TOILET SEAT WITH PASSAGE SYSTEM FOR REMOVAL OF FOUL AIR

Abstract

A ventilating apparatus for a toilet comprises a toilet seat having a rear end and an interior surface extending around a central opening. A primary venting passageway is formed in the seat and extends from the rear end and along opposite side sections and has at least one vent outlet located at the rear end. Inlet apertures are distributed around the interior surface and are in fluid communication with the passageway. Two hinge mechanisms are provided to pivotally connect the rear end of the seat to the toilet bowl and at least one of these mechanisms includes a threaded connecting pin member having a further venting passageway extending therethrough. This further passageway has an upper end which can be sealingly connected to the outlet at the rear of the toilet seat. Another venting outlet located at the bottom end of the pin member can be connected to a vacuum source for withdrawing foul air by means of the venting passageways.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a ventilating apparatus for a toilet having a toilet bowl and hinge devices for connecting a toilet seat with a venting passage system for removing foul air from a toilet bowl.

A variety of ventilating systems have been proposed in the past for either removing foul air from a bathroom area or for removing foul air directly from the toilet bowl of a toilet. Often, after a toilet has been used in a bathroom, the bathroom can be left with a foul smell which can last for a period of time. This is highly undesirable, especially for a person who wishes to use the same bathroom that contains these odours. It is recognized that it is desirable to eliminate such odours as quickly and fully as possible. Although it is known to use bathroom fans mounted in the ceiling or in the wall of a bathroom to remove such odours, such fans are only somewhat effective in clearing the foul air from an entire bathroom. This is due in part to the fact that the foul odour is not being eliminated at its source.

It has also been proposed to include a venting system that is mounted on or adjacent to the toilet and in some cases even incorporated into the toilet itself. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,898,951 issued May 4, 1999 to K. Rakoz describes a toilet venting apparatus that includes a hollow toilet seat with an inner periphery formed with the plurality of equally spaced inlet apertures. A pair of hinges are connected between the toilet seat and a toilet bowl to allow the toilet seat to be pivoted between a lowered and a raised orientation. The rear portion of an outer periphery of the seat has a pair of straight outlet conduits which are in fluidic communication with the inlet apertures of the seat. Each seat hinge includes a first hollow hemispherical portion that is integrally coupled to an end of an associated one of the outlet conduits. Each hinge has a second hollow hemispherical portion rotatably coupled to the first hemispherical portion and these two portions are sealed together at their juncture. The second hemispherical portion is mounted to the upper ridge of the toilet bowl. Mounted to the rear of the water basin for the toilet is a fan unit which is connected to a vent for removing foul air to the outside. The vent is also connected to flexible tubes that are releasably connected to outlet adapters of the hinges.

Earlier U.S. Pat. No. 4,780,913 issued Nov. 1, 1988 to T. J. Williams describes a toilet seat venting apparatus that includes a pipe fitting fixedly secured to the rear rim of the toilet. The toilet seat, including a plurality of intake openings, is pivotally mounted to this pipe fitting. A channel disposed within the toilet seat is able to communicate with a sectioned portion of the fitting regardless of the position of the seat. The sectioned device is provided for drawing foul air into the intake ports and through the pipe fitting.

Despite these existing, known venting devices for toilets, there remains a need for an improved ventilating apparatus for a toilet which can be made at a reasonable cost and which is easy to use and install.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a ventilating apparatus for a toilet having a toilet bowl includes a toilet seat having a bottom surface, a top surface, a rear end and an interior surface which extends around a central opening. A primary venting passageway is formed in the seat and extends from the rear end and along opposite side sections of the seat. This passageway has at least one primary vent outlet located at the rear end of the seat. Inlet apertures are distributed along the interior surface and are in fluid communication with the venting passageway. Two hinge mechanisms are provided for pivotally connecting the rear end of the toilet seat to the toilet bowl and at least one of these mechanisms includes a threaded connecting pin member having a further venting passageway extending therethrough and adapted for operatively connecting at an upper end of the further venting passageway to the primary vent outlet when the toilet seat rests on the toilet bowl. The connecting pin member has a bottom end forming a secondary vent outlet in fluid communication with the further venting passageway. This vent outlet is adapted for connection to a vacuum source for withdrawing foul air from the primary venting passageway via the further venting passageway.

