AU2006225265B2 - Apparatus for use in collecting rainwater - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus for use in collecting rainwater, including a collecting part adapted to be connected to an edge portion of a flexible membrane in a predetermined location for collecting 5 rainwater from the membrane when tensioned to form a roof or cover, said collecting part having an outlet for discharging rainwater collected thereon and guide means for guiding rainwater discharging onto said collecting part from the membrane to which it is connected to said outlet, and connecting means for 0 operatively connecting said collecting part to an anchor bracket or post for tensioning the membrane. /cmck07J00filed 3 October 2006 Ns - O ni Nv~

Description

APPARATUS FOR USE IN COLLECTING RAINWATER This invention relates to apparatus for use in collecting rainwater. The invention has particular application to apparatus 5 adapted for use with roofs or covers of the type having a waterproof flexible membrane typically formed of vinyl or similar material. Some such roofs and covers have steel cables secured adjacent their edges which in turn are secured to fixed anchor brackets or posts and tensioned by means of turnbuckles or 0 similar devices so as to tension the membrane. However, some membranes are provided with eyelets at various connecting points to which cables, ropes, turnbuckles or the like can be connected to tension the membrane. Suitably, such membranes are often strengthened about the eyelet by fibre webbing or strapping and 5 can be reinforced along their edges and in other desired places by such strapping. The size and shape of the membrane along with the height and location of anchor brackets or posts affect the shape and position of peaks and valleys created in the membrane when 0 tensioned and such peaks and valleys direct rainwater to discharge points at the periphery of the membrane. Commonly, rainwater flows over the edge of the membrane onto the underlying ground surface and then to a stormwater drain or the like and is wasted. -5 The present invention is aimed at providing apparatus adapted to be connected to the membrane of the aforementioned type roofs and covers for collecting water therefrom and guiding or directing it to set discharge points from where it can be directed to storage. 30 With the foregoing in view, the present invention resides broadly in apparatus for use in collecting rainwater, including a collecting part adapted to be connected to an edge portion of a flexible membrane in a predetermined location for collecting rainwater from the membrane when tensioned to form a roof or 35 cover, said collecting part having an outlet for discharging rainwater collected thereon and guide means for guiding rainwater /cmck07J00filed 3 October 2006 2 discharging onto said collecting part from the membrane to which it is connected to said outlet, and connecting means for operatively connecting said collecting part to an anchor bracket or post for tensioning the membrane. 5 In another aspect, the invention resides broadly in a roof or cover, including: a flexible membrane, and rainwater collecting apparatus connected to an edge portion of the membrane in a predetermined location for collecting 0 rainwater from the membrane, said rainwater collecting apparatus having a collecting part with an outlet for discharging rainwater therefrom and guide means for guiding rainwater discharging from said membrane to said outlet, and connecting means for operatively connecting said collecting part to an anchor bracket 5 or post for tensioning said membrane. Preferably, said collecting part is a plate like structure made of steel or aluminium and said outlet is an opening in said plate. In a preferred form, a dropper is connected to said collecting part about said opening and is adapted to have 0 connected thereto a rainwater downpipe for discharging rainwater to a tank or the like. Preferably, said collecting part is a substantially triangular plate like structure having a base edge and an apex and is adapted to have the membrane to which it is to be 25 connected, connected thereto adjacent the base edge. In such form it is preferred that said opening be at or near said apex. The terms upper, lower, plan, side and similar terms are used herein to describe the invention in its normal in-use orientation and are not intended to limit the invention to use in 30 any particular orientation. In order that the invention may be more easily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which show one embodiment of the invention and wherein: /cmck07100 filed 3 October 2006 3 Fig. 1 is a pictorial representation of apparatus for use in collecting rainwater according to the invention shown connected to a piece of a vinyl membrane; Fig. 2 is a pictorial representation of a roof or cover 5 according to the invention; and Fig. 3 is a detailed pictorial representation of the collecting apparatus portion of the roof or cover of Fig. 2. The rainwater collecting apparatus 10 illustrated in Fig. 1 has a plate-like collecting part or base 11 of generally ) triangular form in plan view having a base edge 12 and two opposite side edges 13 and 14 which converge to an apex 15. A wall 16 extends upwards from the collecting part along the side edges 13 and 14 and around the apex and terminates at the opposite ends 17 and 18 of the base edge. An opening 19 of approximately 75mm diameter is provided in the collecting part adjacent the apex and is adapted to receive therethrough rainwater discharging onto the collecting part. Suitably, a dropper 21 depends from the collecting part and extends about the opening to provide for connection of a flexible plastic downpipe. A lug 22 is welded to the collecting part 11 at the apex and an opening 23 is provided therein for attachment of a turnbuckle, cable or the like for connecting the apparatus to an anchor bracket or post as will be described later. As can be more 5 clearly seen in Figs. 2 and 3, the collecting part 10 is one of several similar devices to which a vinyl membrane cover 26 is connected. In this regard, the membrane cover has a plurality of valley portions 27 (only two shown) each of which is connected to a respective collecting apparatus 10 by a plurality of spaced apart tank bolts 28 adjacent the base edge 12 as can be clearly seen in Fig. 3. Each collecting apparatus is in turn connected to posts 31 and 32 respectively by turn buckles 33 which are connected to the lug 22 by a D-shackle 34 passing through the opening 23. /cmck07100filed 3 October 2006 4 In use, rainwater flowing down each valley portion of the membrane flows onto the collecting part of its respective rainwater collecting apparatus and then through the opening 19 as illustrated by arrows "A" and into the flexible downpipe 36 then 5 into the tank 37. Advantageously, the rainwater collecting apparatus provides an effective means of collecting rainwater from flexible membrane roofs and covers and also provides an effective device for transferring the wind loads on the membrane to the anchor brackets or posts as the case may be across a larger area of membrane. While the foregoing description has been given by way of illustrative example of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied in many other forms and all such forms are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of the invention as claimed in the appended claims. /cmck07100 filed 3 October 2006

