Power and Communication Distributions System Using Split Bus Rail Structure

Abstract

A split bus rail system ( 100 ) is employed within a commercial interior ( 102 ). The system ( 100 ) includes a main rail ( 114 ) with a power bus assembly ( 116 ) and a communications bus assembly ( 112 ). Application devices ( 512 ) are selectively energized through connector modules ( 400 ) coupled to the bus assemblies ( 116, 118 ).

1 . An overhead system for use within a building infrastructure for supporting a plurality of application devices, said system comprising:
 a plurality of main rails interconnected so as to form a structural grid, said structural grid forming at least one visual plane relative to said building infrastructure;   said structural grid further forming a plurality of panel insert areas open to said building infrastructure;   a plurality of panels, said panels being inserted into said panel insert areas, said panels limiting access to space above said visual plane from below said visual plane; and   said plurality of main rails comprises means for permitting passage of cabling from above said visual plane to below said visual plane, in the absence of requiring any of said cabling to be passed through apertures of any of said panels.   
   
   
       2 . An overhead system for supporting and energizing a plurality of application devices electrically connectable to said overhead system, said system comprising at least one elongated main rail assembly forming a mechanical structure, constructed as a dual rail comprising an elongated power rail and an elongated communications rail. 
   
   
       3 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 2 , characterized in that said system further comprises connector means coupled to said at least one elongated main rail assembly for supporting vertically disposed functional elements below said elongated main rail assembly. 
   
   
       4 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 3 , characterized in that said functional elements comprise one or more space dividers. 
   
   
       5 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 2 , characterized in that said system further comprises:
 a plurality of elongated main rail assemblies; and   connector means connected to said elongated main rail assemblies for supporting horizontally disposed functional elements from said main rail assemblies.   
   
   
       6 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 5 , characterized in that said functional elements comprise visual shields. 
   
   
       7 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 2 , characterized in that said system further comprises:
 a plurality of elongated main rail assemblies;   connector means connected to said main rail assembly for supporting a plurality of functional elements above and/or below said main rail assembly; and   said functional elements consist of one or more of the following group: space dividers; visual shields; projection screens; visual projectors; and electric motors.   
   
   
       8 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 2 , characterized in that said system further comprises power distribution means adapted to be connected to a source of electrical power for energizing said application devices. 
   
   
       9 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 8 , characterized in that said system further comprises communications distribution means for carrying communication signals. 
   
   
       10 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 9 , characterized in that:
 said power distribution means comprises a power bus assembly adapted to be connected to a source of electrical power, and coupled to said power rail so as to distribute said electrical power along the length of said elongated power rail for energizing said application devices; and   said communications distribution means comprises a communications bus assembly coupled to said communications rail, so as to carry communication signals along the length of said communications rail.   
   
   
       11 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 10 , characterized in that said power distribution means further comprises a plurality of connector modules electrically connected to said power supply means through said power bus assembly and locatable at desired connectable positions along said main rail assembly, so as to be electrically connectable with said application devices to be energized. 
   
   
       12 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 11 , characterized in that said system is configured so as to provide for releasable interconnection of said connector modules substantially along a continuum of said main rail assembly. 
   
   
       13 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 11 , characterized in that each of said plurality of connector modules comprises means responsive to a subset of said communication signals for selectively controlling application of electrical power from said connector modules to said devices. 
   
   
       14 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 11 , characterized in that a subset of said plurality of connector modules comprises means for transmitting and receiving communication signals to and from said communications distribution means and at least a subset of said application devices. 
   
   
       15 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 11 , characterized in that:
 said at least one main rail assembly forms a centralized and elongated channel; and   at least a subset of said plurality of connector modules are mechanically and electrically coupled to said at least one main rail assembly with said subset of connector modules fitting within said channel.   
   
   
       16 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 11 , characterized in that said power distribution means further comprises DC means connected to at least one source of DC power for distributing said DC power to said plurality of connector modules. 
   
   
       17 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 11 , characterized in that:
 said overhead system is used within an infrastructure; and   said power distribution means and said communication distribution means are reconfigurable, independent of assembly, disassembly or modifications to said infrastructure.   
   
   
       18 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 10 , characterized in that:
 said overhead system comprises a plurality of main rails forming said mechanical structure, each of said main rails supporting said power distribution means and said communications distribution means; and   said overhead system is an open architectural system, in that said plurality of main rails, said power distribution means and said communication distribution means can be expanded as to size, either singularly or in combination, without requiring substitute or other replacement of components of a first, original structure of said mechanical structure, said power distribution means or said communications distribution means.   
   
   
       19 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 10 , characterized in that said system comprises means for distributing electrical power and for providing a distributed intelligence system for transmitting and receiving certain of said communication signals from application devices physically located throughout an entirety of said mechanical structure. 
   
