Ventilating System For Toilet Stool

Abstract

An improved toilet ventilating system, in one embodiment having a ventilation fan adapted for withdrawing air from a toilet stool bowl and discharging the air into a waste discharge passage of the toilet stool. A second embodiment, having a ventilation fan adapted for withdrawing air from a toilet stool bowl, passing the air through a filter for removing particulates and gases from the air and an element for disinfecting and/or scenting the air, then discharges the treated air back into the room atmosphere.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Art

The disclosure relates to the field of toilet stools, and specifically to ventilation of toilet stools to remove or treat unpleasant odors associated with their use.

2. Discussion of the State of the Art

The related art of interest describes various methods of ventilating the toilet bowl for the purpose of odor removal or treatment.

A number of systems for ventilating toilets disclosed in the prior art propose the removal of odorous air from the toilet bowl by means of an air intake at a single point, either incorporated into the manufacture of or added onto the existing toilet bowl—for example U.S. Pat. No. 5,906,009 issued on May 25, 1999 to Josip Sakar, U.S. Pat. No. 3,295,147 issued on Jan. 3, 1967 to Gustave Meyer, U.S. Pat. No. 3,366,979 issued on Feb. 6, 1968 to Melvin I. Johnston, U.S. Pat. No. 5,231,705 issued on Aug. 3, 1993 to Peter Ragusa, European Patent Application Publication No. 0 289 696 A1 published on Nov. 9, 1988 to Nevio Savorani, Japan Patent Publication No. JP 2000-139770 A published on May 23, 2000 for Susumu Nakatani et al, and Japan Patent Publication No. JP 2001-336199 A published on Dec. 7, 2001 for Yoshifumi Moriya et al.

As odorous air is rising from the entire area of the toilet bowl during use, this method of drawing air from the toilet bowl at a single point is ineffective. Various means have been proposed for sealing the toilet seat to the rim of the toilet bowl in order to reduce the diffusion of odorous air through the gap between the seat and bowl, but these add complexity, cost, increased opportunity for growth of mold and bacteria, increased difficulty of cleaning and increased maintenance cost.

Other systems for ventilating toilets in the prior art have disclosed the removal of odorous air from the toilet bowl by means of withdrawing air through a toilet seat specifically designed and manufactured for this purpose, or by means of a hollow ring or other apparatus affixed to or under the toilet seat—for example U.S. Pat. No. 5,819,324 issued on Oct. 13, 1998 to Ronnie D. Bianco, U.S. Pat. No. 4,402,091 issued on Sep. 6, 1983 to William D. Ellis et al, U.S. Pat. No. 6,052,837 issued on Apr. 25, 2000 to John A. Norton et al, U.S. Pat. No. 3,887,948 issued on Jun. 10, 1975, to Robin H. Stamper, U.S. Pat. No. 3,887,949 issued on Jun. 10, 1975 to John S. Osmond, U.S. Pat. No. 5,454,122 issued on Oct. 3, 1995 to Donald J. Bergeron, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,590,423 issued on Jan. 7, 1997 to Dwight L. Boykin.

While the means of air removal from the toilet bowl is more effective than the single point means, it nevertheless allows odorous air to escape through the gap between the rim of the toilet bowl and the toilet seat before rising farther to reach the removal means at the toilet seat. As with the single-point means of air removal described above, a seal has been disclosed between the toilet seat and the rim of the toilet bowl, but with the same negative consequences as previously described. The addition of separate apparatus also increases the need for and the effort of cleaning and maintenance, and cleaning that is not sufficiently thorough can lead to the growth of mold and bacteria on the toilet seat and the possible transmission of disease. These systems are also impractical due to the variety of toilet seats extant and currently in manufacture, which would require an equally large variety of specially-designed ventilating system seats or attachment systems to be manufactured and inventoried.

Yet other systems for ventilating toilets have disclosed the withdrawal of odorous air from the toilet bowl and into the toilet flush tank by means of the modified or unmodified overflow standpipe incorporated into the flush valve assembly—for example U.S. Pat. No. 6,694,534 B2 issued on Feb. 24, 2004 to Earlyn W. Stone, U.S. Pat. No. 2,985,890 issued on May 30, 1961 to Harry Baither, U.S. Pat. No. 4,031,574 issued on Jun. 28, 1977 to Frank D. Werner, U.S. Pat. No. 4,166,298 issued on Sep. 4, 1979 to Raymond H. Pearson, U.S. Pat. No. 5,125,119 issued on Jun. 30, 1992 to Jesus Munoz, U.S. Pat. No. 5,325,544 issued on Jul. 5, 1994 to Michael S. Busch, U.S. Pat. No. 5,369,810 issued on Dec. 6, 1994 to H. Ray Warren, U.S. Pat. No. 5,394,569 issued on Mar. 7, 1995 to Paul Poirier et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,606,747 issued on Mar. 4, 1997 to Andre Dupont, U.S. Pat. No. 5,718,005 issued on Feb. 17, 1998 to KamSik Ng, and U.S. Pat. No. U.S. Pat. No. 6,351,855 B1 issued on Mar. 5, 2002 to Larry F. Allen.

