AU757041B2

AU757041B2 - A rainwater tank

Info

Publication number: AU757041B2
Application number: AU45859/99A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Hanno Ketola
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-09-01
Filing date: 1999-09-01
Publication date: 2003-01-30
Anticipated expiration: 2019-09-01
Also published as: AU4585999A

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT 0 0 9 0 *0 0 0 0 0 *0 *9 0000r 00 Applicant(s): HANNO KETOLA Invention Title: A RAINWATER TANK The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: 2 A RAINWATER TANK FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to a rainwater storage tank designed to mount adjacent a downpipe.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION Conventional rainwater storage systems include a relatively large capacity concrete tank supported on the ground or a concrete slab, together with a pipe plumbed between roof guttering or a downpipe and the tank. Rainwater captured by the roof guttering is diverted to the tank, via the pipe, for storage purposes. The rainwater may be filtered upstream or downstream of the tank and depending on the 15 degree of filtration used as garden, washing or potable water.

Although this conventional storage system is effective in storing relatively large volumes of rainwater, it suffers S. 20 from the following drawbacks: i) the concrete tank is large and occupies a large amount of ground space; ii) installation of the storage system is expensive and labour intensive requiring heavy lifting equipment and S 25 generally a plumber to perform the installation; and iii) the storage system requires frequent maintenance with rainwater leakage in particular presenting an ongoing problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An intention of the present invention is to provide a rainwater storage tank that occupies relatively little space and can be installed with ease.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a rainwater tank being adapted to mount to a wall 3 immediately adjacent a downpipe, the tank having a relatively small storage capacity and including a rainwater inlet in liquid communication with the downpipe whereby in operation rainwater flowing through the downpipe is diverted directly from the downpipe to the rainwater tank, the tank is generally U-shaped in cross-section defining a longitudinal channel for receiving the downpipe.

Preferably, the tank includes an overflow outlet also in liquid communication with the downpipe, the overflow outlet being located beneath the rainwater inlet and configured to maintain a maximum level of rainwater within the tank above which excess rainwater is rediverted directly to the downpipe.

Typically, the rainwater inlet is an inlet aperture within a ceiling or a perimeter wall of the rainwater tank, the inlet aperture being disposed immediately adjacent a downpipe opening. More typically, a diverter member is 20 connected across an upper opening of the downpipe or the inlet aperture to assist in diversion of rainwater to the rainwater tank. Alternatively, the downpipe is configured directly into the inlet aperture of the rainwater tank.

25 Typically, the overflow outlet of the rainwater tank is a spigot in the perimeter wall of the tank, the spigot being directed toward a lower overflow opening in the downpipe.

Generally the rainwater tank includes a screen or filter located across the inlet aperture of the tank.

Alternatively, the rainwater tank includes a screen or filter positioned between the rainwater inlet and the overflow outlet. In one embodiment, the screen or filter includes a mesh element being designed to screen leaves, foliage and other oversize material from rainwater entering /the tank.

4 Preferably, the rainwater tank also comprises a rainwater outlet being disposed adjacent a base of the tank. In one example, a rainwater valve is connected to the rainwater outlet.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a rainwater storage tank kit comprising: a rainwater tank having a relatively small capacity being adapted to mount to a wall immediately adjacent a rainwater downpipe, the rainwater tank including a rainwater inlet in liquid communication with the downpipe, :the tank is generally U-shaped in cross-section defining a r longitudinal channel for receiving the downpipe, and mounting means capable of securing the rainwater tank to the wall adjacent the downpipe.

Typically, the kit further comprises a diverter member designed to connect across an upper opening of the downpipe 20 so as to divert a flow of rainwater through the downpipe to the rainwater inlet and thus the rainwater tank.

Alternatively, the downpipe is configured directly into the •inlet aperture.

oo.o Generally, the mounting means includes one or more mounting brackets being configured to clamp about the rainwater tank and fasten to the wall adjacent the downpipe.

Preferably, the rainwater tank is constructed of a plastics material.

