Abstract: A self-contained electrical charging station includes a housing configured for coupling to a furniture article. The charging station includes an electrical output connector that is accessible from outside the housing, an electrical input connector supported at the housing and also accessible from outside the housing, and a self-contained electrical power source such as a rechargeable battery. The self-contained electrical power source is configured to be simultaneously electrically engaged with the electrical input connector and mechanically supported by at least one of the electrical input connector, the housing, or associated structure.

Abstract: An overhead electrical infeed system includes an overhead mount surface, an electrical cord coupled to the overhead mount surface, an electrical outlet assembly coupled to a distal end portion of the cord having a proximal end portion mounted to the overhead mount surface and a distal end portion spaced from the proximal end portion. At least a portion of the weight of the electrical outlet assembly is supported by the electrical cord. A retractor is positioned along the electrical cord and is operable to raise the electrical outlet assembly or to retain the electrical outlet assembly at a selected elevation. An electrical outlet is electrically energized by the electrical cord and is mounted to the electrical outlet assembly, to provide users with access to electrical or data signals.

Abstract: An electrical power and/or electronic data unit with voice communications capability includes a housing, a voice communications module, and an electrical power outlet coupled to the housing. The voice communications module is coupled to the housing and includes an audio speaker, a microphone, an audio signal receiver/processor, and an audio signal generator. The audio signal receiver/processor is configured to receive and process vocalized speech from a user. The voice communications module is configured to generate an audible response via the audio signal generator and the speaker, responsive to receiving and processing the vocalized speech from the user. The voice communications module is in electronic communication with a data source.

Abstract: A portable power or data receptacle includes an electrical cord, a housing body supporting one or more electrical receptacles, and a flexible housing portion that can be used to form a closed loop for retaining portions of the electrical cord. The flexible housing portion has a releasable fastener to selectively hold the flexible housing portion in the closed loop configuration, which allows the flexible housing portion to cooperate with the housing body to secure at least a portion of the cord in an organized manner. The flexible housing portion can also be used to help secure one or more electrical plugs to the electrical receptacle(s), such as to resist inadvertent removal of a plug from a corresponding receptacle.

Abstract: An electrical power or electronic data unit is provided for mounting in an isolated work space such as a work pod that is at least partially enclosed by walls or other surfaces. The unit includes a housing body, an electrical power outlet and/or an electronic data connector, and an occupancy sensor that is in communication with a controller. The controller is operable to energize and de-energize a lighting or ventilation system associated with the isolated work space in response to a signal received from the occupancy sensor, and may further be operable to energize and de-energize the power outlet or data connector. Optionally, an environmental sensor is provided with the unit, and is in communication with a building automation system.

Abstract: A process provides for manufacturing and formation of a series of metallic end products (220) within a stamping machine (100). The metallic end products (220) are formed from two subcomponents (176, 178) comprising a first work component (178) and a second work component (176). The work components (176, 178) are coupled together through a toggle lock procedure formed as part of the process. The two resultant work components (176, 178) which form the end product (220) are simultaneously formed, thereby providing significant advantages with respect to work cycle time to produce the resultant product, relative to the time required when individual work components are sequentially produced through the use of mechanical operations to which a first work component is processed, and then formation of a second work component is processed.

Abstract: An electrical outlet assembly is mountable in a floor or work surface, and includes an upper bezel and a lower insert that are joined in a non-rigid manner that permits some adjustment to the spacing and/or tilt of the upper bezel relative to the lower insert. The upper bezel and lower insert are joined together by a plurality of fasteners extending between a plurality of fastener receivers coupled to the upper bezel, and to the lower insert. At least one end of each coupling fastener is loosely captured in such a way that when the coupling fasteners are fully secured, they are permitted to move axially relative to the fastener receiver or the lower insert. This allows the lower insert to be repositionable in its axial direction relative to the upper bezel, and also permits the lower insert to be tilted out of alignment with the upper bezel.

Abstract: An electrical power and/or electronic data unit is mountable in a floor, and is fitted with an upper bezel that is openable and closable to provide selective access to one or more electrical power or data outlets. A bezel supports one or more shutters that are movable between open and closed positions. Optionally, the shutters are supported on an openable main door that provides additional access to the outlets when the main door is open. The main door can be closed and opened with the shutters in either the open or closed positions. Respective top surfaces of the shutters, the main door, and the bezel may be co-planar when the main door and shutters are closed, and the shutters may be hidden entirely beneath the main door when the main door is closed and the shutters are open.

