electrical device may be safely located

It is known for a desk for a working environment (such as an office environment or educational environment) to define an aperture in the desk top, through which cabling can extend. It is also known for a desk for a working environment to be provided with a tray under the desk top, to support cabling or an extension lead, power extender, trailing socket or power strip. It is further known for a desk for a working environment to be provided with a power module on the desk top, for receiving power from a mains power supply and for supplying power to one or more desk-based electrical devices. A problem exists in that connecting the cabling around the desk can be time-consuming, and the connected cabling can be untidy and unsightly.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect there is provided a power module for a desk, comprising: a main body comprising a top surface presenting at least one socket, said main body configured to be installed relative to an aperture defined in a desk top such that said at least one socket of the top surface of the main body is located with said aperture of the desk top; wherein said main body further comprises at least one side surface presenting at least one socket, and said main body is configured to be installed relative to an aperture defined in a desk top such that said at least one socket of the top surface of the main body is located with said aperture of the desk top and said at least one socket of the at least one side surface is located underneath the desk top; wherein the power module further comprises a mounting flange extending outwardly of the main body for abutting against a surface of a desk top and said main body is configured to be lowered into an aperture in a desk top such that said mounting flange is brought into contact with an upper surface of said desk top, whereby the main body is suspended from the desk top by the mounting flange.

In an embodiment, the power module is configured for electrical connection to a mains power supply outlet by a single mains cable.

In an embodiment, the power module comprises power module comprises a top socket cover. The top socket cover may comprise a flap or a roller shutter.

In an embodiment, the main body of the power module presents at least one power supply socket and at least one data connection socket.

In an embodiment, the top surface of said main body presents a power module power on/off switch.

According to a second aspect there is provided a desk provided with a power module according to the first aspect.

Brief Description of the Drawings

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, there will now be described by way of example only, specific embodiments, methods and processes according to the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a power module for a desk; Figure 2 shows the power module of Figure 1 as a furniture electrical installation of working environment desk;

Figure 3 shows the power module of Figure 1 with a first type of top socket cover;

Figure 4 shows the power module with top socket cover of Figure 4 in use;

Figure 5 shows the power module of Figure 1 with an alternative type of top socket cover;

Figure 6 shows a further power module; and

Figure 7 illustrates a desk power module in use.

Detailed Description

There will now be described by way of example a specific mode contemplated by the inventor(s). In the following description numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding. It will be apparent however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without limitation to these specific details. In other instances, well known methods and structures are not described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the description. Figure 1

A power module 101 for a desk is shown in Figure 1. The power module is configured for receiving power from a mains power supply and supplying power to an electrical device.

Power module 101 is configured for a furniture electrical installation, for receiving power from a mains power supply and supplying power to a desk-based electrical device. Such a desk-based electrical device may be a personal computer, a computer monitor, a desk lamp or a printer.

Power module 101 comprises a main body 102. The main body 102 comprises a top surface 103 that presents at least one socket 104. The main body 102 of the power module 101 further comprises at least one side surface 105 that presents at least one socket 106. In an example, the power module 101 has a second side surface 107, opposite the first side surface 105, which also comprises at least one socket. In this illustrated embodiment, the main body 102 of the power module 101 presents a power module unit power on/off switch 108.

The top and side surfaces of the main body of the power module may present the same number of sockets, for example 2, 3 or 4 sockets, or may present different numbers of sockets. The top and side surfaces of the main body of the power module may present the same type of socket or the same combination of types of socket, or may present different types of socket or combinations of types of socket.

The main body 102 of the power module 101 may have a cuboid shape. In this illustrated embodiment, the main body 102 of the power module 101 has a rectangular cuboid shape, dimensioned to accommodate a plurality of sockets 104 presented by the top surface 103 and to accommodate a corresponding plurality of sockets 106 presented by the side surface 105.

As will be described in further detail, power module 101 is configured to be installed relative to an aperture defined in a desk top of a desk. In this embodiment, power module 101 comprises a mounting flange 109, extending outwardly of the main body 102, for abutting against a surface of a desk top. In this embodiment, the power module 101 also comprises a pair of brace members 110. The power module 101 is configured to be fitted to a desk defining an aperture in the desk top, such that the edges of the aperture are received between the mounting flange 109 and the brace members 110.

Figure 2

Figure 2 shows power module 101 as a furniture electrical installation of working environment desk 201. As shown at A, the desk 201 defines an aperture 202 in the desk top 203 thereof.

As illustrated in this Figure, the main body of the power module is configured to be installed relative to an aperture defined in a desk top such that the at least one socket 104 of the top surface 103 of the main body is located with the apertures of the desk top and the at least one socket 106 of the side surface 105 is located underneath the desk top.

