HK1218351B - Interchangeable base system - Google Patents

Description

Interchangeable base system

Technical Field

The present invention relates to surface mountable units for providing power and/or data at or near a work surface, and more particularly to mounting hardware for securing such units in place.

Background

Power supply units and other equipment are often located at or near work surfaces such as tables, wall panels, etc. Such power units may be placed on a work surface via attachment hardware, or may be permanently or temporarily affixed to the work surface or another nearby surface.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention provides interchangeable base systems for use in power and/or data units and the like that may be positioned on or along a work surface, in a work area, or elsewhere that generally provides access to a power source. The interchangeable base system allows a particular power and/or data unit to be dedicated to a particular type or installation location (such as along an edge of a table or table, at an opening formed in a table or table, or along a wall or other substantially vertical surface) without substantially modifying the functional or most obvious housing portion of the power and/or data unit. Power and/or data units utilizing interchangeable base systems may be initially assembled or configured for one type of installation location or method, and may be later reconfigured for a different installation type or location with minimal modification and preferably without the use of tools.

In one form of the invention there is provided an interchangeable base system for use with power and/or data units configured for use in a work area or the like. The base system comprises a bottom housing portion or a wall associated with the electrical unit, and at least two different mounts, each of which is configured for direct or indirect attachment to the bottom housing portion. The bottom housing portion has a socket portion and each mount has an engagement portion for mating with the socket portion. The mounting member also has respective distal mounting portions that are different from one another. The different distal mounting portions are configured for mounting to different types of surfaces, such that the electrical unit may be configured for mounting at different locations or in different manners, such as along an edge of the table, through a hole or opening in the table, or along a generally upright surface (such as a wall).

According to another form, an interchangeable base system includes a bottom housing portion or wall having a recessed receptacle portion, one or more latch members at the receptacle portion, and first and second mounts having engagement portions received in the recessed receptacle portion of the bottom housing portion. The bottom housing portion forms a lower portion of the power and/or data unit and its recessed receptacle portion is substantially surrounded on all sides by a plurality of side walls of the power and/or data unit. The mount is interchangeably mounted to the bottom housing portion and has a corresponding distal mounting portion in addition to an engagement portion that is closest to the mounting portion. The distal mounting portion of the first mount is configured for a first type of attachment to a mounting surface, such as hole mounting (for example), and the distal mounting portion of the second mount is configured for a second type of attachment to the same or a different mounting surface, such as edge mounting (for example), such that the first type of attachment is different than the second type of attachment. The latch member releasably secures the first or second mount when the proximal engagement portion is engaged in the recessed receptacle portion of the bottom housing portion. When the distal mounting portion of the first or second mount is coupled to one of the mounting surfaces and the proximal engagement portion of the first or second mount is secured at the recessed receptacle portion, the recessed receptacle portion and the proximal engagement portion are surrounded by the side walls of the power and/or data unit.

In one aspect, the distal mounting portion of the first mount and the distal mounting portion of the second mount are configured for attachment to a member selected from the group consisting of (i) a substantially vertical wall, (ii) a working surface edge, (iii) an opening formed in the working surface, and (iv) first and second working surfaces in the elongate channel.

In another aspect, third and fourth mounts are provided, each mount having a proximal engagement portion and a distal mounting portion, such that the distal mounting portion of each of the first, second, third and fourth mounts is configured for attachment to a respective one selected from the group consisting of (i) a substantially vertical wall, (ii) a working surface edge, (iii) an opening formed in a working surface, and (iv) an elongate channel.

In yet another aspect, the bottom housing portion includes a lower surface configured to rest on a mounting surface (such as a table or a table) when the distal mounting portion of the first or second mounting member is coupled to the mounting surface.

In another aspect, the latch member includes resilient downwardly extending projections configured to engage corresponding latch surfaces of the proximal engagement surfaces of the first and second mounts. The latch member is configured to be manually biased to an unlatched position in which the resilient latch member is disengaged from the corresponding latch surface. Optionally, the latch member is located entirely above the lower surface of the bottom housing portion and is surrounded on all sides by the side walls of the power and/or data unit.