Abstract: A self-contained electrical charging station includes a housing configured for coupling to a furniture article. The charging station includes an electrical output connector that is accessible from outside the housing, an electrical input connector supported at the housing and also accessible from outside the housing, and a self-contained electrical power source such as a rechargeable battery. The self-contained electrical power source is configured to be simultaneously electrically engaged with the electrical input connector and mechanically supported by at least one of the electrical input connector, the housing, or associated structure.

Abstract: A low voltage power outlet assembly is adapted for providing access to low voltage power in compact spaces. The low voltage power outlet assembly includes a circuit subassembly that is operable to transform a line voltage input, such as about 110V to 220V AC, to a lower voltage output, such as about 2V to 12V DC. Electrical input conductors receive and convey the line voltage from a power source to the circuit subassembly, while electrical conductors convey the lower voltage output from the circuit subassembly to a low voltage power receptacle that is arranged in a same housing as the circuit subassembly. The low voltage power outlet is mountable in different housings, faceplates, and the like, to accommodate different mounting styles and locations. The low voltage power receptacle includes at least two different receptacles, such as a USB Type-A outlet and a USB Type-C outlet.

Abstract: An electrical power cord includes intelligent switching capability. An electrical power input receives electrical power from a power source, and selectively conveys that power to an electrical power output only when certain occupancy or power usage criteria are met. The electrical power output conveys electrical power to an electrical consumer when a switch disposed along the power cord is closed. The switch is actuated in response to a signal received from a sensor, such as an occupancy sensor or a power consumption sensor, and breaks continuity along the power cord when signals received from the sensor indicate that the occupancy or power usage criteria are not being met, which criteria may be customized for a particular application. The electrical power cord is operable to automatically reduce or substantially eliminate power consumption at its power output end.

Abstract: A four wire system includes a receptacle section positioned intermediate a female end connector and a male end connector. Each connector includes a series of four conductive electrical wires consisting of a neutral wire, a ground wire, a first hot wire, and a second hot wire. Bus bars are conductively connected to the wires of the end connectors and are conductively connected to a series of terminals for supplying electrical power to an electrical receptacle.

Abstract: An electrical power supply includes fixed-position electrical power unit mountable along a furniture article or the like, and a portable electrical power unit that is releasably mountable at the fixed-position unit for recharging the portable unit. The fixed-position unit includes a receiver with an electrical charging output. The portable unit is releasably mountable to the receiver and includes its own electrical receptacle and an onboard rechargeable power source. The onboard rechargeable power source is recharged by the charging output and supplies electrical power to the portable unit's receptacle at least when the portable unit is removed from the fixed-position unit. Optionally, the fixed-position electrical power unit includes a fixed electrical receptacle adjacent the portable unit when the portable unit is mounted at the fixed-position unit. A push-to-release mechanism may be provided to releasably secure the portable unit at the fixed-position unit.

Abstract: An electrical box supports one or more electrical or electronic data outlets in a cavity, with a dual-hinged door at least partially covering an opening to the cavity when the door is closed. The door is openable in either of two directions by pivoting it about either of two spaced-apart pivot axes that are defined by respective pivot arms coupled to opposite ends and opposite sides of the door, the pivot arms being further coupled at their respective proximal ends to opposite walls of the housing. A retaining feature releasably secures the door in the closed position and may provide sensory feedback to a user upon closing the door. Optionally, the door has a floating appearance in the opening to the cavity, with no direct contact existing between the door and the housing.

Abstract: A drape-over article for furniture includes a flexible or rigid body that has an inverted U-shape, or is capable of assuming an inverted U-shape. The body has downwardly-extending inner and outer arm portions spaced apart from one another, and a central bight portion that forms an upper region of the body. An electrical power and/or electronic data outlet is mountable to the outer arm portion and is accessible along an outer surface of the outer arm portion. The electrical power and/or electronic data outlet can be energized by an electrical power source such as a wall outlet or an onboard battery.