Heavy rain rate warning indicator

Claim 1

A heavy rain rate warning indicator comprising: a housing, said housing having a first opening at the top thereof and a second opening at the bottom thereof; means situated within said first opening for collecting rain and directing a stream of rain water therethrough, said collecting and directing means having straight sidewalls, an open top surface, a port centrally located at the bottom thereof, and a slightly inclined bottom surface adjacent said port, said surface being inclined at approximately 1° or less from the horizontal; means operably associated with said collecting and directing means for receiving said stream of rain water and providing a signal indicative of a predetermined amount of force of said rain water, said liquid receiving and signal providing means including a support, a rod pivotally mounted on said support, a flat plate being secured adjacent one end of said rod and positioned juxtaposed said port in said collecting and directing means, means associated with the other end of said rod for regulating the amount of force necessary to move said rod, and a switch operably connected to said rod capable of being activated by a predetermined movement of said rod and said flat plate in order to provide said signal indicative of said predetermined amount of force of rain water striking said flat plate; and means operably connected to said switch for receiving said signal indicative of said predetermined amount of said force of rain water and providing an alarm; whereby said alarm provides a warning indication of heavy or severe localized concentrations of rainfall.