GB2460229A

GB2460229A - Rainwater Collector and Diverter

Info

Publication number: GB2460229A
Application number: GB0809096A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Chris Litherland
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-05-20
Filing date: 2008-05-20
Publication date: 2009-11-25
Also published as: GB0809096D0

Abstract

The Rainwater Collector and Diverter (RCD) collects rainwater and diverts it to water butts or storage tanks. A rainwater diverter is connected to a buildings downpipe and diverts water to the rainwater collector and diverter from where the rainwater is fed to a number of water butts which may be connected in series. The rainwater collector and diverter has a pipe connector connected to its base with a flexible hose from the connector to the water butts. The rainwater and collector diverter preferably has a tap connected to its base to allow the collector and diverter to be emptied. The rainwater collector and diverter may have a square or round cross section and be of a similar size to existing downpipes. The rainwater and collector diverter is an unobtrusive device and allows the property owner the flexibility to position water butts at a suitable and convenient location on the property.

Description

Rainwater Collector and Diverter Collecting rainwater is an important process in conserving our natural resources. For the property owner the usual method of collecting rainwater is by having it diverted from a down pipe directly into storage tanks or water butts. Due to their design water butts are usually positioned close to the building and down pipe it collects water from. They take up space and can be unsightly, which can deter the property owner from collecting rainwater.

The Rainwater Collector and Diverter (RCD) is an unobtrusive device which facilitates the collection of rainwater and allows the water butts to be positioned in a more convenient or remote location on the property.

The existing down pipe diverter (Fig. 1) is attached to the down pipe and transfers the rainwater to the RCD. The RCD collects rainwater and diverts it to the water butts, which are now located elsewhere, by means of water pressure through an attached flexible pipe.

The RCD can be square or round in cross-section and of similar size to the existing down pipe. It is attached vertically to the wall adjacent to or near the down pipe (Fig.1).

The flexible pipe is attached to a pipe connector located at the bottom of the RCD (Fig.2). The other end of the flexible pipe is attached either to the water butt tap (Figs. 1, 3 & 4) or a pipe connector located at a similar height to the tap (Fig. 5).

The RCD pipe cotmector is hidden from view by a second pipe made from the same material as the main RCD which acts as a stand to take the weight of the RCD when full of water (Fig.2).

A tap iscomiected near the bottom of the RCD (Fig.l) which will empty the RCD and water butts when needed.

Figure 1 shows a typical RCD configuration.

Figure 2 shows the detail of the flexible pipe connector and the potential use of different diameter flexible pipe which will affect the rate of water flow.

Figures 3 and 4 show typical configurations when multiple water butts are attached by using T-connectors attached to the flexible pipe.

Figure 5 shows how a flexible pipe connector can be connected to a water butt with the flexible pipe attached. This configuration allows the water butt to be filled while still using the water butt tap.

Note: All diagrams show flexible pipe laid on the ground, however water diversion will continue to be effective if the flexible pipe is laid beneath the surface/underground and out of sight.