VENTILATED TOILET SEAT ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A ventilated toilet seat assembly includes a seat which defines air inlets and internal air flow passages. The seat may be opened for cleaning. The assembly includes a pair of seat mounts for hingedly mounting the seat to a toilet. The mounts each define a port which leads to an internal chamber. The flow passages through the seat align with the ports in the mounts. The mounts connect to a toilet with fasteners which define an air path from the interior chamber. Nuts are connected to the fasteners for securing the mounts and for mounting conduits which lead from the fasteners to an air mover.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to toilet ventilation systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A number of solutions have been proposed to the problem of odors associated with toilets. For example, a variety of toilet ventilation systems have been conceived, as evidenced by many existing patents in the field. In general, the prior systems have seats or bowls with air flow passages which lead to a fan or other air mover which draws air from the vicinity of the toilet.

In the market-place, however, these ventilated toilet systems have not been successful. First, systems which require modification to the toilet bowl are entirely impractical because they generally greatly increase the cost of the toilet and also require users to remove existing toilets at great expense.

Second, systems which use toilet seats having ventilation features often have a number of drawbacks. Many of these designs do not draw and remove a sufficient quantity of air from areas which are sufficiently close to the toilet.

Yet another problem is that these systems generally require modification to an existing toilet and/or result in a toilet having a non-standard appearance. In the case of home use, the aesthetics of the toilet are generally very important to the owner. However, existing systems generally require the use of lids, seats or other components such as bulky manifolds which have a non-standard appearance. Thus, homeowners are reluctant to modify their aesthetically pleasing toilet with such a system which appears unconventional.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the invention is a ventilated toilet seat assembly. Additional aspects of the invention comprise a toilet having a ventilated toilet seat assembly and methods of ventilating a toilet.

Generally, the assembly includes a seat which defines air inlets and internal air flow passages. The seat may be opened for cleaning. The assembly includes a pair of seat mounts for hingedly mounting the seat to a toilet. The mounts each define a port which leads to an internal chamber. The flow passages through the seat align with the ports in the mounts. The mounts connect to a toilet with fasteners which define an air path from the interior chamber. Nuts are connected to the fasteners for securing the mounts and for mounting conduits which lead from the fasteners to an air mover.

In one embodiment of the invention, the ventilated toilet seat assembly includes a first mount and a second mount which each comprise a body which defines an interior air chamber and has a port leading from a front of the mount to the air chamber.

The first and second mounts further preferably comprise or include a fastener extending downwardly there from, the fastener defining an air passage leading from the interior air chamber of the corresponding mount.

The first and second mounts further each include a hinge pin. The hinge pin may have a first portion which is mounted for rotation within a portion of the mount and a second keyed portion which extends there from for engaging a seat (and/or lid).

A first nut is configured to engage the fastener associated with the first mount. The first nut may include a collar for mounting a first hollow conduit thereto.

A second nut is configured to engage the fastener associated with the second mount. The first nut may include a collar for mounting a second hollow conduit thereto.

The assembly further comprises a seat. Preferably, the seat comprises at least two portions, such as an upper portion and a lower portion. At least one ventilation inlet extends through the lower portion to at least one air passage within the seat, which air passage leads to a rear of the seat.

The upper and lower portions are preferably selectively connectable and disconnectable to provide access to an interior of the seat, including the at least one air passage. The seat is configured to mount to the hinge pins associated with the first and second mounts to permit the seat to be moved between a raised position and a lowered position;

In use of this embodiment of the assembly, when the seat is in the lowered position, the assembly defines an air flow path through the at least one ventilation inlet into the seat, through the at least one air passage within the seat to the rear thereof, from the rear of the seat through the ports of the first and second mounts into the interior air chambers thereof, and from the interior air chambers through the air passages through the fasteners to the first and second conduits.

Odorous air may be drawn through the assembly by one or more air movers such as fans or blowers. In particular, the first and second conduits preferably lead to the air mover, directly or indirectly.

In one embodiment, the assembly may further comprise a lid. The lid may be mounted for rotation on the hinge pins along with the seat.

