AU2016100792A4

AU2016100792A4 - 3-Way Junction with Inspection Opening and Integral Plug Seat and Compatible Plug

Info

Publication number: AU2016100792A4
Application number: AU2016100792A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Owen Griffiths
Original assignee: Codac Eng Pty Ltd
Current assignee: CODAC ENGINEERING PTY Ltd
Priority date: 2016-05-31
Filing date: 2016-05-31
Publication date: 2016-06-30
Anticipated expiration: 2024-05-31

Abstract

Two (2) new downpipe fittings such that, when used together and in conjunction with existing propriety downpipe fittings, allows a typical downpipe to be converted into: . a roof gutter filling system, or, . a rainwater diversion and collection system, or . a rainwater diversion and collection system with a first flush capability. The two (2) new fittings are: i. a 3-Way Junction incorporating an Inspection Opening and Integral Plug Seats. ii. a Plug that will provide a seal when the Plug is inserted through the Inspection Opening and onto the Integral Plug Seat. 90nimn Dia Downpipe View A -- Viev Screw Cap for Inspection Opening Plan Socket to suit Standard 90mm Dia Downpipe Intergral Plug Seats Intergral Plug Seats Socket to suit Standard 90mm Dia Downpipe YewA Section AA ViewB Male Thread to suit Screw Cap Plug Seat Sockets to suit Standard 90mm Dia Downpipe

Description

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to two (2) new 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 diversion system, with or without a first flush capability.

Whilst rectangular to circular downpipe adaptors can be used with the new fittings, 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 introducing water into the downpipe and guttering 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 means that allows the reservoir to drain or empty over time. For water to be diverted into the storage tank, the roof runoff ingress into the first flush reservoir must be greater that the drainage egress out of the first flush reservoir.

Summary of the Invention

The two (2) new fittings in accordance with the invention are: i. a 3-Way Junction with an Inspection Opening and three (3) Integral Plug Seats suitable for Left or Right hand installation. The 3-Way Junction has three (3) sockets suitable for Left or Right Hand installation and compatible with standard 90mm rainwater downpipe tubing. The Inspection Opening has one (1) removable and re-sealable screw cap ii. a Plug that is compatible with the Integral Plug Seats of the 3-Way Junction such that it will provide an effective seal when the Plug is inserted through the Inspection Opening and onto a Plug Seat.

The new fittings, when used with each other and in conjunction with existing propriety downpipe fittings, can, by the number of 3-Way Junctions installed, by the configuration of the installation and by the selection into which 3-Way Junction the Plug is placed, provide: • a means of filling roof gutters, or . a means of diverting rainwater to a storage tank, with or without a first flush.

Description of a Preferred Embodiment of the Invention

The invention and the application of the two (2) new fittings may be better understood with reference to the following sketches (attached): . Sketch 1 shows the 3-Way Junction incorporating an Inspection Opening (with Screw Cap) and three (3) Integral Plug Seats. . Sketch 2A shows the Plug. The Plug is inserted onto the Plug Seat through the Inspection Opening. . Sketch 2B shows the Plug positioned inside the 3-Way Junction and on a Plug Seat. . Sketch 3 is an exploded view and shows how three (3) x 3-Way Junctions and a single Plug can be used with each other and in conjunction with existing downpipe fittings to give a system for filling roof gutters or diverting rainwater with or without a first flush system. The 3-Way Junction is shown in Blue, the Plug is shown in Pink and existing propriety fittings are shown in black. A propriety leaf diverting or leaf catching system could be installed between the upper and middle 3-Way Junctions. Alternatively, the upper and middle 3-Way Junctions can be simply joined with a length of downpipe.

The downpipe lengths between the middle and lower 3-Way Junctions and lower 3-Way Junction and the drain valve forms the reservoir for the rainwater runoff or first flush. The downpipe lengths, and hence the reservoir volume, is selected dependent of the roof area feeding the downpipe. The initial runoff or first flush is collected in these downpipe reservoirs. Further rainwater runoff or clean water is then displaced by the water already in the reservoir and so flows, via the middle 3-Way Junction, to the storage tank. The first flush reservoir is drained by adjusting (bleeding) the drain valve. Any floating debris can be prevented from entering the storage tank by the optional Mozzie Screen/Debris Screen. Debris can be easily removed through the Inspection Opening of the middle 3-Way Junction.

The middle and lower 3-Way Junctions, and associated fittings, are superfluous if only gutter filling for fire mitigation is desired.

The upper 3-Way Junction, and associated fittings, is superfluous if only rainwater diversion is desired.

The upper and lower 3-Way Junctions, and associated fittings, are superfluous if rainwater diversion without first flush is desired.

The design of the 3-Way Junction and the position of the Integral Plug Seats could be modified such that the top of the Plug is level with the invert of the Junction outlet. This would result in less ponding of water inside the Junction.

Materials

The 3-Way Junction with an Inspection Opening (with Screw Cap) and three (3) Integral Plug Seats is preferably made from moulded plastic.

The Plug is preferably made from moulded plastic, however other materials can also be used, eg, wood, rubber or steel.

Claims

The claims defining the invention are as follows: 1 Two (2) new fittings designed to be incorporated into a rainwater downpipe system such that, when used in conjunction with existing propriety fittings, it will give a choice of: • filling of roof gutters with water for mitigation of fire risk, or • diverting rainwater to a storage tank, or • a first flush of the run-off before diverting rainwater to a storage tank
2 Two (2) new fittings as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fittings comprise: • a 3-Way Junction with an Inspection Opening and three (3) Integral Plug Seats suitable for Left or Right hand installation. The 3-Way Junction has three (3) sockets suitable for Left or Right Hand installation and compatible with standard 90mm rainwater downpipe tubing. The Inspection Opening has one (1) removable re-sealable screw cap. • a Plug that is compatible with the Integral Plug Seats of the 3-Way Junction such that it will provide an effective seal when the Plug is inserted through the Inspection Opening and onto a Plug Seat.
3 Two (2) new fittings as claimed in claims 1 & 2 wherein the 3-Way Junction with Inspection Opening and Integral Plug Seats is made from plastic material.
4 Two (2) new fittings as claimed in claims 1, 2 & 3 wherein the incorporation of (up to three) 3-Way Junctions into a rainwater downpipe system and the positioning of the Plug into the relevant 3-Way Junction will facilitate: . filling of roof gutters with water for mitigation of fire risk, or . diverting rainwater to a storage tank, or • a first flush of the run-off before diverting rainwater to a storage tank.
5 Two (2) new fittings as claimed in claims 1, 2 & 4-wherein the Plug has a finger grip or other means for: • inserting the Plug through the Inspection Opening, and, • positioning the Plug onto the Integral Plug Seat.
6 Two (2) new fittings as claimed in-claims 1-2 & 4-5-wherein the Plug is made from plastic, wood, rubber, steel material or a mixture thereof.