WO2011022766A1

WO2011022766A1 - A rainhead

Info

Publication number: WO2011022766A1
Application number: PCT/AU2010/001090
Authority: WO
Inventors: Neil Davidson; Mayer Charles William Jung
Original assignee: Rain Harvesting Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2009-08-24
Filing date: 2010-08-24
Publication date: 2011-03-03
Also published as: AU2010286328B2; AU2010286328A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a rainhead. The rainhead includes a body for locating in fluid communication between a gutter and a drainage conduit. A plurality of cantilevered deflectors are arranged for deflecting coarse debris carried by water impinging upon the deflectors. In one embodiment, the rainhead further includes an insect screen for mounting to the body and impeding insects from entering the drainage conduit. In yet another embodiment, the rainhead further includes an outlet conduit for rotatably fastening relative to the body.

Description

A RAINHEAD TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention generally relates to a rainhead. Rainheads are also known as leader heads or conductor heads in some jurisdictions.

BACKGROUND The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

Over time, leaves and other debris can build up In roof gutters. In the event of rainfall, this debris is carried by collected rainwater and often blocks up downpipes, which can undesirably cause gutters to overflow. In addition, the debris can often block fitted first flush diverters, or leaf strainers at the inlet of water tanks. A rainhead can be located between a gutter and a downpipe to screen the debris, which could otherwise cause blockages in the downpipe. The rainhead typically includes a debris screen of coarse mesh, obliquely oriented relative to horizontal so as to deflect debris to the ground adjacent to the downpipe. In practice, however, debris can stick to the coarse mesh which can undesirably hamper the performance of the rainhead.

Embodiments of the present invention impede sticking of debris to the rainhead. The rainhead also typically includes an insect screen for preventing mosquitoes and other insects from entering the downpipe. The insect screen can include a frame and a fine mesh sheet mounted to the frame. In practice, the insect screen is often mounted obliquely to the horizontal and within the rainhead. Owing to the fine nature of the insect mesh, rainwater can be undesirably deflected from the insect screen rather than passing through it and into the downpipe.

Embodiments of the present invention facilitate improved passage of rainwater through the insect mesh.

In practice, an outlet on the underside of the rainhead is fastened directly to the downpipe. However, in practice, the downpipe may be misaligned with the rainhead. A straight and horizonal drainpipe with a pair of elbow fittings at either end is often installed to make the required connection between the rainhead and the downpipe.

Embodiments of the present invention facilitate improved connection of the rainhead to a misaligned pipe.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a rainhead including:

a body for locating in fluid communication between a gutter and a drainage conduit; and

a plurality of cantilevered deflectors for deflecting coarse debris carried by water impinging upon the deflectors. In some embodiments, the cantilevered deflectors may reciprocate or vibrate as rainwater passes over them, thereby impeding the debris from sticking to and remaining on the rainhead.

The cantilevered deflectors may form part of a debris screen for screening debris carried by rainwater from the gutter so that the debris is impeded from passing through the body and to the drainage conduit. The debris screen may be releasably connectable to the body. The debris screen may include a member for being received within one or more complementary formations of the body and about which the debris screen can pivot. In one embodiment, the member is adapted to be inserted into at least one slot or pocket formed in the body. The deflectors may downwardly extend from the member. Each deflector may be in the form of a straight and resilient tyne. In use, the deflectors may bend.

The body may include a splash guard to which the screen can be fastened and a funnel for fastening to the splash guard beneath the screen. The body may define an open inlet for receiving water from the gutter. The plurality of deflectors may be mounted in the open inlet.

The rainhead may further include an insect screen for mounting to the body and impeding insects from entering the drainage conduit. The insect screen may be releasably mounted to the mouth of a funnel of the body, and may include a plurality of fastening formations for engaging with fastening formations of the funnel. The insect screen may include a frame for mounting to the body obliquely to horizontal, and mesh mounted to the frame and defining a recess to facilitate the passage of rainwater through the mesh. The insect screen may also vibrate or reciprocate when water is passing over or through the screen.

