Abstract:
The gray water recycling system includes a first holding tank for filtering and storing gray water from a washer. The processed water passes through an inline filter to a second holding tank. The second holding tank includes a first float switch operatively associated with a pump that shuts off power to the pump when the second tank contains less than a predetermined amount of processed water. An outlet pipe inside the second tank includes another filter to clean the processed water as the water passes through the outlet pipe. A second float switch activates the pump to pump the processed water to a toilet tank when the toilet tank water drains below a predetermined level. A battery power unit is operatively connected to the pump, providing power for selective operation thereof.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/393,825, filed Oct. 15, 2010. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to water conservation systems, and more specifically to a gray water recycling system for converting laundry wastewater into water that can be used for toilets and similar applications. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     In a world of ever diminishing natural resources, it is imperative that consumption of such resources should be maximized to the fullest extent. That requires recycling as one of several ways to help preserve the environment and prevent unnecessary waste. 
     One of most common resources subject to waste is water. Activities such as lavatory use, laundry, dishwashing, showers and baths consume water inefficiently either by using much more than necessary and/or non-recovery of the used water. This places additional strain on the sewage systems, which inevitably leads to increased costs to the average consumer. 
     Water recovery systems have been proposed that recycle gray water from laundry and washbasins to be used as flushing water for toilets. These usually involve filtering and storing the gray water in holding tanks to be pumped whenever needed. While generally sufficient for normal use, there does not appear to be a system to adequately clean the water to a reusable state and control the use thereof in a wide range of situations. 
     Thus, a gray water recycling system solving the aforementioned problems is desired. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The gray water recycling system includes a first holding tank for filtering and storing gray water from a washer. The processed water passes through an inline filter to a second holding tank. The second holding tank includes a first float switch operatively associated with a pump that shuts off power to the pump when the second tank contains less than a predetermined amount of processed water. An outlet pipe inside the second tank includes another filter to clean the processed water as the water passes through an outlet pipe. A second float switch activates the pump to pump the processed water to a toilet tank when the toilet tank water drains below a predetermined level. A battery power unit is operatively connected to the pump, providing power for selective operation thereof. 
     These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram showing an overall view of the components of a gray water recycling system according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view in section of a first holding tank in a gray water recycling system according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a side view in section of a second holding tank in a gray water recycling system according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a toilet tank in a gray water recycling system according to the present invention, shown with the water tank broken away and partially in section to show details thereof. 
     
    
    
     Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention relates to a gray water recycling system, generally referred to by reference number  10  in the drawings, for recovering or recycling used or gray water from a washer W in a domicile to be used as flushing water for a toilet T. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the gray water recycling system  10  includes a primary or first holding tank  12  for filtering and holding gray water. The processed water P is piped to a secondary or second holding tank  28 . A selectively operated pump  48  pumps the processed water from the second holding tank  28  to a toilet tank  62 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the gray water is pumped through a flexible pipe  14  to a gray water distribution assembly  16  near the top of the first holding tank  12 . In the exemplary embodiment, the first holding tank  12  may have a capacity of one hundred gallons. Alternatively, any other desired capacity tanks may be used. The force for pumping the gray water is supplied by the wastewater discharge pump in the washer W. The gray water distribution assembly  16  includes a planar arrangement of pipes with a plurality of slits  18  formed at the bottom thereof. As the gray water enters the pipes, the gray water is sprayed through the slits  18  towards the bottom of the first holding tank  12 . It is preferable that any open ends in the pipes be capped to preserve water pressure for spraying the gray water. 
     A two-stage filtration assembly is disposed below the gray water distribution assembly  12 . The spraying action of the gray water distribution assembly  12  efficiently distributes the gray water over the entire surface of the filtration assembly. The filtration assembly includes a first filter  20  and a second filter  22 . The first filter  20  may be a layer of activated charcoal for performing a coarse filtration of the gray water, which will also prevent a range of relatively large solid matter from passing through. The second filter  22  may be a layer of polypropylene with a fine mesh for cleaning the remainder of smaller size particulate matter. Moreover, either one or both of the filters may include biocide agents to help eliminate potentially harmful bacteria. As an additional measure, the first holding tank  12  may include a top or cover  13  with a plurality of holes  15  for the gray water to pass towards the two-stage filtration assembly. The cover  13  may overlie the first filter  20  to capture even larger sized debris such as twigs and bits of fabric. 
     The processed water P from the first holding tank  12  is then passed to the second holding tank  28  through an intermediate pipe  24 . The intermediate pipe  24  may include an inline or third filter  26  to further clean the processed water P. The third filter  26  may be another form of polypropylene fine mesh. Since the second holding tank  28  is disposed at a lower level from the first holding tank  12 , gravity is sufficient to move the water from the first holding tank  12  to the second holding tank  28 . If more pressure is needed, a pump may be operatively connected to the intermediate pipe  24 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the second holding tank  28  includes a vent  30  at one end and an exit or outlet pipe  36 . The second holding tank  28  preferably has a capacity of about one hundred twenty gallons, but again, any desired capacity may be used. As the processed water P from the first holding tank  12  enters the second holding tank  28 , any trapped air inside the second holding tank  28  can prevent efficient flow and fill of the same. Hence, the vent  30  allows air to escape. Depending on regulations, the vent  30  may be a long pipe permitting air to escape outside the dwelling, or a short pipe to permit air to escape within the confines of the second holding tank  12  storage space, e.g., a basement. 