In a particular exemplary embodiment of this ventilating apparatus, each of the two hinge mechanisms includes one of the threaded connecting pin member with the further venting passageway.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a toilet seat apparatus for a toilet having a toilet bowl and holes for connecting the toilet seat apparatus to the toilet bowl includes a toilet seat extending around a central seat opening and having a bottom surface, a top surface, a rear end, two opposing side sections extending forwardly from the rear end, and an interior surface which extends around the seat opening and is adjacent thereto. Two primary venting passages are formed in the seat and each extends from the rear end and along the respective one of the two side sections. Each venting passage has a primary vent outlet located at the rear end of the seat. Inlet apertures are distributed along each of the side sections at the interior surface and these apertures are in full communication with their respective venting passage. Two hinge mechanisms are provided to pivotally connect the rear end of the toilet seat to the toilet bowl and each includes a threaded connecting pin member having a secondary venting passage extending therethrough between an upper end of the passage and a bottom end. Each pin member is adapted for operatively connecting the upper end of the secondary venting passage to a respective one of the primary vent outlets when the toilet seat rests on the toilet bowl. Each connecting pin member has an elongate, externally threaded pin section through which the secondary venting passage extends. The bottom end of the passage is located at the bottom end of the pin section. Each threaded pin section is adapted to extend through a respective one of the holes in the toilet and to be secured therein by a suitable nut.

In a particularly exemplary version of the aforementioned seat apparatus, each connecting pin member includes an integral hinge pin which extends substantially horizontally towards the other hinge pin during use of the apparatus. Two hinge sleeves are provided at the rear end of the toilet seat and each hinge sleeve pivotally engages a respective one of the hinge pins.

According to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, a hinge device for connecting a toilet seat with a venting passage system for removing foul air from a toilet bowl comprises a threaded connecting pin member having a venting passageway extending between an upper inlet and a lower outlet.

The upper inlet is located on the front side of the connecting pin member and adapted for connection to an outlet of the venting passage system located at the rear end of the toilet seat. The lower outlet is located at a bottom end of a threaded pin section of the pin member which is adapted for connection to a tube leading to a vacuum source. The pin member includes a hinge pin which extends substantially horizontally during use of the hinge mechanism on a toilet and which is adapted to pivotally connect the toilet seat to the pin member. During use of the hinge device, the threaded pin section can be connected to the toilet bowl by a suitable cooperating nut threaded onto the pin section.

In a particular exemplary version of this hinge device, the venting passageway is L-shaped and includes a relatively short horizontal leg and a longer vertical leg.

These and other aspects of the disclosed ventilating apparatus and hinge device for connecting a toilet seat will become more readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art, from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that those having ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains will more readily understand how to make and use the subject invention, exemplary embodiments thereof will be described in detail herein below with reference to the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a ventilating apparatus for a toilet, this apparatus including a toilet seat and a toilet lid, the latter being in a raised position;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view taken from below and from one side of the ventilating apparatus of FIG. 1, this view showing the lid in a closed position immediately adjacent the seat;

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view taken from below the seat, this view showing the toilet seat partially raised and the toilet lid in a fully raised position;

FIG. 4 is another perspective view taken from above and from one side of the ventilating apparatus of FIG. 1, this view showing the toilet lid lowered to a horizontal position on the toilet seat;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view showing the various components which make up the ventilating apparatus of FIG. 1, including the toilet seat, the toilet lid and two hinge mechanisms for pivotally connecting the seat and lid to the top of a toilet bowl;

FIG. 6 is a top view of a threaded connecting pin member for one of the hinge mechanisms for the toilet seat;

FIG. 7 is a vertical cross section of the connecting pin member taken along a line VII-VII of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a detail perspective view showing the two hinge mechanisms from the front and the side;

FIG. 9 is a detail exploded view showing the cover for the proximity sensor and its circuit board separated from the top of a cavity in which the proximity sensor is located;