To fit the power module 101 to the desk 201 , the main body 102 of the power module 101 is lowered into the aperture 202, from the upper side 204 of the desk 201 , in the direction indicated by arrow 205, until the mounting flange 109 of the power module 101 is brought into contact with the upper surface 206 of the desk top 203, as shown at B. The main unit 102 is then suspended from the desk top 203 by the mounting flange 109. The brace members (not shown in this Figures) may then be positioned to be brought into contact with the underside surface 207 of the desk top 203.

In the fitted arrangement shown in this Figure, the main body 102 of the power module 101 is installed relative to the aperture 202 of the desk top 203 of desk 201 such that the at least one socket 104 of the top surface 103 of the main body 101 is located with the aperture 202 of the desk top 203 and the at least one socket 106 of the side surface 105 is located underneath the desk top 203.

When installed to a desk as shown, the power module 101 advantageously provides top sockets and under desk sockets in a single unit. Further, the main body 102 of the power module 101 is beneficially configured for electrical connection to a mains power supply outlet (not shown in this Figure) by a single electrical cable 208. The electrical cable 208 extends from an end 209 of the main body 201 of the power module 101. As shown, the electrical cable 208 is located to the underside 210 of the desk top 203 of the desk 201.

Figure 3

The power module 101 may comprise a top socket cover. In the illustrated example of Figure 3, power module 101 is provided with a top socket cover in the form of a flap 301. The flap 301 is shown in the open condition at A, and is shown in the closed condition at B. ln the shown example, the top surface 103 of the main body 102 presents a plurality of sockets 104 and the power module 101 comprises a single flap that extends over all of the sockets 104 when in the closed condition. When none of the sockets 104 are in use, the flap 301 may be closed to cover the sockets 104, to conceal the sockets from view and to prevent undesired ingress of dust, fluids or other contaminants into the sockets.

In an alternative example, the top surface 103 of the main body 102 presents a plurality of sockets 104 and the power module 101 comprises a corresponding plurality of flaps 301 , each of which extends over an individual one of the sockets 104 when in the closed condition.

Figure 4

In Figure 4, the power module 101 with top socket cover 301 is shown in installed within the desk top 203 of desk 201 , and with the top socket cover 301 open. A plug 401 is shown in this Figure releasably received within one of the sockets 104 of the top surface 103 of the main body 102 of the power module 101.

In this embodiment, the sockets 401 of power module 101 are power supply sockets configured for use with a 3-pin type plug, as used in the UK. However, it is to be appreciated that power supply sockets of a power module as described herein may be configured for use with a 2-pin type plug, as used in mainland Europe, or for use with any other type of plug as used anywhere in the world, and may present different power supply sockets for use with different types of plug. Figure 5

In the illustrated example of Figure 5, power module 101 is provided with a top socket cover in the form of a roller shutter 501. As shown, a pair of support rails 502, 503 is also provided. The support rails 502, 503 are configured to guide the sides of the roller shutter 501 during opening and closing, and also when in the fully closed condition. The roller shutter 501 comprises an upstanding lip 504, to facilitate opening and closing of the roller shutter 501 and to prevent the free end of the roller shutter 501 from retracting beyond reach.

In the shown example, the top surface 103 of the main body 102 presents a plurality of sockets 104 and the power module 101 comprises a corresponding plurality of flaps roller shutters 501 , each of which extends over an individual one of the sockets 104 when in the closed condition.

A roller shutter 501 is shown in the fully open condition at A, a roller shutter 501 is shown in a partially closed condition at B, and a roller shutter 501 is shown in the fully closed condition at C.

When a socket 104 is not in use, the roller shutter 501 associated with that socket may be closed to cover that individual socket, to conceal the socket from view and to prevent undesired ingress of dust, fluids or other contaminants into the socket.

A support rail, for example support rail 502, may be an end support rail that is configured to receive one side of one roller shutter only therein. Alternatively, a support rail, for example support rail 503, may be an intermediate support rail that is configured to receive one side of each of two roller shutters therein, such that the support rail is an shared by the two roller shutters.

In an alternative example, the top surface 103 of the main body 102 presents a plurality of sockets 104 and the power module 101 comprises a single roller shutter that extends over all of the sockets 104 when in the closed condition.

It is thus to be appreciated that a power module as described herein may be provided with at least one top socket cover. A power module comprising a main body that presents a plurality of sockets on the top surface thereof may be provided with a single top socket cover, which may be configured to cover all the sockets collectively, or a plurality of top socket cover, each of which may be configured to cover an individual socket only or to cover a group of sockets. A top socket cover of a power module as described herein may be releasably attached thereto. Fiqure 6

A further power module 601 is shown in Figure 6, installed in desk 602. The power module 601 presents top sockets 603, and side sockets 604. The top sockets 603 of the power module 601 are accessible from the upper side 605 of the desk top 606 and the side sockets 604 are accessible from the underside 607 of the desk top 606. A mains cable (not shown in this Figure) extends from the power module 601 to a mains supply socket (not shown in this Figure).

