Introduction

The invention relates to a rainwater collection container for collecting rainwater from a rainwater downpipe.

Many homes and businesses use small scale rainwater collection containers to harvest quantities of rainwater from a gutter downpipe for use in various ways such as watering the garden, washing cars, washing paths etc. Rainwater collection containers are installed for economic and/or environmental reasons to make use of rainwater and where possible reduce mains water use. There is a need for an alternative and improved means for gathering and storing rainwater from a rainwater downpipe.

Statements of Invention According to the invention there is provided a free-standing rainwater barrel for collecting rainwater from a rainwater downpipe comprising: - an open upper end;

sidewalls comprising an internal integral overflow chute and collar;

a non-removable attached safety frame; and

an internal horizontal base section, wherein the sidewalls and the internal horizontal base section define a watertight reservoir and the sidewalls and the internal horizontal base section define a bottom-less chamber at a lower end of the barrel.

In one embodiment of the invention the safety frame is attached to the inner sidewalls of the barrel below the maximum water level capacity of the reservoir and below the upper rim of the overflow chute. In another embodiment of the invention the barrel comprises a removable filter positioned above the safety frame.

In one embodiment of the invention the overflow chute extends the length of the reservoir and extends through the internal horizontal base section into the bottom-less chamber.

In one embodiment of the invention the collar is an integral part of the sidewalls of the barrel. Preferably the collar comprises a detachable cap. Most preferably the detachable cap has a perforated surface.

In one embodiment of the invention the collar extends substantially along the length of the overflow chute in the reservoir.

In another embodiment of the invention the lower end of the overflow chute extending into the bottom-less chamber is extendable and manoeuvrable.

In one embodiment of the invention the sidewall of the reservoir comprises a detachable watertight access hatch. Preferably the hatch comprises a dispensing tap for dispensing water from the reservoir.

In one embodiment of the invention the bottom- less chamber comprises an opening or hatch.

In one embodiment of the invention the rainwater barrel comprises attachment means to secure the barrel to the wall of a building.

In one embodiment of the invention the rainwater barrel is manufactured from a durable waterproof and weatherproof material.

One embodiment of the invention provides for a series of rainwater collection barrel.

Brief Description of the Invention The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: - Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the rainwater collection barrel according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is a partial cross sectional view of the rainwater collection barrel of Fig. l ;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the top of the rainwater collection barrel according to the invention;

Fig. 4 is an expanded view of the top of the overflow chute and collar of the rainwater collection barrel according to the invention; and

Fig. 5 is a partial cross sectional view of the overflow chute and collar of Fig 4. Detailed description

Many rainwater collection devices currently on the market involve the fitting of a diverter pipe system to a gutter downpipe to direct rainwater from the downpipe into a rainwater collection container. To connect the diverter pipe can be an awkward and messy task. It often results in leaking downpipes at the diverter connection point. When the rainwater container has reached its maximum capacity excess rainwater continues to flow down the downpipe instead of into the rainwater container. As a result when the rainwater collection container has reached its full capacity the rainwater collected in the container remains undisturbed until the water is removed for use. Over time, gathered rainwater in the rainwater collection container can, if not regularly utilised, stagnate.

The rainwater collection barrel of the present invention provides a system where collected rainwater is constantly being refreshed as fresh rainwater is continuously being directed from a downpipe into the barrel each time it rains. The rainwater collected in the barrel is constantly being agitated when it rains by the addition of fresh rainwater. The rainwater collection barrel of the present invention is simple and easy to install below an existing downpipe. The existing downpipe is cut at a level above the height of the barrel and a downpipe shoe or such like is attached to the end of the downpipe to ensure that the rainwater is directed from the drainpipe into the open top of the rainwater collection barrel of the invention.

Other known rainwater collection devices allow water to flow directly from a gutter downpipe into a collection container, however these containers rest directly on the ground. The rainwater barrel of the present invention is raised slightly above ground level so that it does not interfere with any pre-existing surface water drain openings or run-offs or the like.

The rainwater collection device of the present invention provides a hollow cylindrical container substantially in the shape and outward appearance of a traditional barrel or cask. The barrel provides an effective and attractive collection container for collecting rainwater from an existing downpipe of a domestic building or business and allows the rainwater to be stored for later use. The barrel of the present invention collects rainwater from the downpipe and when the barrel is full the excess rainwater flows directly and discreetly away to the pre-existing surface water drain opening over which the barrel is placed or the overflow water is directed away to existing nearby rainwater run-offs.

