GB2476281A

GB2476281A - Gutter and downpipe rainwater collection and storage

Info

Publication number: GB2476281A
Application number: GB0922103A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Bridge
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-12-17
Filing date: 2009-12-17
Publication date: 2011-06-22
Anticipated expiration: 2029-12-17
Also published as: GB0922103D0; GB2476281B

Abstract

The invention relates to a rainwater collection and storage system in which rainwater run off 1 from a roof of a building is collected and stored in a system of gutters 2 and down pipes 4 adapted to retain rainwater as well as divert excess to storm drains or a second collection device. The rainwater preferably passes through a filter 3 into the down pipe 4 preferably in communication with the a system 5 by means of a standard size pipe 6 which may incorporate a one way valve to prevent backflow from a conventional water supply to the rain supply. Alternatively rainwater from down pipes would be fed direct to toilets and the like by means of a standard size pipe 7. Excess rainwater is diverted via an overflow 9 to down pipes which may incorporate drain points 10 for cleaning and maintenance of the system. Collected rainwater is used only to supplement conventional supply to toilets and the like which does not require purified water.

Description

Rain water Recirculation

Technical field of invention

This invention relates to the collection, storage and distribution of rainwater.

Background Art

Due to the increasing need for conservation of resources and energy many systems have been proposed to supplement or replace municipal water.

In many of these systems the rainwater which falls onto the roof of a building is collected by gutters located at the periphery of the roof and diverted through down pipes to storage tanks.

The storage tanks can be large and unsightly situated within the grounds of the building at ground level.

Alternatively the tanks may be situated underground requiring significant and costly excavation.

When the rainwater collected in these storage tanks is for use within the building some form of pumping mechanism is required.

The rainwater collected in the tanks is then pumped to another storage tank, usually situated in the roof space of the building, and used for purposes which do not require purified water such as toilet flushing and the like.

Statement of Invention

The present invention proposes to utilise a system of gutters and down pipes to collect and retain a predetermined amount of rainwater run off from the roof of a building and also divert excess rainwater to existing storm drain or second collection device.

The collected rainwater would then be directly re-circulated into the current plumbing system inside the building for purposes which do not require purified water such as toilet flushing, washing machines and the like.

The system would supplement the municipal water supply and relieve the storm drains whilst requiring no mechanical pumping, no extra storage tanks and no requirement for extra space to locate storage tanks.

The system would be easily accessed for cleaning and maintenance and existing conventional gutter and down pipe system would be easily replaced by the proposed system, or could be modified.

Gutters and down pipes in the proposed system could be of conventional sizes or adapted for individual conditions such as average rainfall and roof area and storage capacity.

Introduction to Drawing

An example of the invention will now be described by referring to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 shows the system in communication with the mains water supply which is servicing only toilets and the like.

Figure 1 also shows the system in direct communication with toilets and the like.

Figure 2 shows how down pipes would be interconnected.

Figure 3 shows how an overflow may be formed in the gutter.

Figure 4 shows how a down pipe would be adapted to receive overflow only Figure 5 (a) and (b) shows how a down pipe would be adapted to retain rainwater and receive overflow.

Figure 6 shows secret gutter located in soffit.

Detailed Description

Figure 1 Rainwater (1) from the roof is collected in the gutter (2) and passes through a filter mesh (3) to be stored in down pipes (4) adapted to retain and divert rainwater.

The down pipe is connected to the mains system (5) servicing toilets and the like, by a standard size feed pipe (6) which incorporates a one way valve to prevent backflow from the mains supply to rain supply.

Alternatively the feed (7) from the down pipes would go directly to the toilets and the like without being in communication with the mains supply (5) wherein no valve would be required.

Figure 1 One or more down pipes will incorporate drain points (10) at low level to facilitate clearing and maintenance of system.

Figure 2 Where more than one down pipe is connected to the same gutter the down pipes could be interconnected by any standard size pipe (8) so that only one feed pipe to the mains system would be required.

In the event that one continuous length of down pipe would not be sufficient to extend from gutter level to ground level, sections with water tight joints (Il) should be used.

Figure 3 The gutter at roof level will incorporate an overflow (9) to divert excess rainwater via a conventional down pipe to existing storm drain or second collection device.

Figure 4 Alternatively an overflow may be formed by adapting a conventional down pipe to extend through the gutter at a designated level.

Figure 5 (a) and (b) Down pipes may be adapted to both receive overflow and retain rainwater.

Figure 6 Alternatively the gutter would be located inside the soffit In this form of the invention a secret gutter (2) situated inside the soffit and being in communication with the down pipes and incorporating the overflow, would have the support of the soffit and therefore the potential for larger dimensions and greater storage capacity.

In another form of the invention the down pipes would incorporate connections to receive outside taps whereby using the collected rainwater for gardening purposes and the like.

Claims

Claims I. A rainwater collection and storage system characterised in that it comprises one or more rainwater collection means located on the roof of a building and being in communication with one or more interconnected down pipes wherein the down pipes and the collection means will serve the dual purpose of both retaining rainwater for direct distribution back into the building to supplement a conventional water supply and also divert excess rainwater to existing storm drains or second collection device.
2. A Rainwater collection and storage system according to claim 1. characterised in that the collection means comprises gutters located on or near the periphery of the roof.
3. A Rainwater collection and storage system according to claims 1. Or 2.Characterised in that the collection means also incorporates debris filters.
4. A Rainwater collection and storage system according to any of claims 1,2 or 3 characterised in that the collection means also incorporates an overflow system.
5. A Rainwater collection and storage system according to any of the above claims characterised in that a preformed overflow in the gutter is in communication with a conventional down pipe which leads to existing storm drain or second collection device.
6. A Rainwater collection and storage system according to any of the above claims characterised in that one or more down pipes are adapted to retain rainwater and also protrude into the collection means at a designated level to receive overflow.
7. A Rainwater collection and storage system according to any of the above claims characterised in that any joints between down pipes or gutters are of a water tight nature.
8. A Rainwater collection and storage system according to any of the above claims characterised in that one or more down pipes incorporate connections to receive standard size pipes being in communication with the current plumbing system of the building.
9. A Rainwater collection and storage system according to any of the above claims characterised in that any pipe being in communication with rainwater supply and conventional water supply incorporates a one-way valve to prevent backflow from conventional supply to rainwater supply.
10. A Rainwater collection and storage system according to any of the above claims characterised in that one or more down pipes incorporate a draining mechanism at low level.
11. A Rainwater collection and storage system according to any of the above claims characterised in that one or more down pipes incorporate connections to receive outside taps.
12. A Rainwater collection and storage system according to any of the above claims characterised in that a gutter is located inside the soffit of a roof.
13. A Rainwater collection and storage system substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.