GB2340532A

GB2340532A - Diversion unit for rainwater reclamation system

Info

Publication number: GB2340532A
Application number: GB9819362A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Dan Chapotelle
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-07-31
Filing date: 1998-09-04
Publication date: 2000-02-23
Anticipated expiration: 2018-09-04
Also published as: GB9819362D0; CA2244401C; GB2340532B; CA2244401A1

Abstract

The diversion unit an entrance duct 4, an angled surface 3, a small self-flushing interior, a diversion orifice 5, and an overflow duct 7. The diversion orifice also includes a projecting diversion conduit. The rainwater reclamation system further comprises a diversion hose coupled either to the projecting diversion conduit or directly to the diversion orifice and a reservoir. The diversion hose conducts the rainwater from the diversion unit to the reservoir which collects and stores the diverted water for later use.

Description

2340532 RAINWATER RECLAMATION SYSTEM

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a water reclamation system for diverting, collecting, and storing rainwater from conventional eaves and gutter systems of a domestic residence or commercial building.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Rainwater conservation, diversion and collection are well known objectives that have been the subject of many inventions and disclosures. The advantages of using rainwater to irrigate plants are well established and include warmer temperature and non-chlorinated water. The prior art includes a myriad of designs, a number of which are explained below.

U.S. Patent No. 5,522,427, issued to Johnson, discloses a technique of diverting rainwater water to a point remote from a building wall. The Johnson system comprises a trough coupled to a downspout of a conventional gutter. The trough is normally in a retracted and non-functional 20 position, but it is activated by the presence of rainwater in I the downspout and unfolds so that it is operative to divert the rainwater from the building wall. The principal drawback of Johnson is that the system is not equipped with a means for reclamation or storage of the diverted rainwater. It merely diverts the water a short distance from the building walls to help avoid water damage.

U.S. Patent No. 5,114,594, issued to Rosenbrock et al., discloses a rainwater diverter, wherein a system of concentric ducts is used to manage the water. The system is inserted into the downspout of a gutter and water flows into the inner duct, from which a diversion tube is attached. The diversion tube is operative to divert the water to some remote location. -When the water flow becomes too great to be managed by the diversion tube, excess water is allowed to f low into an outer duct where it drains back down to the original gutter. The problem with the Rosenbrock system is that it does not provide for a means to reclaim the diverted water. It merely moves a bulk of the water from its original drainage location to a remote drainage location.

Furthermore, the location of the diversion tube at the bottom of the inner duct is a disadvantage because it permits accumulation of debris contained in the rainwater that may potentially obstruct the flow of water through the system.

2 Finally, the concentric tube design, with its internal features, is relatively complex and expensive to manufacture.

U.S. Patent No. 5,234,286, issued to Wagner, discloses an underground water reservoir that is attached to a precipitation receiving roof which acts as a source of rainwater for the reservoir. Water flows directly from the gutter, straight into the underground reservoir. The entrance conduit to the reservoir is equipped with a float valve, so that when the reservoir is full, excess water is directed to a overflow outlet rather than into the reservoir. To reclaim the water, the reservoir is outfitted with a pump that can force water stored in the reservoir back into the building or elsewhere for later use. A similar system is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,934,404, issued to DeStefano.

The DeStefano system discloses an optional second underground reservoir. The drawbacks with underground systems include the relatively high cost of installation (excavating etc.) the relative difficulty of repair and maintenance, and the increased energy and maintenance costs associated with pumping reclaimed water back to the surface. The high costs of installing, operating and maintaining these underground systems make them suitable for industrial applications such as farming, but prohibit their use for domestic applications.

