RAIN GUTTER SYSTEM

Abstract

A rain gutter system with a first elongated member and a second elongated member is disclosed. The first elongated member may include a first interior surface and a first exterior surface. The first interior surface may include an elongated retaining shoulder disposed along a first elongated member length. The second elongated member may include a second interior surface and a second exterior surface. The second exterior surface may include an elongated ridge disposed along a second elongated member length. The second elongated member may be configured to slide inside the first elongated member along the first elongated member length, and the elongated ridge may be configured to engage with the elongated retaining shoulder when the second elongated member slides inside the first elongated member.

Claims

1. A rain gutter system comprising: a first elongated member comprising a first interior surface and a first exterior surface, wherein the first interior surface comprises an elongated retaining shoulder disposed along a first elongated member length; and a second elongated member comprising a second interior surface and a second exterior surface, wherein the second exterior surface comprises an elongated ridge disposed along a second elongated member length, wherein the second elongated member is configured to slide inside the first elongated member along the first elongated member length, and wherein the elongated ridge engages with the elongated retaining shoulder when the second elongated member slides inside the first elongated member.

2. The rain gutter system of claim 1, wherein the first elongated member and the second elongated member have same shapes.

3. The rain gutter system of claim 1, wherein each of the first elongated member and the second elongated member is shaped as a semi-circular hollow cylinder or a semi-cuboidal hollow pipe.

4. The rain gutter system of claim 3, wherein a diameter or width of the first elongated member is greater than a diameter or width of the second elongated member.

5. The rain gutter system of claim 3, wherein the first elongated member comprises a first side portion, a second side portion and a first bottom portion, wherein the first bottom portion is connected with the first side portion and the second side portion, and wherein the elongated retaining shoulder is disposed in proximity of at least one of a first side portion top edge or a second side portion top edge.

6. The rain gutter system of claim 5, wherein the elongated retaining shoulder is shaped as a protrusion that extends out from the first interior surface associated with at least one of the first side portion or the second side portion.

7. The rain gutter system of claim 5 further comprising a downspout connector disposed at the first exterior surface associated with the first bottom portion, wherein the downspout connector comprises open proximal and distal ends and a hollow interior portion, and wherein the downspout connector is configured to: connect with a downspout pipe; and enable rain water collected on the first interior surface and the second interior surface to be transferred to the downspout pipe.

8. The rain gutter system of claim 7 further comprising a filtering unit configured to filter the rain water that exits from the downspout connector.

9. The rain gutter system of claim 5, wherein at least one of the first side portion top edge or the second side portion top edge comprises a plurality of first through-holes configured to enable attachment of the first elongated member with an external structure.

10. The rain gutter system of claim 9, wherein the plurality of first through-holes is disposed along the first elongated member length, and wherein each first through-hole is equidistant from adjacent first through-holes.

11. The rain gutter system of claim 3, wherein the first elongated member comprises a first distal end and a first proximal end, wherein the first distal end is closed and the first proximal end is open.

12. The rain gutter system of claim 11 further comprising a removable cover configured to close the first proximal end.

13. The rain gutter system of claim 11 further comprising an L-shaped connector configured to be attached to the first proximal end, wherein the L-shaped connector is further configured to be attached to an additional rain gutter system.

14. The rain gutter system of claim 3, wherein the second elongated member comprises a third side portion, a fourth side portion and a second bottom portion, wherein the second bottom portion is connected with the third side portion and the fourth side portion, and wherein the elongated ridge is disposed in proximity of at least one of a third side portion top edge or a fourth side portion top edge.

15. The rain gutter system of claim 14, wherein at least one of the third side portion top edge or the fourth side portion top edge comprises a plurality of second through-holes configured to enable attachment of the second elongated member with an external structure.

16. The rain gutter system of claim 15, wherein the plurality of second through-holes is disposed along the second elongated member length, and wherein each second through-hole is equidistant from adjacent second through-holes.

17. The rain gutter system of claim 3, wherein the second elongated member comprises a second distal end and a second proximal end, wherein the second distal end is open and the second proximal end is closed.

18. The rain gutter system of claim 17 further comprising a seal disposed at the second distal end, wherein the seal is configured to prevent rain water from leaking out when the second elongated member is disposed inside the first elongated member.

