GB2379460A

GB2379460A - Toilet bowl ventilator

Info

Publication number: GB2379460A
Application number: GB0121656A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Kennedy Fletcher; Paul Anthony Rossi; Campbell Lindsay Fletcher
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-09-06
Filing date: 2001-09-06
Publication date: 2003-03-12
Also published as: GB0121656D0

Abstract

Apparatus for ventilating a toilet bowl comprises a module (43) situated between the toilet bowl and the toilet seat through which module odours are drawn from the toilet bowl and passed through the holes securing the seat to the bowl. Ducting, incorporating a fan, is connected to said holes and passes the odours to atmosphere or to a sewer. The seat may incorporate a switch which activates the fan.

Description

CONCEALED DUCTING FOR 01i,t i U OUR EXTRACTION.

The present invention relates to an extractor device for use with a toilet bowl.

The problem of removal of undesirable and unpleasant odours from WCs and toilets arising from the use thereof is not new. Attempts to solve this well recognised problem include use of deodorising materials such as sprays, to mask the unpleasant odours, and use of noisy wall or ceiling-mounted extractors.

Neither of these solutions are particularly effective or satisfactory as they do not address the problem of removal or neutralisation of the offending odours before they escape the toilet bowl.

Additionally, wall and ceiling-mounted extractors generally require the presence of relatively large diameter ducting located in the walls or ceilings. This ducting may be expensive to fit if not already present and may generally require one or more skilled persons to install.

It is an object of the embodiments of the present invention to obviate or minimise one or more of the foregoing problems.

Air extraction is brought about via the holes in a toilet bowl normally used for securing the seat and accessories to the said bowl with the standard bolts, plates and plastic nuts supplied by the manufacturers of the toilet seats and their accessories. This concealed method of air extraction eliminates the use of unsightly and cumbersome external pipes, thus removing the possibility of vandalism to public toilets.

The aspects of the present invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying

CONCEALED DUCTING. drawings in which; Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a toilet bowl and wooden or composite seat assembly with a customised integral air inlet.

Figure 2 is a schematic side view of a toilet bowl with a standard seat showing the location of a combined air extract and electric switching module.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the self contained module showing the combined air inlet and switches with the top section removed for clarity.

Figure 4 is a schematic side view of the weight operated switches.

Reference is first made to figure 1 of the drawings which shows the relationship between the toilet bowl 2 and the hinge securing block 6. All standard toilet bowls have holes 10 at the rear of the platform to accept seat securing bolts 20.

Holes 10 are always far in excess of the diameter of bolts 20 in order to permit adjustment to the wide range of seats available. The described air extraction utilises the superfluous area between holes 10 and bolts 20 by extracting unwanted odours through inlet 8 recessed into the hinge securing block 6.

Extraction then continues through holes 10 and elbow 14 into air extractor 9, and therefrom through outlet 30 into sewer 17 or any known atmospheric outlet. Whilst it is convenient to extract through boltholes 10. alternative extraction may be obtained by drilling, casting or alternatively manufacturing additional holes or apertures in toilet bowl 2 for any purpose of extraction not described in this specification or illustrated in the drawings.

CONCEALED DUCTING Reference is now made to figure 2 of the drawings where combined air extract and electric switching module 43, (thereafter referred to as module 43) is placed on the platform of toilet bowl 2 directly above and in line with boltholes 10. Universal toilet seat 4 is then placed on top of module 43 and gasket 46 sandwiching them between bowl 2 and common toilet seat 4.

Bolts 20 are then inserted into bolt holes 10 effectively securing the toilet seat and module 43 to bowl 2 when tightened with nuts 16. In every instance and without exception, all toilet seat platforms suffer mild distortion at point 64 when weight is applied.

This circumstance has been put to advantage by causing contacts 45 of one or both internal switches located at the extreme ends of module 43 to close and consequently energise any low voltage electrical motor for any purpose whatever.

Reference is now made to figure 3 of the drawings.

As module 43 is a sealed unit, the top cover has been omitted for clarity. Extraction brought about by a vacuum created at holes 10 causes air to be drawn into frontal opening 8 throughout it's entire perimeter. Separators 53 divide the top and bottom sections of the unit. The direction of the air induction is indicated by broken lines 66. Air is denied access to any area not indicated by broken lines with separating strips 58 round the perimeter and inside the unit. Resilient material 55 provides a flexible means of separating the air induction from switch contacts 45.

Distortion by weight will cause toilet seat 4 to press top section casing 64 causing it in turn to close switch contacts 45, thus energising any known low voltage electrical unit. When the weight is removed from toilet seat 4 the extreme ends of top section 64 will return to their original positions due to their own

CONCEALED DUCTING. resilience and the influence of resilient material 55 round the perimeter of the switch contacts. It is important that switch contacts 45 are secured to base 65, and casing top 64 to ensure positive separation when weight is removed from seat 4.

Switch contacts 45 are separated by insulation 62. Non-poled wires 50 are joined in parallel at 60 to ensure the independent operation of both switches. Both switch circuits unite at 60 and convert to optional poled twin insulated wire before dropping down bolthole 10 to control a low voltage electrical device. A heat sensitive non-latching switch at a known location may be used as an alternative to weight sensitive switches in module 43.

Attention is now drawn to figure 4 of the drawings wherein the function, description and specification is similar to figure 3.

This invention presents a very unique and simple method, if one so wishes, of conducting foul odours into communal ducting, air conditioning conduits or any known atmospheric outlet from within toilet bowls without the use of unsightly and cumbersome external ducting pipes. Whilst retaining the original character and outline of the conventional toilets and all the manufacturers traditional products. It is of particular interest to the D. l. Y. fraternity or any firm seeking a quick return for the very minimal of time or financial outlay.

The scope of the present invention is not intended to be limited by the foregoing detailed description of the embodiments shown herein, but is intended to extend to variations and modifications which would be apparent to a person skilled in the art.

Claims

Concealed Ducting for Odour Extraction. CLAIMS.

1.

The ducting module can be fitted between a standard toilet bowl and seat without any tools. It is a combined air inlet and pressure activated low voltage switch.

2.

The ducting module can utilise the seat securing bolt holes in a toilet bowl for extraction.

3.

The ducting module can also be incorporated into the hinge block of a standard wooden toilet seat without the micro switches.