3 Japanese Patent No. 148,839, issued to Kimura, discloses a trough-like reservoir mounted to a downspout of a gutter near the top of the downspout. The trough-like reservoir is operative to collect rainwater flowing from the gutter. The reservoir is equipped with a overflow drain that conducts excess water down a conventional downspout to dispose of it in a normal manner. A diversion pipe is also coupled to the bottom of the trough-like reservoir. The diversion pipe is operative to reclaim the stored water and carry it away from the reservoir for alternative uses. The problem with the Kimura invention is that the position of the trough-like reservoir (mounted near the roof in the downspout of a gutter) limits its size. The reservoir cannot be too large because the-weight of the water held in the reservoir may damage the existing gutters and eaves to which it is mounted. Furthermore, a large reservoir can be unsightly on the walls of a building. Also, the location of the troughlike reservoir (mounted close to the roof) makes it hard to install,'repair and maintain. Furthermore, the tough-like shape of the reservoir may promote the accumulation of debris carried in the rainwater.

German Patent No. 3710-690, issued to Schleich, describes a system similar to that of Kimura, except that the 4 trough-like reservoir is mounted underneath the roof in such a manner that it receives rainwater directly from the rooftop and the diversion pipe leads from the trough-like reservoir to an interior secondary storage vessel. The Schleich invention overcomes the size limitations of the Kimura reservoir by adding a secondary reservoir. However, the location of the Schleich system (proximate to the roof both inside and outside the building) make it particularly difficult and expensive to install, repair and maintain.

Furthermore, the diversion pipe is located at the bottom of a side wall of the trough-like reservoir and as such may easily become obstructed by debris contained in the rainwater.

U.S. Patent No. 5,533,303, issued to Harvey, discloses a water diversion and conservation system that can be fitted onto the downspout of a gutter. The system includes a thick tube coupled into the downspout with diversion tubes operative to carry water from the downspout to plants that are under the eaves of the building. The invention further comprises an overflow protection conduit, constructed inside the thick tube, which is operative to conduct excess water back to the downspout for dissemination in the normal manner. The system is also outfitted with a hand-valve that will prevent the flow of rainwater into the diversion tubes and merely allow it to pass through the downspout in the normal manner. The hand-valve is used when the diversion tubes have supplied the plants under the eaves with a sufficient amount of water. The drawback with the Harvey invention is that there is no means for storing and then later reclaiming excess rainwater. Rather, the system merely diverts and reuses a small amount of water that can be used immediately. Furthermore, the Harvey design involves a structure with a fairly complicated internal design, which is 10 relatively expensive to produce.

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of water reclamation systems as taught in the prior art, the present invention serves a number of objectives.

is A primary objective of the invention is to provide an inexpensive water reclamation system that diverts rainwater from a conventional domestic gutter downspout into a reservoir, collecting and storing the rainwater so that it may be used at a later time.

Another objective of the invention is to provide a water reclamation system that is self flushing so as to avoid 6 problems associated with obstructions in the system conduits that result from debris carried in the rainwater.

Another object of the invention is to provide a water reclamation system that can easily be installed by the average homeowner without risk of physical injury or associated expenses.

Another object of the invention is to provide a water reclamation system that has relatively few complicated features making it easy and inexpensive to manufacture.

Another object of this invention is to provide a water reclamation system that is small and available in a variety of colors which would make it fairly unobtrusive and therefore not destroying the aesthetics of homes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A diversion unit couplaMe at any height to a downspout of a conventional gutter is disclosed. The diversion unit collects the bulk of the rainwater flowing through the downspout and channels the excess rainwater to a remote location. The diversion unit comprises several unique 20 characteristics including:

7 an entrance duct which forms the top section of the diversion unit and is couplable at any height to an upper portion of the downspout. The entrance duct is operative to conduct rainwater from the downspout into the interior of the diversion unit; (ii) a substantially planar wall which forms a side surface of the diversion unit and is located underneath the entrance duct; (iii) an angled surface located underneath the entrance duct and on a side opposite to the substantially planar wall.