FIG. 10 is another detail view in perspective showing the detachable cover extending over the cavity for the proximity sensor and attached to the bottom of the toilet seat;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view taken from the top side with the main body of the seat not shown for sake of illustration, this view showing the cavity for the proximity sensor and the circuit board for the proximity sensor;

FIG. 12 is a perspective exploded view of the circuit board, its two batteries, and the cover;

FIG. 13 is a schematic side elevation, partly in cross-section, of a complete toilet arranged against a wall in a bathroom, this toilet being equipped with the ventilating apparatus of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 14 is block diagram schematic of the electronic circuits for the disclosed ventilating apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a ventilating apparatus indicated generally at 10 for a toilet having a toilet bowl. A toilet 12 equipped with the ventilating apparatus 10 is illustrated in FIG. 13 and this toilet includes a standard toilet bowl 14 on which may be mounted a standard toilet tank 16. As is well known, the toilet can be flushed using a pivotal handle 18 which is mounted on the side of the tank. The illustrated toilet has a downwardly extending base 20 which is rigidly secured to a floor 22 of a bathroom. Also shown in FIG. 12 is a hollow wall 24 of the bathroom and typically the toilet tank is placed close to the wall as shown. Located in the wall is a ventilating pipe 25 having an outlet to atmosphere (not shown).

Returning now to FIG. 1 and also with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4, there are shown therein a toilet seat 26 which is pivotally connected to a generally oval shaped toilet lid 28. The toilet seat and toilet lid can be made of any standard, known materials such as a suitable rigid plastic or even wood. The toilet seat 26 has a bottom surface 30, a top surface 32, a front end 34 and a rear end 36. The toilet surface also has a narrow interior surface 38 which extends around a relatively large central opening 40. The typical toilet seat 26 can have a substantially oval shape as shown with the rear end flattened to facilitate attachment of two hinge mechanisms indicated generally at 42 and 44.

The illustrated embodiment of the toilet seat is provided with a downward extension which can be substantially shaped like a horseshoe, this extension being indicated generally at 46. This extension can be an integral part of the seat, particularly if the seat is formed of plastic. When the seat is in the lowered position, the extension can rest on the top of the toilet bowl, thereby creating a substantially sealed joint between the bottom of the seat and the top of the toilet bowl, particularly when a person is sitting on the toilet seat so as to press the seat against the top of the bowl. It will be appreciated that although the extension is shown with a width W which is substantially narrower than the corresponding width of a main body of the seat, if desired, the downward extension can be made wider so that, for example, the extension extends inwardly to the opening 40. Extending through at least major portions of the downward extension 46 is a primary venting passageway which is shown at least in part by dash lines in FIG. 2 and indicated generally by reference 48. The passageway 48 extends from the rear end 46 of the seat and can extend along opposite side sections of the seat indicated at 50 and 52. The passageway 48 has at least one vent outlet 54 located at the rear end of the seat and in the illustrated exemplary embodiment there are two of these outlets 54, one at each of the hinge mechanisms. The length of the venting passageway in the toilet seat can vary and it can be divided into two sections, if desired. For example, although not illustrated, the venting passageway in the seat can extend the entire length of the downward extension 46. For such a venting passageway, it is possible for the venting passageway to have a primary vent outlet 54 at one end only. However, in the exemplary toilet seat of FIGS. 2 and 3, the venting passageway comprises two primary venting passages or passage sections, these being indicated at 48′ and 48″. The venting passage 48′ extends from the rear end of the seat and along the side section 50. If desired, this venting passage can extend around the front end of the seat to a point close to one end of cavity cover 56, the function of which is described below. The other venting passage 48″ extends from the rear end of the seat along the opposite side section 52 that can again terminate a short distance from the end 58 of the cover 56. It will be understood that each of the two venting passages or venting sections 48′ and 48″ has its own primary vent outlet 54 at the rear of the seat.

The toilet seat has a series of inlet apertures 60 distributed along the interior surface of the downward extension 46, these apertures being in fluid communication with the venting passageway 48. These apertures allow foul air from the toilet bowl to be drawn into the venting passageway 48 and then out of the toilet entirely as explained hereinafter.

