Combination electrical and suction hose wall outlet

• US 5,349,146 A
• Filed: 02/11/1992
• Issued: 09/20/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lindsey Manufacturing Co.
• Original Assignee: Lindsey Manufacturing Co.
• Inventors: Radabaugh, Kurtis R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pellinen, A. D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Friedhofer, Michael A.
• Application Number:
  US07/833,979
• Time in Patent Office: 952 Days
• Field of Search: 200/61.6, 439/190-195, 15/314
• US Class Current: 200/61.6
• 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: H01R 13/6683 with built-in sensor

Abstract

A combination electrical and suction hose outlet to be mounted to a building wall as part of a central vacuum cleaning system. In such a system, a remote vacuum cleaner suction hose is plugged into the wall outlet and has a power driven brush carpet sweeper end tool. A 110 volt AC line is formed into the hose and extends from the end tool to an electrical receptacle plug in the outlet. To provide a start signal to a central vacuum system motor, 24 volt DC wiring extends from the wall outlet to a motor controller. The high voltage and the low voltage power lines are maintained in electrical isolation by a circuit located at or near the wall outlet and including an optical coupler. When the end tool is turned on, AC flow is sensed by an associated circuit and the optical coupler is activated, causing a short in the DC power line to provide a start signal to the vacuum motor controller. With this system, the vacuum motor is started automatically when the power driven end tool is turned on. The system alleviates a need for both high power and low power switches at the hose handler or a low power switch in the wall outlet.

Claims

1. A combination electrical and suction hose outlet assembly for a central vacuum cleaning system comprising:

a) wall valve means for connecting a remote vacuum cleaner suction hose to a central vacuum system fixed suction hose conduit and having an open ended outlet tube;

b) a high voltage outlet plug receptacle connected to high voltage building power supply line leads and for connection to a remote vacuum cleaner suction hose power supply line; and

c) circuit means in said assembly for connection to said high voltage building power supply line leads and to low voltage power control lines extending to a central vacuum system motor controller, said circuit means sensing an initiation of current flow through a high voltage hose power supply line and having a rectifier means for providing a start signal to said low voltage power control lines for start of said motor controller.

2. The assembly set forth in claim 1 wherein said circuit means includes an optical coupler activated by current flow through said high voltage power supply line and has a switch which shorts out said low voltage power control lines to said rectifier means for providing said start signal.

3. A combination electrical and suction hose outlet assembly for a central vacuum cleaning system comprising:

a) wall valve means for connecting a remote vacuum cleaner suction hose to a central vacuum system fixed suction hose conduit and having an open ended outlet tube;

b) means for connecting a high voltage building power supply line to said assembly and having an outlet plug receptacle in said assembly for connection with a remote vacuum cleaner suction hose power supply line;

c) means for connecting a low voltage power control line to said assembly whereby said low voltage power control line extends to a central vacuum system motor controller;

d) circuit means in said assembly interposed between said means for connecting a high voltage building power supply line and said means for connecting a low voltage power control line, said circuit means sensing current flow through said remote vacuum cleaner suction hose power supply line and having a rectifier means for providing a motor start signal through said low voltage power control line to said central vacuum system motor controller.

4. A combination electrical and section hose outlet assembly for a central vacuum cleaning system comprising:

a) wall valve means for connecting a remote vacuum cleaner suction hose to a central vacuum system fixed suction hose conduit and having an open ended outlet tube connected to said suction hose conduit;

b) a high voltage building power supply line extended to said assembly and having an outlet plug receptacle in said assembly for connection with a remote vacuum cleaner suction hose power supply line;

c) a low voltage power control line extended between said assembly and a central vacuum system motor controller; and

d) circuit means in said assembly connected to said high voltage building power supply line and to said low power control line and having means for sensing current flow through said remote vacuum cleaner suction hose power supply line and having a rectifier means for providing a motor start signal through said low voltage power control line to said central vacuum system motor controller.

5. A combination electrical and suction hose outlet assembly for a central vacuum cleaning system comprising:

a) wall valve means for connecting a remote vacuum cleaner suction hose to a central vacuum system fixed suction hose conduit and having an open ended outlet tube connected to said suction hose conduit;

b) a 110 volt AC building power supply line extended to said assembly and having an outlet plug receptacle in said assembly for connection with a remote vacuum cleaner suction hose power supply line;

c) a 24 volt DC power control line extended between said assembly and a central vacuum system motor controller; and

d) circuit means in said assembly connected to said 110 volt AC building power supply line and to said 24 volt DC power control line and having means for sensing current flow through said remote vacuum cleaner suction hose power supply line and having a rectifier means for providing a motor start signal through said 24 volt power control line to said central vacuum system motor controller.

6. The assembly set forth in claim 5 wherein said circuit means includes an optical coupler activated by current flow through said remote vacuum cleaner suction hose power supply line and which shorts said 24 volt power control line and has a rectifier means after to provide said start signal to said central vacuum system motor controller.

7. The assembly set forth in claim 5 wherein said circuit means includes a switch means electrically isolating said 110 volt building power supply line from said 24 volt power control line.