19. A rain gutter system comprising: a first elongated member comprising a first interior surface and a first exterior surface, wherein the first interior surface comprises an elongated retaining shoulder disposed along a first elongated member length; a second elongated member comprising a second interior surface and a second exterior surface, wherein the second exterior surface comprises an elongated ridge disposed along a second elongated member length, wherein the second elongated member is configured to slide inside the first elongated member along the first elongated member length, and wherein the elongated ridge engages with the elongated retaining shoulder when the second elongated member slides inside the first elongated member; and a downspout connector disposed on the first elongated member, wherein the downspout connector is configured to: connect with a downspout pipe; and enable rain water collected in the first elongated member and the second elongated member to be transferred to the downspout pipe.

20. A rain gutter system comprising: a first elongated member comprising a first interior surface and a first exterior surface, wherein: the first interior surface comprises an elongated retaining shoulder disposed along a first elongated member length, the first elongated member comprises a first side portion, a second side portion and a first bottom portion, the first bottom portion is connected with the first side portion and the second side portion, and the elongated retaining shoulder is disposed in proximity of at least one of a first side portion top edge or a second side portion top edge; and a second elongated member comprising a second interior surface and a second exterior surface, wherein: the second exterior surface comprises an elongated ridge disposed along a second elongated member length, the second elongated member comprises a third side portion, a fourth side portion and a second bottom portion, the second bottom portion is connected with the third side portion and the fourth side portion, the elongated ridge is disposed in proximity of at least one of a third side portion top edge or a fourth side portion top edge, the second elongated member is configured to slide inside the first elongated member along the first elongated member length, and the elongated ridge engages with the elongated retaining shoulder when the second elongated member slides inside the first elongated member.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanying drawings. The use of the same reference numerals may indicate similar or identical items. Various embodiments may utilize elements and/or components other than those illustrated in the drawings, and some elements and/or components may not be present in various embodiments. Elements and/or components in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. Throughout this disclosure, depending on the context, singular and plural terminology may be used interchangeably.

[0007] FIG. 1 depicts an environment in which techniques and structures for providing the systems and methods disclosed herein may be implemented.

[0008] FIG. 2 depicts an isometric view of a first elongated member of a rain gutter system in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0009] FIG. 3 depicts a cross-sectional view of the first elongated member in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0010] FIG. 4 depicts an isometric view of a second elongated member of a rain gutter system in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0011] FIG. 5 depicts a cross-sectional view of the second elongated member in accordance with the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Overview

[0012] The present disclosure is directed to a rain gutter system (system) that may be installed on the periphery of the roof associated with permanent or temporary structures (e.g., camping tents) to prevent rain water from dripping off the roof in an unregulated manner. The system may include a first elongated member and a second elongated member that may be configured to slide in the first elongated member. The first and second elongated members may have similar shapes and dimensions. In an exemplary aspect, the first and second elongated members may be shaped as semi-circular hollow cylinders or semi-cuboidal hollow pipes. A user may extend/increase or collapse/decrease an overall system length by sliding out or sliding in the second elongated member from/to the first elongated member.

[0013] In some aspects, the first elongated member may include elongated retaining shoulders that may extend throughout a first elongated member length, and the second elongated member may include elongated ridges that may extend throughout a second elongated member length. In an exemplary aspect, the first elongated member may include two elongated retaining shoulders that may be disposed on opposing interior walls/surfaces of the first elongated member. In a similar manner, the second elongated member may include two elongated ridges that may be disposed on opposing exterior walls/surfaces of the second elongated member. The elongated retaining shoulders may engage with the elongated ridges when the second elongated member slides inside the first elongated member. The engagement between the elongated ridges and the elongated retaining shoulders ensures that the second elongated member does not axially rotate relative to the first elongated member (and hence eliminates wobble of the two members) when the user slides the second elongated member inside the first elongated member.

[0014] The system may further include a downspout connector that may be connected to an exterior surface of the first elongated member. The downspout connector may be shaped as a hollow cylinder with open proximal and distal ends. The downspout connector may be configured to connect to a downspout pipe, which may transfer the rain water collected in the interior surfaces of the first and second elongated members to a specific location on the ground or a water storage tank. In some aspects, the system may further include a filtering unit that may filter the water collected in the water storage tank.

