Cover plate for tube connections - Patent Review 5603473

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to cover plates for outlets and more particularly to a cover plate for a pesticide tubing junction.

Conventional pest control involves spraying pesticides around the exterior foundation and interior baseboards of homes. Spraying is required periodically to eliminate and control bugs, and homeowners often utilize the services of a professional pest technician who enters the home and charges a fee for each visit. This method of pest control does not allow the chemicals to penetrate interior or exterior wall of homes where bugs flourish. Instead, the chemicals coat the baseboard and floor. Many such pesticides are toxic to humans and pets, and often have an offensive odor. The chemicals may stain flooring, furniture, or clothing.

A preferable method of eliminating pests is to inject pesticides inside the exterior and interior walls. Ideally, tubing for carrying the chemicals is installed during new construction, before the wails are put up. Tubing is run through the framing into each room of the home for chemical dispersion. To dispense chemicals, pesticide is forced through the tubing into the walls where desired, for example around sinks and in bathrooms where bugs flourish. The objective of this invention is to provide a cover plate to gather and secure the ends of tubes.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is a cover plate for gathering and securing pesticide tubes. The cover plate is mounted for easy access and uniform chemical dispersion .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of the cover plate.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the cover plate.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL EMBODIMENTS

Refer to FIG. 1 and 2, where like indicia refer to like parts throughout the drawings. The preferred embodiment of the invention, denoted generally as 10, is seen in front view in FIG. 1. The cover plate 11 has a set of apertures 12 into which tubes are inserted. The apertures may be chamfered, as shown in FIG. 2. Twelve tubes are usually sufficient for a home of approximately 2000 sq. ft. to achieve desired chemical dispersion. The tubes are gathered at an exit juncture in the wall of the home. A single tube is fed through each of the apertures in the cover plate and secured by the coverplate. To disperse pesticide, a cannister or other source of chemicals is attached to the tubes at the cover plate junction. Tubes may be accessed one at a time or in gang fashion with a complementary attachment on the pesticide source. FIG. 2 shows the rear view of the cover plate 11, illustrating the chamfered apertures 12.

The cover plate is mounted in an easily accessible location, preferably the exterior wall of the home. Apertures 14 for mounting the cover plate are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

To avoid the tubes being tampered with, the cover plate is preferably housed within a hinged enclosure. FIG. 1 and 2 show hinges 15 for attaching such an enclosure. For increased security, the enclosure may be locked with a key.

Variations and modifications which are in the spirit of this invention and known to those skilled in the art are considered to fall within the scope of this patent.

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