U.S. patent number 3,916,459 [Application Number 05/462,400] was granted by the patent office on 1975-11-04 for toilet ventilating apparatus in kit form.
Invention is credited to Marko Ivancevic.
United States Patent |
3,916,459 |
Ivancevic |
November 4, 1975 |
Toilet ventilating apparatus in kit form
Abstract
An apparatus for ventilating the toilet bowl of noxious odors
which includes a conduit formed within the toilet seat
interconnecting the toilet bowl chamber and an opening in the
toilet seat axle. The noxious odors are to be sucked through the
opening in the toilet seat and into and interiorly of the toilet
seat axle whereupon the odors are moved by a blower into a separate
chamber formed interiorly of the lavatory conduit. The odors are
then transmitted through the lavatory conduit and into the sewage
plumbing system.
Inventors: |
Ivancevic; Marko (Redondo
Beach, CA) |
Family
ID: |
23836313 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/462,400 |
Filed: |
April 19, 1974 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
4/213; 4/236;
4/241; 4/348; 4/217 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E03D
9/052 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
E03D
9/04 (20060101); E03D 9/052 (20060101); E03D
009/04 (); A47K 013/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;4/213,236,209,241,211,240,217,216,72,93 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Artis; Henry K.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. In combination with a toilet and a lavatory, said toilet having
a toilet bowl and a toilet seat, said toilet seat being pivotally
connected by pivot means to said toilet bowl, said lavatory having
a liquid drain pipe, a toilet ventilating apparatus comprising:
air duct means connected to said toilet seat;
air conduit means connected to said air duct means;
air blower means having an air inlet and a air outlet, said air
inlet connected to said air duct means, said air outlet connected
to said lavatory liquid drain pipe, whereby said air blower means
is to draw air by suction from within said toilet bowl through air
duct means and through said air conduit means and into said
lavatory liquid drain pipe;
means connected to said toilet seat for causing said toilet seat to
assume a canted position with respect to the rim of the said toilet
bowl when said seat is in the at rest position;
said means includes an axle, said seat being pivotally mounted upon
said axle, said axle being fixed to connected anchor means, said
anchor means including an anchor bearing, said anchor bearing being
movable between an and upper position and a lower position, said
anchor bearing being under a constant bias to said upper position,
whereby when said anchor bearing is in said upper position said
toilet seat is canted at an angle with respect to the rim of said
toilet bowl.
2. The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein:
said axle being hollow, an aperture extending through said axle
into the hollow chamber formed therein, said aperture to connect
with said duct means when said seat is located against the rim of
said toilet bowl.
3. The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein:
an electrical switch means connected with said anchor bearing, with
said anchor bearing in said lower position said switch means being
closed, with said anchor bearing in said upper position said switch
means being open, said air blower connected to said switch means,
with said toilet seat in said lower position said air blower
capable of being activated.
4. The combination as defined in claim 3 including:
a toilet seat cover pivotally attached by a bearing assembly to
said axle, said toilet seat cover capable of assuming an upper
substantially vertical position and a lower position in contact
with said toilet seat, said bearing assembly including enlarged cam
means, with said cover in the lower position against said toilet
seat said cam means causes said anchor bearing to be located in
said upper position.
5. The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein:
said duct means being formed within said toilet seat and located at
the back end of said toilet seat adjacent said pivot means.
6. The combination as defined in claim 5 wherein:
said air duct means including an inner opening and an outer
opening, said outer opening connecting with the interior portion of
said toilet bowl, said inner opening connecting with said air
conduit means, the area of said inner opening and said outer
opening being approximately equal.
7. The apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein:
with said toilet seat being manually moved to an upper
substantially vertical position therebeing water conducting
channels formed between said duct means and said axle, whereby if
any liquid is caused to enter said duct means when said seat is in
the upper vertical position said water is not conducted into said
air conduit means and is passed through said gap and within said
toilet bowl.
8. The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein:
said lavatory liquid drain elbow including an inner partition, said
inner partition dividing said liquid drain pipe into a gaseous
chamber and a water chamber, the water from said lavatory being
expelled through said water chamber, the gases expelled by said air
blower means being conducted into said gaseous chamber.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The field of this invention relates to a ventilation apparatus for
a conventional, human sit down type of toilet facility.
