Apparatus for the collection of rainwater from a downpipe

Abstract

A pipe of diameter significantly less than that of the downpipe is inserted up from the bottom of the downpipe and extends up the inside of the downpipe. The upper face of this inner tube is sealed so that water does not pour into its end. The wall of the inner tube is perforated so that water can flow into it from the sides as and when the downpipe fills with water to that level. The other end of this tube is in communication with the water butt allowing the water to flow from the downpipe to the water butt until the levels equalize or that in the downpipe falls below the level of said perforations.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is the national stage entry of, and claims priority to, UK patent application serial number GB 1204979.7, titled “Apparatus for the collection of rainwater from a downpipe”, and filed on Mar. 21, 2012, the entire specification of which is hereby incorporated by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]This invention pertains to water collection generally, and more particularly to collection of rainwater from building runoff.[0004]2. Discussion of the State of the Art[0005]Getting the rainwater from the roof on which it falls into a suitable holding tank can be achieved simply by placing a tank (also known as a “water butt” or, in the United States, a “rain barrel”) under the open end of a downpipe (or “downspout”) connected directly or indirectly to the guttering around the roof. Water simply flows down the pipe and into the barrel.[0006]However, there are a number of disadvantages to this approach. The loca...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention is a device that collects rainwater from a vertical pipe, like a downspout from a house. The bottom of the pipe is sealed to create a column of water when it rains. A perforated inner pipe, fed up from the bottom of the downpipe, allows the water to flow into a holding tank, like a rain barrel. The device uses existing down pipes that already have a void at the bottom and can hold water if sealed. It includes a gasket or shoe that can be attached to the bottom of an existing downpipe without damaging it. The invention uses ducts that pass through the seal and up into the existing downpipe to collect water from a specific height. This device is simple and space-efficient.

Problems solved by technology

In many parts of the world, water is scarce and becoming scarcer.

However, adding rainwater collection to an existing building is sufficiently problematic that this valuable and free resource is often allowed to go to waste.

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