Modular water tank in the shape of a bench seat with integrated mounting elements for fairing elements
A bench-shaped water tank with integrated fastening elements and modular connections addresses the challenge of integrating seating and rainwater storage, providing a space-saving, easily maintainable, and expandable solution for public spaces.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- DE · DE
- Patent Type
- Utility models
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-12-22
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-30
AI Technical Summary
Conventional water tanks are not designed to serve as load-bearing structures and require separate support structures when integrated into seating furniture, leading to increased material and space usage, and their integration into public spaces like sidewalks is underutilized.
A water tank designed with a geometry matching a bench seat, incorporating integrated fastening elements and connections for modular expansion, allowing it to serve as both a seating support and rainwater storage with detachable cladding, and connect to existing downpipes for rainwater collection.
The water tank combines seating and rainwater storage functions, saving space and materials by eliminating the need for additional support structures, enabling easy retrofitting and modular expansion, and facilitating maintenance.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Technical field
[0001] The invention relates to the field of water storage, in particular rainwater storage, as well as to seating furniture for public and private spaces. The invention relates to a water tank that simultaneously serves as the supporting structure of a bench and is intended for use in public spaces, for example on sidewalks or adjacent areas. State of the art
[0002] Conventional water tanks are typically designed purely as storage containers and do not perform any load-bearing functions. If a water tank is to be integrated into a piece of seating furniture, it is usually positioned within or beneath a separate supporting structure, which results in increased material, space, and installation costs.
[0003] In public spaces, especially on sidewalks, available space is severely limited. The so-called top strip of sidewalks is predominantly used for technical infrastructure or street furniture, without its volume being specifically utilized for rainwater storage. A functional combination of bench and rainwater storage system is virtually unknown in current technology. Object of the invention
[0004] The object of the invention is to provide a water tank that simultaneously serves as the supporting structure for a bench, thus eliminating the need for separate support structures. Furthermore, the water tank should be space-saving, modularly expandable, easy to maintain, and suitable for the use of rainwater in public spaces. Solution to the task
[0005] The problem is solved by a water tank whose geometry, including seat and backrest, is adapted to the outer shape of a bench seat. The water tank is designed to absorb the static forces of an attached bench seat cover.
[0006] For this purpose, the water tank has several fastening elements integrated into the tank body, designed as screw inserts or threaded bushings. These fastening elements allow for the detachable attachment of cladding elements to the tank body, while being designed in such a way that the water tank's watertightness is maintained.
[0007] The water tank has at least one inlet connection for filling, at least one outlet connection for emptying, and at least one vent connection. The inlet connection is designed so that the water tank can be connected to an existing downpipe of a building using a standard rain diverter, also known as a rain thief. Through this connection, rainwater can be drawn from the downpipe into the water tank without pressure and stored there.
[0008] In addition, further connections can be provided that allow a water-bearing connection between several water tanks, so that the storage volume can be expanded modularly. Advantages of the invention • The embodiment according to the invention offers in particular the following advantages: • The water tank takes over the load-bearing function of a bench seat, thus eliminating the need for additional support structures. • Combination of a seating element with a rainwater storage unit in one component. • Space-saving use of the volume available in public space, especially on sidewalks. • Easy retrofitting to existing buildings by connecting to existing downpipes using commercially available rain collectors. • Modular design through mechanical and water-bearing connection of several water tanks. • Maintenance-friendly design thanks to integrated inspection openings. • Flexible design through interchangeable cladding elements. • Suitable for stationary and mobile applications. Preferred embodiment
[0009] In a preferred embodiment, the water tank has a volume-optimized geometry adapted to the seat and backrest of a bench. The water tank is dimensioned to be suitable for use on the typical dimensions of the top edge of sidewalks found in public spaces.
[0010] Several mounting points are located on the top of the water tank, into which elastic damping elements, in particular rubber buffers, can be screwed. Cladding elements, for example made of wood, plastic or other suitable materials, can then be attached to these damping elements.
[0011] The water tank has at least one inspection opening or hatch that allows access to the interior of the water tank for cleaning and maintenance. Furthermore, the water tank is designed to be suitable for transport and storage on standard pallets.
[0012] The water tank is made of a material suitable for storing water. Summary
[0013] The invention relates to a water tank designed as the supporting structure of a bench and featuring integrated fastening elements for mounting cladding elements. The water tank can be connected to existing downpipes using commercially available rain collectors and enables space-saving, modular, and maintenance-friendly storage of rainwater, particularly in public spaces.
Claims
[1] Water tank for storing rainwater, wherein the tank has a wall thickness of 3 mm or more and 15 mm or less when the filling volume is greater than or equal to 100 l to less than or equal to 600 l, with an outer shape designed for use as the supporting structure of a bench with seat and backrest, wherein the water tank has several fastening elements integrated into the tank body (3), which are designed for the detachable attachment of cladding elements, characterized by , that the fastening elements are designed as screw inserts or threaded bushings embedded in the tank body, the fastening elements are arranged and designed in such a way that that they maintain the tightness of the water tank while simultaneously transferring forces from the mounted seat cover into the tank body. [2] Water tank according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that elastic damping elements, in particular rubber buffers, are arranged between the fastening elements (3) and the cladding elements. [3] Water tank according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the water tank has at least one connection for filling (4), at least one connection for emptying (5) and at least one connection for venting (2). [4] Water tank according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the water tank has an inlet connection (4) which is for connection to an existing downpipe by means of a commercially available fitting Rain collector / rain thief, is trained. [5] Water tank according to claim 3, characterized by , that the water tank has additional connections for fluidic or water-carrying connection with at least one other water tank (6). [6] Water tank according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the water tank is modular and that several water tanks can be mechanically and / or fluidically connected to each other. [7] Water tank according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that at least one inspection opening (1) or inspection hatch is provided on the top of the water tank to allow access to the interior of the water tank. [8] Water tank according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the water tank has a volume-optimized geometry that is adapted to the seat surface and backrest of a bench seat. [9] Water tank according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the paneling elements are designed as a seat surface, backrest and / or side paneling and can be attached to the fastening elements (3) by means of screw, plug or snap connections. [10] Water tank according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the water tank's external geometry is adapted to the dimensions of the upper strip of sidewalks that are common in public spaces. [11] Water tank according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the water tank is modularly expandable by arranging several water tanks to form a row of seats. [12] Water tank according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the water tank is made of a material suitable for storing water. [13] Water tank according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the water tank is dimensioned to be suitable for transport and storage on standard pallets.