GB2136030A - Ventilating water closet pans - Google Patents

Abstract

A lavatory smell extractor comprises a flattened, flared or trumpet-shaped, air inlet 20 (72, Fig 8) to be positioned at the rear of a toilet between the seat and the top of the bowl and a wall-mounted electrically operated extractor fan for withdrawing air through that air inlet and expelling that air either to a vent pipe or to the exterior. An air filter and time switch may be provided. Such an arrangement ensures that the foul air is expelled from close to its source and so smell can be quickly removed without having to change all of the air in the room. The fan and its motor are enclosed in a common housing to reduce noise and prolong motor life. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements inventing devices This invention relates to a venting device and in particular a device for expelling foul smelling airfrom toilets.

Simple air expelling fans which remove airfrom a bathroom ortoiletto the outside are well known.

However,they extract air generally from the room and not the region from which the small originates. They aretherefore quite slow in clearing smells.

The invention has therefore been made with these points in mind.

Accordingtothe invention there is provided a lavatorysmell extractor comprising aflattened,flared ortrumpet-shaped, airinletto be positioned at the rear of a toilet between the seat and the top of the bowl and an electrically operated extractor fan for with drawing airthrough that air inlet and expelling that air from the room containing the toilet.

Such an arrangement ensures that the foul air is expelled from close to its source and so the smell can be quite quickly removed without having to change all ofthe air in the room. The arrangement of the invention will therefore keep the airreasonablyfresh whilst a person is using the toilet and ensurethatthe foul air is quickly removed for a subsequent user even if that subsequent user enters immediately after the first user.

I have found that there is a small space between the seat of a toilet and the top of the toilet bowl.

Accordingly, the air inlet is made thin enough to fit within that space so that no significant changes are required in the construction ofthe toilet and its seat.

An adequate air inlet passage can, however, be provided by making the flared inlet so that it is relatively thin, but relatively wide.

The outlet from the fan should obviously pass out of the room containing the toilet. Itcan simply pass through a wall to the outside air if that is convenient.

Preferably, however, the outlet passes into a waste vent pipe forming partofthe plumbing ofthe building, e.g. a vent pipe extending up the outside of the building orthe vent pipe joined to the toilet bowl.

Many exhaust fans are quite noisy in operation. It is preferred thatthe exhaustfan in the device according to the invention comprise an electric motor driving a fan, the motor and fan being wholly enclose within an air passage and the fan moving some exhaust air over and around the body of the motor so both keeping it cool when in operation and silencing the operation of the fan and motor. It is found that in this way the motor can be left to run for long periods without risk of overheating and in addition the noise of operation can be so low as hardlyto be noticeable.

So that the flattened air inlet can fit all different sizes oftoilet bowls, it is preferred that its length be readily adjustable. This can be achieved providing a number of hollow nozzle extension pieces which can be joined to a main flared or trumpet shaped part ofthe inlet to extend the duct from the inlet in a rearward sense relative the toilet bowl to a pointfor connection to a pipe clear ofthe rear ofthe toilet seat, that pipe being in turn connected to the extraction fan.

An exampleofa lavatory smell extractorwill now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure lisa view of the extractor connected to a toilet; Figure 2 is a view of the extractor connected to a toilet in an alternative fashion; Figure 3 is an enlarged view of the connection ofthe airinletto the toilet; Figure4isaviewsimilarto Figure 3with thetoilet seat hinged flat; Figure 5 is a detail of a filter included in the pipe between the air inlet and the extractor fan; Figure 6 is an opened-up perspective view of the housing forthe motor and fan; Figure 7 is a diagram showing the connection of the extractor in a building; Figure 8 is an enlarged view of the air inletfrom the front; and Figure 9 is a view of the air inletfrom the rear illustrating the addition of extra ducts to increase the length of the inlet.

The lavatory smell extractor loins shown in Figure 1 attached to a toilet 12. In Figure 1,the extractor is shown with an outlet pipe 14 extending through the wall 15 ofthe room into an exterior vent pipeforthe building. Referring to Figure 7, this shows the way in which the outlet 14 passes through the wall 15 and is connected to an exterior vent pipe 16.