The recess may, at least in part, be defined by three generally planar regions of the mesh. Two of the three regions may form respective acute angles with the horizontal that are both less than the angle formed between the frame and the horizontal. The three regions may consecutively decrease in slope from upper to lower regions.

The insect screen may further include a mounting paddle extending from the frame and for being received within a slot defined in the body. The insect screen may further include a plurality of posts extending from the frame and for snugly engaging within the body.

The rainhead may further include an outlet conduit for rotatably fastening relative to the body. The outlet conduit may include an elbow so as to facilitate fastening to either a horizontal or vertical drainage conduit. In one embodiment, the outlet conduit can be rotated through 360° relative to the body.

The splash guard, funnel, debris screen, insect screen and outlet conduit may each be formed from plastics material.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a rainhead assembly including:

the rainhead; and

a diverter for locating in fluid communication between the rainhead and the drainage conduit, the diverter including a valve arrangement for closing to divert subsequent rainwater to another drainage conduit.

The diverter may initially divert rainwater to the drainage conduit or to a storage volume for subsequent use or disposal.,

The valve arrangement may include:

a seat within the diverter;

a seal that can move between an open position in which it does not engage with the seat, and a closed position in which the seal engages with the seat; and

a hygroscopic material that can move the seal between the open and closed positions. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a deflection means for a rainhead, the deflection means including:

a member; and

a plurality of cantilevered deflectors extending from the member and adapted for deflecting coarse debris carried by rainwater.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a rainhead including:

a body for locating in fluid communication between a gutter and a drainage conduit; and an insect screen for impeding insects from entering the drainage conduit, the insect screen including three generally planar regions of mesh, a first region extending at a first angle, the second region extending at a second and different angle and the third region extending at a third and different angle.

The passage of rainwater through the insect mesh can be facilitated by the three generally planar regions of mesh. The three planar regions of mesh may form part of a recess in the mesh.

The three planar regions of mesh may be arranged such that the three regions of mesh consecutively decrease in slope from an uppermost region to lowermost region.

The three planar regions of mesh are suitably arranged such that the uppermost region is at a steep slope, the intermediate region is at a less steep slope and the lowermost region is at the least steep slope. In this manner, rainwater can first contact the uppermost and steepest region. Any debris that may be carried by the water and that cannot pass through the mesh is caught by the mesh in the uppermost region. Due to the steep slope of that region, any debris caught by the mesh in the uppermost region tends to get washed downwardly by the water impinging upon the mesh. However, due to the steep slope of the mesh in that region, the water itself also tends to get diverted by the mesh rather than passing through the mesh. The water subsequently impinges upon the intermediate region and the lowermost region, both of which are at less steep angles than in the uppermost region. As a result, the acceleration of the water tends to decrease in these regions and the water tends to dam or puddle in these regions. This facilitates the passage of water through the mesh in those regions whilst also avoiding excessive splashing of water from the mesh into the rain head.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an insect screen for a rainhead, the insect screen including: a frame; and

mesh mounted to the frame and defining a recess, the recess at least in part being defined by three generally planar regions of the mesh. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a rainhead including:

an outlet conduit adapted for rotation relative to the body.

The outlet conduit may define an elbow so that the outer conduit can be rotated relative to the body to an orientation that facilitates connection of the rainhead to a misaligned pipe. For example, the rainhead can be connected to a misaligned downpipe with a straight horizontal pipe bearing a single elbow at one end only.

