GB2425564A

GB2425564A - Rainwater collector tank

Info

Publication number: GB2425564A
Application number: GB0604814A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Huma Altaf
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-03-09
Filing date: 2006-03-09
Publication date: 2006-11-01
Anticipated expiration: 2026-03-09
Also published as: GB2425564B; GB0604814D0

Abstract

A rain water collector tank, tank k which attaches to the cut down pipe of a house, g, (this receives water from gutters)by using pipe j. Pipe g attaches to j using h as a joiner the rain water collected from the roofs flows down pipe j and i into tank k where it collects and can be used when required using tap p. The tank is on legs and the pipes joints at j and i are flexible so the tank can be placed at any angle and any position. There is a sieve at the end of pipe i which can screw on and off. There is a sieve on the under side of lid l which can also be used to catch rain water when placed face up. There is also a detachable overflow pipe.

Description

1 2425564 Rain Water Collector.

This invention relates to the saving and collecting of rain water from the roof or any other part of the building which is collected in a plastic tank rather than go down to the drain and be wasted. The water is collected from the main pipe which collects water from the roof pipes and carries it down to the main drain.

When it rains rain water flows down the roof into the guttering from the guttering it flows through small pipes and then to one main pipe at the end the down pipe. This pipe when it is raining heavily and even when it is not empties into the main drains at the side of the house and at the back of the house and at the front of the house. This rain water is lost down the drains. This water which can be used for many uses and is relatively clean is wasted.

When there is a shortage of water in certain areas then there may be hoes pipe bans as there have been in parts of England in previous years. Some people have large gardens and flower beds and would like to maintain them. We also have a responsibility to save our resources for us and especially the next generation our children. Some areas and maybe all areas in the future may have water meters put in.

This will increase the cost of water for everyone. But some of this water used by the household does not need to come from the taps. Water from taps is usually processed and pumped around so it costs companies and ultimately the consumer money. Some of the uses of this tap water is watering the grass, washing outdoor equipment, washing tractors, washing wellington boots etc. These uses of water do not need to use processed tap water and collected rain water is sufficient for these uses.

To overcome this wastage of rain water the present invention proposes a rain water collecting tank, to attach a pipe to the water drain pipe or down pipe, (this pipe collects water from the roof guttering,) and collect rain water in a large tank, the down pipe which collects all the rain water from one part of the roof or house is cut 6 foot from the ground, the top pipe of the water collector is attached to this pipe by placing it below it and placing a connector on top, a seal is created, this pipe of the water collector tank attaches at one end to the down pipe but at the other to the water collector tank, both ends of these pipes are flexible as they are connected and sealed by a plastic cover which allows flexibility if required but may be rigid too, the water collects in the tank rather than go down the drain, the tank is on legs which holds it above the ground, there is a sieve placed at the top of the tank which can be removed and cleaned regularly, there is a tap near the base of the tank to allow the stored rain water to be poured into a watering can or a container for use.

The tank may be of different sizes and the pipes may be of different circumferences to match the pipe already fitted to the house. These water collector tanks can be one to each house or if space allows one per down pipe. The flexibility of the pipe especially when fitting the tank means that the tank can be positioned where required. The size variation of the tank means that all house sizes can fit one, maybe a medium small or large tank. The filter ensures that any debris that flow through the rain water drain can be caught and retained for removal when cleaning the filter.

The advantages of this system are that rain water that is ordinarily lost can be used to water lawns, water flower beds, wash out door equipment, wash children's trainers after football, wash out door tools, wash farm tools rather than use tap water which may be scarce or at least cost more and conservation in all areas is a must for the betterment of our future. Conserving water and keeping costs down especially when there is a shortage of water is important.

The invention will now be described by an example of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 shows a down pipe as it is without a water collector tank connected.

Figure 2 shows the down pipe cut.

Figure 3 shows the water collector tank Figure 4 shows the water tank connected to the rain water pipe or down pipe.

In Figure 1, a, is the water coming down the down pipe or pipe which collects water from the gutters of the house and the water, a, flows from the roof of the house to the outside drain, b. c, joins the pipe to the house wall and, d, is ajoint to join two separate pipes. e, is the part of the pipe that is cut off and removed.

Figure 2 shows the down pipe has been cut at g. f is the length above the ground around 6 ft where the pipe needs to be cut, this height allows the flow of water into the tank. If a stabiliser, c, does not exist near the cut down pipe then it will have to be placed just above the cut down pipe.

