Patents by Inventor Robert I. Smith

Robert I. Smith has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7849526
    Abstract: A toilet is provided which transports malodorous air from the bowl to the sewer line. The tank of the toilet is equipped with a fan which draws air from the bowl through the flush holes, located in the rim of the bowl, into a sealed fan box. An intake tube is used to channel air from the water inlet to the fan box, which leaves the overflow tube unobstructed. Air is diverted out of the fan box through an exit tube which attaches to the siphon at a point behind the water trap. A damper door disposed between the exit tube and intake tube prevents stale air from the siphon or sewer from entering the bowl or tank and escaping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Smith Innovations, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert I. Smith
  • Publication number: 20080022444
    Abstract: A toilet is provided which transports malodorous air from the bowl to the sewer line. The tank of the toilet is equipped with a fan which draws air from the bowl through the flush holes, located in the rim of the bowl, into a sealed fan box. An intake tube is used to channel air from the water inlet to the fan box, which leaves the overflow tube unobstructed. Air is diverted out of the fan box through an exit tube which attaches to the siphon at a point behind the water trap. A damper door disposed between the exit tube and intake tube prevents stale air from the siphon or sewer from entering the bowl or tank and escaping. The toilet is powered by a simple fan, such as a 12 v/DC fan connected to a power source. The load required to operate the fan is small and can be supplied by a battery to obviate the need for a hard-wired electrical connection. The fan is activated by a switch positioned to be activated when the flush handle is moved upward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventor: Robert I. Smith
  • Patent number: 7275271
    Abstract: A ventilation system for a toilet which functions by drawing air from around the bowl through the original flush holes into the existing overflow-pipe and then into a fan compartment. The fan is activated by manipulating the flush handle upward. Malodorous air is then forced through an exhaust pipe into the sewage line downstream of the gas trap. The fan is deactivated when the flush handle is pressed downward and the toilet is flushed. A water-trap between the fan and the toilet tank prevents the malodorous air from escaping into the tank. The water in the water trap is changed with each flush by redirecting the refill tube into the water trap. This prevents the water in the water trap from becoming stagnant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Inventor: Robert I. Smith