8. The assembly set forth in claim 7 wherein said switch means is an optical coupler.

9. A combination electrical and suction hose outlet assembly for a central vacuum cleaning system comprising:

a) wall valve means for connecting a remote vacuum cleaner suction hose to a central vacuum system fixed suction hose conduit and having an open ended outlet tube;

b) a high voltage outlet plug receptacle connected to high voltage building power supply line leads and for connection to a remote vacuum cleaner suction hose power supply line; and

c) circuit means associated with said assembly for connection to said high voltage building power supply line leads and to low voltage power control lines extending to a central vacuum system motor controller, said circuit means sensing an initiation of current flow through said remote vacuum cleaner suction hose power supply line and having a rectifier means for providing a start signal to said low voltage power control lines for start of said motor controller.

10. A combination electrical and suction hose outlet for a central vacuum cleaning system comprising:

a) a wall bracket, a face plate, and an electrical module, said face plate and said electrical module for fitting into a junction box;

b) said junction box for inserting into to said wall bracket and having a vacuum conduit extended through said junction box, said vacuum conduit being connected with a central vacuum cleaning system suction means;

c) said wall bracket for connecting to a building wall and having a first collar being connected with said vacuum conduit;

d) said face plate attachable to said wall bracket and including a second collar and an electrical outlet receptacle, said second collar being received by said first collar and for connection means to a central vacuum cleaning hose having a high voltage power supply line attached thereto, said outlet receptacle having leads for connection to a high voltage building power supply line, said face plate having a cover for said second collar when said combination electrical and suction hose outlet is not being used; and

e) said module being mounted onto said face plate and having a control circuit having an optical coupler, a switch and a rectifier means, said control circuit for connection to said high voltage building power supply line leads, to low voltage power control lines extending to a central vacuum system motor controller and to said switch which is connected to said rectifier means for sending low voltage control power to activate said central vacuum motor controller, said coupler sensing current flow through said high voltage hose power supply line and sending said current flow to said switch for shorting out said low voltage control power lines and causing said rectifier means to send a smart signal to activate said central vacuum motor controller.

11. A combination electrical and suction hose outlet for a central vacuum cleaning system comprising:

a) a wall bracket, a face plate and an electrical module, said face plate and said module for fitting into a junction box;

b) said junction box for inserting into said wall bracket and having a vacuum conduit extended through said junction box, said vacuum conduit for connection to a central vacuum cleaning system suction means;

c) said wall bracket for connection to a building wall and having a first collar for connection to said vacuum conduit;

d) said face plate attachable to said wall bracket and including a second collar and an electrical outlet receptacle, said second collar being received by said first collar and for connection to a central vacuum cleaning hose having a 110 volt AC power supply line attached thereto, said outlet receptacle for connection to 110 volt AC building power supply line leads, said face plate having a cover for said second collar when said combination electrical and suction hose outlet is not being used;

e) said module for connection to a 24 volt DC power control line and to said outlet receptacle, said 24 volt DC power control line extending to a central vacuum system motor controller; and

f) said module being mounted onto said face plate and having a control circuit having an optical coupler, a switch and a rectifier means, said coupler being connected to said switch which is connected to said rectifier means, said coupler sensing current flow through said 110 volt AC hose power supply line and sending said current flow to said switch for shorting out said 24 volt DC power control line causing said rectifier means to send a start signal to activate said central vacuum motor controller.

12. A combination electrical and suction hose outlet for a central vacuum cleaning system comprising:

a) a wall bracket, a face plate and an electrical module, said face plate and said electrical module for fitting into a junction box;

b) said junction box for inserting into said wall bracket and having a vacuum conduit extended through said junction box, said vacuum conduit for connection to a central vacuum cleaning system suction means;

c) said wall bracket for connection to a building wall and having a first collar for connection to said vacuum conduit;

d) said face plate attachable to said wall bracket and including a second collar and an electrical outlet receptacle, said second collar being received by said first collar and for connection to a central vacuum cleaning hose having a 110 volt AC power supply line attached thereto, said outlet receptacle for connection to 110 volt AC building power supply line leads and having connection means to said 110 volt AC voltage hose power supply line, said face plate having a cover for said second collar when said combination electrical and suction hose outlet is not being used;

e) said module mounted onto said face plate and being connectable to a 24 volt DC power control line and to said outlet receptacle, said 24 volt DC power control line extending to a central vacuum system motor controller; and

f) said module having a control circuit for sensing current flow through said 110 volt AC hose power supply line and a rectifier means for sending a start signal through said 24 volt DC power control lines to activate said central vacuum motor controller.

13. The combination electrical and suction hose outlet set forth in claim 12 wherein said control circuit includes an optical coupler and a switch, said coupler being connected with said switch which is connected to said rectifier means, said coupler sensing said current flow through said 110 volt AC hose power supply line and sending said current flow to said switch for shorting out said 24 volt DC power control line causing said rectifier means to send said start signal to activate said central vacuum motor controller.

