In-wall extension apparatus
View Patent ↗Various embodiments of the apparatus and/or methods are described for routing power to a wall-mounted appliance, particularly for routing electrical wiring and audio/video cabling up through a wall to power and communicate with a wall-mounted presentation device. The apparatus and systems include input and output enclosures with wiring therebetween and mechanisms for mounting the input and output enclosures adjacent to pre-cut wall openings. There exists at least one electrical input connector, disposed within the input enclosure, configured to electrically couple with a power source, and at least one electrical output connector, disposed within the output enclosure, configured to electrically couple with a wall-mounted appliance.
1. An in-wall extension apparatus comprising:
a first enclosure having a first predetermined shape configured to fit adjacent to a first wall opening and a first mounting mechanism configured to mount the first enclosure adjacent to the first wall opening;
at least one audio/video input connector, disposed within the first enclosure, configured to communicatively couple with a content source;
at least one electrical input connector, disposed within the first enclosure, configured to electrically couple to at least one power source;
a second enclosure having a second predetermined shape configured to fit adjacent to a second wall opening and a second mounting mechanism configured to mount the second enclosure adjacent to the second wall opening;
at least one audio/video input connector, disposed within the second enclosure, configured to communicatively couple with a presentation device;
at least one electrical output connector, disposed within the second enclosure, configured to electrically couple with the presentation device;
electrical-wiring electrically coupled to the electrical input connector at a first end and electrically coupled to the electrical output connector at a second end;
audio/video wiring communicatively coupled to the audio/video input connector at a first end and communicatively coupled to the audio/video output connector at a second end; and
wherein at least an in-wall portion of the apparatus is a single, hard-wired unit with all connections sealed, and the at least one electrical input connector is non-detachably coupled to a cord configured to plug into a wall.
2. The in-wall extension apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is insulated with polyvinyl chloride.
3. The extension apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one output electrical connector has a plurality of power receptacles, each coupled to the electrical wiring and in parallel arrangement with the at least one electrical input connector, and the cord is configured to couple to a first receptacle of a power source and further comprises a cover plate configured to cover a second power receptacle of the power source.
4. The in-wall extension apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one electrical input connector comprises at least one male plug, and the cord comprises an extension cord having a first end and a second end, the first end having a female socket configured to couple to the at least one male plug, the second end configured to plug into an electrical socket.
5. The in-wall extension apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one audio/video input and output connectors further comprise Ethernet ports.
6. The in-wall extension apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one input and output audio/video connectors further comprise F-connectors.