Patent Publication Number: US-2018051839-A1

Title: Wall socket

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to the field of sockets of a wall building. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Sockets of wall buildings include electrical wall sockets. The wall sockets substantially do not protrude out of the wall, and thus they form part of the building. 
     Thus, electrical wall sockets are spread all over the walls, even if the implements are not currently connected thereto. The implements are connected and removed by quick connections. 
     In contrast to electrical infrastructure, water or gas supply sources do not form part of the building. Implements consuming water or gas are rigidly fixed to the supply sources. For an example, a tap is not removably connected to the wall. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a an apparatus for removably connecting a water or gas consumer to the wall. 
     It is an object of the present 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 
     Thus, the present invention is directed to a wall socket ( 10 ), comprising:
         an inlet ( 64 A), for connecting an inlet pipe ( 20 A) thereto;   a first push-to-release pipe-joint ( 16 B), comprising an outlet ( 64 B), for pushing thereinto an outlet pipe ( 20 B), for connecting the outlet pipe ( 20 B) thereto;   a panel ( 12 ) disposed between the inlet ( 64 A) and the outlet ( 64 B), and extending from the first push-to-release pipe-joint ( 16 B); and   installation means ( 56 ) for installing the panel ( 12 ) to the building wall ( 50 ), attached thereto and parallel thereto, thereby disposing the inlet ( 64 A) behind the building wall ( 50 , and the outlet ( 64 B) in front of the building wall ( 50 ),   wherein the first push-to-release pipe-joint ( 16 B) comprises a joint for connecting the water pipe ( 20 B) thereto by pressing the water pipe ( 20 B) thereinto, and for releasing the water pipe ( 20 B) therefrom by pressing a push button ( 22 ) thereof, and   wherein the panel ( 12 ) is proximate to the push button ( 22 ), thereby allowing providing a removable supply to an implement ( 40 ) by the pressing of the outlet pipe ( 20 B) into the wall socket ( 10 ), and   thereby the wall socket ( 10 ) non-significantly protrudes out of the building wall ( 50 ).       

    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       Preferred embodiments, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention are described herein in conjunction with the following drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view of a prior art push-to-release pipe-joint. 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of a push-to-release pipe-joint, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the push-to-release pipe-joint of  FIG. 2 , attached to the building wall depicted in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the push-to-release pipe-joint of  FIG. 2 , before being attached to the building wall of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the push-to-release pipe-joint of  FIG. 2 , before being attached to the building wall of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 6  is a plumbing diagram, for utilizing the wall socket of  FIG. 2 . 
     
    
    
