Rainwater diverter
This rainwater diverter is easily installed in a downspout of a building. It results in a totally enclosed system that is easy to maintain and winterize. Complete with a debris filter, overflow, and two large outlets it can divert the maximum amount of rainwater from the gutter to a rain collection unit and/or rain garden. I have taken all of these desired features and put them in one affordable, aesthetically pleasing unit.
Not applicable
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENTNot applicable
SEQUENTIAL LISTINGNot applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
I have acres of plants, very little lawn, and a large roof. I searched for a way to collect the rainwater off my roof so that I could store it in large tanks and use it regularly on my landscape. I know that plants thrive on rainwater. I also realize saving rainwater reduces run off that is polluting our lakes, saves on water bills and replenishes our groundwater supply. I searched for diverters, wanted ease of use, a filter system built in, large outlets, and wanted to have a closed system to avoid mosquito hatch and algae build up in my rain harvesting system. I could not find a diverter that would do all of these things, so I invented this one.
2. Background of the Invention
Many do-it-yourselfers trying to collect rainwater and many rainwater diverters available on the market have one goal in mind and that is to get all of the rainwater from the downspout into the rain barrel. Therefore, they restructure the downspout by cutting it off and putting a curved end on it that is then positioned so that the rainwater will flow into a screened opening in the top of the barrel. It only takes ¼″ of rain on a 350 sq. ft. roof to fill a 50 gallon barrel. That is just a minimal amount that is usually available. Furthermore, if the barrel is not outfitted with a large overflow outlet, there is no place for the excess water to go. Therefore, if the barrel nor the diverter allows for the overflow that is going to happen after the barrel is full, the extra rainwater is going to spill out of the top of the barrel and many times down into the foundation of the building. Also, with this system, where the barrel needs to be drained and removed for the winter months, the downspout then has to be reconstructed to allow for any rains that occur while not collecting in the rainwater harvesting unit.
On the other hand, other diverters available have only one small outlet and tube going to the collection unit and the user not only cannot get enough rain into the collection unit, the remaining rainwater coming off the roof is wasted or creates a run off problem.
There are very few diverters that filter the roof debris and therefore there is a large amount of leaves, pine needles, tree seeds, and other roof and gutter debris plugging the diverter and settling in the bottom of rain collection units.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONBecause of my observations, I designed this rainwater diverter to serve a few basic functions with ease of use while keeping with a simple style that doesn't ruin the aesthetics of a home.
The basic function of this rainwater diverter is to collect the maximum amount of rainwater that flows from one gutter, down the downspout into rain collection units and/or a rain garden through two large outlets and connected tubing. If both tubes are connected to collection units and the units fill up, the overflow will back up into the diverter and flow down the original downspout.
The present invention is inserted by cutting out a small portion of an existing downspout while leaving the upper portion and lower portion intact. Thereby utilizing the original position and distributing the overflow where it was originally intended to go with no other alterations necessary for winterizing.
In addition, the diverter includes a removable debris filter that is easily accessible for cleaning. It is molded using a UV resistant durable plastic mesh. There is purposely no cover for the diverter so that the user will observe the build up of debris in the filter and be apt to clean it more often. Along with this we recommend gutter filters.
Along with that are two plugs that are used for winterizing the unit or when one of the two outlets are not in use. They are simply pushed into the outlets from inside the diverter thus the tubing does not need to be removed for winter. The rain collection unit should simply be drained for winter. The periodic rains will flow down the overflow and out the original downspout. These two plugs are stored and used as handles on the aforementioned debris filter.
The present invention provides a method of attaching the diverter directly to the collection units with tubing creating an entirely closed system and avoiding the problem of mosquito hatch, algae build up, and rodent entry.
One last consideration for inventing and manufacturing this diverter was affordability. This diverter is of simple construction, while reliable and durable for extreme temperatures and outdoor elements and with regard to both materials and labor, will be economically available to the public.
Referring to
Claims
1. The rainwater diverter which comprises:
- a unit to be installed in a downspout, a debris filter, an overflow unit, two outlets, and two rubber plugs.
2. The rainwater diverter of claim 1, wherein the unit further includes:
- a top lip and lower chute for mounting onto a structure by removing a specified section of the downspout and inserting the rainwater diverter and downspout straps and securing with screw; and
- an open top to allow any size downspout to discharge water into the rainwater diverter; and
- the distance around the lower chute allows for a downspout of any size depth and up to a 4″ width; and
- no disturbance of the original placement of the upper and lower portions of the downspout after installation.
3. The rainwater diverter of claim 1, wherein the debris filter includes:
- a UV resistant material normally used in the industry for gutter filters; and
- a solid molded center for diverting water flow to the edges; and
- two outer mesh areas for collecting roof debris; and
- the storage of the plugs as handles; and
- ease of removal for cleaning.
4. The rainwater diverter of claim 1, wherein the unit includes an overflow:
- to compensate for any extra rainwater coming down the downspout or back into the diverter from a collection unit that is full; and
- to direct the rainwater down the original downspout.
5. The rainwater diverter of claim 1, wherein the unit includes two outlets:
- to attach two 1¼″ ID tubes that will then connect to two separate collection units, resulting in maximum rainwater collection; and
- that results in a closed system thus avoiding algae, mosquitoes, and rodent entry.
6. The rainwater diverter of claim 1, wherein the use of the rubber plugs includes:
- plugging off one or both outlets from the inside for any situation; and
- eliminating the need to disconnect tubing; and
- utilizing them as handles when connected to the debris filter.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 19, 2010
Publication Date: Sep 22, 2011
Inventor: Christine Dee Russell (Plainfield, WI)
Application Number: 12/661,529
International Classification: E04D 13/04 (20060101);