[0015] The present disclosure discloses a rain gutter system that prevents rain water from dripping from the roof of a home, a tent, etc. in an unregulated manner. The user can conveniently slide the second elongated member into and from the first elongated member, thereby conveniently customizing the system's length as per the dimensions of the roof periphery. Further, since the system's length is customizable, the system is portable and easy to transport and carry.

[0016] These and other advantages of the present disclosure are provided in detail herein.

Illustrative Embodiments

[0017] The disclosure will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which example embodiments of the disclosure are shown, and not intended to be limiting.

[0018] FIG. 1 depicts an environment 100 in which techniques and structures for providing the systems and methods disclosed herein may be implemented. FIG. 1 will be described in conjunction with FIGS. 2, 3, 4, and 5.

[0019] The environment 100 may include one or more structures 102, which may be permanent structures or temporary structures. For example, the structures 102 may be permanent structures such as walls/roofs of homes, buildings, etc., or the structures 102 may be temporary structures such as camping tents, as shown in FIG. 1. The example illustration of the structures 102 as tents in FIG. 1 should not be construed as limiting. Hereinafter, in the present disclosure, the structure 102 is referred to as tent 102.

[0020] It is known that rain water may flow or drip from the tent 102 roof when it may be raining. If the rain water is allowed to drip from the tent 102 roof in an unregulated manner, a puddle may form near the tent 102, which may affect the tent user's camping experience and may even adversely affect one or more items (e.g., electronic items, clothes, storage boxes, etc.) that may be placed under or in proximity to the tent 102. To prevent such a scenario from happening, the tent roof's periphery (or the tent walls'top portions) may be installed with a rain water gutter system 104 (or system 104).

[0021] The system 104 may be configured to receive the rain water that may flow off the tent 102 roof and prevent the rain water from dripping to the ground in an unregulated manner. The system 104 may collect and channelize the rain water received from the tent 102 roof to a dedicated spot/location on the ground or to a storage container 106 that may be placed on the ground. In this manner, the system 104 prevents the rain water from dripping from all sides of the tent 102 roof (and hence reduces the probability of puddle formation), and instead channelizes the rain water to a dedicated location or the container 106.

[0022] In some aspects, the system 104 may include a first elongated member 108 and a second elongated member 110. The second elongated member 110 may be configured to be disposed and slide inside the first elongated member 108 along a first elongated member length L1/first elongated member longitudinal axis or a second elongated member length L2/second elongated member longitudinal axis (as shown by an arrow 112 in FIG. 1). The first elongated member longitudinal axis may be parallel to and aligned with the second elongated member longitudinal axis, when the second elongated member 110 slides inside the first elongated member 108.

[0023] In some aspects, the length L1 may be equivalent to the length L2, which may be in a range of 3 to 8 feet. In other aspects, the length L1 may be greater or less than the length L2. By sliding the second elongated member 110 inside the first elongated member 108, a user may extend or collapse a total length of the system 104, which may facilitate the user to install the system 104 in tents of different sizes, and also help the user in conveniently transporting the system 104 (e.g., when the system 104 may not be in use). As an example, if the lengths L1 and L2 are of 5 feet each, the user may completely slide the second elongated member 110 into the first elongated member 108 to make the effective system length as 5 feet, when the user is required to install the system 104 on a tent with a roof edge length of 5 feet or when the user is required to store and transport the system 104. On the other hand, the user may slide out the second elongated member 110 from the first elongated member 108 to a required length (e.g., to make the effective system length as 6 feet or more, but less than or equivalent to 10 feet), when the user is required to install the system 104 on a tent with a roof edge length of more than 5 feet and less than or equivalent to 10 feet.