     The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. 
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     The present 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. 
     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. 
       FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view of a prior art push-to-release pipe-joint. 
     The term “push-to-release pipe-joint” refers herein to a joint for connecting thereto a water pipe by pressing the pipe into the joint, and for releasing the water pipe therefrom by pressing a push button thereof. 
     A prior art push-to-release pipe-joint  16 A is intended to connect, in a quick manner, an end of a pipe  20 A thereto without tools. 
     Pipe  20 A is sealed to push-to-release pipe-joint  16 A by a seal  28 . At the first step, upon pressing pipe  20 A to the left, pipe  20 A crosses a springy hook  26  by pressing it. Springy hook  26  tacks pipe  20 A, for not allowing releasing it. 
     For releasing pipe  20 A, at the second step, the user presses a push button  22  having an end  30  being complementary to hook  26 , thus pressing hook  26 , for ceasing the pressure on pipe  20 A. At the third step, the user may pull pipe  20 A outside push-to-release pipe-joint  16 A. 
       FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of a push-to-release pipe-joint, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
     A wall socket  10  constitutes a female connector, being fixed to the building wall. 
     In contrast to the common female electrical wall sockets, designed for inserting male plugs thereinto, wall socket  10  constitutes a female water or gas connector, for inserting thereinto a “male” pipe. 
     Wall socket  10  utilizes the female character of the push-to-release pipe-joint of  FIG. 1 , for constituting a socket. 
     Wall socket  10  includes, according to one embodiment of the present invention, at least two prior art push-to-release pipe-joints  16 A and  16 B of  FIG. 1 , each facing a different direction; and a perpendicular panel  12  disposed therebetween. 
     Wall socket  10  is designed for connecting an inlet pipe  20 A from a first direction; for connecting an outlet pipe  20 B from a second direction; and for attaching perpendicular panel  12  to a building wall  50  and parallel thereto. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the push-to-release pipe-joint of  FIG. 2 , attached to the building wall depicted in  FIG. 2 . 
     Wall socket  10  is designed for attaching thereof to wall  50  of a kitchen or any other room  18  of a residence, for allowing a non-professional user, to connect water pipe  20 B of an implement  40  to push-to-release pipe-joint  16 B of wall socket  10 . 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the push-to-release pipe-joint of  FIG. 2 , before being attached to the building wall of  FIG. 3 . 
     Wall socket  10  is designed for being connected, by quick connection, to an inlet pipe  20 A, to be hidden behind building wall  50  by panel  12 . 
     Panel  12  is disposed proximate to push-to-release pipe-joint  16 B, thus push-to-release pipe-joint  16 B minimally protrudes from wall  50 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , only the length of push button  22  must protrude, for allowing pressing push button  22 , for allowing releasing outlet pipe  20 B. 
     Panel  12  is rigidly fixed at least to push-to-release pipe-joint  16 B, thus push-to-release pipe-joint  16 B is stationary, for allowing inserting outlet pipe  20 B. 
     Wall socket  10  preferably includes a mechanical connection box  56 , to be inserted into an opening  58  in the building wall  50 , and for being rigidly fixed to the opening  58 . Connection box  56  is designed for connecting to panel  12  thereto by snapping means or by simple screwing means. 
     Wall socket  10  may include a faucet  38 , for allowing or disallowing water passage from inlet pipe  20 A to outlet pipe  20 B. Faucet  38  may be operated by a handle  14  being disposed, like push-to-release pipe-joint  16 B, on the external side  52 B of panel  12 . 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the push-to-release pipe-joint of  FIG. 2 , before being attached to the building wall of  FIG. 3 . 
     Inlet pipe  20 A preferable is hidden behind building wall  50 , may be threaded into a housing pipe  32 . 
       FIG. 6  is a plumbing diagram, for utilizing the wall socket of  FIG. 2 . 
     In modern kitchen topology, the water is supplied by a water supply source  44 , represented by a faucet, disposed below the working surface  62 , to a tap  60 , laid on the working surface  62 , through a pipe  64  crossing the working surface  62  through a hole in working surface. 
     Wall socket  10  allows supplying the water from water supply source  44 , represented by a faucet, disposed below working surface  62 , to implement  40 , such as a minibar or a refrigerator, disposed above working surface  62 , through inlet pipe  20 A, without making a hole in working surface, for crossing working surface  62 , since inlet pipe  20 A is installed behind or within wall  50 . 
     Inlet pipe  20 A disposed behind or within building wall  50 , extends from a splitting element  42 , splitting the water supply from water supply source  44  to wall socket  10  installed to building wall  50 . 
     Thus, the present invention is directed to a wall socket ( 10 ), comprising:
         an inlet ( 64 A), for connecting an inlet pipe ( 20 A) thereto;   a first push-to-release pipe-joint ( 16 B), comprising an outlet ( 64 B), for pushing thereinto an outlet pipe ( 20 B), for connecting the outlet pipe ( 20 B) thereto;   a panel ( 12 ) disposed between the inlet ( 64 A) and the outlet ( 64 B), and extending from the first push-to-release pipe-joint ( 16 B); and   installation means ( 56 ) for installing the panel ( 12 ) to the building wall ( 50 ), attached thereto and parallel thereto, thereby disposing the inlet ( 64 A) behind the building wall ( 50 , and the outlet ( 64 B) in front of the building wall ( 50 ),   wherein the first push-to-release pipe-joint ( 16 B) comprises a joint for connecting the water pipe ( 20 B) thereto by pressing the water pipe ( 20 B) thereinto, and for releasing the water pipe ( 20 B) therefrom by pressing a push button ( 22 ) thereof, and   wherein the panel ( 12 ) is proximate to the push button ( 22 ), thereby allowing providing a removable supply to an implement ( 40 ) by the pressing of the outlet pipe ( 20 B) into the wall socket ( 10 ), and   thereby the wall socket ( 10 ) non-significantly protrudes out of the building wall ( 50 ).       

