AU2010101379A4 - Three (3) New Downpipe Fittings for an integrated Roof Gutter Filing System and a Rainwater R|First Flush System - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT THREE (3) NEW DOWNPIPE FITTINGS FOR AN INTEGRATED ROOF GUTTER FILLING SYSTEM AND A RAINWATER FIRST FLUSH SYSTEM The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: 2 Field of the Invention This invention relates to three (3) new downpipe fittings that, when used together and in conjunction with existing propriety downpipe fittings, allows a typical downpipe to be easily converted into a roof gutter filling system and also into a rainwater first flush system. Whilst the new fittings may be modified for use with rectangular downpipes, for convenience they shall be described herein in terms of fittings for circular downpipes. Background to the Invention One method of mitigating the risk of a house catching fire is to fill the roof gutters with water and so give protection from wind blown embers. Systems for filling roof gutters rely on a means of blocking the downpipes and then of introducing water into the downpipe above the point of blockage. Rainwater runoff from a house roof can contain dirt, bird droppings and other impurities that are undesirable in a rainwater storage tank. One method of separating these impurities is a first flush system. First flush systems rely on a reservoir of discrete volume being incorporated into a downpipe arrangement to take the initial roof runoff, and then, when the reservoir is full, for any further runoff to be diverted into a storage tank. The reservoir generally has a small orifice that allows the reservoir to drain or empty over time. For water to be diverted into the holding tank, the roof runoff ingress into the reservoir must be greater that the drainage egress out of the reservoir. Summary of the Invention The three (3) new fittings in accordance with the invention are: i. a Downpipe Tap Connector consisting of a male and a female end suitable for connecting to typical downpipes and a threaded connector suitable for connecting to a typical garden water supply. ii. a Downpipe Plug Seat consisting of a male and a female end suitable for connecting to typical downpipes and incorporating an internal bevel that will give a seal when a plug is inserted. iii. a Downpipe Reversible Plug with one-way valve. The new fittings, when used with each other and in conjunction with existing propriety downpipe fittings, can, by selecting the orientation the Downpipe Reversible Plug, provide: . a means of filling roof gutters, or . an effective first flush system. Description of a Preferred Embodiment of the Invention The invention and the application of the three (3) new fittings may be better understood with reference to the following sketches (attached): . Sketch 1 shows the Downpipe Tap Connector. . Sketch 2 shows the Downpipe Plug Seat. . Sketch 3A shows the Downpipe Reversible Plug and one-way valve. . Sketch 3B shows the Downpipe Reversible Plug with an alternative one-way valve. This arrangement provides easy cleaning of the drainage hole. . Sketch 4 is an exploded view and shows how the three (3) new fittings are used with each other and in conjunction with existing downpipe fittings to give a system for filling roof gutters or a first flush system. The new fittings are shown in black and existing propriety fittings are shown in grey.

3 . Sketch 5 is a general arrangement. The new fittings are shown in black and existing propriety fittings are shown in grey. . Sketch 6 shows how the Downpipe Reversible Plug and the Downpipe Plug Seat fit with a typical propriety T-piece. The inspection opening in the upper T-piece gives access for positioning the Downpipe Reversible Plug onto the upper Downpipe Plug Seat. The Downpipe Reversible Plug is inserted with the one-way valve in "seal" mode. The downpipe and roof gutters are filled by introducing water through a propriety on/off valve and the Downpipe Tap Connector. The middle T-piece is used to direct rainwater to a storage tank. A propriety leaf diverting or leaf catching system could be installed between the upper and middle T-pieces. Alternatively, the upper and middle T-pieces can be simply joined with a length of downpipe. The inspection opening in the horizontal T-piece gives access for removal of any debris that may collect at a propriety screen. The inspection opening in the lower T-piece gives access for positioning the Downpipe Reversible Plug onto the lower Downpipe Plug Seat. The Downpipe Reversible Plug is inserted with the one-way valve in "first flush" mode. The downpipe length between the middle and lower T-pieces forms the reservoir for the rainwater runoff or first flush. The downpipe length, and hence the reservoir volume, is selected dependent of the roof area feeding the downpipe. The initial runoff or first flush is collected in this downpipe reservoir. Further rainwater runoff or clean water is then displaced by the water already in the reservoir and so flows, via the middle T-Piece, to the storage tank. The new fittings are shown in black and existing propriety fittings are shown in grey.. Materials The Downpipe Tap Connector and the Downpipe Plug Seat are preferably made from moulded plastic. The Downpipe Reversible Plug with one-way valve is preferably made from moulded plastic, however other materials can also be used, eg, wood, rubber, leather or steel. The one-way valve in the Downpipe Reversible Plug can take a variety of commercially available forms.