GB2196355A

GB2196355A - Extractor for water closets

Info

Publication number: GB2196355A
Application number: GB08624721A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Middleton Humphrey
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1986-10-15
Filing date: 1986-10-15
Publication date: 1988-04-27
Also published as: GB8624721D0

Abstract

An extractor is provided for extracting fumes from water closets 10 which includes a seat 14 in which a hollow chamber 15 is formed, the chamber communicating with a series of openings 17 at the inner edges of the seat. The chamber 15 communicates with an air induction fan 21 which draws air from within the water closet 10 before the air can escape into the room in which the water closet is situated. The fan is connected to the rear edge of the seat by a flexible hose 20 and can be operated automatically whenever the seat is used. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Extractor for water closets This invention relates to extractors for water closets and, in particular, to extractors for removing 'fumes' from the region of water closets.

Unpleasant fumes are often generated through use of water closets which are offensive to the user and subsequent users of the closet. Fume extractors are often provided to exhaust air from the room in which the closet is located but these extractors have to change the air in the room before they eliminate the fumes and odour and this takes some time to achieve.

An object of the invention is to provide an air extractor for water closets which is able to remove the fumes adjacent the source.

According to the invention an extractor for water closets includes air flow induction means in communication with the seat of a water closet, duct means formed by the seat, and a plurality of openings in the inner edge of the seat through which air is drawn into the duct means by the induction means.

Preferably the induction means is a fan situated remotely from the water closet and communicating with the duct means through a flexible hose. The hose may be connected to the seat means in the region of a hinge between the seat and the closet.

Conveniently the seat is hollow to define the duct means which extends substantially wholly around the seat. The openings into the hollow seat may be located around the sides and rear part of the seat.

Further features of the invention will appear from the following description of an embodiment of the invention given by way of example and with reference to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view from above of a water closet with the seat in the lowered position, Figure 2 is an elevation of the seat in the raised position, showing the underside of the seat, and Figure 3 is a scrap view showing the seat in cross-section.

Referring to the drawings a water closet 10 is shown which is generally of conventional form having an upper bowl part 11 with an opening 12 giving access to a receiving part.

An upper generally annular surface 13 is for supporting a conventionally-hinged seat 14.

In the present case the seat 14 is formed with an internal chamber 15 extending around the seat which acts as an air duct. The chamber has openings 17 leading into it, which openings are located around and at the inner edge of the seat 14 facing downwards and across the opening.

The openings 17 are arranged at the sides and across the rear of the seat but at the front side the openings are omitted. The arrangement of the openings is calculated according to the anticipated position of the occupant, as indicated by cross hatching in Fig.

1. Thus where open access exists for air at the front and, to a smaller extent, at the rear of the seat, the openings 17 are omitted.

The chamber 15 is connected to an outlet opening 18 which is at the rear of the seat 14 adjacent the hinge 19 for the seat. The opening 18 is connected to a flexible air hose 20 which extends to a position remote from the seat, for example in a location outside the room in which the closet is located. At the remote end of the hose is an air pump 21 which draws air and fumes through the openings 17 from the bow 11, into the chamber 15, and along the hose 20 for discharge at a remote position through an outlet hose 22 from the pump 21. The remote position is preferably externally of the premises in which the closet is located or it may be into existing ventilation ducting.

It has been found that with the arrangement described the fumes may be removed from the closet without any significant amount entering the room space in which it is located.

To operate the air pump 21 a pull switch (not shown) may be provided in the room containing the closet. Alternatively or in addition the seat may house switch means (not shown) whereby when the seat is occupied the pump is switched on. The pump may be switched off automatically either when the seat is vacated or after a predetermined time has elapsed from vacating the seat.

The seat switch means is preferably an air pressure-operated unit to avoid electrical contacts in the region of the seat. Thus the occupant causes an increased air pressure in the unit on occupying the seat and the air pressure is transmitted to cause remote activation of an electrical switch. The air pressure for the switch may be communicated through a tube in the hose.

1. An extractor for extracting air from water closets which includes air flow induction means, duct means formed within a seating portion of the water closet, means for communicating the air flow between the induction means and the duct means, and a plurality of air inlet openings distributed around the inner edges of the seating portion through which openings air is drawn into the duct means from within the water closet by operation of the induction means.