These examples of the prior art require either modifications to the toilet flush tank to provide external removal or treatment of the odorous air, or the addition of a ventilating fan and treatment system contained completely within the flush tank. A treatment system contained completely within the flush tank can require additional maintenance due to operation in an environment of high humidity, splashing, and spraying, and can interfere with the normal flushing operation. There is also possible safety hazard introduced by placing electrical equipment within or very near the water in the flush tank. Another disadvantage of such toilet ventilating systems is that the in-tank assembly must be manufactured as an air- and water-tight unit, in which case the entire ventilating system must be replaced at high cost in the event of malfunction. As an alternative to a factory-sealed assembly, the system may be provided in pieces to be fit together in the field, but this adds to the likelihood of water leaks into the system, causing either system malfunction or equipment damage, and higher likelihood of electrical hazard. And in the event of failure, the entire system must be removed, disassembled, repaired, reassembled, resealed, and reinstalled, a time-consuming and costly effort, leaving the toilet out of service for an extended period of time.

Another disadvantage of toilet ventilating systems of this type is that they typically require modifications to the overflow standpipe for withdrawal of air from the toilet bowl. These modifications can impede or entirely prevent the normal flush tank overflow function, which can result in flooding of the room and/or damage to the ventilation equipment located in the flush tank. Some systems in the prior art have disclosed a properly-functioning overflow standpipe, but only in conjunction with an external ventilating system which exhausts air removed from the toilet outside the room—for example U.S. Pat. No. 2,279,789 issued on Apr. 14, 1942 to Henry Jentzer and U.S. Pat. No. 1,342,716 issued on Jun. 8, 1920 to Edwin A. Johnston. The disadvantages of exhausting air outside the room will be discussed below.

Other toilet ventilating systems have disclosed proper function of the overflow standpipe, but are impractical for other reasons. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,763,505 issued on Oct. 9, 1973 to Joseph P. Zimmerman, U.S. Pat. No. 4,583,250 issued on Apr. 22, 1986 to Bonifacio C. Valarao, U.S. Pat. No. 4,153,956 issued on May 15, 1979 to Raymond C. Fischer, Sr. et al, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,369,813 issued on Dec. 6, 1994 to Lewis W. Goddard et al require replacement of the existing flush tank lid with a housing containing the complete ventilating and treatment system, which must seal air-tight against the top rim of the flush tank in order to function properly. The wide variety of sizes and styles of flush tanks already in use and currently for sale would demand an equally wide variety of sizes and styles of housings for toilet ventilating systems of this design, which would be prohibitively expensive to manufacture and inventory.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,495,282 issued on Feb. 17, 1970 to Allaird B. Taggart discloses a system that retains the proper function of the overflow standpipe, but would require either replacement of the flush tank or extensive modification of the existing flush tank.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,370,703 B1 issued on Apr. 16, 2002 to Kyung T. Kim et al discloses a design that incorporates a toilet ventilating system inside the flush tank, but only as an integral part of a system designed to alter the water volume of the flush. In operation this system would be similar to other designs in this category, but would be considerably more expensive to purchase and install.

Other toilet ventilating systems have disclosed the withdrawal of odorous air from the toilet bowl by means of modification to the water distribution chamber in the toilet bowl which surrounds the water discharge opening from the flush tank and through which the flush water is distributed around the toilet bowl, or the interposition of separate apparatus between the toilet bowl and the flush tank to facilitate the withdrawal of air from the water distribution chamber—for example

U.S. Pat. No. 4,494,255 issued Jan. 22, 1985 to Charles E. Drummond, and U.S. Pat. No. 2,777,137 issued Jan. 15, 1957 to J. P. McFadden. These toilet ventilating systems are impractical in one of two ways. In one typical embodiment, disclosed designs leave open the standpipe, providing fluid communication between the water distribution chamber and the flush tank, in order to retain the overflow capability for which the standpipe is intended. This configuration allows air to be drawn from the flush tank through the overflow standpipe, significantly reducing the effectiveness of air withdrawal from the toilet bowl, which is more distant and has smaller apertures through which the air is withdrawn. In other typical embodiments, the overflow standpipe is sealed in order to improve the withdrawal of odorous air from the toilet bowl, but doing so precludes the normal overflow function of the standpipe.

Another example of this means of removal of odorous air from the toilet bowl is 4,318,192 to Williams, cited elsewhere, which provides air removal via the modified overflow standpipe, yet accommodates the need for overflow protection by adding a separate overflow standpipe. Other objections to this toilet ventilating system are noted elsewhere, but with regard to this particular feature, the provision of a separate overflow standpipe adds complexity, manufacturing cost, and increased potential for system failure and maintenance cost. U.S. Pat. No. 7,275,271 B1 issued Oct. 2, 2007 to Robert I. Smith also discloses a water seal trap to prevent unintended withdrawal of air from the flush tank, but provides for drawing the odorous air into a treatment system contained completely within the flush tank, the disadvantages of which were discussed previously.

Referring now to the means of treatment or removal of the odorous air after collection from the toilet bowl, several toilet ventilating systems have disclosed the discharge of odorous air from the room in which the toilet stool is located by means of a system of tubes or pipes installed within the room itself, within or through the walls of the room, the ceiling or attic space above the room, and into the atmosphere outside the room—for example U.S. Pat. No. 5,819,324 issued on Oct. 13, 1998 to Ronnie D. Bianco (previously cited), U.S. Pat. No. 5,906,009 issued on May 25, 1999 to Josip Sakar (previously cited), U.S. Pat. No. 3,192,539 issued on Jul. 6, 1965 to William L. Martz, U.S. Pat. No. 2,279,789 issued on Apr. 14, 1942 to Henry Jentze (previously cited), U.S. Pat. No. 2,105,794 issued on Jan. 18, 1938 to Charles C. Norris, U.S. Pat. No. 1,342,716 issued on Jun. 8, 1920 to Edwin A. Johnston (previously cited), U.S. Pat. No. 3,495,282 issued on Feb. 17, 1970 to Allaird B. Taggart (previously cited), U.S. Pat. No. 3,900,908 issued on Aug. 26, 1975 to Galen L. Stump, U.S. Pat. No. 3,939,506 issued on Feb. 24, 1976 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,017,916 issued on Apr. 19, 1977, both to Raymond H. Pearson, U.S. Pat. No. 4,165,544 issued on Aug. 28, 1979 to Bill H. Barry, U.S. Pat. No. 5,305,472 issued on Apr. 26, 1994 to Leroy O. Eger, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,402,091 issued on Sep. 6, 1983 to William D. Ellis et al (previously cited).

