System and method for harvesting rainwater

A system for rainwater harvesting utilizes a rain barrel adapted for collecting and storing rainwater runoff gravity-fed from a rooftop through a downspout. A downspout diverter comprises an inlet section, an outlet section, and an elongated connector section interconnecting the inlet section and the outlet section. The inlet section has a first open end adapted for communicating with an end of the downspout and a second open end communicating with an inlet opening formed with the rain barrel. The outlet section of the diverter has a first open end communicating with an outlet (or, overflow) opening formed with the rain barrel and a second open end for directing rainwater outwardly from the rain barrel.

TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates broadly to a system and method for harvesting rainwater. In one exemplary implementation, the disclosure comprises a do-it-yourself rainwater harvesting system for homeowners which utilizes a downspout diverter and an aesthetically desirable rain barrel. Rainwater harvesting is the gathering, or accumulating and storing, of rainwater. Traditionally, rainwater harvesting has been practiced in areas where water exists in plenty, and has provided drinking water, domestic water, water for livestock, water for irrigation and a way to increase ground water levels.

SUMMARY OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Various exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described below. Use of the term “exemplary” means illustrative or by way of example only, and any reference herein to “the invention” is not intended to restrict or limit the invention to exact features or steps of any one or more of the exemplary embodiments disclosed in the present specification. References to “exemplary embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “various embodiments,” and the like, may indicate that the embodiment(s) of the invention so described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Further, repeated use of the phrase “in one embodiment,” or “in an exemplary embodiment,” do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although they may.

The exemplary disclosure comprises a system for rainwater harvesting. The system utilizes a rain barrel adapted for collecting and storing rainwater runoff gravity-fed from a rooftop through a downspout. A downspout diverter comprises an inlet section, an outlet section, and an elongated connector section interconnecting the inlet section and the outlet section. The inlet section has a first open end adapted for communicating with an end of the downspout and a second open end communicating with an inlet opening formed with the rain barrel. The outlet section of the diverter has a first open end communicating with an outlet (or, overflow) opening formed with the rain barrel and a second open end for directing rainwater outwardly from the rain barrel.

The term “downspout” refers broadly herein to any pipe or other suitable conduit for conveying rain water from a roof or gutter towards the ground or a drain.

The term “rain barrel” means any above ground or below ground vessel capable of collecting and storing rainwater.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the rain barrel comprises a rounded front and a back. The rounded front comprises an integrally-molded three-dimensional interior grid structure.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the back comprises an integrally-molded three-dimensional interior grid structure.

According to another exemplary embodiment, a mounting base is adapted for carrying the rain barrel, and elevating the rain barrel above a supporting surface.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the rain barrel defines at least one substantially planar exterior surface extending from a bottom of the barrel to a top of the barrel. The bottom of the rain barrel may comprise two spaced apart layers (or floors) which merge together or converge at the front of the rain barrel but are spaced apart (e.g., by 1.0 inch) at the rear of the rain barrel, wherein the upper layer (or floor) acts as the interior bottom of the rain barrel and is sloped toward the front to maximize gravity water flow to the spigot and clean out plug.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the rain barrel defines first and second mirrored inlet openings. The inlet openings are “mirrored” in that they are formed in corresponding locations on opposite sides of the rain barrel.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the rain barrel defines first and second mirrored outlet openings. The outlet openings are “mirrored” in that they are formed in corresponding locations on opposite sides of the rain barrel.

According to another exemplary embodiment, a spigot is operatively connected (directly or indirectly) to the rain barrel and adapted for enabling controlled dispensing of water contained in the rain barrel. In this embodiment, the spigot may be contained within a screw-in plug that is removable presenting an opening that functions as a clean-out/drain, and can be used to flush out unwanted materials carried into the rain barrel by water flowing down the downspout.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the inlet section of the downspout diverter is concavely curved from its first open end to its second open end.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the outlet section of the downspout diverter is convexly curved from its first open end to its second open end.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the connector section of the downspout diverter extends substantially co-linear to the first open end of the inlet section and the second open end of the outlet section. In other words, the first open end of the inlet section, the connector section, and the second open end of the outlet section extend along substantially the same longitudinal axis.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the inlet, outlet, and connector sections are integrally formed together as a single homogenous structure. The language “single homogenous structure” means a unitary structure which is formed together without joints (i.e., without assembly or attachment of multiple separate parts).

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS AND BEST MODE

The present invention is described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which one or more exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. Like numbers used herein refer to like elements throughout. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be operative, enabling, and complete. Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the invention, which is to be given the full breadth of the appended claims and any and all equivalents thereof. Moreover, many embodiments, such as adaptations, variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be implicitly disclosed by the embodiments described herein and fall within the scope of the present invention.

