Deployable rain catching system
The invention consists of an umbrella-like section used in an inverted vertical position as a funnel to receive rain water. The center of this foldable funnel is open and allows the water to flow out. The funnel is positioned over a vertical tubular housing, which has the dual purpose of channeling the water to a cistern, and to serve as the housing for the folded funnel. A mechanism consisting of a system of pulleys, and optionally electric motor, extracts and retracts the funnel as required by either human intervention, or automated logical decisions of a control device, or a combination of both, according to the degree of sophistication desired.
The present invention concerns the collection of rain water.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONIn all areas of the world where water is either scarce or not available from central distribution systems, it is customary to resort to methods of catching rain water before it reaches the ground and runs off Traditional methods are using the roofs of habitations, funneling the water through a system of gutters to a cistern, or building paved areas on suitably sloped ground, also channeling the water to a cistern. All present methods have the following drawbacks: 1) they are open at all times to the accumulation of debris, bird and other animal pollution, thus rendering the water unsuitable for direct consumption, 2) they permanently occupy the land area for the intended purpose, 3) they are using rigid structures, which are unwieldy to handle beyond moderate sizes, and 4) they do not readily lend themselves to automatic unattended operation The present invention offers the deployment of a rain catching surface solely during the occurrence of rain After cessation of rain, the surface is retracted into its housing, which occupies a land area which can be designed in the order of one hundredth of the deployed catching surface. In its standby mode, the system is totally sealed and is impervious to the intrusion of debris of any sort.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe invention consists of an umbrella-like section used in an inverted vertical position as a funnel to receive rain water. The center of this foldable funnel is open and allows the water to flow out. The funnel is positioned over a vertical tubular housing, which has the dual purpose of channeling the water to piping and storage systems which are not part of this invention, and to serve as the housing for the folded funnel. A mechanism consisting of a system of pulleys, and optionally electric motor, extracts and retracts the funnel as required by either human intervention, or automated logical decisions of a control device, or a combination of both, according to the degree of sophistication desired.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention is presented in several levels of sophistication:
- 1) The basic device, as a hand operated system.
- 2) The basic device with the addition of a motor drive and a manual control box.
- 3) An automated control unit serving one or a multiplicity of devices as in 2) above.
The system consists essentially of a foldable surface similar to an inverted umbrella with a hole in its center, which acts as a funnel, and a vertical tube capable of housing this funnel in its folded state. The system also comprises the means, manual or automatic, to extract and retract the funnel according to rain conditions. The housing tube serves as the conduit to rainwater towards whatever storage system may be desired.
Reference is made to
Reference is made to
In either form above, the funnel is identical and is represented in
The funnel assembly articulates, deploys and closes very much in the manner of traditional umbrellas, now long in the public domain, with the new aspect that the assembly relies partly on gravity to close, and that the canvas requires little force to assume its retracted state.
In the illustrated design of a hexagon in
Reference is made to
Power to the system is provided by a suitably dimensioned photovoltaic panel (20), which keeps a rechargeable battery {(32) in
Reference is made to
Claims
1-18. (canceled)
19-A system comprising one or a plurality of units capable of extending a flexible folded surface designed to catch rain water.
20-A system as in claim 19, comprising one or a plurality of units, each capable to completely collapse, fold retract and seal an extended surface within a housing in the form of a tube, said tube to carry the rainwater collected by said surface.
21-A system as in claim 19, comprising one or a plurality of units, each capable to completely collapse, fold retract and seal an extended surface within a housing in the form of a tube, said tube to carry the rainwater collected by said surface, and including a control unit comprising a combination, but not limited to, a) a self-sustained power source, such as, but not limited to a solar panel associated with a rechargeable battery, b) moisture detecting elements, c) a wind speed detecting device, d) electronic controls with the intelligence to operate the system.
22-A system as in claim 19, comprising one or a plurality of units, each capable to completely collapse, fold retract and seal an extended surface within a housing in the form of a tube, said tube to carry the rainwater collected by said surface, and said tube of a height as determined by the chosen dimensions of the said rain catching surface, to be vertically mounted on the ground.
23-A system as in claim 19, comprising one or a plurality of units, each capable to completely collapse, fold retract and seal an extended surface within a housing in the form of a tube, said tube to carry the rainwater collected by said surface, and in its operating mode, deploys at its top a flexible surface from inside itself and maintains this surface horizontally.
