Toilet ventilation system

Abstract

A toilet ventilation system which may be produced as either a permanently installed system or a portable system which may be moved from place to place with relative ease. In the portable system, odors are collected into either an easily installed and removed collection collar which fits within the toilet bowl ring, or ducts within the toilet seat, and then vented through flexible tubing, by means of an impeller fan, to a point outside the room. In the permanent system, odors are collected either through the seat ducts or ducts formed within the rim of the toilet bowl. Venting to the exterior of the room is then accomplished through ducts permanently installed in the structure and an impeller fan within the duct system.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to toilet fixtures, both domestic and institutional. More particularly, the invention comprises a ventilation system for exhausting related odors from the toilet before they enter the atmosphere of the room.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Since indoor plumbing was first introduced, efforts have been made to eliminate the associated odors from lingering in the room. Numerous efforts have been made to exhaust these odors directly from the toilet to the outside.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,237,163, to Guzzo, et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,898,951, to Rakoz; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,671,484, to Lee, III; all disclose systems wherein air is drawn through apertures in the seat and into a duct system and expelled to the outside or filtered and returned to the interior, while U.S. Pat. No. 5,452,481, to Meyer discloses a system wherein air is drawn into an intake nozzle located between the seat and the bowl rim. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,864,664, to Higgins, a system is disclosed wherein odors are exhausted through the plumbing system, using an air trap.

None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a system for removing objectionable odors from the vicinity of a toilet or urinal by means of an air vent system which may either be built into the toilet or urinal or removably placed on the toilet or urinal. In either system, air is withdrawn through apertures around the inner perimeter of the seat or the bowl by a blower system, through ducts, to the exterior of a building. Optionally, the air could be filtered and/or deodorized and returned to the interior of the building.

In a permanently installed system, air vents would preferably be installed in the interior perimeter of the seat and vented through permanently installed ducts. In a temporary system, an adjustable collar having intake apertures is fitted within the bowl rim and vented through flexible tubing to an exitway, such as a window.

In either system, activation may be by a manual switch in the vicinity of the toilet, by a pressure switch affixed to the seat, or by a motion sensor either in the vicinity of or within the toilet.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a toilet ventilation system which is inexpensive to produce and install.

It is another object of the invention to provide a toilet ventilation system which is efficient to operate.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a toilet ventilation system which is easy to install.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a toilet system which is unobtrusive in its sizing and routing.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a toilet ventilation system which effectively removes objectionable odors from the toilet, thereby preventing them from entering the interior atmosphere.

It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.

These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various other objects, features, and attendant advantages of the present invention will become more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the adjustable collar of a first embodiment of a portable toilet ventilation system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a toilet with the first embodiment of the portable ventilated toilet system installed.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the portable toilet ventilation system of the present invention with a ventilated seat in lieu of the collar, utilizing ducting external of the toilet.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a permanent toilet ventilation system of the present invention using the seat of FIG. 3 and utilizing ducting internal of the toilet.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a permanent toilet ventilation system of the present invention utilizing venting entirely internal of the toilet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In a first embodiment, depicted at FIGS. 1 and 2, the toilet ventilation system is designed to be readily installed as a portable ventilation system 1. The toilet forms no part of the first embodiment, but various toilet parts will be numerically referenced, for clarity.

An adjustable, hollow collar 10 is adapted to be fit within the bowl 110 of a toilet 100, preferably below the rim 112 such that it does not extend, appreciably, beyond the rim 112. This below the rim 112 installation allows the bowl 110 aperture to substantially maintain its full diameter without the collar 10 intruding into that perimeter, thereby restricting the effective diameter of the bowl 110.

Collar 10 is formed by a tube 12 of a polymeric material with sufficient flexibility that the tube 12 may be formed into a ring which can conform to the interior of the toilet bowl 110. It is made adjustable by a transition 14 at a point along the length of tube 12 where the diameter of tube 12 increases such that the exterior diameter at a first end 16 is substantially equal to the interior diameter at a second end 18, such that the first end 16 may be snugly and slidably inserted into the second end 18 to form the ring of collar 10, thereby allowing the size of collar 10 to be adjusted by sliding first end 16 into second end 18 by varying amounts. It would be evident to one of ordinary skill in the art that transition 14 could be accomplished at a given point, as illustrated at FIG. 1, or gradually, along the length of tube 12. It would be further evident that in lieu of the configuration described hereinabove, collar 10 could be formed as a closed ring of an accordion pleated tubing or other material which would allow for adjustment of the perimetric length of collar 10.

A plurality of intake apertures 20 are formed in the collar 10 such that they are oriented inwardly and downwardly within the bowl 110. This orientation proves to be the best for acquisition of odors into the system, as well as preventing the intrusion of water into the system when the toilet is flushed.

A relatively flat connection nozzle 22 is formed in collar 10 at a point at a distance from the juncture of first end 16 and second end 18. Connection nozzle 22 is configured and dimensioned such that it will fit between the upper surface of the bowl 110 and the lower surface of the seat 114, preferably at a point proximate or between the seat hinges 116.