These toilet ventilating systems require costly and time-consuming modifications to the structure in which the toilet stool is located, and increase the likelihood of system failure due to added apparatus and complexity. The likelihood and expense of maintenance are greater, particularly for equipment located within walls, ceilings and attics. There is also the possibility of the added cost of construction permits and fees.

Other toilet ventilating systems have disclosed injection of the odorous air into the flush tank water—for example U.S. Pat. No. 4,590,629 issued on May 27, 1986 to Leonard A. Lusk and U.S. Pat. No. 5,940,893 issued on Aug. 24, 1999 to Hai Shum. These systems are impractical for the reasons already cited above with regard to location within the flush tank, but also for the fact that operation would be accompanied by an objectionable bubbling noise in the tank throughout the term of use.

Still other toilet ventilating systems have disclosed a means of discharging the odorous air into the toilet waste discharge passage—for example U.S. Pat. No. 4,318,192 issued on Mar. 9, 1982 to Jack D. Williams et al (previously cited). However, retrofitting this capability to an existing toilet stool requires drilling a hole into a rounded porcelain surface in the toilet bowl in nearly perfect circular register with the air discharge tube affixed to the separately-fitted flush tank—an operation that would be impossible for the average consumer and very difficult even for a skilled craftsman.

Another disadvantage of the '192 Patent to Williams et al is that it seals the odorous air discharge line when the toilet is flushed, by means of a seal attached to a tank float valve. Thus, during the flushing and flush tank refilling operation, the system is prevented from removing odorous air from the toilet bowl.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,275,271 B1 issued Oct. 2, 2007 to Robert I. Smith (previously cited) also discloses discharge of the odorous air directly into the toilet waste discharge passage, but only from a ventilating system contained within the toilet flush tank. U.S. Pat. No. 5,351,344 issued on Oct. 4, 1994 to Rhudy F. Phillips also discloses a method of discharging odorous air directly into the sewer line, but requires installation of a specially-designed floor flange, which would be very difficult and costly to retrofit to existing installations.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,993,083 issued on Feb. 19, 1991 to Charles E. Lemieux also discloses a method of discharging odorous air directly into the toilet waste discharge passage, but is impractical in at least three regards. First, both the flush tank and toilet bowl are of a unique and intricate design required to provide functionality of the ventilating system. It would therefore be impossible to retrofit this system to existing toilet stools. Incorporation of the special features of the system into the manufacture of new bowls and flush tanks would also be more costly than the manufacture of conventional bowls and tanks, and neither the flush tank nor the bowl would be interchangeable with other toilet stools. Second, this ventilating system discloses the same general configuration of systems cited previously, wherein there is open fluid communication between the ventilating fan intake and the toilet flush tank by means of the overflow standpipe. As discussed above, this arrangement would substantially reduce the effectiveness of odorous air withdrawal from the toilet bowl. Third, this design discloses essentially complete enclosure of the ventilating fan within the toilet bowl structure, which would require removal of the entire toilet assembly in order to replace or repair any fan components.

Some toilet ventilating systems disclose the treatment of withdrawn odorous air by filtering and or scenting, with the treated air being discharged back into the room in which the toilet stool is located—for example U.S. Pat. No. 3,366,979 issued on Feb. 6, 1968 to Melvin I. Johnston (previously cited), U.S. Pat. No. 3,887,948 issued on Jun. 10, 1975, to Robin H. Stamper (previously cited), and European Patent Application Publication No. 0 289 696 A1 published on Nov. 9, 1988 to Nevio Savorani (previously cited). The disclosed embodiments of this means generally are bulky and unsightly, and incorporate hoses, housings and other appurtenances adding to the initial cost, unreliability and maintenance expense of the ventilating system. U.S. Pat. No. 6,052,837 issued on Apr. 25, 2000 to John A. Norton et al (previously cited) discloses an attractive and compact system, but the odorous air intake is by means of a specially designed toilet seat, the disadvantages of which were discussed previously.

None of the prior art has disclosed a toilet ventilating system that is adapted for use on a tankless type toilet as typically used in commercial or industrial installations.

Thus it can be seen that although the need for a toilet ventilating system has been articulated for decades, no system disclosed in the prior has gained widespread acceptance, due to ineffectiveness, impracticality, unsightliness, difficulty of cleaning, and/or high cost of purchase, installation and maintenance. Thus, a toilet ventilating system solving the aforementioned problems is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the inventor has conceived and reduced to practice an improved toilet ventilating system, in one embodiment comprising means for removing air from a toilet bowl and means for discharging the air into the waste discharge passage of the toilet. In a second embodiment, an improved toilet ventilating system, comprising means for removing air from a toilet bowl, means for filtering, disinfecting and/or scenting the air, and means for discharging the air back into the room atmosphere.