24-A system as in claim 19, comprising one or a plurality of units, each capable to completely collapse, fold retract and seal an extended surface within a housing in the form of a tube, said tube to carry the rainwater collected by said surface, and in its operating mode, deploys at its top a flexible surface from inside itself and maintains this surface horizontally, and said flexible surface assuming the shape of a funnel that is placed directly over the tube so as to channel water inside said tube.
25-A system as in claim 19, comprising one or a plurality of units, each capable to completely collapse, fold retract and seal an extended surface within a housing in the form of a tube, said tube to carry the rainwater collected by said surface, and in its operating mode, deploys at its top a flexible surface from inside itself and maintains this surface horizontally, and said flexible surface assuming the shape of a funnel that is placed directly over the tube so as to channel water inside said tube, and said flexible surface assuming the shape of a funnel that is placed directly over the tube so as to channel water inside said tube, said flexible surface also comprising a rib structure to deploy said flexible surface in the shape of a funnel.
26-A system as in claim 19, comprising one or a plurality of units, each capable to completely collapse, fold retract and seal an extended surface within a housing in the form of a tube, said tube to carry the rainwater collected by said surface, and in its operating mode, deploys at its top a flexible surface from inside itself and maintains this surface horizontally, and said flexible surface assuming the shape of a funnel that is placed directly over the tube so as to channel water inside said tube, and said flexible surface assuming the shape of a funnel that is placed directly over the tube so as to channel water inside said tube, said flexible surface also comprising a rib structure to deploy said flexible surface in an orderly fashion, said rib structure including, but not limited to, a set of 6 articulated ribs, and 3 or more spreading ribs.
27-A system as in claim 19, comprising one or a plurality of units, each capable to completely collapse, fold retract and seal an extended surface within a housing in the form of a tube, said tube to carry the rainwater collected by said surface, and in its operating mode, deploys at its top a flexible surface from inside itself and maintains this surface horizontally, and said flexible surface assuming the shape of a funnel that is placed directly over the tube so as to channel water inside said tube, and said flexible surface assuming the shape of a funnel that is placed directly over the tube so as to channel water inside said tube, said flexible surface also comprising a rib structure to deploy said flexible surface in the shape of a funnel, said rib structure including, but not limited to, a set of 6 articulated ribs, and 3 or more spreading ribs, said rib structure having its articulated ribs connected at a fixed point on a shaft, and its spreading ribs connected to a ring element around said shaft, said ring being permitted to move freely along said shaft.
28-A system as in claim 19, comprising one or a plurality of units, each capable to completely collapse, fold retract and seal an extended surface within a housing in the form of a tube, said tube to carry the rainwater collected by said surface, and in its operating mode, deploys at its top a flexible surface from inside itself and maintains this surface horizontally, and said flexible surface assuming the shape of a funnel that is placed directly over the tube so as to channel water inside said tube, and said flexible surface assuming the shape of a funnel that is placed directly over the tube so as to channel water inside said tube, said flexible surface also comprising a rib structure to deploy said flexible surface in the shape of a funnel, said rib structure including, but not limited to, a set of 6 articulated ribs, and 3 or more spreading ribs, said rib structure having its articulated ribs connected at a fixed point on a shaft, and its spreading ribs connected to a ring element around said shaft, said ring being permitted to move freely along said shaft, said entire funnel structure connected to a set of cables terminated in convenient handles, or cable pulls, said cables being permitted to be secured to a set of cleats.
29-A system as in claim 19, comprising one or a plurality of units, each capable to completely collapse, fold retract and seal an extended surface within a housing in the form of a tube, said tube to carry the rainwater collected by said surface, and in its operating mode, deploys at its top a flexible surface from inside itself and maintains this surface horizontally, and said flexible surface assuming the shape of a funnel that is placed directly over the tube so as to channel water inside said tube, and said flexible surface assuming the shape of a funnel that is placed directly over the tube so as to channel water inside said tube, said flexible surface also comprising a rib structure to deploy said flexible surface in the shape of a funnel, said rib structure including, but not limited to, a set of 6 articulated ribs, and 3 or more spreading ribs, said rib structure having its articulated ribs connected at a fixed point on a shaft, and its spreading ribs connected to a ring element around said shaft, said ring being permitted to move freely along said shaft, said entire funnel structure connected to a set of cables terminated in convenient handles, or cable pulls, said cables being permitted to be secured to a set of cleats, said cables guided by a set of pulleys.
