SANITARY BATHROOM FIXTURE WITH VENTING SYSTEM

Abstract

A venting system for a bathroom fixture can include an actuation rod, a lifting rod, a plunger, and a spring. The actuation rod can have a handle installed on a first end configured to limit movement of the actuation rod. Opposite ends of the lifting rod can be coupled to the actuation rod and to the plunger. The plunger can be installed within the spring. Actuating the actuation rod can cause the plunger to become unseated, allowing airflow from a bowl to a wastewater outlet of the bathroom fixture. The venting system uses atmospheric pressure differentials to vent gases through the internal plumbing of the fixture.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to bathroom fixtures and, more particularly, to a bathroom fixture with a venting system configured to provide venting of odors and gases utilizing atmospheric pressure differentials.

Usage of bathroom fixtures results in the emission of noxious gases and bacteria. Specifically, gases from fecal matter, as well as fecal bacteria that become aerosolized, suspended in droplets, or dried, become airborne in the local environment and can cause illness. Ideally, these gases and airborne bacteria should be eradicated before they are inhaled by a person.

Traditionally, there are two mechanisms for addressing airborne gases and bacteria, both having disadvantages. First, an electric exhaust fan can be provided to vent gases from the bathroom fixture environment. However, exhaust fans require an electricity source, can increase costs associated with operation, and may not provide sufficient venting power to fully eradicate gases and airborne bacteria. Second, antibacterial fragrance sprays can be utilized to destroy airborne bacteria and reduce odor. However, manufacture of these fragrances contributes to climate change due to greenhouse gas emissions, can increase costs due to usage, and these sprays may not fully eradicate gases and airborne bacteria.

As can be seen, there is a need for a way to effectively remove or eliminate noxious gases and bacteria from a bathroom fixture while minimizing resource usage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a venting system installed on a bathroom fixture is provided. In embodiments, the venting system can include an actuation rod, a lifting rod, a plunger, and a spring. The actuation rod can have a first end and a second end wherein a coupling is present proximate to the second end of the actuation rod. The actuation rod can also include a hook shaped handled disposed on the first end. The lifting rod can have a first end and a second end with a plurality of couplings installed on the lifting rod. In embodiments, the plurality of couplings can include at least two couplings wherein a first coupling is proximate to the first end of the lifting rod, and a second coupling is proximate to the second end of the lifting rod. The actuation rod coupling can be coupled to the first coupling of the lifting rod, which can provide a pulling force when the actuation rod is actuated. The plunger can be disposed inside of the spring and can be coupled to the lifting rod via the second coupling. The spring can be configured to return the plunger to a closed configuration.

In another aspect of the present invention, the handle can be substantially spherical in shape. In both embodiments, the mechanical aspects of the present invention can utilize atmospheric pressure differentials to vent gases into the internal plumbing of the bathroom fixture.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description, and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a bathroom fixture with a venting system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a detail view thereof;

FIG. 3 is another detail view thereof, shown in use;

FIG. 4 is another detail view thereof, shown in use; and

FIG. 5 is an exploded detail view thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, one embodiment of the present invention is a venting system in a bathroom fixture configured to vent noxious gases and airborne bacteria through internal plumbing of the bathroom fixture. The venting system of the present invention utilizes the principle of atmospheric pressure differentials along with mechanical components to vent gases without the need for electrical power. The present invention eliminates the need for an electrical exhaust fan and/or antibacterial fragrance sprays and the costs associated therewith.

Referring to FIGS. 1-5, aspects of a venting system in a bathroom fixture according to an embodiment of the present invention are illustrated. FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the bathroom fixture venting system. The bathroom fixture of FIG. 1 can be a bathroom toilet known in the art, with a flushing tank 34 containing water 24 and having a flushing mechanism that includes at least a chain 20 actuatable to unseat a stopper 18 to cause water 24 to flow into the bowl through at least one hole 32 disposed around an interior of a rim of the bowl. Water 26 in the bowl can transport waste through a trap and subsequently through plumbing to wastewater treatment facilities and/or storage. A toilet venting system can include a lever assembly comprising an actuation rod 14 disposed between a seat lid 22 and the flushing tank 34. The actuation rod 14 may have with a handle or stop 15 installed on one end. In embodiments, the actuation rod 14 can be installed in a premanufactured hole, or a hole can be drilled to retrofit a toilet without premanufactured holes. The actuation rod 14 can be coupled to a lifting rod 12, which can be coupled to a plunger, plug, or valve 10 operative to raise the plunger 10 to an open position. The plunger 10 is provided with a spring 16 configured to return the plunger 10 to a closed position. The lifting rod 12, plunger 10 and spring 16 can be installed in the flushing discharge pipe disposed below the tank stopper 18.