   
       20 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 10 , characterized in that said system further comprises device connection means physically connectable to said mechanical structure, for mechanically connecting said application devices to said mechanical structure. 
   
   
       21 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 10 , characterized in that said system further comprises device connection means manually releasable and movable so as to be connected at a desired one of a plurality of different locations throughout said mechanical structure, and so as to provide for releasable interconnection and movement of said application devices throughout said mechanical structure. 
   
   
       22 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 10 , characterized in that said system further comprises means for positioning sets of electrical conductors in vertically disposed configurations. 
   
   
       23 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 10 , characterized in that said system further comprises one or more wireways for distributing and carrying sets of electrical cables throughout said mechanical structure. 
   
   
       24 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 23 , characterized in that said wireways comprise means for electrically isolating and shielding said electrical cables from other electrical and communication signal conductors associated with said overhead system. 
   
   
       25 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 23 , characterized in that said system further comprises means for vertically stacking a plurality of said wireways, one above the other. 
   
   
       26 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 10 , characterized in that said system further comprises height adjustment means coupled to said support means, for varying the height of a general horizontal plane of said mechanical structure. 
   
   
       27 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 10 , characterized in that said system further comprises application device height adjustment means for selectively varying vertical locations of selected ones of said devices, relative to a general horizontal plane of said mechanical structure. 
   
   
       28 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 10 , characterized in that said main rail assembly is configured so as to provide for releasable interconnection of said application devices substantially along a continuum of said main rail assembly. 
   
   
       29 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 10 , characterized in that said overhead system is used within a building infrastructure, and said system further comprises:
 a first set of structural components comprising a plurality of said main rails, with said first set of structural components carrying components of said power distribution means and components of said communications distribution means;   a second set of structural components;   support means for supporting said plurality of said main rails from said infrastructure; and   said overhead system further comprises suspension bracket means coupled to said support means and to said mechanical structure for translating gravitational loads from said second set of structural components directly to said support means, so that substantially none of any gravitational loads from said second set of structural components are carried by said first set of structural components.   
   
   
       30 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 29 , characterized in that said suspension bracket means comprises means for translating gravitational loads of said first set of structural components directly to said support means. 
   
   
       31 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 29 , characterized in that said suspension bracket means comprises individual means for connecting to a single one of said first set of said structural components, and to a pair of said second set of said structural components. 
   
   
       32 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 31 , characterized in that gravitational loads exerted on said suspension bracket means from said pair of said second set of structural components act so as to increase coupling forces between certain components of said suspension bracket means. 
   
   
       33 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 29 , characterized in that said support means comprise a plurality of support rods, and each of said suspension bracket means comprises means for connecting to a single one of said plurality of support rods. 
   
   
       34 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 29 , characterized in that said system further comprises:
 at least one wireway for distributing and carrying sets of electrical cables throughout said overhead system; and   said wireway is carried on said overhead system so that gravitational loads are carried by said support means, and not carried by either said first set of structural components or said second set of structural components.   
   
   
       35 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 34 , characterized in that:
 said support means comprises a plurality of vertically disposed support rods; and   said suspension bracket means comprises a plurality of suspension brackets, each of said suspension brackets being stackable on individual ones of said support rods, with said suspension brackets being independent of any connection to said first set of structural components or said second set of structural components.   
   
   
       36 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 34 , characterized in that said suspension bracket means comprise means for vertically stacking said second set of structural components. 
   
   
       37 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 29 , characterized in that:
 said support means comprises a plurality of vertically disposed support rods; and   said suspension bracket means comprise a plurality of suspension brackets, with each of said suspension brackets being connectable to any single one of said plurality of support rods.   
   
   
       38 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 29 , characterized in that
 said suspension bracket means comprises a plurality of suspension brackets, each of said suspension brackets comprising:   first section means connected to a first one of said second set of structural components;   second section means connected to a second one of said second set of structural components;   central support section means connected to a first one of said first set of structural components, said first section means, said second section means and said support means; and   said central support section means is connected to said support means so that gravitational loads from said first section means and said second section means are translated directly to said support means, and said gravitational loads are not carried by said first one of said first set of structural components.   
   
   
       39 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 38 , characterized in that:
 said first section means comprises a central portion having a leg formed on one side thereof, so as to configure a capturing slot, and an arcuate arm formed on an opposing side of said central portion;   said second section means is substantially identical to said first section means; and   when assembled, said arcuate arm of said first section means is captured within said capturing slot of said second section means, and said arcuate arm of said second section means is captured within said capturing slot of said first section means.   
   
   
       40 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 38 , characterized in that:
 said first section means comprises a first suspension bracket section half; and   said second section means comprises a second suspension bracket section half, with said second suspension bracket section half being substantially identical to said first suspension bracket section half.   
   