The conventional toilet bowl construction has no provision for the
elimination of any noxious odors with the exception of permitting
such to be expelled into the atmosphere. The expelling of such into
a confined area, such as in the conventional small bathroom area,
it is an unpleasant situation. Prior to the subject matter of this
invention, there has been no known structure which specifically
provided for the elimination of odors from within a toilet bowl in
the form of a kit.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The apparatus of this invention employs a flat shaped conduit in
the back end of the toilet seat. This conduit opens up into the
toilet bowl chamber when the seat is placed in its lower most
position against the toilet and against the upper surface of the
toilet bowl. The seat is pivotable with respect to the toilet bowl
by means of a pivot axle. This pivot axle includes an opening
formed therein which connects with the opening in the toilet seat.
The pivot axle is hollow and connects with a conduit. This conduit
in turn connects with a blower. The blower is to remove by suction
any noxious odors within the toilet bowl through the conduit in the
seat, through the opening in the axle, through the axle and into
the conduit and through the outlet of the blower. The outlet of the
blower is connected to the lavatory discharge plumbing elbow. This
lavatory plumbing elbow has been divided into an upper section and
a lower section. The lower section of the plumbing elbow provides
for discharge of the water from the lavatory. The upper portion of
the lavatory elbow provides for discharge of the noxious odors so
that such are not permitted to be expelled out into the lavatory
bowl. The lavatory elbow then discharges into the sewage plumbing
system to which it is connected. At this point, both the odorfrous
gas and the liquid are discharged together. An electrical switch
means is employed in combination with the toilet seat and upon the
seat being pressed downwardly by the weight of the person, the
switch means is activated resulting in operation of the blower.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a toilet and an adjoining lavatory
with the apparatus of this invention mounted therebetween;
FIG. 1a is an enlarged partial exploded view showing in greater
detail the interconnection between the toilet seat and the toilet
bowl;
FIG. 2 is an exploded isometric view of the apparatus of this
invention showing the structural arrangement of parts at the
interconnection of the toilet seat to the toilet bowl and
functional characteristics of components;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view through a suction portion of the
apparatus of this invention taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 3, but showing the
toilet seat in its normal at rest position with cover down;
FIG. 5 is a top and side view of the axle bearing taken along line
5--5 of FIG. 2;
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view through the connection of the
toilet seat to the axle with the toilet seat in the upper vertical
position, showing the way of drainage of accidentally poured
water;
FIG. 7 is a partially exploded, cross-sectional view, showing the
details of the blower of this invention and the interconnection of
such to the lavatory plumbing elbow;
FIG. 8 is a partly cross-sectional side and front view of the
lavatory plumbing elbow; and
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the interconnection of the electrical
components.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE SHOWN EMBODIMENT
One of the objectives of this invention is to provide a simple,
efficient and durable toilet bowl ventilating apparatus. The
apparatus is designed into the form of a kit which can be easily
installed on conventional toilet bowl structures requiring no
professional skill or special tools for installation. The apparatus
of this invention is fully automatic and is operated only when a
person is located upon the toilet seat with cover up. The apparatus
of this invention is designed to be employed in conjunction with
the lavatory plumbing, since most water closets are equipped with a
lavatory as well as a toilet bowl. The apparatus of this invention
eliminates costly installation of vents or blowers in walls or
flooring. A further advantage of the apparatus of this invention is
when the toilet seat cover is in the lower position down against
the toilet seat, the apparatus cannot be operated and the toilet
bowl can function as a conventional chair. A further advantage of
the apparatus of this invention is that it is protected from
accidental water penetration even when the seat is in the upper
vertical position with its intake duct exposed. The apparatus of
this invention is designed to be easily dismantled and relocated,
if necessary.
Referring particularly to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. 1 a
toilet which is composed generally of a tank 1, a toilet bowl 4a
having a toilet bowl rim 4, a seat 6 and a cover 5. Also shown in
FIG. 1 is a lavatory 17. The lavatory is normally mounted upon the
wall within a water closet or other similar structure with the
toilet bowl 4a being mounted upon the floor. A water trap 17a
connects with lavatory 17 and functions to discharge the water from
the lavatory bowl. The apparatus of this invention is designed to
take advantage of the proximity of a lavatory to the toilet in most
installations, facilitating the construction of this invention in
kit form.