The two hinge mechanisms 42, 44 pivotally connect the rear end of the toilet seat (and preferably the toilet lid as well) to the toilet bowl. At least one of the hinge mechanisms includes a threaded connecting pin member indicated generally by reference 62 having a further venting passageway 64 extending therethrough. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment of the ventilating apparatus, both of the hinge mechanisms include such a pin member. The pin member is adapted for operatively connecting an upper end of the further venting passageway 64 to the primary vent outlet 54 when the toilet seat rests on the toilet bowl. Each connecting pin member has a bottom end at 68 forming a secondary vent outlet 70, which is in fluid communication with the further venting passageway. As illustrated in FIG. 13, each secondary vent outlet 70 is adapted for connection to a vacuum source for withdrawing foul air from the primary venting passageway 48 via its respective further venting passageway 64.

One of the connecting pin members 62 is shown separately in FIGS. 6 and 7. The exemplary embodiment shown includes a rounded head section 72, located at the top end of the pin member. Extending horizontally from one side of this head section is an integral hinge pin 74, which has a smooth cylindrical exterior and a rounded distal end at 76. A head extension 78 can be provided at one end of the pin to act as a spacer. It will be understood that the hinge pin extends substantially horizontally during the use of the ventilating apparatus 10 on the toilet. Two hinge sleeves 80, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, are usually mounted at the rear end of the toilet seat and, in an exemplary embodiment, are integral extensions of the toilet seat, and each hinge sleeve pivotally engages a respective one of the hinge pins 74.

As shown clearly in FIG. 7, the further venting passageway 64 in the exemplary pin member is L-shaped and includes a relatively short, substantially horizontal section 82 and a longer section 84 that extends vertically during use of the ventilating apparatus. The longer section 84 ends at the vent outlet 70. Also visible in FIG. 7 is an elongate, externally threaded pin section 88 through which the secondary venting passageway 64 extends. The bottom end of this passage is located at the bottom end of the pin section. Each threaded pin section is adapted to extend through a respective one of the two holes that are normally formed in the toilet bowl for the purpose of securing the toilet seat to the top of the toilet bowl. One of these holes 90 is indicated in dash lines in FIG. 13. Each pin section can be secured in its respective hole by means of a suitable nut 92. FIG. 7 illustrates the exemplary thread arrangement on the pin section 88. In particular, external threads 94 can extend downwardly on the pin section from a point near or at the head section 72 to a point 96 spaced a suitable distance above the vent outlet 70. Below the threaded portion of the pin section is a non-threaded, narrower end section 98 which is used to attach a flexible suction tube 99 to the pin section as illustrated in FIG. 12. If desired, annular ridges can be formed on the end section 98 to provide a better gripping surface for the suction tube, provided these ridges do not interfere with the attachment of the nut 92. A washer 93 with a sloping top can be provided on top of each nut. An optional c-clamp 94 can also be provided with the hinge mechanism if desired. The c-clamp can be used to connect the suction tube 99 to the pin section.

The connecting pin member 62 can also be described as a hinge device for connecting a toilet seat. The upper end of the venting passageway 64 in this hinge device is at an upper inlet 100, which can be non-circular as shown in FIGS. 3 and 8. The exemplary upper inlet shown is substantially V-shaped with a flat, horizontal top. The size of the inlet 100 can substantially correspond to the size of the adjacent vent outlet 54 of the seat. It will be understood that the upper inlet 100 is located on the front side of the connecting pin member and is adapted for connection to the vent outlet 54 of the venting passage system in the seat. The exemplary pin member 62 includes means for sealing the junction between the vent outlet 54 of the venting passage system and the upper inlet 100 when the hinge device is attached to the toilet seat and the toilet bowl and the toilet seat connected thereto rests on the toilet bowl. In one exemplary version of the hinge device, the sealing mechanism comprises a friction fit between the end section 102 of the venting passage system forming the outlet 54 and a horizontal extension 105 of the pin member in which the upper inlet 100 is formed. It is also possible to use an O-ring to seal this joint by having the end section 102 and the extension 105 dimensioned to form a telescopic connection (not shown).

