Valve assembly modules for central vacuum systems and related methods

Abstract

The present invention provides casing and valve assemblies for use in outlet boxes of central vacuum systems placed along the walls of buildings. The assemblies of the present invention are designed to facilitate fastener-free and tool-free assembly and disassembly of the components making up the valve assemblies. The casing assemblies of the present invention include an input receptacle and an output port, where the output port is in communication with the central vacuum system. The input receptacle may be operable to receive a valve assembly module comprising several different parts that include a deformable sealing member, a compression ring, a pull bar, a lock cage, and a lock plate designed to sealingly engage the input receptacle with a vacuum hose. The parts of the valve assembly module are designed to be installed or removed from the casing assembly without the use of fasteners or hand tools, enhancing user convenience and system maintainability. The tool-free design promotes ease of use and allows for quick adjustments and maintenance, ensuring efficient and reliable performance of the central vacuum system.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An outlet box assembly for a central vacuum system that is operable to be assembled and disassembled without the use of hand tools comprising:
 a. a casing assembly for receiving an end of a vacuum hose, the casing assembly having an input receptacle comprising at least one guide tab on an interior surface thereof;   b. a valve assembly, comprising:
 i. a hollow deformable cylindrical member having an hourglass shape, the deformable member having an upper circular surface for engagement with said input receptacle, and a lower circular surface; and 
 ii. a compression ring comprising an upper circular surface with an adjacent annular flange operable for engagement with the lower circular surface of said cylindrical member, and at least one elongated longitudinal slot located on said outer surface for slidable engagement with said at least one guide tab of said input receptacle. 
   
     
     
         2 . The outlet box assembly of  claim 1  wherein a pair of oppositely positioned left and right tabs are provided on an outer surface of said compression ring, and wherein the valve assembly further comprises: a movable pull bar having a handle that is attached to left and right arms, each such arm having a sloping recessed area on an upper surface thereof operable for slidable engagement, respectively, with the left and right tabs of said compression ring. 
     
     
         3 . The outlet box assembly of  claim 2  wherein a primary tab is provided at a back portion of the interior surface of said casing assembly, and two secondary tabs are provided at opposite sides of the interior surface of said casing assembly, and wherein the valve assembly further comprises: a lock cage having a body with a central opening, at least one distal end operable for engagement with said primary tab of said casing assembly, at least one distal tab, and a pair of side arms operable for engagement with said secondary tabs of said casing assembly. 
     
     
         4 . The outlet box assembly of  claim 3  wherein the valve assembly further comprises: a lock plate having a distal end for engagement with said at least one distal tab of said locking cage. 
     
     
         5 . The outlet box assembly of  claim 3  wherein a plurality of support tabs are provided on the outer surface of said compression ring to prevent said compression ring from passing through the central opening of said lock cage. 
     
     
         6 . The outlet box assembly of  claim 1  wherein a plurality of tapered ridges are provided on an inside surface of said compression ring and are operable to guide an end of a vacuum hose into said compression ring. 
     
     
         7 . The outlet box assembly of  claim 1  wherein said compression ring is operable to seal a vacuum hose operably connected to said input receptacle of said casing assembly. 
     
     
         8 . The outlet box assembly of  claim 4  wherein movement of said pull bar is operable to transition said valve assembly between a sealed mode and an unsealed mode. 
     
     
         9 . The outlet box assembly of  claim 4  wherein pulling said pull bar out from said casing assembly causes said compression ring to move upward which compresses said deformable cylindrical such that a waist of said cylindrical member moves radially inwardly and is operable to seal against a vacuum hose. 
     
     
         10 . The outlet box assembly of  claim 3  wherein a pair of ridges are provided on an upper surface of said lock gate operable to guide the arms of said pull bar. 
     
     
         11 . A method of installing a valve assembly into a casing assembly of a central vacuum system without the use of hand tools or fasteners comprising the steps of:
 a. inserting an upper edge of a hollow deformable cylindrical member having an hourglass shape into an input receptacle of said casing assembly;   b. engaging a compression ring with a lower edge of said cylindrical member, and inserting said compression ring into said input receptacle such that at least one tab located on an inside edge of said input receptacle fits into at least one elongated longitudinal slot on an external surface of said compression ring;   c. inserting a pull bar comprising a handle having left and right arms attached thereto underneath said compression ring such that sloped recesses on upper surfaces of said left and right arms engage with oppositely positioned tabs located on the external surface of said compression ring;   d. inserting a lock cage comprising a body with a central opening, at least one distal end, at least one distal tab, and a pair of side arms underneath said pull bar such that said distal end engages with a primary tab located at a back portion of an interior surface of said casing assembly, and said pair of side arms engage with two secondary tabs provided at opposite sides of the interior surface of said casing assembly; and   e. inserting a lock plate underneath said lock cage such that a distal end of said lock plate engages said at least one distal tab of said lock cage.   
     
     
         12 . A kit for a valve assembly module for a central vacuum system comprising:
 a. a casing assembly having an input receptacle, output receptacle, an interior surface having a primary tab and at least two secondary tabs positioned around the circumference of said interior surface;   b. a deformable cylindrical member having an hourglass shape;   c. a compression sleeve having an outer surface with at least two tabs positioned around the circumference of said outer surface, an interior surface having a plurality of tapered ridges positioned around the circumference thereof, and an opening operable to align with said input receptacle of said casing assembly;   d. a pull bar, having a handle and a pair of oppositely positioned arms, wherein a tapered recessed area is provided along an upper surface of each arm;   e. a lock cage having a frame with a central opening, a distal end, a proximal end, and two opposite side surfaces, each side surface including an arm, and at least one tab positioned at said distal end of said frame; and   f. a lock plate having a distal end and a pair of side arms.   
     
     
         13 . The kit of  claim 12  wherein the distal end of said lock cage is operable for engagement with said primary slot of said casing assembly. 
     
     
         14 . The kit of  claim 12  wherein the arms of said lock cage are operable for engagement with said secondary tabs of said casing assembly. 
     
     
         15 . The kit of  claim 12  wherein the distal end of said lock plate is operable for engagement with said at least one distal tab of said lock cage. 
     
     
         16 . The kit of  claim 13  wherein said input receptacle is operable to receive an upper edge of said deformable cylindrical member, and said compression sleeve is operable to receive a lower edge of said deformable cylindrical member.