5 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order to achieve a better understanding of the nature of the present invention several preferred embodiments of a rainwater tank will now be described in some detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 is an elevational view of a rainwater tank installed adjacent a downpipe; Figure 2 is an enlarged plan view of the rainwater tank of Figure 1; and Figure 3 is an elevational and plan view of an alternative rainwater tank.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As shown in Figures 1 and 2 there is a rainwater tank mounted to a wall 12 immediately adjacent a downpipe 14.

The rainwater tank 10 of this embodiment has a relatively small capacity of between 100 to 500 litres. The tank is generally U-shaped in section and is of an elongate relatively "slimline" construction so as to minimise the space that it occupies. In this example the tank 10 is approximately 1.5 metres long, 35 cm wide, and 30 cm deep ge or thick. The U-shaped tank 10 for most of its length defines a longitudinal channel which encloses part of the length of the downpipe 14.

The rainwater tank 10 includes a rainwater inlet 16 formed in its ceiling 18. The rainwater inlet 16 is a rectangular-shaped opening. The tank 10 also includes an overflow outlet 20 extending from its rear wall. The overflow outlet 20 of this particular embodiment is a spigot located beneath the rainwater inlet 16 at a predetermined height in the tank 10. The overflow spigot 20 is inclined downward so as to permit drainage of excess water from the tank 10. A rainwater outlet 22 is included 6 in a bottom section of a front wall 24 of the tank 10, a rainwater valve 26 being provided in the rainwater outlet 22 for discharge of rainwater from the tank The tank 10 of this example includes a wire mesh element 28 positioned across the rainwater inlet 16. The mesh element 28 is designed to screen leaves, foliage, and other oversize material from the rainwater entering the tank It will be appreciated that the mesh element 28 may be substituted with another screen or filter depending on the degree of filtration required.

Figure 3 is an alternative embodiment of the rainwater tank shown generally as 100. The tank 100 is similar in 15 construction to the tank 10 described in the preceding paragraphs with like components designated with an additional such as the rainwater inlet 160. In this example, a flow diverter 300 having a conical frustum portion extending at an angle to the downpipe 140 is 20 connected to an upper opening of the downpipe 140. This allows the tank 100 to be moulded or otherwise formed with the longitudinal channel extending its full length.

o• Installation of the rainwater tank 10 or 100 of this embodiment requires some modification/fabrication of the existing downpipe 14 or 140. It is envisaged that the rainwater tank 10 or 100 will be provided as a kit together with mounting means (not shown) and a diverter plate 30 or member 300. The diverter plate 30 is rectangular-shaped and configured to fix to the tank 10 and extend across the upper opening of the downpipe 14 so as to directly divert rainwater flowing through the downpipe 14 to the tank The diverter plate 30 may be riveted or otherwise fixed to a rear wall 34 of the tank 10. Alternatively, the diverter plate 30 may be moulded or formed as an integral part of the tank 10. The downpipe 14 is cut so as to form an upper 7 opening 38 above the tank 10. Rainwater is thus diverted from and rediverted to the downpipe 14 via the tank In the tank 100 of Figure 3 the diverter member 300 is bonded to the opening of the upper section of the downpipe 140. In both embodiments of the tank 10 and 100 the lower section of the downpipe 14 and 140 is located with the spigot 20 and 200 feeding a lower opening of the downpipe 14 and 140.

Although not illustrated, the rainwater storage tank kit will include one or more mounting brackets which together with suitable fasteners constitute the mounting means. The mounting brackets are clamped about the rainwater tank and fixed to the wall 12 or 120. It is envisaged that at least one of the mounting brackets will locate underneath a bottom wall of the tank 10 or 100.

In operation rainwater flowing through an upper section of the downpipe 14 or 140 is diverted directly to the rainwater tank 10 or 100 via the rainwater inlet 16 or 160.

The mesh 28 or 280 serves to filter leaves, foliage or S-other oversize solid matter before the rainwater enters the storage section of the tank 10 or 100. The rainwater valve 26 is ordinarily in a closed position and the tank 10 or 100 will progressively fill until excess rainwater overflows from the overflow outlet 20 or 200. This excess rainwater is thus rediverted to the downpipe 14 or 140.

