Abstract:
A rainwater collection apparatus stores rainwater until required, and includes at least one outlet for exporting rainwater. The outlet or outlets include ball-valve assemblies and levers for opening and closing the outlets, and couplers for attachment to a garden hose, thereby providing optimal control of the export of water. An overflow port or outlet is provided as well. A drainage port at an inferior end is provided to remove sediment. To aid in the usage and distribution of the water, an internal submersible pump may be provided. The output of the pump is connected to a conventional garden hose allowing the rain water from the barrel to be used for washing of motor vehicles, watering of lawns and flowers, rinsing of driveways and the like. The pump is controlled by an ON-OFF switch located on the side of the barrel.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   The present invention contains subject matter that was first described in Disclosure Document Registration 539,109 filed on Sep. 24, 2003 under 35 U.S.C. §122 and 37 C.F.R. §1.14. As such, it is respectfully requested that said Disclosure Document remain a permanent part of the file history of the present application and be relied upon during the pending prosecution, and for any other matters that may arise. 
   There are no previously filed, nor currently any co-pending applications, anywhere in the world. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates generally to a rainwater collection apparatus and, more particularly, to a rainwater collection apparatus with plural outlets and a submersible pump for export or evacuation of water, and a drainage port for exporting sediment. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Many homes and communities rely on cisterns for storing collected water. A cistern is basically a container for holding rain water runoff from roofs and other horizontal surfaces. While this water is usually not used for personal consumption, it is ideal for other tasks not requiring potable water such as irrigation, washing cars, rinsing driveways, and the like. However, the typical cistern that collects roof rain water usually only has a removable lid which allows a person to dunk a pail inside to fill it. As such, it is not easy or even handy for use for everyday chores, thus such rain water is left unused, while the municipal or well system is used for water. Accordingly, there is a need for a means by which rain water can be not only captured and stored, but used in an easy and effective manner, thus promoting water conservation and recycling. 
   A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention; however, the following references were considered related:
         U.S. Pat. No. 6,436,283, issued in the name of Duke, discloses a portable rainwater collecting and purifying system;   U.S. Pat. No. 6,264,832, issued in the name of Panahi, discloses an apparatus for treating rainwater, the apparatus having a stop tank and a treatment cycle;   U.S. Pat. No. 5,873,383, issued in the name of Takai et al., discloses a water storing and dispensing apparatus comprising three tanks and control means for emptying the apparatus;   U.S. Pat. No. 5,533,303, issued in the name of Harvey, discloses a down spout water conservation adaptor installed on a down spout for selectively diverting water flow from the down spout outwardly;   U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,301,474 and 5,259,166, each issued in the name of Carey, II, et al., discloses a method and system for applying a water gathering and channeling roof onto the roof of an existing building;   U.S. Pat. No. 4,976,442, issued in the name of Treadway, discloses an arrow with a removable transmitter for emitting a perceptible radio signal;   U.S. Pat. No. 4,919,165, issued in the name of Lloyd, discloses an irrigation system control apparatus having a float that communicates with an electrical control switch to actuate an electric pump for discharging collected water; and   U.S. Pat. No. 4,6147,153, issued in the name of Carey, discloses a leader or down spout filter for preventing entry of leaves and debris that may obstruct the down spout conduit.       

   Consequently, there is a need for an improved rainwater collection apparatus and system. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a rainwater collection apparatus with an operatively coupled pump for exporting water therefrom. 
   It is a feature of the present invention to provide an apparatus with a removably attachable intake for acting as a filter and inhibit debris from ingress to a reservoir used for storing collected rainwater. The intake is attachable to the reservoir. 
   It is another feature of the present invention to provide an apparatus with a overflow ports to allow excessive rainwater to overflow from the reservoir in a controlled manner. 
   It is another feature of the present invention to provide an apparatus with a first outlet for exporting stored rainwater therefrom, the first outlet having a ball-valve assembly and a lever for mechanical actuation of export, and with a male style hose coupling for connection with a garden hose. 
   It is another feature of the present invention to provide an apparatus with a second outlet for exporting water therefrom, the second outlet having a ball-valve assembly and a lever for mechanical actuation of export, and with a male style hose coupling for connection with a garden hose. 
   It is another feature of the present invention to provide an apparatus with a drainage port and a corresponding drainage plug for allowing mechanical actuation of removing sediment or water therefrom. 