In one embodiment, the outlet conduit can be rotated through 360° relative to an outlet of the body. In one embodiment, the outlet conduit includes a flange extending around one end thereof, the flange contacting the body in the vicinity of the outlet from the body, the flange preventing removal of the conduit through the outlet whilst allowing rotation of the conduit relative to the outlet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting . the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

Figure 1a is a perspective view of a rainhead in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 1b is a front view of the rainhead of Figure 1a; Figure 2 is a side sectional view of the rainhead of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a side exploded view of the rainhead of Figure 1 ;

Figure 4 is a side view of the rainhead of Figure 1 with an outlet conduit oriented to connect with a horizontal drainage conduit; Figure 5 is a side view of the rainhead of Figure 4 with the outlet conduit oriented to connect with a vertical drainage conduit;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a rainhead assembly including the rainhead of Figure 1 connected to a first flush water diverter; and

Figure 7 is a side sectional view of the rainhead assembly of Figure 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a rainhead 2 as shown in Figure 1. The rainhead 2 includes a body 4 for connecting in fluid communication between a raised gutter (not shown) and a lower drainage conduit (not shown). The rainhead 2 also includes a debris screen 6 for screening debris carried by rainwater from the gutter so that the debris is impeded from passing, with the rainwater, through the body 4 and to the drainage conduit. The debris screen 6 includes a plurality of cantilevered deflectors 8 for deflecting the debris. The cantilevered deflectors 8 reciprocate or vibrate as rainwater passes over them, thereby impeding the debris from sticking to the rainhead 2. The rainhead 2 also includes a recessed insect screen 10 located beneath the debris screen so as to impede insects from entering the drainage conduit. A detailed description of the rainhead 2 is provided below. Turning to Figure 1b, the body 4 includes an upper splash guard 12 to which the debris screen 6 can be releasably fastened, and a lower funnel 14 for fastening to the splash guard 12. The debris screen 6 includes a member 16 with a pair of protrusions 20 (se Fig. 3) for slotting within respective complementary keyhole-shaped formations 18a, 18b defined at the rear of the splash guard 12. Each deflector 8 is in the form of a straight and resilient tyne, and the parallel deflectors 8 downwardly extend from the member 16 to their free ends. In use, the debris screen 6 pivots about its member 16 as the deflectors 8 reciprocate or vibrate when rainwater passes over them. When a leaf is caught or becomes stuck on the debris¹ screen 6, the falling water passing over the leaf imparts its energy via the leaf into the screen 6 which results in an agitation of the whole spring loaded screen 6.

The insect screen 10 can be releasably mounted to the mouth of the funnel 14 to prevent insects from entering the drainage conduit. The insect screen 10 includes a generally rectangular frame 22 which is mounted to the funnel 14 obliquely to horizontal, and fine mesh 24 mounted to the frame 22. The frame

22 defines a plurality of fastening holes 26 through which fastening protrusions (not shown) extending upwardly from the funnel 14 can be engaged.

Turning to Figure 2, the insect screen 10 defines a recess 28 to facilitate the passage of rainwater through the mesh 24. As can best be seen in Figure 3, the recess is, in part, defined by three planar regions 30a, 30b, 30c of the mesh 24. The three regions 30a, 3Ob₁ 30c consecutively decrease in slope from the upper region 30a to the lower region 30c. Moreover, the regions 30b and 30c form respective acute angles with the horizontal that are both less than the angle formed between the frame 22 and the horizontal. In use, water traveling downward along the mesh 24 decelerates as the slope of the mesh 24 decreases, collecting above the lowermost region 30c of the recess to facilitate the seepage of rainwater through the mesh 24. In a similar manner to the debris screen 6, the insect screen 10 also reciprocates or vibrates to free any stuck debris as rainwater impacts upon it. Elaborating further, rainwater can first contact the uppermost and steepest region 30a. Any debris that may be carried by the water and that cannot pass through the mesh 24 is caught by the mesh 24 in the uppermost region 30a. Due to the steep slope of that region 30a, any debris caught by the mesh 24 in the uppermost region 30a tends to get washed downwardly by the water impinging upon the mesh 24. However, due to the steep slope of the mesh 24 in that region 30a, the water itself also tends to get diverted by the mesh 24 rather than passing through the mesh 24. The water subsequently impinges upon the intermediate region 30b and the lowermost region 30c, both of which are at less steep angles than in the uppermost region 30a. As a result, the acceleration of the water tends to decrease in these regions 30b, 30c and the water tends to dam or puddle in these regions 30b, 30c. This facilitates the passage of water through the mesh 24 in those^" regions 30b, 30c whilst also avoiding excessive splashing of water from the mesh 24 into the rain head 2.