The assembly has a number of particular advantages over the prior art. First, the seat can be opened and closed to gain access to the interior thereof, such as for cleaning the interior air flow passages. Second, the seat is mounted using a pair of mounts which use fasteners which extend through the standard mounting holes of a toilet. The mounts, seat and lid have a generally standard exterior appearance due to the fact that air is routed through the interior of the seat and through the mounts and mount fasteners themselves, rather than to a large manifold, external piping or the like.

Further objects, features, and advantages of the present invention over the prior art will become apparent from the detailed description of the drawings which follows, when considered with the attached figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a toilet which includes a ventilated toilet seat assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the ventilated toilet seat assembly of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the ventilated toilet seat assembly of the invention taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the ventilated toilet seat assembly of the invention taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of an openable toilet seat in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the portion of the toilet seat indicated at line 6-6 in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough description of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the invention.

One embodiment of the invention is a toilet seat assembly having a toilet ventilation feature. Advantageously, the toilet seat assembly defines a flow path for air/odors from a point adjacent a toilet bowl to a point remote there from. The air flow path is concealed within the seat assembly and associated components. In a preferred embodiment, the air flow path includes a path through a seat and mounts for the seat, where by the seat assembly has a standard appearance. Lastly, the seat is modular in construction, permitting a user to access the interior portions thereof for cleaning.

Referring first to FIG. 1, one embodiment of the invention is a ventilated toilet seat assembly 20. The toilet seat assembly 20 is particularly suited for use with a standard toilet 200 which has a bowl 202 and a rearwardly extending flange 204. The bowl 202 has a top opening 206 which leads to an interior area 208. A rim 210 is defined around the top opening 206. In one embodiment, a water tank 212 may be supported by the flange 204. Two mounting passages 214 (only one of which is shown in FIG. 1) are defined through the flange 204. These passages 214 are designed to accept spaced seat mounting bolts of a standard toilet seat.

As illustrated, the ventilated toilet seat assembly 20 of the invention comprises a seat 22 and preferably, a lid 24. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the toilet seat assembly 20 includes first and second mounts 26a,b which mount the seat 22 and lid 24 to the toilet 200. The mounts 26a,b each include a hollow mounting fastener 28. The fasteners 28 can be passed through the passages 214 in the flange 204 of the toilet 200, thereby securing the toilet seat assembly 20 to the toilet 200.

The toilet seat assembly 20 defines an air flow path from one or more points adjacent to the toilet 200, and particularly the bowl 202 thereof, to a point remote there from. As illustrated, the toilet seat 22 defines one or more openings or inlets in a lower surface thereof (as described in more detail below relative to FIG. 4). These openings or inlets lead to one or more internal passages 30 within the toilet seat 22. The internal passages 30 lead to chambers 32 defined in the mounts 26a,b. These chambers 32, in turn, lead to a passage 34 defined through the associated hollow mounting fasteners 28. A conduit 36 extends from each mounting fastener 28 to a remote location, such as a fan or other air mover which is configured to draw air through the air flow path from the toilet.

Details of the individual components of the toilet seat assembly 20 will be described in conjunction with additional FIGS. 2-5. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the lid 24 preferably has a relatively standard configuration. In this regard, the lid 24 preferably comprises a closed body having a top and a bottom and an outer edge. The shape of the lid 24 as defined by the outer edge preferably conforms to the shape of the seat 22 and the toilet bowl 202 (for example, toilet bowls may generally have standard shapes such as round, elongate, etc., wherein the lid 24 preferably has a similar matching shape). The lid 24 has a front and an opposing rear. The lid 24 is configured to be mounted for rotational movement at its rear, whereby the lid 24 may be moved back and forth between raised and lowered positions, as manner described in more detail below.

The seat 22 is preferably a two-piece body having a top portion 40 and a bottom portion 42. The one or more internal passages 30 are defined by or between the top and bottom portions 40,42 of the seat 22. Preferably, the top portion 40 and bottom portion 42 can be selectively connected to one another or disconnected from one another.