   Briefly described according to one embodiment of the present invention, a rainwater collection apparatus operatively coupled with a pump is a reservoir positioned under a roof down-spout, which is typical of conventional cisterns. A lid is provided to keep foreign matter out. An overflow port or outlet is provided as well. At the bottom of the barrel, a drain fitting is provided to allow for winterization, cleaning or the like. To aid in the usage and distribution of the water, an internal submersible pump is provided. The output of the pump is connected to a conventional garden hose allowing the rain water from the barrel to be used for washing of motor vehicles, watering of lawns and flowers, rinsing of driveways and the like. The pump is controlled by an ON-OFF switch located on the side of the barrel. The use of the apparatus provides an easy means of using rain water from a cistern, thus promoting water conservation in a manner which is easy, cost-effective and efficient. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a front view of a rainwater collection apparatus; 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded side view of the apparatus depicting a pump coupled to a sediment valve; and 
       FIG. 3  is an alternate embodiment of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 2 , substituting a drainage port and plug for the sediment valve and pump; 
       FIG. 4  is a top view of the intake; 
       FIG. 5  is a rear perspective of the intake; 
       FIG. 6  is a front perspective of the intake; and 
       FIG. 7  is a front view of an alternate embodiment of the rainwater collection apparatus having an integral reservoir. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within the  FIGS. 1–7 . 
   1. Detailed Description of the Figures 
   Referring now to  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 7 , a rainwater collection apparatus  10  is shown in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus  10  comprises a reservoir  12  and a removable intake  14 . The reservoir  12  includes a drainage port  16  and a first outlet  18 . The reservoir  12  may also include a second outlet  20  for exporting water or potentially working in combination with drainage port  16 . The apparatus  10  may further comprises a pump  22  either submersible within the reservoir  12  or independent of the reservoir  12 , operatively coupled with the reservoir  12  to pump water from the reservoir  12  through the second outlet  20 . The apparatus  10  may also include at least one (or more) overflow ports  24  provided to permit overflow rainwater to egress from the reservoir  12  in a controlled manner. 
   The reservoir  12  may comprise a variety of polygonal body shapes, including a cylinder (or drum) shape, an orthogonal shape or a non-uniform shape as depicted in the figures (wherein the inferior end of the reservoir  12  is wider than the superior end). The reservoir  12  comprises a superior end  26 , an opposing inferior end  28  and an external surface  30  intermediately disposed between the ends  26  and  28 . The ends  26  and  28  and the external surface  30  define a storage volume, the inferior end  28  bound by a base  32 , the superior end  26  unbound and providing an opening for the ingress of rainwater. At least one overflow port  24  (two being shown in the figures) is provided adjacent the superior end  26 , the ports  24  allowing for excess or overflow rainwater collected by the reservoir  12  to egress from the reservoir  12  in a controlled manner. A drainage port  16  is positioned adjacent to the inferior end  28  to permit drainage of water and sediment therefrom. The drainage port  16  includes a corresponding plug  36  that is threaded into the port  16 , or inserted into the port  16  by frictional interference fit impingement, the plug  36  capable of withstanding water pressure generated by the volume stored in the reservoir  12  (envisioned to be as much as 80 gallons). 
   The reservoir  12  is envisioned as having an integral ( FIG. 7 ) or modular configuration ( FIG. 1  through  FIG. 3 ). The modular configuration of the reservoir comprises an upper section  12   a  and a lower section  12   b . The upper section  12   a  is superior to and may rest or be affixed to the lower section  12   b  by a variety of means, including the use of clamps, impingement, threading or other similar means. 
   A second outlet  20  may also be provided, the second outlet  20  positioned adjacent to the inferior end  28  to permit drainage of water therefrom. The second outlet  20  includes a ball-valve assembly  38  with a lever  40  for opening and closing the ball-valve assembly  38 . It is envisioned that the ball-valve assembly  38  (of the second outlet  20  and the first outlet  18  described in further detail below) comprises a plastic assembly and the lever  40  comprises a metal construction to ensure accuracy in releasing stored rainwater and increasing the durability and life span of the lever  40 . Coupled to the ball-valve  38  assembly is a standard size male-style garden hose attachment (envisioned to accommodate garden hoses from 0.5 inches (½″) to 0.625 inches (⅝″) in diameter having a threaded external surface for receiving an internally threaded coupling of the hose  100 . The pump  22  is operatively coupled (via a hose  54 ) so as to expedite the exporting of water collected in the base  32  through the second outlet  20 . The pump  22  is envisioned as submersible with the reservoir  12  (in a compartment  56 ) or independently external to the reservoir  12  so long as the pump  22  is easily removable and serviceable. The pump  22  may be stored in a compartment in the reservoir  12 , with the power supply  58  exiting an aperture in the external surface  30  of the reservoir  12  (preferably opposite the first outlet  18  and the second outlet  20 , thereby allowing the power supply to connect to an external electrical outlet or extension  60  from the outlet. The power supply  58  and/or the extension  60  may be neatly supported by the reservoir  12  by hangers, hooks  62  or other similar means. The pump  22  is envisioned as having the capacity of a domestic water pump system, accommodating water volumes of approximately four to six gallons per minute. If the pump  22  is separately submersible within compartment  56 , a third outlet  64  having a ball and valve assembly (as described above) is provided between the wall of the compartment and the storage volume of the reservoir, thus extending the life of the pump and preventing corrosion and other damage to the pump  22 . An externally projected lever  66  (see  FIG. 1 ) for controlling the third outlet  64  and the ball and valve assembly is provided so that opening and closing the outlet  64  does not require removal of the intake  12  and other parts and submerging the arms and hands of the user therein. 
