Apparatus and method for monitoring and sampling air quality in an interior space of a wall

Abstract

An apparatus and method for monitoring and sampling air quality in an interior space of a wall are provided. The apparatus includes a housing configured to attach the apparatus to an electrical outlet in the wall, and a gasket configured to provide a seal between the housing and the electrical outlet. The apparatus further includes an air moving unit configured to draw air from the interior space of the wall into the apparatus, and a sensor configured to monitor and sample the air quality in the interior space of the wall. The gasket is configured to directly attach to an electrical plate cover of the electrical outlet or to the wall.

1 - 8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a gasket configured to provide a seal separating air in a room from air in an interior space of a wall; and   a port operatively connecting the apparatus to the interior space of the wall for at least one of drawing air from and displacing air to the interior space of the wall.   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the gasket is configured to directly attach to an electrical plate cover of an electrical outlet or to the wall. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the gasket is configured to provide the seal around an electrical plate cover and is directly attached to the wall. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according  claim 9 , wherein the seal comprises a sufficient suction force to secure the apparatus to an electrical outlet or to the wall. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the port is an intake port for operatively connecting a suction intake with the interior space of the wall. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus according to  claim 10 , further comprising a member connected to a plug configured to attach the apparatus to the electrical outlet wherein the plug comprises one or more enlarged prongs. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein the gasket provides the seal between the member and the electrical outlet. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein the member is a plate and comprised in a housing. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the port operatively connects a pump with the interior space of the wall. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein a suction intake is incorporated into the plug. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein the port traverses at least a portion of the member. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein the port traverses at least a portion of the housing. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus according to  claim 9 , further comprising a nipple surrounding the port. 
     
     
         22 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a member;   a gasket connected to the member and configured to provide a seal separating air in a room from air in an interior space of a wall; and   a port formed in the member operatively connecting the apparatus to the interior space of the wall for at least one of drawing air from and displacing air to the interior space of the wall.   
     
     
         23 . The apparatus according to  claim 22 , wherein the member is a plate. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus according to  claim 23 , wherein the plate is comprised in a housing. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus according to  claim 22 , wherein the port traverses the member. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus according to  claim 22 , further comprising a nipple surrounding the port. 
     
     
         27 . An apparatus for monitoring and sampling air quality, comprising:
 a plate;   a gasket connected to the plate and configured to provide a seal directly to an electrical plate cover of an electrical outlet or to a wall; and   a port formed in the plate operatively connecting the apparatus to an interior space of the wall for at least one of drawing air from and displacing air to the interior space of the wall.   
     
     
         28 . The apparatus according to  claim 27 , wherein the plate is comprised in a housing.