30-A system as in claim 19, comprising one or a plurality of units, each capable to completely collapse, fold retract and seal an extended surface within a housing in the form of a tube, said tube to carry the rainwater collected by said surface, and in its operating mode, deploys at its top a flexible surface from inside itself and maintains this surface horizontally, and said flexible surface assuming the shape of a funnel that is placed directly over the tube so as to channel water inside said tube, and said flexible surface assuming the shape of a funnel that is placed directly over the tube so as to channel water inside said tube, said flexible surface also comprising a rib structure to deploy said flexible surface in the shape of a funnel, said rib structure including, but not limited to, a set of 6 articulated ribs, and 3 or more spreading ribs, said rib structure having its articulated ribs connected at a fixed point on a shaft, and its spreading ribs connected to a ring element around said shaft, said ring being permitted to move freely along said shaft, said entire funnel structure connected to a set of cables terminated in convenient handles, or cable pulls, said cables being permitted to be secured to a set of cleats, said cables guided by a set of pulleys, said tube equipped with a relief ring, placed above the tube at a suitable distance, supported by a number of rigid members attached to the exterior of said tube.
31-A system as in claim 19, comprising one or a plurality of units, each capable to completely collapse, fold retract and seal an extended surface within a housing in the form of a tube, said tube to carry the rainwater collected by said surface, and in its operating mode, deploys at its top a flexible surface from inside itself and maintains this surface horizontally, and said flexible surface assuming the shape of a funnel that is placed directly over the tube so as to channel water inside said tube, and said flexible surface assuming the shape of a funnel that is placed directly over the tube so as to channel water inside said tube, said flexible surface also comprising a rib structure to deploy said flexible surface in the shape of a funnel, said rib structure including, but not limited to, a set of 6 articulated ribs, and 3 or more spreading ribs, said rib structure having its articulated ribs connected at a fixed point on a shaft, and its spreading ribs connected to a ring element around said shaft, said ring being permitted to move freely along said shaft, said entire funnel structure connected to a set of cables terminated in convenient handles, or cable pulls, said cables being permitted to be secured to a set of cleats, said cables guided by a set of pulleys, said tube equipped with a relief ring, placed above the tube at a suitable distance, supported by a number of rigid members attached to the exterior of said tube, and shaft of the funnel structure equipped with a circular cover attached to its top end, and of sufficient diameter to seal the entrance of said tube when the funnel is in its retracted position.
32-A system as in claim 19, comprising one or a plurality of units, each capable to completely collapse, fold retract and seal an extended surface within a housing in the form of a tube, said tube to carry the rainwater collected by said surface, and in its operating mode, deploys at its top a flexible surface from inside itself and maintains this surface horizontally, and said flexible surface assuming the shape of a funnel that is placed directly over the tube so as to channel water inside said tube, and said flexible surface assuming the shape of a funnel that is placed directly over the tube so as to channel water inside said tube, said flexible surface also comprising a rib structure to deploy said flexible surface in the shape of a funnel, said rib structure including, but not limited to, a set of 6 articulated ribs, and 3 or more spreading ribs, said rib structure having its articulated ribs connected at a fixed point on a shaft, and its spreading ribs connected to a ring element around said shaft, said ring being permitted to move freely along said shaft, said entire funnel structure connected to a set of cables terminated in convenient handles, or cable pulls, said cables being permitted to be secured to a set of cleats, said cables guided by a set of pulleys, said tube equipped with a relief ring, placed above the tube at a suitable distance, supported by a number of rigid members attached to the exterior of said tube, and shaft of the funnel structure equipped with a circular cover attached to its top end, and of sufficient diameter to seal the entrance of said tube when the funnel is in its retracted position, said tube comprising means to seal its lower end and provide an outlet of a suitable diameter for water to exit.
33-A system as in claim 19, comprising one or a plurality of units, each capable to completely collapse, fold retract and seal an extended surface within a housing in the form of a tube, said tube to carry the rainwater collected by said surface, and in its operating mode, deploys at its top a flexible surface from inside itself and maintains this surface horizontally, and said flexible surface assuming the shape of a funnel that is placed directly over the tube so as to channel water inside said tube, and said flexible surface assuming the shape of a funnel that is placed directly over the tube so as to channel water inside said tube, said flexible surface also comprising a rib structure to deploy said flexible surface in the shape of a funnel, said rib structure including, but not limited to, a set of 6 articulated ribs, and 3 or more spreading ribs, said rib structure having its articulated ribs connected at a fixed point on a shaft, and its spreading ribs connected to a ring element around said shaft, said ring being permitted to move freely along said shaft, said entire funnel structure connected to a set of cables terminated in convenient handles, or cable pulls, said cables being permitted to be secured to a set of cleats, said cables guided by a set of pulleys, said tube equipped with a relief ring, placed above the tube at a suitable distance, supported by a number of rigid members attached to the exterior of said tube, and shaft of the funnel structure equipped with a circular cover attached to its top end, and of sufficient diameter to seal the entrance of said tube when the funnel is in its retracted position, said tube comprising means to seal its lower end and provide an outlet of a suitable diameter for water to exit, said cables being alternatively actuated by an electromechanical device, under the control of either manual intervention, or a weather detecting electronic system using the detection of moisture and wind speed for the operating and safety aspects.
