SOCKET AND VALVE FOR CENTRAL VACUUM SYSTEM

• US 3,565,103 A
• Filed: 07/31/1968
• Issued: 02/23/1971
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/1968
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Joseph E. Maselek
• Original Assignee: Joseph E. Maselek
• Inventors: Maselek, Joseph E.
• Application Number:
  US04/749,201
• Time in Patent Office: 937 Days
• US Class Current: 137/360
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/38 Built-in suction cleaner installations, i.e. with fixed tube system to which, at different stations, hoses can be connected
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/242 Hose or pipe couplings
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 1/2007 specially adapted operating means therefor operating means per se F16K31/00
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 1/2028 Details of bearings for the axis of rotation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 55/08 Built-in vacuum cleaners
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 55/26 Bag coupling
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/698 Wall

Abstract

A socket and valve structure for effecting connection between a service conduit, such as a flexible tube, and a central vacuum system having a conduit access opening disposed behind a wall opening. The structure includes a socket body and a connected backplate which have registering openings. A valve shutter is disposed between the body and backplate normally to cover the plate opening, but it can be thrust aside to accommodate the service conduit. A connector to the system conduit opening is rotatably supported in the plate opening and can be adjusted within limits to effect connection with the system opening even though the system opening is not precisely aligned with the body and plate openings. A seal prevents air leakage around the connector in the plate opening even when there is no precise alignment.

Claims

1. A wall socket and valve structure for connecting a service conduit to a central vacuum system having a conduit opening accessible through a wall opening from the front thereof, said structure comprising a socket body adapted to be associated with the wall opening and having an opening to receive an end portion of the service conduit, a back plate connected to the body and having an opening in substantial registry with the body opening, the plate opening having a forwardly diverging taper, a tubular connector disposed in the plate opening and having a radially outwardly extending flange on its front end received within the radially inner and outer limits of the said taper and also having means for effecting connection with the conduit opening and for drawing the plate and body toward the conduit opening, a compressible seal disposed between said flange and taper, and a manually operable valve shutter disposed between said body and plate selectively to cover the plate opening and the front end of the connector and to make them accessible to the service conduit.

2. A socket and valve structure as defined in claim 1 wherein the body is adapted to fit within the wall opening, and a face plate is secured to the body to cover only the surrounding wall opening and to engage the exposed surface of the wall adjacent thereto.

3. The structure set forth in claim 2 wherein a cover is movably mounted on said face plate selectively to cover the body in said wall opening and to be moved to a position exposing said body, the said cover being provided with means engageable with the service conduit to retain it in connection with said connector when the body is exposed.

4. The socket and valve structure defined in claim 1 wherein the means on said tubular connector for effecting connection with the conduit opening and for drawing the plate and body towarD the conduit opening comprises a series of threads on the connector adapted to engage complementary threads associated with the conduit opening, and wherein said connector is provided with a wrench engaging surface to facilitate rotation of the connector in the plate opening for engagement and disengagement with the conduit opening threads.

5. The structure set forth in claim 4 wherein said valve shutter is pivotally mounted on said body by a pin extending forwardly through the body, and wherein a lever is connected to the forwardly extending end portion of said pin to provide for manual operation of the shutter.

6. The socket and valve defined in claim 5 wherein the body is adapted to fit within the wall opening, and a face plate is secured to the body to cover only the surrounding wall opening and to engage the exposed surface of the wall adjacent thereto.

7. The structure of claim 6 wherein a cover is pivotally mounted relative to said face plate selectively to cover the body and to be moved to a position exposing said body and lever, the said cover being provided with means engageable with the service conduit to retain it in connection with said connector when the body and lever are exposed.