AU2010224350B1 - Rainwater diverter for use in downpipes - Google Patents

Abstract

There is a rainwater collection and diversion apparatus for incorporation into a rainwater downpipe from which a section has been deleted to form an upper discharge end spaced above a lower inlet end. The apparatus includes an inflow passage 4 for positioning below and connection to said upper discharge end and an outflow passage 5 for connection to said lower inlet end, a removable flow block 6 between the inlet and outflow passages 4, 5 for accumulating rainwater in a portion of said downpipe above the apparatus and one or more outlets I I for diverting accumulated rainwater for storage or usage. -9-

Description

COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1990 ORIGINAL COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title: RAINWATER DIVERTER FOR USE IN DOWNPIPES The following statement is a full description of this invention including the best method of performing known to us.

This invention relates to water conservation apparatus. More particularly, although not exclusively, it discloses a novel device for the collection and diversion of rainwater. Periodic droughts and increasing urban populations are putting increased stress on mains water supplies. Accordingly it is now common for water usage restrictions to be applied for most months of the year. These restrict or in severe conditions totally prohibit the use of mains water for fixed watering systems in the garden. It is therefore an object of this invention to ameliorate the aforementioned disadvantage and accordingly a rainwater collection and diversion apparatus is disclosed for incorporation into a rainwater downpipe from which a section has been deleted to form an upper discharge end spaced above a lower inlet end, the apparatus including an inflow passage for connection to said upper discharge end and an outflow passage for connection to said lower inlet end, a removable flow block between said inflow and outflow passages for accumulating rainwater in a portion of said downpipe above said apparatus and one or more outlets for diverting accumulated rainwater for storage or usage. Preferably said removable flow block comprises a slidable panel gate which is movable in a slot between said inflow and outflow passages. - 2- It is further preferred that said slide gate is adapted to be disposed laterally between said inflow and outflow passages in a closed flow blocking position. It is further preferred that said slide gate is removable from said slot and adapted for mounting to said apparatus in a configuration which closes off said slot from the exterior of said apparatus while allowing flow between said inflow and outflow passages. Two currently preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the attached drawings in which: figure 1 is a schematic assembly view from the side showing how the rainwater diversion apparatus in a currently preferred forms fits into a downpipe, figure 2 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the rainwater diversion apparatus with the slide gate closed to block flow, figure 3 is a perspective view of the top of the apparatus of figure 2 showing the slide gate partially open, figure 4 is a perspective view similar to figure 2 with the slide gate completely removed and mounted on the side of the apparatus, and figures 5 and 6 are schematic perspective views of a rainwater diversion apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention. -3 - Referring first to figures 1 to 4 a rainwater downpipe I may be of a conventional rectangular design and extend from a building roof (not shown) down to a stormwater drain (not shown). A central section of the downpipe has been removed to form an upper discharge end 2 spaced directly above a lower inlet end 3. A rainwater diversion apparatus 3A according a first embodiment of the invention is adapted for installation in place of the deleted section of downpipe. It may comprise inflow and outflow passages 4, 5 which preferably are slightly enlarged and tapered respectively to fit over the upper discharge end 2 and insert into said lower inlet end 3 respectively. Preferably the vertical dimensions of the rainwater diversion apparatus are chosen so that it can be installed for example by initially sliding the inflow passage 4 upward over the discharge end 2 of the downpipe sufficiently for the outflow passage 5 to clear the lower inlet end 3. The diverter is then aligned so that the tapered outflow passage 5 can be dropped down into the lower inlet end 3 of the downpipe. As best shown in figures 2 and 3 the inflow and outflow passages 4, 5 are separated by a slidable gate 6 with sealing strips or gaskets 7 of any suitable material such as soft rubber arranged on its upper surface. This gate is slidable between a closed position shown in figure 2 and the open position of figure 3. At the closed position it is inserted completely into slot 8 where the sealing strips 7 engage between upper and lower flanges 9. 10 disposed around the inside walls the diverter whereby water flow through the device is blocked. At the open position the gate is fully or at least partially withdrawn whereby the inflow and outflow passages 4, 5 are in direct communication. There is also an outflow tap II located in a side wall of the -4inflow passage immediately above the flanges 9, 10. As an alternative to the tap a plug (not shown) may be fitted. In use of the apparatus rainwater flow can be blocked or partially restricted by inserting the gate 6 so that a head of water is built up in the vertical downpipe and diverted through tap 11 for use for example in a garden sprinkler system or to replenish storage tanks. Alternatively if the tap is closed sufficient water may be accumulated to flood the roof gutters as a safety precaution when bush fires are evident This accumulated head of water could also be used to clean the gutters and stormwater pipes to the street when the gate is subsequently opened. When no water accumulation or diversion is required the gate 6 can be fully withdrawn from the slot 8 to allow a clear flow through the apparatus to the stormwater drain. Preferably the outer portion 12 of the gate is formed with two pegs 13 which upon repositioning of the panel 6 can be inserted into each end of the slot 8 to thereby mount the removed gate flat against the outside of the apparatus. With the second embodiment of the invention shown in figures 5 and 6 the main components that correspond in function to those of figures 1 to 4 are identified by the same numbers which however are primed (') to distinguish them. In this case there are two outlet pipes 11' on opposite sides of the inflow passage 4'. Although not shown in the drawings these pipes 11' may be threaded or adapted to receive snap-on type hose fittings. This embodiment otherwise functions in a similar manner to the first embodiment. -5- It will thus be appreciated that this invention at least in the forms of the embodiments disclosed provide a novel and useful water saving device. Clearly however the examples disclosed are only the currently preferred forns of the invention and a wide variety of modifications may be made which would be apparent to a person skilled in the art. For example the design of the slidable gate may be changed following further development work by the inventor. The cross-sections of the inflow and outflow passages may also be changed to suit other shapes and sizes of downpipe which may be round or square. While the currently preferred material for constructing the diverter is an injection mouldable and ultraviolet resistant PVC the invention extends to other suitable materials such as corrosion resistant metals. -6-

Claims (8)

1. A rainwater collection and diversion apparatus for incorporation into a rainwater downpipe from which a section has been deleted to form an upper discharge end spaced above a lower inlet end, the apparatus including an inflow passage for positioning below and connection to said upper discharge end and an outflow passage for connection to said lower inlet end, a gate which at a flow blocking position across said inflow passage can accumulate rainwater in a portion of said downpipe above said apparatus and one or more outlets for diverting accumulated rainwater for storage or usage, wherein said gate is slidable in a slot from said flow blocking position to an open position at which it is removable from said slot and said gate when removed being adapted for repositioning to close off said slot from the exterior of said apparatus while allowing flow from said inflow passage to said outflow passage.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim I wherein said gate at said flow blocking position is adapted to be disposed laterally between said inflow and outflow passages.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim I wherein said gate is formed with retaining pegs which at said open position are insertable into said slot. -7-

4. The apparatus as claimed in claim I wherein said inflow and outflow passages are enlarged and tapered respectively to fit over said upper discharge end and insert into said lower inlet end.

5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein at said flow blocking position sealing strips on said gate engage between upper and lower flanges arranged around inside walls of said apparatus.

6. The apparatus as claimed in claim I wherein said outlets comprise pipes on opposite sides of the inflow passage above said slot.

7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein said pipes are adapted for threaded connection or snap-on type connection to garden hoses.

8. A rainwater collection and diversion apparatus for incorporation into a downpipe, said apparatus being substantially as described herein with reference to figures 1 to 4 or figures 5 and 6. Dated this Ist day of December, 2011 Clarence Keith Buckley By His Patent Attorney MICHAEL ANDERSON-TAYLOR