Returning briefly to Figure 1b, the insect screen 10 further includes a mounting paddle 32 extending from the upper edge of the frame 22. The paddle 32 can be received within a slot defined in the body 4. A plurality of dampening and alignment fingers 34 extend upwardly from the paddle 32 and are interleaved between the deflectors 8. The fingers 34 laterally engage with respective deflectors 8. In addition, the paddle 32 and fingers 34 together form a rear comb which conditions and controls water flow from the deflectors 8, prior to passage through the mesh 24. As can best be seen in Figure 3, the insect screen 10 further includes a plurality of alignment posts 36 extending downwardly from the frame 22. The alignment posts 36 snugly engage against an inner wall of the funnel 14 to align the insect screen 10 in register with the funnel 14. The posts 36 deflect water, running down the underside of the mesh 24, back into the funnel 14.

Turning to Figure 4, the rainhead 2 further includes an outlet conduit 38 for rotatably fastening relative to the funnel 14. The outlet conduit 38 defines an elbow so as to facilitate fastening to either a horizontal conduit when oriented as shown in Figure 4, or a vertical drainage conduit when oriented as shown in Figure 5. The outlet conduit 38 can be rotated relative to the body 4 to the orientation shown in Figure 4 and facilitates connection of the rainhead 2 to a misaligned downpipe, with an intermediate straight horizontal pipe bearing a single elbow at one end only. The outlet conduit 38 can also be rotated through 360° relative to the funnel 14 to facilitate fastening to conduits aligned at other angles.

The outlet conduit 38 includes a flange extending around one end thereof. The flange contacts the body 4 in the vicinity of an outlet from the body. The flange prevents removal of the conduit 38 through the outlet whilst allowing rotation of the conduit 38relative to the outlet.

The splash guard 12, funnel 14, debris screen 6, insect screen 10 and outlet conduit 38 are each integrally molded from plastics material. Alternatively, the insect screen 10 may be formed by attaching respective frame 22 and insect mesh 24 parts together.

Turning to Figure 6, there is provided a rainhead assembly 40 including the rainhead 2 and a first flush diverter 42 connected in fluid communication between the rainhead 2 and the drainage conduit (not shown). As can best be seen in Figure 7, the diverter 42 defines a tubular body 50 through which rainwater is initially diverted. The diverter 42 includes an internal valve arrangement 46 which seals the tubular body 50 after the throughput of initial rainwater so that subsequent rainwater is then diverted to a spout 48 (see Fig. 6) located above the valve arrangement 46. In turn the spout 48 is coupled to the drainage conduit which could, for example, be a drain pipe extending to a water tank.

The valve arrangement 46 is mounted within the tubular body 50 and can, for example, include a valve arrangement described in WO2009/003245, which is incorporated herein by reference.

The valve arrangement 46 can include a seat 52 within the tubular body 50. A seal 54 can move between an open position in which it does not engage with the seat 52 so that the initial rainwater can pass through the tubular body 50, and a closed position in which the seal 54 engages with the seat 52 to seal the tubular body 50 against the throughput of water. The valve arrangement 46 can further include hygroscopic material that can move the seal 54 between the open and closed positions.

A person skilled in the art will appreciate that many embodiments and variations can be made without departing from the ambit of the present invention.

In use, the resilient deflectors 8 may bend as water passes over them. Alternatively, the deflectors 8 may be rigid and pivot about the member 16 from which they extend. In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.

Claims

The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. A rainhead including:

a plurality of cantilevered deflectors for deflecting coarse debris carried by water impinging upon the deflectors.

2. A rainhead as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the cantilevered deflectors are configured to reciprocate or vibrate as rainwater passes over them, thereby impeding the debris from sticking to and remaining on the rainhead.

3. A rainhead as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the cantilevered deflectors form part of a debris screen for screening debris carried by rainwater from the gutter so that the debris is impeded from passing through the body and to the drainage conduit.