In this illustrated example, the top and side sockets 603, 604 of power module 601 are power supply sockets configured for use with a 2-pin type plug, as used in mainland Europe. However, a power supply socket of a power module as described herein may be configured for use with any type of plug as used anywhere in the world, and may present different power supply sockets for use with different types of plug. The power module may thus comprise power supply sockets of any type, or any combination of different types of power supply socket.

In this embodiment, the power module 601 further comprises at least one data connection socket 608. In this illustrated example, the power module 601 comprises at least one data connection socket 608 on the top 609, and at least one data connection socket 610 on at least one side 611 , 612 thereof. In this shown example, the data connection sockets 608, 610 are universal serial bus (USB) sockets. However, a data connection socket of a power module as described herein may be configured for use with any type of connector as used anywhere in the world, and may present different data connection sockets for use with different types of connector. For example, the data connection socket may be a universal serial bus (USB) socket, a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) socket, a Super Video Graphics Array (SVGA) socket, an RCA connector socket, an RJ45 socket. The power module may thus comprise data connection sockets of any type or any combination of different types of data connection socket. It is to be appreciated that a data connector may allow one-way or two- way data transfer, and a data connector may provide a device charging functionality in addition to a data transfer functionality. ln an example, each of the top and at least one side surface of the main body of the power module present at least one power supply socket and at feast one data connection socket. Figure 7

Figure 7 shows a desk power module 701 installed within a desk 702 in a working environment.

The desk power module 701 comprises a main body 703 comprising a top surface 704 presenting at least one socket 705, and a side surface 706 presenting at least one socket 707. The main body 703 of the power module 701 is shown installed within desk 702 such that the at least one socket 705 of the top surface 704 of the main body 703 are disposed at substantially the same level of the desk top 708 and the at least one socket of the 707 of the side surface 706 face is disposed underneath the desk top 708. In the shown installed arrangement, the at least one socket 705 of the top surface 704 faces upwards, and the at least one socket of the 707 of the side surface 706 faces sideways, in a substantially perpendicular direction to the at least one socket 705 of the top surface 704. The desk power module 701 is connectable directly to a mains power supply outlet 709 by a single connector cable 710.

The power module may present any suitable arrangement and type of socket. It is to be appreciated that each top and side socket presenting surface of the main body of the power module may present the same or different type of sockets to another socket presenting surface of the main body of the power module, and may present the same or different number of sockets to another socket presenting surface of the main body of the power module.

A power module for a desk as described herein advantageously provides top and side sockets in a single unit that is connectable to a mains power supply by a single cable. The power module as described herein thus beneficially provides the functionality of above or at desk level and also under desk level sockets, with reduced cabling requirement. A desk power module described is simple and quick to install, and overcome the problem of messy and potentially hazardous tangled cabling that can arise with prior art systems that provide top sockets and side sockets in separate units that are connected together using multiple cables. A desk power module described may present any number of sockets and any number of different types of socket, which may vary between different applications.

The power modules of the present invention have the further advantage that they are much easier to install than the existing power modules. These tend to be fitted to an underside of a desk, typically with screws or bolts, but it is then necessary for the underside of the desk to be prepared to receive these screws or bolts in exact alignment with the corresponding fittings on the module and the aperture through the desk surface. It is also necessary for an installer to have the correct tools and a modicum of skill.

The power modules of the present invention only require an aperture of the correct shape and size to be prepared, or can be configured to fit a standard aperture. Any installer can simply slide the power module into the aperture, where it is reliably supported by the mounting flange 109, which would typically overlap with the upper surface of the desk by ten millimetres or so in all directions. No tools or skills are required. There is also no question of excess pressure on an upper surface of the module (e.g. from someone leaning on it) causing it to detach from the desk, as might be the case when existing modules are screwed to the underside of the desk.

This arrangement provides the further advantage that the mounting flange 109 performs the double duty of covering any irregularities or roughnesses around the edges of the aperture. This again increases the versatility of such power modules for retrofitting, as well as original equipment manufacture.

A desk power module as described herein may be configured for use with an electric power system of any country, as appropriate. A desk power module as described herein may be configured for use with any style of connector/plug and socket system, as applicable. A desk power module as described herein, and each component thereof, may be fabricated from any suitable material or and each component thereof, may be fabricated from any suitable material or combination of materials. The desk power module may comprise one or both of: a plastics material, a metal material. In an example, the desk power module comprises a plastics material and aluminium. The shape and dimensions, and the aesthetic appearance of a desk power module as described herein may vary between applications. A desk power module as described herein may carry one or more visual indications, which may also vary between applications.