In a further aspect, the base system is combined with a power and/or data unit that includes at least one jack selected from the group consisting of (i) a high voltage power jack, (ii) a low voltage power jack, (iii) a communications jack, and (iv) an electronic data jack. Such sockets are typically mounted at an opening formed in one of the side walls of the power and/or data unit and such that the side wall is coupled to the bottom housing portion.

Optionally, the recessed receptacle portion, the latch member and the proximal engagement portion are configured to allow linear insertion and full engagement of the proximal engagement portion with the recessed receptacle portion when securing the first or second mount to the bottom housing portion.

The interchangeable cover system of the present invention thus provides a reconfigurable and easily customizable base or mounting system for power and/or data units that maximizes the number of installation options available for a given unit at a lower cost and with the little skill and time required to reconfigure the given unit from one type of mounting to another. The mounted power and/or data unit has a clean appearance with the mounting portion completely or substantially obscured from the user's view in the work area.

These and other objects, advantages, objects, and features of the present invention will become apparent upon review of the following specification in conjunction with the drawings.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a bottom perspective view of a power supply unit incorporating an edge mount base according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the power supply unit of FIG. 1 with a wall mount base according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the power supply unit of FIG. 1 fitted with a hole mounting base in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of another power supply unit substantially similar to the power supply unit of FIG. 1, equipped with a channel mounting base in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a partially exploded bottom perspective view of the power supply unit and the hole mount base of FIG. 3 with a threaded base portion coupled to the power supply unit;

fig. 6 is a bottom perspective view showing another power supply unit mounted with the hole mounting base of fig. 3;

FIG. 7 is a bottom rear perspective view of a base or bottom housing portion of the power supply unit of FIGS. 1-3;

FIG. 8 is a bottom front perspective view of the bottom housing portion of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of the bottom housing portion of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a bottom perspective view of the bottom housing portion of FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of the bottom housing portion of FIG. 7;

FIG. 12 is a rear elevational view of the bottom housing portion of FIG. 7;

FIG. 13 is a right side view of the bottom housing portion of FIG. 7;

FIG. 14 is a left side elevational view of the bottom housing portion of FIG. 7;

FIG. 15 is a bottom rear perspective view of the threaded base portion of FIGS. 3, 5 and 6;

FIG. 16 is a top rear perspective view of the threaded base portion of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a top plan view of the threaded base portion of FIG. 15;

FIG. 18 is a bottom plan view of the threaded base portion of FIG. 15;

FIG. 19 is a front view of the threaded base portion of FIG. 15;

FIG. 20 is a rear view of the threaded base portion of FIG. 15;

FIG. 21 is a right side view of the threaded base portion of FIG. 15;

FIG. 22 is a left side view of the threaded base portion of FIG. 15;

FIG. 23 is a top perspective view of the power supply unit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 24 is a bottom perspective view of the power supply unit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 25 is a front view of the power supply unit of FIG. 1;

fig. 26 is a right side view of the power supply unit of fig. 1;

FIG. 27 is a left side view of the power supply unit of FIG. 1;

fig. 28 is a rear view of the power supply unit of fig. 1;

FIG. 29 is a bottom front perspective view of the power supply unit and hole mounting base similar to FIG. 5 and including an enlarged view of the respective engagement portions prior to engagement;

FIG. 30 is another bottom front perspective view showing the power supply unit and the hole mount base of FIG. 29 fully engaged, and including an enlarged view of the respective engagement portions;

FIG. 31 is a front cross-sectional view of the power supply unit and the hole mounting base of FIG. 29 and including a threaded collar on the hole mounting base;

FIG. 32 is a front cross-sectional view of the power supply unit and the hole mounting base of FIG. 30 and including a threaded collar on the hole mounting base;

33A-33C are front views showing the power supply unit and the hole mounting base of FIGS. 30 and 32 mounted to work surfaces of different thicknesses;

FIG. 34 is an exploded bottom front perspective view of the edge mounting base of FIG. 1;

FIG. 35 is an exploded bottom front perspective view of the wall mount base of FIG. 2;

FIG. 36 is an exploded bottom front perspective view of the hole mount base of FIG. 3;

FIG. 37 is a bottom front perspective view showing the channel mounting base of FIG. 4 prior to engagement with a channel member;

FIG. 38A is a right side view showing the power supply unit and edge mount base of FIG. 1 prior to securing the clamp portion;

FIG. 38B is a right side view of the power supply unit and edge mounting base of FIG. 1 showing the clamp portion in an uppermost position along the bracket portion;

FIG. 38C is a right side view of the power supply unit and edge mount base of FIG. 1 showing the clamp portion in an intermediate position along the bracket portion;

FIG. 38D is a right side view showing the power supply unit and edge mount base of FIG. 1 before securing the clamping portion in the opposite direction; and

fig. 38E is a right side view of the power supply unit and edge mount base of fig. 1 showing the clamping portion in a lowermost position along the bracket portion.