[0024] In some aspects, the first elongated member 108 and the second elongated member 110 may have same shapes, so that the user may conveniently slide the second elongated member 110 inside the first elongated member 108 (e.g., to change the effective system length). For example, the first elongated member 108 and the second elongated member 110 may be shaped as semi-circular hollow cylinders (as shown in FIG. 1) or semi-cuboidal hollow pipes. Further, the first elongated member 108 and the second elongated member 110 may be made of same or similar materials, e.g., plastic, aluminum, and/or the like. Furthermore, a diameter or width D1 associated with the first elongated member 108 (as shown in FIG. 3) may be equivalent to or slightly greater than a diameter or width D2 associated with the second elongated member 110 (as shown in FIG. 5). The diameters D1 and D2 may be in a range of 2 to 8 inches. Structural details associated with the first elongated member 108 are depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3 and described below, and structural details associated with the second elongated member 110 are depicted in FIGS. 4 and 5 and described later in the description below.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first elongated member 108 may include a first interior surface 202 and a first exterior surface 204. The first interior surface 202 may receive the rain water dripping from the tent 102 roof, when it may be raining. Stated another way, the first interior surface 202 may face the rain water or may face away from the ground when the system 104/first elongated member 108 may be installed on the tent roof's periphery. In some aspects, the first interior surface 202 may be concave-shaped and may have the diameter D1. The first exterior surface 204 may be disposed opposite to the first interior surface 202, and may face the ground when the system 104/first elongated member 108 may be installed on the tent roof's periphery. The thickness of the first elongated member 108, and hence the distance between the first interior surface 202 and the first exterior surface 204, may be in a range of 0.08 inches to 0.20 inches.

[0026] Further, the first elongated member 108 may include a first side portion 302, a second side portion 304, and a first bottom portion 306, as shown in FIG. 3. The first side portion 302 may be parallel to the second side portion 304, and may face each other. Further, the first bottom portion 306 may be connected to the first side portion 302 and the second side portion 304, such that the first and second side portions 302, 304 and the first bottom portion 306 form a single integrated structure of the first elongated member 108. When the first elongated member 108 is shaped as a semi-cuboidal hollow pipe, the first and second side portions 302, 304 may be parallel to each other, and perpendicular to the first bottom portion 306. On the other hand, when the first elongated member 108 is shaped as a semi-circular hollow cylinder (as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3), the first and second side portions 302, 304 and the first bottom portion 306 may be form a semi-circular arc with the diameter D1, as shown in FIG. 3.

[0027] In some aspects, the first interior surface 202 may include elongated retaining shoulders 308a, 308b (collectively referred to as elongated retaining shoulder 308) that may be disposed along the entire length L1. As shown in the exemplary aspect of FIG. 3, the elongated retaining shoulder 308a may be disposed at or in proximity to a first side portion 302 top edge, and the elongated retaining shoulder 308b may be disposed at or in proximity to a second side portion 304 top edge.

[0028] Each elongated retaining shoulder 308a, 308b may be shaped as a protrusion or a rail that may extend out from the first interior surface 202 associated with the first side portion 302 and the second side portion 304, respectively. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, each elongated retaining shoulder 308a, 308b may extend out from the first interior surface 202 such that a ridge (or a protruded surface) of width W1 may be formed between the elongated retaining shoulders 308a, 308b and the first interior surface 202. In an exemplary aspect, the width W1 may be in a range of 0.05 to 0.15 inches. Further, a length L3 of the elongated retaining shoulder 308 may be equivalent to each other, and may be in a range of 0.45 to 0.75 inches.

[0029] The elongated retaining shoulder 308 may extend along the entire length L1, such that the ridge of width W1 may be formed on the first interior surface 202 along the entire length L1. In the exemplary aspect depicted in FIG. 3, a surface 310 opposite to the elongated retaining shoulder 308 has a slanted shape; however, the present disclosure is not limited to such an aspect. The slanted surface 310 may help a user (not shown) to conveniently carry and pick the first elongated member 108 (which, for example, may be required when the first elongated member 108 may be getting transported or installed on the tent 102 roof).

[0030] In further aspects, the first side portion top edge and the second side portion top edge may include a plurality of first through-holes 206, as shown in FIG. 2. The plurality of first through-holes 206 may be disposed throughout the entire length L1 or along a portion of the length L1, and may configured to enable attachment of the first elongated member 108 with an external structure. For example, the plurality of first through-holes 206 may enable the user to attach/connect the first elongated member 108 to the pole of the tent 102 disposed along the tent roof's periphery, thereby enabling the user to attach the first elongated member 108 to the tent 102 roof. In an exemplary aspect, the user may attach the first elongated member 108 to the tent 102 pole by using one or more fasteners, e.g., hook and loop fasteners or any other type of fastener, which may be wrapped around the tent 102 pole via the plurality of first through-holes 206.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 2, each first through-hole 206 may be equidistant from adjacent first through-holes, although the present disclosure is not limited to such an arrangement. For example, in alternative aspects (not shown), the first through-holes 206 may be disposed in proximity to proximal and distal portions of the first elongated member 108, and may not be disposed in proximity to a center portion of the first elongated member 108 (or vice-versa).

