Tent, parasol and umbrella for collecting rainwater

Tents, parasols and umbrellas are made so that the rain that falls from above is taken to the sides so that the water slides to the ground next to them. However, these human aids for protection from the sun, wind and rain could also be made as an aid for collecting rainwater, especially where water is scarce, and therefore valuable.

This could be achieved very easily, by placing the upper protective canvas in reverse than is done with current umbrellas. This canvas should have the lowest position in the middle that would rise slightly towards the edges of the canvas.

This kind of rainwater collection aid shown in the pictures above is very simple.

In FIG. 1. this tent is shown in a spread position when it can collect rainwater, and at the same time protects it from the wind from the side and from the sun's rays from above. In FIG. 2. the same tent is shown in the folded position.

These pictures show the whole tent standing on a water collection vessel (2) in which a supporting pillar (1) is inserted. An upper canvas (4) is placed on top of this load-bearing column, and a sliding ring (5) is placed around the support column, which can be moved up and down the support column (1). On this sliding ring (5) there are arms (3) which are connected to the sliding ring (5) by their lower part, and which can be a larger number, and which can be moved on all sides around the supporting column (1). The second upper part of the arms (3) is connected to the upper canvas (4) on the sides of this canvas. When the sliding ring (5) rises, the arms (3) expand to the sides around the support column (1), and thus the upper canvas (4) expands to the sides. When this upper canvas (4) is fully expanded, it occupies the position of the funnel, which collects rainwater in the middle of this canvas when it rains. Here, water enters the support column (1) through the opening, which is in fact a pipe open from above and below, and through this pipe it enters the water collection vessel (2). This vessel also serves to collect water, but also as a support for the supporting column (1). When the arms (3) are spread, then the sliding ring (5) is fastened to the support column (1) with a fuse (6).

On the sides of the upper canvas (4) there is a side canvas (7) that protects the tent from the sun, wind and rain that hits the tent from the side. If this side canvas (7) does not open, but only hangs on top of the upper canvas (4) and the upper part of the arms (3) then this tent looks like an inverted umbrella that only serves to collect rainwater. If this side canvas (7) is partially lowered then this tent serves as an parasol. If the side canvas (7) is lowered to the bottom and fastened to the ground, then this tool is set up as a tent that simultaneously collects rainwater, but also protects it from the sun and wind. Several such tents placed next to each other can be connected into one unit that protects from rain and sun from above, and protects from the wind from the side. In that way, it is possible to get one big tent by connecting a large number of such tents.

When the tent is assembled, as shown in Fig. 2. then it looks like any other parasol that can be placed in a small space and lightly transported in a car trailer, or on the roof of a car.

The water collected in the water collection container is completely clean, and can be stored for a long time and used for drinking and hygiene needs on the trip, for watering animals, but also for watering plants in times when there is no rain, and drought occurs.

Other of my technical-technological analyzes and innovations can be seen in this book.