The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:

This invention relates to the development of a device for catching clean rainwater that can be used for drinking and cooking.

While the conventional town water system has been and is likely to continue to be the principal means of water supply for consumers, town water quality, particularly for the purposes of drinking and cooking is becoming increasingly questionable. As an alternative, rainwater can be collected from house-roofs and used for drinking and cooking. However, the house-roofs are often subject to pollution from such pollutants as dirt, dust, chemicals, leaves and bird droppings. Although a lot of the pollutants can be removed by filtering the water, the process is likely to be expensive and the resulting quality may still not be totally satisfactory for the purposes of drinking and cooking.

These problems are overcome by the present invention, which provides a device for catching clean rainwater. This invention comprises of an inverted umbrella-like device mounted on a telescopic component inserted in a cylinder and supported with braces fastened to the top of the cylinder and connected to the operating mechanism. The structure of the inverted umbrella-like device can be made of any suitable material such as aluminium, steel or plastic and fitted with flexible sheeting of plastic or similar material with the base connected to a tank with a hosepipe. The operating mechanism comprises of a motor and gearbox, chains and sprockets, racks and pinions, hydraulics or threads and gears. The device is opened by moving the telescopic component upwards in the cylinder and closed by moving it downwards. The operating mechanism of the device is fitted with electronic units and sensor switches for automatic operation.

The main frames of the invention may be made of aluminium, steel, plastic, fibreglass, or any other suitable material. The supporting structures may be made of similar material. The braces may be fastened with bolts and self-locking nuts and screws.

To assist with understanding of the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings that show one example of the invention.

In the drawings:

Figures 1 and 2 show the end elevation of the invention in open and closed positions respectively. This invention comprises of an inverted umbrella-like device (1), multiple braces (2), cap (3), spring (4), telescopic component (5) chain (6), cylinder (7), electronic unit (8) and the operating mechanism (9).

The operating mechanism of the device will be enclosed in covers. The hoses can be connected to any suitable water tank to collect rainwater.