GB2262303A

GB2262303A - Rainwater collection apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2262303A
Application number: GB9125539A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Martin Joseph Dent
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-11-29
Filing date: 1991-11-29
Publication date: 1993-06-16
Anticipated expiration: 2011-11-29
Also published as: GB2262303B; GB9125539D0

Abstract

Water collection apparatus comprising a single flexible sheet 10 supported by a plurality of parallel poles 12 to define a central portion sloping downwardly either side from an apex 14 and to outer ground engaging receptacles 16 for holding water which runs down the sloping portion thereinto. <IMAGE>

Description

Rainwater Collecting Apparatus This invention concerns rainwater collecting apparatus and particularly but not exclusively collapsible rainwater carrying apparatus.

A lack of water is a major problem in a number of countries and especially third world countries. When rain does arrive the water is often not efficiently collected and may only be collected after it has stood For some time with the consequence risk of contamination. These problems are often most accuse in situations where there have been natural disasters and/or there are a large number of refugees where no permanent structures for collecting rain have been or can be built.

According to the present invention there is provided rainwater collecting apparatus comprising a receptacle and means for providing an inclined surface leading into the receptacle, wherein the apparatus is collapsible.

The apparatus may comprise a pair of inclined surfaces extending downwardly from an apex to respective receptacles.

Preferably the surface providing means and/or the receptacles are formed of a flexible sheet material.

Means are preferably provided for supporting the apparatus in an erected condition. In an erected position the receptacles are still preferably ground enagaging.

The support means may comprise elongate members and desirably also ground engagable line means for holding the elongate members in position. At least some of the elongate members are locatable in a generally horizontal alignment raised from the ground.

The apparatus may comprise a single sheet of flexible material which provides both the or each inclined surface and the or each receptacle. The sheet material may be welded at the edges of the sheet to form the receptacles.

A plurality of loops may be formed on the sheet to accept the elongate support members, and the loops may be integrally formed with the sheet.

Taps may be provided on the receptacles, and filters may be provided across the openings of the receptacles. The receptacle openings may be narrow relative to the width of the receptacle.

The sheet material may be polythene, and a lining may be provided therefor.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the single figure of the accompanying drawing which is a diagrammatic side view of water collection apparatus according to the invention.

The d r a w i n q shows water collection apparatus comprising a single sheet 10 of a flexible material such as for example polythene. The sheet 10 is supported by a plurality of parallel poles 12 so as to define a central portion sloping downwardly either side from an apex 14 and two outer approximately horseshoe shape section port ions forming ground engaging receptacles 16 for holding water. The receptacles 16 have a relatively narrow upper opening 18 through which rainwater flows which has fallen on the central portion.

The side edges of the parts of the sheet 10 which form the receptacles 16 are welded together to close the ends of the receptacles 16. Taps 20 are provided at a lower point on the receptacles 16 to enable water to be dispensed therefrom. A filter and/or grid (not shown) may be provided across the openings 18 to prevent the ingress of dirt into the receptacles 18 and also to filter the water where required. The respective pairs of poles 12 which define the openings are connected together at spaced intervals along their, by for example ties 21, to prevent the openings 18 being widened.

The poles 12 are supported in position by any suitable means such as further upright poles (not shown). Guys 22 are provided on the outermost poles 12 to hold the apparatus in position. The poles 12 fit through sleeves 24 formed in the sheet 10. The sleeves 24 may be formed from a separate piece of material which may be strengthened, or may be formed from the sheet 10 by welding a loop thereinto.

Obviously when the apparatus is not required after emptying of the receptacle 16 the apparatus can be collapsed by loosening of the guys 22 and removing the poles 12 from the respective sleeves 24, and the sheet 10 folded.

There is thus described water collection apparatus which is of relatively simple construction and can thus be inexpensively and robustly manufactured. This apparatus is fully collapsible and can thus be compactly stored thereby being suitable for rapid shipment to disaster areas and the like. Th'e flexibility of the sheet enables the apparatus to be erected in a wide range of circumstances and on uneven and/or rough ground. The narrow openings of the receptacles 16 reduce evaporation and prevent material falling into the water. The engagement of the receptacles on the ground means that the weight of the water is borne by the ground, thereby reducing stresses on the material and supports.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example + aprts us S he made of a different material.

Different means could be provided to support the poles in a required position. Support means other than the guys could be provided especially when using the apparatus on hard ground.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

Claims:-

1. Rainwater collecting apparatus comprising a receptacle and means for providing an inclined surface leading into the receptacle, wherein the apparatus is collapsible.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, in which the apparatus comprises a pair of inclined surfaces extending downwardly from an apex to respective receptacles.

3. Apparatus according to Claims 1 or 2, in which the surface providing means and/or the or each receptacle are formed of a flexible sheet material.

4. Apparatus according to any of Claims 1 to 3, in which in an erected position the receptacles are ground engaging.

5. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which means are provided for supporting the apparatus in an erected condition.

Apparatus according to Claim 5, in which the support means comprises elongate members.

7. Apparatus according to Claim 6, in which the support means comprises ground engagable line means for holding the elongate members in position.

8. Apparatus according to Claims 6 or 7, in which at least some of the elongate members are locatable in a generally horizontal alignment raised from the ground.

Apparatus according to anj oF the preceding claims, in which the apparatus comprises a single sheet of flexible material which provides both the or each inclined surface and the or each receptacle.

10. Apparatus according to Claim 9, in which the sheet material is welded at the edges of the sheet to form the or each receptacle.

11. Apparatus according to Claims 9 or 10 when dependent on any of Claims 6 to e, in which a plurality of loops are formed on the sheet to accept the elongate support members.

12. Apparatus according to Claim 11, in which the loops are integrally formed with the sheet.

13. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which taps are provided on the or each receptacle.

14. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which filters are provided across the opening of the or each receptacle.

15. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the or each receptacle opening is narrow relative to the width of the receptacle.

16. Apparatus according to Claim 9 or any of Claims 10 to 15 when dependent on Claim 9, in which the sheet material is polythene.

17. Apparatus according to Claim 9 or any of Claims 10 to 16 when dependent on Claim 9, in which a lining is provided for the sheet material.

18. Rainwater collecting apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

19. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed in the foregoing specification or claims and/or shown in the drawings, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.