Abstract:
A combined connector assembly provided for quick, secure fluid and electrical connection includes a socket assembly and plug assembly. The socket assembly can be supported on various structures as a wall outlet or an appliance attachment by means of an adapter assembly. Interlocking means are incorporated with electrical contacts between socket and plug assemblies so that the fluid and electrical connection between the socket and plug assemblies can be quickly and securely established, eliminating the risk of accidental detachment of the plug assembly from the socket assembly. Seals and covers are provided to prevent fluid leakage from the assembly in both connected and disconnected positions. The combined connector assembly of the present invention can be advantageously used to connect an appliance to a water supply and drain system which pumps water to and removes water under vacuum from the appliance through a single hose in a pre-programmed manner.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of the Applicant&#39;s U.S. provisional patent application No. 60/275,704, filed on Mar. 15, 2001. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates to combined connectors for fluid and electrical connection, and is more particularly directed to a combined connector which can be quickly and securely connected to establish both fluid and electrical connections.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    In the prior art, connector assemblies used for both fluid and electrical connection are well known and are especially popular for use with central vacuum systems. A central vacuum cleaner system installed in a house typically includes a vacuum source and dirt collection apparatus in a central location, connected by duct work to vacuum cleaner wall outlets located strategically throughout the house. Each vacuum cleaner outlet includes a vacuum port which communicates with the duct work in the wall and with the fluid passage of the hose to provide suction cleaning air to the attachment at the other end of the hose. Each outlet also typically includes two contacts to low voltage control conductors for actuating the central vacuum cleaner system and/or a high voltage electrical receptacle as part of the outlet assembly for connection with a power cord integrated with the hose. Thus, power and suction can be delivered to a power head at the other end of the integral hose and power cord.  
           [0004]    Examples of connectors for both fluid and electrical connection used in central vacuum cleaning systems are described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,258,553, issued to Breslin on Jun. 28, 1966, U.S. Pat. No. 4,735,579, issued to Muser on Apr. 5, 1988. U.S. Pat. No. 4,758,170, issued to Hayden on Jul. 19, 1988, U.S. Pat. No. 5,004,428, issued to Hayden on Apr. 2, 1991, U.S. Pat. No. 5,349,146, issued to Radabaugh on Sep. 20, 1994, U.S. Pat. No. 5,387,117, issued to Moyher, Jr. et al. Feb. 7, 1995 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,886,299, issued to Ward on Mar. 23, 1999.  
           [0005]    The connectors for both fluid and electrical connection described in those United States patents generally include aggregation of an individual electrical connector and an individual fluid connector which do not provide additional and/or interactive functions. Furthermore, those connectors specifically provide neither sealing means for the fluid connection, nor mechanical locking means to assure the fluid and electrical connection. Air leakage of those connectors for central air cleaning systems and accidental disconnection of those connectors from the central vacuum cleaning systems do not result in serious problems except for low work efficiency and disruption of operation, respectively.  
           [0006]    Those connectors for both fluid and electrical connection used for central vacuum cleaning systems as described in the prior art are not adapted to be used for completing an electrical circuit for controlling liquid fluid flow through the connector. Leakage of liquid from the connector usually causes environmental problems and can further adversely affect the electrical connection established by this connector. Needless to say, accidental disconnection of a liquid fluid pipe would be a serious environmental problem and not acceptable. Therefore, there is a need for a combined connector for fluid and electrical connection which overcomes the above-mentioned shortcomings of the prior art.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    One object of the present invention is to provide a combined connector assembly for fluid and electrical connection.  
           [0008]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a combined connector assembly for secure fluid and electrical connection, minimizing the risk of accidental disconnection.  
