Current carrying inlet valve for central vacuum system

• US 4,758,170 A
• Filed: 06/09/1987
• Issued: 07/19/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/1986
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Canplas Industries Limited (Aliaxis SA)
• Original Assignee: Theodore R.D. Hayden
• Inventors: Hayden, Theodore R. D.
• Primary Examiner(s): McQuade, J. Patrick
• Application Number:
  US07/059,885
• Time in Patent Office: 406 Days
• Field of Search: 200/61.6, 285/7, 15/314, 174/47, 439/190-192, 439/194-195, 439/198, 439/535-536, 439/142-144
• US Class Current: 439/142
• 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

Abstract

The present invention discloses a current carrying inlet valve for central vacuum system providing tubular elements and connecting fittings with an integral electrical receptacle to permit operation of any electrically driven attachments and/or other cleaning devices, specific to the operation of a central vacuum cleaning system, without the necessity of an electrical outlet in close proximity, to which the location of an inlet valve was hereto restricted.

Claims

1. A current carrying inlet valve for central vacuum system, comprising in combination:

(a) an inlet valve body having an air suction inlet and an electrical receptacle in the anterior surface, said air suction inlet having a tubular fitting element forming a female hub at one end and a male spigot at the distal end and having low voltage electrical contact elements protruding from within the annular interior surface of said female hub and terminating at corresponding connector lugs, said electrical receptacle having plug-receiving cavities with metal conductors terminating at corresponding connector lugs opposite said anterior surface, said air suction inlet and said electrical receptacle being covered by means of a spring-loaded hinged cover with sealing means for sealing said air suction inlet;

(b) a mounting plate for holding said inlet valve body against sides of wall boarding material and having a centered tubular fitting element forming a peripherally engageable female hub at the anterior surface and a peripherally engageable male spigot at the distal end thereof, a composite O-ring extends annularly on the interior peripheral surface of said tubular fitting element forming an airtight seal when said male spigot of said inlet body is axially inserted therein, an opening above and below said tubular fitting element to permit electrical conductors to connect to said connector lugs of said inlet body, said mounting plate having a rectilinear edge protruding from the anterior surface and enclosing said opening and said centered tubular fitting element;

(c) a wiring compartment for receiving electrical leads from a source, engageable to said mounting plate and having one side with a curvilinear concavity to allow placement and rotation of tubular fittings to said mounting plate, an aperture at an opposite side of said concavity and an open anterior face, said electrical leads being led from said source through said aperture, said open anterior face, through said opening above said centered tubular fitting element of said mounting plate to said metal conductors.

2. A current carrying inlet valve as defined in claim 1 wherein said mounting plate further comprises a removable flange extending outwardly along one side thereof.

3. A current carrying inlet valve as defined in claim 2 wherein said air suction inlet and said electrical receptacle form an integral part of said inlet valve body.

4. A current carrying inlet valve as defined in claim 3 wherein said electrical receptacle comprises a 120 VAC receptacle.

5. A current carrying inlet valve as defined in claim 4 wherein said mounting plate further includes means for fitting and locating said plate adjacent a wall stud.

6. A current carrying inlet valve as defined in claim 5 wherein said means comprises a pair of raised prongs extending behind said plate adjacent said flange.

7. A current carrying inlet valve as defined in claim 6 wherein said wiring compartment has an upwardly slanted rear face opposite said open anterior face.

8. A mounting plate for holding an inlet valve body against sides of wall boarding material, comprising:

a centered tubular fitting element forming a peripherally engageable female hub at the anterior surface and a peripherally engageable male spigot at the distal end thereof, a composite O-ring extending annularly on the interior peripheral surface of said female hub forming an airtight seal when a male spigot of said inlet valve body is axially inserted therein, said plate having an opening above and below said centered tubular fitting element to permit electrical conductors to pass therethrough to said inlet valve body; and

a rectilinear edge protruding from the anterior surface and enclosing said opening and said centered tubular fitting element.

9. A mounting plate as defined in claim 8 further comprising a removable flange extending outwardly along one side thereof.

10. A convertible mounting plate as defined in claim 9 wherein said mounting plate further includes means for fitting and locating said plate adjacent a wall stud.

11. A convertible mounting plate as defined in claim 10 wherein said means comprises a pair of raised prongs extending behind said plate adjacent said flange.

12. A wiring compartment for use with inlet valve body mounting plate in a central vacuum system, comprising:

a curvilinear concavity on one side to allow connection and rotation of tubular fittings of a central vacuum system to said mounting plate;

an aperture on a side opposite said concavity for receiving electrical leads from a source;

an open anterior face, said electrical leads being led from said source through said aperture, said open anterior face, said mounting plate to said inlet valve body.

13. A wiring compartment as defined in claim 12 wherein said compartment has an upwardly slanted rear face opposite said open anterior face.