[0032] Furthermore, the first elongated member 108 may include a first proximal end 208 and a first distal end 210. The first distal end 210 may be closed, as shown in FIG. 2. The closed first distal end 210 ensures that the rain water does not escape the first elongated member 108 via the first distal end 210. In an exemplary aspect, the first proximal end 208 may be open, so that the second elongated member 110 may efficiently slide inside the first elongated member 108 (as shown in FIG. 1) without getting interrupted by the first proximal end 208.

[0033] In one exemplary aspect, the first proximal end 208 may be open (or left open by the user) when the user requires to slide the second elongated member 110 inside the first elongated member 108 (e.g., on the first interior surface 202) to extend/increase or collapse/reduce the overall system length. In a second exemplary aspect, the first proximal end 208 may be configured to be closed by a removable cap or cover 212 (that may be part of the system 104) when the user does not require to slide the second elongated member 110 inside the first elongated member 108. For example, when the first elongated member 108 is of 5 feet and the roof edge is also of 5 feet, the user may not require the second elongated member 110 to extend the overall system length. In this case, the user may close the first proximal end 208 with the cover 212, and then install the first elongated member 108 to the tent 102 pole.

[0034] In a third exemplary aspect, the first proximal end 208 may be configured to be connected/attached to an L-shaped connector 214 (that may be part of the system 104) that may have the same cross-sectional shape and dimensions (e.g., diameter/width) as the cross-sectional shape and dimensions of the first elongated member 108. The L-shaped connector 214 may enable the user to connect the first elongated member 108 (or the second elongated member 110) to additional or another rain gutter system (not shown). For example, when the user desires to install four rain gutter systems around the four edges of the tent 102 roof, the user may attach four L-shaped connectors to respective first or second elongated members of the four rain gutter systems to secure all the tent 102 roof edges from dripping the rain water.

[0035] In a fourth exemplary aspect, the first proximal end 208 may be configured to be connected/attached to a T-shaped connector 216 (that may be part of the system 104) that may have the same cross-sectional shape and dimensions (e.g., diameter/width) as the cross-sectional shape and dimensions of the first elongated member 108. The T-shaped connector 216 may enable the user to connect the first elongated member 108 (or the second elongated member 110) to two rain gutter systems simultaneously (e.g., towards the left and right sides of the system 104).

[0036] The second elongated member 110 may have a similar structure as the first elongated member 108. In some aspects, the second elongated member 110 may include a second interior surface 402 and a second exterior surface 404, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Similar to the first interior surface 202, the second interior surface 402 may receive the rain water dripping from the tent 102 roof, when it may be raining and when the second elongated member 110 may be disposed inside the first elongated member 108 (either fully slid/inserted into the first elongated member 108, or partially slid/inserted into the first elongated member 108). Stated another way, the second interior surface 402 may face the rain water or may face away from the ground when the second elongated member 110 may be installed on the tent roof's periphery. In some aspects, the second interior surface 402 may be concave-shaped and may have the diameter D2. The second exterior surface 404 may be disposed opposite to the second interior surface 402, and may face the ground when the second elongated member 110 may be installed on the tent roof's periphery. The thickness of the second elongated member 110, and hence the distance between the second interior surface 402 and the second exterior surface 404, may be in a range of 0.08 inches to 0.20 inches.

[0037] Further, the second elongated member 110 may include a third side portion 502, a fourth side portion 504, and a second bottom portion 506, as shown in FIG. 5. The third side portion 502 may be parallel to the fourth side portion 504, and may face each other. Further, the second bottom portion 506 may be connected to the third side portion 502 and the fourth side portion 504, such that the third and fourth side portions 502, 504 and the second bottom portion 506 form a single integrated structure of the second elongated member 110. When the second elongated member 110 is shaped as a semi-cuboidal hollow pipe, the third and fourth side portions 502, 504 may be parallel to each other, and perpendicular to the second bottom portion 506. On the other hand, when the second elongated member 110 is shaped as a semi-circular hollow cylinder (as shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5), the third and fourth side portions 502, 504 and the second bottom portion 506 may be form a semi-circular arc with the diameter D2, as shown in FIG. 5.