The angled surface is oriented at least partially transverse to the direction of flow of the water. The angled surface is operative to redirect the rainwater towards the substantially planar wall; (iv) a rounded base positioned underneath the angled surface and,underneath the substantially planar wall. The rounded base is operative to receive the rainwater and to generate a cyclic flow of rainwater within the diversion unit. The cyclic flow creates a self-flushing action in the interior of the diversion unit keeping it free from obstruction; 8 (v) a diversion conduit positioned on a wall of the diversion unit above the rounded base. The diversion orifice is operative to conduct rainwater out of the diversion unit as it accumulates in the interior; and (vi) an overflow duct positioned on a wall of the diversion unit at an elevated location relative to the diversion orifice. The overflow duct is operative to conduct excess rainwater out of the diversion unit when the rainwater accumulates in the interior of the diversion unit faster than the diversion orifice can remove it; The diversion unit may further comprise a projecting diversion conduit leading from the diversion orifice. The projecting diversion conduit may be threaded to facilitate coupling to a garden hose. Preferably, the diversion unit may be fabricated out of a non-corroding material such as plastic and may be fabricated from a single molded part. Advantageously, the diversion unit may include a mounting bracket which may be employed to mount the diversion unit to the building, the downspout or both.

Preferably, the overflow duct may be adapted so as to be easily couplable to a lower portion of the downspout. In 9 this manner, the overflow duct may be coupled to a lower portion of the downspout.

A second aspect of the invention is a rainwater reclamation system coupled to a downspout of a conventional gutter. The primary features of the system include a diversion unit which diverts the rainwater from the downspout of the gutter through a diversion hose and into a reservoir. The reservoir is operative to collect and store the diverted rainwater for later use.

The diversion unit as disclosed in this aspect of the invention has been described in the preceding paragraphs.

The diversion hose is coupled to the diversion orifice or the projecting diversion conduit of the diversion unit and conducts the rainwater from out of the diversion unit via the diversion orifice.

The reservoir is coupled to a distal end of the diversion hose and collects the rainwater from the diversion hose, storing it for later use.

The reservoir is positioned at a lower elevation than the 20 diversion unit, so the rainwater flows by gravity from the downspout into the diversion unit, through the diversion hose, and into the reservoir without the need for any external energy.

The reservoir may also comprise a threaded member which is easily couplable to a conventional garden hose, so that the diversion hose may actually be a garden hose.

Advantageously, the diversion unit, the diversion hose and the reservoir may be shaped and colored so as to be ergonomically appealing.

Finally, the reclamation system may include a plurality of diversion units, a plurality of diversion hoses and a plurality of reservoirs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1-a is a top view of the diversion unit, which couples to the downspout of a gutter to divert the rainwater.

Fig. 1-b is a plane view of the diversion unit.

Fig. 1-c is a side view of the diversion unit.

11 Fig. 2 depicts a perspective view of the diversion unit.

Fig. 3 shows the rainwater reclamation system including the diversion unit, the diversion hose and the 5 reservoir.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMEBODRAENT

With reference to the drawings, and in particular to Figures I to 3, a water reclamation system embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention will be described.

A diversion unit 1 is shown in Figures 1 and 2 and the diversion unit as a part of a water reclamation system is shown in Figure 3. The diversion unit 1 is couplable at an entrance duct 4 and an overflow duct 7 to a conventional downspout 9 of a gutter (see Figure 3). The diversion unit 1 is normally coupled 3-6 feet from the ground but may be coupled at any height. Entrance duct 4 and overflow duct 7 can be fabricated in many shapes and sizes so as to be easily coupled to the various standard conduit shapes and sizes that are employed for gutter downspouts. A mounting bracket with screw-holes 2 in the body of the diversion unit 1 allow the 12 diversion unit to be fastened to either the downspout 9, the building (not shown), or both. Rainwater from the gutter downspout 9 flows into the diversion unit 1 via the entrance duct 4; the direction of water flow is perpendicular to the open cross section of the entrance duct 4. The diversion unit I is outfitted with an angled surface 3 oriented at least partially transverse to the direction of rainwater flow into the diversion unit 1. The angled surface 3 is operative to deflect the flow of rainwater from the downspout 9 toward the substantially planar wall 20. The base 8 of the diversion unit 1 is round in shape so that the water, deflected from the angled surface 3 toward the substantially planar wall 20 flows from substantially planar wall 20 around the rounded bottom 8. This cyclic motion of water is operative to create a self-flushing stream of water in the diversion unit 1. This self-flushing action helps to prevent obstruction of the reclamation system ducts, hoses and conduits.