Rainwater can as required be discharged from the tank 10 or 100 by opening the rainwater valve 26. The rainwater may be discharged into a portable container or vessel such as a watering can or alternatively run into a hose connected to the valve 26.

Now that several preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in some detail it will be 8 apparent to those skilled in the art that the rainwater tank has at least the following advantages over the admitted prior art: 1. The rainwater tank is relatively compact occupying minimal space wherein it is mounted immediately adjacent a downpipe; 2. The rainwater tank is relatively simple to install being lightweight and coupling directly to the downpipe without requiring intermediate plumbing; and 3. The rainwater tank can be adapted or redesigned depending on requirements such as rainwater purity and storage capacity.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. For example, the rainwater tank may be of practically any shape provided it can be mounted immediately adjacent a downpipe.

The rainwater tank is preferably constructed of a mouldable 20 plastics materials although it also may be formed from *'apressed steel having been galvanised to avoid corrosion.

All such variations and modifications are to be considered within the ambit of the present invention the nature of which is to be determined from the foregoing description.

Claims

1. A rainwater tank being adapted to mount to a wall immediately adjacent a downpipe, the tank having a relatively small storage capacity and including a rainwater inlet in liquid communication with the downpipe whereby in operation rainwater flowing through the downpipe is diverted directly from the downpipe to the rainwater tank, the tank is generally U-shaped in cross-section defining a longitudinal channel for receiving the downpipe.

2. A rainwater tank as defined in claim 1 further comprising an overflow outlet also in liquid communication with the downpipe, the overflow outlet being located beneath the rainwater inlet and configured to maintain a maximum level of rainwater within the tank above which o. excess rainwater is rediverted directly to the downpipe.

3. A rainwater tank as defined in claim 1 or 2 wherein 20 the rainwater inlet is an inlet aperture within a ceiling or a perimeter wall of the rainwater tank, the inlet aperture being disposed immediately adjacent a downpipe opening.

4. A rainwater tank as defined in claim 3 wherein a diverter member is connected across an upper opening of the downpipe or the inlet aperture to assist in diversion of rainwater to the rainwater tank.

5. A rainwater tank as defined in claim 3 wherein the downpipe is configured directly into the inlet aperture of the rainwater tank.

6. A rainwater tank as defined in claim 2 wherein the overflow outlet of the rainwater tank is a spigot in the perimeter wall of the tank, the spigot being directed rn -i 10 toward a lower overflow opening in the downpipe.

7. A rainwater tank as defined in any one of claims 3 to also comprising a screen or filter located across the inlet aperture of the tank.

8. A rainwater tank as defined in any one of the preceding claims further comprising a rainwater outlet being disposed adjacent a base of the tank.

9. A rainwater tank as defined in claim 8 wherein a rainwater valve is connected to the rainwater outlet. 0 00 A rainwater tank substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

11. A rainwater storage tank kit comprising: a rainwater tank having a relatively small capacity being adapted to mount to a wall immediately adjacent a 20 rainwater downpipe, the rainwater tank including a rainwater inlet in liquid communication with the downpipe, the tank is generally U-shaped in cross-section defining a longitudinal channel for receiving the downpipe; and mounting means capable of securing the rainwater tank to the wall adjacent the downpipe.

12. A rainwater storage tank kit as defined in claim 11 further comprising a diverter member designed to connect across an upper opening of the downpipe so as to divert a flow of rainwater through the downpipe to the rainwater inlet and thus the rainwater tank.

13. A rainwater storage tank kit as defined in claim 11 or US 35 12 wherein the mounting means includes one or more mounting brackets being configured to clamp about the rainwater tank c -B 11 and fasten to the wall adjacent the downpipe.

14. A rainwater storage tank kit substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dated this 12th day of November 2002 HANNO KETOLA By His Patent Attorneys GRIFFITH HACK Fellows Institute of Patent Attorneys of Australia