     In case of an overflow, the second holding tank  28  includes an overflow pipe  32  directing excess processed water P to sewage or ground. A one-way check valve  34  on the overflow pipe  32  prevents any water from flowing back into the second holding tank  28 . 
     The second holding tank  28  is the main tank supplying water to flush the toilet T. As such, a selectively operable pump  48  is connected to the second holding tank outlet  36  and to the toilet tank supply pipe  56 . The outlet  36  may include a fourth filter  40  to further clean the processed water P prior to being pumped into the toilet tank  62 . The fourth filter  40  may be a foam sleeve  42  surrounding perforations  44  at the outlet end inside the second holding tank  28 . If desired, a similar fourth filter  40  may be provided on the inlet side of the intermediate pipe  24  as shown in  FIG. 2 . However, a second pump may be needed to move the processed water P between the holding tanks  12 ,  28  to overcome the restrictive flow through the additional fourth filter  40 . 
     The second holding tank  28  also includes a first float switch  46  disposed inside the second holding tank  28 . The first float switch  46  is operatively connected to the pump  48  so that when the water level is below a predetermined amount, the first float switch  46  is in the OFF position (shown in phantom lines), resulting in power to the pump  48  being shut off. This indicates that insufficient water is available to flush the toilet T. When the water level is at or above the predetermined level, the first float switch  46  is in the ON position (shown in solid lines). This allows the power supply to the pump  48  to be activated when needed. 
     The power source for the pump  48  is a battery  54 . The battery  54  may be a 12-volt type, and the battery  54  may be charged by a solar panel  50  through the interconnecting wires  52 . Other alternative energy sources, such as windmills, may also be used. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 , the supply pipe  56  directs water from the pump  48  into the toilet tank  62 . The supply pipe  56  includes an intake valve  58 , which opens or closes to regulate the flow of processed water P, and a one-way check valve  60  downstream of the intake valve  58 . The check valve  60  prevents back flow through the supply pipe  56 . The outlet end of the supply pipe  56  may be bent over the top rim of the toilet tank  62  to minimize any substantial alterations to the toilet tank  62 , e.g., drilled holes. As a result, the rim is uneven due to the additional height formed by the bent portion of the supply pipe  56 , which can prevent the toilet tank cover from covering the toilet tank  62  in a level fashion. To level the rim, a gasket ring  63  may be disposed along the rim of the toilet tank  62 , the ring  63  having a height or thickness substantially equal to the height of the bent portion. The gasket ring  63  may be rubber, plastic or foam. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the toilet tank  62  also includes a second float switch  64  adjustably mounted on a bracket. The second float switch  64  performs the same function as a typical float valve in standard toilets. However, the second float switch  64  operates in a reverse manner with respect to the first float switch  46 . In the down position as shown in  FIG. 4 , the second float switch  64  is in the ON position to thereby activate the pump  48  and fill the toilet tank  62 . As the supplied water fills the tank to a predetermined level, the second float switch  64  rises to an OFF position, which deactivates the pump  48 . If there is insufficient supply of water in the second holding tank  28 , the user may shut off the intake valve  58  and open the standard intake valve  66  to utilize the normal water in the domicile. Hence, the standard intake valve  66  would normally be closed when using the gray water recycling system  10 . 
     The gray water recycling system  10  may include additional means of cleaning and purifying the waste in the form of chlorine tablets  70 . These chlorine tablets may be placed in the first holding tank  12 , the second holding tank  28  and/or the toilet tank  62  to help destroy potentially harmful germs and bacteria. Moreover, a tablet holder or basket  72  may be disposed below the second filter  22  to help sanitize the filtered gray water as the gray water flows into the first holding tank  12 . 
     Thus, it can be seen that the gray water recycling system  10  recovers and recycles gray water for use as toilet tank flushing water. The numerous filters within the system sufficiently clean the gray water to a usable state, and the float switches insure operation of the pump  48  only when needed. The gray water recycling system  10  also includes safeguards for overflow and emergency issues. 
     It is noted that the gray water recycling system  10  encompasses a variety of alternatives. For example, the first and second float switches  46 ,  64  may use alternative float switch systems having a buoyant element that rises and lowers with the level of water. Instead of two holding tanks, the gray water recycling system  10  may use a single tank connected to the pump  48  when the tank and the toilet are on the same elevation. Moreover, the gray water recycling system  10  may also be employed with washbasins, sinks and baths. 
     It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.