Baths – closets – sinks – and spittoons – Ventilation
Utility Patent
1999-09-17
2001-01-02
Douglas, Steven O. (Department: 3751)
Baths, closets, sinks, and spittoons
Ventilation
C004S213000, C454S341000
Utility Patent
active
06167575
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to room ventilation systems. In particular, it relates to a wall or ceiling-mounted outlet to exhaust air from a room in a building, such as a bathroom or toilet room through a central vacuum system.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
Room ventilation systems are known. Bathrooms in particular have switch-activated fans and ceiling-mounted outlets that remove air from bathrooms. The ventilation of bathrooms is particularly appropriate to remove odours and moisture.
This application concerns a new arrangement for ventilating a room, such as a bathroom. It relies in one aspect on the fact that a penetration must be made in the wall of a bathroom to install a wall-mounted toilet paper dispenser. This invention also relies, in another aspect, upon the use of a central vacuum system as an exhaust means.
A central vacuum system involves the installation of suction conduits throughout a house. These conduits terminate in multiple outlets that are individually sealed until accessed to take advantage of the suction created by the system to effect household cleaning. The present invention addresses these background structures to propose a new combination that provides new and useful benefits for bathroom ventilation.
The invention in its general form will first be described, and then its implementation in terms of specific embodiments will be detailed with reference to the drawings following hereafter. These embodiments are intended to demonstrate the principle of the invention, and the manner of its implementation. The invention in its broadest and more specific forms will then be further described, and defined, in each of the individual claims which conclude this Specification.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the invention an air outlet to exhaust air from a room through an exhaust system is provided. Preferably the outlet, when installed in a bathroom, is mounted in the housing of a toilet paper holder or dispenser so that both elements can be installed in the same wall penetration in the wall of a bathroom. According to another aspect of the invention the exhaust outlet is a suction inlet which is mounted at any location within a room, such as a bathroom, and is coupled through a conduit to a central vacuum system as a suction source and air evacuation means. In either case, switch means is provided to activate exhaustion of air from the room preferably through a grill mounted before a plenum to screen and diffuse the air flow being sucked into the conduit.
The suction source is electrically activated by a switch that preferably is accessible to a person resting on the seat of a toilet. Conveniently, the switch may be carried by the same housing which carries the toilet paper and exhaust outlet of the invention. A conduit, preferably concealed within walls, connects the exhaust outlet/suction inlets, whether of a simple or toilet paper holder type, to the suction source. Activation of the switch draws air from the room being ventilated to the suction source, whereafter the air is ejected by the suction source either to the outside environment or into a remote room, such as a household basement.
While the suction source may simply be a remotely mounted fan, a preferred suction source is a central vacuum system vacuum suction generator. In the case of a central vacuum system, multiple wall-mounted room suction inlets are generally provided, each with their own closure. Failure to effect closure of unused suction inlets will result in loss of suction intensity at a used suction inlet.
To adapt the room air exhaust outlet described above to a central vacuum system, a conduit closure means or valve is provided. Such a valve may be carried by the common housing for the suction inlet, or where combined, for a toilet paper holder. Until this valve is opened, the suction inlet of the invention is sealed. Conveniently, activation of a common control lever can serve to both mechanically open the conduit valve and electrically activate the suction source or the lever may operate the conduit valve through a solenoid.
The foregoing summarizes the principal features of the invention and some of its optional aspects. The invention may be further understood by the description of the preferred embodiments, in conjunction with the drawings, which now follow.
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Douglas Steven O.
French David J.
Huynh Khoa D.
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