The extractor 10 comprises a flattened, trumpetshaped, air inlet 20 resting on the top of the toilet 12 beneath the seat 13 and cover 1 3a and joined by means of a pipe 22 to a housing 24 from which the outlet pipe 14 extends. The housing 24 contains an extractor fan 30 driven by an electric motor 32.

Referring more specifically to Figure 6, this shows the extractor fan and motor. They are themselves both axial Iy aligned within an outer casing 40 which has an upper lid part40aanda main base part40b.This casing has an inlet end 42 connected to the pipe 22 and an outlet end 44 connected to the pipe 14. The parts 40a and 40b of the casing are subdivided by means of interiorwalls 45 and 46 into a surrounding annular duct 48 and an inner chamber 50. The electric motor 30 is positioned within the inner chamber 50 and so surrounded bythe annular duct 48 th rough which the waste air is driven bythe fan 30.This construction reduces the output from the motor and fan and in addition the passage of airthrough the annularduct48 plus some through the chamber 50 keeps the electric motor 32 cool even though it may be operated for extended periods oftime.

Although the casing 40 for the motor and fan is shown as mounted within the housing which is in turn hung on the wall 15, this is not essential and instead the housing 24 could be completely dispensed with. It is however convenient to provide the housing since the it can additionally contain electrical controls for the motor. For example, an electrically-operated timer 60which can be manually adjusted to control the operation ofthe electric motor can be provided in the housing and in addition if desired an electrical clock 62. Further, suitable switches can be provided to allow forthe continuous operation ofthe motor if desired.

Thecasing 40 containing the motorandfan could be mounted on its own, on the wall 15, in the wall 15 or in the wall ofthe toilet reservoir. If the casing 40 is not within the housing 24 the electrical switches and other electrical fittings will be mounted separately where convenient.

Because the motor 32 may well be operating for long periods oftime, it is desirable that its maintenance and repair be kept as simple as possible. The arrangement shown in Figure 6 ensures this and in addition it will be noted that small holes 70 are provided through the casing 40 and motor body for access to the electrical brushes ofthe motor so that should these need replacement after several years operation, this can be achieved without complete dismantling ofthe casing. For convenience, a spare set of brushes could be located within the housing 24.

Referring nowto Figures 3,4,8 and 9, these show in more detail the air inlet 20. In order to be accommodated beneath the seat 13 and cover 1 3a of the toilet, theairinlet20hasto be relativelythin, e.g. no more than 3 or 4 centimetres.

The air inlet 20 is in the form of a flat member having a central hollow duct 70 shown by the dotted lines in Figures 8 and 9. Atthefront ofthe casing, the duct 70 is relatively wide and provides an airinletopening 72.

The opening is covered by small teeth 74 orthe like so as to prevent the ingress of large pieces of material such as toilet paper. On either side of the central duct, the member is provided with two wing areas 76 through which holes (not shown) can be drilled to coincide with fixing holes forthetoiletseat cover. The air inlet is therefore fixed in place by temporarily removing the seat and cover, making the appropriate holes through the areas 76followed by resecuring the seat and cover in place through the holes made.

Atthe rear, the inlet is provided with a fitting 80 for attachment to the pipe 22. Because toilet bowls have many differentshapes and sizes, the location ofthe fitting must be capable of variation. This can be achieved by providing a number of short lengths of duct 82 which can slide into and seal to the rear of the duct70 in the air inlet. When the extractor is sold, the user can be provided with a number of such short lengths of duct 82 of differing lengths and the appropriate one or more are chosen and assembled together so thatthe end duct 83 which is finally joined onto the end and which carriesthefitting 80 is positioned clear ofthe seat and cover. It will be seen thatthese ducts 82 and 83 have spigots 84to plug into sockets to secure them in place to one another and to the rest of the inlet20.

