Patent Publication Number: US-9853384-B2

Title: Socket apparatus

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Non-provisional application Ser. No. 15/201,633 filed Jul. 5, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,548,578; which in turn is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Non-provisional application Ser. No. 14/628,310 filed Feb. 23, 2015, now abandoned; which in turn claims priority benefit of Israeli application serial number 231214 filed Feb. 27, 2014; the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to the field of electric plugs and sockets. More particularly, the invention relates 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Wall sockets supply high alternating voltage, such as 220 VAC. Wall sockets are designed, regarding esthetical, physical and safety considerations, substantially not to protrude out of the wall. 
     Wall sockets adding other functions, such as USB outlets are also disclosed. 
     However, replacement of the standard wall socket with a wall socket including the USB outlet is not user operable. 
     Removable sockets having prongs and holes are typically used for providing multiple outputs. These too are disclosed, including USB outlets. 
     However, the removable sockets are disadvantaged of protruding out of the wall and out of the wall outlet. 
     All the methods described above have not yet provided satisfactory solutions to the long felt need of user operably adding a USB outlet to a wall socket without protrusion from the wall. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide an apparatus for user operably adding a USB outlet to a wall socket without protrusion from the wall. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide a solution to the above-mentioned and other problems of the prior art. 
     Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A socket apparatus is provided that includes a plate adapted to be held by sockets of a wall outlet and in contact with a front surface of the wall outlet. The plate has a shape complementary to the front surface of the wall outlet and includes holes shaped and located corresponding to the sockets of the wall outlet. Metal apertures, each extending from one of the holes of the plate are provided for receiving electric supply from the sockets of the wall outlet, and for inserting prongs of a plug of an electric appliance thereinto. An electric gadget provides an electric function. An electric circuit is provided for receiving electric supply from the metal apertures and for converting the electric supply to the electric function. As a result, the socket apparatus, being removeable from the wall outlet, adds the electric function thereto, while substantially not protruding therefrom. 
     Each of the metal apertures, extending from one of the holes of the plate may include a hollowed elongated metal plug, for being inserted into the corresponding socket of the wall outlet for receiving the electric supply therefrom. Either at least one foldable extension pin or no extension pin is present so as to not interfere with conventional usage of the electrical socket while providing electrical supply to the electrical gadget. 
     Each of the metal apertures extending from one of the holes of the plate may include a springy ring, for embracing a prong, for electrically contacting thereto, for receiving the electric supply therefrom. 
     The socket apparatus may also include a dummy plug comprising prongs for being inserted into the sockets of the wall outlet for receiving the electric supply from the sockets of the wall outlet, and for transferring the electric supply to the metal apertures. 
     The electric gadget illustratively includes a Universal Serial Bus (USB) outlet. 
     The electric gadget may include a low voltage outlet. 
     The electric gadget may include a light bulb and a switch for turning the bulb on and off. 
     The reference numbers have been used to point out elements in the embodiments described and illustrated herein, in order to facilitate the understanding of the invention. They are meant to be merely illustrative, and not limiting. Also, the foregoing embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated in conjunction with systems and methods thereof, which are meant to be merely illustrative, and not limiting. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       Preferred embodiments, features, aspects and advantages of the invention are described herein in conjunction with the following drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of a socket according to one embodiment of the invention, including a wall outlet and an appliance&#39;s plug for being connected thereto. 
         FIG. 2  is a rear view of the socket of  FIG. 1 , according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the socket of  FIG. 2 , including the wall outlet depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a rear view of the socket of  FIG. 1 , according to another embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of the socket according to the embodiment of  FIG. 4 , including the wall outlet and a dummy plug for being connected thereto, according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a side sectional view of the socket of  FIG. 5 , including the wall outlet and the dummy plug for being connected thereto, according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 7  shows the usage of the socket apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 8  depicts the position prior to insertion of inserting the electric appliance plug into the socket apparatus of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 9  depicts the position upon the insertion of inserting the electric appliance plug into the socket apparatus of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a socket apparatus according to another embodiment, for solving the problem shown in  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 11  depicts the socket apparatus of  FIG. 10  upon inserting the plug of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective enlarged view of the pin extension  74  of  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 13  is a side schematic view of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 14  depicts another approach for using the socket apparatus of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 15  depicts the plug inserted into the wall outlet, through the socket apparatus of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 16  depicts a lateral cross-sectional view of the foldable extension pins; 
         FIG. 17A  is a side view of a socket according to another embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 17B  is a front view of the socket of  FIG. 17A . 
     
    
    
     It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention will be understood from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments (“best mode”), which are meant to be descriptive and not limiting. For the sake of brevity, some well-known features, methods, systems, procedures, components, circuits, and so on, are not described in detail. 