   The first outlet  18  is positioned at a profile superior to the second outlet  20  (if provided) or the drainage port  16  (if provided). The first outlet  18  includes a ball-valve assembly  38  with a lever  40  for opening and closing the ball-valve assembly  38 . It is envisioned that the ball-valve assembly  38  (of the second outlet  20  and the first outlet  18  described in further detail below) comprises a plastic assembly and the lever  40  comprises a metal construction to ensure accuracy in releasing stored rainwater and increasing the durability and life span of the lever  40 . Coupled to the ball-valve  38  assembly is a standard size male-style garden hose attachment (envisioned to accommodate garden hoses from 0.5 inches (½″) to 0.625 inches (⅝″) in diameter having a threaded external surface for receiving an internally threaded coupling of a hose. The first outlet  18  is positioned at a position sufficiently elevated so that debris or sediment is not exported with the rainwater, but not so elevated that a minimal amount of water is extractable. It is envisioned that the optimal positioning of the first outlet  18  is approximately along an imaginary horizontal midline “M—M” of the reservoir or adjacently inferior to the horizontal midline “M—M”. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 4  through  FIG. 6 , the removable intake  14  substantially corresponds to the superior end  26  of the reservoir  12  and is either threadably coupled or mechanically coupled (via mechanical fasteners or the like) thereto. The intake  14  receives rainwater from a down spout  100  or other similar source. The intake  14  is envisioned as approximately six inches in height with an interior dam  42 , an overflow ridge  44  and an inlet  46 , the inlet  46  possessing a screen  48 . The interior dam  42  initially collects the rainwater from a down spout or direct rainfall. Any sediment or silt will sink to the bottom of the dam  42 . As rainwater is collected, the volume will rise and flow over the ridge  44  and into the inlet  46 . The dam  42  is inclined as it rises toward the ridge  44 . The water will pass through the screen  48 , with large debris (such as sticks, limbs, leaves, and paper waste, for instance) will be caught by the screen  48 , thereby preventing clogging of the outlets  18  and  20  or the drainage port  16 . The rainwater will pass through the screen  48  and will reside in the reservoir  12  until use necessitates export of the water. Any silt or sediment collected by the dam  42  (and that is not carried by the water into the reservoir  12 ) may be removed from the intake  14  by removal of the intake and cleaning. Also, the screen  48  may be cleared of any debris at that time. The walls  50  on the screen side of the ridge  44  are envisioned as being inclined so that rainwater is funneled into and through the screen  48 , and then passing through at least one aperture  52  and into the reservoir  12 . 
   The embodiment depicted by the figures envisions a bell-shape silhouette reservoir  12  (as seen from the front), with a flat rear side so that abutment against a building is achieved. The external surface  30  is arched or has a curvilinear form from the rear side. This configuration provides more storage volume near the base of the reservoir  12  while also providing weight and balance to the apparatus  10  overall. 
   2. Operation of the Preferred Embodiment 
   A user will place the flat rear side of the apparatus  10  against or adjacent to a building. Any down spout or eave that permits the flow of rainwater is aligned so that the rainwater is received by the intake  14  at the dam  42 . As the water collects and rises above the ridge  44 , the water will filter through the screen  48 , with any large debris inhibited from entering the reservoir  12 . The rainwater is stored in the reservoir  12  until necessity requires export of the rainwater through the outlets  18  or  20 , or through drainage port  16 . 
   It is further envisioned that a plurality of the apparatuses  10  may be coupled about the overflow ports  24  via a hose coupled thereto and the free end placed to permit egress of the rainwater into the intake  14  of the adjacent apparatus  10 . 
   The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto and their equivalents. Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be limited only by the following claims.