Detailed Description

Interchangeable bases or mounting systems are provided for use with power and/or data units and the like. The base system allows the same (or the same type of) power and/or data unit to be configured for a variety of different mounting styles or locations in a space, such as a work area. The mounting location may include, for example, an edge of a table or wall panel, an opening formed in the table or wall panel (i.e., spaced inwardly from a peripheral edge thereof), or along a wall or other generally upright or horizontal surface. The power and/or data unit includes a lower socket or receiving portion which can be engaged by a variety of different bases or mountings, preferably all having a substantially similar engaging portion which can be secured to the coupler portion of the unit without the use of tools, and preferably secured in a manner which facilitates subsequent removal of the base or mounting, such as when a different base or mounting is being installed.

Throughout this specification, for convenience and reference to the drawings, the terms "upper" or "top", "lower" or "bottom", "front", "back", "over" or "above" and "under" or "below" may be used to refer to the relative directions. It is to be understood, however, that such terms are used for clarity of description and are not to be construed as limiting in any way.

Referring now to the drawings and the exemplary embodiments depicted therein, an interchangeable base or mounting system 10 includes at least a bottom housing portion 12a-c of power and/or data units 14a-c (fig. 1-6) and a plurality of different kinds of compatible mounts. For example, the mounts may include the work surface edge mount 16 (fig. 1, 35, and 38A-38E), the wall mount 18 (fig. 2 and 35), the aperture mount 20 (fig. 3, 5, 6, 15-22, 29-33C, and 36), and the channel mount 22 (fig. 4 and 37). Each bottom housing portion or wall 12a-c is generally coupled to a respective side wall 21a-c of the electrical unit 14, the side walls 21a-c being comprised of a plurality of upstanding side walls (such as shown, which may be integrally formed) coupled to the respective bottom housing portion 12a-c and extending upwardly from the respective bottom housing portion 12 a-c. The side walls 21a-c each define one or more openings 23 in which respective electrical or data outlets 25 are mounted and accessible. The outlets 25 may include, for example, a high voltage power outlet 25a, a low voltage power outlet 25b such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) power outlet, a communications outlet such as a telephone jack, and an electronic data outlet such as a USB outlet, HDMI outlet, serial port, and the like.

Each of the bottom housing portions 12a-c includes a mechanical receptacle or receptacle portion 24, which in the illustrated embodiment is substantially identical regardless of the size of the bottom housing portions 12a-c and the size or configuration of the power and/or data units 14a-c (which may be collectively referred to hereinafter as "electrical units 14"). As will be described in more detail below, each mount (16, 18, 20, 22) has a respective proximal engagement portion (16a, 18a, 20a, 22a) and a respective distal mounting portion (16b, 18b, 20b, 22b), the proximal engagement portions being substantially identical to each other, or at least all of the proximal engagement portions being mechanically compatible with the receptacle portion 24, and the distal mounting portions being configured differently so that the electrical unit can be secured to a variety of different surfaces or different locations.

As shown in fig. 5, and particularly in fig. 7-14, a recessed receptacle or receiving portion 24 is integrally formed as part of the bottom housing portion 12a (and may also be integrally formed as part of bottom housing portions 12b and 12c such as shown in fig. 4 and 6) and is recessed above a generally planar lower surface portion 26a-c of the respective bottom housing portion 12 a-c. In the illustrated embodiment, such as shown in FIGS. 1-3, 5, 6, 29-32, 38B, 38C, and 38E, the generally planar lower surfaces 26a-C are flush with the lower edge portions of the respective sidewalls 21 a-C. This arrangement allows the lower surface portions 26a-c to rest on or along a work surface on which the respective power units 14a-c are mounted, and since the receptacle portion 24 is recessed upwardly above the respective lower surface portions 26a-c, when the distal mounting portions (16b, 18b, 20b, 22b) are coupled to the work surface in the usual arrangement, the receptacle portion 24 and any proximal engagement portions (16a, 18a, 20a, 22a) received in the receptacle portion 24 will be obscured from view of the user, and since the side walls 21a-c laterally surround the sides of the receptacle portion 24, the work surface blocks substantially any view from below.

