Air purifier

Oct. 15, 1935.

C. A. DUFFNER

AIR PURIFIER

Filed Nov. 2, 1933

2,017,590

Sheets-Sheet 1

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Oct, 15, 1935.

C. A. DUFFNER

AIR PURIFIER

Filed Nov. 2, 1933

2,017,590

Sheets-Sheet 2

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Oct. 15, 1935. c. a. duffner 2,017,590

AIR PURIFIER Filed Nov. 2, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet 3

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clttox-netfO

Patented Oct 15, 1935

2,017,590

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE

2,017,590 AIR PURIFIER Carl A. Dnffner, Cleveland Heights, Ohio Application November 2, 1933, Serial No. 696,355

Claims.

This invention relates to an air filter or purifier and more particularly to one especially adapted for use in connection with toilet bowls for the elimination of obnoxious odors. I am 5 aware that other devices of this general nature have been proposed, and the general object of the present invention is to provide, in an economical manner, an efficient, power-operated, airfiltering device of a type which embodies the use 10 of an air-filtering, chemical membrane through which the air is drawn by a motor driven suction device. My device is also quickly and easily installed in connection with any toilet bowl, without change in the toilet fixture itself, and by an 15 adjustment which is simply and easily made by anyone.

Further advantages of my invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and the essential features are set out in the so claims.

Referring now to the drawings, Fig. 1 represents a general perspective view of my device when associated with a toilet fixture in operative position; Fig. 2 is a sectional view on the lines 2—2 ²⁸ indicated in Fig 1; Fig. 3 is a partial sectional view, as indicated by the lines 3—3 in Fig. 2; Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are views of the component parts of my device in a partially disassembled relation, and with certain portions removed to more clear³⁰ ly disclose the general features of my device. Fig. 7 is a partial sectional view, in the same general position as Fig. 2, but indicating one method of automatically controlling the operation of my device; Fig. 8 is a general plan view of such a ⁸⁰ control; Fig. 9 is a sectional view on the lines indicated at 9—9 in Fig. 8, while Fig. 10 is a partial sectional view on the lines 10—10, as indicated in Fig. 8; Fig. 11 is a partial sectional view through an electric switch adapted to control my device, ⁴⁰ while Fig. 12 is a view, partly in section, of a modification of the automatic control.

My invention includes a sectional casing, indicated generally by the numeral 15, and which is shown as enclosing a motor 16, which drives fans ⁴⁰ 17 and 18, so as to draw air through a foul gas absorbing medium 19, by means of a connecting nozzle 20, extending from the casing to the toilet bowl. When placed in operative position the _n nozzle is disposed between the toilet seat 21 and ⁵⁰ the rim of the bowl 22.

The casing 15 is constructed preferably of drawn sheet metal sections for assembly advantages. I show this casing as comprising a lower motor-supporting section 23, which may ⁸⁵ rest directly upon the floor or other supporting (Cl. 4—213) medium, or may be provided with an annular ring, as shown at 24, to which are attached legs or supports 25, which maintain a greater space for air flow between the casing and its support. This ring 24 also serves to reinforce the bottom . _ of the casing. The bottom portion of member 23 ⁸may be flared outwardly as at 64 to give greater stability and a pleasing appearance. Above this I have shown another casing member 26, surrounding the upper portion Of the motor, and ,_Λthe fan 17. This member may be fastened directly to the member 23, as by screws 27, or, as shown in Fig. 2,1 may provide an annular reinforcing ring 28, attached to the member 26, as by spot-welding, and in turn secured to the lower member 23. Secured to the upper surface of the member 26, as, for instance, by spot-welding, is a cup-shaped member 29, containing air-diverting vanes. This member 29 also serves to reinforce the walls of the casing. A cap member 30 forms the upper portion of the casing, and is shown surrounding the absorbing medium !9, and extending downwardly to surround fan 18, and interfitting with the cup-shaped' member 29, to which it may be secured in any manner desired. Within the cap 30 I show another member 31, adapted to hold the absorbing medium in place, and preferably pressed into position so as to be readily removable for replacement of the absorbent 19. This member also reinforces the <>« walls of the casing. A shoulder 65 on the cap 38 serves to accurately locate the member 31. I have shown the casing members 26, 29 and 3f as provided with registering central openings, through which air is adapted to pass. For con- « nectmg the nozzle 20 to the casing I show a nippie member 32, leading from approximately the m-d-portion of the cap 30, and over which the nozzle 20 is adapted to fit snugly. All interfitting sections of the casing are so formed as to provide an substantially air-tight joints.

I obtained a pleasing appearance of the casing as a whole, as shown in Fig. 1, by having the bottom flare out and by progressively decreasing the outside diameter toward the top. The top « cap may have a slightly convex surface to aid the appearance.