[0038] In some aspects, the second exterior surface 404 may include elongated ridges 508a, 508b (collectively referred to as elongated ridge 508) that may be disposed along the entire length L2. Specifically, as shown in the exemplary aspect of FIG. 5, the elongated ridge 508a may be disposed at or in proximity to a third side portion 502 top edge, and the elongated ridge 508b may be disposed at or in proximity to a fourth side portion 304 top edge.

[0039] Each elongated ridge 508a, 508b may be shaped as a protrusion that may extend out from the second exterior surface 404 associated with the third side portion 502 and the fourth side portion 504, respectively. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, each elongated ridge 508a, 508b may extend out from the second exterior surface 404 such that a ridge (or a protruded surface) of width W2 may be formed at the second exterior surface 404 that extends throughout the length L2. In an exemplary aspect, the width W2 may be in a range of 0.05 to 0.15 inches. In some aspects, the elongated ridges 508 may have similar structures as the elongated retaining shoulders 308; however, the orientation of the elongated ridges 508 may be opposite to the orientation of the elongated retaining shoulders 308. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the ridges associated with the elongated retaining shoulders 308 may face downwards, and as shown in FIG. 5, the elongated ridges 508 may face upwards, when the first and second exterior surfaces 204, 404 may be facing downwards towards the ground.

[0040] In some aspects, the elongated ridges 508 engage with the elongated retaining shoulders 308 when the user slides the second elongated member 110 inside the first elongated member 108. The engagement between the elongated ridges 508 and the elongated retaining shoulders 308 ensures that the second elongated member 110 does not axially rotate (in clockwise or counterclockwise direction) when the user slides the second elongated member 110 inside the first elongated member 108. This enables the second elongated member 110 to slide into and from the first elongated member 108 along a linear path and not wobble. Such an arrangement enhances user's convenience of sliding the two elongated members 108, 110 relative to each other and operating the system 104.

[0041] In further aspects, the third side portion top edge and the fourth side portion top edge may include a plurality of second through-holes 406, as shown in FIG. 4. The plurality of second through-holes 406 may be similar to the plurality of first through-holes 206, and may be disposed throughout the entire length L2 or along a portion of the length L2. Similar to the plurality of first through-holes 206, the plurality of second through-holes 406 may be configured to enable attachment of the second elongated member 110 with an external structure. For example, the plurality of second through-holes 406 may enable the user to attach/connect the second elongated member 110 to the tent 102 pole disposed along the tent roof's periphery, thereby enabling the user to attach the second elongated member 110 to the tent 102 roof. In an exemplary aspect, the user may attach the second elongated member 110 to the tent 102 pole by using one or more fasteners, e.g., hook and loop fasteners or any other type of fastener, which may be wrapped around the tent 102 pole via the plurality of second through-holes 406.

[0042] In some aspects, when the user desires to extend the overall system length and attach the system 104 to the tent 102 pole, the user may partially slide the second elongated member 110 out from inside the first elongated member 108 to extend the overall system length to the required length. Thereafter, the user may attach/connect each of the first and second elongated members 108, 110 to the tent 102 pole via the respective first and second through-holes 206, 406 and a plurality of fasteners (e.g., hook-and-loop fasteners). In this manner, the system 104 enables the user to conveniently customize the system length and attach the system 104 to the tent 102 pole.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 4, each second through-hole 406 may be equidistant from adjacent second through-holes, although the present disclosure is not limited to such an arrangement. For example, in alternative aspects (not shown), the second through-holes 406 may be disposed in proximity to proximal and distal portions of the second elongated member 110, and may not be disposed in proximity to a center portion of the second elongated member 110 (or vice-versa).

[0044] Furthermore, the second elongated member 110 may include a second proximal end 408 and a second distal end 410. The second proximal end 408 may be closed (e.g., via a removable cap or permanently closed), as shown in FIG. 4. The closed second proximal end 408 ensures that the rain water does not escape the second elongated member 110 via the second proximal end 408. In an exemplary aspect, the second distal end 410 may be open, so that the second elongated member 110 may efficiently slide inside the first elongated member 108 (as shown in FIG. 1) without getting interrupted by the second distal end 410. Further, a seal 412 (that may be part of the system 104) may be disposed or attached at the second distal end 410, such that the seal 412 may completely cover the wall/surface associated with the second distal end 410. The seal 412 may be made of rubber or silicon, and may be configured to prevent the rain water from leaking out from the system 104 (e.g., from the intersection or contact point of the second distal end 410 and the first interior surface 202) when the second elongated member 110 is disposed inside the first elongated member 108.