As shown in Fig. 1 the rainwater collection barrel 1 of the present invention is intended to have the outward appearance of a traditional barrel or cask. The barrel 1 has an upper open end 2 into which rainwater flows from a roof gutter downpipe 3. The barrel 1 has sidewalls 4, an internal horizontal base 5 and a lower bottom-less chamber 6. The upper section of the sidewalls 4 and the internal horizontal base 5 define a watertight reservoir 9 for storing rainwater. The lower end of the side walls 4 and the internal horizontal base 5 of the barrel 1 define a concealed bottom-less chamber 6 beneath the watertight reservoir 9. The reservoir 9 occupies approximately two thirds of the barrel 1 while the bottom-less chamber beneath the reservoir occupies approximately one third of the total area of the barrel 1. The lower rim 8 of the side walls 4 on the bottom-less chamber 6 of the barrel 1 has legs 11 to keep the barrel 1 slightly raised above ground level. This ensures that the placement of the rainwater collection barrel 1 of the invention under a downpipe does not interfere with the flow of any surrounding surface ground water which needs to drain as shown by the arrows in Fig. 2 into the drain opening over which the barrel is typically placed. The raised lower rim 8 also ensures that if the barrel is not placed directly over a drain opening then the overflow water can flow freely away from the bottom-less chamber 6 to a nearby water run-off gully or the like. The barrel 1 is intended to be placed over an existing surface drain opening 10 into which the existing downpipe 3 is directing rainwater. However in those situations where the downpipe is simply directing water to ground level with the water draining away to a nearly drain opening or the like, the raised lower rim 8 of the side walls 4 of the barrel 1 allows any overflow water from the barrel 1 to simply flow away as before.

The legs 11 are strong and sturdy and capable of supporting the weight of the barrel 1 with a reservoir full of rainwater. The legs 11 may be concealed behind the lower outer rim 8 of the sidewalls. Alternatively the legs may be fully visible. The legs may be detachable. The legs 11 are height adjustable to accommodate the positioning of the barrel 1 on sloping or uneven ground. The barrel has an internal overflow channel or chute 12 which extends substantially from the upper end 2 of the sidewalls 3 down the length of the reservoir through the internal horizontal base 5 into the bottom-less chamber 6. The top of the overflow chute 12 is below the upper rim of the barrel 1. The overflow chute 12 is an integral part of the inner sidewall of the barrel. The term integral is taken to mean that the overflow chute is an essential and fundamental part of the barrel and is attached in any suitable way to the inner sidewall of the barrel. The lower end of the chute is curved and/or a down pipe shoe 13 may be attached to the lower end of the chute 12 to direct the overflow rainwater to where required. The lower end of the chute 12 may be extended if necessary. The lower end of the chute 12 may be directed in any direction so as to direct the excess rainwater into any pre-existing surface drain opening or direct the excess rainwater into a nearby water run-off gully.

Other rainwater collection containers have overflow pipes which exit from the base of the container. If the collection container rests directly on the ground the overflow water is either allowed soak directly into the ground or additional means are required to take the overflow water to a run-off gully or drain. Alternatively the container would need to be raised to help with the overflow drainage to a gully or drain. In complete contrast the collection container of the present invention with its concealed bottom-less chamber 6 and raised lower rim 8 allows the overflow water to be directed into a pre-existing drain or nearby gully or the like without requiring any additional or remedial work to be carried out. The overflow chute 12 has a collar 14 which surrounds an upper part of the overflow chute 12. The collar 14 has a detachable cap or cover 15. The cap 15 may be perforated. The collar 14 is an integral part of the sidewall of the reservoir. The lower end of the collar 14 may extend substantially along the length of the overflow chute 12 in the reservoir. The lower end of the collar 14 may extend approximately halfway down the length of the chute 12 in the reservoir 9. In this way the collected rainwater is being agitated and renewed and does not stagnant as the excess rainwater entering the overflow chute 12 is being pushed up the collar 14 and into the overflow chute 12 from halfway down the reservoir. The barrel 1 has a safety frame or rack 16 attached to the inner sidewalls of the barrel 1. The safety frame 16 prevents children from accidently falling into the barrel 1. The safety frame is non-removable. The safety frame 16 ensures that there is no possibility of human error whereby the safety frame is removed and not replaced and an accident happening. The safety frame 16 is positioned below the maximum water level 17 capacity of the reservoir and below the upper rim of the overflow chute 12 as shown more clearly in Figs. 4 and 5.