4. A rainhead as claimed in claim 3, wherein the debris screen is releasably connectable to the body.

5. A rainhead as claimed in claim 3, wherein the debris screen includes a member for being received within one or more complementary formations of the body and about which the debris screen can pivot.

6. A rainhead as claimed in claim 5, wherein the deflectors downwardly extend from the member.

7. A rainhead as claimed in claim 3, wherein each deflector is in the form of a straight and resilient tyne.

8. A rainhead as claimed in claim 3, wherein the body includes a splash guard to which the screen can be fastened and a funnel for fastening to the splash guard beneath the screen.

9. A rainhead as claimed in claim 1 , further including an insect screen for mounting to the body and impeding insects from entering the drainage conduit.

10. A rainhead as claimed in claim 9, wherein the insect screen can be releasably mounted to the mouth of a funnel of the body, and includes a plurality of fastening formations for engaging with fastening formations of the funnel.

11. A rainhead as claimed in claim 9, wherein the insect screen includes a frame for mounting to the body obliquely to horizontal, and mesh mounted to the frame and defining a recess to facilitate the passage of rainwater through the mesh.

12. A rainhead as claimed in claim 11, wherein the insect screen is configured to vibrate or reciprocate when water is passing over or through the screen.

13. A rainhead as claimed in claim 11 wherein the recess, at least in part, is defined by three generally planar regions of the mesh.

14. A rainhead as claimed in claim 13 wherein two of the three regions form respective acute angles with the horizontal that are both less than the angle formed between the frame and the horizontal.

15. A rainhead as claimed in claim 13, wherein the three regions consecutively decrease in slope from upper to lower regions.

16. A rainhead as claimed in claim 9, wherein the insect screen includes a plurality of posts extending from the frame and for snugly engaging within the body.

17. A rainhead as claimed in claim 1 , further including an outlet conduit for rotatably fastening relative to the body.

18. A rainhead as claimed in claim 17, wherein the outlet conduit includes an elbow so as to facilitate fastening to either a horizontal or vertical drainage conduit.

19. A rainhead as claimed in claim 17, wherein the outlet conduit can be rotated through 360° relative to the body.

20. A rainhead as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the body and deflectors are each formed from plastics material.

21. A rainhead assembly including:

a rainhead as claimed in claim 1 ; and

22. A rainhead assembly as claimed in claim 21 , wherein the diverter initially diverts rainwater to the drainage conduit or to a storage volume for subsequent use or disposal.

23. A rainhead assembly as claimed in claim 21 , wherein the valve arrangement includes:

a seat within the diverter;

a hygroscopic material that can move the seal between the open and closed positions.

24. A deflection means for a rainhead, the deflection means including: a member; and

25. A rainhead including:

an insect screen for impeding insects from entering the drainage conduit, the insect screen including three generally planar regions of mesh, a first region extending at a first angle, a second region extending at a second and different angle and a third region extending at a third and different angle.

26. A rainhead as claimed in claim 25, wherein the three planar regions of mesh form at least part of a recess in the mesh.

27. A rainhead as claimed in claim 25, wherein the three planar regions of mesh are arranged such that the three regions of mesh consecutively decrease in slope from an uppermost region to a lowermost region.

28. A rainhead as claimed in claim 27, wherein the three planar regions of mesh are arranged such that the uppermost region is at a steep slope, the intermediate region is at a less steep slope and the lowermost region is at the least steep slope.

29. A rainhead as claimed in claim 25, wherein the insect screen is configured to vibrate or reciprocate when water is passing over or through the screen.

30. A rainhead as claimed in claim 25, wherein the insect screen can be releasably mounted to the mouth of a funnel of the body, and includes a plurality of fastening formations for engaging with fastening formations of the funnel.

31. A rainhead as claimed in claim 25, wherein the insect screen includes a frame for mounting to the body obliquely to horizontal, the mesh being mounted to the frame.

32. A rainhead as claimed in claim 25, wherein the insect screen includes a plurality of posts extending from the frame and for snugly engaging within the body.