This presents a clean appearance after installation, whereby only the side walls 21a-c, top wall and electrical or data outlets 25 of the power unit are generally visible to the user, while the mounts (16, 18, 20, 22) are completely or substantially blocked from normal view. Even for those mounts 18, 22 that can be mounted to a vertical surface, the mounts themselves will typically be obscured from view by a generally horizontal work surface located directly below the power unit and/or by the upper housing of the power unit.

The bottom housing portions 12a-c are sized to cover substantially the entire bottom of a given electrical unit of any size, while the size of the receptacle portion 24 remains substantially unchanged. Thus, the planar portion 26a of the bottom housing portion 12a is made relatively larger for the larger electrical unit 14a, while the planar portion 26c of the bottom housing portion 12c is relatively smaller for the smaller electrical unit 14c of fig. 6, and the planar portion 26b of the bottom housing portion 12b is of an intermediate size for the intermediate sized electrical unit of fig. 4.

The receptacle portions 24 each include a pair of resilient latch members 28 projecting or extending downwardly from a corresponding recessed plate 30 (fig. 7 and 8), but as best shown in fig. 11 and 12, the latch members 28 do not project below the flat portion 26 of the bottom housing portion 12 a. As shown in fig. 29-32, each latch member 28 has an inwardly directed hook portion 28a (fig. 7, 8 and 10) that snap-engages a corresponding latch surface 32 of the proximal engagement portion (16a, 18a, 20a, 22a) of each mount (16, 18, 20, 22). The hook portion 28a can be disengaged from the latch surface 32 by manually biasing the latch member 28 outwardly to remove a given mount (16, 18, 20, 22), after which the proximal engagement portion (16a, 18a, 20a, 22a) of the mount (16, 18, 20, 22) can be pulled away from the receptacle portion 24 of the bottom housing portion 12 a-c. Alternatively, substantially any type of securing device or hardware may be used to secure a given proximal engagement portion to the receptacle portion 24, including threaded fasteners, hook and loop fasteners, magnets, or other easily removable couplers. If a more permanent connection is desired, rivets, adhesives, heat welding, etc. may be used to secure a given mount (16, 18, 20, 22) to the socket portion 24.

It should be appreciated that in the illustrated embodiment, the recessed receptacle portion 24, latch member 28 and proximal engagement portion (16a, 18a, 20a, 22a) are configured or arranged to allow linear insertion and full engagement of the proximal engagement portion with the receptacle portion when the desired mount (16, 18, 20, 22) is secured to the bottom housing portions 12 a-c. No pivoting or combined movement is required and latch member 28 can be simultaneously released by grasping electrical units 14a-c in the fingers, inserting two thumbs into receptacle portion 24 to engage latch member 28, and pulling latch members 28 outward to bias them away from each other and out of engagement with latch surface 32.

Alternatively, and as shown in the illustrated embodiment, such as shown in fig. 1-5, 29 and 30, the receptacle portion 24 includes a wire slot 34 that provides clearance for wires 36 to be routed through or around the proximal engagement portion (16a, 18a, 20a, 22a) of each mount (16, 18, 20, 22) when the mount is attached to an electrical unit. The wire slot 34 defines an opening 38 through which the wire 36 is routed into the electrical unit 14. The opening 38 may be fitted with a grommet 40 (fig. 5, 24, 29, 31 and 32) that prevents the wire 36 from fraying the edge of the wire slot 34 at the opening 38, and may also provide strain relief for the wire 36.

