AU2009210398A1

AU2009210398A1 - Rainwater harvester

Info

Publication number: AU2009210398A1
Application number: AU2009210398A
Authority: AU
Original assignee: ROHEN DEHAYR
Current assignee: Dehayr Rohen Graham
Priority date: 2009-08-20
Filing date: 2009-08-20
Publication date: 2011-03-10

Description

TITLE: RAINWATER HARVESTER THIS INVENTION relates to water collection and storage. In particular, it is directed, although not limited, to the collection of rainwater from temporary structures such as tents, shade shelters and the like. Throughout this specification, unless the contrary is expressly stated, where a document, act or item of knowledge is referred to or discussed, this reference or discussion is not an admission that the document, act or item of knowledge or any combination thereof was, at the priority date, publicly available, known to the public, part of the common general knowledge, or known to be relevant to an attempt to solve any problem with which this specification is concerned. With the current decreasing rainfall in catchment areas where Government owned dams are sited, greater attention is being given to collecting and storing rainwater on suburban household and commercial properties to reduce reliance on reticulated water supplies. However, little attention, if any, has been given to the collection and storage of rainwater from run-off from flexible roof coverings such as tents, shade shelters and other similar weather protection structures. Such structures are in common, but essentially temporary, use for camping weekends or extended holidays or may simply be supported between two more permanent structures such as adjacent buildings or trees to create a semi-permanent covered area to protect persons under them from inclement weather. These temporary structures are typified by having a roof manufactured from a flexible material such as canvas or plastics. Any rain that falls on the roof simply runs off to ground and is not harvested. Similarly, any dew that condenses on such a roof also runs off. Consequently, users of such structures still require access to resources such as a reticulated water supply, 2 a freshwater river or stream or have to bring their own supplies in containers to meet their water needs. It is thus a general object of the present invention to overcome, or at least ameliorate, one or more of the above-mentioned disadvantages. Therefore, as a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a flexible cover suitable for use as a roof for a tent, shade shelter or other similar weather-protection structure, characterized in that said cover includes an open topped pocket extending substantially along at least one perimeter edge of said cover adapted to collect rainwater or other water that may fall or condense on said cover and direct said rainwater or other water to a storage vessel. Optionally, said pocket may be reversibly opened to a non-collection position to assist periodic cleaning of the internal surfaces of said pocket. In those embodiments of the present invention wherein said pocket may be reversibly opened, there may be provided a series of male and complementary female press studs spaced periodically along said pocket. Optionally, said pocket includes means to assist the attachment of a hose or similar to direct thus-collected water to said storage vessel. Optionally, said means to assist attachment of said hose may be a "click fit" garden tap fitting of the type well known in the relevant art. D Preferably, said cover is of a square, rectangular or triangular shape.

3 In those embodiments wherein said cover is of a square or rectangular shape, preferably, said cover includes two pockets positioned along opposing edges of said cover. A second aspect of the present invention is a method of collecting and storing rainwater or other water that falls or condenses on a flexible cover being used as a roof for a tent, shade tarpaulin or other similar weather-protection structure, wherein said method includes the use of a cover as hereinbefore described. A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing which is a perspective schematic illustration of a cover constructed in accordance with the present invention in use. The cover (1) is rectangular-shaped and manufactured from any suitable plastic material known in the art, for example, polyethylene. Two opposing eyelets 2(a,b) are placed about mid length of the cover (1) through which the pins 3(a,b) of respective support poles 4(a,b) can pass. One side edge of the cover (1) includes spaced eyelets 5(a-c) to which respective tethers 6(a-c) can be tied which extend down to be secured to respective ground pegs 7(a-c). The opposing edge of the cover (1) is folded back on itself for a short distance ) and fastened to the cover (1) by stitching at spaced locations 8(a-c). An open topped pocket (9) is thereby created along this edge of the cover (1). Strengthening patches 10(a-c) are stitched at the spaced locations 8(a-c) to which are attached D-rings 11 (a-c). Tethers 12(a-c) can be tied to the respective D-rings 11 (a-c) and extend down to be secured to respective ground pegs 13(a-c).

4 Once erected, any rain that falls on the portion (14) of the cover (1), or any condensation that collects on that portion (14), is collected in the pocket (9) and can flow out of either open end 15(a,b) of the pocket (9) to be collected in respective storage vessels 16(a,b). The present invention thus enables the collection and storage of water from run-off from temporary flexible roof coverings such as a tent, shade shelter and other similar weather-protection structures which are in common use for camping weekends or extended holidays or which may simply be supported between two more permanent structures to create a semi-permanent covered area to protect persons under them from inclement weather. The present invention reduces the need to access a reticulated water supply, a freshwater river or stream or to bring own supplies in containers in order to meet freshwater needs of the user. Further, it will be of use in a community of a less-developed country where fresh water is either not available or which has to be manually transported a significant distance prior to use. In such a country, erection of a temporary shelter which incorporates the present invention is simple and can provide a ready source of fresh water to that community. It will be appreciated that the above described embodiments are only exemplifications of the various aspects of the present invention and that modifications and alterations can be made thereto without departing from the inventive concept as defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. A flexible cover suitable for use as a roof for a tent, shade shelter or other similar weather-protection structure, characterized in that said cover includes an open topped pocket extending substantially along at least one perimeter edge of said cover adapted to collect rainwater or other water that may fall or condense on said cover and direct said rainwater or other water to a storage vessel.

2. A cover as defined in Claim 1 wherein, said pocket is adapted to be reversibly opened to a non-collection position to assist periodic cleaning of internal surfaces of said pocket.

3. A cover as defined in Claim 2 wherein, there is provided a series of male and complementary female press studs spaced periodically along said pocket.

4. A cover as defined in any one of Claims 1 to 3 wherein, said pocket includes means to assist the attachment of a hose or similar to direct thus-collected water to said storage vessel.

5. A cover as defined in any one of Claims 1 to 4 wherein, said cover is of a square, rectangular or triangular shape.

6. A cover as defined in Claim 5 wherein, said cover is of a square or rectangular shape.

7. A cover as defined in Claim 6 wherein, said cover includes two pockets positioned along opposing edges of said cover. 6

8. A method of collecting and storing rainwater or other water that falls or condenses on a flexible cover being used as a roof for a tent, shade tarpaulin or other similar weather-protection structure, wherein said method includes the use of a cover as defined in any one of Claims 1 to 7.

9. A cover substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

10. A method substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.