Like the lid 24, the seat 22 has a shape which is defined by peripheral portions thereof. The seat 22 has a front and an opposing rear which generally correspond to the front and rear of the lid 24 and the front and rear of the toilet bowl 202 Like the lid 24, the seat 22 is preferably mounted for rotational movement at its rear, whereby the seat 22 may be moved back and forth between raised and lowered positions, as described in more detail below.

The seat 22 may have various overall shapes. Preferably, the seat 22 is shaped to conform to the shape of the toilet bowl 200. As is known, the seat 22 defines a central opening 58, such that the seat 22 has opposing first 54 and second 56 portions or arms. This opening 52 is preferably aligned with the interior area 208 of the toilet bowl 202 when the seat 22 is in a lowered position. In similar fashion to standard toilet seats, the seat 22 may have a closed front (i.e. the seat 22 is ring-shaped and the first and second portions 54,56 or arms are connected at the front of the seat), or the seat 22 may have an open front.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the top portion 40 of the seat 22 has an outer surface 44 and an inner surface 46. The bottom portion 42 of the seat 22 likewise has an outer surface 48 and an inner surface 50.

One or more ventilation openings or inlets 52 lead through the bottom portion 42 of the seat 22 from the outer surface 48 thereof to the inner surface 50 thereof. For example, referring to FIG. 4, in one embodiment, first and second openings or inlets 52a,b are defined in the first portion 54 of the seat 22 and third and fourth openings or inlets 52c,d are defined in the second portion 56 of the seat 22. The openings or inlets 52 may have various shapes. In one embodiment, the openings or inlets 52 have the shapes of slots or other elongate openings which have a length greater than their width and their length extending generally in a direction parallel to a line/direction from the front to the rear of the seat 22.

Preferably, one or more of the openings or inlets 52 are located in the seat 22 to be close to the interior 208 of the toilet bowl 202, rather than the rim 210 thereof. Thus, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the openings or inlets 52 are closer to the central opening 58 in the seat 22 than the outer edge of the seat 22.

In one embodiment, at least one opening or inlet 52 is positioned near the rear of the seat 22 at each portion 54,56 or arm of the seat 22. One or more additional openings or inlets are spaced along the opposing portions 54,56 or arms of the seat 22 towards the front thereof.

As detailed above, the seat 22 defines one or more interior passages 30. The one or more passages 30 preferably lead from the openings or inlets 52 in the seat 22 to a point external thereto, such as the mounts 26a,b.

Preferably, the one or more passages 30 are defined between the top portion 40 and bottom portion 42 of the seat 22, and preferably the inner surfaces 46,50 thereof. In one embodiment, the seat 22 defines a plurality of passages 30. In particular, as illustrated in FIG. 4, a first passage 30a is defined from the first opening 52a to the rear of the seat 22, a second passage 30b is defined from the second opening 52b to the rear of the seat 22, a third passage 30c is defined from the third opening 52c to the rear of the seat 22 and a fourth passage 30d is defined from the fourth opening 52c to the rear of the seat 22. Preferably, each of these passages 30 defines a separate flow path from its associated opening to the rear of the seat 22.

In one embodiment, the interior of the seat 22 is generally hollow. For example, the top and bottom portions 40,42 of the seat 22 may be created as shells. Either the top portion 40, the bottom portion 42, or both (as illustrated in FIG. 2) may define a peripheral wall 60 (both at the outside of the seat 22 and at the opening 58) which extends away from the inner surface thereof. In this manner, when the top and bottom portions 40,42 are connected, they define a generally sealed hollow or opening interior space 64.

In one embodiment, the passages 30 are defined by one or more walls or dividers 62. For example, walls or dividers 62 may extend upwardly from the inner surface 50 of the bottom portion 42 of the seat 22 and into contact with the inner surface 46 of the top portion 40 of the seat 22. The walls or dividers 62 thus define segregated or separate area from the remaining hollow interior are of the seat 22. Of course, other configurations are possible. For example, the passages could be molded into one or both seat portions, could be defined by first and second wall portions which extend from the top and bottom seat portions 40,42 towards one another or the like.