   
       41 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 40 , characterized in that when one of said suspension brackets is assembled with said first and said second suspension bracket section halves being coupled together, outwardly directed forces exerted on said suspension bracket section halves of said one suspension bracket will act so as to increase coupling forces between said first and said second suspension bracket section halves. 
   
   
       42 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 29 , characterized in that:
 said suspension bracket means comprises a plurality of suspension brackets, each of said suspension brackets comprising a universal suspension plate assembly connected to said support means; and   said universal suspension plate assembly is adapted to be used independently of other components of said suspension bracket, for purposes of directly securing structural elements to said support means.   
   
   
       43 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 10 , characterized in that said main rail assembly comprises:
 a power rail assembly supporting said power bus assembly; and   a communications rail assembly supporting said communications bus assembly.   
   
   
       44 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 43 , characterized in that said power rail assembly is substantially a mirror image of said communications rail assembly as supported and made part of said main rail assembly. 
   
   
       45 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 10 , characterized in that said power bus assembly comprises a plurality of spaced apart AC power buses, each of said power buses being electrically isolated from others of said power buses. 
   
   
       46 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 45 , characterized in that each of said AC power buses faces laterally outwardly, relative to a longitudinal axis of said rail assembly, said power buses being utilized to provide a continuum of AC electrical power along the length of said main rail assembly. 
   
   
       47 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 10 , characterized in that said communications bus assembly comprises a plurality of spaced apart communication buses, each of said buses being electrically isolated from others of said communications buses. 
   
   
       48 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 47 , characterized in that said communications buses function so as to provide a continuum of DC power and communications signals along the length of said main rail assembly. 
   
   
       49 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 47 , characterized in that said communications buses face laterally outwardly, relative to a longitudinal axis of said main rail assembly. 
   
   
       50 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 10 , characterized in that said system further comprises:
 a power rail assembly supporting said power bus assembly;   a communications rail assembly supporting said communications bus assembly;   said power bus assembly comprising a plurality of AC power buses; and   said communications rail assembly comprising a plurality of communications buses.   
   
   
       51 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 50 , characterized in that said plurality of AC buses provide multiple, separate AC circuits selectively available to a user for purposes of energizing said application devices. 
   
   
       52 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 50 , characterized in that:
 said plurality of communications buses comprise at least three communication buses;   at least two of said communications buses carry DC power along said main rail; and   said communications buses comprise buses carrying communications signals along said main rail.   
   
   
       53 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 10 , characterized in that said system is used within an infrastructure, and said system further comprises:
 a plurality of main rails;   support means for supporting said plurality of said main rails from said infrastructure;   a plurality of bracing supports connected between said main rails;   said support means comprises a plurality of suspension brackets and a plurality of elongated supporting elements connected to said infrastructure and further connected to at least one main rail; and   said plurality of main rails, said plurality of suspension brackets, said plurality of bracing supports and said plurality of elongated supporting elements form a structural grid comprising a common base for implementing various configurations of said overhead system.   
   
   
       54 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 53 , characterized in that an overhead system of an initial structural configuration can be expanded in size so as to form a second overhead system without modification of said initial structural configuration. 
   
   
       55 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 53 , characterized in that:
 said system comprises a plurality of suspension points or nodes, where each suspension point or node is formed at a location along one of said main rails, and where ends of a pair of said bracing supports, one of said suspension brackets and one of said elongated supporting elements are coupled together; and   said coupling is provided by said suspension bracket supporting, at least in part, said pair of said bracing supports, and said elongated supporting element supporting said suspension bracket, said main rail in part, and said pair of structural channels.   
   
   
       56 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 10 , characterized in that said system is used within an infrastructure, and said system further comprises:
 a plurality of main rail assemblies;   support means for supporting said main rail assemblies from said infrastructure; and   said plurality of main rail assemblies comprises a series of spaced apart apertures, said spaced apart apertures adapted to permit passage of electrical cables therethrough.   
   
   
       57 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 56 , characterized in that said main rail assemblies are supported by said support means, and load ratings of any given one of said main rail assemblies may be varied by varying the intervals at which said main rail assemblies are supported by said support means. 
   
   
       58 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 10 , characterized in that said system is used within an infrastructure, and said system further comprises:
 a plurality of main rails;   support means for supporting said main rails from said infrastructure; and   a plurality of cross channels, each of said cross channels being coupled to and supported by said support means.   
   
   
       59 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 58 , characterized in that each of said plurality of cross channels has opposing ends positioned adjacent said main rails, with each of said cross channels being supported by said support means. 
   