In the exemplary illustrated embodiment, the toilet lid 28 is formed with a pair of spaced apart connecting hinge sleeves 110 and each is adapted to pivotally engage a respective one of the hinge pins 74. Again, these hinge sleeves can be integrally formed on the toilet lid, particularly if the lid is moulded of plastic material. Each hinge pin 74 is sufficiently long to pivotally connect both a toilet seat and a toilet lid with each sleeve 110 sliding onto an outer end section of its respective pin 74.

An exemplary version of the ventilating apparatus 10 is provided with a proximity sensor mounted on an electronic circuit board 112 (see FIG. 5). The proximity sensor can be of a standard construction known to those skilled in the use of such sensors. It is powered by at least one battery that is also mounted on the toilet seat 26. In the illustrated embodiment, there are two circular batteries 114, which are detachably connected to the circuit board.

As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 11, the downward extension 46 of the seat is formed with an elongate cavity 116, which is sized to accommodate the circuit board and which can be provided with end walls 118 at its opposite ends. The cover 125 for the cavity can have formed thereon two projecting connectors 122 for attaching the circuit board. The open side of the cavity can be covered by the detachable cover 125, which is shown in the detached position in FIG. 9 and in an attached position in FIG. 10. Since the open side of the cavity faces downwardly, the detachable cover in use extends over the bottom side of the cavity 116 and protects the circuit board and proximity sensor when the toilet seat is in use. Opposite ends of the cover can be provided with at least one flexible tab 128 which is adapted to engage transversely extending catch 130 formed at one end of the cavity. As illustrated in FIG. 10, a transversely extending slot 134 can be formed between at least one end of the cover and the adjacent end wall 118 of the seat. The slot allows insertion of a small tool (such as the end of a screwdriver) in order to flex the tab 128 inwardly towards the center of the cover so that the tab will disengage from the catch, thereby allowing removal of the cover.

As shown in FIG. 14, there can be provided on the circuit board 112 a short distance wireless transmitter 140 for transmitting signals from the proximity sensor 142 to a receiver of a controller for the vacuum source. Again, such transmitters are well known in the electronic art and accordingly a detailed description herein is deemed unnecessary. The electronic circuit on the circuit board 112 is indicated generally by reference 100 in FIG. 14, the components in the circuit being within the area defined by the dashed lines. An exemplary version of the circuit includes a voltage regulator 146, the proximity sensor 142, a processor 150 and the transmitter 140. The pair of batteries 114 are connected to the voltage regulator which regulates the voltage provided therefrom. This regulator 146 provides regulated power to the sensor, the transmitter and the processor. The sensor 142 provides an electrical signal to the processor 150 upon detecting the presence of a user sitting on the toilet seat. A standard proximity sensor of this type employs a metal foil strip for sensing purposes, this strip being connected to the sensor circuitry. The processor 150 is configured to provide an electrical signal to the transmitter 140 when certain condition precedents are satisfied. For example one condition may be that the sensor has detected a user for at least 2 seconds. If the processor determines the necessary criteria have been satisfied, an electrical signal is provided to the transmitter 140, which transmits a wireless electromagnetic signal to be received by a receiver 144 which is located remotely from the toilet seat. One possible position for the receiver 144 is illustrated in FIG. 13 where it is shown mounted on the wall of the bathroom adjacent to a small suction unit capable of venting air from the venting passageway or passageways in the toilet seat. The signal from the receiver is routed to a second microprocessor 151, and if the signal satisfies criteria of “start” command, the microprocessor 151 turns a semiconductor switch into ON state activating a motor 152 which operates the suction unit.

The electronic circuit can be constructed from standard electronic components. For example, in the exemplary embodiment of the ventilating apparatus, the voltage regulator 146 is a Texas-Instruments™ Step-Up Regulator, Part No. TPS61097-33 and the processor is an Atmel™ 8-Bit AVR™ Microcontroller, Part No. ATTINY13A. The transmitter 140, which employs OOK (on-off keyed) modulation, can be a SAW (Abracon™ PNASR303.825E) stabilized bas Colpitts oscillator. The transmitted signal from this transmitter is received by a MICREL™ Sweep-Mode Receiver, Part No. MICRF008.