Referring now specifically to the drawings, a rain barrel according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention is illustrated inFIG. 1, and shown generally at reference numeral10. The exemplary rain barrel10is adapted for use in a system and method for harvesting rainwater, as described further herein. The rain barrel10has a molded exterior formed of a UV-resistant plastic which is shaped and colored to resemble aesthetically desirable landscaping—small shrubs, bushes, or the like. In the exemplary embodiment, a three-dimensional leaf pattern “P”, such as detailed inFIG. 1A, may be formed with the exterior of the rain barrel10in shaded regions ofFIG. 1.

Referring toFIG. 2, the exemplary rain barrel10is designed to collect and store rainwater runoff gravity-fed from a building rooftop “R” through an attached (conventional) vertical downspout indicated schematically at12, and a substantially rigid downspout diverter14. The downspout diverter14fluidly interconnects the existing vertical downspout12, rain barrel10, and an optional downspout extension—indicated schematically at12A. The downspout12and downspout extension12A may have a standard 3″×4″ dimension, or may be smaller or larger. As described further below, in one implementation rainwater is gravity-fed from the building rooftop “R” through the vertical downspout12and diverter14, and into the rain barrel10. When the rain barrel10is filled to capacity, excess rainwater is directed outwardly through the diverter14and downwardly through downspout extension12A to the ground surface, as indicated by arrow15. A back side of the rain barrel10(and any supporting structure) may be substantially planar (or flat) to enable close placement directly adjacent a side of the building. The water capacity of the present rain barrel10may be 55 gallons or more.

Collected rainwater may be dispensed from the rain barrel10in a controlled manner using an operatively attached plastic spigot16(or petcock). Watering hoses and wands may also be connected directly to the spigot16for convenient landscape watering, and to fill buckets used for transporting water from the rain barrel10to various landscaped areas around the building. For more immediate flushing, the rain barrel10may include one or more drain openings (not shown). The drain opening may be temporarily sealed by removable connecting structure of the spigot16, or sealed using a solid-wall plugs and gaskets, or the like.

As best shown inFIGS. 3,4,5,6,7and8, the exemplary rain barrel10is constructed of a plastic rounded front21, generally flat vertical back22, a forwardly-sloping bottom23and top24. While the plastic top24may be removable, the front21, back22and bottom23are integrally formed together and water sealed at respective seams (e.g., by ultrasonic welding, heat-welding, mechanical fasteners, adhesives or the like) in order to effectively store rainwater inside the barrel10. The rain barrel10may sit directly on the ground or a slab closely adjacent the building, or may be elevated atop an optional unattached mounting base30. The mounting base30, shown inFIG. 3, comprises a raised perimeter flange31for locating and retaining the rain barrel10, and intersecting interior vertical walls32,33integrally-molded together and designed to support the weight of the barrel10when filled to its capacity.

Referring toFIGS. 4,5and6, the plastic back22of rain barrel10defines mirrored pairs of rainwater inlet and transfer (outlet) openings41A,42A and41B,42B formed within respective opposing insets44,45, and an integrally-molded three-dimensional interior grid structure48formed with back wall49. The grid structure48reinforces the back22, and spans more than 50% of the back wall surface area between opposing perimeter side flanges51,52and a horizontal bottom flange53. The depth of the grid structure48(defined as the dimension extending outwardly from the back wall49) may be in the range of 1-3 inches, while each square “S” may have an approximate dimension of 2-inches×2-inches. The back22may also comprise a plurality of rectangular mounting plates55A,55B,55C and56(or knock-outs) formed with the back wall49and a top flange58and above the inlet and transfer openings41A,42A,41B,42B for receiving accessory devices, such as electronic pump, heater, water level indicator, float switch and other sensors, and the like. In one implementation, an electric rain barrel pump (not shown) with a garden hose fitting is mounted at one of the plates55A-55C, and used to transfer collected rainwater from the barrel to separate portable water storage tanks.

The rounded front21and forwardly-sloping bottom23of the exemplary rain barrel10may be integrally-molded together, as shown inFIGS. 7 and 8, or formed separately and sealed at the seam as previously described. The front21is reinforced by an integrally-molded three-dimensional interior grid structure60comprising longitudinally spaced arcuate horizontal ribs61and intersecting vertical columns62. The vertical columns62extend substantially from the top end of the front21to the bottom23, and are formed within roughly a center third of the front's interior surface area. The horizontal arcuate ribs61extend continuously from one side of the front21to the other, and are spaced apart approximately 1-2 inches from the bottom23to the top end of front21. The depth (defined as the dimension extending outwardly from the front's interior surface area) of the ribs61and columns62may be in the range of 0.5 to 1.0 inches. The plastic top24of the rain barrel10may be removably attached to an arcuate top flange64of the front21by mating tabs65and slots66.