           [0009]    In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a combined connector assembly is provided for fluid and electrical connection. The combined connector assembly comprises a socket assembly, a plug assembly and means for releasably interlocking the plug assembly and the socket assembly in the connected position. The socket assembly includes a socket body which has a first end, a second end, and a fluid passage extending through the socket body and forming first and second openings in the respective first and second ends. The socket assembly further includes a plurality of metal contacts affixed to the socket body and adapted to be connected to a first external circuit. The plug assembly includes a plug body which has a first end, a second end, and a fluid passage extending through the plug body and forming first and second openings in the respective first and second ends. The first end of the plug body is detachably, sealingly received in the first opening of the socket body, thereby selectively providing fluid communication of the fluid passage of the socket body with the fluid passage of the plug body. The plug assembly further includes a plurality of metal contacts positioned on the plug assembly and adapted to be connected to a second external circuit. The means for releasably interlocking the plug assembly and the socket assembly includes a first part incorporated with the metal contacts affixed to the socket assembly and a second part incorporated with the metal contact positioned on the plug assembly. The contacts of the socket body and the contacts of the plug body are in contact only when the first part engages the second part.  
           [0010]    The socket body preferably comprises at least one cavity at a side thereof and the metal contacts of the socket assembly are affixed within the cavity. The plug body preferably comprises at least one lock member having an inwardly extending protrusion at an end thereof and the metal contacts of the plug assembly are positioned on the protrusion. Thus, the contacts of the plug assembly are pressed into contact with the contacts of the socket assembly when the protrusion of the lock member under a resilient force is engaged in the cavity of the socket body.  
           [0011]    In one embodiment of the present invention, the combined connector assembly further comprises an adapter assembly connected to the second end of the socket body which is adapted to be affixed to various structures, for supporting the socket assembly and for providing fluid communication of the fluid passage of the socket body with an external fluid pipe. The combined connector assembly according to this embodiment of the invention further comprises a first cover assembly for sealingly closing the first opening of the socket body and covering the metal contacts of the socket body when the plug assembly is detached from the socket assembly.  
           [0012]    The combined connector assembly of the present invention advantageously provides a quick and secure connection for both fluid passages and electrical conductors so that fluid leakage is minimized and accidental disconnection is prevented. These features are advantageous, especially when the fluid delivered through the combined connector assembly is a liquid such as water. The combined connector assembly of the present invention has various applications and is particularly useful for a central watering system which is described in the Applicant&#39;s co-pending United States patent application entitled REMOTE CONTROLLED WATER FLOW AND DRAIN SYSTEM, filed on the same filing date of this patent application, and for flower pots used in the implementation of a flood and drain watering method which are described in the Applicant&#39;s co-pending United States patent application entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR WATERING POTTED PLANTS, filed on the same filing date of this patent application.  
           [0013]    In order to understand the essential function of the combined connector of the present invention when it is used with the central watering system, the system is briefly described below. Similar to a central vacuum cleaning system, this central watering system has fluid distribution pipes built into a house structure with outlets at various indoor or outdoor locations. A central hydro-electrical unit with a main controller will supply or withdraw water through the pipes from a flower pot when this flower pot is connected by a hose to one of the outlets of the system. In accordance with a flood and drain watering method, the central watering system first pumps water into this flower pot to flood the soil therein and then vacuum-removes water not absorbed by the soil in response to electric signals sent by sensors of the flower pot and a remote controller. The combined connector of the present invention can be used both as a wall outlet connection and as an appliance attachment connection.  