Claims (13)

1. Apparatus for use in collecting rainwater, including a collecting part adapted to be connected to an edge portion of a 5 flexible membrane in a predetermined location for collecting rainwater from the membrane when tensioned to form a roof or cover, said collecting part having an outlet for discharging rainwater collected thereon and guide means for guiding rainwater discharging onto said collecting part from the membrane to which 0 it is connected to said outlet, and connecting means for operatively connecting said collecting part to an anchor bracket or post for tensioning the membrane.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein said collecting part 5 is a substantially triangular plate like structure having a base edge and an apex and is adapted to have the membrane to which it is to be connected, connected thereto adjacent the base edge.

3. Apparatus according to Claim 2, wherein said plate like 0 structure is made of metal.

4. Apparatus according to Claim 2 or Claim 3, wherein said outlet is an opening in said triangular plate like structure near said apex. 25

5. Apparatus according to Claim 4, including a dropper depending from said plate like structure about said opening and adapted to have connected thereto a rainwater downpipe. 30

6. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 2 to 5 wherein said connecting means includes a lug adapted to be connected to a cable, turnbuckle or other membrane tensioning component. /cmck07l00filed 3 October 2006 6

7. Apparatus according to Claim 5, wherein said lug is a portion of said plate like structure at said apex or is operatively connected to said plate like structure near said apex. 5

8. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 2 to 7, wherein said guide means includes a barrier extending from said apex towards said base edge. 0

9. A roof or cover, including: a flexible membrane, and rainwater collecting apparatus connected to an edge portion of the membrane in a predetermined location for collecting rainwater from the membrane, said rainwater collecting apparatus 5 having a collecting part with an outlet for discharging rainwater therefrom and guide means for guiding rainwater discharging from said membrane to said outlet, and connecting means for operatively connecting said collecting part to an anchor bracket or post for tensioning said membrane. 0

10. A roof or cover according to Claim 9, wherein said collecting part is a substantially triangular plate like structure having a base edge and an apex and said membrane is connected adjacent the base edge and said guide means includes 25 diverging wall portions extending from said apex towards said base edge and said membrane is in face to face engagement with said wall portion adjacent said base edge.

11. A roof or cover according to Claim 9 or Claim 10, wherein 30 said membrane is bolted or riveted to said plate like structure.

12. Apparatus for use in collecting rainwater as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. /cmck071 00filed 3 October 2006 7

13. A roof or cover as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 5 Dated this 3 rd October 2006 BRETT MCKENNA by his Patent Attorneys AHEARN FOX /cmck07J00filed 3 October 2006