A removable filter 18 rests on top of the safety frame 16. The filter 18 is shaped to accommodate the circumference of the collar 14 around the overflow chute 12 as the filter is positioned below the top of the collar 14. The filter 18 prevents leaves and debris from gathering in the rainwater reservoir and/or flowing into and blocking the overflow chute 12. The collar 14 with its detachable cap 15 extends above the height of the non-removable safety frame 16 and filter 18 allowing the cap 15 of the collar 14 to be easily removed to clean the overflow pipe. The lower end of the collar 14 around the overflow chute 12 extends below the safety frame 16 and filter 18 to ensure that the excess water entering the overflow chute 12 is free of debris and prevents the overflow chute 12 becoming blocked.

The safety frame 16 and filter 18 are not intended to be clearly visible when the rainwater barrel is full of water. The barrel of the present invention may be easily cleaned. A significant problem with many of the rainwater collection containers currently on the market is the difficulty of accessing the inside of the container to wash the inside of the container. Typically a person has to reach down from the top of the barrel in an attempt to clean the inside of the barrel.

The rainwater collection barrel 1 of the present invention has a detachable watertight hatch 18 to allow access to the inside of the reservoir 9. The hatch 19 allows one to easily access and clean the inside of the reservoir. The hatch also facilitates access to clean areas of the reservoir not accessible due to the presence of the permanently attached safety frame 16. The hatch may attached by any suitable means.

With many commercially available rainwater collection container/barrels users have to try to reach down into the barrel to attach and/or tighten or maintain a dispensing tap at a lower end of the container. Taps loosen over time and it can be an awkward job to tighten.

In the present invention the detachable hatch 19 has a detachable tap 22 for dispensing the collected rainwater in the reservoir into a watering can or water hose or the like. Having the tap 22 connected to the hatch 19 allows the tap to be easily fitted and maintained.

The barrel 1 has a second opening or hatch 20 to access the inside of the bottom-less chamber 6. The opening 20 allows a person to access the area underneath the reservoir. The hatch 20 does not need to be watertight. It gives access to attach a downpipe shoe to the overflow chute 12 and/or to extend the end of the overflow chute 12 so that the overflow water reaches and flows away to a surface water drain. As the bottom-less chamber 6 of the barrel 1 is raised above the ground it allows surrounding surface water to drain into any pre-existing drain opening. Leaves and debris may gather in the drain area. Using the opening 20 the underneath of the barrel and the drain area may be easily cleaned without having to move the barrel.

The barrel 1 may be anchored or attached to a wall or surface against which it is placed for security. The barrel of the invention is a very attractive rainwater collection container and in order to prevent theft of the container the container may be attached to the wall or surface against which it is placed so that it cannot be easily removed. Any suitable attachment means may be used. For example a bracket may be fixed to the wall and corresponding brackets or straps attached to the side of the barrel. The bracket or strap may have a lock mechanism to prevent theft.

The rainwater collection barrel may be manufactured from any suitable durable material. For example the barrel may be manufactured from a heavy grade plastics material or steel. The barrel sits against the outer wall of a house directly below a downpipe. The barrel may be manufactured in different sizes.

The rainwater collection barrel of the present invention provides a functional means of collecting and storing rainwater. It also provides an attractive piece of garden furniture which adds to the outward appearance of a building. The flow of rainwater flowing into the open top of the barrel provides a pleasant water feature. When filled to maximum capacity there is no visibility of the safety frame or filter. A person can see straight away when the barrel is full of rainwater. The ability to easily assess the level of water in the barrel 1 encourages usuage of the harvested rainwater. The filter 17 may have a small opening so that when the water level is below the level of the filter a person can dip to determine how much water is actually in the reservoir.

A series of barrels may be connected by any suitable connector means to provide additional rainwater storage capacity if required. The additional barrels may comprise a rainwater collection reservoir without an overflow chute. A connecting pipe or hose or the like may extend from one barrel into another barrel located beside the first barrel so that rainwater is diverted into the additional collection barrel. When the additional rainwater container is full excess water flowing into the first barrel is diverted away down the overflow chute in the first barrel.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment hereinbefore described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, which may be varied in construction and detail.