As illustrated, in FIGS. 1 and 2, one or more supports 66 may be provided in other areas of the seat 22 for supporting the top portion 40 on the bottom portion 42 (and preventing, for example, the top portion 40 from collapsing when the seat 22 is used). For example, the supports 66 may comprise raised portions of the bottom portion 42 of the seat 22 and/or members which extend upwardly from the inner surface 50 thereof for contacting or otherwise supporting the top portion 40 of the seat 22.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, one or more feet 100 may extend downwardly from the lower portion 42 of the seat 22. These feet 100 may be used to support the seat 22 upon the rim 210 of the toilet bowl 202 during use. A number of feet 100 may be provided and their location and size may vary.

In a preferred embodiment, the seat 22 can be opened, such as for cleaning. In particular, the top portion 40 can be at least partially disconnected from the bottom portion 42. Referring to FIG. 5, means may be provided for selectively connecting and disconnecting the top portion 40 and bottom portion 42 of the seat 22. In one embodiment, the means comprises one or more latches 68. For example, the bottom portion 42 of the seat 22 may define one or more downwardly facing stops 70 which are configured to be engaged by one or more inwardly extending tabs or catches 72. The one or more tabs 72 may be biased, such as by the material configuration of the top portion 40 of the seat 22, to extend inwardly and interfere with the one or more stops 70. At the same time, the one or more tabs 72 may be moveable outwardly out of engagement with the one or more stops 70, thus permitting the top portion 40 and bottom portion 42 of the seat 22 to be disconnected.

It will be appreciated that the bottom portion 42 of the seat 22 may define one or more stops 70. Preferably, the stops 70 are located at least at a front portion of the seat 22, though they might at other locations, including the sides. Preferably, a catch 72 is provided on the top portion 40 of the seat 22 corresponding to each stop 70.

Of course, the positions of the stops 70 and catches 72 may be reversed. Further, the means for selectively connecting might comprise other elements (other than latches as just described) or have other configurations. In one or more embodiments, pins on one portion of the seat 22 might be configured to extend into mating slots or mounts of the other portion of the seat. Other snap-fit or similar means for connecting might be utilized. Preferably, when the top portion 40 and bottom portion 42 of the seat 22 are molded, the means for selectively connecting can be formed as part of the seat portions in the molding process. Further, the means for connecting preferably does not require any tools to operate but can instead be operated by a user with just their hands.

As described above, the seat 22 and lid 24 are preferably mounted for rotational movement between raised and lowered positions. In a preferred embodiment, the seat 22 and lid 24 are mounted to first and second mounts 26a,b. As described herein, the first and second mounts 26a,b preferably secure the seat 22 and lid 24 to the toilet 200 and, in addition, each define an air flow path from the seat 22.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, each mount 26a,b comprises a body 76. In one embodiment, the body 76 defines a first chamber 78 for accepting a hinge pin 80 and also defines the above-mentioned second air chamber 32. The first chamber 78 is generally cylindrical in shape and extends inwardly from one side of the body 76. In one embodiment, the first chamber 78 is located above the second chamber 32, as best illustrated in FIG. 1.

Preferably, the air chamber 32 is generally closed. In particular, the body 76 either has a bottom or, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, is open at the bottom and has a mounting plate 82 connected thereto, such as with one or more fasteners 84. In particular, as illustrated, the air chamber 32 comprises a void which extends upwardly from a bottom of the body 76 of the mount 26a,b. The air chamber 32 is generally closed at the bottom of the mount 26a,b by connection of the mounting plate 82 to the body 76.

In addition, a port 86 leads through the body 76 to the air chamber 32. When the seat 22 is mounted to the mount 26a,b, the air passages 30 in the seat 22 lead to the port 86, as best illustrated in FIG. 1. In this manner, air can flow from the passages 30 in the seat 22, through the port 86 and into the air chamber 32 in each mount 26a,b. In this regard, as best illustrated in FIG. 1, when the seat 22 is connected to the mounts 26a,b, the passages 30 through the seat 22 preferably align with and mate to the ports 86 in the mounts 26a,b. As illustrated in FIG. 4, two of the passages 30a,b through the seat 22 preferably lead to the port 86 of a first of the mounts 26a, while the other two passages 30c,d lead to the port 86 in the other mount 26b.