Figure 3 shows the joiner, h, which slips on top of the two pipes when they are placed together, this would bej and g, the water collector pipe and the down pipe attached to the wall. This joiner, Ii, is made from plastic. It may be of two types one that is completely flexible throughout the life of the water tank, except damage or wear and tear and the other type is rigid after fixing. When this is put in place the pipe, j, will be flexible and be able to be positioned at any angle. Pipe, i, will also be flexible and will be able to be placed at any angle this means the tank, k, can be placed anywhere and at any angle it can then be secured and the position finalised and joins can then be sealed tightly. The lid of the tank, 1, can be removed and placed back. It is reversible and if the 1(b) side is face up this can also collect rain water which can pour down the sloping sides to the hole, the hole that is on one side of the lid has a sieve and then the sieved water can pass into the main tank, k. m and n are removable sieves and ensure no large objects are in the water. Sieve m and n screw into and out of place. The legs, o, of the tank raise the tank above ground level and the tap, p, ensures water can be used when required.

Figure 4 shows the water collector attached to the down pipe and water will run down this pipe and straight into the tank and not go into the main drain. An over flow pipe, q, is attached to the tank which is flexible and can be put into the main drain. This is for when the tank becomes full and the over flow pipe is removable so it can be attached when the tank is nearly full.

The tank and pipes can be of any size and can be of plastic but if fashion desires other materials can be used.

Minor alterations can be made to ensure the tank can fit on the top of an extension or a very small house or flat. This would involve changes to the length of the pipe or and the size of the tank and or the breath of the tank. Any material may be used but initially black plastic will be used but any colour can be used.

Claims

Claims.

1. A rain water collecting tank which collects rainwater, a plastic pipe is connected to the rain water down pipe of the house which collects water from the gutters, this is cut, the plastic pipe is connected, this pipe leads to the tank which collects that rain water, the tank will have a tap which allows access to the stored rainwater when it is needed to be used.

2. The pipe according to claim 1, which attaches to the down pipe will be flexible at the join and can be positioned in any position. A plastic cover will fit over the connection of the two pipes making the flow smooth. There will be a sieve to stop large objects from getting in the tank. The pipe connection at the tank will be flexible allowing the tank to be placed at any angle or position.

3. The size and shape of the rain water collector tank according to claim 1 can be any * size or shape but the main shape will be square, rectangle or cuboid, any material can be used for the water collector tank or pipes and connections, the tank is on legs and is lifted above ground, there is an overflow pipe and a lid to the water collector tank which is slanting or sloping and any rain which lands on the lid slides down to a sieved entry point into the rain water collector tank.

3. The size and shape of the tank according to claim I can be any size or shape but the main shape will be square or rectangle. Any material can be used for tank or pipes and connections. The tank is on legs and is above ground level. There is an overflow pipe.

There is a reversible lid which allows rain water to flow into the main part of the tank when it is placed face up after the water has been sieved through the sieve.

AMENDMENTS TO THE CLAIMS HAVE BEEN FILED AS FOLLOWS

1. A rain water collecting tank which collects rain water from the down pipe and from rain falling directly on it, a plastic pipe or connector connects from the rain water collector tank directly to the horizontally cut down pipe of the house, this allows all water collected from the gutters connected to that down pipe to empty into the water collector tank, the water collector has a sieve between itself and the down pipe to stop debris and stones entering the water collector tank, the water collector has an inclined or slanting lid so that any rainwater that lands on the slanting lid can enter or pour down the slanting lid into the water collector tank via the sieved entrance, the water collector tank has a tap to allow access to the stored rainwater.

2. The coimector or pipe according to claim 1 which connects to the down pipe will be flexible at the join and can be positioned in any position or angle, this allows the water tank to be positioned at any angle or position and so can accommodate any * shape or size of house, there is a piece of gutter pipe which fits between the down : * pipe and connector which can be cut to any required size this allows the water * collector tank to be placed any distance away from the house or down pipe depending on the length of the gutter pipe fitted, a plastic cover can be placed over the * . connection of the two pipes making the seal secure but it can be secured in place * *. without this plastic cover, there will be a sieve between the rain water landing on the slanting lid and pouring into the rain water collector tank and a sieve between the water entering directly from the down pipe.