It is desirable to provide some form of filter as shown in Figure 5 in the pipe. This can be in the form of a pair of hollow cup-shaped members 92 which are screwed tight together but can be opened to provide access to a smali filter disc 94 positioned across the adjoining mouths of the cup-shaped members. From timeto time, thatfilterdisc can be exposed and cleaned.

Figure 2 shows an alternative arrangementforthe waste outlet pipe 14. Instead of passing through the walltotheexteriorventpipe 16, it can instead be joined to a vent pipe 95 which is in turn joined to the toilet bowl 12 and is a standard fitting in many buildings. For neatness, the outlet pipe 74 need not pass directly to the waste vent pipe but instead could initially be bent in the form of a U and attached to the top ofthe housing 24through which an additional conduit passes in parallel with the casing for the motor and an extra length of pipe 14a then adjoining the lower end ofthe housing to the vent pipe 95.

If desired the housing 24, orthe casing 40 if the housing is dispensed with, can be mounted lower down and very much closerto the toilet 1 2than is shown in Figures 1 and 2.

CLAIMS (Filed on 10.1.84) 1. A lavatory smell extractor comprising a flattened, flared ortrumpet-shaped, air inlet to be positioned at the rear of a toilet between the seat and the top ofthe bowl and an electrically operated extractorfan forwithdrawing airthrough that air inlet and expelling that airfrom the room containing the toilet.

2. An extractor as claimed in Claim 1 in which the outlet passes into a waste vent pipe forming part of the plumbing.

3. An extractor as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 in which the extractor fan comprises an electric motor drivingfan,themotorandfan being wholly enclosed within an air passage andthefan moving some exhaust air over and around the bodyofthe motorso both keeping it cool when in operation and silencing the operation ofthefan and motor.

4. An extractorascaimed in Claim3further comprising a housing to be wall-mounted nearthe toilet, the housing containing the said air passage enclosing the motor and fan and the housing addi tionallycontaining electrical controlsforthe motor.

5. An extractor as claimed in Claim 4 in which the electrical controls include a timer having manual control for the period of operation ofthe motor.

6. An extractor as claimed in any preceding claim in which the length of the flattened air inlet is readily adjustable.

7. An extractor as claimed in Claim 6 in which a number offlat hollow nozzle extension pieces are provided which can be joined to the flared shaped part ofthe inlet to extend the ductfrom the inlet in a rearward sense relative to the toilet bowl to a pointfor connection to a pipe clear ofthe rear ofthe toilet seat, that pipe being in turn connected to the extractorfan.

8. An extractor as claimed in any preceding claim in which the air inlet comprises a central duct and on either side a wing area through which holes to coincide with fixing holes for a toilet seat and cover can be provided to holdthe air inlet in place.