   
       60 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 10 , characterized in that said overhead system is used within a building infrastructure, and said system comprises:
 a plurality of main rails interconnected so as to form a structural grid, said structural grid forming at least one substantially horizontal plane relative to said building infrastructure; and   connection means connectable to components of said structural grid and to a subset of said application devices, so as to support said subset of said application devices above and below said substantially horizontal plane of said structural grid.   
   
   
       61 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 10 , characterized in that said system further comprises:
 a plurality of connector modules electrically connected to said power supply means and locatable at desired connectable positions along said main rail, so as to be electrically connectable with said application devices to be energized;   wireway means for carrying electrical cables carrying electrical power and/or communication signals separate and independent of other conductors of said power distribution means and/or said communication distribution means which are carrying electrical power and/or communication signals, respectively; and   wireway access means for tapping into said electrical cables at locations throughout said system, for purposes of supplying electrical power and/or communication signals to one or more of said plurality of connector modules, and/or one or more of said application devices.   
   
   
       62 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 10 , characterized in that said system is used within a building infrastructure, and said system further comprises:
 a plurality of elongated main structural channel rails interconnected so as to form a structural grid;   support means for supporting said main structural channel rails from said building infrastructure; and   a plurality of universal suspension plate assemblies connectable to said main structural channel rails and to said support means in a first configuration for supporting said main structural channel rails from said building infrastructure.   
   
   
       63 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 62 , characterized in that each of said universal suspension plate assemblies is further adapted to be connectable to said main structural channel rails in a second configuration so as to support various elements from said main structural channel rails, with said elements being positioned below said main structural channel rails. 
   
   
       64 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 62 , characterized in that said universal suspension plate assemblies are adapted to be configured in a third configuration, whereby a single one of said universal suspension plate assemblies in said third configuration is connected to said support means and is also mechanically interconnected to adjacent ends of a pair of said main structural channel rails. 
   
   
       65 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 10 , characterized in that said system further comprises:
 a plurality of main structural channel rails;   a plurality of cross channels mechanically interconnected between two or more of said main structural channel rails, so as to form a structural grid;   bracket configuration means mechanically supported on one or more of said cross channels, for purposes of supporting application devices above a general plane of said structural grid; and   said bracket configuration means has a plurality of braces and a plurality of T-brackets and 90° brackets for purposes of interconnecting together two or more of said braces of said bracket assembly means, and for also connecting said braces to said cross channels.   
   
   
       66 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 10 , characterized in that said system further comprises:
 at least one cableway adapted to be positioned above said main rail, and comprising individual cableway sections for carrying conductors, with said conductors carrying low voltage power and/or communication signals; and   each of said cableway sections comprises a living hinge for access to interiors of said cableway sections.   
   
   
       67 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 10 , characterized in that:
 said system further comprises a plurality of main rails adapted to support various components of said overhead system, including said power distribution means and said communication distribution means; and   said main rails are configured so as to include apertures therein, whereby space is provided for structural and electrical components of said overhead system to be extended from above a general plane of said main rails through center portions of said main rails.   
   
   
       68 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 10 , characterized in that said power distribution means further comprise power entry means directly connected to said power supply means for applying electrical power from said power supply means to other components of said power distribution means. 
   
   
       69 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 68 , characterized in that said power entry means comprise means responsive to said power supply means for generating DC power. 
   
   
       70 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 68 , characterized in that said power entry means comprise:
 a plurality of power entry boxes directly connected to said power supply means, and adapted to be secured to and supported by components of said mechanical structure; and   a plurality of power box connectors, each connector associated with a corresponding one of said power entry boxes, and having means for electrically connecting said power entry boxes to components of said power distribution means.   
   
   
       71 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 68 , characterized in that at least a subset of said power entry means comprises means for receiving power of multiple voltages from said power supply means. 
   
   
       72 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 68 , characterized in that said power entry means comprise network circuit means for providing certain circuit paths for said communication signals. 
   
   
       73 . An overhead system for use within a building infrastructure for supporting and energizing a plurality of application devices which primarily depend downwardly from said overhead system, said system comprising:
 at least one main rail for providing a mechanical structure for said overhead system, said one main rail comprising first and second opposing lateral sides;   support means for supporting said one main rail from said building infrastructure;   power distribution means electrically connected to power supply means for distributing electrical power along said main rail;   communications distribution means for distributing communication signals along said main rail;   said power distribution means comprises a power bus assembly mounted on said first opposing lateral side of said one main rail; and   said communications distribution means comprises a communications bus assembly mounted on said second opposing lateral side.   
   
   
       74 . An overhead system for use within a building infrastructure for supporting and energizing a plurality of application devices, said system comprising:
 at least one main rail for providing a mechanical structure for said overhead system, said one main rail comprising first and second opposing lateral sides;   support means for supporting said one main rail from said building infrastructure;   power distribution means electrically connected to power supply means for distributing electrical power along said main rail;   communications distribution means for distributing communication signals along said main rail; and   spacer means positioned intermediate said first and second opposing lateral sides, for ensuring separation of said power distribution means and said communications distribution means, and for providing relative rigidity for the connection of said power distribution means and said communication distribution means to said main rail.   
   