14. The combination electrical and suction hose outlet set forth in claim 12 wherein said control circuit includes a switch means, said switch means electrically isolating said 110 volt AC building power supply line from said 24 volt DC power control line, sensing said current flow through said 110 volt AC hose power supply line and shorting out said 24 volt DC power control line causing said rectifier means to send said start signal to activate said central vacuum motor controller.

15. The combination electrical and suction hose outlet set forth in claim 14 wherein said switch means includes an optical coupler.

16. A combination electrical and suction hose outlet assembly for a central vacuum cleaning system comprising:

a) an outlet and an electrical module, said outlet having a wall bracket and a face plate for fitting into a junction box;

b) said junction box for inserting into a building wall and having a vacuum conduit extended through said junction box, said vacuum conduit being connected with a central vacuum cleaning system suction means;

c) said wall bracket for connecting to said building wall and having a first collar being connected with said vacuum conduit;

d) said face plate attachable to said wall bracket and including a second collar and an electrical outlet receptacle, said second collar being received by said first collar and for connection to a central vacuum cleaning hose having a high voltage power supply line attached thereto, said outlet receptacle having leads for connection to a high voltage building power supply line, said face plate having a cover for said second collar when said assembly is not being used; and

e) said module being mountable adjacent to said face plate and having a control circuit having an optical coupler, a switch and a rectifier means, said control circuit for connection to said high voltage building power supply line leads, to low voltage power control lines extending to a central vacuum system motor controller and to said switch which is connected to said rectifier for sending low voltage control power to activate said central vacuum motor controller, said coupler sensing current flow through said high voltage hose power supply line and sending said current flow to said switch for shorting out said low voltage control power line and causing said rectifier to send a motor start signal to activate said central vacuum motor controller.

17. A combination electrical and suction hose outlet assembly for a central vacuum cleaning system comprising:

a) an outlet and an electrical module, said outlet having a wall bracket and a face plate for fitting into a junction box;

b) said junction box for inserting into a building wall and having a vacuum conduit extending through said junction box, said vacuum conduit for connection to a central vacuum cleaning system suction means;

c) said wall bracket for connection to said building wall and having a first collar for connection to said vacuum conduit;

d) said face plate attachable to said wall bracket and including a second collar and an electrical outlet receptacle, said second collar being received by said first collar for connection to a central vacuum cleaning hose having a 110 volt AC power supply line attached thereto, said outlet receptacle having leads connected to a 110 volt AC building power supply line, said face plate having a cover for said second collar when said assembly is not being used;

e) said module being mountable adjacent to said face plate and being connectable to 24 volt DC power control line and said outlet receptacle, said 24 volt DC power control line extending to a central vacuum system motor controller; and

f) said module having a control circuit having an optical coupler, a switch and rectifier means, said coupler being connected to said switch which is connected to said rectifier means, said coupler sensing current flow through said 110 volt AC hose power supply line and sending said current flow to said switch for shorting out said 24 volt DC power control line causing said rectifier means to send a start signal to activate said central vacuum motor controller.

18. A combination electrical and suction hose outlet assembly for a central vacuum cleaning system comprising:

a) an outlet and an electrical module, said outlet having a wall bracket and a face plate for fitting into a junction box;

b) said junction box for inserting into a building wall and having a vacuum conduit extended through said junction box, said vacuum conduit for connection to a central vacuum cleaning system suction means;

c) said wall bracket for connection to said building wall and having a first collar for connection to said vacuum conduit;

d) said face plate attachable to said wall bracket and including a second collar and an electrical outlet receptacle, said second collar being received by said first collar and for connection to a central vacuum cleaning hose having a 110 volt AC power supply line attached thereto, said outlet receptacle for connection to 110 volt AC building power supply line leads and having connection means to said 110 volt AC voltage hose power supply line, said face plate having a cover for said second collar when said combination electrical and suction hose outlet is not being used;

e) said module being mountable adjacent to said face plate and being connectable to a 24 volt DC power control line and said outlet receptacle, said 24 volt DC power control line extending to a central vacuum system motor controller; and

f ) said module having a control circuit for sensing current flow through said 110 volt AC hose power supply line and a rectifier means for sending a start signal through said 24 volt DC power control line to activate said central vacuum motor controller.

19. The combination electrical and suction hose outlet set forth in claim 18 wherein said control circuit includes an optical coupler and a switch, said coupler being connected with said switch which is connected to said rectifier means, said coupler sensing said current flow through said 110 volt AC hose power supply line and sending said current flow to said switch which shorts said 24 volt DC power control line to provide said start signal to activate said central vacuum motor controller.

20. The combination electrical and suction hose outlet set forth in claim 18 wherein said control circuit includes a switch means and a rectifier means, said switch means electrically isolating said 110 volt AC building power supply line from said 24 volt DC power control line, sensing said current flow through said 110 volt AC hose power supply line and shorting said 24 volt DC power control line causing said rectifier means to provide a start signal to activate said central vacuum motor controller.

21. The combination electrical and suction hose outlet set forth in claim 20 wherein said switch means includes an optical coupler.