           [0014]    Other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood with reference to preferred embodiments described below. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]    Having thus generally described the nature of the present invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, showing by way of illustration the preferred embodiments thereof, in which:  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 1 a  is a perspective view showing a socket assembly of a combined connector assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention installed in a floor position in a wall, the combined connector assembly being closed by its cover assembly;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 1 b  is a perspective view showing the socket assembly of the embodiment in FIG. 1 a  with its cover assembly in the open position;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 1 c  is a perspective view showing the socket assembly of the embodiment in FIG. 1 connected with a plug assembly of this embodiment;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 2 is a exploded perspective view of the socket assembly of the embodiment in FIG. 1 a , the wall panel being removed to show the socket assembly supported by an internal socket assembly;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 3 a  is an enlarged perspective view of the socket assembly of FIG. 2 showing the details thereof;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 3 b  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  3   b - 3   b  of FIG. 3 a;    
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 3 c  is an enlarged, partial cross-sectional view of area  3   c  of FIG. 3 b , showing the detail of a metal contact affixed to the socket assembly of FIG. 3 b;    
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 4 a  is a cross-sectional view of the socket assembly with its cover assembly in a closed position, taken along line  4   a - 4   a  of FIG. 1 a;    
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 4 b  is a similar view of the socket assembly of FIG. 4 a , with its cover assembly removed therefrom;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 4 c  is perspective view of the cover assembly;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 5 a  is an exploded perspective view of the plug assembly with a top cover omitted;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIGS. 5 b - 5   d  are cross-sectional views of the socket assembly and plug assembly of FIG. 1 c , showing various relative positions thereof during a connection procedure;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 6 a  is a perspective view showing a combined connector assembly in disconnected and connected positions according to another embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 6 b  is an exploded perspective view of the socket assembly with an internal socket assembly of the embodiment in FIG. 6 a;    
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 6 c  is a rear perspective view of the socket assembly in FIG. 6 b , showing a memory chip attached thereto;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 7 a  is perspective view of a cover assembly for the plug assembly in FIG. 6 a;    
         [0032]    [0032]FIGS. 7 b  and  7   c  are cross-sectional views taken along line  7   b - 7   b  of FIG. 7 a , showing a one-way valve in a closed position and in an open position respectively; and  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a further embodiment of the combined connector assembly of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0034]    The combined connector assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in the drawings, particularly in FIGS. 1 a  to  1   c , and is generally indicated by numeral  10 . The combined connector assembly  10  which forms a wall outlet connection includes a socket assembly  12 , a plug assembly  14  and a wall cover assembly  16 . The socket assembly  12  is installed in a wall panel  15 , for example, in a floor position close to an electric power outlet. The plug assembly  14  is attached to an end of a hose  18  the other end of which is to be connected to an appliance so that fluid such as water can be pumped from a source through the combined connector assembly  10  and the hose  18  to the appliance, or water can be withdrawn from the appliance under a vacuum action through the same water passage. The cover assembly  16  is attached to and suspends from the socket assembly  12  by way of a flexible apron member  20  and is used to cover the socket assembly  12  when the plug assembly  14  is disconnected and removed from the socket assembly  12 .  
         [0035]    Reference will now be made to FIGS. 2 and 3 a - 3   c . The socket assembly  12  includes a socket body  22  having a square head  24  at a first end thereof and a cylindrical nozzle  26  at a second end thereof. A fluid passage  28  extending through the socket body  22  forms central openings  30  and  32  in the respective head  24  and the nozzle  26 . The nozzle  26  is provided with one or more O-rings  34  near the opening  32 .  
         [0036]    The square head  24  includes two elongate cavities  36  on two opposite sides thereof. Two slanted surfaces  37  are provided at the front edges of the opposite sides. At the bottom of each cavity  36  there are metal electrical contacts  38 . A back section  40  of each contact  38  is affixed in a hole  42  which extends through a back wall of the cavity  36  so that the back section  40  is exposed to be connected to a wire of an electrical cable  42   a  which is in turn connected to an electrical connector  44   a . A front section  46  of each contact  38  is loosely supported in the cavity  36  and can bend elastically when pressed by an external force. At the bottom of the square head  24  there is a key way  48  that permits the plug assembly  14  of FIG. 1 c  to be inserted only with the proper angular orientation to the socket body  22 .  
         [0037]    An internal socket  50  is secured to a wall stud  52  for supporting the socket assembly  12 . The internal socket  50  also functions as an adapter so that the socket assembly  12  can be attached to various structures and connected to external fluid passages in various positions through different types of internal sockets  50 , which will be further described hereinafter with reference to FIGS. 6 a  to  6   c.    
         [0038]    The internal socket  50  generally includes a square body  54  with hole  56  for sealingly receiving the nozzle  26  of the socket assembly  12 . At the bottom of the square body  54  there is a hollow cylindrical extension  58  that allows attachment to a hose  60  of a central watering system (not shown). A fluid passage (not shown) extends from the opening  56  through the square body  54  to the cylindrical extension  58  so that water can flow through the internal socket  50  and the socket body  22  when the nozzle  26  of the socket assembly  12  is sealingly received in the opening  56  of the internal socket  50 . The cable  42   b  which is connected to an electrical circuit of the central watering system is terminated with the electrical connector  44   b . The electrical connector  44   b  is connected to the electrical connector  44   a  of the socket assembly  12 . The cable  42   b  on the electrical connector  44   b  is attached by a hook for example (not shown), to the side of the square body  54  in order to prevent falling thereof when the electrical connector  44   b  is disconnected from the electrical connector  44   a.    