34-A system as in claim 19, comprising one or a plurality of units, each capable to completely collapse, fold retract and seal an extended surface within a housing in the form of a tube, said tube to carry the rainwater collected by said surface, and in its operating mode, deploys at its top a flexible surface from inside itself and maintains this surface horizontally, and said flexible surface assuming the shape of a funnel that is placed directly over the tube so as to channel water inside said tube, and said flexible surface assuming the shape of a funnel that is placed directly over the tube so as to channel water inside said tube, said flexible surface also comprising a rib structure to deploy said flexible surface in the shape of a funnel, said rib structure including, but not limited to, a set of 6 articulated ribs, and 3 or more spreading ribs, said rib structure having its articulated ribs connected at a fixed point on a shaft, and its spreading ribs connected to a ring element around said shaft, said ring being permitted to move freely along said shaft, said entire funnel structure connected to a set of cables terminated in convenient handles, or cable pulls, said cables being permitted to be secured to a set of cleats, said cables guided by a set of pulleys, said tube equipped with a relief ring, placed above the tube at a suitable distance, supported by a number of rigid members attached to the exterior of said tube, and shaft of the funnel structure equipped with a circular cover attached to its top end, and of sufficient diameter to seal the entrance of said tube when the funnel is in its retracted position, said tube comprising means to seal its lower end and provide an outlet of a suitable diameter for water to exit, said cables being alternatively actuated by an electromechanical device, under the control of either manual intervention, or a weather detecting electronic system using the detection of moisture and wind speed for the operating and safety aspects, such mechanical device consisting of, but not limited to a geared down bi-directional motor operating on low voltage direct current.
35-A system as in claim 19, comprising one or a plurality of units, each capable to completely collapse, fold retract and seal an extended surface within a housing in the form of a tube, said tube to carry the rainwater collected by said surface, and in its operating mode, deploys at its top a flexible surface from inside itself and maintains this surface horizontally, and said flexible surface assuming the shape of a funnel that is placed directly over the tube so as to channel water inside said tube, and said flexible surface assuming the shape of a funnel that is placed directly over the tube so as to channel water inside said tube, said flexible surface also comprising a rib structure to deploy said flexible surface in the shape of a funnel, said rib structure including, but not limited to, a set of 6 articulated ribs, and 3 or more spreading ribs, said rib structure having its articulated ribs connected at a fixed point on a shaft, and its spreading ribs connected to a ring element around said shaft, said ring being permitted to move freely along said shaft, said entire funnel structure connected to a set of cables terminated in convenient handles, or cable pulls, said cables being permitted to be secured to a set of cleats, said cables guided by a set of pulleys, said tube equipped with a relief ring, placed above the tube at a suitable distance, supported by a number of rigid members attached to the exterior of said tube, and shaft of the funnel structure equipped with a circular cover attached to its top end, and of sufficient diameter to seal the entrance of said tube when the funnel is in its retracted position, said tube comprising means to seal its lower end and provide an outlet of a suitable diameter for water to exit, said cables being alternatively actuated by an electromechanical device, under the control of either manual intervention, or a weather detecting electronic system using the detection of moisture and wind speed for the operating and safety aspects, such mechanical device consisting of, but not limited to a geared down bidirectional motor operating on low voltage direct current, and said electromechanical device equipped with means to limit the travel of a funnel assembly between its fully retracted and fully deployed positions.
36-A system comprising a post supporting power and control devices, the purpose of which is to provide autonomous power and intelligence to operate the system as in claims 19 through 35, said devices comprising a rechargeable battery, a solar panel equipped with photovoltaic cells, a logic controller making decisions based on weather conditions and system status, and electrical connecting means.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 18, 2003
Publication Date: Jun 23, 2005
Inventor: Robert Couturier (Stamford, CT)
Application Number: 10/737,884