2. An extractor according to claim 1 wherein the seat portion is hollow to define the duct means and the duct means extends substantially wholly around the seat portion with the air openings spaced around the duct means in positions whereby they are unob

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Extractor for water closets This invention relates to extractors for water closets and, in particular, to extractors for removing 'fumes' from the region of water closets. Unpleasant fumes are often generated through use of water closets which are offensive to the user and subsequent users of the closet. Fume extractors are often provided to exhaust air from the room in which the closet is located but these extractors have to change the air in the room before they eliminate the fumes and odour and this takes some time to achieve. An object of the invention is to provide an air extractor for water closets which is able to remove the fumes adjacent the source. According to the invention an extractor for water closets includes air flow induction means in communication with the seat of a water closet, duct means formed by the seat, and a plurality of openings in the inner edge of the seat through which air is drawn into the duct means by the induction means. Preferably the induction means is a fan situated remotely from the water closet and communicating with the duct means through a flexible hose. The hose may be connected to the seat means in the region of a hinge between the seat and the closet. Conveniently the seat is hollow to define the duct means which extends substantially wholly around the seat. The openings into the hollow seat may be located around the sides and rear part of the seat. Further features of the invention will appear from the following description of an embodiment of the invention given by way of example and with reference to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view from above of a water closet with the seat in the lowered position, Figure 2 is an elevation of the seat in the raised position, showing the underside of the seat, and Figure 3 is a scrap view showing the seat in cross-section. Referring to the drawings a water closet 10 is shown which is generally of conventional form having an upper bowl part 11 with an opening 12 giving access to a receiving part. An upper generally annular surface 13 is for supporting a conventionally-hinged seat 14. In the present case the seat 14 is formed with an internal chamber 15 extending around the seat which acts as an air duct. The chamber has openings 17 leading into it, which openings are located around and at the inner edge of the seat 14 facing downwards and across the opening. The openings 17 are arranged at the sides and across the rear of the seat but at the front side the openings are omitted. The arrangement of the openings is calculated according to the anticipated position of the occupant, as indicated by cross hatching in Fig. 1. Thus where open access exists for air at the front and, to a smaller extent, at the rear of the seat, the openings 17 are omitted. The chamber 15 is connected to an outlet opening 18 which is at the rear of the seat 14 adjacent the hinge 19 for the seat. The opening 18 is connected to a flexible air hose 20 which extends to a position remote from the seat, for example in a location outside the room in which the closet is located. At the remote end of the hose is an air pump 21 which draws air and fumes through the openings 17 from the bow 11, into the chamber 15, and along the hose 20 for discharge at a remote position through an outlet hose 22 from the pump 21. The remote position is preferably externally of the premises in which the closet is located or it may be into existing ventilation ducting. It has been found that with the arrangement described the fumes may be removed from the closet without any significant amount entering the room space in which it is located. To operate the air pump 21 a pull switch (not shown) may be provided in the room containing the closet. Alternatively or in addition the seat may house switch means (not shown) whereby when the seat is occupied the pump is switched on. The pump may be switched off automatically either when the seat is vacated or after a predetermined time has elapsed from vacating the seat. The seat switch means is preferably an air pressure-operated unit to avoid electrical contacts in the region of the seat. Thus the occupant causes an increased air pressure in the unit on occupying the seat and the air pressure is transmitted to cause remote activation of an electrical switch. The air pressure for the switch may be communicated through a tube in the hose. CLAIMS

2. An extractor according to claim 1 wherein the seat portion is hollow to define the duct means and the duct means extends substantially wholly around the seat portion with the air openings spaced around the duct means in positions whereby they are unob structed by the occupant during use.

3. An extractor according to claim 2 wherein the openings are directed downwardly and are located around the sides and rear part of the seat portion.

4. An extractor according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the induction means is a fan situated remotely from the water closet and communicating with the duct means through a flexible hose connected to the seat portion in the region of a hinge between the seat portion and the main body of the water closet.

5. An extractor according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the induction means is actuated by means for detecting occupation of the water closet whereby the induction means operates automatically whenever the water closet is used.

6. An extractor for extracting air from water closets substantially as described with reference to the drawings.