As mentioned above, each proximal engagement portion (16a, 18a, 20a, 22a) is substantially identical to the corresponding engagement portion of the other mount, or at least mechanically compatible with the socket portion 24. For example, each proximal engagement portion (16a, 18a, 20a, 22a) includes a latch surface 32 positioned at the same location on each engagement portion (16a, 18a, 20a, 22a), such as shown in fig. 31, 32, and 34-37. Each proximal engagement portion (16a, 18a, 20a, 22a) includes a generally planar top surface 42 that engages or is located proximate to the recessed plate 30 of the receptacle portion 24 when the corresponding mount is coupled thereto, such as shown in the enlarged view of fig. 32. Each proximal engagement portion may also have a downwardly extending sidewall 44 extending down from the top surface 42 and generally sized and shaped to fit into the recessed receptacle portion 24 to provide additional structural support. In the illustrated embodiment, portions of the side walls 44 define and terminate respective ones of the latch surfaces 32, such as shown in fig. 31-37.

The distal mounting portions (16b, 18b, 20b, 22b) of the respective mounts (16, 18, 20, 22) are different from one another, as opposed to the proximal engagement portions (16a, 18a, 20a, 22a), thereby enabling a user to select a desired mount to secure the electrical unit 14 to a desired location and/or a desired surface. For example, and with reference to fig. 1, 34, and 38A-38E, the distal mounting portion 16b of the work surface edge mount 16 includes a bracket portion 46 and a movable clamp portion 48 that can be positioned at different locations (and in different orientations) along the bracket portion 46 (fig. 38A-38E) to accommodate work surfaces of different thicknesses (as in fig. 33A-33C). The clamping portion 48 comprises a generally L-shaped clamping member 48a which receives a thumb screw for tightening the work surface edge mount 16 to the edge of a table, wall panel or even ceiling tile, structural member, floor panel, table leg or the like.

The distal mounting portion 18b of the wall mount 18 includes a generally planar shelf portion 50 extending downwardly from the top surface 42 of the proximal engagement portion 18a and having a plurality of holes or openings 52 (shown in fig. 2 and 35 as keyhole openings) to receive corresponding screws 54 or other suitable mechanical fasteners, such as nails, rivets or the like. It is also contemplated that the bracket portion 50 may be secured to a wall or other generally upright surface (or even a horizontal or inclined surface) by adhesive, welding, hook-and-loop fasteners, or substantially any suitable attachment hardware or method.

The distal mounting portion 20b of the bore mount 20 has a male threaded region 56 (fig. 19-22) configured to receive a female threaded sleeve 58 (fig. 3, 6, and 29-33C) that is threaded over the male threaded region 56 and tightened to secure the bore mount 20 (and associated electrical unit 14) to a bore or opening 60 formed or established in a work surface 62a-C, such as shown in fig. 33A-33C. The length of the collar 58 along the male threaded region 56 is adjustable to accommodate mounting the electrical unit 14 on a work surface having substantially any common thickness, ranging from a relatively thick surface 62a of fig. 33A to a surface 62B of intermediate thickness of fig. 33B to a relatively thin surface 62C of fig. 33C.

The distal mounting portion 22b of the channel mount 22 extends rearwardly and upwardly behind the electrical unit 14 to where the channel mount 22 is attached, such as shown in fig. 4 and 37. The distal mounting portion includes a generally planar shelf portion 64 extending upwardly and having a pair of generally L-shaped (in cross-section) elongated projections 66 sized and shaped for sliding receipt in corresponding slot portions 68 of a generally C-shaped elongated channel 70, such as shown in fig. 37. As shown, a plurality of C-shaped channels may be arranged vertically spaced along the mounting panel 72, which may be oriented in an upright orientation or a horizontal or inclined orientation. Alternatively, the orientation of the L-shaped protrusion 66 may be changed to achieve the desired orientation of the electrical unit 14.

It should be understood that the distal mounting portions (16b, 18b, 20b, 22b) are merely illustrative examples of different types of mounting configurations or shapes or hardware that may be used, and it is contemplated that many other different types of mounting portions may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. It should also be understood that other design changes are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the interchangeable base may be applied to an electrical unit having any one (or combination) of a high voltage power outlet, a low voltage power outlet such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) outlet, a communications outlet, and an electronic data outlet. The interchangeable base system may also be applied to non-electrical systems or units. It is further contemplated that the portion of the housing that actually forms the receptacle portion may be a side wall or a top wall, and not necessarily a "bottom" wall or housing portion. It is also envisaged that the socket portion may be a separate piece from the housing portion (such as, for example, a socket portion attached to a surface of the housing of the electrical unit) and need not be integrally formed with a portion or wall of the electrical unit or one or more of its housings.

