Patent Abstract:
A water collection and distribution system for yard maintenance includes a buried reservoir for collecting water from the roof of a structure and a submersed pump in the reservoir for supplying contained water to a pressurized manifold having outlets available for yard maintenance activities. One of the outlets is connected with a premix catch basin upstream of the reservoir in which additives may be mixed for storage in and dispensing from the reservoir. Another outlet is connected to spray nozzles in the reservoir for agitating the additive mixture.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to water management systems for collecting, storing and distributing runoff water for comprehensive use. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Water collection systems for storing runoff water from roofs have been proposed for varying usages. Such systems permit the storage during periods of heavy precipitation for use to supplement water utility usage during dryer periods. Both potable water and agricultural uses have been proposed and the systems tailored to the specific needs. Generally, the water is collected at the gutters from the roof runoff and directed through downspouts and conduits to an underground storage tank. The collected water may be purified and used for potable water as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,663,769 to Hosoya, or used for irrigation as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,234,286 to Wagner. 
   There are many areas, however, where the rainfall is rather steady throughout the year and where the need for singular use collection systems is not compelling, but where in the interests of conservation utilitarian uses are desirable. The average homeowner has ongoing and seasonal yard care needs for lawns, gardens, shrubbery and other discrete areas having intermittent water needs. In addition to watering, these require periodic attention with fertilizers and other additives that vary throughout the course of the year. U.S. Pat. No. 4,934,404 to DeStefano discloses a water collection system wherein a port in a downspout is used for the addition of fertilizers and nutrients for an irrigation field. Inasmuch as such additives are often granular and generally concentrated, there is no assurance when and if they will transit the connecting conduit to the reservoir thereby rendering the concentration uncertain. Further, there is no assurance of uniform mixing inasmuch as the additives are deposited on the reservoir water without mixing. Further, only modest screening of the runoff water is provided by a screen at the eaves, and accordingly finer sediment is transferred to the reservoir where it will accumulate and contaminate the contents. The construction of the reservoir makes removal of the accumulations difficult with no solution proposed. As a result, other than providing watering capability, the ability of the system to provide reliable landscape additives is problematic. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention provides a comprehensive water runoff collection system having a controlled addition and mixing of soluble additives enabling through multiple formats the reliable distribution to select portions of the landscape. Therein, the runoff water from the roof of a structure is initially routed to an accessible premix catch basin whereat any debris and sediment is settled for convenient periodic removal. The premix catch basin is connected with a main buried reservoir by a connecting conduit including an inline filter for removing remaining suspended sediment, thus ensuring that only filtered water is transferred thereto. Water from the reservoir is transferred by a submersed pump to a pressure manifold having plural valved outlets enabling use in varying modes, including fixed sprinkling systems, mobile hose outlets, and local structure water applications. The manifold further includes an outlet connected to a mixing head in the premix catch basin for the preliminary mixing of additive solutions, without requiring runoff water from the roof. This outlet also assists in the cleaning of accumulations from the premix catch basin. The manifold further includes mixing jets in the main reservoir for providing agitation for a uniform additive solution. Throughout the change of seasons, the desired additives can be added for all aspects of landscape care. Seasonal changes in the additives can be added to the residual contents compatibly. To prevent dilution, a bypass line is provided at the premix chamber to divert runoff water after an additive solution has been prepared. 

   
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The above and other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of a water collection and distribution system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram for the distribution manifold of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram of the control system for the pumps in the collection and distribution system; and 
       FIG. 4  is a top view of the catch basin of the collection and distribution system. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Referring to the drawings,  FIG. 1  illustrates a water collection and distribution system  10  providing water and additive solutions for use in maintenance activities around a yard  12  surrounding a structure  14 . The system  10  collects water running from the roof  15  of the structure  14  into a gutter system  16  discharging into one or more downspouts  18 . A preliminary filter screen may be placed at the top of the downspout for partially eliminating debris from the system. The system may be used in connection with pitched or non-pitched roofing systems for commercial and residential structures using conventional components. 
   Water flowing through the downspout  18  is routed at coupling  19  to supply conduit  20  below the surface of the surrounding ground level  22  of the yard and having an outlet at a buried premix catch basin  24 . The catch basin  24  has a bottom upwardly opening cavity covered with a removable hatch  28 . Runoff water from the roof may contain debris that is settled at the bottom catch basin. The hatch  28  may be opened for the periodic removal of the settled debris. The hatch  28  may be solid and generally flush with the surrounding ground or grated for accepting ground runoff water. Catch basins suitable for use are commercially available. 