Formed in the rear portion of the seat 6 is a seat duct 6c (FIG.
2). The seat duct 6c includes a forward opening 6a and an aft
opening 6b. The opening 6a is basically long and narrow wherein
opening 6b is of a shorter length, but of a greater height.
However, both openings are of approximately the same area.
Located at the back end of the seat 6 is a seat bearing 6f through
which the duct 6c communicates with the interior of the axle hole
10a.
Slidingly mounted within the opening in the bearing 6f is an axle
10. The axle 10 includes an opening 10a which is of the same size
as opening 6b and is to connect therewith when the seat 6 is in the
down position against the rim 4. The edges of the axle 10 are to
extend within a pair of spaced apart cover bearings 5a which are
attached to the cover 5. Each bearing 5a includes a bump 5b. The
function of the bumps 5b will be explained further on in the
specification.
Also, each end of the axle 10 cooperates within an opening formed
in anchor bearings 7 and 9. Anchor bearing 7 includes a small
opening therein adapted to receive a pin 12. Pin 12 cooperates
within an opening formed in an anchor 11. The anchor 11 is
connected to an anchor bolt 11a. The free end of the anchor bolt
11a is connectable to a nut 11b. By inserting the pin 12 through
the opening in the anchor 11 and into the opening in the anchor
bearing 7, and then placing the anchor bolt 11a through an
appropriate opening in the toilet bowl 4a and locking such by means
of nut 11b, the axle 10 is thereupon fixed to the toilet bowl 4a. A
tight fit is to be established between the axle 10 and the anchor
bearing 7.
In a similar manner, the anchor bearing 9 at the opposite end of
the axle 10 is to be attachable to the toilet bowl 4a by means of a
pin 12, an anchor bolt 11a and a nut 11b. The use of anchors and
anchor bolts and nuts are used in conventional toilet
manufacture.
The aft ends of each anchor bearing 7 and 9 includes a slightly,
upward bevel 7b and 9b, respectively. The anchor bearings 7 and 9
are permitted a slight amount of pivotal movement within the
uppermost position governed by the bevels 7b and 9b about the
surface of the rim 4c. In this position, the seat 6 is canted
slightly with respect to the rim 4 determined by the angle of
inclination of bevels 7b and 9b. This can be best seen in FIG.
4.
Mounted within the under surface of the anchor being 7 is a push
button 7a which is spring loaded. In a similar manner, a push
button switch 9c is mounted within the anchor bearing 9 and is also
spring loaded. When no person is sitting on the seat 6, the biasing
action of the springs 7c and 9d is sufficient to locate the seat 6
in the raised position shown in FIG. 4. When the cover 5 is placed
upon the seat 6, the bumpers 5b come into contact against the bowl
rim 4 preventing depression of switch 9c. As it will be explained
further on in the specification with the cover in the downward
position, or if the cover 5 is up and no one is sitting on the seat
6, the rear part of the seat will be raised by the spring action of
the push buttons with respect to the toilet bowl rim 4 and there
will be no activation of the device. Also, to prevent activation
when both seat and cover are up, the rear side of the seat bearing
is provided with a bump 6d.
The anchor bearing 9 includes an extension 9a. The top view in FIG.
5 clearly shows the relationship between the extension 9a and the
placement of the axle 10. Also, it is to be noted that the aft end
of each of the anchor bearings 7 and 9 are bifuracted to form a
pair of spaced apart legs. It is between these legs that the
anchors are situated and cooperates with their respective pins
12.
A cap 13 with duct receptacle 13a is connected to either side of
the axle 10, depending on which side the lavatory is located. Cap 8
closes the other end of the axle 10.
When the seat 6 is in the upper, vertical position as shown in FIG.
