Improvements in the Collection and Storage of Rain Water from Roofs and the like, and in Apparatus therefor.
Year: 1885

page_text: Improvements in the Collection and Storage of Rain Water from
Roofs and the like, and in Apparatus therefor.
I, THOMAS MERCER of 51 South John Street, Liverpool, in the County of
Lancaster, Architect and Surveyor, do hereby declare the nature of my said
invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE COLLECTION AND STORAGE OF RAIN WATER
FROM ROOFS AND THE LIKE AND IN APPARATUS THEREFOR," to be as follows:—
This invention is designed to economise or utilise the water from rainfall upon
roofa or other elevated surfaces (without using an internal lead cistern or a sunk
cistern in the basement from which the water would have to be pumped; the two
usual plans).
The invention consists 1st in forming the down pipes of very much increased.
diameter and with or without a cistern on top just below the gutter. The top of
the pipe or cistern is flush with the gutter so that when full the water can pass on
to the next pipe. At the bottom of the enlarged pipe I place a valve that can be
either weighted to open with a given head so as to allow the water to stand nearly
at the top of the cistern but to never quite fill it or the valve can be openable by
hand so as to flush the pipe at intervals. A tap is placed near the bottom of the
broad part of the pipe a little above the valve so as to allow sitting space. Below
the valve an ordinary 3 or 4 inch down pipe will suffice for the remaining few feet
to carry off overflow or flush water.

page_text: Roofs and the like, and in Apparatus therefor.
I, THOMAS MERCER, of 51 South John Street, Liverpool, in the county of
Lancaster, Architect and Surveyor do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention is designed to economise or utilize the water from rainfall upon
roofs or other elevated surfaces.
The invention is best described by aid of the accompanying drawings in which,
Figures 1 and 3 are sections through the wall showing side view of two slightly
varying arrangements.
Figures 2 and 4 front view with section below ground surface of somewhat
similar arrangements.
Figure 5 section enlarged view of bottom of pipe.
Figures 6 to 9 enlarged view of tops of the apparatus set forth in Figures 1, 2, 3
and 4 respectively.
Figure 10 bottom end of pipe of Figures 4 and 9.
Figure 11 sectional plan taken a little above top of Figure 10.
These figures are arranged for special architectural purposes, and are not to be
supposed as showing four designs as far removed as possible from each other so as
to thoroughly explain the possible variations from one type, but simply as views of
various pipes used in different parts of the same building and differing from each
other only as far as it was requisite to conform with the requirements of the said
building only.
The invention consists 1st in forming the down pipes A of very much increased
diameter and with or without a cistern C on top just below the gutter G. The top
of the pipe or cistern is flush with the gutter, so that when full this water can pass
on to the next pipe. At the bottom of the enlarged pipe, I place a valve B that
can be either weighted to open with a given head so as to allow the water to stand
nearly at the top of the cistern, but to never, quite fill it, or the valve can be
openable by hand so as to flush the pipe at intervals. A tap H is placed near the
bottom of the broad part of the pipe a little above the valve so as to allow settling
врасе. Below the valve an ordinary 3 or 4 inch down pipe will suffice for the
remaining few feet to carry off overflow or flush water.
The apparatus can be placed either inside the building as in Figure 3, or outside
the same as in Figure 1. It is fixed near to one of the usual down spouts which
will receive the overflowing water from gutters, the upright tube or receptacle A
can be of any desired capacity. The cistern C can be of earthenware, slate or metal,
and be attached to tube either at the top or in any convenient position in its
length. This cistern having an inclined or sloping bottom D does not retain the
sediment, taps or pipes E are attached for receiving and conveying the water to
wash basins, sinks, washing troughs or other situations as required; a closing
valve is sometimes connected with inlet to the upper part of the apparatus and is

page_text: intended to be used in frosty weather and also to prevent the first or impure water
from passing into the receptacle, the sediment settles at the lower end of tube
which can be made self-cleansing by the valve being so weighted as to be forced
out by the head of water above as set forth in Figure 10, where the rod J is
weighted and is also connected with a lever inside the house (not shown in the
drawings) so that it can be actuated by hand to flush the sewer; by simply opening
this bottom valve B a body of water with considerable pressure is available for
this purpose. In districts where Town water is received through a meter the
employment of this method effects a direct saving, and in large Institutions in the
suburbs of cities or towns a further saving of soap and soda will be effected. The
joints of the apparatus being air and water-tight, and from its not having any
openings saving that at the top, there is not any danger from sewer gas penetrating
to the interior of building.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is :-
1st. The manufacture and use of enlarged down pipes for collecting and storing.
rainwater from roofs and the like, whether with or without cisterns in combination,
substantially as described.
2nd. The high vertical rainwater receptacles placed over or discharging into the
sewer, and having a valve at the bottom whereby the rain water can be collected
and stored, and the sediment allowed to settle and be run out at intervals while
the sewer is flushed with a strong head of water, substantially as described.
Dated this 2nd day of June 1886.