         [0039]    The internal socket  50  is attached to the side of the stud  52  in the wall by two screws  62 . Alternatively, an L-shaped bracket (not shown) can be placed between the internal socket  50  and the side of the stud  52  so that the internal socket  50  is attached to the bracket by means of screws  60  and the bracket is in turn attached to the front of the stud  52  by screws (not shown) through its bent section.  
         [0040]    The distance between the front of the internal socket  50  and the front of the stud  52  is predetermined in accordance with the dimensions of the socket assembly  12 , to ensure that the square head  24  of the socket assembly  12  is appropriately attached to the exterior surface of a wall panel  15 , as shown in FIG. 1 b . The internal socket  50  includes two threaded bores  64  in the front of the square body  54  for receiving mounting screws  66  which extend through mounting bores  68  in the square head  24  of the socket assembly  12 . A split sleeve spacer  70  is provided to surround the nozzle  26  in order to ensure the proper position of the socket assembly  12  to the internal socket  50 .  
         [0041]    When the wall panel  15  is in place with holes (not shown) for mounting the socket assembly  12 , the electrical connector  44   b  is first pulled out from the wall using a hook (not shown) and is then connected with the electrical connector  44   a  of the socket assembly  12 . The socket assembly  12  is then pressed into the internal socket  50 . The two mounting screws  66  of the in the square head  24  are then firmly secured in the corresponding two threaded bores  64  of the front of the body  54 . The length of the split spacer  70  is critical. When the screws  66  are tightened, the pressure must be on the split spacer  70  and not on the wall panel. The split spacer  70  can be easily replaced if necessary without removing the O-rings  34 , by simply pulling the split spacer  70  apart.  
         [0042]    Referring now to FIGS. 1 a ,  1   b  and FIGS. 4 a - 4   c , the wall cover assembly  16  has a body  72  with a cylindrical plug  74  at the center thereof. The cylindrical plug  74  has O-rings  76  to make a watertight seal when the cylindrical plug  74  is inserted into the central opening  30  of the socket assembly  12 . Two wings  78  are attached through hinges  80  to the body  72  on opposite sides thereof. Each wing  78  is urged into a closed position as shown in FIG. 4 a , by two springs  82  positioned at the ends of each hinge  80 . On the inside of each wing  78  is affixed a lock member  84  having an inwardly extending protrusion  86  at the end thereof. Metal electrical contacts  88  are attached to each protrusion  86 .  
         [0043]    A number of the metal electrical contacts  88  are connected to indicating lights  90  that are installed in the body  72  at the front thereof. When the plug  74  is inserted into the center opening  30  of the socket assembly  12 , the wings  78  are urged by the springs  82 , to pivot laterally towards the head  24  of the socket assembly  12  until the lock members  84  are engaged with the respective cavities  36 . The slanted surfaces  37  on the front edges of the opposite sides of the head  24  facilitate the engagement of the lock members  84  with the cavities  36 . When the lock members  84  are engaged with the cavities  36 , the metal electrical contacts  38  in the cavities  36  are in firm contact with the metal electrical contacts  88  on the protrusions  86  so that the indicating lights  90  can be selectively illuminated in various illumination models to indicate for example, that the wall cover assembly  16  is properly closed, that the central watering system is being used through another outlet, that it is due to water plants through this outlet, etc. Additionally, a number of the metal electrical contacts  88  from opposite wings  78  are connected together to complete an electrical interlock circuit of the central watering system. Two recesses  91  provided at the end of the respective wings  78 , permit a user to insert his/her fingers to pull back the wings  78  when the wall cover assembly  16  is to be unplugged from the socket assembly  12 .  
