CA1238172A - Rainsaver device - Google Patents

Abstract

- Abstract This device, when installed in the eavestrough of a sloped roof building, provides a means to divert and utilize the flow of normal rainwater run-off for use in the irrigation of local vegetation, to storage for future use, and for the conservation of a water resource.
The unit is comprised of a contoured reservoir and drain assembly, which is secured in an existing eavestrough near the main downspout.
The flow of rainwater run-off is redirected into the drain and then through a hose, connected to the threaded drain fitting, to any desired watering or storage location.

Description

- yield of Invention This invention relates to a eaves rough attachment device which diverts rainfall drainage run-off through a drain fitting to which a hose is connected, as a means to utilize the rainwater for any desired practical purposes.

- Discussion of Prior Art heretofore the average home with a sloped roof utilizes a system whereby the rainwater run-off flows off the roof, along eaves troughs to a downspout and then, either piped directly into a sewer line or down the drainpipe to the ground at or near the foundation walls to follow natural drainage channels.
Rainwater is very desirable for the watering of vegetation, and normal rainfalls are seldom sufficient to the needs of many plants and trees for healthy growth or for those in protected areas.
The rainwater drainage system can be a convenient and significant source of supplemental water for plant watering or storage purpose Present drainage methods do not conserve rainwater run-off and there does not appear to be any water conservation devices available to utilize rooftop rainwater run-off for practical purposes.
Rainwater that is allowed to accumulate near a building can result in damage to basement walls and contents by water seepage.
Present methods for prevention of water buildup utilizes a drainpipe elbow and run-off tray or a roll up sprinkling hose is direct the rainwater away from the foundation.

do I WED

- Objects My invention provides a means to divert normal rainwater run-off from an eaves trough and allows use of that water for immediate irrigation of vegetation or flowed to a storage container for future use.
Savings would be realized by the subsequent reduction in the use of commercial water for watering purposes.
By diverting runoff away from the building foundation, it will also help prevent water damage to basements and avoid repair costs.
Further objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description thereof.

- DESCRIPTION

- DRAWINGS
In drawings which illustrate embodiments of the invention, Figure 1 is a side view of -the device, figure 2 is a top view, and Figure 3 a cut away view of this embodiment installed in an eaves trough.

Roy device is comprised of a flat base 1 having a width equal to the inside dimension of the bottom section of the eaves trough A.
The length of the base section is sufficient to provide adequate support for the base and drain fitting assembly.
The base extends to a section 2 formed by an angle in a perpendicular direction terminating at a vertical height of approximately 2 inches.
Located in the center of the base section, a drain opening 3 is formed by a threaded drain fitting 4 embodied to the underside of the base.
The size of the drain opening and threaded fitting specifications are dependent on the selection and size of the connections for hose B.
The device is a one piece unit which can be manufactured using rust resistant 16 to 18 gauge sheet metal and a treaded pipe nipple soldered or welded to the underside, or the unit may be made of molded plastic of sufficient strength.

- Operation Z

This device is installed by first cutting a hole in the bottom of the eaves trough A to accept the protruding drain fitting 4.
With the base resting on the flat bottom of the eaves trough, the unit is secured using a rubber or plastic washer 5, a metal washer 6 and a threaded fastener 7 on the treaded drain fitting 4.
Hose B of selected size and length is connected onto the threaded fitting 4 and the other end of the hose placed at any desired location.
During a rainfall, the run-off flow is restricted by the vertical section 2 which acts to create a reservoir effect over the drain opening 3 and a proportional amount of the flow is diverted down the drain 3 and through the hose B to the location selected.
If the runoff flow exceeds the capacity of the drain opening 3 or the hose B, the excess flow will continue along its normal drainage path.
Designed dimensional tolerances, and characteristics of water, will still allow a trickle of water to bypass the device at all times to protect against overflowing should the drain line become inoperative.
While the above description contains specificities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as an exemplification of one preferred embodiment thereof. Many other variations are possible, for example a modified version of my device could be installed in the main downspout or drain pipe to serve the same purpose. It could also be shaped to fit eaves troughs which do not have a flat bottom. A desirable effect can be had by installing a permanent length of functional piping, such as polyethylene, from the device to a convenient fixed location for connecting the hose.
Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiment illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

Claims (3)

- CLAIMS

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are as follows.

1. A run-off water diverting device for use with an eavestrough comprised of a flat base with an upturned section, said flat base having attached thereto a fitting that protrudes through a hole provided in the base of the said eavestrough to which a hose or the like may be connected to drain water away from said eavestrough for watering gardens or other purposes, said diverting device creating a dam effect in said eavestrough to fascilitate the flow in said hose.

2. A run-off water diverting device as in claim 1 wherein said upturned section extends from said base at an angle of about ninety degrees and does not extend to the full height of the eavestrough in order that flow in excess of the capacity of the hose is allowed to continue its normal drainage path along said eavestrough.

3. The device of claims 1 or 2 wherein said fitting is threaded so that an ordinary garden hose can be attached thereto.