Thus, the interchangeable mount or base system of the present invention provides a reconfigurable and easily customizable base or mount that is substantially interchangeable or replaceable at the power and/or data unit. The system maximizes the number of installation options available for a given unit at a lower cost and with little skill and time required to reconfigure the unit from one type of installation to another. As shown, a given power and/or data unit may be assembled with a desired base simply by pressing and tightening the base into engagement with the socket portion of the power and/or data unit, and the base may later be separated from the power and/or data unit by releasing a flexible latch tab or other releasable securing device. The mounted power and/or data unit has a generally clean appearance with the interface components or surfaces between the unit and its interchangeable base completely or substantially obscured from view.

Changes and modifications in the specifically described embodiments may be carried out without departing from the principles of the present invention, which is intended to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims as interpreted according to the principles of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents.

Claims (20)

1. An interchangeable base system for use with a power and/or data unit, the base system comprising:

a bottom housing portion configured to form a lower portion of a power and/or data unit, the bottom housing portion having a recessed receptacle portion surrounded on each side by a plurality of sidewalls of the power and/or data unit;

first and second mounts interchangeably mountable to the bottom housing portion, the first and second mounts having respective proximal engagement portions and distal mounting portions, the proximal engagement portions configured to be received in the recessed receptacle portions of the bottom housing portion, wherein the distal mounting portion of the first mount is configured for a first type of attachment to a mounting surface and the distal mounting portion of the second mount is configured for a second type of attachment to the same or a different mounting surface, wherein the first type of attachment is different than the second type of attachment; and

one or more latch members at the recessed receptacle portion configured to releasably secure either of the first and second mounts upon engagement of the proximal engagement portion into the recessed receptacle portion of the bottom housing portion;

wherein, when the distal mounting portion of the first or second mount is coupled to one of the mounting surfaces and the proximal engagement portion of the first or second mount is secured at the recessed receptacle portion, the recessed receptacle portion and the proximal engagement portion are surrounded by a sidewall of a power and/or data unit.

2. The pedestal system of claim 1, wherein the distal mounting portion of the first mount and the distal mounting portion of the second mount are configured to be attached to first and second working surfaces selected from the group consisting of (i) a substantially vertical wall, (ii) a working surface edge, (iii) an opening formed in a working surface, and (iv) an elongate channel.

3. The pedestal system of claim 2, further comprising third and fourth mounts each having a proximal engagement portion and a distal mounting portion, wherein the distal mounting portion of each of the first, second, third, and fourth mounts is configured for attachment to a respective one selected from the group consisting of (i) a substantially vertical wall, (ii) a working surface edge, (iii) an opening formed in a working surface, and (iv) an elongate channel.

4. The pedestal system of claim 1, wherein the bottom housing portion comprises a lower surface configured to rest on a mounting surface when the distal mounting portion of the first or second mount is coupled to a mounting surface.

5. The pedestal system of claim 4, wherein the one or more latch members include resilient downwardly extending projections configured to engage respective latch surfaces of the proximal engagement surfaces of the first and second mounts, and wherein the resilient latch members are configured to be manually biased to an disengaged position in which the resilient latch members are disengaged from the respective latch surfaces.

6. The pedestal system according to claim 4, wherein the latch member is located entirely above the lower surface of the bottom housing portion and is surrounded on all sides by a side wall of a power and/or data unit.

7. The base system of claim 1, further in combination with a power and/or data unit comprising at least one jack selected from the group consisting of (i) a high voltage power jack, (ii) a low voltage power jack, (iii) a communications jack, and (iv) an electronic data jack.

8. The base system of claim 7, wherein the at least one socket is mounted at an opening formed in one of the side walls of the power and/or data unit, and wherein the side wall is coupled to the bottom housing portion.

9. The base system of claim 1, wherein the recessed receptacle portion, the latch member, and the proximal engagement portion are configured to allow linear insertion and full engagement of the proximal engagement portion with the recessed receptacle portion when securing the first or second mount to the bottom housing portion.