When rainwater from the downspout attains a certain height in the interior of the diversion unit 1, it reaches the diversion orifice (not shown). Being positioned lower than the overflow duct 7, the water accumulating in the interior of the diversion unit preferentially leaves the 13 diversion unit I via the diversion orifice and conduit 5. The diversion conduit 5 is outfitted with a threaded member 6, so that it is easily adaptable to fit on a standard garden hose.

If the flow of rainwater into the diversion unit I exceeds the flow of diverted water through the diversion orifice and conduit 5, then the water level in the interior of the diversion unit 1 continues to rise until it reaches the opening of the overflow duct 7. When the water reaches the opening of the overflow duct 7, it begins to escape the diversion unit 1 through the overflow duct 7. The overflow duct 7 is coupled to the bottom section of the downspout so that overflow water is discharged in the normal manner (i.e. in the manner prior to the installation of the reclamation system).

Referring now to Fig. 3, the entire reclamation system is depicted. Rainwater flows vertically from the downspout 9 into the diversion unit 1. The self-flushing cycle of water flow is created by the angled surface (not shown in Fig. 3) and the rounded base 8. When the water in the diversion unit 1 meets the diversion orifice, then it flows through the diversion conduit 5 and the diversion hose 11 into a reservoir 12. The reservoir 12 is operable to 14 collect and store the rainwater until it is required for some other use such as watering plants. When the rate of flow of rainwater into the diversion unit 1 is too high, then water exits via the overflow duct (not shown in Fig. 3) and into 5 the bottom portion of the downspout 10.

The parts of the reclamation system may be made of many types of materials, which, preferably, are non-corroding materials such as plastics. A skilled artisan would be able to appreciate that the dimensional relationships between the parts do not limit the invention. It is further appreciated that there may be a plurality of diversion units 1 all diverting water to a single reservoir 12, or a single diversion unit 1 diverting water to a plurality of reservoirs 12.

The foregoing is considered illustrative only of the principles of the invention and numerous modifications and changes will occur readily to those skilled in the art. Consequently, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A diversion unit for controlling a flow of rainwater in a downspout of a conventional gutter and for installation in said downspout from which a section has been removed leaving an upper open portion and a lower open portion, said diversion unit, when installed in a downspout, comprising:

(a) an entrance duct which forms a top section of said diversion unit and is couplable to the upper open portion of said downspout, said entrance duct operative to conduct rainwater from said downspout into an interior of said diversion unit; (b) an angled surface located below said entrance duct, said angled surface having an orientation at least partially transverse to a direction of flow of said rainwater through said entrance duct, and said angled surface operative to redirect said rainwater towards an opposite wall of said diversion unit; (c) a rounded base positioned below said angled surface and said opposite wall, said rounded base 16 operative to receive said rainwater and to generate a cyclic flow of said rainwater within said diversion unit, thereby flushing and keeping said diversion unit free from obstruction; (d) a diversion orifice positioned on a wall of said diversion unit above said rounded base, said diversion orifice operative to conduct said rainwater out of said diversion unit as said rainwater accumulates in the interior of said diversion unit; and (e) an overflow duct positioned on a wall of said diversion unit at an elevated location relative to said diversion orifice, said overflow duct operative to conduct excess rainwater out of said-diversion unit when said rainwater accumulates in said interior of said diversion unit faster than said diversion orifice can conduct said rainwater out of said diversion unit.

2. A diversion unit according to claim 1, wherein said diversion orifice further comprises a projecting diversion conduit couplable to a garden hose.