9. An extractor as claimed in any preceding claim in which a filter is provided between the air inlet and the fan.

10. A lavatory smell extractor substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

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

Claims (10)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. 60which can be manually adjusted to control the operation ofthe electric motor can be provided in the housing and in addition if desired an electrical clock 62. Further, suitable switches can be provided to allow forthe continuous operation ofthe motor if desired. Thecasing 40 containing the motorandfan could be mounted on its own, on the wall 15, in the wall 15 or in the wall ofthe toilet reservoir. If the casing 40 is not within the housing 24 the electrical switches and other electrical fittings will be mounted separately where convenient. Because the motor 32 may well be operating for long periods oftime, it is desirable that its maintenance and repair be kept as simple as possible. The arrangement shown in Figure 6 ensures this and in addition it will be noted that small holes 70 are provided through the casing 40 and motor body for access to the electrical brushes ofthe motor so that should these need replacement after several years operation, this can be achieved without complete dismantling ofthe casing. For convenience, a spare set of brushes could be located within the housing 24. Referring nowto Figures 3,4,8 and 9, these show in more detail the air inlet 20. In order to be accommodated beneath the seat 13 and cover 1 3a of the toilet, theairinlet20hasto be relativelythin, e.g. no more than 3 or 4 centimetres. The air inlet 20 is in the form of a flat member having a central hollow duct 70 shown by the dotted lines in Figures 8 and 9. Atthefront ofthe casing, the duct 70 is relatively wide and provides an airinletopening 72. The opening is covered by small teeth 74 orthe like so as to prevent the ingress of large pieces of material such as toilet paper. On either side of the central duct, the member is provided with two wing areas 76 through which holes (not shown) can be drilled to coincide with fixing holes forthetoiletseat cover. The air inlet is therefore fixed in place by temporarily removing the seat and cover, making the appropriate holes through the areas 76followed by resecuring the seat and cover in place through the holes made. Atthe rear, the inlet is provided with a fitting 80 for attachment to the pipe 22. Because toilet bowls have many differentshapes and sizes, the location ofthe fitting must be capable of variation. This can be achieved by providing a number of short lengths of duct 82 which can slide into and seal to the rear of the duct70 in the air inlet. When the extractor is sold, the user can be provided with a number of such short lengths of duct 82 of differing lengths and the appropriate one or more are chosen and assembled together so thatthe end duct 83 which is finally joined onto the end and which carriesthefitting 80 is positioned clear ofthe seat and cover. It will be seen thatthese ducts 82 and 83 have spigots 84to plug into sockets to secure them in place to one another and to the rest of the inlet20. It is desirable to provide some form of filter as shown in Figure 5 in the pipe. This can be in the form of a pair of hollow cup-shaped members 92 which are screwed tight together but can be opened to provide access to a smali filter disc 94 positioned across the adjoining mouths of the cup-shaped members. From timeto time, thatfilterdisc can be exposed and cleaned. Figure 2 shows an alternative arrangementforthe waste outlet pipe 14. Instead of passing through the walltotheexteriorventpipe 16, it can instead be joined to a vent pipe 95 which is in turn joined to the toilet bowl 12 and is a standard fitting in many buildings. For neatness, the outlet pipe 74 need not pass directly to the waste vent pipe but instead could initially be bent in the form of a U and attached to the top ofthe housing 24through which an additional conduit passes in parallel with the casing for the motor and an extra length of pipe 14a then adjoining the lower end ofthe housing to the vent pipe 95. If desired the housing 24, orthe casing 40 if the housing is dispensed with, can be mounted lower down and very much closerto the toilet 1 2than is shown in Figures 1 and 2. CLAIMS (Filed on 10.1.84)

1. A lavatory smell extractor comprising a flattened, flared ortrumpet-shaped, air inlet to be positioned at the rear of a toilet between the seat and the top ofthe bowl and an electrically operated extractorfan forwithdrawing airthrough that air inlet and expelling that airfrom the room containing the toilet.

2. An extractor as claimed in Claim 1 in which the outlet passes into a waste vent pipe forming part of the plumbing.

3. An extractor as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 in which the extractor fan comprises an electric motor drivingfan,themotorandfan being wholly enclosed within an air passage andthefan moving some exhaust air over and around the bodyofthe motorso both keeping it cool when in operation and silencing the operation ofthefan and motor.

4. An extractorascaimed in Claim3further comprising a housing to be wall-mounted nearthe toilet, the housing containing the said air passage enclosing the motor and fan and the housing addi tionallycontaining electrical controlsforthe motor.

5. An extractor as claimed in Claim 4 in which the electrical controls include a timer having manual control for the period of operation ofthe motor.

6. An extractor as claimed in any preceding claim in which the length of the flattened air inlet is readily adjustable.

7. An extractor as claimed in Claim 6 in which a number offlat hollow nozzle extension pieces are provided which can be joined to the flared shaped part ofthe inlet to extend the ductfrom the inlet in a rearward sense relative to the toilet bowl to a pointfor connection to a pipe clear ofthe rear ofthe toilet seat, that pipe being in turn connected to the extractorfan.

8. An extractor as claimed in any preceding claim in which the air inlet comprises a central duct and on either side a wing area through which holes to coincide with fixing holes for a toilet seat and cover can be provided to holdthe air inlet in place.

9. An extractor as claimed in any preceding claim in which a filter is provided between the air inlet and the fan.

10. A lavatory smell extractor substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.