Collar 10 is held in place within the bowl 110 by a plurality of collar clips 24, the collar clips 24 wrapping at a first end around collar 10 and at a second end over the upper surface of the bowl.

External of the toilet 100 is a duct system 30 which is connected to the collar 10. A flexible ducting tube 32 is connected, at a first end, to connection nozzle 22 and at a second end to the intake side 34 of an impeller 36, impeller 36 housing an impeller fan 38. The impeller 36 is not considered to be inventive, and will not be disclosed further, with the exception of electrical connection and control as will be set forth hereinafter. A second flexible tube 32 is connected, at a first end, to the discharge side 40 of impeller 36 and a second end is extended to the outside of a building through an aperture, such as a window. A vent plate 50, configured to seal an open portion of a window or other opening through which the ventilation system 1 is vented, is attached to the second end of the second flexible tube 32. It would be evident to one of ordinary skill in the art that in a more permanent installation, the second end of second flexible tube 32 could be attached to a vent through a wall, floor or ceiling, in lieu of a window plate 50.

The impeller fan 38 is electrically connected to a power source by a power cord 42 with a plug 44 for connection to a standard electrical outlet for AC operation. Alternately power cord 42 could be hardwired into the electrical system (not shown) of the building for permanent installation, or power cord 42 may be attached to a battery 44A for DC operation. An electrical switch 46 controls the operation of impeller fan 36. In the preferred embodiment, the switch 46 would be a motion sensitive switch located remotely from the impeller 36 such that it can pick up movement of a person in the vicinity of the toilet 100, thereby turning the impeller fan 38 on and off automatically. Optionally, the switch 46 could be a pressure sensitive switch attached to the toilet seat 114 or manually operated by the user. A manual switch could either be located remotely from the impeller 36 or as an integral part of impeller 36. Regardless of the location and type of switch 46, it would be connected to the impeller fan 38 by a switch cord 48.

In an alternate embodiment, impeller 36 and impeller fan 38 could be vent fan commonly found in bathrooms, with flexible tube 32 terminating in the housing of the bathroom vent fan and using the vent fan as the impeller fan 38, or second flexible tube 32 could terminate at the bathroom vent fan, simply using the bathroom vent fan as a means of egress to the outside.

In a second embodiment (FIG. 3) of the portable ventilation system, in lieu of collar 10, a seat 115 having an internal airway 118 is utilized. Intake apertures 20 are situated in the under side of seat 115, leading to the internal airway 118. At the rear of the seat 115, the internal airway 118 is connected to a connection nozzle 22A, which in turn is connected to the duct system 30 of the portable ventilation system 1, as described hereinabove.

In a permanent ventilation system (FIG. 4), the seat 115 of FIG. 3 is ducted to a permanently installed duct system 30A, external of the toilet 100. With the exception of a vent plate 50, duct system 30A has the same elements as duct system 30 cited hereinabove, with the first ducting tube 32A running external of the toilet 100 and the remainder of the duct system 30 permanently installed in a floor, wall or ceiling. It would be evident to one of ordinary skill in the art, however, that the impeller 36 could be mounted between the toilet 100 and where the duct system 30A enters the floor, wall or ceiling.

At FIG. 4, a permanent ventilation system 2A is disclosed, wherein the airway 118 of seat 115 is connected to a duct system 30B in which first ducting tube 32B is formed within the housing of toilet 100, as opposed to 32A, which is external to the toilet 100.

At FIG. 5, a permanent ventilation system 2B is disclosed, wherein intake apertures 20B are formed in the rim 112 of bowl 110 and airway 118B is formed within the rim 110. Airway 118B is connected to duct system 30B by a connection nozzle 22B.

It would be evident to one of ordinary skill in the art the both portable ventilation system 1 and permanent ventilation systems 2 and 2A could easily be adapted to a urinal or bidet without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A toilet ventilation system comprising:

collection means for collecting objectionable odors from a toilet,

routing means for routing said odors from said toilet,

impelling means for impelling said odors through said routing means,

power means for powering said impelling means, and

controlling means for controlling the operation of said impelling means.

2. A toilet ventilation system, as defined in claim 1, wherein said collection means comprises a detachable collar sized to be disposed within the bowl of said toilet, said collar comprising a hollow tube, said tube having:

a plurality of intake apertures located along its length, said apertures directed inwardly and downwardly within said collar,

a first end and a second end, said first end having an outside diameter substantially equal to an inside diameter of said second end, such that said outside diameter of said first end may slidably fit within said inside diameter of said second end, thereby making said collar adjustable to fit the perimeter of said toilet bowl, and

a connection nozzle attached to said tube at a distance from the juncture of said first end and said second end of said tube, said connection nozzle being dimensioned and configured to fit between the upper surface of said toilet bowl and the lower surface of an attached toilet seat, said connection nozzle being in fluid communication with the interior of said tube, whereby it can convey air from said collection means to said routing means.

3. A toilet ventilation system, as defined in claim 2, wherein said routing means comprises a flexible tube, said flexible tube being attached at a first end to said collection means at said connection nozzle, and having a second end which is adapted to be routed from a room containing said toilet ventilation system.