       FIG. 1  is a front view of a socket according to one embodiment of the invention, including a wall outlet and an appliance&#39;s plug for being connected thereto. 
     A socket apparatus  10 , according to the invention, constitutes a thin plate  50 , shaped like wall outlet  18 , for being connected to a wall outlet  18 , by covering wall outlet  18 . The connection of socket apparatus  10  to wall outlet  18  is user operable, i.e., carried out by pressing it only, without any tool, towards wall outlet  18 . Plate  50  includes holes  58  fitted to sockets  40  of wall outlet  18 , for inserting prongs  66  of a plug  56  of an appliance  54 . 
     Upon connecting socket apparatus  10  to wall outlet  18 , socket apparatus  10  provides the electric supply  72  (not illustrated), supplied by wall outlet  18 , to plug  56  of appliance  54 . 
     The rear surface  68  (not shown) of plate  50  is substantially shaped complementary to the front surface  70  of wall outlet  18 . Since plate  50  is thin and is shaped like wall outlet  18 , socket apparatus  10 , upon being connected to wall outlet  18 , is advantaged in substantially not protruding from the wall  52 . Thus, according to one aspect of the invention, socket apparatus  10  may be used for changing or renewing the appearance of wall outlet  18 . 
     In addition, socket apparatus  10  includes at least one electric gadget  20 , receiving the electric supply  72  (not illustrated) therefor, from wall outlet  18 . 
     According to a main embodiment, electric gadget  20  may constitute a Universal Serial Bus (USB) outlet, or any other output supply. According to another embodiment, electric gadget  20  may constitute a light bulb  62  and a switch  64 , for turning bulb  62  on and off. 
     An alternative construct of socket apparatus  10  is shown in  FIGS. 17A and 17B  in side and front views, respectively at  10 ′ with like functionality to apparatus  10  simply arranged in different positions. 
       FIG. 2  is a rear view of the socket of  FIG. 1 , according to one embodiment. 
     A metal aperture  28  extends from each of holes  58  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) of plate  50 . Metal apertures  28  provides the high voltage of wall outlet  18  to an electric circuit  34 , for producing the appropriate voltage need by electric gadget  20 . 
     According to one embodiment, each metal aperture  28  constitutes a hollowed elongated metal plug  22 , for being inserted into the corresponding socket  40  of wall outlet  18 , thus physically holding metal plug  22  and plate  50 ; and for inserting the corresponding prong  66  of plug  56  of appliance  54  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) thereinto. Hollowed elongated metal plugs  22  are sufficiently springy for contacting sockets  40  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) of wall outlet  18  and prongs  66  of appliance  54 . Thus, hollowed metal plugs  22  transfer the electric supply  72  (not illustrated) from sockets  40  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) of wall outlet  18  to prongs  66  of appliance  54 . 
     Input wires  36  transfer the high electric voltage from hollowed metal plugs  22  to an electric circuit  34 , which may surround hollowed metal plugs  22 . 
     Electric circuit  34  may convert the high voltage to low voltage, such as to that required by the USB outlet. Output wires  38  may transfer the voltage produced electric circuit  34  therefrom to electric gadget  20 . 
     Gadget  20  consumes relatively low power, thus the walls of hollowed plugs  22  may be relatively thin for transferring the high electric voltage from hollowed metal plugs  22  to electric circuit  34 . 
       FIG. 3  is a side view of the socket of  FIG. 2 , including the wall outlet depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
     The rear surface  68  of plate  50  is shaped complementary to the front surface  70  (not shown) of wall outlet  18 . 
       FIG. 4  is a rear view of the socket of  FIG. 1 , according to another embodiment. 
     According to another embodiment, each metal aperture  28  constitutes a springy ring  30 , fitting to prongs  66  of appliance  54  for embracing thereof and thus electrically contacting thereto. Springy ring  30  are not elongated, thus do not transfer the electric supply  72  (not illustrated) directly from sockets  40  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) of wall outlet  18  to prongs  66  of appliance  54 . 
     Springy rings  30  are short, thus may not be inserted into sockets  40  of wall outlet  18 . Springy rings  30  are designed for inserting prongs  66  of plug  56  of appliance  54  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) thereinto, such that prongs  66  transfer the high electric voltage to springy rings  30 . 
     Input wires  36  transfer the high electric voltage from springy rings  30  to electric circuit  34 , which may surround springy rings  30 . 
     Electric circuit  34  may convert the high voltage to low voltage, such as to that required by the USB outlet. Output wires  38  may transfer the voltage produced electric circuit  34  therefrom to electric gadget  20 . 
     Springy rings  30  receive the electric voltage from prongs  66 . Once prongs  66  of appliance  54  are removed from sockets  40  of wall outlet  18 , springy rings  30  do not receive the electric supply  72  (not illustrated), and thus input wires  36  do not supply the electric supply  72  (not illustrated) to electric circuit  34 . 