FIG. 2 shows the venting system in a closed position. A seal associated with the actuation rod 14 prevents ambient air from entering the flushing discharge pipe through a hole in the bowl through which actuation rod 14 is installed. Furthermore, spring 16 can hold plunger 10 to form a seal between the rim interior and the trap way, thereby allowing ambient air to enter/exit only through the bowl. Advantageously, the closed configuration allows for normal operation of the toilet.

FIG. 3 illustrates operation of the venting system in an open or in-use configuration. To place the venting system in an in-use configuration, the user may lift the lid 22 and sit on the seat. The user's presence on the toilet seat presses the lid 22 against the actuation rod 14 and/or the handle 15, urging the actuation rod 14 rearward towards the tank 34. In embodiments, the handle 15 can be shaped to contact a side of the flushing tank 34, thereby limiting the travel of the actuation rod 14. Depression of actuation rod 14 urges the lifting rod 12 forward, which unseats the plunger 10 causing compression of the spring 16. Unseating the plunger 10 causes a pressure differential between air within the bowl and the air in the trap way of the toilet. The presence of the user on the seat limits the flow of ambient air into or out of the bowl. This pressure differential causes air 30, including fecal gases, to pass through holes 32 in the rim and the hole within which the plunger 10 seats to the trap way to exit through plumbing to a vent stack. Advantageously, the venting system operates without electrical power, taking advantage of a pressure differential to vent gases, and requires no chemical sprays to suppress undesirable odors from the toilet bowl.

FIG. 4 illustrates operation of the venting system during flushing. Once air 30 and gases are vented, a user can close the lid 22, thereby returning the venting system to a closed configuration. In the closed configuration, a user can actuate a flusher to unseat the stopper 18, releasing water 24 to enter the bowl through holes 32 in the rim to remove waste. Wastewater 28 flushes down plumbing according to known methods. Advantageously, a seal is formed around the actuation rod 14 and by the seated plunger 10 prevent water 24 from inadvertently exiting the toilet.

FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the venting system. The actuation rod 14 can have a threaded end upon which a hooked handle 15 may be mounted. The hooked handle 15 may be interchanged with a handle that is substantially spherical in shape.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A venting system for installation on a bathroom fixture, comprising: an actuation rod having a first end and a second end;a lifting rod having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end being pivotally coupled to the second end; anda plunger pivotally coupled to the distal end, the plunger being disposed inside of a spring.

2. The venting system of claim 1, further comprising: a handle mounted to the first end of the actuation rod, wherein the handle is configured to limit movement of the actuation rod.

3. The venting system of claim 1, wherein the handle curves to form an arcuate portion.

4. The venting system of claim 1, wherein the handle has a spherical configuration.

5. A vented toilet, comprising: a toilet bowl including a rim and a wastewater outlet formed therein, the rim having at least one flushing aperture formed therethrough;the venting system of claim 1 installed within the toilet bowl;a tank installed at a rear of the toilet bowl, the tank having a flushing outlet formed therethrough and a stopper seated in the flushing outlet, wherein the flushing outlet is in fluid communication with the at least one flushing aperture;a seat and a seat lid hingedly mounted on the rim;wherein the actuation rod extends through an aperture formed in the bowl with the first end disposed between the lid and the tank and the second end disposed between the stopper and the at least one flushing aperture, and the plunger seated within a hole formed through toilet bowl between the stopper and the wastewater outlet, and wherein the spring is configured to urge the plunger into a closed position, wherein the plunger is operative to seal the hole in the closed position.

6. The vented toilet of claim 5, wherein the actuation rod is configured to be urged towards the tank when the lid is in a vertical position.

7. The vented toilet of claim 6, wherein the lifting rod is configured to move the plunger from the closed position to an open position when the actuation rod is urged towards the tank.