         [0044]    The apron  20  formed of a semi-soft material with an opening  92  to accommodate the nozzle  26 , screws  66  and cable  42   a  of the socket assembly  12  of FIG. 3 a , is placed between the socket assembly  12  and the wall panel and is attached at its bottom end to the top of the body  72  of the wall cover assembly  16  by well-known means, such as bosses  94  snuggly received in holes  96  in the top of the body  72 . The apron  20  has an adequate length so that the wall cover assembly  16  suspends from the socket assembly  12  as shown in FIG. 1 b  and can be easily positioned to close the socket assembly  16  as shown in FIG. 1 a . The apron  20  properly covers the hole cut in the wall panel for receiving the socket assembly  12 . The apron  20  is larger than the square head  24  of the socket assembly  12  so that the hole in the wall panel does not need to be cut precisely. Additionally, the apron  20  will keep any water drops away from the wall. A few water drops may occur during the connection change of the socket assembly  12 , from the plug assembly  14  as shown in FIG. 1 c  to the wall cover assembly  16  as shown in FIG. 1 a , even though the central watering system is generating a suction to remove water remaining in the water hose  60  of FIG. 2.  
         [0045]    Referring now to FIGS. 1 c  and  5   a - 5   d , the plug assembly  14  includes a hollow plug body  98  having a flat top  100 , a flat bottom  102  and opposite flat sides  104  with a cylindrical nozzle  106  at the front end and cylindrical extension  108  at the rear end thereof. A fluid passage  110  extends through the plug body  98 , forming openings  112 , and  114  in the respective nozzle  106  and extension  108 . O-rings  116  around the nozzle  106  provide a fluid-tight connection with the socket assembly  12  when the nozzle  106  is inserted into the opening  30  of the socket body  22 . The cylindrical extension  108  is adapted to be connected to the hose  18  which is secured to the extension  108  by a hose retainer  118  well known in the art. The front end  120  of the nozzle  106  is beveled to facilitate the insertion of the nozzle  106  into the opening  30  of the socket body  22 .  
         [0046]    Two handles  122  are provided on the opposite sides  104  of the plug body  98 . A hinge sleeve  124  is affixed to the inner side at the middle of each handle  122 . The hinge sleeves  124  are pivotally mounted on two hinge pins  126  securely attached to the opposite sides  104  of the plug body  98 , so that the handles  122  can pivot about the hinge pins  126 , respectively. A protrusion  128  extends inwardly from the front end of each handle  122 , on which a plurality of metal electrical contacts  130  are attached. A number of these metal electrical contacts  130  are connected to wires  132  which may be incorporated into the hose  18  and is to be connected together with the hose  18 , to an appliance. Optionally, some of these metal electrical contacts  130  can be left without connection to the wires  132 , or can be connected with one another, depending on specific applications. Springs  134  are positioned between the plug body  98  and the respective handles  122 . The handles  122  can be pressed pivotally open as shown in FIG. 5 c  for the insertion of the nozzle  106  of the plug assembly into the opening  30  of the socket body  22 , and can be urged to pivot laterally so that the protrusions  128  move inwardly to engage the cavities  36  of the socket assembly  12  when the nozzle  106  of the plug assembly  14  is inserted into the opening  30  of the socket assembly  12 , as shown in FIG. 5 d.  The metal electrical contacts  130  on the handles  122  are pressed into contact with metal electrical contacts  38  in the cavities  36 . Thus, electrical connections of cable  42   a ,  42   b  of FIG. 2 with wires  132  is established.  