4. A toilet ventilation system, as defined in claim 3, wherein said routing means further comprises a vent plate for sealing an opening through which said routing means is adapted to exit a room containing said toilet ventilation system.

5. A toilet ventilation system, as defined in claim 3, wherein said impelling means comprises a fan located at a point along the length of said flexible tube, said fan serving to impel air from said collection means, through said routing means, to a point outside a room containing said toilet ventilation system.

6. A toilet ventilation system, as defined in claim 5, wherein said fan comprises a conventional bathroom vent fan which may be installed within a room containing said toilet ventilation system.

7. A toilet ventilation system, as defined in claim 5, wherein said power means comprises an electrical cord with a plug, for attaching said fan to an electrical outlet.

8. A toilet ventilation system, as defined in claim 5, wherein said power means comprises at least one battery.

9. A toilet ventilation system, as defined in claim 7, wherein said controlling means comprises an on/off switch wired to said fan.

10. A toilet ventilation system, as defined in claim 9, wherein said on/off switch is a motion sensitive switch.

11. A toilet ventilation system, as defined in claim 1, wherein said collection means comprises:

a toilet seat having a hollow airway formed therein,

a plurality of intake apertures located along the length of the hollow airway, passing through said toilet seat and opening to a lower surface of said seat to provide fluid communication between the hollow airway and the lower surface of the toilet seat, and

a connection nozzle adapted to convey air from said hollow airway to said routing means.

12. A toilet ventilation system as defined in claim 11, wherein said routing means comprises a flexible tube, said flexible tube being attached at a first end to said collection means at said connection nozzle and having a second end adapted to be routed from a room containing said toilet ventilation system.

13. A toilet ventilation system, as defined in claim 12, wherein said routing means further comprises a vent plate for sealing an opening through which said routing means is adapted to exit a room containing said toilet ventilation system.

14. A toilet ventilation system, as defined in claim 13, wherein said impelling means comprises a fan located at a point along the length of said flexible tube, said fan serving to impel air from said collection means, through said routing means, to a point outside a room containing said toilet ventilation system.

15. A toilet ventilation system, as defined in claim 14, wherein said power means comprises an electrical cord with a plug, for attaching said fan to an electrical outlet.

16. A toilet ventilation system, as defined in claim 14, wherein said power means comprises at least one battery.

17. A toilet ventilation system, as defined in claim 15, wherein said controlling means comprises an on/off switch wired to said fan.

18. A toilet ventilation system, as defined in claim 17, wherein said on/off switch is a motion sensitive switch.

19. A toilet ventilation system, as defined in claim 11, wherein said routing means comprises a duct formed external of said toilet and adapted to be routed into at least one structural element from the group consisting of: a floor, a wall and a ceiling; said duct being attached, at a first end, to said collection means at said connection nozzle and adapted to be routed, at a second end, to the exterior of a room containing said toilet.

20. A toilet ventilation system, as defined in claim 19, wherein said impelling means comprises a fan located at a point along the length of said duct, said fan serving to impel air from said collection means, through said routing means, to a point exterior to a room containing said toilet.

21. A toilet ventilation system, as defined in claim 20, wherein said power means comprises an electrical cord with a plug for attaching said fan to an electrical outlet.

22. A toilet ventilation system, as defined in claim 20, wherein said power means comprises an electrical cord adapted to be wired directly to the electrical system of a room containing said toilet ventilation system.

23. A toilet ventilation system, as defined in claim 20, wherein said controlling means comprises an on/off switch wired to said fan.

24. A toilet ventilation system, as defined in claim 23, wherein said on/off switch is a motion sensitive switch.

25. A toilet ventilation system, as defined in claim 1, wherein said collection means comprises:

a hollow airway formed within the rim of a toilet bowl,

a plurality of intake apertures located around the perimeter of said toilet bowl, said intake apertures allowing passage of air from said toilet bowl into said airway, and

a connection nozzle formed within the structure of said toilet and in fluid communication with said hollow airway, said connection nozzle adapted for attaching ducts to said collection system.

26. A toilet ventilation system, as defined in claim 25, wherein said routing means comprises a duct formed external of said toilet and adapted to be routed into at least one structural element from the group consisting of: a floor, a wall and a ceiling; said duct being attached, at a first end, to said collection means at said connection nozzle and adapted to be routed, at a second end, to the exterior of a room containing said toilet.

27. A toilet ventilation system, as defined in claim 26, wherein said impelling means comprises a fan located at a point along the length of said duct, said fan serving to impel air from said collection means, through said routing means to a point exterior a room containing said toilet.

28. A toilet ventilation system, as defined in claim 27, wherein said power means comprises an electrical cord with a plug for attaching said fan to an electrical outlet.

29. A toilet ventilation system, as defined in claim 27, wherein said power means comprises an electrical cord adapted to be wired directly to the electrical system of a room containing said toilet.

30. A toilet ventilation system, as defined in claim 27, wherein said controlling means comprises an on/off switch wired to said fan.

31. A toilet ventilation system, as defined in claim 30, wherein said on/off switch is a motion sensitive switch.