Water collection and dispersion system and functional landscape architecture

Abstract

A water collection and dispersion system includes one or a series of units including structures that can be assembled for holding a leak proof liner. The liner collects water, such as, rainwater from a downspout or grey water from a building. The units can be constructed to resemble outdoor furniture such as patio walls, seating, tables, and the like. The units can also be constructed to function as framework for structures such as garden sheds, garages, pergolas, and the like.

1 . A water collection and dispersion system, comprising:
 a housing including first and second openings extending therethrough, wherein the first opening is disposed proximate an upper portion of the housing and the second opening is disposed proximate a lower portion of the housing; and   a flexible, leak proof liner disposed ih the housing, wherein the liner includes a first overflow fitting disposed in the first opening of the housing and a second supply/discharge fitting disposed in the second opening of the housing.   
     
     
         2 . The water collection and dispersion system of  claim 1 , wherein the housing further includes:
 an upper cap;   a lower base; and   a body that includes one or more side walls,   wherein the cap, the base, and the body are selectively coupled together to form a substantially rigid housing that is capable of supporting the weight of one or more seated persons and withstanding outward pressure of the liner filled with water.   
     
     
         3 . The water collection and dispersion system of  claim 2 , wherein the first and second openings of the housing are disposed adjacent top and bottom ends of the body, respectively, and the first and second fittings and the first and second openings are configured to prevent the fittings from moving with respect to the openings, and further wherein one or more of the first and second fittings includes a flange that is disposed on an exterior of the housing to prevent the one or more fittings from retracting into an interior of the housing. 
     
     
         4 . The water collection and dispersion system of  claim 2 , wherein the body includes a front side wall, a back side wall, a left side wall, and a right side wall that are coupled together in a generally rectangular configuration. 
     
     
         5 . The water collection and dispersion system of  claim 4 , further comprising one or more corner pieces disposed at one or more intersections between the side walls of the body, wherein the corner pieces further secure and stabilize the body and provide a surface for the attachment of trim panels to the body. 
     
     
         6 . The water collection and dispensing device of  claim 4 , wherein at least one of the upper cap and the lower base includes grooves or protrusions that accommodate a corresponding top or bottom end of the body, and wherein the side walls of the body slide and lock together via a plurality of interlocking slots. 
     
     
         7 . The water collection and dispersion system of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second fittings and the first and second openings are configured to prevent the fittings from moving with respect to the openings. 
     
     
         8 . The water collection and dispersion system of  claim 7 , wherein at least one of the first and second fittings includes a key that fits securely into a corresponding notch in at least one of the first and second openings to prevent the fittings from moving with respect to the openings, and further wherein one or more of the first and second fittings includes a flange that is disposed on an exterior of the housing to prevent the one or more fittings from retracting into an interior of the housing. 
     
     
         9 . The water collection and dispersion system of  claim 1 , further comprising a supply conduit having first and second ends, wherein the first end is fluidly coupled to a water supply and is located at an elevation equal to or greater than the second fitting of the liner, and wherein the second end of the supply conduit is fluidly coupled to the second fitting such that water will flow from the water supply through the supply conduit and into the liner through the second fitting. 
     
     
         10 . The water collection and dispersion system of  claim 9 , further comprising an overflow conduit having first and second ends, wherein the first end of the overflow conduit is fluidly coupled to the first fitting of the liner. 
     
     
         11 . The water collection and dispersion system of  claim 9 , wherein at least a portion of the supply conduit is transparent or translucent to function as a water level indicator for the water collection and dispersion system. 
     
     
         12 . The water collection and dispersion system of  claim 9 , further including a hollow conduit that is transparent or translucent and includes first and second ends, wherein the first end of the hollow conduit is fluidly attached to the supply conduit at a position between the first and second ends of the supply conduit, and wherein the second end of the hollow conduit is fluidly coupled with an overflow conduit, a filter screen, or remains unconnected and is disposed at an elevation equal to or greater than the first fitting of the liner so that the hollow conduit functions as a water level indicator for the water collection and dispersion system. 
     
     
         13 . The water collection and dispensing device of  claim 9 , further including a drainage conduit fluidly coupled to the second fitting of the liner. 
     
     
         14 . The water collection and dispensing device of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one removable face disposed adjacent at least one of the first and second openings of the housing to allow removal of the liner therethrough. 
     
     
         15 . A water collection and dispersion system kit, comprising:
 a flexible, leak proof liner that includes a first overflow fitting and a second supply/discharge fitting; and   printed instructions with directions for assembling a housing that includes first and second openings extending therethrough, wherein the first opening is disposed proximate an upper portion of the housing and the second opening is disposed proximate a lower portion of the housing, and directions for inserting the liner into the housing so that the first fitting is disposed in the first opening of the housing and the second fitting is disposed in the second opening of the housing.   
     
     
         16 . The kit of  claim 15 , wherein the housing includes a cap, a base, and a body that includes one or more side walls, and wherein the instructions include directions for cutting the cap, base, and body from a sheet of material and directions for assembling the cap, base, and body to form the housing. 
     
     
         17 . The kit of  claim 15 , wherein the instructions further include directions for fluidly coupling a first end of a supply conduit to a water supply and a second end of the supply conduit to the second fitting of the liner. 
     
     
         18 . A water collection and dispersion system, comprising:
 a functional piece of landscape architecture that includes a housing having first and second openings extending therethrough, wherein the first opening is disposed proximate an upper portion of the housing and the second opening is disposed proximate a lower portion of the housing; and   a flexible, leak proof liner disposed in the housing, wherein the liner includes a first overflow fitting disposed in the first opening of the housing and a second supply/discharge fitting disposed in the second opening of the housing.   
     
     
         19 . The water collection and dispersion system of  claim 18 , further comprising a plurality of housings, each housing having first and second openings extending therethrough, wherein the first opening is disposed proximate an upper portion of the housing and the second opening is disposed proximate a lower portion of the housing;
 a plurality of flexible, leak proof liners disposed in each housing, wherein each liner includes a first overflow fitting disposed in the first opening of the housing and a second supply/discharge fitting disposed in the second opening of the housing; and   at least one conduit fluidly coupling the second openings of at least two of the plurality of liners.   
     
     
         20 . The water collection and dispersion system of  claim 18 , wherein the functional piece of landscape.architecture is a support structure for a human being, an appliance, a roof, or a wall.