   The catch basin  24  has an outlet fluidly connected with a collection reservoir  30  buried below ground level by connecting conduit  32 . Referring additionally to  FIG. 4 , a filter  34  is connected to the inlet of the connecting conduit  32  for the filtering of remaining particulates in the water. The filter  34  is located in the catch basin  24  at the inlet of the connecting conduit  32  for facilitating the servicing thereof. A branch or bypass conduit  36  has an inlet located in the catch basin. A plug  38  is insertable into either the inlet of the connecting conduit or the bypass conduit to selectively block flow therethrough. When it is desired to route the runoff into reservoir  30  for filling, the plug  38  is removed from conduit  32  and inserted at the bypass conduit  36 . When it is desired to block flow to the reservoir when a prepared mixture is being held, the plug is switched to the conduit  32  and the runoff is directed to the bypass conduit  36 . The bypass conduit  36  has an outlet connected to a drainage conduit  40 . The drainage conduit  40  has an entrance at the top of the reservoir  30  and an exit  42  on a grade  44  at a level below the top of the reservoir  30 . 
   The reservoir  30  is buried below ground level  22 . The reservoir  30  is formed of a suitable water resistant material, such as fiberglass or plastic, having a capacity suitable for handling the anticipated roof runoff. The reservoir includes a pair of manholes or hatches  46 ,  48  below ground level. Personnel can enter the reservoir through the hatches for installation and maintenance. A main submersible pump  50  is installed in the reservoir and vertically positioned, by suitable means, adjacent the base of the reservoir  30 . The pump  50  includes an outlet connected to a check valve  52  and through supply conduit  54  to a pressurized distribution manifold  56 . A secondary overflow pump  60  is installed in the reservoir and vertically positioned by suitable means, adjacent the upper portion of the reservoir. The overflow pump  60  is connected by distribution conduit  64  to a distribution head  66  and is operative to distribute excess water to the ground. The pump  60  may function in parallel with the drainage conduit  40  to limit fluid level in the reservoir under high runoff conditions or to function in lieu of the drainage conduit when an appropriate grade is not available. 
   A hand pump  68  is provided for manually pumping water from the reservoir for intermittent needs. The hand pump  68  is connected by hand pump conduit  69  to a foot valve strainer  70  and check valve  72  adjacent the base of the reservoir  30 . 
   A mixing head  74  is disposed in the catch basin  24  and connected with the distribution manifold  56  by branch line  76 . The mixing head  74  supplies water for cleaning and mixing as described below. A jet mixer  78  is disposed in the reservoir  30  and connected to the distribution manifold  56  by branch line  79  for supplying water for agitation and mixing, also as described below. 
   Referring to additionally to  FIG. 2 , the distribution manifold  56  is fluidly connected with supply conduit  54  at coupling  80 . The distribution manifold  56  may be located interior or exterior of the structure  14 . For control of fluid pressure, the main line  81  of the manifold  56  includes a pressure tank  82 , pressure relief valve  84 , automatic on/off and low-pressure cutoff switch  86  and pressure gage  88 . Branch lines  90 ,  92 ,  94 ,  96 , and  98  are connected in parallel with the main line  81 . Each branch line includes a manual control valve. Branch line  90  is connected with line  76  to the mixing head  74 . Branch line  92  is connected with line  79  to the jet mixer  78 . Branch line  94  is connected to an outlet  110  for “mobile” use in connection with a hose for variable location watering. Branch line  96  is connected to a “fixed” location application, such as a sprinkler on irrigation system  112 . Branch line  98  is connected to an outlet  114  for “local” use at the structure  14 . 
   Referring additionally to  FIG. 3 , the pump  50  is connected to a 220 volt power supply  120 . The pump  50  is controlled by pressure switch  86  for operation between high and low line pressures and cutoff if the pressure drops below a determined level. The pump  60  is connected to a 110 volt power supply  121  and controlled by float switch  122  associated with the float  62 . A manual cutoff switch  124  is provided for disabling pump operation. 
   The present invention thus provides a system for comprehensively utilizing runoff water. The system may be used for the collection of filtered water in the main reservoir for delivering water from the manifold  56  for “local” use through line  98  at outlet  114 , “mobile” use  110  through hose line  94 , and “fixed” watering systems  112  through line  96 . If during such accumulation excessive water is presented to the reservoir, the excess is removed by pump  60  and/or drainage line  40  thereby eliminating hydrostatic conditions leading to leakage or reservoir rupture. When fertilization or other additive treatment for landscape maintenance is desired, the desired additive is deposited in the premix catch basin  24 , and the premix line opened to solubilize the additives for transfer to the reservoir and the mixing jets  78  opened to uniformly mix the solution. To maintain the desired concentration, the plug in the catch basin is opened for transferring any incoming water to the discharge line  36 . The additive solution may thereafter be dispensed according to the desired application form, using the spigot, hose or irrigation system. When a revised formulation is desired, the mixing is repeated with the new formulation generally being compatible with the residual solution in the reservoir. To ensure high purity in the reservoir, the catch basin may be cleaned periodically and the mixing head used for flushing. The filter screen may be serviced or replaced as necessary. 
   Having thus described a presently preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will now be appreciated that the objects of the invention have been fully achieved, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the sprit and scope of the present invention. The disclosures and description herein are intended to be illustrative and are not in any sense limiting of the invention, which is defined solely in accordance with the following claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 8