   
       75 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 74 , characterized in that said spacer means provide isolation of said power distribution means, and isolation of said communications distribution means. 
   
   
       76 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 74 , characterized in that said spacer means comprises a plurality of bus spacers, longitudinally spaced apart along a longitudinal axis of said main rail, with each of said bus spacers connected to both said first and said second opposing lateral sides. 
   
   
       77 . An overhead system for use within a building infrastructure for supporting and energizing a plurality of application devices, said system comprising:
 a plurality of main rails for providing a mechanical structure for said overhead system;   a plurality of cross channels connected between pairs of said plurality of main rails;   support means for supporting said main rails and said cross channels from said infrastructure;   power distribution means electrically connected to power supply means for distributing electrical power along said main rail;   communications distribution means for distributing communication signals along said main rail;   a plurality of suspension brackets coupled to said support means and to said mechanical structure for translating gravitational loads from said cross channels to said support means, so that substantially none of any gravitational loads from said cross channels are carried by said main rails; and   said main rails carry components of said power distribution means and components of said communication distribution means.   
   
   
       78 . An overhead system for use within a building infrastructure for supporting and energizing a plurality of application devices, said system comprising:
 a plurality of main structural channel rails for providing a mechanical structure for said overhead system;   support means for supporting said structural channel rails from said building infrastructure;   power distribution means electrically connected to power supply means for distributing electrical power along said main rails;   communications distribution means for distributing communication signals along said main rails; and   a plurality of cross rails coupled to and supported by one or more of said main structural channel rails.   
   
   
       79 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 78 , characterized in that said system further comprises connection means for connecting one or more of said cross rails to one or more of said main structural channel rails, at an acute angle relative to an elongated length of an interconnected one of said main-structural channel rails. 
   
   
       80 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 79 , characterized in that said connection means comprises a cross rail connector assembly, said cross rail connector assembly comprising:
 a universal structural channel attachment assembly, comprising a pair of opposing left side and right side brackets, said brackets adapted to be coupled to one of said main structural channel rails; and   a suspension rod coupled to said pair of opposing brackets and to said cross rail.   
   
   
       81 . An overhead system for use within a building infrastructure for supporting and energizing a plurality of application devices, said system comprising:
 at least one main rail for providing a mechanical structure for said overhead system;   support means for supporting said one main rail from said infrastructure;   power distribution means electrically connected to power supply means for distributing electrical power along said main rail;   communications distribution means for distributing communication signals along said main rail;   a wireway adapted to carry electrical cables at a position above a general plane of said mechanical structure;   said wireway comprising a plurality of elongated wireway sections, each section having means for electrically and physically isolating said electrical cables from other electrical components associated with said overhead system; and   said wireway further comprises joiner sections for mechanically interconnecting ends of pairs of adjacent wireway sections, so as to maintain electrical isolation of said electrical cables as said electrical cables pass from one of said wireway sections to an adjacent one of said wireway sections.   
   
   
       82 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 81 , characterized in that each of said wireway sections comprises a hinged cover for providing access to said electrical cables, while also selectively maintaining an isolating covering for each of said wireway sections. 
   
   
       83 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 82 , characterized in that:
 said mechanical structure further comprises a plurality of suspension brackets, for mechanically coupling other components of said mechanical structure to said support means;   each of said wireways is sized and configured so as to be supported on said suspension brackets; and   said wireways and said suspension brackets comprise means for securing said wireways to said suspension brackets.   
   
   
       84 . An overhead system for use within a building infrastructure for supporting and energizing a plurality of application devices from said overhead system, said system comprising:
 a plurality of split bus rail sections, for providing a mechanical structure for said overhead system, with at least two of said rail sections having a coaxial configuration;   power distribution means electrically connected to power supply means for distributing electrical power along said split bus rail sections;   said power distribution means comprises a plurality of power entry boxes, with at least a subset of said split bus rail sections each having a power entry box adjacent to at least one end of each of said subset of said split bus rail sections; and   said power entry boxes having outgoing electrical power cables.   
   
   
       85 . An overhead system for use within a building infrastructure for supporting a plurality of application devices, said system comprising:
 a structural grid comprising a plurality of dual rails and a plurality of cross channels;   a plurality of suspension brackets;   a plurality of supporting elements connected to said building infrastructure and to said structural grid;   said structural grid comprises a plurality of suspension nodes, each node comprising a spatial location where one of said suspension brackets is connected to one of said supporting elements, one of said dual rails, and a pair of said cross channels; and   said suspension nodes are formed so that said structural grid can physically support ceiling coverings, space dividers, lighting fixtures, ductwork and other application devices, with said suspension nodes providing for gravitational loads of said dual rails, said cross channels, said ceiling coverings, said space dividers and said application devices being carried by said plurality of supporting elements.   
   