It is an object of the invention to provide a compact, inexpensive, efficient, quiet, easily installed, easily-serviced, self-contained toilet stool ventilating system.

It is a further object of the invention to provide for efficient and effective removal of odorous air from the toilet bowl by means of a plurality of apertures distributed around the lower perimeter of the annular rim in conventional toilet stools.

It is a further object of one embodiment of the invention to preserve the normal function of the flush tank overflow standpipe in toilets equipped with a flush tank.

It is a further object of one embodiment of the invention to provide a modified design for the flush valve assembly which incorporates a means for preventing the undesirable withdrawal of air from the flush tank through the standpipe, while still retaining the intended overflow capacity of the standpipe.

It is a further object of one embodiment of the invention to provide a modified design for the flush valve assembly which is adapted to connect an annular air plenum between the flush tank and the flush water opening in the toilet bowl, such that the annular air plenum is in fluid communication with the flush water distribution chamber in the toilet bowl.

It is a further object of one embodiment of the invention to provide easy fitment of the improved toilet ventilating system to various styles of toilet stool by means of one or more flexible joints incorporated into the ventilating system's inlet and/or exhaust ducts.

It is a further object of one embodiment of the invention to remove air from the toilet bowl prior to its dispersion into the room and to discharge the air into the toilet waste discharge passage.

It is a further object of one embodiment of the invention to remove air from the toilet bowl prior to its dispersion into the room, to treat the air to remove unpleasant odors and/or add a pleasant scent, then to return the air into the room atmosphere.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved toilet ventilating system that can be easily and inexpensively retrofitted onto existing conventional toilets of either flush tank or tankless type, or easily incorporated into the manufacture of new such toilets.

It is a further object of one embodiment of the invention to provide a modified design for the spud which is adapted to connect an annular air plenum in fluid communication with the flush water distribution chamber in a tankless type toilet stool.

It is a further object of one embodiment of the invention to provide an improved toilet ventilating system that can be retrofitted onto existing conventional toilets with no alterations to the structure of either the toilet flush tank or bowl.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved toilet ventilating system that is non-hazardous electrically and otherwise.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved toilet ventilating system that is easily cleaned and does not create an environment conducive to the growth of bacteria or mold.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved toilet ventilating system that is easily and inexpensively maintained in serviceable condition.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved toilet ventilating system that is automatically activated by the presence of a person sitting on the toilet seat.

It is a further object of one embodiment of the invention to provide an improved toilet ventilating system that remains activated by a timer for a period of time after a person has risen from the toilet seat.

It is a further object of one embodiment of the invention to provide an improved toilet ventilating system in which the means for air removal from the toilet bowl and the means for discharge of the air is an electrically-powered ventilation fan.

It is a further object of one embodiment of the invention to provide an improved toilet ventilating system wherein the ventilation fan is powered by a battery.

It is a further object of one embodiment the invention to provide means to adjust the operating speed of the improved toilet ventilating system, for example by an electronic motor speed controller.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

The accompanying drawings illustrate several embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention according to the embodiments. One skilled in the art will recognize that the particular embodiments illustrated in the drawings are merely exemplary, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows a section view of one embodiment of the improved toilet ventilating system installed on a conventional tank-type toilet stool.

FIG. 2 shows an exploded section view of a flush valve assembly adapted to accommodate installation of the improved toilet ventilating system onto a conventional tank-type toilet stool.

FIG. 2a shows a plan view of the annular air plenum shown in section in FIG. 2, adapted to provide fluid communication between the improved toilet ventilating system and flush water distribution chamber of a conventional toilet stool fitted with flush tank.

FIG. 3 shows a plan view of a toilet stool designating the general location of the section view of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows a rear elevation of one embodiment of the improved toilet ventilating system installed on a conventional toilet stool fitted with flush tank.

FIG. 5 shows a rear elevation of another embodiment of the improved toilet ventilating system installed on a conventional toilet stool fitted with flush tank.

FIG. 6 is shows a rear elevation of one embodiment of the improved toilet ventilating system installed on a tankless type toilet stool.

FIG. 7 shows an exploded section view of a toilet spud assembly adapted to accommodate installation of the improved toilet ventilating system onto a tankless type toilet stool.

FIG. 7a shows a plan view of an annular air plenum adapted to provide fluid communication between the improved toilet ventilating system and the flush water distribution chamber of a tankless type toilet stool.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

With regard to reference numerals used, the following numbering is used throughout the drawings:

• • 8 annular air plenum
  • 9 flapper valve
  • 10 flush valve body
  • 11a connecting flange
  • 11b connecting flange
  • 11c connecting flange
  • 11d connecting flange
  • 12 inlet duct assembly
  • 13 inlet check valve
  • 14 inlet flexible joint
  • 15 inlet port
  • 16 fan assembly
  • 16a inlet plenum
  • 16b exhaust plenum
  • 16c electric motor
  • 16d driveshaft
  • 16e fan wheel
  • 16f seal
  • 16g switch
  • 16h sensor
  • 16i motor speed control
  • 17 exhaust port
  • 18a connecting flange
  • 18b connecting flange
  • 18c connecting flange
  • 19 exhaust flexible joint
  • 20 exhaust check valve
  • 21 exhaust duct assembly
  • 22 hole
  • 23 seal
  • 24 waste discharge passage
  • 25a air passages
  • 25b structural ribs
  • 26 gasket
  • 27 gasket
  • 28 nut
  • 29 gasket
  • 30 gasket
  • 31 bowl cavity
  • 33 bolts
  • 34 slot
  • 35 battery
  • 36 filtering/disinfecting/scenting element
  • 37a spud apertures
  • 37b support ribs
  • 38 spud assembly
  • 38a spud body
  • 39 spud gasket
  • 40 gasket
  • 41 gasket
  • 42 nut
  • 43 flush tube
  • 44 compression gasket
  • 45 compression nut
  • 46 timer
  • 47 bowl
  • 47a opening
  • 48 annular rim
  • 49 apertures
  • 50 flush tank
  • 50a opening
  • 51 flush valve assembly
  • 52a overflow standpipe
  • 52b trap
  • 53 flush tank cavity
  • 54 flush water distribution chamber
  • 55 dam