The motor 16 may be of a well-known type adapted for use with either alternating or direct current of the voltages and frequencies usually found in house circuits. This motor is supported in approximately the mid-portion of the casing, and for this purpose I have shown the novel motor supporting bands 33. I prefer to use two metallic straps, having portions 34, adapted to rest against _M

2,017,590

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the motor, and loops 35 extending outwardly to the casing and back again to other portions lying against the motor. These bands may be supplied with ears 36 by which it is clamped about 5 the motor by members 37. The screws or bolts 27, previously mentioned as holding the members 23 and 26 of the casing together, are adapted to pass through the loops 35, thus performing the additional function of supporting the motor in 10 place. I have shown the bolts 27 threaded directly in the metal of ring 28 which is struck up in punching the holes. This is an aid to quick assembly, although the usual nuts might be used.

The motor is adapted to be connected to a house 15 circuit by connection 38, leads from which, as at 39, may be conducted to a switch 40, located it a convenient position. An opening 60 in the casing is shown for an extension cord. For ease in construction I may locate the leads 39 on the 20 outside of the casing, and a hole 61 is shown to allow this. These leads may be protected and enclosed by the members 41, secured to the casing. The switch 40 may be supported by the members 41 as shown in Fig. 2.

For the propulsion of the air, I show two fans, 17 and i8, rigidly mounted upon an extension of the motor shaft 42. These fans may be constructed of any material, but in my preferred form I have constructed them of phenolic de30 rivative mouldings. The fans are shown as located one on either side of the member 29, upon which are supported vane members 43. These vanes may be struck up from the metal of the member 29, as shown at 62 in Fig. 4, or otherwise 35 formed, as desired. These vane members serve to direct the air delivered by the fan 18 from the periphery of the fan toward the central opening 44, where it is picked up by the fan 17.

The substance shown at 19 for purifying the air 40 or absorbing the obnoxious odors therefrom, may comprise charcoal or activated carbon or other well-known substances. For retaining this absorbing material in place, I show screen members 45 and 46 above and below it, and a perforated 45 plate 47 oil the underside for further support. This is shciwn as retained in place by the removable member 31. I find that in ordinary use this absorbing material need be changed but infrequently.

SO The nozzle member 20 is preferably made of vide a quick make-and-break switch 64, in place of the switch 40, which may be operated by a device such as push rod 55, shown in Fig. 7, which, in turn, is operated by a toggle connection 56, actuated by pressure upon the seat. The push rod 5 55 may be of a well-known type, shown as having a protective casing 57, extending from the metal casing 41 adjacent the switch, through the wall of the nozzle 20 to an end piece 58, molded in the mouth-portion 50 of the nozzle. A spring 59 is 10 shown for the purpose of holding the head 63 of the push-rod against the toggle 56. This serves to open the switch when the pressure on the seat is removed.

A modification of the automatic control mecha- 15 nlsm is shown in Fig. 12, where parts, having similar functions to those just described, have been similarly numbered. The quick make-andbreak switch 54 is here shown supported by the nozzle 20 adjacent the toilet bowl and wires 66 20 lead to the motor 96.

One advantage of supporting the automatic control on the nozzle is that the user need only place the device in position, upon which, it is ready to operate. 25

It will be seen that most of the parts of my device may be easily stamped from sheet metal. The casing may be assembled in three main portions. The lower would Include parts 23 and 24. The middle portion would include parts 26,28 and 30 29. The upper would include 32, 30 and 31 with the absorbing material in place. The motor with fan 17 in place might then be secured by bolts 27, which at the same time unite the lower and middle portions of the casing. Fan 18 might then be 35 secured to the motor shaft and the top portion of the casing attached to member 29. The leads 39 might then be connected to switch 40 and the members 41 secured to the main casing. Placing the nozzle 20 on the nipple 32 would complete the 40 assembly.

While my device, as described, is substantially air-tight, yet small leaks in the casing would not defeat the purpose of my device, as all air entering the apparatus must pass through the purify- ⁴⁸ing and absorbing, medium before being discharged.

The use of my Invention does not cause a heating problem by removing air from the room and discharging it outside. The air is purified and re- ⁸⁰ some flexible, durable and easily-severable material, such as rubber, and is shown as having a tubular portion 49 adapted to fit over the nipple 32 of the casing, and a flat mouth portion 50, ⁶⁸ which I may retain in shape by a spreader member shown at 51. I prefer to use a U-shaped piece of spring wire for such a spreader member. This nozzle 20 will usually be provided with a tubular portion 49 longer than necessary, so that, when in60 stalling the unit it is only necessary to place it in the proper position and cut off the portion of the turned to the room.

The unit may be sold without installation cost, as the buyer need only set it alongside the toilet bowl and cut off the unnecessary portion of the connecting nozzle.