TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to the field of electric plugs and sockets. More particularly, the invention relates to removable sockets.

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, replacment 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 present 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 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

A socket apparatus (10) comprising:

- a plate (50) for being held by sockets (40) of a wall outlet (18) in contact with a front surface (70) of the wall outlet (18), the plate (50) shaped complementary to the front surface (70) of the wall outlet (18) and comprising holes (58) shaped and located corresponding to the sockets (40) of the wall outlet (18);

- metal apertures (28), each extending from one of the holes (58) of the plate (50), the metal apertures (28) for receiving electric supply (72) from the sockets (40) of the wall outlet (18), and

for inserting prongs (66) of a plug (56) of an electric appliance (54) thereinto? ^* - an electric gadget (20), for providing an electric function; and

- an electric circuit (34), for receiving electric supply (72) from the metal apertures (28), and for converting the electric supply (72) to the electric function,

thereby the socket apparatus (10), being removeable from the wall outlet (18), adds the electric function thereto, while substantially not protruding therefrom.

Each of the metal apertures (28), extending from one of the holes (58) of the plate (50), may comprise a hollowed elongated metal plug (22), for being inserted into the corresponding socket (40) of the wall outlet (18) for receiving the electric supply (72) therefrom.

Each of the metal apertures (28) extending from one of the holes (58) of the plate (50) may comprise a springy ring (30), for embracing a prong (66), for electrically contacting thereto, for receiving the electric supply (72) therefrom.

The socket apparatus (10) may further comprise^

- a dummy plug (26) comprising prongs (42) for being inserted into the sockets (40) of the wall outlet (18) for receiving the electric supply (72) from the sockets (40) of the wall outlet (18), and for transferring the electric supply (72) to the metal apertures (28).

The electric gadget (20) may comprise a Universal Serial Bus (USB) outlet. The electric gadget (20) may comprise a low voltage outlet. The electric gadget (20) may comprise a light bulb (62) and a switch (64) for turning the bulb (62) 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 present 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 present invention, including a wall outlet and an appliance'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 present 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 present invention.

It should be understood that 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.

Fig. 1 is a front view of a socket according to one embodiment of the present invention, including a wall outlet and an appliance'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.

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. l) 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. l) thereinto. Hollowed elongated metal plugs 22 are sufficiently springy for contacting sockets 40 (shown in Fig. l) 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. l) 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. l) 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. l) 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 present 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 present 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.

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 present 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.

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.