Detailed Description—First Embodiment

Referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 2a, threaded flush valve body 10, which is an integral component of flush valve assembly 51, having gasket 26 installed around the open lower end, inserts through flush valve opening 50a in the bottom wall of toilet flush tank 50. Gasket 27 is then placed onto open lower end of threaded flush valve body 10, then threaded flush valve body 10 is sealingly connected to flush tank 50 by means of threaded nut 28, compressing gasket 26 and gasket 27. Gasket 29 is then installed on open lower end of threaded flush valve body 10. Annular air plenum 8, having an appropriately-sized circular opening, is then fitted over open lower end of threaded flush valve body 10. Gasket 30 is then fitted over open lower end of annular air plenum 8. Flush tank 50 with affixed flush valve assembly 51, annular air plenum 8, and aforementioned gaskets is then placed atop toilet bowl 47, such that open lower end of threaded flush valve body 10 and open lower end of annular air plenum 8 insert through opening 47a in upper wall of bowl 47. Tank securing bolts 33 are inserted through holes provided for such purpose in bottom wall of flush tank 50 and bowl 47 and tightened, thereby compressing gaskets 29 and 30 to sealingly connect flush tank 50 to bowl 47. Slot 34 is provided in annular air plenum 8 to allow insertion of one tank securing bolt 33 through annular air plenum 8. Side walls and end walls of slot 34 are sealed to body of annular air plenum 8 to prevent fluid communication between interior of annular air plenum 8 and surrounding atmosphere.

Flush valve assembly 51 thus installed provides fluid communication between flush tank 50 and flush water distribution chamber 54, an integral part of bowl 47, by two means: the flow of flush water from flush tank 50 into flush water distribution chamber 54 is controlled by flapper valve 9; overflow water from flush tank 50 bypasses flapper valve 9 by means of overflow standpipe 52a. Means is provided for preventing air flow from flush tank cavity 53 above the water level in flush tank 50 into flush water distribution chamber 54, for example by liquid trap 52b.

Annular air plenum 8 thus installed establishes fluid communication between annular air plenum 8 and flush water distribution chamber 54 by means of plurality of air passages 25a circumferentially distributed around the inner perimeter of that part of annular air plenum 8 which surrounds open lower end of threaded flush valve body 10. Means is provided to prevent collapse of air passages 25a or annular air plenum 8 when securing flush tank 50 to bowl 47, for example by plurality of structural ribs 25b interspersed among air passages 25a.

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 4, annular air plenum 8 is in fluid communication with bowl cavity 31 located inside bowl 47, by means of flush water distribution chamber 54, annular rim 48 and plurality of apertures 49, which are distributed at intervals along the lower inner perimeter of annular rim 48.

One end of inlet duct assembly 12 is sealingly connected to and in fluid communication with annular air plenum 8, for example by means of connecting flange 11a. Other end of inlet duct assembly 12 is sealingly connected to and in fluid communication with ventilating fan assembly 16, for example by inlet port 15.

Ventilating fan assembly 16 provides means for withdrawing air from inlet duct assembly 12, for example by fluid communication of inlet side of fan wheel 16e, located within inlet plenum 16a and in fluid communication with inlet port 15. Ventilating fan assembly 16 also provides means for discharging air, for example by fluid communication of exhaust side of fan wheel 16e, located within exhaust plenum 16b and in fluid communication with exhaust port 17. Fan wheel 16e is rotatingly driven, for example by an electric motor 16c, which may be located inside inlet plenum 16a, or external to both inlet plenum 16a and exhaust plenum 16b. Driveshaft 16d communicates mechanical rotation from electric motor 16c to fan wheel 16e. If electric motor 16c is located externally, driveshaft 16d passes through seal 16f located within one wall of inlet plenum 16a or one wall of exhaust plenum 16b in order to prevent fluid communication between air flowing through the improved toilet ventilating system and air outside the system. Power is provided to ventilating fan assembly 16 by means of connection to an electrical circuit (not pictured). A switch 16g is provided in the electrical circuit, by which ventilating fan assembly 16 may be energized for continuous operation or placed in a state of readiness for activation by a sensor 16h indicating the presence of a person on the toilet seat (not pictured).

One end of exhaust duct assembly 21 is sealingly connected to and in fluid communication with exhaust port 17, for example by means of connecting flange 18a. Other end of exhaust duct assembly 21 is sealingly connected to and in fluid communication with waste discharge passage 24 by means of insertion of end of exhaust duct assembly 21 through hole 22 in wall of waste discharge passage 24, the insertion of end of exhaust duct assembly 21 being made substantially air-tight by means of seal 23.