17

3. A diversion unit according to claim 2, wherein said projecting diversion conduit is threaded so as to further facilitate coupling to a garden hose.

4. A diversion unit according to claim 1, wherein said diversion unit is fabricated from a non-corroding material.

5. A diversion unit according to claim 1, wherein said diversion unit is fabricated from a single molded part.

6. A diversion unit according to claim 1, which further comprises a mounting bracket, said mounting bracket mountable to one of a building and said downspout so as to fix said diversion unit in place.

7. A diversion unit according to claim 1, wherein a distal end of said overflow duct is insertable into a lower portion of said downspout.

8. A rainwater reclamation system coupled to a downspout of a conventional gutter comprising:

(a) a substantially hollow diversion unit for installation between spaced apart upper and lower 18 portions of said downspout, which diversion unit comprises:

(i) an entrance duct which forms a top section of said diversion unit coupled to the upper portion of said downspout, said entrance duct operative to conduct rainwater from said downspout into an interior of said diversion unit; (ii) an angled surface located below said entrance duct and on a side wall of the interior of said diversion unit, said angled surface having an orientation at least partially transverse to a direction of flow of the rainwater through said entrance duct, said angled surface operative to redirect the rainwater towards a wall opposite said side wall; (iii) a rounded base positioned below said angled surface and said opposite wall, said rounded base operative to receive said rainwater and to generate a cyclic flow of said rainwater within said diversion unit, thereby flushing said 19 interior of said diversion unit and keeping said reclamation system free from obstruction; (iv) a diversion orifice positioned on a wall of said diversion unit above said rounded base, said diversion orifice operative to conduct the rainwater out of said diversion unit as it accumulates in the interior of said diversion unit; and (v) an overflow duct positioned on a wall of said diversion unit at an elevated location relative to said diversion orifice, said overflow duct operative to conduct excess rainwater out of said diversion unit when it accumulates in the interior of said diversion unit fas. ter than said is diversion orifice can conduct the rainwater out of said diversion unit; (b) a diversion hose coupled to said diversion orifice, said diversion hose operative to conduct said rainwater out of said diversion unit via said diversion orifice; and (c) a reservoir coupled to a distal end of said diversion hose, said reservoir operative to collect said rainwater from said diversion hose and to store said rainwater for later use; said reservoir being positioned at an elevation lower than said diversion unit such that water which accumulates in said diversion unit flows by gravity through said diversion orifice and said diversion hose into said reservoir.

9. A rainwater reclamation system according to claim 8, wherein said diversion orifice further comprises a projecting diversion conduit, said projecting diversion conduit being couplable to a garden hose.

10. A rainwater reclamation system according to claim 8, wherein said diversion unit is fabricated from a non corroding material.

11. A rainwater reclamation system according to claim 8, wherein said diversion unit is fabricated from a single molded part.

21

12. A rainwater reclamation system according to claim 8, wherein said diversion unit further comprises a mounting bracket, said mounting bracket mountable to one of a building and said downspout so as to fix said diversion unit in place.

13. A rainwater reclamation system according to claim 8, wherein a distal end of said overflow duct is adapted so as to be easily couplable to a lower portion of said downspout.

14. A rainwater reclamation system according to claim 8, wherein said overflow duct is coupled at a distal end to a lower portion of said downspout.

15. A rainwater reclamation system according-to claim 8, wherein said reservoir further comprises a threaded member, said threaded member being easily couplable to a gardening hose.

16. A rainwater reclamation system according to claim 8, wherein said diversion hose is a gardening hose.

17. A rainwater reclamation system according to claim 8, which further comprises a plurality of diversion units 22 each coupled to a separate one of a plurality of downspouts and a plurality of diversion hoses, each coupled to a separate one of said plurality of diversion units.

18. A rainwater reclamation system according to claim 8, which further comprises a plurality of reservoirs.

23 -1

19. A diversion unit according to claim 1, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the drawings.

20. A rainwater reclamation system according to claim 8, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the drawings.