The present invention relates to a roof unit and particularly, but not exclusively, to a roof unit for channelling water inwardly of a roof. The present invention further relates to a roof and a rainwater collection system.

Rainwater that falls upon a roof of a building typically passes down the roof into a gutter system, which transfers the water to a drain, and thus becomes wasted. It is known to collect water from gutter systems within storage vessels, which may then be used for watering plants, for example. However, if the water is required to supply a toilet or hose pipe for example, then it is necessary to pump the water, using an electrical pump, for example, from the vessel to the required location. This requires energy which comes at a cost to the user and the environment.

I have now devised a roof unit and rainwater collection system for providing a pressurised supply of water without the requirement for a pump.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a roof unit for channelling water inwardly of a roof, the unit comprising a base and channelling means disposed on the base for channelling rainwater over the base to a channelled region upon the base.

The roof unit is arranged to channel water into an attic space within a building so that the water can be stored within a vessel at an elevated position with respect to water supply outlets of the building. The elevated position provides the water within the vessel with a head of pressure thereby enabling the water to be distributed around the building to the various water outlets without any requirement for pumping.

The roof unit preferably comprises an aperture formed at the channelled region which enables the rainwater to pass through the base.

Preferably, the channelling means comprises first and second channelling members which diverge away from each other from the channelled region.

The first and second channelling members preferably extend across the base. Preferably, the base comprises a first surface and a second surface. The channelling means is preferably disposed on the first surface. The unit preferably further comprises sealing means disposed on the first and second surfaces. Preferably, the sealing means comprises a material that can deform to match the contour of neighbouring roof elements, such as roof tiles or slates or similar.

The aperture preferably extends from the first surface through the base to the second surface. Preferably, the unit further comprises ducting means disposed upon the second surface, which is in fluid communication with the aperture for receiving the rainwater that passes through the aperture.

The roof unit preferably further comprises duct sealing means for sealing the duct to a roof membrane and the like.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a roof comprising at least one roof unit according to the first aspect.

In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a rainwater collection system, the system comprising at least one roof unit according to the first aspect mounted upon a roof of a building and a ducting arrangement arranged to convey rainwater from the at least one roof unit to a storage vessel.

The ducting arrangement preferably comprises at least one access port for providing access to the interior of the ducts of the ducting arrangement, for cleaning for example.

Preferably, the at least one access port is provided at connections between ducts of the ducting arrangement. However, it is to be appreciated that the at least one access port may be alternatively or additionally disposed upon or otherwise formed as part of the ducts. The ducting arrangement preferably further comprises connectors for connecting with means enabling a fluid to be flushed along at least a portion of the ducting arrangement in a direction that is from the storage vessel to the at least one roof unit. Preferably, the means enabling a fluid to be flushed comprises a pressurised source of fluid, for example water or air. Preferably, the storage vessel is disposed at a vertical position that is above an eave of the roof.

The storage vessel preferably comprises a valve to control the flow of water into the vessel from the ducting arrangement, in dependence of the level of water within the vessel.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a roof unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the front;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the roof element of figure 1 , as viewed from the rear;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the roof unit of figure 1 mounted within a tile roof;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a roof unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention, mounted within a slate roof;

Figure 5 is a sectional view through a house illustrating a rainwater collection system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 6 is a sectional view across line A-A of figure 5 illustrating the ducting arrangement; and,

Figure 7 is a sectional view along line B-B of figure 5, illustrating a waterproof membrane.

Referring to figures 1 and 2 of the drawings there is illustrated a roof unit 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention for channelling rainwater off a roof 1 1 of a building 12, into an attic space 13 or similar, thereof. The unit 10 illustrated in figures 1 and 2 of the drawings is arranged for use upon a pitched roof in conjunction with roof tiles 14, as opposed to slates 15, since the former are typically secured upon the roof by formations (not shown) disposed around the periphery of the tiles 14 which interlock with neighbouring tiles 14.

The unit 10 comprises a substantially planar base 16 that is substantially rectangular in plan view, and comprises first and second longitudinal side edges 17a, 17b and first and second lateral side edges 18a, 18b. The unit 10 further comprises an aperture 19 formed within the base 16 proximate to the second longitudinal side edge 17b, substantially upon an axis that extends between opposite longitudinal side edges 17a,

17b thereof, substantially at the centre thereof. The aperture 19 extends from an upper 20 surface of the base 16 to a lower surface 21 of the base 16 and thus enables rainwater to be communicated inwardly of the unit 10 to the space 13 below the roof

1 1.

The unit 10 further comprises a first and second channelling member 22a, 22b disposed upon the upper surface, which diverge away from each other from an apex 23 disposed at the side of the aperture 19 adjacent the second longitudinal side edge 17b, toward the first longitudinal side edge 17a. The channelling members 22a, 22b extend along the length of the base 16, substantially transverse to the plane of the base 16 and act as a barrier for rainwater that runs down the roof 1 1 over the upper surface 20 of the base 16 from the first longitudinal side edge 17a toward the second longitudinal side edge 17b. In this manner, the channelling members 22a, 22b act to channel rainwater that falls upon the base 16 toward the aperture 19.

The upper surface 20 of the base 16 further comprises a sealing strip 24, such as a deformable foam or rubber material, for example, that extends around the base 16 adjacent the first and second lateral side edges 18a, 18b and the first longitudinal side edge 17a. The sealing strip 24 is arranged to engage under neighbouring roof tiles 14 and thus prevent any water, debris and the like from passing over the base 16 of the unit 10 and under neighbouring tiles 14.