Thus means of continuous fluid communication is established from bowl cavity 31, through apertures 49, annular rim 48, flush water distribution chamber 54, annular air plenum 8, inlet duct assembly 12, ventilating fan assembly 16, exhaust duct assembly 21, and into waste discharge passage 24; and means is established for withdrawing air from bowl cavity 31 and discharging the air into waste discharge passage 24.

Operation—First Embodiment

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 4, the improved toilet ventilating system is activated for continuous service or placed into readiness for intermittent service by connection to an external power source, for example electrical mains service or a battery, by means of an activating device, for example switch 16g located externally on the housing of ventilating fan assembly 16. Switch 16g may have two or more positions, for example: off; continuously activated; and intermittent operation, in which state the improved toilet ventilating system is readied for activation by means of a device adapted to indicate the presence of a person on the toilet seat, for example a proximity sensor 16h, affixed to either the rim of bowl 47 or the toilet seat (not pictured).

Activating the toilet ventilating system applies motive force to move air, for example by connection of electrical power to rotate electric motor 16c and mechanically connected fan wheel 16e, thereby creating a partial vacuum in inlet plenum 16a. Partial vacuum in inlet plenum 16a is fluidly communicated through connected inlet port 15, through inlet duct assembly 12, annular air plenum 8, flush water distribution chamber 54, and into annular rim 48. Air located in bowl cavity 31 therefore flows through apertures 49 into the lower pressure region of annular rim 48, and is therefrom drawn into inlet plenum 16a.

Motive force applied to air, for example by rotation of fan wheel 16e, propels the air through exhaust port 17, exhaust duct assembly 21, hole 22, and into waste discharge passage 24.

Detailed Description—Second Embodiment

Referring to FIG. 5, components of a second embodiment of the improved toilet ventilating system are identical to those of the first embodiment in all respects with the following exception: exhaust port 17, exhaust duct assembly 21, hole 22 and seal 23 are replaced by further means for filtering, disinfecting and/or scenting air exhausted from fan assembly 16, for example by a filtering/disinfecting/scenting element 36.

Operation—Second Embodiment

Referring to FIG. 5, operation of the second embodiment of the improved toilet ventilating system is identical to that of the first embodiment in all respects with the following exception: air discharged from ventilating fan assembly 16 is filtered, disinfected and/or scented, for example by means of filtering/disinfecting/scenting element 36, and then discharged into the room atmosphere.

Detailed Description—Third Embodiment

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 4, a third embodiment of the improved toilet ventilating system is identical to the first embodiment in all respects with the following exception: incorporated into inlet duct assembly 12 is further means for assuring air flow in one direction only, for example by inlet check valve 13, which may be connected into inlet duct assembly 12, for example at a connecting flange 11b and a connecting flange 11c.

Operation—Third Embodiment

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 4, operation of the third embodiment of the improved toilet ventilating system is identical to that of the first embodiment in all respects with the following exception: means for assuring air flow in one direction only, for example inlet check valve 13, prevents backflow of air from ventilating fan assembly 16 into annular air plenum 8.

Detailed Description—Fourth Embodiment

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 4, a fourth embodiment of the improved toilet ventilating system is identical to the first embodiment in all respects with the following exception: incorporated into inlet duct assembly 12 is further means for providing positional adjustment in order to accommodate fitting the improved toilet ventilating system to differing sizes and styles of toilet stools, for example by inlet flexible joint 14, which may connect into inlet duct assembly 12, for example at connecting flange 11c and connecting flange 11d.

Operation—Fourth Embodiment

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 4, operation of the fourth embodiment of the improved toilet ventilating system is identical to that of the first embodiment in all respects.

Detailed Description—Fifth Embodiment

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 4, a fifth embodiment of the improved toilet ventilating system is identical to the first embodiment in all respects with the following exception: incorporated into exhaust duct assembly 21 is further means for assuring flow in one direction only, for example by exhaust check valve 20, which may be connected into exhaust duct assembly 21, for example at connecting flange 18b and connecting flange 18c.

Operation—Fifth Embodiment

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 4, operation of the fifth embodiment of the improved toilet ventilating system is identical to that of the first embodiment in all respects with the following exception: means for assuring air flow in one direction only, for example exhaust check valve 20, prevents backflow of air from toilet waste discharge passage 24 into ventilating fan assembly 16.

Detailed Description—Sixth Embodiment

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 4, a sixth embodiment of the improved toilet ventilating system is identical to the first embodiment in all respects with the following exception: incorporated into exhaust duct assembly 21 is further means for providing positional adjustment in order to accommodate fitting the improved toilet ventilating system to differing sizes and styles of toilet stools, for example exhaust flexible joint 19, which may connect into exhaust duct assembly 21, for example at connecting flange 18a and connecting flange 18b.

Operation—Sixth Embodiment

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 4, operation of the sixth embodiment of the improved toilet ventilating system is identical to that of the first embodiment in all respects.

Detailed Description—Seventh Embodiment

Referring to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, a seventh embodiment of the improved toilet ventilating system is identical to the first embodiment in all respects with the following exception: further means for providing delayed de-activation of the improved toilet ventilating system is added, for example by a timer 46, whereby ventilating fan assembly 16 may remain activated for a predetermined time following termination of system activation signal by a person vacating the toilet seat.

Operation—Seventh Embodiment

Referring to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, operation of the seventh embodiment of the improved toilet ventilating system is identical to that of the first embodiment in all respects, with the following exception: when system activation signal is terminated by a person vacating the toilet seat, means for providing delayed de-activation, for example a timer 46 incorporated into the electrical power circuit (not pictured), maintains activation of the system for a predetermined period of time.