6, any water which enters duct 6c is drained through the channels
10c. Carved in the outside wall of the axle 10, these channels
cooperate with the inside surface of the seat bearing 6f. (FIG. 2
and FIG. 6). Thus, forming ducting for water which is expelled
through the holes in the rear side of the seat bearing 6h (FIG. 6
and FIG. 2). This is due to the fact that axle 10 is fixed to the
bearing 9 and thus does not move while seat bearing 6f rotates and
opening 6b locates itself out of alignment with opening 10a,
adopting alignment with upper side of channel 10c.
The electric push button switch 9c is normally open and closes when
compressed. The switch 9c is connected to wires 14. These wires
extend through the conduit 19. The conduit 19 is threadably
attached into the receptacle 13a. Conduit 19 is to be appropriately
bent and mounted by brackets 19a (FIG. 1) to the wall to which the
lavatory 17 has been mounted. The wires 14 extend within the blower
housing 15. The blower housing 15 is attached to the lavatory elbow
16. The lavatory elbow 16 is specifically designed and replaces the
conventional elbow of the lavatory. The interior of the lavatory
elbow 16 includes a partition 16a which in essence divides the
lavatory elbow into a lower water duct and a upper gaseous duct.
The water trap 17a discharges into the lower water duct. A nipple
16b is provided for access into the upper gaseous duct and for
fixing the blower to it.
Attached exteriorly to the elbow 16 (FIG. 8) are a pair of brackets
16c located on opposite sides of the elbow 16. Attached to the
blower housing 15 is an attaching bracket 15f. To mount the blower
housing 15 upon the elbow 16, the blower outlet 15d is inserted
into the elbow nipple 16b. The holes in elbow and blower brackets
are aligned and tightened securely by means of bolt 16d. The blower
housing 15 can be attached by either one of the brackets 16c,
depending upon which side of the elbow 16 it is desirable to mount
the blower housing 15.
Nipple 15d (FIG. 7) is integrally formed as a right angle extension
of conduit 15m. Located within conduit 15m is a valve formed of an
inner conduit 15p and a cap 15e. The cap 15e is to facilitate
rotation of the inner conduit 15p from the open position shown in
FIG. 7 and the closed position. The cap 15e is provided with
appropriate indicia denoting whether the valve is in the open or
closed position. The cap and conduit 15p are to be longitudinally
fixed upon the conduit 15m by means of conventional fastening
means, such as a bayonet slot arrangement. A hole 15g is formed
within the inner conduit 15p and when the valve is in the open
position is to match identically the size of the opening within
nipple 15d. This valve is to be employed in case of pressure
cleaning of the lavatory to prevent water from being forced into
the blower housing 15. Therefore, during normal use, the valve will
be in the open position.
The free end of flexible ducting 19 is threadably connected with
threads 15k of a nipple 15c (FIG. 7). Nipple 15c is formed as a
integral part of the blower housing 15. The electrical wires 14 are
conducted through the nipple 15c and into the blower chamber 15a of
the blower housing 15. Mounted within the chamber 15a is an air
blower 15b which is rotatably driven by means of a motor 18. In
case of clogging of the water discharge by which would cause water
to enter into the gaseous chamber and up into the blower chamber
15a, penetration of such into the motor chamber 15j is prevented by
means of wall 15n and conventional sealer bearing 15i which
surrounds the blower shaft 15r and is mounted within the partition
15n . Air holes 15h are provided within the motor housing 15 in
order to cool the motor 18 during use.
The motor 18 is driven by being connected to a conventional source
of electricity. The source will normally comprise conventional
house current outlet such as a socket 14c (FIG. 1) or any other
available outlet.
The operation of the apparatus of this invention is as follows:
when a person sits upon seat 6, the buttons 7a and 9c are
depressed. Upon the depressing of 9c, the switch is closed thereby
completing the electric circuit to the blower motor 18. The blower
15b is then rotated causing a suction. Any noxious gases produced
within the toilet bowl 4a are sucked through the opening 6a and
into the duct 6c, through the conduit 19 into the blower chamber
15a, out through conduit 15 m and nipple 15d, throgh nipple 16b and
into the air chamber of the elbow 16. The gases are then conducted
to the sewage plumbing system in order to be transmitted along with
the sewage water to an appropriate sewage disposal system.
* * * * *