       FIG. 5  is a front view of the socket according to the embodiment of  FIG. 4 , including the wall outlet and a dummy plug for being connected thereto, according to one embodiment of the invention. 
     In order that springy rings  30  receive the electric supply  72  even once prongs  66  of appliance  54  are removed from sockets  40  of wall outlet  18 , a dummy plug  26  including prongs  42  may be inserted into sockets  40  of wall outlet  18 , for replacing prongs  66  of appliance  54 . According to this embodiment, prongs  42  being inserted into sockets  40  of wall outlet  18  hold plate  50  in contact with wall outlet  18 . Dummy plug  26  preferably includes a string  32  for being hung thereon, for not being lost while being unplugged. 
       FIG. 6  is a side sectional view of the socket of  FIG. 5 , including the wall outlet and the dummy plug for being connected thereto, according to one embodiment of the invention. 
     The electric supply  72  is supplied by an electric wire  44  to socket  40 . Prong  42  of dummy plug  26  transfers the electric supply to springy ring  30  of metal aperture  28  of socket apparatus  10  of  FIG. 5 . Input wire  36  transfers the electric supply to electric circuit  34 . Output wire  38  transfers the converted voltage to gadget  20 . 
       FIG. 7  shows the usage of the socket apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
     A mobile phone  16  is depicted charged through an adaptor  14  ending with a USB plug  12  plugged into USB outlet  20  of socket apparatus  10  connected to wall outlet  18 . 
       FIG. 8  depicts the position prior to insertion of inserting the electric appliance plug into the socket apparatus of  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 9  depicts the position upon the insertion of inserting the electric appliance plug into the socket apparatus of  FIG. 4 . 
     The term “effective length of prong” refers herein to the length of the prong of a plug, being insertable into a socket of a wall outlet. 
     The thickness of plate  50  of socket apparatus  10  is indeed not negligible in relation to prongs  66  of plug  56  of the electric appliance, and thus socket apparatus  10  as described above, is disadvantaged in that it shortens the effective length of prongs  66 . 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a socket apparatus according to another embodiment, for solving the problem shown in  FIG. 9 . 
     According to the embodiment of  FIG. 10 , socket apparatus  10  further includes pin extensions  74  or  74 ′, each for extending one of prongs  66 . It is appreciated that pin extensions, either  74  or  74 ′ are omitted in certain inventive embodiments and power is provided to springy ring  30  through contact with prongs inserted therethrough being electrified. Pin extension  74 ′ differs from extension pin  74  in that the pin extension  74 ′ is foldable. 
       FIG. 11  depicts the socket apparatus of  FIG. 10  upon inserting the plug of  FIG. 10 . 
     As the pin extension  74  located in the back of the product and enters into metal plug  22  and is in electrical communication directly with line power, the pin extension  74  can block the power point. In alternative inventive embodiments, pin extension  74  is removable or is the foldable pin extension  74 ′. A pin extension  74  is rendered removable through a press-fit or bayonet-type joinder as for example, detailed with respect to  FIG. 12 . 
     In instances in which a user wishes to attached a device  10  or  10 ′, the removable extension pin  74  is removed and the gadget  20  is energized via the springy rings  30  as detailed for example with respect to  FIG. 3 . 
     In an alternative embodiment enabled by foldable pin extension  74 ′, the extension  74 ′ includes a flexure area that allows foldable pin extension  74 ′ to be displaced so as not to engage the socket  40  of the wall outlet  18 , as described in further detail with respect to  FIG. 15 . A flexure region in foldable pin extension  74 ′ illustratively includes those structures detailed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,357,457; 5,439,311; or 6,321,503; the contents of which are incorporated by reference. It is further appreciated that pin extension  74 ′ is readily formed between the same length as pin extension  74  or is as much as 100% longer to provide for the length to properly fold. In still other inventive embodiments, pin extension  74 ′ is 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, or 60% longer that pin extension  74 . The action of pin extension  74 ′ is shown with respect to  FIG. 16 . 
     Pin extension  74  or  74 ′ connects prong  66 , thereby enlarging the effective length of the prong, approximately to the original length of  FIG. 10 . 
       FIG. 12  is a perspective enlarged view of the pin extension  74  or  74 ′ of  FIG. 11 . 
     Pin extension  74  or  74 ′ includes a springy ringed portion  76 , for embracing prong  66 ; and a non-hollowed portion  78 , for functioning as a plug, i.e., for extending prong  66 . 
     The main electrical connection is by surface  84  of non-hollowed portion  78  of pin extension  74  or  74 ′, pressing end surface  86  of prong  66 . 
       FIG. 13  is a side schematic view of  FIG. 10 . 