In one embodiment, the seat 22 is configured to prevent liquids from flowing there through, including as drawn by the air moving devices to which the seat 22 is connected. In one configuration, a baffle 79 is provided in each air chamber 32. As illustrated, the baffle 79 preferably extends upwardly from the mounting plate 82 into the air chamber to an elevation above the bottom of the port 86. Thus, as illustrated in FIG. 1, if fluid entered the interior space 64 of the seat 22, it could not flow past the baffles 79. This prevents fluid from flowing into the air chambers 32 and then being drawn through the fastener passages 34, the conduit 36 and to any air moving devices. Such baffles 79 might be connected to the mounting plates 82 or be formed as part of the mounting plates.

In addition, other elements or configurations might be used to prevent fluid from flowing or being drawn through the seat 22. For example, in one embodiment, the top of the fasteners 28 (and thus the openings therein leading to the fastener passages 34) might be elevated or raised within the air chambers 32. In other embodiments, the mounting plate 82 might have a sloping or angled bottom surface. One or more drains may be provided to allow fluid to drain out of the air chambers 32, or such fluid might drain out when the seat 22 is moved to its raised position, such because one or more openings or voids are created between the seat 22 and the mounts 26a,b when the seat 22 is raised.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 6, the seat openings 52 might also be louvered. For example, the bottom portion 42 of the seat 22 might define or include one or more louvers 51 which define offset slots or openings 53 which lead to the seat openings 52. Preferably, as illustrated, the offset openings 53 open generally parallel to the bottom portion of the seat 22 and towards a rear of the seat. In such a configuration, if the seat 22 is in its horizontal position and fluid splashes upwardly towards the bottom of the seat, the fluid does not enter the seat openings 52 because of the louvers 51. In addition, if the seat 22 is in its raised position and fluid runs down the bottom of the seat (such as from a “top” of the seat in such a position downwardly towards the “bottom” or rear at the mounts 26a,b), the fluid runs over the louvers 51 and does not enter the slots 53 because they are beneath the louvers 51 and lead upwardly to the seat openings 52.

In one embodiment, each mount 26a,b has a front and an opposing rear and a pair of sides. The first chamber 78 extends inwardly from one of the sides and the port 86 is located at the front. As illustrated, two mounts 26a,b are preferably utilized to mount the seat 22. In such a configuration, the mounts 26a,b preferably have reversed configurations in which, when mounted, the hinge pins 80 extend outwardly from the mounts 26a,b in opposing directions.

The hinge pins 80 are of a generally standard configuration. As illustrated, the hinge pins 80 have a first end which fits into the first chamber 78 of the mount and have a second end which defines a seat connector 96. As indicated, in a preferred embodiment the first chamber 78 is generally cylindrical for accepting a generally cylindrical first end of the hinge pin 80, thus permitting the hinge pin 80 to rotate relative to the mount. The seat connector 96 is preferably configured to lock to the seat 22 and 24, and thus in one embodiment is generally square or rectangular in cross-sectional shape, so to be keyed to fit a mating mount of the seat and/or lid.

Preferably, each mount 26a,b has an associated fastener 28. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, in one embodiment, a fastener 28 is associated with each mounting plate 82. Each fastener 28 preferably comprises an externally threaded shaft which defines a hollow passage 34 there through. A first end of the fastener 28 is connected to or is formed as part of the mounting plate 82. The passage 34 through the fastener 34 leads to a top of the mounting plate 82, while the fastener 34 extends downwardly from the bottom of the mounting plate. In this manner, air may flow from the air chamber 32 in the mount 26a,b through the mounting plate 82 and into the hollow passage 34 through the fastener 28.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the seat 22 and the mounts 26a,b are configured to generally sealingly engage one another, at least when the seat 22 is in its down or use position. This ensures that air is drawn through the seat 22 and into the mounts 26a,b rather than from the space around the mounts 26a,b.

