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US 5,863,151 AGranted
Rainwater saver system
OwnerDan Chapotelleinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A new rainwater saver system using the principle of water following a line of least resistance, the rainwater saver system being for collecting water and redistributing it for various purposes. The rainwater saver system includes a housing having a lower and upper exit tube. The lower exit tube is connected to a hose leading to a storage container. The upper tube is connected to a regular drainage system for draining water when the storage container is filled.
Claims15
A rainwater saver system comprising:
- a housing having an interior, said housing including four substantially vertical side panels, a substantially horizontal bottom panel enclosing the lower end of said housing, and a top with an opening adapted to permit water to flow into the interior of said housing from an inlet means for collecting and directing water flow;
- a first outlet aperture being positioned in one of said side panels, and a second outlet aperture for distributing water to a rainwater collection receptacle, said second outlet aperture being positioned in one of said side panels, wherein said first outlet aperture is located at a vertically higher level from said bottom panel than said second outlet aperture;
- a receptacle for receiving rainwater from said housing, said receptacle being connected to said second outlet aperture, said housing being positioned at a vertically higher position than said receptacle such that water within said interior flows through said second outlet aperture into said receptacle;
- and
- an L-shaped outlet pipe, said L-shaped outlet pipe having a first end and a second end, said first end being coupled to said housing around said first outlet aperture such that said interior is in fluid communication with said outlet pipe, said second end being adapted for engaging a drain pipe such that overflow from said receptacle backs up into said interior and flows out of said first outlet aperture through said outlet pipe and into said drain pipe.
2 more elements
A rainwater saver system comprising, in combination:
- a building having a plurality of drain pipes, said plurality of drain pipes being for collecting rainwater and directing the rainwater to a main drain pipe;
- a housing having an interior, said housing including four substantially vertical side panels, a substantially horizontal bottom panel enclosing the lower end of said housing, and a top with an opening adapted to permit water to flow into the interior of said housing from said main drain pipe of said building for collecting and directing water flow from said main drain pipe of the building;
- a first outlet aperture being positioned in one of said side panels, and a second outlet aperture for distributing water to a rainwater collection receptacle, said second outlet aperture being positioned in one of said side panels, wherein said first outlet aperture is located at a vertically higher level from said bottom panel than said second outlet aperture;
- a collection receptacle for receiving rainwater from said housing, said receptacle being connected to said second outlet aperture by a hose, said housing being positioned at a vertically higher position than said receptacle such that water within said interior flows through said second outlet aperture through said hose and into said receptacle;
- wherein the opening in the top of the housing is of a size and shape to connect to the main drain pipe of the building;
- said first outlet aperture being for connecting to a first outlet drain pipe for removing overflow water from said housing;
- a bracket means for attaching said housing to said building, said bracket means being coupled to said housing;
- wherein the bracket means are located on said housing in a manner permitting positioning of the bracket means against the building, said bracket means including a pair of oppositional mounting ears disposed from said housing, each of said mounting ears having a rounded outer perimeter and a hole, the hole being adapted for receiving an anchor means attaching said housing to the building;
- wherein the housing comprises a rectangular-shaped box.;
- wherein the rectangular-shaped box measures about 9 to 10 inches high, about 4 inches long, and about 3 1/2 inches wide;
- a connecting means for connecting said housing to the main drain pipe of the building;
- wherein said first outlet drain pipe comprises an L-shaped outlet pipe, said L-shaped outlet pipe having a first end and a second end, said first end being coupled to said housing around said first outlet aperture such that said interior is in fluid communication with said outlet pipe, said second end being adapted for engaging a drain pipe such that overflow from said receptacle backs up into said interior and flows out of said first outlet aperture through said outlet pipe and into said drain pipe;
- wherein said second end of said outlet pipe faces in a downward direction;
- a bracket means adapted for attaching said housing to a support structure, said bracket means being coupled to said housing;
- wherein the bracket means are located on said housing in a manner permitting positioning of the bracket means against said building.
- wherein said housing is constructed from one material selected from the group of materials consisting of molded plastic and non-corrosive metal;
- and
- wherein said first outlet is located a first distance above said horizontal bottom panel and wherein said second outlet is located a second distance above said horizontal bottom panel, and wherein said first distance is about three times greater than said second distance.
15 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.