Technical Field

The present invention relates to a wall-mounted socket outlet which is buried and installed in an interior wall of a building, and more particularly to a wall-mounted withdrawable socket outlet which is buried and installed so as to be withdrawably used as necessary .

Background Art

Generally, a socket outlet which is buried and installed into a wall (hereinafter called a wall-mounted socket outlet) is completely fixed and installed so as not to be separated from the wall. As a result, as shown in FIG. 1, when an electric appliance or furniture "g" is located at a spot where a wall-mounted socket outlet 1 is placed, users cannot frequently use the wall-mounted socket outlet 1.

Although the wall-mounted socket outlet 1 may be used, an electric appliance or furniture "g" should be installed far from the wall "h" since a power plug 2 whose size and volume are large should be connected between the wall-mounted socket outlet 1 and an electric power consumer such as the electric appliance. As a result, the indoor space becomes relatively narrow, to thereby cause an impractical problem. Also, a socket outlet with a separate

electric wire may be used in order to extend the electric power socket outlet up to an electric power consumer, which causes an uneconomical problem.

Disclosure of the Invention

To solve the above problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a wall-mounted socket outlet which can be used at a state where the wall-mounted socket outlet has been buried into a wall and can be easily withdrawn from a spot where the wall-mounted socket outlet has been installed, as necessary.

To accomplish the above object of the present invention, according to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wall-mounted withdrawable socket outlet in which a socket outlet connection main body having a plug insertion hole and terminal ends is separated from a box frame buried into a wall, the wall-mounted withdrawable socket outlet comprising: the socket outlet connection main body having a central shaft which stands erect at the central position of circular groove portions, in which a pair of slip coupling pieces which are connected to electricity connection wires are fixed to the circular groove portions which are formed at a cove, respectively, in order to supply the electric energy for the terminal ends; a winding wheel which is rotatably installed around the central shaft, in which an electric lead cable connected with a conducting cable which is wired in the box frame is wound on the external peripheral portion and a pair of ball

terminals which are connected with the electric lead cable to supply the electrical energy to the slip coupling pieces are provided on the side wall of the winding wheel; a windup spring which is installed to wind the electric lead cable in which inner and outer ends are fixedly installed to the central shaft and the winding wheel, respectively, in a manner that the windup spring is wound and compressed by a force of the electric lead cable released from the winding wheel, and the winding wheel is rotated by an elastic force of the windup spring which is released; a stopper which is installed to have a pull-up force in the direction of the electric lead cable by a pull-back spring in order that the electric lead cable withdrawn from the winding wheel is not re-wound; an external case which is fixed at a cove in order that the winding wheel does not secede; finger groove portions which are installed in the front surface in order to rotate the socket outlet; and a detachment unit which detaches the socket outlet from the box frame and re-couples the socket outlet with the box frame.

Preferably, the detachment unit is configured in a manner that projections which are provided in the front surface of the box frame, combination groove portions into which the projections are inserted, and a stopper groove portion which is extended in the circumferential direction, are formed in the outer circumferential surface of the socket outlet.

Brief Description of the Drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram which illustrates a conventional socket outlet;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram which illustrates a state of use of a socket outlet according to the present invention; FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view which shows the core structure of a socket outlet according to the present invention;

FIG. 4A is a rear view showing a socket outlet connection main body representing a connection unit according to the present invention; FIG. 4B is a front view showing a winding wheel according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a socket outlet connection main body according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view cut along a line X - X ' of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is an isolated perspective view which shows a detachment unit according to the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view which illustrates the combination state of the detachment unit according to the present invention;

FIGs. 9A and 9B are a perspective view which shows the essential parts showing the action of the detachment unit according to the present invention, respectively;

FIGs. IOA and 1OB are a front view of a socket outlet which shows the configuration state of finger groove portions according

to the present invention, respectively;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view which shows the state where a cover member is employed according to the present invention; and

FIG. 12 is a configurational diagram showing a socket outlet according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Best Mode for Carrying out the Invention

Hereinbelow, a wall-mounted withdrawable socket outlet according to preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram which illustrates a state of use of a socket outlet according to the present invention. In FIG. 2, a box frame 10 is fixed and buried into a wall "h" and a socket outlet 100 is inserted into the box frame 10 at normal times. Meanwhile, in the case that an electronic appliance or furniture "g" is put in front of the socket outlet 100, the socket outlet 100 is drawn out from the box frame 10 so as to be used for any electric power consumer such as an electric or electronic appliance. A multi-socket outlet 3 which can be connected with a number of plugs 2' can be connected with the withdrawn socket outlet 100 so as to be used from a number of electric power consumers such as electric or electronic appliances.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the state where the socket outlet 100 is inserted into the box frame 10. The box frame 10 is buried into and installed on a wall "h" during construction of the

wall "h."