   
       86 . An overhead system for use within a building infrastructure for supporting and energizing a plurality of application devices coupled to said overhead system, said system comprising:
 a plurality of elongated main rails forming a mechanical structure;   power distribution means electrically connected to a source of electrical power for distributing said electrical power throughout said mechanical structure;   communications distribution means for distributing communication signals throughout said mechanical structure;   power entry means comprising network circuits forming circuit paths for said communication signals; and   means for daisy chaining together individual ones of said power entry means, so as to link said network circuits together to form a communications network.   
   
   
       87 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 86 , characterized in that said system further comprises:
 flexible connectors for electrically interconnecting appropriate ones of said main rails;   a first switch communicatively coupled to said communication distribution means through a first connector module located on a first one of said main rails; and   light fixtures interconnected to one or more connector modules, located on either the same or different ones of said main rails, relative to said main rail to which said first connector module coupled to said first switch is located.   
   
   
       88 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 87 , characterized in that:
 said communications distribution means are programmed so that said first switch controls said light fixtures as to individual states of said light fixtures; and   programming of correlation between said light fixtures and said first switch results in enablement of said first switch causing communication signals to be applied through said first connector module coupled to said first switch and to said connector modules coupled to said light fixtures.   
   
   
       89 . An overhead system for use within a building infrastructure for supporting and energizing a plurality of application devices from said overhead system, said system comprising:
 at least one main rail for providing a mechanical structure for said overhead system;   support means for supporting said one main rail from said infrastructure;   power distribution means electrically connected to power supply means for distributing electrical power along said main rail;   communications distribution means for distributing communication signals along said main rail;   said power distribution means comprise a plurality of connector modules electrically connected to said power supply means and located at desired positions along said main rail; and   each of said plurality of connector modules comprises input power connection means for releasably interconnecting said connector module to other components of said power distribution means, with each of said plurality of connector modules being adapted to be mechanically coupled to said main rail along said main rail.   
   
   
       90 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 89 , characterized in that said connector modules comprise locking means manually operable by a user for selectively locking said connector modules onto said main rails at desired positions. 
   
   
       91 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 90 , characterized in that said connector modules comprise limit means for limiting rotation of said locking means. 
   
   
       92 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 91 , characterized in that:
 said locking means comprises a rotatable locking bar;   each of said connector modules further comprises an elongated shaft rotating in correspondence with said locking bar; and   said limit means comprises an elongated stop arm positioned at a lower end of said elongated shaft, and rotating in correspondence with said elongated shaft.   
   
   
       93 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 89  characterized in that:
 said power distribution means comprises a power bus assembly mounted on said main rail;   said communications distribution means comprises a communications bus assembly mounted on said main rail;   at least one of said plurality of connector modules comprises an AC power side block having electrical and mechanical elements for selectively engaging said AC power bus assembly;   said one connector module further comprising a DC power side block having electrical and mechanical elements for selectively engaging said communications bus assembly.   
   
   
       94 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 93 , characterized in that:
 when said one connector module is properly connected to said one main rail, said AC power side block is positioned adjacent a first lateral side of said one main rail, and said DC power side block is positioned adjacent a second lateral side of said main rail, said second lateral side opposing said first lateral side; and   said one main rail and said one connector block comprise stop means for preventing a user from inadvertently positioning said one connector module in a reverse orientation on said one main rail.   
   
   
       95 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 94 , characterized in that said stop means is provided, in part, by said DC power side block being shorter in height then said AC power side block. 
   
   
       96 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 93 , characterized in that said one connector module comprises an extendable contact section for selectively engaging and disengaging electrical bus contacts of said power bus assembly and said communications bus assembly. 
   
   
       97 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 96 , characterized in that:
 said extendable contact section can be maintained in a retracted position, and manual forces can be exerted so as to move said extendable contact section into an extended position, thereby engaging said electrical bus contacts; and   said one connector module further comprises catch means for releasably locking said extendable contact section.   
   
   
       98 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 97 , characterized in that:
 said one connector module comprises a locking bar manually operable by a user for securing and locking said one connector module to said one main rail; and   said connector module further comprises means for preventing said extendable contact section from being moved from said retracted position to said extended position, when said locking bar is in an unlocked position.   
   
   
       99 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 98 , characterized in that:
 said one connector module further comprises safety means for preventing, in certain situations, said one connector module from being moved from a locked configuration to an unlocked configuration relative to said one main rail; and   said safety means operates so that when said extendable contact section is in an extended position, where said bus contacts of said one connector module are engaged with said power bus assembly and said communications bus assembly, said locking bar is prevented from being moved from a locked position to an unlocked position.   
   