The roof unit 10 further comprises a band 25 of sealing material, such as a deformable foam or rubber material, for example, that extends from the lower surface 21 of the base 16 along the second longitudinal side edge 17b. The sealing band 25 extends away from the base 16 in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the base 16. The band 25 is arranged to extend over neighbouring roof tiles 14 that are arranged substantially adjacent the second longitudinal edge 17b of the unit, but under neighbouring roof tiles 14 that are arranged substantially adjacent lateral side edges 18a, 18b of the unit, as illustrated in figure 3 of the drawings. The sealing strip 24 and band 25 deform as neighbouring tiles 14 are placed upon the unit 10 and thus enable the formations (not shown) of neighbouring tiles 14 to grip and lock with the unit 10.

A roof unit 100 according to a second embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in figure 4 of the drawings. The roof unit 100 according to the second embodiment is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment, but configured for use with a slate roof. Slates 15 are typically secured upon the roof 11 using fasteners (not shown), such as nails, and as such the unit 100 according to the second embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment in that it does not comprise a sealing strip 24 or band 25, since these would otherwise cause neighbouring slates 15 to be raised with respect to the unit 100.

The unit 10, 100 of the first and second embodiment further comprise a duct 26 that extends from the lower surface 21 of the respective base 16 into the roof space 13, from a position substantially adjacent the aperture 19, such that rainwater that passes through the aperture 19 is communicated to the duct 26. The duct 26 forms part of a ducting arrangement which conveys rainwater that is collected from a plurality of roof units 10, 100 to a storage vessel 27 within the roof space 13, as illustrated in figure 5 of the drawings (which only shows one roof unit 10, 100 for clarity).

Referring to figure 6 of the drawings, there is illustrated a sectional view along line A-A of the roof unit 10, 100 illustrated in figure 5 and the ducts 26 which form part of the ducting arrangement. The duct 26 which extends from the lower surface of the roof unit

10, 100 is arranged to terminate at a connector 28 which couples the respective duct

26 to a transfer duct 29 for transfer of the collected rainwater from a plurality of roof units 10, 100 (only one of which is illustrated in figure 5) disposed upon the roof 1 1 , to the storage vessel 27. The connector 28 may comprise a T-shaped connector 28 for example and comprises an access port 30 disposed therein. The port 30 is sealed by a cap 31 which is removably coupled to the connector 28 to provide access to the interior of the respective duct 26. Accordingly, by removing the cap 31 , a brush or similar (not shown) can be inserted through the port 30 into the duct 26 to clean the duct 26 of any debris (not shown) which becomes trapped therein. In an alternative embodiment, which is not illustrated, the connector 28 may alternatively or further comprise a terminal (not shown) for coupling to a source of compressed fluid. The terminal, such as a nipple terminal (not shown) which may be alternatively disposed upon or formed integrally with a duct 26, 29, is arranged to enable a compressed fluid, such as air and/or water to be injected into the respective duct 26, 29 and forced out through the aperture 19 disposed within the base 16 of the unit 10, 100. This back flush is similarly arranged to clear any debris (not shown) within the ducts 26, 29 of the ducting arrangement.

The majority of modern buildings comprise a tile or slate roof that is supported on a roof structure of wooden joists and cross-members 32, as illustrated in figure 7 of the drawings. The roof and roof structure are typically placed above a waterproof membrane 33 of polythene or felt material, for example, which serves to further seal the roof from water penetration. Accordingly, in order to preserve function of the membrane 33, the duct 26 that is arranged to extend into the roof space 13 and thus through the membrane 33, comprises a seal 34 for sealing to the membrane 33. The seal 33 may take the form of an adhesive ring (not shown) that bonds to the membrane 33 and around the periphery of the duct 26. Alternatively, the duct 26 may comprise an externally threaded section (not shown) for receiving a nut 34a for example, from within the roof space 13. The nut 34a is arranged to pass over the threaded section (not shown) and clamp the membrane 33 to a shoulder region 34b of the duct 26 that is disposed proximate to the underside 21 of the base 16 of the unit 10, and which extends around the periphery of the duct 26.

The vessel 27 is positioned at a vertical height within the building 12 that is below the or each roof unit 10, 100, but above an eave 35 of the roof 11 , as illustrated in figure 5 of the drawings. Accordingly, water from the or each roof unit 10, 100 can pass under gravity to the storage vessel 27, and due to its vertical position within a building 12, the vessel 27 provides a head of pressure to the water, for supplying water to toilets 36 or outside taps (not shown), for example, associated with the building 12.

The vessel 27 further comprises an inlet (not shown) for receiving water from a mains water supply 37, so that in the event that the vessel 27 becomes substantially emptied of water, for example during periods of little rainfall, the vessel 27 can be re-filled with water from the mains supply 33.

In order to prevent the storage vessel 27 from overflowing during periods of heavy rain fall however, the vessel 27 further comprises a shut off valve (not shown), such as a ball cock, for closing the transfer duct 29 that supplies rainwater into the vessel 27.

This causes further rainwater to build up within the ducting arrangement and eventually overflow out from the aperture 19 of the respective unit or units 10, 100 and down the roof 1 1 into a gutter (not shown), whereupon it typically passes into a drain (not shown).

The storage vessel 27 comprises a further valve (not shown), shut as a further ball cock, for controlling the flow of water into the vessel 27 from the mains supply 37 and thus preventing water overflowing from the storage vessel 27 as it is filled from the mains supply 37. It is envisaged however, that the control of water into the vessel 27 from the ducting arrangement and mains supply could also be controlled using a single ball cock valve.

From the foregoing therefore, it is evident that the roof unit and rainwater collection system provides a simple yet effective means of capturing and storing rainwater for use within and outside of a building.