An electric wire protection member 12 connected by a screw nut 11 is installed at the rear side of the box frame 10 reclaimed in the wall "h." An electric lead cable 101 which is drawn from the socket outlet 100 passes through the electric wire protection member 12, and is connected with a conducting cable "k" which is wired in a building inside through a buried pipe "p."

Here, although not illustrated in the drawing, the conducting cable "k" is connected with the electric lead cable 101, so that they do not become a short-circuit. In order to prevent the electric lead cable 101 from being detached from conducting cable "k" by the pulling force generated when the electric lead cable 101 is withdrawn, the electric lead cable 101 is bound at the leading end of the wire protection member 12 so as to have a tie portion 101a. Otherwise, other components may replace the tie portion 101a, in order to prevent the electric lead cable 101 from coming off from the wire protection member 12.

The socket outlet 100 includes a socket outlet connection main body 110 having a plug insertion hole 111 into which a plug 2 is inserted and terminal ends 112 and 112' into which plug terminals 2a are fitted and inserted.

The structures of the plug insertion hole 111 and the terminal ends 112 and 112' of the socket outlet connection main body 110 are substantially same as those of a general socket outlet. Accordingly, the detailed description and drawings thereof will

be omitted.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4A, at the back side of the socket outlet connection main body 110, slip coupling pieces 114 and 114' are fixed and installed in a pair of circular groove portions 113 and 113', respectively.

The slip coupling pieces 114 and 114' are connected with the terminal ends 112 and 112' and electric connection wires 115 and

115' . A central shaft 116 is configured to stand erect, at the tail of the socket outlet connection main body 110 in the central portion of the circular slip coupling pieces 114 and 114'.

As shown in FIG. 5, circular groove portions 113 and 113', slip coupling pieces 114 and 114', and the center shaft 116 may be separately organized, and thus fixed to the tail end of the socket outlet connection main body 110 using fasteners such as screws 117. Referring to FIG. 3 and 6, a windup spring 120 is installed in the outer periphery of the central shaft 116 and a winding wheel 130 around which the electric lead cable is wound is rotatably installed in the outer side of the windup spring 120.

The inner-end 121 of the windup spring 120 is fixed to the central shaft 116 and the outer-end 122 thereof is fixed to the winding wheel 130. Accordingly, when the electric lead cable 101 is pulled and drawn out from the winding wheel 130, the electric lead cable 101 is released, and the winding wheel 130 rotates clockwise in FIG. 6 by the pulled force. As a result, the windup spring 120 is wound and is compressed.

Hereinafter, in the case that the electric lead cable 101 is pulled and released from the winding wheel 130, the rotation of the winding wheel 130 is defined as a forward rotation.

Reversely, in the case that the winding wheel 130 is rotated by the elasticity which is generated when the compressed windup spring

120 is released, and the electric lead cable 101 is reeled, the rotation of the winding wheel 130 is defined as a counter-rotation.

Therefore, the electric lead cable 101 which has been released externally is not rewound by a stopper 140 which is pulled inwards by a pull-back spring 141. That is, when the electric lead cable 101 is pulled and drawn out, to then discontinue a withdrawal of the electric lead cable 101, the winding wheel 130 is suddenly instantaneously counter-rotated by the elasticity of the windup spring 120. As a result, the electric lead cable 101 is inserted inwards . In this case, the stopper 140 contacting the electric lead cable 101 pressurizes the electric lead cable 101 instantaneously to thus prevent the electric lead cable from being rewound.

Moreover, in the case that the electric lead cable 101 is rewound in the winding wheel 130, the externally released electric lead cable 101 is pulled a bit and then inserted slowly. Accordingly, the instantaneous force does not operate on the stopper 140 and the contacting state is maintained between the stopper 140 and the electric lead cable 101. As a result, the electric lead cable 101 is rolled with the winding wheel 130 which is counter-rotated by the elasticity generated by the release of

the windup spring 120.

Therefore, the electric lead cable 101 is fixed to the winding wheel 130. A reference numeral 131 denotes a fixing unit which allows the electric lead cable 101 to be fixed to the winding wheel 130.

As shown in FIG. 4B, the electric lead cable 101 fixed to the winding wheel 130 is connected with ball terminals 133 and 133' fixed to the side walls 132 of the winding wheel 130, respectively.

That is, referring to FIG.4A and 4B, the negative and positive current flowing through the electric lead cable 101 is electrified to the slip coupling pieces 114 and 114' which contact each other through the ball terminals 133 and 133', respectively. In the conducting state, the winding wheel 130 rotates, and thus the ball terminals 133 and 133' rotate along the circular groove portions 113 and 113' while maintaining the state that ball terminals 133 and 133 ' contact the slip coupling pieces 114 and 114 ' . As a result, the electrical energy can flow through the slip coupling pieces 114 and 114', even during rotation of the winding wheel 130.