   
       100 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 97 , characterized in that:
 said one connector module further comprises catch means for releasably securing said extendable contact section in said extended position; and   said catch means further comprises means responsive to external forces so as to be released, and further so as to permit said extendable contact section to be moved from said extended position to said retracted position.   
   
   
       101 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 93 , characterized in that:
 said extendable contact section comprises a pair of spaced apart and tapered arms, said tapered arms abutting either a set of AC bus contacts or a set of DC bus contacts; and   when said extendable contact section is moved from said retracted position to said extended position, said tapered arms move inwardly toward a main body of said connector module, and cause said AC bus contacts to electrically engage said power bus assembly and said DC bus contacts to electrically engage said communications bus assembly.   
   
   
       102 . An overhead system for use within a building infrastructure for supporting and energizing a plurality of application devices from said overhead system, said system comprising:
 at least one main rail for providing a mechanical structure for said overhead system;   power distribution means for distributing electrical power along said main rail;   communication distribution means for distributing communication signals along said main rail;   a plurality of connector modules, with at least a subset of said plurality of said connector modules comprising:
 input power connection means for releasably interconnecting said connector modules to said power distribution means, and for receiving electrical power; 
 output power connection means coupled to said input power connection means, and releasably connectable to one or more of said application devices, for energizing said application devices; 
 communication input connection means for releasably interconnecting said subset of said connector modules to said communication distribution means, and for receiving a first set of communication signals; 
 processor means responsive to said first set of communication signals, for generating a first set of power control signals; and 
 said output power connection means is responsive to said first set of power control signals, so as to selectively apply electrical power as output signals from said output power connection means. 
   
   
   
       103 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 102 , characterized in that:
 said processor means are further responsive to said received first set of communication signals, for generating a second set of communication signals as output communication signals; and   said communication connection means are further adapted to apply said second set of said communication signals to said communications distribution means.   
   
   
       104 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 102 , characterized in that each of said subset of connector modules comprises means for receiving DC power from said communications distribution means, and using said DC power for operating components of said connector module. 
   
   
       105 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 102 , characterized in that each of said subset of said connector modules further comprises:
 spatial signal receiving means for receiving spatial control signals from external sources; and   means for applying said received spatial control signals to said processor means.   
   
   
       106 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 102 , characterized in that each of said subset of connector modules further comprises at least one connector port for transmitting and for receiving communication signals directly from application devices. 
   
   
       107 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 102 , characterized in that each of said connector ports further comprises means for transmitting DC power to a subset of said application devices. 
   
   
       108 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 102 , characterized in that said output power connection means comprises at least one outlet receptacle adapted to releasably receive a conventional AC plug from an application device. 
   
   
       109 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 102 , characterized in that said output power connection means comprise at least one universal connector adapted to receive a multi-terminal mating power connector associated with one of said application devices. 
   
   
       110 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 102 , characterized in that said output power connection means comprises at least one dimmer relay adapted to be releasably connected to a dimmer switch of one of said application devices. 
   
   
       111 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 102 , characterized in that each of said subset of connector modules comprises visual means for visually indicating to a user a status of said connector module. 
   
   
       112 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 102 , characterized in that said system further comprises spatial signal receiver means for receiving spatial control signals from a user, with said receiving means being connected to and remote from a second subset of said plurality of said connector modules. 
   
   
       113 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 102 , characterized in that at least a subset of said communication signals on said communications distribution means are utilized to control and reconfigure control among various ones of said application devices. 
   
   
       114 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 102 , characterized in that said system provides for reconfiguration in real time of control relationships between and among at least a subset of said application devices. 
   
   
       115 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 102 , characterized in that:
 at least a subset of said plurality of connector modules are electrically coupled to certain of said application devices; and   said connector modules comprise processor means and associated circuitry responsive to a subset of said communication signals, so as to selectively control said interconnected application devices, in response to certain of said communication signals being received from others of said application devices.   
   
   
       116 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 102 , characterized in that said subset of said plurality of connector modules comprise means for transmitting and receiving communication signals to and from said communications distribution means and at least a subset of said application devices. 
   
   
       117 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 102 , characterized in that:
 said application devices comprise at least one controlling device, said controlling device having signal generating means for generating a first set of said communication signals;   said application devices further comprise at least one controlled device, said controlled device being associated with one of said plurality of connector modules, and having at least first and second states; and   said first set of said communication signals are utilized to effect a logical control relationship between said controlling device and said controlled device, so that said controlling device controls whether said controlled device is in said first state or said second state.   
   
