RAINSAVER DEVICE

CAPTEUR D'EAUX PLUVIALES

English Abstract

- Abstract
This device, when installed in the eavestrough of a sloped roof
building, provides a means to divert and utilize the flow of normal
rainwater run-off for use in the irrigation of local vegetation, to
storage for future use, and for the conservation of a water resource.
The unit is comprised of a contoured reservoir and drain assembly,
which is secured in an existing eavestrough near the main downspout.
The flow of rainwater run-off is redirected into the drain and then
through a hose, connected to the threaded drain fitting, to any desired
watering or storage location.

Claims

- CLAIMS
The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or
privilege is claimed are as follows.
1. A run-off water diverting device for use with an eavestrough
comprised of a flat base with an upturned section, said flat base
having attached thereto a fitting that protrudes through a hole
provided in the base of the said eavestrough to which a hose or the
like may be connected to drain water away from said eavestrough for
watering gardens or other purposes, said diverting device creating a
dam effect in said eavestrough to fascilitate the flow in said hose.
2. A run-off water diverting device as in claim 1 wherein said upturned
section extends from said base at an angle of about ninety degrees
and does not extend to the full height of the eavestrough in order
that flow in excess of the capacity of the hose is allowed to
continue its normal drainage path along said eavestrough.
3. The device of claims 1 or 2 wherein said fitting is threaded so
that an ordinary garden hose can be attached thereto.

Description

- yield of Invention
This invention relates to a eaves rough attachment device which
diverts rainfall drainage run-off through a drain fitting to which
a hose is connected, as a means to utilize the rainwater for any
desired practical purposes.
- Discussion of Prior Art
heretofore the average home with a sloped roof utilizes a system
whereby the rainwater run-off flows off the roof, along eaves troughs
to a downspout and then, either piped directly into a sewer line
or down the drainpipe to the ground at or near the foundation walls
to follow natural drainage channels.
Rainwater is very desirable for the watering of vegetation, and
normal rainfalls are seldom sufficient to the needs of many plants
and trees for healthy growth or for those in protected areas.
The rainwater drainage system can be a convenient and significant
source of supplemental water for plant watering or storage purpose
Present drainage methods do not conserve rainwater run-off and
there does not appear to be any water conservation devices available
to utilize rooftop rainwater run-off for practical purposes.
Rainwater that is allowed to accumulate near a building can result
in damage to basement walls and contents by water seepage.
Present methods for prevention of water buildup utilizes a drainpipe
elbow and run-off tray or a roll up sprinkling hose is direct the
rainwater away from the foundation.

do I WED
- Objects
My invention provides a means to divert normal rainwater run-off from
an eaves trough and allows use of that water for immediate irrigation
of vegetation or flowed to a storage container for future use.
Savings would be realized by the subsequent reduction in the use
of commercial water for watering purposes.
By diverting runoff away from the building foundation, it will also
help prevent water damage to basements and avoid repair costs.
Further objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent
from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description thereof.

- DESCRIPTION
- DRAWINGS
In drawings which illustrate embodiments of the invention, Figure 1
is a side view of -the device, figure 2 is a top view, and Figure 3
a cut away view of this embodiment installed in an eaves trough.
Roy device is comprised of a flat base 1 having a width equal to
the inside dimension of the bottom section of the eaves trough A.
The length of the base section is sufficient to provide adequate
support for the base and drain fitting assembly.
The base extends to a section 2 formed by an angle in a perpendicular
direction terminating at a vertical height of approximately 2 inches.
Located in the center of the base section, a drain opening 3 is formed
by a threaded drain fitting 4 embodied to the underside of the base.
The size of the drain opening and threaded fitting specifications
are dependent on the selection and size of the connections for hose B.
The device is a one piece unit which can be manufactured using rust
resistant 16 to 18 gauge sheet metal and a treaded pipe nipple soldered
or welded to the underside, or the unit may be made of molded plastic
of sufficient strength.

- Operation Z
This device is installed by first cutting a hole in the bottom of
the eaves trough A to accept the protruding drain fitting 4.
With the base resting on the flat bottom of the eaves trough, the unit
is secured using a rubber or plastic washer 5, a metal washer 6 and a
threaded fastener 7 on the treaded drain fitting 4.
Hose B of selected size and length is connected onto the threaded
fitting 4 and the other end of the hose placed at any desired location.
During a rainfall, the run-off flow is restricted by the vertical
section 2 which acts to create a reservoir effect over the drain
opening 3 and a proportional amount of the flow is diverted down the
drain 3 and through the hose B to the location selected.
If the runoff flow exceeds the capacity of the drain opening 3 or the
hose B, the excess flow will continue along its normal drainage path.
Designed dimensional tolerances, and characteristics of water, will
still allow a trickle of water to bypass the device at all times to
protect against overflowing should the drain line become inoperative.
While the above description contains specificities, these should not
be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather
as an exemplification of one preferred embodiment thereof. Many other
variations are possible, for example a modified version of my device
could be installed in the main downspout or drain pipe to serve the
same purpose. It could also be shaped to fit eaves troughs which do not
have a flat bottom. A desirable effect can be had by installing a
permanent length of functional piping, such as polyethylene, from the
device to a convenient fixed location for connecting the hose.
Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by
the embodiment illustrated, but by the appended claims and their
legal equivalents.