Although the exemplary sensor 142 is a proximity sensor of known construction, other types of sensors capable of detecting the presence of a user of the toilet are possible, for example, an infra-red sensor. Although one sensor is described as being used in the electronic circuit 100, it will be appreciated that multiple sensors, which act as additional inputs, can be connected to the processor. Such a configuration can be employed, for example, to increase the accuracy of detection or to provide redundancy.

The microprocessor 151 is responsible for recognizing and verifying commands from the receiver 144, controlling the motor 152, and providing additional functionality i.e. operation time lag after “stop” command.

The motor processor 151 (part no. AttIny25) is connected to the evacuation fan motor 152 which is a servomotor. In one version of the electronic system for the ventilating apparatus, the processor 151 provides for a time lag of 10 seconds after a person gets off of the toilet seat before shutting off the fan motor. The power voltage level for both the receiver and the motor processor is regulated by a second voltage regulator 145 which in an exemplary version of the circuit is part no. LM78I05A/SO. Input to the regulator 145 is direct current (DC) which in the exemplary embodiment is on the level of 12 VDC. This regulator can be connected to a standard DC wall outlet adapter that provides DC current. This version is particularly suitable for use with an air filter when a fan driven by the motor draws air through the filter (not shown). A second version of the regulator is adapted to plug into a central vacuum wall outlet that provides 12 volt alternating current. In the case of AC input, an additional AC rectifier of known construction is used before the regulator. In this version, no filter is used (at least not at the toilet or in the bathroom) and the system is set up to exhaust the foul air to atmosphere using the central vacuum pipes.

While the present invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in various exemplary embodiments, e.g. embodiments having particularly utility in toilet venting applications, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the detail shown herein, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the disclosed systems and apparatus and their operation may be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily adapt the present disclosure for various other applications without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A ventilating apparatus for a toilet having a toilet bowl, said apparatus comprising:

a toilet seat having a bottom surface, a top surface, a rear end and an interior surface which extends around a central opening;

a primary venting passageway formed in said seat and extending from said rear end and along opposite side sections of said seat and having at least one primary vent outlet located at said rear end of the seat;

inlet apertures distributed along said interior surface in fluid communication with said venting passageway; and

two hinge mechanisms for pivotally connecting the rear end of said toilet seat to the toilet bowl, at least one of said hinge mechanisms including a threaded connecting pin member having a further venting passageway extending therethrough and adapted for operatively connecting at an upper end of said further venting passageway to said primary vent outlet,

wherein said connecting pin member has a bottom end forming a secondary venting outlet in fluid communication with said further venting passageway, said secondary venting outlet being adapted for connection to a vacuum source for withdrawing foul air from said primary venting passageway via said further venting passageway.

2. A ventilating apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each of said two hinge mechanisms include said threaded connecting pin member with the further venting passageway.

3. A ventilating apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each of said two hinge mechanisms includes an integral hinge pin, which extends substantially horizontally during use of the ventilating apparatus on said toilet, and two hinge sleeves rigidly mounted at said rear end of the toilet seat, each hinge sleeve pivotally engaging a respective one of the hinge pins.

4. A ventilating apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the further venting passageway in each hinge mechanism is L-shaped and includes a relatively short, substantially horizontal section and a longer section which extends vertically during use of the ventilating apparatus.

5. A ventilating apparatus according to claim 3 including a toilet lid which is pivotally connected to said toilet seat by means of the two hinge pins, said toilet lid having two hinge sleeves mounted at a rear end of the lid and connected to said two hinge pins.

6. A ventilating apparatus according to claim 1 including a proximity sensor mounted in said toilet seat and at least one battery powering said proximity sensor and mounted in said toilet seat.

7. A ventilating apparatus according to claim 6 including an electronic circuit board detachably mounted in a cavity found in said toilet seat, said proximity sensor being mounted on the circuit board together with a local area transmitter for transmitting signals from said proximity sensor to a receiver of a controller for said vacuum source.

