Abstract:
A to a temporary protective overhead covering that comprises or is configured as a water collection system. The subject invention can be used to collect water from a variety of sources including, for example, rain, water spray or dew. A filter screen in the form of a mesh barrier used to prevent debris larger than the screen size from entering an associated water collection vessel is also disclosed.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to a temporary or semi-permanent protective overhead covering for a hammock, tent, or other shelter that is typically used for recreation, hiking, camping, hunting, fishing, or the like, or in cases of emergency or in disaster relief applications. More particularly, the invention relates to a temporary protective overhead covering that comprises or is configured as a water collection system. The subject invention can be used to collect water from a variety of sources including, for example, rain, water spray or dew. A filter screen to prevent debris larger than the screen size from entering an associated water collection vessel is also disclosed. 
       DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART 
       [0002]    Various devices for collecting and funneling rain water into a collection vessel have previously been disclosed. Such devices are not, however, believed to embody elements that provide all the functional advantages of the present invention. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    This invention can be embodied in a temporary or semi-permanent protective overhead covering for a hammock, tent, or other shelter that is used, for example, for recreation, hiking, camping, hunting, fishing, or the like, or in cases of emergency or in disaster relief applications. In a preferred embodiment, the invention relates to a temporary protective overhead covering that comprises or is configured as a water collection system. The subject invention can be used to collect water from a variety of sources including, for example, rain, water spray or dew. A filter screen to prevent debris larger than the screen size from entering an associated water collection vessel is also disclosed. 
         [0004]    A water collection system is disclosed that comprises a protective cover having a higher portion, a lower portion and at least one water collection surface; at least one tensioning device that can be selectively used to impart curvature to the water collection surface to increase the water collection capability of the water collection surface; at least one funnel formed adjacent to at least one edge of the water collection surface and configured to receive water into the funnel from the water collection surface; and at least one fitting cooperatively engaging the at least one funnel, the fitting being configured to selectively enable the discharge or transfer of water from the funnel into an external receptacle. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]    The apparatus of the invention is further described and explained in relation to the following drawings wherein: 
           [0006]      FIG. 1  is a top front perspective view of one embodiment of the invention, which is configured as a four-corned canopy supported by a line, and embodies preferred elements of the water-collection system of the invention; 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged detail perspective view of one corner of the canopy of  FIG. 1 , further comprising a water collection funnel of the invention; 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional front elevation view taken along line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional elevation view taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is a top plan view of an alternate embodiment of a temporary protective cover of the invention having six sides and six attachment or tie-down points or corners, with four of the six corners being configured for use in the water collection system of the invention; and 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  is a front elevation view, partially in cross-section, of one embodiment of a fitting that is satisfactory for use in attaching a water collection funnel of the invention to a water bottle, hose or other water storage receptacle to store water that is collected as runoff from the top of the protective cover. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0012]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , protective cover  12  is depicted as being substantially rectangular, with two opposed concave side edges and having four corners, with each corner having a tie-down strap  20  that is staked or otherwise attached to an underlying support surface  22  to spread and hold protective cover  12  in tension relative to line  18  extending beneath the centrally disposed portion of protective cover  12  and from which protective cover  12  is suspended. Protective cover  12  is satisfactorily made from a foldable material, preferably a water repellent textile or a fiber-reinforced plastic sheet, and can be a continuous web or can be fabricated from a plurality of smaller panels such as panels  14 ,  15 ,  16 . Where fabricated from a plurality of smaller panels, the seams between adjacent panels are also desirably water repellent. 
         [0013]    As depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a funnel  24  is suspended from the web section of panel  15  that is disposed between edges  33 ,  35  upwardly of each of the four tie-down points at the corners of protective cover  12 . Buckled strap  30  comprising strap sections  31 ,  34  joined by adjustable buckle  36  joins laterally disposed points of edges  33 ,  35  and is desirably adjustable in length to pull edges  33 ,  35  upwardly, thereby forming a shallow trough above each funnel  24  to direct water flowing downwardly over protective cover  12  into the top of funnel  24 . Similarly, optional adjustable-length tensioning lines  32  can be provided along the sides of protective cover  12  to curl an edge such as edge  33  upwardly to facilitate the collection of water that would otherwise flow downwardly off the edge. 