         [0047]    The plug assembly  14  further includes top and bottom cover members  135  (only the bottom cover member is shown) which generally provide an aesthetic appearance to the plug assembly  14 . Each of the top and bottom cover members  135  includes a casing  136  and a plate  138 . The plates  138  are mounted on the respective top and bottom of the plug body  98  by mounting screws (not shown) and the casings  136  enclose the cylindrical extension  108  of the plug body  98  so that the end of hose  18  and the hose retainer  118  are covered by the casings  136 . Casings  136  include forward extensions  140  which act as stops to restrain the pivotal movement of the handles  122  so that the handles  122  and the cover members  135  in combination provide an aesthetic appearance of the plug assembly  14 , and also prevent the metal electrical contacts  130  from contacting the plug body  98  when not in use, as shown in FIG. 5 b . The forward extensions  140  should not adversely affect the pressed contact of the contacts  130  and  38  when the plug assembly  14  is connected to the socket assembly  12 . Additionally, the bottom cover member  135  further includes a key lock  142  which is located on the inner side at the front end of the plate  138  in a position corresponding to the key way  48  in the square head  24  of the socket assembly of FIG. 3 a , to ensure that the plug assembly  14  can be connected to the socket assembly  12  only in the correct angular orientation. The front ends of the two cover members  135  are formed to fit the square head  24  of the socket assembly  12  in order to increase the mechanical interlock between the plug assembly  14  and the socket assembly  12 .  
         [0048]    In an alternative arrangement, the handles  122  can be incorporated with either plug body  98  or cover members  135  therefore springs  134  can be omitted. The handles  122  can be deformed to open for the insertion of the plug body  98  into the socket body  22 , and are urged by the resilient force resulting from the deformation to engage the cavities  36  of the socket assembly  12 .  
         [0049]    [0049]FIGS. 6 a - 6   c  illustrate another embodiment of the present invention, in which a combined connector assembly  10   a  for both fluid and electrical connection is similar to the embodiment  10  illustrated in FIG. 1 c , and includes socket assembly  12   a , plug assembly  14   a  and internal socket  50   a.    
         [0050]    The socket assembly  12   a  is similar to the socket assembly  12  in FIG. 3 a  and similar parts and features which are indicated by similar numerals will not be redundantly described. Different from the socket assembly  12  which is used as a wall outlet, the socket assembly  12   a  is attached to an appliance such as a flower pot  150  which is used with a central watering system to water plants growing therefrom with a flood and drain watering method, as described in the Applicant&#39;s co-pending United States patent application entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR WATERING POTTED PLANTS. The fluid and electrical connection between the flower pot  150  and the central watering system are established by means of the combined connector assembly  10  of FIG. 1 c  and the combined connector assembly  10   a  of the present invention.  
         [0051]    The socket assembly  12   a  includes a socket body  22  identical to that of the socket assembly  12  of FIG. 3 a , except that a recess  142  is provided on one side at the back of the square head  24 , and a memory chip unit  144  is accommodated therein which is electrically connected to a number of metal electrical contacts  38  within the cavities  36 . The memory chip unit  144  includes identification code, type code and/or other information data for that particular flower pot  150  to which the socket assembly  12   a  is attached. Thus, when that flower pot  150  is connected to the central watering system, the system can automatically identify that flower pot  150  and retrieve information such as the size of the flower pot for use in programming a watering process for that flower pot  150 .  
         [0052]    In order to attach the socket assembly  12   a  to the curved wall of the flower pot  150 , a two-piece spacer  146  is provided which includes an inner member  148  and an outer member  152 . The inside surfaces of the inner and outer members  148 ,  152  are formed to match the curved shape of the flower pot  150 . Both inner and outer members  148 ,  152  have a hole  154  for the nozzle  26 , holes  156  for the screws  66 , and holes  158  for wires (not shown) to pass through. The outer member  152  has an extension  160  to which a hood  162  is pivotally attached.  
         [0053]    The internal socket  50   a  includes a square body  54  similar to that of internal socket  50 , for receiving the nozzle  26  of socket assembly  12  of FIG. 2, but does not support the socket assembly  12   a . Instead, socket assembly  12   a  and internal socket  50   a  are both supported by the two-piece spacer  146 . The inner member  148  and outer member  152  of spacer  146  are placed on the opposite sides of the wall of the flower pot  150  and are tightly pressed together by mounting screws  66  passing through the holes  156  of the spacer  146  and interconnecting the socket assembly  12   a  with the inner socket  50   a . A water pipe (not shown) is connected to the extension  58  of the internal socket  50   a  and extends downwards to the bottom of the flower pot  150  to supply water into and remove water from the flower pot  150 . Thus, the combination of spacer  146  and internal socket  50   a  provides an adapter function so that the socket assembly  12   a  can be attached to various appliances or wall structures with only changes of the internal socket  50   a  and spacer  146 .  
         [0054]    When a water level detector is required to be mounted in the flower pot  150  at the top thereof, the water level detector can be incorporated into the internal socket  50   a  by exposing probes  164  on the opposite sides of the square body  54  of internal socket  50   a  and connecting those probes  164  electrically to the metal electrical contacts  38  in the cavities  36  of the socket assembly  12   a . All electrical conductors including those connecting other sensors (not shown) in the flower pot  150  will pass through the holes  158  to be connected to the metal electrical contacts  38  in the cavities  36  of the socket assembly  12   a . It should be noted that corresponding openings (not shown) should be made through the flower pot wall in order to allow the nozzle  26 , screws  66  and these electrical conductors to pass therethrough. The hood  162  is positioned over the squared head  24  of the socket assembly when the socket assembly is not in use in order to protect the contacts  38  from corrosion and prevent children from dropping in foreign objects such as stones, as well to make the socket assembly  12   a  more aesthetically pleasing.  
         [0055]    The plug assembly  14   a  is identical to the plug assembly  14  of FIG. 1 c  and will not therefore be redundantly described.  
         [0056]    A remote control  166  which is used with the central watering system, can be conveniently connected to the plug assembly  14   a  if a telephone socket is incorporated into the rear end of the plug assembly  14   a , which is well known in the art. Thus a user can operate the central watering system from a position near the plants to be watered.  
         [0057]    The plug assembly  14   a  and the plug assembly  14  of FIG. 1 c  are attached to opposite ends of the hose  18 . It should be noted that both ends of the hose  18  should be properly closed after the hose  18  is used and is disconnected at either or both ends. If either end of hose  18  is left open and when hose  18  is moved around, water remaining in the hose  18  could run out, which is not acceptable, especially for indoor applications. End connectors with built-in valves which are available in the market and are used for ordinary water hoses to prevent water from running out are not adequate for use with hose  18  which is connected to the central watering system to supply and withdraw water through the same hose  18 .  
         [0058]    In FIGS. 7 a - 7   c , a simple plug  170  is provided. The plug  170  is cylindrical at one end  172  in order fit into the opening  112  of the nozzle  106  of plug assembly  14  of FIG. 5 b , and is formed in a square shape at its other end  174  with two cavities  176  for receiving the protrusions  128  of the handles  122  of the plug assembly  14 , so that the plug  170  cannot be accidentally removed from the plug assembly  14   a . A one-way valve  178  is provided within the plug  170  which, under water pressure, is closed to prevent water remaining in the hose  18  from running out thereof as shown in FIG. 7 b , and which permits air to flow through orifices  180  while the other end of the hose  18  is being connected to the central watering system which is generating a vacuum action to remove any water remaining in the hose.  
         [0059]    A number of devices have been developed that require supply and drain of water through a single hose. A hose can be permanently attached to those devices or can be attached through the combined connector assembly for fluid and electrical connection, in accordance with the present invention. The socket assembly can be part of an appliance, such as the flower pot  150  of FIG. 6 a.    
         [0060]    [0060]FIG. 8 illustrates a further embodiment of the present invention in which the socket assembly  12   b  is incorporated into a hose end attachment  182 , for watering potted house plants and removing the excess water from a saucer placed under a flower pot which has a drain hole in the bottom thereof. The socket assembly  12   b  is similar to socket assembly  12  but does not include the internal socket  50  and the spacer  70  of FIG. 2 a . The socket  12   b  is connected to the plug assembly  14   b  which is identical to plug assembly  14  of FIG. 1 c.    
         [0061]    The combined connector assembly for fluid and electrical connection of the present invention can be used not only to connect an appliance to a water supply and drain system, such as the central watering system, but can also connect an appliance to other systems, for example, connecting a vacuum cleaning device to a central vacuum cleaning system. It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown herein. Modifications and improvements to the above-described embodiments of the present invention may become apparent to those skilled in the art. The foregoing description is intended to be exemplary rather than limiting. The scope of the invention is therefore intended to be limited solely by the scope of the appended claims.