Referring back to FIG. 3, an external case 150 is fixed by means of screws 151 for anti-secession of the winding wheel 130 at the outer side of the winding wheel 130. A reference numeral 152 denotes a screw to firmly fix the external case 150. The external case 150 can be fixed by the other fasteners other than the screws 151 and 152. The box frame 10 and the socket outlet 100 include detachment

units 160 which combine the box frame 10 with the socket outlet 100 and separate the former from the latter.

Referring to FIG. 7, the detachment unit 160 includes a pair of projections 161 which protrude to the inner side at the mutually relative location in front of the box frame 10. A pair of combination groove portions 162 into which the projections 161 are fitted and inserted are included in the outer circumferential surface of the socket outlet 100. A stopper groove portion 163 which is formed circumferentially is included in the end of the combination groove portion 162.

Here, the socket outlet 100 is formed in a rectangular form as shown as a dotted line. The tail end portion of forming the combination groove portion 162 and the stopper groove portion 163 can be formed in a circular shape. Referring to FIG. 8, when the socket outlet 100 is coupled with the box frame 10, the projections 161 are inserted into the combination groove portions 162, and then inserted until the socket outlet 100 is completely inserted to the inner side of the box frame 10. In this case, as shown in FIG. 9A, the projections 161 are completely inserted into the combination groove portions 162. If the socket outlet 100 is made to rotate clockwise at the state where the projections 161 have been completely inserted into the combination groove portions 162, the projections 161 are stopped at the stopper groove portion 163 as shown in FIG. 9B. Accordingly,

the socket outlet 100 is coupled with the box frame 10.

In the meantime, when the socket outlet 100 is taken out from the box frame 10, the socket outlet 100 is made to rotate counterclockwise a little bit. In this case, the projections 161 are positioned in the combination groove portion 162 as shown in FIG. 9A. If the socket outlet 100 is taken out forwards, the projections 161 are completely taken away from the combination groove portion 162 and simultaneously the socket outlet 100 is separated from the box frame 10. In order to couple the socket outlet 100 with the box frame 10 or separate the former from the latter, the socket outlet 100 has to be caught by the hand and then be rotated. As shown in FIGs. 1OA and 1OB, a pair of finger groove portions 170 are provided in the front surface of the socket outlet 100 or the outer circumferential surface thereof, in order to have the socket outlet 100 rotate.

Therefore, when the socket outlet 100 is pulled and moved to a spot to use it after separating the socket outlet 100 from the box frame 10, the electric lead cable 101 is loosened in the socket outlet 100 by the pulled force and drawn out from the socket outlet 100. Accordingly, as shown in FIG.2, the socket outlet 100 is used at a spot where the socket outlet 100 is needed. Meanwhile, when the socket outlet 100 does not need to be withdrawn, the socket outlet 100 is coupled again with the box frame 10 so as to be used at normal times.

FIG. 11 shows a socket outlet according to another embodiment of the present invention in which a cover member 14 which is opened and closed around a hinge shaft 13 in the box frame 10. In order to couple the socket outlet 100 with the box frame 10 or separate the socket outlet 100 from the box frame 10, the cover member 14 is opened as a dotted line and then is used. The electric lead cable 101 is exposed externally through a withdrawal hole 15 at the state where the socket outlet 100 has been separated from the box frame 10. Accordingly, the cover member 14 plays a role of preventing the foreign matter from making infiltrated into the box frame 10.

As shown in FIG. 12, a plug 2" is directly connected with the end portion of the electric lead cable 101 to then be connected with an existing wall-mounted socket outlet 1. As described above, the wall-mounted socket outlet according to the present invention cannot only be used at the state where the wall-mounted socket outlet has been buried in a wall, but also can be easily withdrawn from the box frame and then be used at a spot where the electric power consumer is located. Also, since a plug is provided at the end of the electric lead cable to then be connected with the existing wall-mounted socket outlet, the present invention should be widely applied to and be protected as long as the technical scope thereof is not deviated from the following claims . As described above, the present invention has been described

with respect to particularly preferred embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and it is possible for one who has an ordinary skill in the art to make various modifications and variations, without departing off the spirit of the present invention. Thus, the protective scope of the present invention is not defined within the detailed description thereof but is defined by the claims to be described later and the technical spirit of the present invention.

Industrial Applicability

As described above, the present invention provides a wall-mounted socket outlet which can be withdrawn from a box frame which is buried into and installed on a wall. Thus, the wall-mounted socket outlet according to the present invention can be used after being drawn out from the box frame up to a spot where an electric power consumer such as an electric appliance is located.