     According to one approach, the user may connect springy ring  76  of pin extension  74  or  74 ′ to prong  56  by threading prong  56  through hole  58  of socket apparatus  10 , and then by pressing pin extension  74  or  74 ′ towards prong  56 , as shown by the arrows. 
     Then, the user may press plug  56  onto the wall outlet. 
       FIG. 14  depicts another approach for using the socket apparatus of  FIG. 10 . 
     According to one embodiment, hole  58  of socket apparatus  10  may be capable of housing pin extension  74  or  74 ′, in a steady manner. 
     Thus, from this position, while socket apparatus  10  is already attached to the wall outlet, the user presses plug  56  for inserting prong  66  into hole  58  of socket apparatus  10 . 
       FIG. 15  depicts the plug inserted into the wall outlet, through the socket apparatus of  FIG. 10 . 
     Upon pressing plug  56  for inserting prong  66  into hole  58  of socket apparatus  10 , prong  66  presses pin extension  78  onto the end  80  of socket  40  of wall outlet  18 . Thus end  80  presses ring  76  of pin extension  78  towards prong  66 , similar to arrow  82  of  FIG. 13 . 
     Thus, socket  40  supplies current both to a portion of prong  66  and as well to pin extension  74  or  74 ′. The electric current flows therefrom to metal aperture  28  of socket apparatus  10 , and therefrom to electric gadget  20 . 
     Spring ring  76  embraces prong  66  stronger than the embracing of socket  40  of wall outlet  18 . Thus, pulling of plug  56  maintains pin extension  74  or  74 ′ attached to prong  66 , and removes pin extension  74  or  74 ′ from socket  40  of wall outlet  18 . 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 13 and 14 , hole  58  of plate  50  of socket apparatus may include a protrusion  88  for not allowing pin extension  74  or  74 ′ to cross the hole. 
     Thus, the pulling of plug  56  out from the position of  FIG. 15 , in case of maintaining plate  50  of socket apparatus  10  attached to wall outlet  28 , inserts pin extension  74  or  74 ′ into hole  58  of plate  50 , for making hole  58  house pin extension  74  or  74 ′. 
     In the figures and/or description herein, the following reference numerals (Reference Signs List) have been mentioned: 
     numeral  10  denotes a socket apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention; 
     numeral  10 ′ denotes a socket apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention; 
     numeral  12  denotes a USB plug; 
     numeral  14  denotes an adaptor; 
     numeral  16  denotes a mobile phone; 
     numeral  18  denotes a wall outlet; 
     numeral  20  denotes a USB outlet, or any other electric gadget operating on low voltage; 
     numeral  22  denotes a hollowed metal plug, the plug conducting electric flow; 
     numeral  26  denotes a dummy plug, i.e., for electrically connecting the metal apertures of the socket apparatus to the sockets of the wall outlet, and for physically connecting the socket apparatus to the wall outlet; 
     numeral  28  denotes a metal aperture of the socket apparatus, for transferring the electric supply to the electric circuit; 
     numeral  30  denotes a springy ring, for providing physical contact, for providing electrical contact; 
     numeral  32  denotes a string; 
     numeral  34  denotes an electric circuit; 
     numerals  36  and  38  denote electric wires; 
     numeral  40  denotes an existing socket of the existing wall outlet; the wall outlet includes two or three sockets, the sockets being springy; 
     numeral  42  denotes a prong of the dummy plug; 
     numeral  44  denotes an electric wire; 
     numeral  50  denotes a shaped plate; 
     numeral  52  denotes the wall of the room; 
     numeral  54  denotes an electric appliance; 
     numeral  56  denotes a plug of the electric appliance; 
     numeral  58  denotes a hole in the shaped plate; 
     numeral  62  denotes a light bulb; 
     numeral  64  denotes a switch; 
     numeral  66  denotes a prong of a plug of the electric appliance; 
     numeral  68  denotes the rear surface of the shaped plate; 
     numeral  70  denotes the front surface of the wall outlet; and 
     numeral  72  denotes the electric supply, typically supplied by the electric network; 
     numeral  74  denotes the pin extension; 
     numeral  74 ′ denotes the foldable embodiment of the pin extension; 
     numeral  76  denotes the springy ringed portion of the pin extension; 
     numeral  78  denotes the non-hollowed portion of the pin extension; 
     numeral  80  denotes the end of the socket; 
     numeral  82  denotes an arrow; 
     numeral  84  denotes the surface of the non-hollowed portion of the pin extension; 
     numeral  86  denotes the surface of the prong; and 
     numeral  88  denotes a protrusion at the hole of the plate of the wall socket. 
     The foregoing description and illustrations of the embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the above description in any form. 
     Any term that has been defined above and used in the claims, should to be interpreted according to this definition. 
     The reference numbers in the claims are not a part of the claims, but rather used for facilitating the reading thereof. These reference numbers should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any form.