[0045] The system 104 may include one or more additional components/units that may enhance system's efficiency in preventing the rain water from dripping from the tent 102 roof in an unregulated manner, and thereby further enhance user's convenience. For example, in some aspects, the system 104 may further include a downspout connector 114 that may be disposed at or connected to the first exterior surface 204 associated with the first bottom portion 306, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. In an exemplary aspect, the downspout connector 114 may be shaped as a cylindrical pipe with open proximal and distal ends and a hollow interior portion, and may be disposed in proximity to the first distal end 210 (as shown in FIG. 2). In some aspects, the downspout connector exterior surface may include threads 312 (as shown in FIG. 3) that may enable the downspout connector 114 to be attached/connected to a downspout pipe 116 (as shown in FIG. 1).

[0046] In an exemplary aspect, the downspout connector 114 may have a diameter in a range of 2 to 4 inches, which may enable the downspout connector 114 to be attached to a conventional downspout pipe 116. When the system 104 is attached to the tent 102 pole and it may be raining, the downspout connector 114 may receive the rain water that may be collected in the first and second interior surfaces 202, 402, and may transfer the received rain water to the downspout pipe 116. The downspout pipe 116 in turn may transfer the rain water to a specific designated spot/location on the ground or to the container 106, thereby ensuring that the rain water is not spilled. In this manner, the system 104 channelizes the rain water to flow into the container 106.

[0047] In another exemplary aspect, the system 104 may include a motor or a pump 118 that may be connected to the container 106, and configured to pump the rain water collected/stored in the container 106, from the container 106 to other parts of the camp, e.g., to the washroom, shower, etc. In this manner, the rain water collected in the container 106 may be utilized for useful purposes by the user (and other tent 102 occupants), e.g., to wash hands and/or other items.

[0048] In further aspects, the system 104 may include a filtering unit or a filter 120 that may be configured to filter the rain water that exits from the downspout connector 114. The filter 120 may be connected anywhere on the downspout connector 114, the downspout pipe 116, and/or the container 106, to effectively filter the rain water and remove dust/debris/impurities from the rain water. The example filter position shown in FIG. 1 should not be construed as limiting. By having the filter 120 as part of the system 104, the user may utilize and/or consume clean water from the container 106.

[0049] Although FIG. 1 shows that the system 104 is installed between two tents 102, such illustration should not be construed as limiting. The system 104 may efficiently be installed and used on a single tent as well.

[0050] In the above disclosure, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, which illustrate specific implementations in which the present disclosure may be practiced. It is understood that other implementations may be utilized, and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. References in the specification to one embodiment, an embodiment, an example embodiment, etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, one skilled in the art will recognize such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.

[0051] It should also be understood that the word example as used herein is intended to be non-exclusionary and non-limiting in nature. More particularly, the word example as used herein indicates one among several examples, and it should be understood that no undue emphasis or preference is being directed to the particular example being described.

[0052] With regard to the processes, systems, methods, heuristics, etc. described herein, it should be understood that, although the steps of such processes, etc. have been described as occurring according to a certain ordered sequence, such processes could be practiced with the described steps performed in an order other than the order described herein. It further should be understood that certain steps could be performed simultaneously, that other steps could be added, or that certain steps described herein could be omitted. In other words, the descriptions of processes herein are provided for the purpose of illustrating various embodiments and should in no way be construed so as to limit the claims.

[0053] Accordingly, it is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many embodiments and applications other than the examples provided would be apparent upon reading the above description. The scope should be determined, not with reference to the above description, but should instead be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. It is anticipated and intended that future developments will occur in the technologies discussed herein, and that the disclosed systems and methods will be incorporated into such future embodiments. In sum, it should be understood that the application is capable of modification and variation.

[0054] All terms used in the claims are intended to be given their ordinary meanings as understood by those knowledgeable in the technologies described herein unless an explicit indication to the contrary is made herein. In particular, use of the singular articles such as a, the, said, etc., should be read to recite one or more of the indicated elements unless a claim recites an explicit limitation to the contrary. Conditional language, such as, among others, can, could, might, or may, unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments could include, while other embodiments may not include, certain features, elements, and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements, and/or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments.