AU2020101488A4

AU2020101488A4 - Downpipe diverter

Info

Publication number: AU2020101488A4
Application number: AU2020101488A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Dave Anderson; Shaun CROSSMAN; Anton Lee See
Original assignee: Rain Harvesting Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Rain Harvesting Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2020-07-24
Filing date: 2020-07-24
Publication date: 2020-09-03
Anticipated expiration: 2028-07-24

Abstract

A rainwater diverter (10) for fitting to a downpipe, the rainwater diverter (10) comprising a lower housing (12) having a first outlet (16) through which rainwater flows out of the lower housing (12) into the downpipe and a second outlet (18) through which rainwater flows external to the downpipe, an insert (26) fitted into the lower housing (12), the insert (26) being rotatable relative to the lower housing (12) between a first position in which rainwater is directed to flow through the first outlet (16) and a second position in which at least part of the rainwater is directed to flow through the second outlet (18), and an upper housing (14) that is fitted to upper part of the lower housing in use of the rainwater diverter. The rainwater diverter (10) may also have a filter (28) and a hood (30) to direct rainwater towards the filter (28). 1/7 en N0 00 \C 0 en en c T T CN

Description

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Downpipe diverter

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a downpipe diverter for selectively diverting water flowing in a downpipe.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Most buildings, including residential, commercial and industrial buildings, are fitted with a guttering system that gathers rainwater that falls on the roof of the building and directs it to one or more downpipes remove the rainwater from the building. Downpipes typically direct the water to storm water drains or other drainage systems.

[0003] With water conservation becoming increasingly important, many buildings are also now provided with rainwater tanks that collect rainwater falling from the roof. Rainwater tanks typically include piping systems that are connected to the gutters or downpipes so that rainwater entering the gutters and downpipes can be transferred into the rainwater tanks. Other water conservation techniques also include diverting rainwater from the guttering system to swimming pools in order to top up the swimming pool during rain.

[0004] In some instances, it is useful to fit a rainwater diverter to a downpipe so that a user can selectively divert rainwater to flow either through the downpipe or through an external fitting and out of the downpipe. For example, a rainwater diverter may be used to selectively divert rainwater flowing through the downpipe to a swimming pool or to a rainwater tank or via a hose connected to an external fitting in the rainwater diverter so that the rainwater flows through the hose to another location. The rainwater diverter may include a filter to filter leaves and debris out of the rainwater. Such rainwater diverters are typically mounted into the downpipe.

[0005] It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art publication is referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0006] With the foregoing in view, the present invention in one form, resides broadly in a rainwater diverter for fitting to a downpipe, the rainwater diverter comprising a lower housing having a first outlet through which rainwater flows out of the lower housing into the downpipe and a second outlet through which rainwater flows external to the downpipe, an insert fitted into the lower housing, the insert being rotatable relative to the lower housing between a first position in which rainwater is directed to flow through the first outlet and a second position in which at least part of the rainwater is directed to flow through the second outlet, and an upper housing that is fitted to upper part of the lower housing in use of the rainwater diverter.

[0007] In one embodiment, when the insert is in the second position, a portion of the rainwater flows through the second outlet and a portion of the rainwater flows into the downpipe.

[0008] In one embodiment, the lower housing includes a slot formed in an external wall, the insert having a projection or handle extending through the slot such that a user can move the projection or handle along the slot to thereby rotate the insert between the first position and the second position. In one embodiment, the projection comprises a handle or a knob connected to or formed with the insert. In one embodiment, the handle or knob includes a portion that extends externally of the slot.

[0009] In one embodiment, the lower housing has a lower portion that is fitted to a downpipe. In one embodiment, a gap or space is formed in the downpipe, such as by sawing away or otherwise removing an appropriate length of the downpipe and subsequently fitting the lower part of the lower housing to the lower end of the gap so formed. The lower end of the lower housing may simply rest on the part of the downpipe that forms the lower end of the gap or space or the lower end of the lower housing may be fixedly connected to the downpipe that forms the lower end of the gap or space, such as by use of a suitable adhesive or sealant.

[0010] In one embodiment, the upper housing has a lower region that is of complimentary shape to an upper region of the lower housing such that the upper housing and the lower housing can fit together. In one embodiment, the lower region of the upper housing has a lower wall that defines an opening that is slightly smaller than an opening defined by an inner wall of the upper end of the lower housing, such that the lower wall of the lower region of the upper housing fits inside the inner wall of the upper end of the lower housing. In one embodiment, the upper housing may comprise a shoulder extended outwardly from the lower wall, the shoulder being spaced from a lower end of the upper housing, whereby when the upper housing is fitted to the lower housing, the shoulder abuts on an upper end of the lower housing.

[0011] In one embodiment, the upper housing has an upper region in which the inner

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diameter is slightly larger than an outer diameter of the downpipe. In this manner, the upper housing can be slid upwardly over the downpipe during fitting of the rainwater diverter to the downpipe. The lower housing can then be fitted to the lower part of the gap or space formed in the downpipe and the upper housing can then be slid downwardly to fit into the lower housing. In one embodiment, the height of the combined upper housing and lower housing of the rainwater diverter, when in the upper housing and lower housing a fit together, is greater than a height of the gap or space formed in the downpipe as part of the fitting process.

[0012] In one embodiment, the upper housing comprises a sleeve or a short pipe section. In one embodiment, the upper housing is generally cylindrical. In one embodiment, the upper housing is hollow and/or contains no internal structures apart from the internal wall(s).

[0013] The lower housing includes the first outlet through which rainwater can pass to continue to flow through the downpipe and the second outlet through which water can pass to be directed externally to the downpipe. The second outlet may comprise an outlet in a side wall of the lower housing. The second outlet may be provided with an external fitting, such as a screw thread or a snap-on a hose fitting, to enable a hose or pipe to be connected thereto.

[0014] In one embodiment, the lower housing includes an internal structure on which the insert can sit when the insert is positioned in the lower housing. The inner structure may comprise a plurality of inwardly directed vanes extending from an inner wall of the lower housing, with the insert sitting on the top part of the vanes. In another embodiment, one or more inwardly extending projections or flanges may extend inwardly from the inner wall of the lower housing, with the insert resting on the inwardly extending projections or flanges. Other structures may be used.

[0015] The lower housing may have an open lower end which forms the first outlet of the lower housing.

[0016] In one embodiment, the lower housing has a lower wall having an inner diameter or opening that is slightly larger than an outer diameter or opening of the downpipe. In this manner, the lower wall of the lower housing can fit over the downpipe in order to fit the lower housing to the downpipe. The lower housing may include a stop or a contact member or contact region that contacts the upper end of the lower part of the downpipe that forms the gap or space to which the rainwater diverter is fitted, with the stop or contact member or contact region of the lower housing coming into contact with the upper end of the lower part of the downpipe to thereby position the lower housing relative to the upper end of the lower part of the downpipe.

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[0017] In another embodiment, the lower part of the lower housing may fit inside the downpipe to which it is fitted.

[0018] The lower housing also has the second outlet. In one embodiment, the second outlet comprises an outlet in a side wall of the lower housing. The second outlet may be in fluid communication with an internal passage located in the lower housing. The internal passage may comprise an internal conduit or an internal chamber having an outlet to receive rainwater when the insert is in the second position. A gap or space may be formed between and inner wall of the lower housing and the internal conduit or internal chamber and this gap or space may assist in locating the insert.

[0019] The lower housing is also preferably provided with a slot in a side wall. The slot enables a projection or a handle connected to or formed with the insert to pass through the slot such that the projection or handle can be moved by a user to rotate the insert. The slot may comprise a generally horizontal slot.

[0020] In one embodiment, the insert comprises a reservoir having a reservoir opening that can move into fluid communication with the second outlet or move out of alignment and out of fluid communication with the second outlet. In one embodiment, the reservoir opening can move into alignment with the internal conduit or internal chamber that is in fluid communication with the second outlet when the insert is in the second position. When the inlet is in the first position, the reservoir opening is out of alignment with the second outlet or the internal conduit or internal chamber and a closed floor of the reservoir is in alignment with the second outlet or the internal conduit or internal chamber. In this manner, water cannot flow through the second outlet. Rather, water flows through the opening in the reservoir and through the first outlet of the lower housing and then through the downpipe.

[0021] In one embodiment, the reservoir is defined by a reservoir outer wall and a reservoir inner wall, with a reservoir floor being formed between the reservoir outer wall and the reservoir inner wall, the reservoir opening being formed in the reservoir floor. The reservoir inner wall may define a periphery of an inner opening in the insert. In this embodiment, if heavy rain falls and the amount of rainwater entering the reservoir is in excess of the capacity of the reservoir opening to drain, the water level in the reservoir will build up and spill over the inner reservoir wall and flow through the inner opening in the insert. From there, the rainwater can flow from the inner opening in the insert through the first outlet of the lower housing and then through the downpipe. This avoids flooding of the downpipe in periods of heavy rain.

[0022] In one embodiment, the reservoir floor comprises an annular floor.

[0023] The insert has a handle or projection that extends through the slot in the side wall of the lower housing. The handle or projection is suitably removably connected to the insert. In this manner, the insert can be placed in the lower housing and the projection or handle then inserted through the slot in the lower housing and into the insert so that it is fitted to the insert. The handle or slot enables a person/user to move the handle along the slot which, in turn, causes rotation of the insert relative to the lower housing.

[0024] In one embodiment, the rainwater diverter is provided with a filter. The filter may taper outwardly in an upwardly direction such that a lower periphery of the filter has a smaller opening than an upper opening of the filter. The lower opening of the filter may rest on the upper part of the inner reservoir wall. The filter may be of conventional construction used in rainwater diverters.

[0025] The rainwater diverter may also be provided with a hood or roof positioned above the insert to cause rainwater contacting the hood or roof to flow towards an outer wall of the rainwater diverter. This may assist in maximising the amount of water that is directed towards the reservoir of the insert. The hood or roof may be of generally conical shape or may be of part ovoid shape, or indeed of any shape that can divert or move the rainwater towards the walls of the rainwater diverter.

[0026] The components of the rainwater diverter may simply fit together during installation without requiring that they be secured or fixed or glued to each other. In this manner, the various components can be easily separated from each other for cleaning or maintenance.

[0027] In order to install the rainwater diverter into a downpipe, an appropriate length of downpipe is removed, such as by sawing, to form a gap that is smaller than the height of the assembled rainwater diverter. The upper housing is positioned in the gap and moved upwardly so that it slides over the upper part of the downpipe. The lower housing is then positioned in the gap and fitted to the lower part of the downpipe. The insert may be fitted into the lower housing before or after it is fitted to the lower part of the downpipe. The filter and the hood or roof may then be fitted (although they may also be fitted prior to positioning the lower housing in the downpipe). The upper housing may then be slid downwardly such that it fits with the lower housing. In the fully assembled form, the upper edge of the upper housing is positioned above the lower edge of the upper downpipe above the gap. In order to service the rainwater diverter, the upper housing is slid upwardly over the downpipe which then provides access to the lower housing and the insert, filter and hood or roof.

[0028] The rainwater diverter of preferred embodiments of the present invention is easy to fit to a downpipe. Further, maintenance and access to the internal components of the rainwater diverter is simple even after it has been fitted to the downpipe. The internal insert can be rotated to move the rainwater diverter from the first position in which rainwater flows through the downpipe to the second position in which at least a portion of the rainwater flows through the second outlet. The handle or projection can be moved along the external slot in the lower housing to cause the insert to rotate. All rotatable componentry is located internally of the lower housing and rotation of the insert is very simple.

[0029] Any of the features described herein can be combined in any combination with any one or more of the other features described herein within the scope of the invention.

[0030] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0031] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

[0032] Figure 1 shows a side view of a rainwater diverter in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, with the rainwater diverter being in the second position or the "on" position in which at least a portion of the rainwater is diverted to the second outlet;

[0033] Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the rainwater diverter shown in figure 1, with the section being taken along line A-A of figure 1;

[0034] Figure 3 shows a top view of the rainwater diverter shown in figure 1;

[0035] Figure 4 shows a top view of the rainwater diverter shown in figure 1, but in the first position or closed position (non-diverting position);

[0036] Figure 5 shows a side view of the rainwater diverter shown in figure 4;

[0037] Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the rainwater diverter shown in figure 5, with the section being taken along line B-B of figure 4;

[0038] Figure 7 is a perspective view of the rainwater diverter shown in figures 1 to 6, apart and in line for assembly;

[0039] Figure 8 is a similar cross-sectional view to figure 2 of the rainwater diverter being in the second position. In figure 8, the filter and the hood have been removed for clarity;

[0040] Figure 9 is a top view of figure 8, again with thefilter and hood removed for clarity;

[0041] Figure 10 shows a similar view to figure 4, with the rainwater diverter being in the first position and with the filter and hood removed for clarity;

[0042] Figure 11 shows a top view of the rainwater diverter as shown infigure 10;

[0043] Figure 12 shows a top view of the rainwater diverter shown in figure 1, with the insert being in the first/off position, figure 12 showing hidden detail; and

[0044] Figure 13 shows a top view of the rainwater diverter shown in figure 1, with the insert being in the second/on position, figure 13 showing hidden detail.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0045] The skilled person will understand that the drawings have been provided for the purposes of illustrating preferred embodiments of the present invention. Therefore, it will be appreciated that the present invention should not be considered to be limited solely to the features as shown in the drawings.

[0046] The rainwater diverter 10 shown in the attached drawings comprises a lower housing 12 and an upper housing 14. The lower housing 12 has a first outlet 16 that, in use, allows rainwater to flow through the downpipe (not shown). The lower housing 12 also has a second outlet 18 that allows rainwater to be diverted, such as to rainwater tank or to a swimming pool, or to another location. As shown in figures 1 and 2, the second outlet 18 is arranged such that a hose connector 20 can be attached thereto to enable a hose to be connected to the second outlet 18.

[0047] The lower housing 12 further includes a slot 22 in a side wall thereof. A handle 24 extends through the slot 22. The handle 24 has a knob 25. The handle 24 is removably connected to an insert 26, best shown in figure 7. The insert 26 fits inside and sits inside the lower housing

12 and the insert 26 can be rotated relative to the lower housing 12 by moving the handle 24 along the slot 22.

[0048] The rainwater diverter also includes a filter 28 and a hood 30.

[0049] The upper housing 14 is generally cylindrical in shape and it has an open upper end 32 and an open lower end 33. The lower end of the upper housing 14 has a lower wall 34 that has an outer diameter that is slightly smaller than an outer diameter of the upper wall 36 of the lower housing 12. Further, a shoulder 38 is formed between the lower wall 34 and the upper wall 40 of the upper housing 14. In its assembled form, the upper end of the upper wall 36 of the lower housing 12 abuts on the shoulder 38 and the lower wall 34 of the upper housing 14 extends into the lower housing 12, as shown in figure 2.

[0050] Further details of the lower housing 12 and the insert 26 will now be described with reference to figures 8 and 10. The lower housing 12 includes a lower wall 40. An inwardly extending flange 42 extends inwardly from the wall 40. Inwardly extending flange 42 extends entirely around the inner periphery of the lower wall 40 of the lower housing 12. Inwardly extending flange 42 is a downward sloping flange of generally annular shape. A plurality of generally vertical vanes, some of which are numbered at 44, extend upwardly from flange 42. The vanes 44 each have a top edge that is at the same level as each of the other vanes. The top edges of the vanes 44 support the insert 26 thereon.

[0051] The lower housing 12 includes first outlet 16, which may be simply formed as an open lower end of the lower housing 12. The lower housing 12 also includes the second outlet 18, which is shown in the attached figures with a hose connector 20 connected thereto. The lower housing 12 has an internal conduit or internal chamber 46 in fluid communication with the second outlet 18. Internal conduit or internal chamber 46 has a wall 48 that is spaced from but close to the side wall 50 of the inner housing 12. The internal conduit or internal chamber 46 has an elongated upper end that extends around part of the inner periphery of the lower housing 12. In particular, the elongated upper end of the internal conduit or internal chamber 46 extends from a peripheral area that is just inside one end of the slot 22 to just inside the other end of the slot 22. However, it will be appreciated that the position of the internal conduit or internal chamber 46 be closely aligned with the slot 22, provided that movement of the handle allows the chamber to be selectively opened and closed to rainwater. In the embodiment shown in the attached drawings, the particular arrangement allows all external protrusions of the rainwater diverter to face the same way, giving an attractive aesthetic.

[0052] The insert 26 defines a reservoir 52. Reservoir 52 has a reservoir outer wall 54 and a reservoir inner wall 56. A reservoir floor 58 extends between the reservoir outer wall 54 and the reservoir inner wall 56. As best shown in figure 9, reservoir floor 58 is of generally annular shape. The upper edge of reservoir inner wall 56 defines a central opening 59 in the insert 26. The lower edge 57 of the reservoir inner wall 56 defines a lower opening. The insert 26 also has a flange 60 extending outwardly from the reservoir outer wall 54. The flange 60 spaces the reservoir outer wall 54 from the side wall 50 of the lower housing 12.

[0053] The lower edge 55 of the reservoir outer wall 54 comes into contact with the upper edges of the vanes 44. Similarly, the lower edge 57 of the reservoir inner wall 56 comes into contact with the upper edges of the vanes 44. This helps to locate the insert 26 inside the lower housing 12. To further assist in locating the insert 26 inside the lower housing 12, an inwardly extending shoulder 62 is formed on part of the outer reservoir wall 56. Shoulder 62 comes into contact with the upper end of the wall 48 of the internal conduit or internal chamber 46. The shoulder 62 need not extend entirely around the inner periphery of the outer reservoir wall 54, but it should extend at least as far around the periphery as the travel of the insert within the inner housing due to movement of the handle 24 within the slot 22.

[0054] The insert 26 also has an opening 64 in the reservoir floor 58. This is best shown in figure 9. The insert 26 further includes the handle 24 that is inserted through aligned openings formed in the reservoir outer wall 54 and the reservoir inner wall 56. A shroud 66 is located partly around the opening in the reservoir inner wall through which the handle 24 extends. The shroud 66 may include a stop member (not shown) that provides an inner limit on the insertion of the handle 24 into the insert 26.

[0055] In the position shown in figures 8 and 9, the insert is located such that the opening 64 in the reservoir floor 58 is in alignment with the internal conduit or internal chamber 46. Figures 12 and 13 show the respective ends 74 and 76 of the internal conduit or internal chamber 46. Therefore, any rainwater that enters into the reservoir 52 can flow through opening 64 into the internal conduit 46 and out through the second outlet 18 and along the hose connected to hose connector 20. If the rainfall is especially heavy, the water level in the reservoir 52 may build up until it spills over the reservoir inner wall 56. The excess rainwater can then flow out through the opening 59 in the insert 26 and out through the first opening 16 of the lower housing 12 and then through the downpipe to which the lower housing 12 is fitted. In this manner, drainage of excess rainwater still takes place during heavy rainfall.

[0056] When the knob 25 of the handle 24 is operated to move the insert from the second/on

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position as shown in figures 8 and 9 to the first/off position shown in figures 10 and 11, the insert 26 is rotated such that the opening 64 in the reservoir floor 58 is no longer in alignment with the internal conduit or internal chamber 46. As a result, the reservoir floor 58 is located over the internal conduit 46 and this acts to effectively close the top of the internal conduit or internal chamber 46. As a result, rainwater cannot flow through the second outlet 18 and all the rainwater in the downpipe flows out of the first outlet 16 of the lower housing 12. As shown infigure 10, the reservoir floor 58 is located above and effectively closes the internal conduit 46 to the flow of water. Therefore, no water can enter into the second outlet 18.

[0057] In some embodiments, the internal conduit 46 may be considered to be an internal chamber that is in fluid communication with the second outlet 18 of the lower housing 12. The internal conduit or chamber 46 will have inner and outer walls and a first radial wall at one end and a second radial wall at another end.

[0058] Returning to figures 2 and 6 now that the mechanism of movement of the insert 26 has been explained, these figures correspond to figures 8 and 10, respectively, but with the filter 28 and the hood 30 shown in position. The hood 30 acts to deflect any water flowing down the central part of the downpipe and upper housing 14 towards the outer wall/s of the upper housing 14. This is shown by the shaded area in figure 2. The hood 30 is provided with a plurality of spaced legs 68, which are best shown in figure 7. The spaced legs 68 allow the hood 30 to rest on the filter 28 or to snap into the upper housing 14. How the hood 30 is located in the rainwater diverter 10 is not especially critical to the working of the invention. Rainwater can pass through the spaces between each of the legs 68.

[0059] As best shown in figure 7, thefilter 28 is of a generally inverted frusto-conical shape such that the filter 28 tapers upwardly and outwardly. The lower edge 70 offilter 28 is supported by the reservoir inner wall 56. Outwardly extending tabs 73 also assist in positioning the filter 28 within the lower housing and within the insert. Tabs 73 also reinforce the filter 28. The upper edge 72 of filter 28 supports the legs 68 of the hood 30.

[0060] When rain falls, rainwater is collected by the guttering system of the building and travels down drainpipe to which the rainwater diverted 10 is fitted. It has been found that water tends to flow along the inner wall of the downpipe and therefore is expected that most of the water will flow through the filter 28 between the inner edge of the filter and the outer edge of the filter. Other rainwater is diverted outwardly by the hood 30 and the rainwater then flows through the mesh of the filter 28. This separates any leaves and large debris from the rainwater. Any rainwater that passes through the mesh of the filter 28 collects in the reservoir 52. If the

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rainwater diverter is in the second/on position, rainwater in the reservoir can then flow through the opening 64 in the reservoir floor 58, into the internal conduit or chamber 46 and out through the second outlet 18. If the flow of water through the downpipe is larger than the ability of the second outlet to cope with when the diverter is in the second or on position, water will build up in the annular region and then overflow into the central region of the insert such that the excess water will then flow through the downpipe. This avoids flooding of the downpipe in heavy rain events. If the rainwater diverter is in the first/off position, the floor 58 of the reservoir 52 effectively closes the internal conduit or chamber 46 such that water cannot flow through the second outlet and the water instead flows through the first outlet and continues along the downpipe to which the lower housing is fitted.

[0061] Due to the tapered shape of the filter 28, any leaves or debris that are retained by the mesh of the filter 28 tend to get washed down and along the mesh of the filter 28 so that the filter 28 has a degree of self-cleaning. If it is desired or necessary to clean or undertake maintenance of the rainwater diverter 10, the upper housing 14 is slid upwardly relative to the upper downpipe. In embodiments where the hood is snap-fitted to the upper housing 14, the hood 30 is removed with the upper housing 14. This exposes the filter and insert. The filter can be removed through the gap left by sliding the upper housing upwardly. If desired, the handle 24 can be removed from the stop 22 and from the insert 26. The insert 26 can then be lifted up out of the lower housing and separated therefrom. The lower housing itself may also be removed from the downpipe to which it is fitted and clean or maintained. The upper housing can also be removed once the lower housing has been removed. As the upper housing is hollow and/or contains no internal structures apart from the internal wall(s), there are no restrictions that prevent the upper housing being moved upwardly along the downpipe by at least the height of the upper housing. Re-installation of the rainwater diverter involves the opposite steps.

[0062] In the present specification and claims (if any), the word 'comprising' and its derivatives including 'comprises' and 'comprise' include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.

[0063] Reference throughout this specification to 'one embodiment' or 'an embodiment' means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases 'in one embodiment' or 'in an embodiment' in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.

[0064] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims (if any) appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.

Claims

I -Y CLAIMS

1. A rainwater diverter for fitting to a downpipe, the rainwater diverter comprising a lower housing having a first outlet through which rainwater flows out of the lower housing into the downpipe and a second outlet through which rainwater flows external to the downpipe, an insert fitted into the lower housing, the insert being rotatable relative to the lower housing between a first position in which rainwater is directed to flow through the first outlet and a second position in which at least part of the rainwater is directed to flow through the second outlet, and an upper housing that is fitted to upper part of the lower housing in use of the rainwater diverter.

2. A rainwater diverter as claimed in claim 1 wherein the lower housing includes a slot formed in an external wall, the insert having a projection or handle extending through the slot such that a user can move the projection or handle along the slot to thereby rotate the insert between the first position and the second position.

3. A rainwater diverter as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the insert comprises a reservoir having a reservoir opening that can move into fluid communication with the second outlet and move out of alignment or out of fluid communication with the second outlet.

4. A rainwater diverter as claimed in claim 3 wherein the reservoir is defined by a reservoir outer wall and a reservoir inner wall, with a reservoir floor being formed between the reservoir outer wall and the reservoir inner wall, the reservoir opening being formed in the reservoir floor, the reservoir inner wall defining a periphery of an inner opening in the insert such that if heavy rain falls and the amount of rainwater entering the reservoir is in excess of the capacity of the reservoir opening to drain, the water level in the reservoir will build up and spill over the inner reservoir wall and flow through the inner opening in the insert.

5. A rainwater diverter as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the insert has a handle or projection that extends through the slot in the side wall of the lower housing, the handle or projection being removably connected to the insert, whereby the insert can be placed in the lower housing and the projection or handle then inserted through the slot in the lower housing and into the insert so that it is fitted to the insert.

10 3210 40 14 14 30 38 22 25 34 36 68 1/7

28 2412 22 12 20 201816 16FIGURE 1 FIGURE 2

28 282522 25 2220 20 2/7

FIGURE 3 FIGURE 4

1014 14 3025 22 28 3/7

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FIGURE 5 FIGURE 6