In one embodiment, a front of each mount 26a,b defines a generally vertically extending face 102 which leads to a generally horizontally extending flange 104 which is located above the port 86. The rear of the seat 22 preferably defines at least a mating face 106 in the area of each mount 26a,b, which seat face 106 is configured to tightly abut the face 102 of the mount 26a,b, with the seat face 106 terminating just above the flange 104 on the mount 26a,b. The seat face 106 may be defined by or associated with the top portion 40 of the seat 22. The two faces 102,106 preferably tightly abut or engage one another to reduce air leaks between them.

Similarly, the bottom portion 42 of the seat 22 may be configured with a flange 108 which terminates at a lower portion of the mounts 26a,b. The flange 108 may slope downwardly from the passages 30 through the seat 22 towards the mounts 26a,b to aid in moving any fluid which might be drawn into the seat 22 out of the seat and through the remainder of the assembly.

At least one nut 88 may be used to tighten each mount 26a,b to the toilet seat, as illustrated in FIG. 1. The nut 88 may also be configured as a conduit mount. As illustrated, the nut 88 has a top end and a bottom end. The bottom end may be configured as a collar 90 over which an end of a conduit 36 may be slipped. The conduit 36 preferably comprises a hose or similar member having at least one side wall and which defines a generally closed passage from a first end to a second end of the conduit. As indicated, the first end of the conduit 36 is preferably located over the free end of one of the fasteners 28. A second end of the conduit 36 preferably leads to, or places the hollow passage thereof, into communication with an air mover.

In particular, though not illustrated, the ventilated toilet seat 20 of the invention is configured to be used with an air mover such as a fan, blower or the like. Such a device may be located in a ceiling, wall, attic or other portion of a structure. The air mover is preferably configured to draw air into an inlet and expel air out at least one outlet. In a preferred embodiment, the air mover draws air from the toilet 200 an exhausts it to a remote location, in a manner described in more detail below.

In assembly, the seat 22 and lid 24 are mounted to the mounts 26a,b. In one embodiment, referring to FIG. 1, the lid 24 defines a first unkeyed slot 92a and an opposing keyed slot 92b at the rear thereof. Likewise, the seat 22 defines a first unkeyed slot 94a and an opposing keyed slot 94b at the rear thereof. In one embodiment, the positions of the keyed and unkeyed slots on the seat 22 and lid 24 are reversed. In one embodiment, the unkeyed slots may be generally cylindrical, whereas the keyed slots may be generally rectangular (or another shape which matches the shape of the connector 96 on the hinge pin 80).

As assembled, the connector 96 of the hinge pin 80 which is associated with a first mount 26a extends through the unkeyed slot 94a in the seat 22 and into the keyed slot 92b in the lid 24. The connector 96 of the hinge pin 80 which is associated with the second mount 26b extends through the keyed slot 94b and into the unkeyed slot 92a in the lid 24. Preferably, each hinge pin 80 is designed with a “soft close” feature, such as a configuration in which interference or friction between the hinge pin 80 and the corresponding mount 26a,b causes the pin 80 to rotate slowly. So mounted, the lid 24 can rotate independently of the seat 22 via control of the hinge pin 80 associated with the first mount 26a, and the seat 22 can rotate independently of the lid 24 under the control of the hinge pin 80 associated with the second mount 26b. Of course, the seat 22 and lid 24 may be rotated with one another. The “soft close” feature preferably prevents the seat 22 and/or lid 24 from slamming or shutting quickly as they move from the raised to the lowered position.

The seat 22 and associated lid 24 are mounted to the toilet 200 using the mounts 26a,b. In particular, the fasteners 28 are passed downwardly through the mounting holes 214 in the toilet 200. The mounts 26a,b are tightened into position using the nuts 88. In particular, each nut 88 is threaded onto the threads of the associated fastener 28 upwardly into contact with the toilet 200.

A conduit 36 is preferably connected to each nut 88. As illustrated, a free end of the conduit 36 is extended over the free end of the fastener 28 and moved upwardly over the collar 90 of the nut 88. In one embodiment, the conduit 36 may be secured by one or more teeth 98 extending outwardly from the collar 90. Alternatively, clamps or other fasteners may be utilized.

As indicated above, the conduits 36 are preferably connected to an air mover (either directly or indirectly, such as by connecting a second end of the conduits 36 to a manifold or other piping system which leads to the air mover).