As indicated above with reference toFIG. 2, the downspout diverter14fluidly interconnects the existing vertical downspout12of the building, the rain barrel10, and an optional downspout extension12A. The exemplary diverter14, best shown inFIGS. 2,9, and10, comprises an arcuate inlet section14A, an oppositely-curved outlet section14B, and an elongated connector section14C. The diverter sections14A-14C may be integrally formed together (e.g., molded) as a single homogenous structure, and formed in substantially the same vertical plane such that the downspout diverter14is reversible for use on either side of the rain barrel10, as described further below.

Referring toFIGS. 9 and 10, the inlet section14A of the diverter14has a first open end71which connects to the existing downspout12(e.g., by friction fit or using small metal screws or other fasteners), and a second open end72connecting (directly or indirectly) to the rain barrel10through the top transfer opening41A formed with the back22. In one exemplary embodiment, a short hollow extension (not shown) may be used to bridge the connection between the diverter inlet section14A and the rain barrel10. The inlet section14A is concavely curved from its first end71to its second end72. The outlet section14B of the exemplary diverter14has a first open end76connected (directly or indirectly) to the rain barrel10through the bottom transfer opening42A formed with the back22, and a second open end78which extends vertically downward towards the ground or other supporting surface. A second short hollow extension (not shown) may be used to bridge the connection between the diverter outlet section14B and the rain barrel10. The second end78of the outlet section14B may be connected (e.g., by friction fit or using metal screws or other fasteners) to the additional length of downspout12A matching the existing downspout12. The outlet section14B is convexly curved from its first open end76to its second open end78. The elongated connector section14C of the diverter14interconnects the inlet section14A and the outlet section14B, and extends substantially co-linear to the first open end71of the inlet section14A and the open second end78of the outlet section14B, and along generally the same vertical axis of the existing downspout12. The connector section14C is closed at its top to form a sloping solid bottom81of the inlet section14A, such that rainwater flows from the downspout12and is gravity-fed through the sloping inlet section14A into the rain barrel10, as indicated by arrow82, until a maximum capacity is reached. At that point, any additional rainwater collected is directed outwardly through the outlet section14B of the diverter14, as indicated by arrow84.

In the above implementation, the unused bottom transfer opening42B is covered and water sealed using a removable solid wall plug (not shown). The unused top transfer opening41B may be removably covered using a mesh screen plug (not shown) or the like sufficient to allow air circulation inside the barrel10, while preventing entry of flies, mosquitos, gnats, ants, and other small bugs and insects. It is understood that the exemplary rain water barrel10is designed to be utilized in combination with the downspout diverter14on either side (i.e., to the right or left) of an existing downspout12.

FIG. 11demonstrates use of the exemplary rain barrel10in tandem with a like barrel10′, the present downspout diverter14, and cooperating hollow water transfer extensions91and92. The downspout diverter14fluidly interconnects the existing vertical downspout12of the building, the rain barrel10, and the optional downspout extension12A, as previously described. The first barrel10is fluidly connected to the second barrel10′ by a long transfer extension91and a short transfer extension92. The long extension91run substantially horizontally from the inlet section14A of the diverter14through the first barrel10through top transfer openings41A,42A, and into the second barrel10′ through its top transfer opening41A′. Rainwater collects in the second barrel10′ until reaching a maximum level. At that point, excess rainwater transfers from the second barrel10′ to the first barrel10via the short transfer extension92passed through respective bottom transfer openings41B′,42B, and41B of the barrels10′,10. When the first barrel10reaches its maximum level, any additional rainwater is passed outwardly through the outlet section14B of the diverter14.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described above. No element, act, or instruction used in this description should be construed as important, necessary, critical, or essential to the invention unless explicitly described as such. Although only a few of the exemplary embodiments have been described in detail herein, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in these exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined in the appended claims.

In the claims, any means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures. Thus, although a nail and a screw may not be structural equivalents in that a nail employs a cylindrical surface to secure wooden parts together, whereas a screw employs a helical surface, in the environment of fastening wooden parts, a nail and a screw may be equivalent structures. Unless the exact language “means for” (performing a particular function or step) is recited in the claims, a construction under §112, 6th paragraph is not intended. Additionally, it is not intended that the scope of patent protection afforded the present invention be defined by reading into any claim a limitation found herein that does not explicitly appear in the claim itself.