Patent ID: 8545194

Claim:
A solar pump kit, comprising: a solar panel configured to respond to solar energy, and to provide solar power via an electrical terminal; an inline submersible pump configured to be inserted through a top opening of a rain barrel or container so as to be arranged inside the rain barrel or container, configured with a fluid output port to couple the inline submersible pump to a first end of a first hose configured with a length that is long enough to extend from said fluid output port out of the top opening to discharge rainwater from the rain barrel or container when the inline submersible pump is arranged in the rain barrel or container, and configured with a power cord to receive electrical power; and a control box configured with a housing to contain the following components: i) a pipe fitting having one end to couple the control box to a second end of the first hose coupled to the inline submersible pump in order to receive the rainwater pumped from the rain barrel or container, the pipe fitting also having another end with a hose pipe fitting to couple the control box to a second hose to provide the rainwater being pumped; ii) a rechargeable battery coupled to the power cord of the inline submersible pump in order to provide the electrical power to the inline submersible pump in order to pump the fluid; iii) an electrical fitting configured to couple the rechargeable battery to the electrical terminal of the solar panel and receive the solar power in order to recharge the rechargeable battery; and iv) an on/off switch configured to couple the rechargeable battery and the power cord of the inline submersible pump, to respond to an on/off user input and to turn the inline submersible pump on/off in order to pump the fluid, such that the solar pump kit is configured to enable rainwater to be pumped out of the rain barrel or container in locations that have no access to electrical AC power.