In operation, the air mover draws air from the vicinity of the toilet 200 through the ventilated toilet seat 20. In particular, referring to FIG. 1, air is drawn from the vicinity of the toilet 200, and particularly the toilet bowl 208, into the one or more inlets 52 in the seat 22. The air then flows from those openings into the air flow passages 30 within the seat 22.

This air then travels to the rear of the seat 22, exiting the seat and flowing through the ports 86 into the air chambers of 32 of the two mounts 26a,b. The air then flows from those air chambers 32 through the hollow passages 34 defined by the fasteners 28, and thereon through the conduits 36 to the air mover. In this manner, air, including odorous air, is drawn from the vicinity of the toilet and is exhaust to a point remote from the toilet. In the case of a bathroom, for example, the air may be exhausted to the outdoors, thus removing the air and associated odors entirely from the bathroom.

A variety of aspects of the invention will now be appreciated.

A first aspect of the invention is a ventilated toilet seat which has a standard appearance and functionality. As indicated above, other attempts to create ventilated toilet systems have required modifications to the toilet and/or other components which are non-standard and detract greatly from the appearance of the toilet. In accordance with the invention, a seat, lid and mounts having a standard exterior appearance have been developed, but with components have internal features which facilitate toilet ventilation. For example, the seat and lid mounts have a standard appearance (as opposed, for example, to other systems which include large and bulky manifolds or other flow path features). Yet, the mounts define flow passages from the seat. In addition, the mounts facilitate implementation of “soft close” hinge features which are desirably found on most common toilet seats.

Another advantage of the invention is that the ventilation flow path extends through the mounts and associated fasteners. In particular, air is drawn from the seat into the mounts and then through the hollow fasteners. A particular advantage of this aspect of the invention is that the ventilated toilet seat 20 can be easily retrofit onto any existing toilet without modifying the toilet or changing the appearance of the toilet. In particular, a user can simply mount the ventilated toilet seat 20 to a toilet using the standard existing mounting holes 214. The user then simply tightens the locking nuts 88 and connects the conduits 36 and the toilet 200 is then retrofit into a ventilated format.

Yet another advantage of the invention is the two-piece seat. In particular, the seat has a standard exterior appearance. However, the seat can be opened by separating the top and bottom portions 40,42. In this manner, the interior of the seat can easily be accessed, such as for cleaning. For example, a user may open the seat and spray disinfectant or other cleaners on the seat portions, including the interior walls, in the passages 30 and other portions thereof to ensure that the interior portions of the seat remain clean.

Of course, the ventilated toilet assembly 20 may have other variations than specifically described above. For example, the ventilated toilet assembly 20 need not include a lid 24. For example, in public environments the assembly 20 may only include a seat 22.

As indicated, the seat 22 may define a number of inlets 52. For example, the seat 22 might have a greater number or lesser number of inlets 52 than as illustrated in FIG. 4.

In one embodiment, only one of the mounts 26 might define an air flow passage. In such a configuration, all of the passages through the seat 22 preferably lead to the single mount 26 which defines an air flow path there through. The other mount 26 may simply be used to mount the seat 22 with or without a lid 24.

The components of the assembly 20 may be constructed in various manners and from various materials. For example, the seat 22 and lid 24 may be constructed from plastic materials, while the fasteners 28 might be constructed of metal. Of course, other materials might be utilized.

In one embodiment, the conduits 36 are connected to the mounting nuts 88. However, the conduits 36 might be connected to the fasteners 28. Alternatively, the fasteners 28 might be secured with a first nut and then the conduits 36 might be mounted to second nuts which are also threaded onto the fasteners. It is also possible for the fasteners 28 to be internally threaded or the like.

In another embodiment, other types of fasteners might be used to mount the mounts. For example, the fasteners might use other types of locking members than threads.

It is also possible for various of the particular features of the assembly to be used apart from others, i.e. in other combinations than the preferred embodiment herein.

