Device for rain barrel overflow protection

Abstract

Device for rain barrel overflow protection for a standard device to prevent the overflow of a rain barrel (6), wherein the standard device consists of a pipe section (14) and a flap (10) and is installed in a downpipe (1) of a roof gutter, wherein the device has a tension spring (2) which is attached to the pipe section (14) above the flap (10), characterized in that a weight (5) is arranged in the rain barrel (6) which is connected to the tension spring (2) by a connecting element (3) and wherein an intermediate member (4) is provided which firmly connects the connecting element (3) to the flap (10), so that when the water level in the rain barrel (6) is below the weight (5), the weight (5) pulls the flap (10) down against the tensile force of the tension spring (2), and water flows from the downpipe (1) into the rain barrel (6).and when the water level in the rain barrel (6) rises above the position of the weight (5), the weight rises and the tension spring (2) contracts, so that the flap (10) is pulled up and the flow of rainwater into the rain barrel (6) is interrupted.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for rain barrel overflow protection for a standard device according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Many homeowners use rainwater for this purpose. A standard device is installed in the downpipe of the gutter for this. This standard device consists of a pipe section and a flap. To fill the barrel with water, the flap must be manually lowered. However, when the rain barrel is full, the flap must be raised. If this is forgotten, the rain barrel will either remain empty or overflow, which can have unpleasant consequences. Therefore, it would be beneficial to design the device so that the flap opens automatically when the rain barrel is empty and closes automatically when the rain barrel is full.

[0003] Utility models DE 88 04 639 U1, DE 295 15 181 U1 and DE 83 09 754 U1 describe the functions of the floats connected to the flap of the standard device, which automatically open and close the flap. The disadvantage of these devices is that the floats require guides and mounting devices, resulting in high manufacturing costs.

[0004] The device shown in utility model DE 91 07 901 U1 is too complicated and too expensive due to the lever mechanism of the float and its attachment in the rain barrel.

[0005] From DE 84 00 040 U1, a self-acting overflow protection device for rainwater tanks is known, comprising a bracket and a locking screw for attachment to the rainwater collection basin. A float lever is provided, which is movably connected to the bracket, and an extension lever is provided, which is positively connected to the float lever. A float is fixed to the float lever. A disadvantage is that the overflow protection device cannot automatically activate the introduction of rainwater when the rainwater collection basin has a low water level, because although a float is used, no weight is provided.

[0006] DE 78 23 757 U1 discloses a device for rainwater barrel overflow protection based on the use of a float to disengage the locking arm from a flap when the float rises due to a rising water level in the rainwater barrel. A torsion spring, designed as a clamp, then closes the flap inside the downpipe. However, this device also has the disadvantage of not being able to automatically activate the introduction of rainwater when the rainwater collection basin has a low water level.

[0007] In solving these problems, I set the following conditions: 1) a simple design of the device, 2) a reliable function, 3) easy assembly and disassembly and 4) The connection of the device to the flap must be possible without drilling into the flap.

[0008] The invention fulfills these conditions by means of a device for rain barrel overflow protection with the features specified in claim 1.

[0009] As shown in the single figure, the device serves as a rain barrel overflow protection and is assembled from a stainless steel tension spring 2, a connecting element 3, a weight 5, and an intermediate link 4. The intermediate link consists of a screw and a nut for attachment to the chain, or additionally, two perforated washers if the connecting elements 3 are made of rope or wire, and two perforated washers and nuts or wing nuts for attachment to the flap 10, which itself is attached via an axle 9 to a pipe section 14 into which the downpipe 1 opens at the top.

[0010] A stainless steel tension spring 2 is hooked at one end into the eyelet 7 on the standard device for the hook 8. The other end is connected to the weight 5 by a connecting element 3 (chain, rope, or wire). The intermediate link 4 is screwed onto the connecting element. The flap 10 is positioned between the two perforated discs on the screw of the intermediate link and clamped in place by tightening the nut or wing nuts. The position of the screw on the chain is chosen so that, when the tension spring 2 is untensioned, the flap 10 forms an angle of approximately 30° to the horizontal plane. The weight 5 is positioned in the rain barrel 6 using the adjusting screw 11.

[0011] The weights 5 must be made of water- and weather-resistant materials. The density of the weight 5 must approximately match the density of water. The cylindrical design of the weight 5 has a splash guard zone 12 at the top, which is equipped with holes 13 for water drainage. If water remains in the splash guard zone 12 after the water flow into the rain barrel 6 has ceased, it drains away, and the tension spring 2 pulls the flap 10 even higher. The splash guard zone 12 is important because, during a slow rain, the wall near the rain barrel 6 could become wet from the splashing water.

[0012] Because the weights do not require guides, they can be designed and manufactured in various shapes.

[0013] If the water level in the rain barrel 6 is below the weight 5, the weight 5 pulls the flap 10 down and the tension spring 2 is tightened. If the water level in the rain barrel 6 rises above the level of the weight 5, the weight 5 becomes lighter due to the buoyant force of the water, and the tension spring 2 contracts, pulling the flap 10 up, thus interrupting the flow of rainwater into the rain barrel 6. Reference symbol list 1 downpipe 2 tension springs 3 Connecting element 4 Intermediate link 5 Weight 6 rain barrels 7 Eyelet for the flap hook 8 hooks 9-axis 10 flap 11 Adjusting screw 12 Splash guard zone 13 bore 14 pipe sections

Claims

[1] Device for rain barrel overflow protection for a standard device to prevent the overflow of a rain barrel (6), wherein the standard device consists of a pipe section (14) and a flap (10) and is installed in a downpipe (1) of a roof gutter, wherein the device has a tension spring (2) which is attached to the pipe section (14) above the flap (10), characterized by, that a weight (5) is arranged in the rain barrel (6), which is connected to the tension spring (2) by a connecting element (3), and wherein an intermediate member (4) is provided which firmly connects the connecting element (3) to the flap (10), such that when the water level in the rain barrel (6) is below the weight (5), the weight (5) pulls the flap (10) down against the tensile force of the tension spring (2), and water flows from the downpipe (1) into the rain barrel (6), and when the water level in the rain barrel (6) is above the position of the weight (5), the weight rises and the tension spring (2) contracts, so that the flap (10) is pulled up and the flow of rainwater into the rain barrel (6) is interrupted. [2] The device according to claim 1 is characterized by , that the intermediate member (4) consists of a screw with nuts and perforated washers, with the help of which the firm connection of the flap (10) with the connecting element (3) is guaranteed without drilling on the flap (10). [3] Device according to claim 1, characterized by , that the weight (5) is cylindrical and has a splash guard zone (12) at the upper part, which is arranged with bores (13) at the boundary of a solid body of the weight (5). [4] Device according to claim 1, characterized by , that they can be used with different forms of weights (5).

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