   
       118 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 117 , characterized in that
 said logical control relationship between said controlling device and said controlled device is capable of reconfiguration at least in part with a second set of said communication signals, in the absence of any physical relocation of any physical wiring associated with said controlling device and said controlled device.   
   
   
       119 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 117 , characterized in that said controlling device is communicatively coupled to a first one of said connector modules, and said first set of said communication signals is applied to said communications distribution means through said first connector module. 
   
   
       120 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 119 , characterized in that said controlled device is electrically coupled to a second one of said connector modules, and said second one of said connector modules is responsive to said first set of said communication signals to selectively apply electrical power to said controlled device, so as to cause said controlled device to function in either said first state or said second state. 
   
   
       121 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 117 , characterized in that
 said controlling device comprises processor means responsive to external control signals for generating communication signals so as to effect said logical control relationship between said controlling device and said controlled device.   
   
   
       122 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 117 , characterized in that said controlling device is electrically coupled to a first connector module through a series of connector ports and at least one patch cord. 
   
   
       123 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 122 , characterized in that said patch cord and said connector ports are adapted to apply DC power to said controlling device. 
   
   
       124 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 117 , characterized in that:
 said first set of said communication signals generated from said controlling device are applied as input signals to a first one of said connector modules;   said first connector module comprises processor means responsive to said first set of communication signals, for generating a second set of said communication signals; and   said first connector module comprises means responsive to said second set of communication signals for applying said second set of communication signals to said communications distribution means.   
   
   
       125 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 124 , characterized in that:
 said controlled device is electrically coupled to a second one of said connector modules;   said second connector module comprises means for receiving said second set of communication signals; and   said second connector module further comprises processor means responsive to said second set of communication signals for generating control signals and a third set of communication signals indicative of whether said controlled device is to be controlled by said controlling device.   
   
   
       126 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 117 , characterized in that at least a subset of said connector modules comprise processor means programmable by a user so as to initiate or otherwise modify said logical control relationship among controlling and controlled devices. 
   
   
       127 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 117 , characterized in that
 said system comprises remote programming means for transmitting spatial signals to one or more of said connector modules.   
   
   
       128 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 127 , characterized in that
 said remote programming means further comprises means for transmitting spatial signals to said controlling device, thereby causing said controlling device to be assigned as a control for said first connector module.   
   
   
       129 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 127 , characterized in that
 said spatial signals transmitted to said first connector module announce to said communications distribution means that said first connector module is available for purposes of control.   
   
   
       130 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 117 , characterized in that
 said first set of said communication signals generated by said controlling device are applied to said communications distribution means as wireless signals.   
   
   
       131 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 117 , characterized in that
 said system comprises a first manually operable programming means for transmitting programming signals to said controlling device and to said connector module associated with said controlled device, for transmitting programming signals so as to effect said logical control relationship.   
   
   
       132 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 131 , characterized in that
 said programming means comprises a hand-held wand.   
   
   
       133 . An overhead system in accordance with  claim 117 , characterized in that
 said connector module coupled to said controlled device is programmable so as to have a unique address identifiable through said communications distribution means.   
   
   
       134 . A suspension bracket system for suspending a plurality of structural elements from a building structure, said system comprising:
 at least one suspension bracket;   support means connected to said suspension bracket for supporting said suspension bracket; and   said plurality of structural elements comprising:
 a first set of first structural elements comprising at least one first structural element; and 
 a second set of second structural elements comprising at least a pair of said second structural elements; 
   said suspension bracket comprises first connection means for releasably connecting said suspension bracket to said at least one first structural element;   said suspension bracket further comprises second connection means for releasably connecting said suspension bracket to said at least one pair of said second structural elements; and   when said suspension bracket is connected to said at least one first structural element and said at least a pair of second structural elements, said first connection means and said second connection means act so as to cause at least a portion of gravitational loads of said pair of second structural elements to be carried by said support means, to cause at least a portion of said gravitational loads of said at least one first structural element to be carried by said support means, and to substantially prevent any gravitational loads of said pair of second structural elements from being carried by said at least one first structural element.   
   
   
       135 . A suspension bracket system in accordance with  claim 134 , characterized in that gravitational loads exerted on said suspension bracket from said pair of said second set of second structural elements act so as to increase coupling forces between certain components of said suspension bracket. 
   
   
       136 . A suspension bracket system in accordance with  claim 134 , characterized in that said support means comprise a plurality of support rods, and said suspension bracket comprises means for connecting to a single one of said plurality of support rods. 
   
   
       137 . A suspension bracket system in accordance with  claim 134 , characterized in that:
 said support means comprises a plurality of vertically disposed support rods; and   said system further comprises a plurality of said suspension brackets, each of said suspension brackets being stackable on individual ones of said support rods, with said suspension brackets being independent of any connection to said first set of structural elements or said second set of structural elements.