Detailed Description—Eighth Embodiment

Referring to FIG. 2a and FIG. 4, an eighth embodiment of the improved toilet ventilating system is identical to the first embodiment in all respects with the following exception: further means for preventing water carryover from annular air plenum 8 into ventilation fan assembly 16 is provided, for example a dam 55 added to or incorporated into the structure of annular air plenum 8.

Operation—Eighth Embodiment

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 4, operation of the eighth embodiment of the improved toilet ventilating system is identical to that of the first embodiment in all respects.

Detailed Description—Ninth Embodiment

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 4, a ninth embodiment of the improved toilet ventilating system is identical to the first embodiment in all respects with the following exception: further means is provided to vary the operating speed of ventilating fan assembly 16, for example by an electronic motor speed control 16i.

Operation—Ninth Embodiment

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 4, operation of the ninth embodiment of the improved toilet ventilating system is identical to that of the first embodiment in all respects, with the following exception: operating speed of ventilating fan assembly 16 may be adjusted, for example by electronic motor speed control 16i.

Detailed Description—Tenth Embodiment

Referring to FIG. 6, FIG. 7 and FIG. 7a, a tenth embodiment of the improved toilet ventilating system is identical to the first embodiment in all respects with the following exception: flush valve assembly 51 is replaced by further means for connecting the improved toilet ventilating system to a tankless style toilet, for example comprising a modified spud assembly 38. Flush tube 43 is sealingly connected to and in fluid communication with spud assembly 38 by means of compression gasket 44 and compression nut 45. Flush tube 43 conveys flush water from a flush valve connected to a continuous water supply (not pictured). Spud assembly 38 is adapted for fluid communication with annular air plenum 8, spud assembly 38 comprising spud gasket 39 and spud body 38a, which has plurality of air slots 37a circumferentially distributed around its upper end, interspersed with plurality of support ribs 37b to retain adequate structural strength of spud body 38a.

Spud body 38a, with spud gasket 39 affixed, is inserted into circular opening 47a in an upper wall of flush water distribution chamber 54, which is an integral part of bowl 47. Annular air plenum 8 is then attached to spud assembly 38, for example as follows: gasket 40 is placed atop spud gasket 39; annular air plenum 8, gasket 41 and threaded nut 42, are then placed in circular register on the exposed upper portion of spud body 38a. Nut 42 is then tightened, compressing spud gasket 39, gasket 40, and gasket 41, sealingly connecting spud assembly 38, annular air plenum 8 and upper wall of flush water distribution chamber 54.

Annular air plenum 8 thus installed establishes fluid communication between flush water distribution chamber 54 and annular air plenum 8 by means of plurality of air passages 25a and plurality of air slots 37a Annular air plenum 8 thus installed accommodates flow of flush water from flush valve (not pictured) into flush water distribution chamber 54 by means of connected flush tube 43.

Operation—Tenth Embodiment

Referring to FIG. 6, FIG. 7 and FIG. 7a, operation of the tenth embodiment of the improved toilet ventilating system is identical to that of the first embodiment in all respects.

Detailed Description—Eleventh Embodiment

Referring to FIG. 6, components of an eleventh embodiment of the improved toilet ventilating system are identical to those of the tenth embodiment in all respects with the following exception: exhaust port 17, exhaust duct assembly 21, hole 22 and seal 23 are replaced by further means for filtering, disinfecting and/or scenting air exhausted from fan assembly 16, for example by a filtering/disinfecting/scenting element 36.

Operation—Eleventh Embodiment

Referring to FIG. 6, operation of the eleventh embodiment of the improved toilet ventilating system is identical to that of the tenth embodiment in all respects with the following exception: air discharged from ventilating fan assembly 16 is filtered, disinfected and/or scented, for example by means of filtering/disinfecting/scenting element 36, and then discharged into the room atmosphere.

Detailed Description—Twelfth Embodiment

Referring to FIG. 6, a twelfth embodiment of the improved toilet ventilating system is identical to the tenth embodiment in all respects with the following exception: incorporated into inlet duct assembly 12 is further means for assuring air flow in one direction only, for example by inlet check valve 13, which may be connected into inlet duct assembly 12, for example at a connecting flange 11b and a connecting flange 11c.

Operation—Twelfth Embodiment

Referring to FIG. 6, operation of the twelfth embodiment of the improved toilet ventilating system is identical to that of the tenth embodiment in all respects with the following exception: means of assuring air flow in one direction only, for example inlet check valve 13, prevents backflow of air from ventilating fan assembly 16 into annular air plenum 8.

Detailed Description—Thirteenth Embodiment

Referring to FIG. 6, a thirteenth embodiment of the improved toilet ventilating system is identical to the tenth embodiment in all respects with the following exception: incorporated into inlet duct assembly 12 is further means for providing positional adjustment in order to accommodate fitting the improved toilet ventilating system to differing sizes and styles of toilet stools, for example by inlet flexible joint 14, which may connect into inlet duct assembly 12, for example at connecting flange 11c and connecting flange 11d.

Operation—Thirteenth Embodiment

Referring to FIG. 6, operation of the thirteenth embodiment of the improved toilet ventilating system is identical to that of the tenth embodiment in all respects.

