Abstract:
A rainwater collection tank system employs a plurality of barrel/tanks, each having a plurality of strainers with a water pump for raising stored water to one or more faucet dispensers/spouts. Permanent tanks are at least partially submerged. Smaller portable units may be anchored to a campground area with screws and/or pins. Multiple units can be situated adjacent one another beneath a multi-sectional V-shaped funnel system of rain diverters.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This is a perfection of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/270,138, filed on Dec. 21, 2015, the disclosure of which is fully incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to a system and method for harvesting rainwater. It further relates to an in-ground, permanently secured system that has numerous, optional amenities built in. 
         [0003]    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. Top rainwater wells can serve as a garden tool for “catching” and storing rainwater from one&#39;s yard for reuse as needed. Such recycled rainwater uses include for watering one&#39;s plants, household uses (including car washing, laundry) and possibly for some cooking or other food-related applications. 
         [0004]    Numerous rainwater collection systems are known. Representative models include those shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,730,179, 6,941,702 and 7,207,748 to name but a few. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    This invention comprises a partially submerged, anchored underground rainwater tank that has a plurality of strainers with a water pump for raising stored water to one or more faucet dispensers/spouts. Preferred embodiments include an extendible dome and water level indicator with one or more options selected from a clock, radio, dvd player, mirror, garden tool holding hook, lockable glove box hose reel and removable flashlight. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    Further features, objectives and advantages of this invention will be clearer with respect to the detailed description of preferred embodiments made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  is a side, partially sectional view of one embodiment of rainwater harvesting system according to present disclosure; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a side perspective view focusing on the top strainer cover from  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a side, partially sectional view showing a first alternative system with three tower units beneath a V-shaped roof collector; and 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a side plan view of a smaller, campground-sized variation. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0011]    According to preferred embodiments, the present invention comprises a system for rainwater harvesting. The exemplary system shown at  FIG. 1  includes a rainwater well  10  firmly secured in the ground G and adapted for collecting/storing rainwater runoff through a strainer cover  12  whether in a single unit or combination of units beneath a rooftop collector. When made and sold as a standalone unit, well device  10  will include a top-surrounding water dome  14  for acting as a further funnel collector. That water dome would have extender arms  16  there beneath. 
         [0012]    Atop each model of this invention, there is positioned an improved top water strainer cover  12  (per  FIG. 2 ) comprised of wire hoops  22  and screening  24  for catching yard debris (including leaves and branches) to prevent such debris from clogging the rainwater gathering components of the system proper. 
         [0013]    The portion of well  10  that sits above ground G, indicated by element  20 , would include a plurality of other water strainers. The first of such strainers  32  would be substantially flat or planar with the lower two  34 ,  36  (or more) being V-shaped. Ideally, all such strainers should be included as part of a removable drawer or tray for periodic pull out and reverse flushing to remove pollen or the like (not shown). 
         [0014]    At the base of this collection “tower”, for possible sale under the name FOREVER WATER WELL™, there would be situated an internal holding tank  30  which is preferably isolated from freezing temperatures via insulation and/or a supplemental heating unit. If electric power cannot be run to the tower, the latter heater could be battery and/or solar powered. 
         [0015]    Inside the base of this tower, there would be situated a water pump  40 , preferably manually operated. If electric service can be run to the tower (see above), it could be electrically run in the alternative. This pump  40  would be purposefully situated below ground level for protecting it from freezing but include conduits (piping) that would extend upwardly to one or more emptying faucet heads  42  through piping or other conduit means  44 . 
         [0016]    The main tower itself, can be seasonally decorated for a birthday party and/or for the holidays (including Christmas, Thanksgiving, Halloween, July 4th and Easter), as it will be a permanent fixture in one&#39;s yard, year-round. 
         [0017]    Additional components to the tower may include, a clock  50 , flashlight  52  (with light cover  54 ) which may be permanent or temporarily removable and rechargeable, a radio  56 , a CD/dvd player  58  (with small screen), a hose reel/hose holder  60  and sprayer head storage compartment (not shown). Alternately, the tower may include a flashing light for alerting individuals of its physical location in a darkened backyard. 
         [0018]    Still further options include a lockable box/compartment  62  for storing gardening gloves, a Hide-a-key area (not shown), mirror  64  and one or more hooks  66  for holding/storing watering cans when not in use. 
         [0019]    The side to this tank/tower should include a visual water level indicator  70 . It can be made from various metals including steel and/or aluminum, from plastics or from a combination of composite products. The overall shape of this tower can be rectangular (preferably squared), round, oval or in various aesthetic shapes (including a star or heart-shaped tower). Because of their ornamental nature, these devices could be stored, partially underground, in one&#39;s front, rear and/or side yards. 
         [0020]    A second model using MULTIPLE towers  110  is shown in accompanying  FIG. 3 . All other elements in common with the first model ( FIG. 1 ) are commonly numbered, though in the next hundred series. Each of these units, three are shown in series, fits beneath a specially constructed roof funnel system R with a V-shaped top and plurality of water directors D for forcing rainwater into the uppermost entry of the particular tower unit situated directly thereunder. 
         [0021]    A third variation, campground model  210 , is shown in accompanying  FIG. 4 . All other elements in common with the first model ( FIG. 1 ) are commonly numbered, though in the second, two hundred series. Specifically, the whole of this third, portable model  210  is above ground, so that its collector tank/well  220  instead includes a top carrying handle  211  so as to serve as a bail or bucket of collected rainwater, suitable for use in campfire extinguishing, or as otherwise needed around camp. 
         [0022]    Like its earlier counterparts, this third model  210  still includes a top-surrounding water dome  214  with extender arms  216 . But the very base  213  of tank  200  further includes anchor points  215  through which a screw anchor SA, pointed pin anchor PA or both may be used for temporary securement to the ground. 
         [0023]    Similar common components include at least one screening layer  232 , and preferred side lockbox  262 . A new component to this portable variation, however, is a plurality of side reflectors in multiple shapes and sizes: R 1  and R 2  being representative. 
         [0024]    Having described the presently preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention may be otherwise covered by the scope and breadth of the claims that follow.