Rainwater storage and distribution system

Abstract

The Rainbank is a rain distribution system that provides a cost-effective alternative to the collection and distribution of rainwater for municipalities. The Rainbank includes temporary storage capacity using a disposable flexible bag acting as a container to capture and collect rainwater and alleviate burdens on municipal water treatment works. The bag is protected in a simple, easy-to-manufacture, foldable structure. The structure allows for a distant overflow feature, a locking mechanism, filters, debris protection, and easy access to and removal of the bag. A thick, rigid backboard can also be slid into the bag to alleviate strain on the support structure. The fixed structure also can be closed between use periods to protect the system, help reduce the impact of the system on the environment, and allow the surface area grass below the support structure to regenerate.

1 . A Rainbank, comprising a bag with an opening for a downspout and a flap with a closure means, an overflow opening, a drain opening with a spout, a fixation system for fixation to a structure, and a board holder for holding a support board, and wherein the board holder is a pocket attached to the bag. 
   
   
       2 . The Rainbank of  claim 1 , wherein the opening includes a debris mesh. 
   
   
       3 . The Rainbank of  claim 1 , wherein the spout is a threaded spout. 
   
   
       4 . The Rainbank of  claim 1 , wherein the bag further includes a drain outlet connected to the overflow opening with an exit, and wherein the drain outlet is guided by gravitational placement to the ground. 
   
   
       5 . The Rainbank of  claim 1 , wherein the closure means is a lock. 
   
   
       6 . A Rainbank, comprising:
 a rigid support with a first panel having a support portion for fixation to a structure, a top portion with a gutter opening, the top portion pivotally attached to an upper end of the support portion, and a flap portion with a closure means pivotally attached to the top portion, a second panel pivotally attached to a lower end of the support portion, the second panel including a ground panel and a face panel for attachment to the closure means of the flap portion, and   a bag within the rigid support with an opening, an overflow opening, and a drain opening with a spout, and wherein the opening is adjacent to the gutter opening.   
   
   
       7 . The Rainbank of  claim 6 , wherein a first end of the ground panel is pivotally attached to the lower end of the support portion, and wherein the face panel is pivotally attached to the ground panel. 
   
   
       8 . The Rainbank of  claim 6 , wherein the bag further comprises a board holder for holding a support board. 
   
   
       9 . The Rainbank of  claim 3 , wherein the board holder is a pocket attached to the bag. 
   
   
       10 . The Rainbank of  claim 6 , wherein the gutter opening includes a debris mesh. 
   
   
       11 . The Rainbank of  claim 6 , wherein the spout is a threaded spout. 
   
   
       12 . The Rainbank of  claim 6 , wherein the face panel includes a drain opening aligned with the overflow opening for the evacuation of a rainwater overflow. 
   
   
       13 . A collapsible support for a Rainbank, the support comprising:
 a first panel having a support portion for fixation to a structure, a top portion with a gutter opening, the top portion pivotally attached to an upper end of the support portion, and a flap portion with a closure means pivotally attached to the top portion; and   a second panel pivotally attached to a lower end of the support portion, the second panel including a ground panel and a face panel for attachment to the closure means of the flap portion,   wherein the support is collapsed from an operative configuration to an inoperative configuration by pivoting the ground panel in relation to the support portion so that both the ground panel and the support portion are substantially aligned.   
   
   
       14 . The collapsible support for a Rainbank of  claim 13 , wherein the support is further collapsed into the inoperative position by pivoting the top portion over the ground panel. 
   
   
       15 . The collapsible support for a Rainbank of  claim 13 , wherein the closure means is a side clip. 
   
   
       16 . A Rainbank system, comprising:
 a structure with a gutter system for the collection of rain water, wherein the gutter system includes at least two gutters for collecting the downpour of rainwater,   a Rainbank at each of the at least two gutters, wherein each Rainbank comprises a rigid support with a first panel having a support portion for fixation to a structure, a top portion with a gutter opening, the top portion pivotally attached to an upper end of the support portion, and a flap portion with a closure means pivotally attached to the top portion, a second panel pivotally attached to a lower end of the support portion, the second panel including a ground panel and a face panel for attachment to the closure means of the flap portion, and a bag within the rigid support with an opening, an overflow opening, and at least a drain opening with a spout, and wherein the opening is adjacent to the gutter opening,   at least one hose connected to the drain to at least two of the Rainbanks for distribution of water collected from the roof in the Rainbanks, and at least a main connector for evacuation of rainwater in the Rainbanks.   
   
   
       17 . The Rainbank system of  claim 16 , wherein a first end of the ground panel of each Rainbank is pivotally attached to the lower end of the support portion, and wherein the face panel of each Rainbank is pivotally attached to the ground panel. 
   
   
       18 . The Rainbank system of  claim 16 , wherein each bag further comprises a board holder for holding a support board. 
   
   
       19 . The Rainbank system of  claim 18 , wherein the board holder is a pocket attached to the bag. 
   
   
       20 . The Rainbank system of  claim 18 , wherein the support board is a different segment of a single panel.