Detailed Description—Fourteenth Embodiment

Referring to FIG. 6, a fourteenth embodiment of the improved toilet ventilating system is identical to the tenth embodiment in all respects with the following exception: incorporated into exhaust duct assembly 21 is further means for assuring flow in one direction only, for example by exhaust check valve 20, which may be connected into exhaust duct assembly 21, for example at connecting flange 18b and connecting flange 18c.

Operation—Fourteenth Embodiment

Referring to FIG. 6, operation of the fourteenth embodiment of the improved toilet ventilating system is identical to that of the tenth embodiment in all respects with the following exception: means for assuring air flow in one direction only, for example exhaust check valve 20, prevents backflow of air from toilet waste discharge passage 24 into ventilating fan assembly 16.

Detailed Description—Fifteenth Embodiment

Referring to FIG. 6, a fifteenth embodiment of the improved toilet ventilating system is identical to the tenth embodiment in all respects with the following exception: incorporated into exhaust duct assembly 21 is further means for providing positional adjustment in order to accommodate fitting the improved toilet ventilating system to differing sizes and styles of toilet stools, for example exhaust flexible joint 19, which may connect into exhaust duct assembly 21, for example at connecting flange 18a and connecting flange 18b.

Operation—Fifteenth Embodiment

Referring to FIG. 6, operation of the fifteenth embodiment of the improved toilet ventilating system is identical to that of the tenth embodiment in all respects.

Detailed Description—Sixteenth Embodiment

Referring to FIG. 6, a sixteenth embodiment of the improved toilet ventilating system is identical to the tenth embodiment in all respects with the following exception: further means for providing delayed de-activation of the improved toilet ventilating system is added, for example by a timer 46, whereby ventilating fan assembly 16 may remain activated for a predetermined time following termination of system activation signal by a person vacating the toilet seat.

Operation—Sixteenth Embodiment

Referring to FIG. 6, operation of the sixteenth embodiment of the improved toilet ventilating system is identical to that of the tenth embodiment in all respects, with the following exception: when system activation signal is terminated by a person vacating the toilet seat, means for providing delayed de-activation, for example a timer 46 incorporated into the electrical power circuit (not pictured), maintains activation of the system for a predetermined period of time.

Detailed Description—Seventeenth Embodiment

Referring to FIG. 6, a seventeenth embodiment of the improved toilet ventilating system is identical to the tenth embodiment in all respects with the following exception: further means for preventing water carryover from annular air plenum 8 into ventilation fan assembly 16 is provided, for example a dam 55 added to or incorporated into the structure of annular air plenum 8.

Operation—Seventeenth Embodiment

Referring to FIG. 6, operation of the seventeenth embodiment of the improved toilet ventilating system is identical to that of the tenth embodiment in all respects.

Detailed Description—Eighteenth Embodiment

Referring to FIG. 6, an eighteenth embodiment of the improved toilet ventilating system is identical to the tenth embodiment in all respects with the following exception: further means is provided to vary the operating speed of ventilating fan assembly 16, for example by an electronic motor speed control 16i.

Operation—Eighteenth Embodiment

Referring to FIG. 6, operation of the eighteenth embodiment of the improved toilet ventilating system is identical to that of the tenth embodiment in all respects, with the following exception: operating speed of ventilating fan assembly 16 may be adjusted, for example by electronic motor speed control 16i.

CONCLUSIONS, RAMIFICATIONS AND SCOPE

Thus the reader will see that at least one embodiment of the invention will provide an improved toilet ventilating system that is compact, efficient, unobtrusive, inexpensive to install and maintain, can be easily retrofitted to existing toilets without structural modifications or installed on new toilet installations, and can be easily adapted to flush tank-type toilets or tankless toilets.

While the above descriptions contain many specificities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as an exemplification of several possible embodiments of the principles thereof. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiments illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

Claims

1-10. (canceled)

11. An improved toilet ventilating system, comprising: whereby odorous air may be withdrawn from said bowl cavity of said toilet stool bowl and discharged through said filtering/scenting element.

(a) a modified spud assembly, comprising a hollow cylindrical body having a plurality of air slots distributed circumferentially about the upper portion, adapted for sealingly connecting an annular air plenum between an open lower end of said spud assembly and a flush water distribution chamber integral with a toilet stool bowl;

(b) said flush water distribution chamber being in fluid communication with a bowl cavity of said toilet stool bowl, by means of an annular rim and a plurality of apertures between said annular rim and said bowl cavity;

(c) means for withdrawing air from said flush water distribution chamber, comprising an electrically-powered ventilation fan;

(d) means for collecting and directing said air withdrawn from said flush water distribution chamber, comprising said annular air plenum;

(e) means for conveying said air from said annular air plenum to an intake port of said ventilation fan, comprising an inlet duct assembly;

(f) means for filtering and/or scenting said air discharged from exhaust port of said ventilation fan, comprising a filtering/scenting element;

(g) means for controlling operation of said ventilating system by a manual switch in the system's electrical power circuit, or by activation signal from a suitably-located device adapted to energize said power circuit when a toilet seat of said toilet stool bowl is occupied by a person;

12. The improved toilet ventilating system as recited in claim 11, wherein is added further means for delaying de-energization of the system after said person has vacated said toilet seat, comprising a timer incorporated into said electrical power circuit.

13-18. (canceled)

19. The improved toilet ventilating system as recited in claim 11, wherein said ventilation fan is powered by a battery.

20. The improved toilet ventilating system as recited in claim 11, wherein is added further means for preventing water carryover from said annular air plenum into said ventilation fan assembly, comprising a dam added to or incorporated into the structure of said annular air plenum.