10. A power and/or data unit having an interchangeable base system, comprising:

a housing having a bottom wall and a plurality of side walls extending upwardly from the bottom wall;

at least one power or data outlet mounted in the housing;

the bottom wall defining a recessed receptacle portion laterally surrounded in each direction by the side wall;

at least first and second mounts interchangeably mountable to the bottom wall, the mounts having respective proximal engagement portions and distal mounting portions, the proximal engagement portions being configured to be received in the recessed receptacle portions and the distal mounting portions being differently configured from one another to engage different mounting surfaces; and

a latch member at the recessed receptacle portion, the latch member configured to releasably secure either of the first and second mounts to the bottom wall upon engagement of the proximal engagement portion into the recessed receptacle portion;

wherein when the distal mounting portion of the first or second mount is coupled to one of the mounting surfaces and the proximal engagement portion of the first or second mount is secured at the recessed receptacle portion, both the recessed receptacle portion and the proximal engagement portion are laterally surrounded by the side wall.

11. The power and/or data unit of claim 10, wherein the distal mounting portions of the first and second mounts are configured for attachment to respective different mounting surfaces selected from (i) substantially vertical walls, (ii) working surface edges, (iii) openings formed in working surfaces, and (iv) mounting surfaces in an elongate channel.

12. The pedestal system of claim 10, wherein the bottom wall includes a lower surface configured to rest on a mounting surface when the distal mounting portion of one of the first and second mounts is coupled to the mounting surface.

13. The pedestal system of claim 10, including two of the latch members in the form of resilient downwardly extending projections configured to engage respective latch surfaces of the proximal engagement surfaces of the first and second mounts, and wherein the resilient latch members are configured to be manually biased apart from each other to respective disengaged positions in which the resilient latch members are disengaged from the respective latch surfaces.

14. The base system of claim 10, wherein the at least one power or data outlet comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of (i) a high voltage power outlet, (ii) a low voltage power outlet, (iii) a communications outlet, and (iv) an electronic data outlet.

15. The pedestal system of claim 14, wherein the at least one power or data outlet is mounted at an opening formed in one of the side walls.

16. The base system of claim 10, wherein the recessed receptacle portion, the latch member, and the proximal engagement portion are configured to allow linear insertion and full engagement of the proximal engagement portion with the recessed receptacle portion when securing either of the first and second mounts to the bottom housing portion.

17. A power and/or data unit having an interchangeable base system, comprising:

a housing having a bottom wall and a plurality of side walls extending upwardly from the bottom wall;

at least one power or data outlet mounted in the housing;

the bottom wall defining a recessed receptacle portion laterally surrounded in each direction by the side wall, the recessed receptacle portion including a downwardly extending latch member;

at least first and second mounts configured to be interchangeably coupled to the bottom wall, the mounts having respective proximal engagement portions and distal mounting portions, the proximal engagement portions being configured to be received in the recessed receptacle portions and engaged by the latch member, and the distal mounting portions being differently configured from one another to engage different mounting surfaces;

wherein the recessed receptacle portion, the latch member and the proximal engagement portion are configured to allow linear insertion and full engagement of the proximal engagement portion with the recessed receptacle portion when securing either of the first and second mounts to the bottom housing portion; and

wherein when the distal mounting portion of the first or second mount is coupled to one of the mounting surfaces and the proximal engagement portion of the first or second mount is secured at the recessed receptacle portion, both the recessed receptacle portion and the proximal engagement portion are laterally surrounded by the side wall.

18. The power and/or data unit of claim 17, wherein the distal mounting portions of the first and second mounts are configured for attachment to respective different mounting surfaces selected from (i) a substantially vertical wall, (ii) a working surface edge, (iii) an opening formed in a working surface, and (iv) a mounting surface in an elongate channel.

19. The power and/or data unit of claim 18, wherein the distal mounting portion of a first said mount comprises a grip for attaching to an edge of a work surface and the distal mounting portion of a second said mount comprises a threaded sleeve and a male threaded portion for attaching to an opening formed in a work surface, and wherein the bottom wall comprises a lower surface configured to rest on a work surface when the distal mounting portion of the first or second mount is coupled to a work surface.

20. The power and/or data unit of claim 19, wherein one of the side walls defines an opening configured to provide access to the at least one power or data outlet, and the at least one power or data outlet comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of (i) a high voltage power outlet, (ii) a low voltage power outlet, (iii) a communications outlet, and (iv) an electronic data outlet.