     The inlet ( 64 A) may comprise a second push-to-release pipe-joint ( 16 B), for connecting the inlet pipe ( 20 A) thereto. 
     The panel ( 12 ) may rigidly be fixed to the push-to-release pipe-joint ( 16 B),
         thereby the pressing of the outlet pipe ( 20 B) into the wall socket ( 10 ) ensures the connection of the outlet pipe ( 20 B) into the first push-to-release pipe-joint ( 16 B).       

     The inlet ( 64 A) may comprise a water inlet, and the outlet ( 16 B) may comprise a water outlet, thereby allowing providing water supply to the implement ( 40 ). 
     The inlet pipe ( 20 A) is to be disposed behind the building wall ( 50 ),
         thereby allowing supplying water from a water source ( 44 ) disposed below a working surface ( 62 ), to the implement ( 40 ) disposed above the working surface ( 62 ), through the inlet pipe ( 20 A), without making a hole in the working surface ( 62 ).       

     The installation means ( 56 ) for installing the panel ( 12 ) to the building wall ( 50 ), attached thereto and parallel thereto, may comprise a connection box ( 56 ), for being inserted into an opening ( 58 ) in the building wall ( 50 ). 
     The wall socket ( 10 ) may further comprise:
         a faucet ( 38 ) for allowing passage from the inlet ( 64 A) to the outlet ( 64 B).       

     The wall socket ( 10 ) may further comprise:
         a handle ( 14 ) for operating the faucet ( 38 ),   wherein the panel ( 12 ) is disposed between the inlet ( 64 A) and the handle ( 14 ),   thereby the handle ( 14 ) is accessible upon installation of the wall socket ( 10 ) to the building wall ( 50 ).       

     In the figures and/or description herein, the following reference numerals (Reference Signs List) have been mentioned:
         numeral  10  denotes a wall socket, according to one embodiment of the present invention; in contrast to electric wall sockets, this is a water or gas water socket; like electric sockets, this socket as well does not protrude from the wall;   numeral  12  denotes the panel being attached to the building wall;   numeral  14  denotes the handle of the faucet of the wall socket;   numeral  16 A denotes the push-to-release pipe-joint being disposed behind the panel;   numeral  16 B denotes the push-to-release pipe-joint being partly disposed in front of the panel, and being accessible for quick connection by a non-professional user;   numeral  18  denotes the kitchen or any other room;   numeral  20 A denotes the inlet pipe for providing water to the wall socket;   numeral  20 B denotes the outlet pipe for supplying water from the wall socket;   numeral  22  denotes the push button, for releasing the pipe from the push-to-release pipe-joint of the wall socket or of a prior art push-to-release pipe-joint;   numeral  26  denotes the springy hook, for tacking the pipe to the push-to-release pipe-joint of the wall socket or to the prior art push-to-release pipe-joint;   numeral  28  denotes the seal, for sealing the pipe to the push-to-release pipe-joint of the wall socket or to the prior art push-to-release pipe-joint;   numeral  30  denotes the end of the push button of the push-to-release pipe-joint of the wall socket or of the prior art push-to-release pipe-joint;   numeral  32  denotes a housing pipe;   numeral  38  denotes a faucet of the wall socket;   numeral  40  denotes an implement needing water or gas supply;   numeral  42  denotes a piping splitting element;   numeral  44  denotes the water source; it is represented by a faucet;   numeral  50  denotes the building wall;   numeral  52 A denotes the side of the panel, facing the building wall;   numeral  52 B denotes the side of the panel, opposing the building wall, and being exposed to the user;   numeral  56  denotes installation means for installing the panel to the building wall; the connection means may constitute a connection box, being similar to a connection box, into which an electrical socket is installed;   numeral  58  denotes an opening in the building wall;   numeral  60  denotes a tap;   numeral  62  denotes a working surface, such as of a kitchen; the wall socket of the present invention eliminates the need to make a hole in the working surface, for supplying water to the implement; thus the wall socket constitutes a preparation to the kitchen, making the installation of the implement, and removal thereof, immediate;   numeral  64 A denotes the inlet of the wall socket; and   numeral  64 B denotes the outlet 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.