Underdesk apparatus for organizing electronics and connections

Abstract

An under desk system is described for mounting electrical devices and their cords to home and office furniture, in particular beneath the desk to remove the clutter and mess often strewn about a computer laden desk. By way of example a rigid planar base member is adapted with engagement structures to retain a power strip, and further adapted with a plurality of band retention fingers configured for engaging elastic bands for being strapped between retention fingers on opposite sides of the power strip to retain AC adapters plugged into the power strip. Devices are also described for retaining modems, routers, wireless communication ports, and other small electrical devices to vertical surfaces, or more preferably beneath desk or other furnishings. These devices can be manufactured using molding processes or any other desired methods.

1 . An apparatus for mounting electrical devices and their power and communications cords to home and office furniture, comprising: 
 at least one base plate;    a mounting means coupled to said base plate which is configured for attaching said base plate vertically or underneath home and office furniture;    at least one elongate support element protruding from each said base plate, said support element adapted for restraining the movement of electrical devices, power strips, or electrical cabling in relation to home and office furniture; and    a plurality of band retention fingers extending from each said base plate;    said band retention fingers are configured for engaging elastic bands to be coupled between separate band retention fingers and passing over said support element and the electrical devices, power strips, or electrical cabling to retain these against said support element.    
   
   
       2 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said support element comprises means for releasably or permanently engaging an AC power strip, having one or more AC power sockets and an AC cord, to said base plate.  
   
   
       3 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said support element comprises protrusions for inserting into and releasably engaging the AC power strip.  
   
   
       4 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 1:   wherein at least two rows of said elongate support elements protrude from a single base plate;    wherein at least two rows of band retention fingers extend on either side of the rows of said elongate support elements; and    wherein said support elements are adapted with grooves and/or slots to engage power or communication cords through said support elements for retention by elastic bands.    
   
   
       5 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 1:   wherein said at least one base plate comprises a first and second base plate;    wherein said support element extends from each said first and second base plate; and    wherein a row of said band retention fingers extends from each said first and second base plate and are adapted for engaging elastic bands from said band retention fingers on said first base plate to said band retention fingers on said second base plate and passing over said support elements toward retaining an electrical device between said first and second base plates under said elastic bands.    
   
   
       6 . An apparatus for mounting an electrical distribution device to home and office furniture, comprising: 
 a base plate formed from a rigid material;    a mounting means coupled to said base plate which is configured for attaching said base plate vertically or underneath a desk or cabinet;    means for engaging an electrical distribution device as an AC power strip to said base plate having one or more AC power sockets and an AC cord; and    a plurality of releasable band retention fingers extending from said base plate which are configured for engaging elastic bands to be coupled between opposing band retention fingers and passing over the AC power strip to secure AC adapters plugged therein to prevent disengagement of AC adapters.    
   
   
       7 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 6 , wherein said mounting means comprises apertures for engagement by fasteners for attachment of said base plate to the desk or cabinet, or an adhesive material for adhering said base plate to the desk or cabinet to which it is to be fastened.  
   
   
       8 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 6:   further comprising an AC power strip; and    wherein said means for engaging comprises a permanent attachment of said AC power strip to said base plate.    
   
   
       9 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 6 , wherein said means for engaging comprises engagement members on said base plate which are configured for attachment to the AC power strip.  
   
   
       10 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 9 , wherein said engagement members comprise at least two protrusions adapted for slidably engaging recesses on the AC power strip.  
   
   
       11 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 6 , wherein said band retention fingers extend at least approximately one-quarter to one-half inch from said base plate and are configured for hooking said elastic bands upon.  
   
   
       12 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 6 , wherein said base plate, device interface, engagement members, and plurality of releasable band retention members are molded in a single piece.  
   
   
       13 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 6 , further comprising a locking element configured for engaging said base member to prevent the AC power strip, which is slidably engaged on said engagement means, from inadvertently sliding away from and becoming disengaged from said engagement means.  
   
   
       14 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 6 , wherein said band retention fingers are molded into said base plate.  
   
   
       15 . An apparatus for mounting an electrical distribution device to home or office furniture, comprising: 
 a base plate formed from a rigid material;    mounting means comprising either apertures for engagement by fasteners for attachment of said base plate to the home or office furniture, or an adhesive material for adhering said base plate to the home or office furniture to which it is to be fastened in a vertical or underside orientation;    at least two engagement structures on said base plate which are configured for releasable mating engagement with an electrical distribution, AC power strip, to said base plate having one or more AC power sockets and an AC cord; and    a plurality of releasable band retention fingers extending from said base plate which are configured for engaging elastic bands to be coupled between opposing band retention fingers and passing over the AC power strip to secure AC adapters plugged therein to prevent disengagement of AC adapters.    
   
   
       16 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 15 , wherein said band retention fingers extend at least approximately one-quarter to one-half inch from said base plate and are configured for hooking said elastic bands upon.  
   
   
       17 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 15 , wherein said base plate, engagement structures, and plurality of releasable band retention fingers are molded in a single piece.  
   
   
       18 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 15 , further comprising a locking pin configured for engaging said base member to prevent sliding of an AC power strip engaged on said base member, toward preventing inadvertent disengagement of the AC power strip from said base member.  
   
   
       19 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 15 , wherein said band retention fingers are molded into said base plate.  
   
   
       20 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 15 , wherein said base plate is comprises a substantially planar element of a rigid material, and from which said band retention fingers extend therefrom.