It will be understood that the above described arrangements of apparatus and the method there from are merely illustrative of applications of the principles of this invention and many other embodiments and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

Claims

1. A ventilated toilet seat assembly comprising:

a first mount and a second mount, said first and second mounts comprising a body which defines an interior air chamber and having a port leading from a front of said mount to said air chamber, said first and second mounts further comprising a fastener extending downwardly there from, said fastener defining an air passage leading from said interior air chamber of said corresponding mount, and said first and second mounts further comprising a hinge pin;

a first nut configured to engage said fastener associated with said first mount and having a collar for mounting a first hollow conduit thereto;

a second nut configured to engage said fastener associated with said second mount and having a collar for mounting a second hollow conduit thereto; and

a seat having an upper portion and a lower portion, at least one ventilation inlet extending through said lower portion to at least one air passage within said seat, which air passage leads to a rear of said seat, said upper and lower portions selectively connectable and disconnectable to provide access to an interior thereof including said at least one air passage, said seat configured to mount to said hinge pins associated with said first and second mounts to permit said seat to be moved between a raised position and a lowered position;

wherein when said seat is in said lowered position, said assembly defines an air flow path through said at least one ventilation inlet into said seat, through said at least one air passage within said seat to said rear thereof, from said rear of said seat through said ports of said first and second mounts into said interior air chambers thereof, from said interior air chambers through said air passages through said fasteners to said first and second conduits.

2. The ventilated toilet seat assembly in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a lid, said lid mounted to sad hinge pins for movement between a raised and a lowered position.

3. The ventilated toilet seat assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein each fastener comprises a hollow externally threaded fastener configured to extend through a mounting hole of a toilet.

4. The ventilated toilet seat assembly in accordance with claim 1 further comprising means for selectively connecting and disconnecting said upper and lower portions of said seat.

5. The ventilated toilet seat assembly in accordance with claim 4 wherein said means comprises at least one latch.

6. The ventilated toilet seat assembly in accordance with claim 5 wherein said at least one latch comprises a catch which associated with one of said upper or lower portions of said seat, and a stop which is associated with the other of said upper or lower portions of said seat, said catch biased into engagement with a stop.

7. The ventilated toilet seat assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein said seat defines two or more ventilation inlets and an air passage corresponding to each inlet.

8. The ventilated toilet seat assembly in accordance with claim 7 wherein said seat has a first arm and a second arm, first and second ventilation inlets associated with said first arm and corresponding first and second air passages leading from said first and second ventilation inlets to said rear of said seat and third and fourth ventilation inlets associated with said second arm and corresponding third and fourth air passages leading from said third and fourth ventilation inlets to said rear of said seat.

9. The ventilated toilet seat assembly in accordance with claim 8 wherein said first and second air passages lead to said port of said first mount and said third and fourth air passages lead to said port of said second mount.

10. The ventilated toilet seat assembly in accordance with claim 8 wherein said first, second, third and fourth air passages through said seat are defined by one or more walls extending between said upper and lower portions of said seat.

11. The ventilated toilet seat assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first and second nuts have a top and bottom, said top configured to be threaded onto said fastener and said bottom defining said collar.

12. The ventilated toilet seat assembly in accordance with claim 11 further comprising at least one spike extending outwardly from said collar of said first and second nuts, said at least one spike configured to engage said conduit connected to said nut.

13. The ventilated toilet seat assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein each hinge pin has first end which is mounted to said corresponding first or second mount and a second keyed end.

14. The ventilated toilet seat assembly in accordance with claim 13 wherein said keyed end of each hinge pin is generally rectangular in cross-sectional shape.

15. The ventilated toilet seat assembly in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a plurality of feet which extend downwardly from said lower portion of said seat for engaging a rim of a toilet bowl.

16. The ventilated toilet seat assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein each fastener extends downwardly from a mounting plate and wherein said body of said first mount is mounted to one of said mounting plates and said body of said second mount is mounted to another of said mounting plates.

17. The ventilated toilet seat assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first mount defines a front face for abutting with a rear seat face and said second mount defines a front face for abutting with said rear seat face, whereby said first and second mounts sealingly engage said seat to prevent air from being drawn from a space between said first and second mounts and said seat.