8. A ventilating apparatus according to claim 7 including a detachable cover for extending over a bottom side of said cavity in order to enclose and protect said circuit board and proximity sensor when said toilet seat is in use.

9. A toilet seat apparatus for a toilet having a toilet bowl and holes for connecting said toilet seat apparatus to the toilet bowl, said apparatus comprising:

a toilet seat extending around a central seat opening and having a bottom surface, a top surface, a rear end, two opposing side sections extending forwardly from said rear end, and an interior surface which extends around said seat opening and is adjacent thereto;

two primary venting passages formed in said seat and each extending from said rear end and along a respective one of said two side sections, each venting passage having a primary vent outlet located at said rear end of the seat;

inlet apertures distributed along each of said side sections at said interior surface, said apertures being in fluid communication with their respective venting passage; and

two hinge mechanisms for pivotally connecting the rear end of said toilet seat to the toilet bowl, each hinge mechanism including a threaded connecting pin member having a secondary venting passage extending therethrough between an upper end of the passage and a bottom end, each pin member being adapted for operatively connecting said upper end of the secondary venting passage to a respective one of the primary vent outlets,

wherein each connecting pin member has an elongate, externally threaded pin section through which said secondary venting passage extends, said bottom end of the venting passage being located at a bottom end of the pin section, and wherein each threaded pin section is adapted to extend through a respective one of said holes in the toilet and to be secured therein by a suitable nut.

10. A toilet seat apparatus according to claim 9 wherein each connecting pin member includes an integral hinge pin, which extends substantially horizontally towards the other hinge pin during use of the apparatus, and two hinge sleeves are provided at said rear end of the toilet seat, each hinge sleeve pivotally engaging a respective one of the hinge pins.

11. A toilet seat apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the secondary venting passage is L-shaped and includes a substantially horizontal section and a vertical section that extends lengthwise through said pin section.

12. A toilet seat apparatus according to claim 10 including a toilet lid which is pivotally connected to said toilet seat by means of the two hinge pins.

13. A toilet seat apparatus according to claim 9 including a battery operated proximity sensor mounted in said toilet seat and adapted to provide a signal to a controller for a vacuum source to indicate the presence of a person sitting on said toilet seat.

14. A toilet seat apparatus according to claim 9 including a connecting tube arrangement connectible to the bottom ends of both pin sections and being provided for operatively connecting the bottom ends of said secondary venting passages to a vacuum source for drawing foul air from the toilet bowl through said primary and secondary venting passages.

15. A hinge device for connecting a toilet seat with a venting passage system for removing foul air from a toilet bowl of a toilet, said hinge device comprising:

a threaded connecting pin member having a venting passageway extending between an upper inlet and a lower outlet,

said upper inlet being located on a front side of the connecting pin member and adapted for connection to an outlet of said venting passage system located at a rear end of the toilet seat,

said lower outlet being located at a bottom end of a threaded pin section of the pin member which is adapted for connection to a tube leading to a vacuum source,

said pin member including a hinge pin which extends substantially horizontally during use of the hinge mechanism on a toilet and which is adapted to pivotally connect said toilet seat to the pin member,

wherein, during use of the hinge device, said threaded pin section can be connected to said toilet bowl by a suitable cooperating nut threaded onto said pin section.

16. A hinge device according to claim 15 wherein said venting passageway is L-shaped and includes a relatively short horizontal leg and a longer vertical leg.

17. A hinge device according to claim 15 wherein said pin member is a one piece moulded plastic member.

18. A hinge device according to claim 15 wherein said pin member includes means for sealing a junction between an outlet of said venting passage system and said upper inlet when said hinge device is attached to the toilet seat and the toilet bowl and the toilet seat connected thereto rests on the toilet bowl.

19. A hinge device according to claim 18 wherein said sealing means comprises a friction fit between an end section of the venting passage system forming said outlet and a horizontal extension of said pin member in which said upper inlet is formed.

20. A hinge device according to claim 15 wherein said hinge pin is sufficiently long to pivotally connect both said toilet seat and a toilet lid formed with a connecting hinge sleeve for engaging the hinge pin.