         [0014]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , protective cover  50  is illustrative of another embodiment of the invention having six concave scallops cooperatively defining six points or corners, wherein two diametrically opposed corners can be tied off to external structures (not shown), thereby eliminating the need for a single line over which the cover is folded prior to tying down the corners as in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0015]    Referring to  FIGS. 2-3 , each of funnels  24 , like protective cover  12 , is desirably made of one or a plurality of sections of the same or a similar foldable, water-repellent material such as for example, a waterproofed textile or a fiber-reinforced plastic sheet. According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, a portion near the end of each corner can be folded downwardly to serve as the back wall of funnel  24 . Funnel  24  can have any cross-sectional configuration, such as for example, rectangular, circular, or any other closed, regular or irregular, curvilinear or polygonal shape. A filter in the form of a mesh cover or barrier  38  can be provided across the open top of each funnel  24  to help catch debris that might otherwise be washed by a water flow off the upwardly facing surface of protective cover  12  and into funnel  24 . The degree to which a water flow is filtered by mesh barrier  38  depends upon the shape and cross-sectional area of the openings through the mesh in relation to the particle size of the debris. Too fine a mesh can hinder the flow of water into the funnel  24  through mesh barrier  38 . 
         [0016]    According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, as best seen in  FIG. 3 , mesh barrier  38  is desirably sewn or otherwise affixed in substantially fixed relation to one side or portion of the top edge of funnel  24  so that the remainder of mesh barrier  38  can be folded upwardly to permit access by the user to the interior space  25  of funnel  24 . This access to the interior of each funnel  24  permits a user to change the fitting  40  at the bottom of each funnel  24  through which water flowing off of protective cover  12  flows downwardly to exit through the bottom of funnel  24 . 
         [0017]    Referring to  FIGS. 2-4  and  6 , fitting  40  is desirably provided in the bottom of each funnel  24  to assist in connecting the funnel to a water bottle  26  or other receptacle to serve as a collection and/or storage vessel for the collected water. Fitting  40  can be satisfactorily made of a moldable polymeric resin such as polyethylene, although other similarly effective materials, including for example metals and rubbery materials, can also be used. 
         [0018]    According to one satisfactory embodiment of the invention, fitting  40  further comprises top portion  42  and bottom portion  44 . Top portion  42  of fitting  40  preferably comprises a substantially cylindrical sidewall with a tubular bore that projects downwardly through a hole disposed in the bottom of funnel  24 . A larger-diameter, radially projecting, annular flange, configured to contact and provide sealing engagement with a portion of the material from which funnel  24  is constructed, surrounds the top opening of top portion  42 . The downwardly projecting cylindrical sidewall desirably comprises male threads  46  that are cooperatively engageable with female threads disposed in the top half of bottom portion  44 . A smaller annular flange preferably surrounds the top opening of bottom portion  44  of fitting  40 . When bottom portion  44  of fitting  40  is threaded onto the male threaded section of top portion, the material of funnel  24  that is disposed around the opening between the two halves of fitting  40  desirably forms a fabric washer between the two opposed flange members. The lower half of bottom portion  44  desirably comprises female threads configured to cooperatively engage the male threaded top opening of a conventional water bottle having 28 mm threads, although it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading this disclosure that other thread sizes are similarly useful for attaching a water collection receptacle to the underside of a funnel  24  of protective cover  12 . 
         [0019]    While the apparatus of the invention is disclosed here in relation to some preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that other embodiments of various elements can also be used within the scope of the invention. For example, although the material from which each funnel is made may not be totally impermeable to fluid leakage, a valve or stopcock can be provided as part of a fitting installed in the bottom of each funnel  24  to hold runoff water temporarily in the funnel  24 . Thus, if only one bottle is available to collect water caught in several funnels  24  attached to one or more protective covers  12 , water can be held inside the funnels until such time as a water bottle  26  can be attached and the water can be collected by opening the valve or stopcock. The shape, placement and configuration of the funnels can be varied according to the type, size and shape of the protective cover, and the manner in which it is supported. Similarly, the shape of the protective cover  12  and the number, configuration and placement of tensioning straps can be varied to adjust the water collection capability of the device. The type, shape, porosity and material used as a filter screen can also be varied, and different or multiple filter screens can be used to provide specially desired objectives and results. Hoses and manifolds with quick connect and disconnect fittings can be attached or attachable to the individual water collection funnels to redirect collected water to a desired receptacle or container. 
         [0020]    The present invention will enable users to capture, collect and store water for immediate and future use. Whether applied to sporting or recreational uses, or to disaster and emergency relief situations, the subject water collection system will afford users with a better opportunity to capture and use water that was previously wasted or unavailable. 
         [0021]    Other alterations and modifications of the invention will likewise become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading this specification in view of the accompanying drawings, and it is intended that the scope of the invention disclosed herein be limited only by the broadest interpretation of the appended claims to which the inventor(s) and/or Applicant are legally entitled.