Central toilet/bathroom venting

Abstract

A venting system is disclosed. The system includes an exhaust fan connected to a discharge outlet as well as central and branch conduits for collecting odors or fumes. The system includes an electric power supply and switches for activating and de-activating the exhaust fan.

1 . For a toilet having a tank, a bowl and a fill tube where there is fluid communication between the tank and the bowl through the fill tube, a ventilator comprising: 
 a pipe, said pipe having a first end disposed to open above a full water line in the tank and a second end opening outside the tank at a level below said full water line;    an exhaust fan, said exhaust fan being remote from the toilet;    a conduit putting said second end opening in operative communication with said exhaust fan such that said exhaust fan draws air from said toilet bowl, through said fill tube, through said tank, through said pipe and through said conduit;    a central air check valve disposed to prevent back flow through said conduit; and    an automatic sensor for automatically activating said fan.    
   
   
       2 . The ventilator of  claim 1  further comprising a second toilet; 
 a second pipe, said second pipe having a first end disposed to open above a full water line in the second tank, and a second end opening outside the second tank at a level below said full water line of said second tank;    a second conduit putting said second end of said second pipe in operative communication with said exhaust fan;    a second air check valve preventing backflow along said second conduit; and    a second sensor for automatically activating said fan.    
   
   
       3 . The ventilator of  claim 2  having only a single air check valve, said single air check valve being positioned to prevent back flow along both said first conduit and said second conduit.  
   
   
       4 . The ventilator of  claim 3  wherein said central air check valve is positioned after said exhaust fan.  
   
   
       5 . The ventilator  claim 1  wherein said sensor is selected from the group consisting of: 
 a motion sensor and a heat sensor.    
   
   
       6 . The ventilator of  claim 1  wherein said automatic sensor is a manual switch.  
   
   
       7 . The ventilator of  claim 1  wherein said second end opening of said second pipe is on a right hand side of said tank, from a perspective facing the tank.  
   
   
       8 . The ventilator of  claim 1  wherein said sensor is configured to deactivate said exhaust fan at a preconfigured time after an actuation of said exhaust fan.  
   
   
       9 . The ventilator of  claim 1  wherein said second opening of said pipe is on a back of the tank.  
   
   
       10 . The ventilator of  claim 1  wherein said second opening of said pipe is in a bottom of said tank.  
   
   
       11 . The ventilator of  claim 1  wherein said pipe is a separate pipe adapted for retrofitting a preexisting tank, and further comprising a sealing fitting between said second opening of said pipe and adapted for mounting said second opening of said pipe to open to the outside of the tank.  
   
   
       12 . The ventilator of  claim 1  wherein said pipe is a conduit integrally formed with the wall of the tank.  
   
   
       13 . The ventilator of claim wherein said exhaust fan rated at less than 70 watts per toilet.  
   
   
       14 . A method of retrofitting a toilet having a tank, a bowl, and fill tube connecting the tank and the bowl, said method comprising: 
 creating a hole in the tank below a full water mark of the tank;    mounting a pipe in said hole in the tank, said mount being sealed against fluid leakage and said mount disposing an opposite end of said pipe above a full water line in the tank;    connecting said hole in the tank, and thereby said pipe, to an exhaust fan remote from said toilet via a conduit;    disposing an air check valve along said conduit to prevent backflow of air; and    wiring in operative communication between said exhaust fan and an automatic sensor for activating and deactivating said exhaust fan.    
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising a second toilet; 
 mounting a second pipe, said second pipe having a first end disposed to open above a full water line in the second tank, and a second end opening outside the second tank at a level below said full water line of said second tank;    a second conduit putting said second end of said second pipe in operative communication with said exhaust fan;    a second air check valve preventing backflow along said second conduit; and    a second sensor for automatically activating said fan.    
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 14  having only a single air check valve, said single air check valve being positioned to prevent back flow along both said first conduit and said second conduit.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 14  wherein said central air check valve is positioned after said exhaust fan.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 14  wherein said sensor is selected from the group consisting of: 
 a motion sensor and a heat sensor.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 15  wherein said second end opening of said second pipe is on a right hand side of said tank, from a perspective facing the tank.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 14  wherein said sensor is configured to deactivate said exhaust fan at a preconfigured time after an activation of said exhaust fan.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 15  wherein said second end opening of said second pipe is on a back of the tank.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 15  wherein said second end opening of said pipe is in a bottom of said tank.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 14  wherein said pipe is a separate pipe adapted for retrofitting a preexisting tank, and further comprising a sealing fitting between said second opening of said pipe and adapted for mounting said second opening of said pipe to open to the outside of the tank.  
   
   
       24 . The ventilator of  claim 1  wherein said pipe is a conduit integrally formed with the wall of the tank.