33. A rainhead as claimed in claim 25, further including a debris screen for screening debris carried by rainwater from the gutter so that the debris is impeded from passing through the body and to the drainage conduit.

34. A rainhead as claimed in claim 33, wherein the debris screen includes cantilevered deflectors.

35. A rainhead as claimed in claim 25, further including an outlet conduit for rotatably fastening relative to the body.

36. An insect screen for a rainhead, the insect screen including:

a frame; and

mesh mounted to the frame and defining a recess, the recess at least in part being defined by three generally planar regions of the mesh.

37. A rainhead assembly including:

a rainhead as claimed in claim 25; and

38. A rainhead assembly as claimed in claim 37, wherein the diverter initially diverts rainwater to the drainage conduit or to a storage volume for subsequent use or disposal.

39. A rainhead assembly as claimed in claim 37, wherein the valve arrangement includes:

a seat within the diverter; a seal that can move between an open position in which it does not engage with the seat, and a closed position in which the seal engages with the seat; and

40. A rainhead including:

an outlet conduit adapted for rotation relative to the body.

41. A rainhead as claimed in claim 40, wherein the outlet conduit defines an elbow so that the outer conduit can be rotated relative to the body to an orientation that facilitates connection of the rainhead to a misaligned pipe.

42. A rainhead as claimed in claim 40, wherein the outlet conduit can.be rotated through 360° relative to an outlet of the body.

43. A rainhead as claimed in claim 40, wherein the outlet conduit includes a flange, the flange preventing removal of the conduit from the body whilst allowing rotation of the conduit relative to the body.

44. A rainhead as claimed in claim 40, further including a debris screen for screening debris carried by rainwater from the gutter so that the debris is impeded from passing through the body and to the drainage conduit.

45. A rainhead as claimed in claim 44, wherein the debris screen is releasably connectable to the body and includes cantilevered deflectors.

46. A rainhead as claimed in claim 45, wherein the deflectors downwardly extend from the member and each deflector is in the form of a straight and resilient tyne.

47. A rainhead as claimed in claim 44, wherein the debris screen includes a member for being received within one or more complementary formations of the body and about which the debris screen can pivot.

48. A rainhead as claimed in claim 40, wherein the body includes a splash guard to which the screen can be fastened and a funnel for fastening to the splash guard beneath the screen.

49. A rainhead as claimed in claim 40, further including an insect screen for mounting to the body and impeding insects from entering the drainage conduit.

50. A rainhead as claimed in claim 49, wherein the insect screen can be releasably mounted to the mouth of a funnel of the body, and includes a plurality of fastening formations for engaging with fastening formations of the funnel.

51. A rainhead as claimed in claim 49, wherein the insect screen includes a frame for mounting to the body obliquely to horizontal, and mesh mounted to the frame and defining a recess to facilitate the passage of rainwater through the mesh.

52. A rainhead as claimed in claim 51, wherein the insect screen is configured to vibrate or reciprocate when water is passing over or through the screen.

53. A rainhead as claimed in claim 51 wherein the recess, at least in part, is defined by three generally planar regions of the mesh.

54. A rainhead as claimed in claim 53 wherein two of the three regions form respective acute angles with the horizontal that are both less than the angle formed between the frame and the horizontal.

55. A rainhead as claimed in claim 53, wherein the three regions consecutively decrease in slope from upper to lower regions.

56. A rainhead as claimed in claim 40, further including an outlet conduit for rotatably fastening relative to the body.

57. A rainhead as claimed in claim 56, wherein the outlet conduit includes an elbow so as to facilitate fastening to either a horizontal or vertical drainage conduit.

58. A rainhead assembly including:

a rainhead as claimed in claim 40; and

59. A rainhead assembly as claimed in claim 58, wherein the diverter initially diverts rainwater to the drainage conduit or to a storage volume for subsequent use or disposal.

60. A rainhead assembly as claimed in claim 58, wherein the valve arrangement includes:

a seat within the diverter;