Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Flood Protection Apparatus
This invention relates to flood protection apparatus, and
in particular, to apparatus for protection of buildings and
other structures during flooding.
There have been numerous proposals for apparatus to prevent
the ~ingres's ~~of ' flood water- into a structure such ~a-s a
building or some other ground level structure such as a
sceptic tank. Generally, such proposals teach of means to
seal the apertures in the skin of the building. Some
alternative flood water prevention systems are designed for
use in areas where extreme weather conditions include
25 hurricanes and similar high winds at the same time as
flooding. Such systems incorporate structurally rigid and
heavy barriers to prevent the ingress of both water and
wind. Both of these general types of flood barriers have
di s advant age s. .
US Patent -A-4488386 (Thompson) teaches the use of a one
piece, effectively tubular, flood shield assembly comprised
of waterproof material of which one edge is.affixed to the
foundation of a building and the other edge may be drawn up
the side of the building and attached to the building.
Such an assembly would be very difficult and awkward to
deploy especially if it were being deployed by one or a
small number of people. Furthermore, the assembly
described does not work if it is not possible to completely
surround the whole of the building to be protected.
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According to the present invention there is provided a
flood protection barrier for a structure in which the
barrier is adapted to overlie at least a portion of the
outer skin of the structure in the region where the
structure engages with the ground. The flood protection
barrier is comprised of at least one impermeable sheet and
at least one seal means, in which each impermeable sheet is
flexible, and at least one seal means is a means adapted to
reversibly form a substantially water-tight seal between an
impermeable sheet and at least one of the skin .of the
structure, the ground, or an impermeable sheet, and in
which the impermeable sheet is sufficiently flexible to be
elastically deformed by the hydrostatic pressure exerted by
water flooding the ground adjacent to the structure to
substantially conform with the contours of the portion of
the structure's skin overlain by the impermeable barrier.
It should be understood that in this context "ground" means
the surface adjacent to a structure on/or in which the
structure may be considered to rest.
It is advantageous to have a flood barrier which covers at
least a portion of the outer skin of a structure in the
region where the structure engages with the ground, rather
than a flood barrier which simply seals apertures in the
skin of the building, such as doors and windows. This is
because a barrier of the present invention not only
prevents ingress of water into the structure via such
apertures, but also prevents permeation of water through
the skin of the structure itself if the skin of the
structure is permeable. For example, the bricks of which
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an average house is constructed are permeable, as is the
mortar used to bind the bricks together. When water under
hydrostatic pressure bears against such bricks and/or
mortar water will pass through those substances, albeit not
at a very high rate of flow.
Where the ground adjacent to a structure is flooded for a
substantial period of time, possibly some days or weeks, a
considerable amount of water could permeate through the
skin of a building if a barrier according to the present
invention were not provided. Any cracks in the skin of the
building (whether pre-exisitng or caused by the flooding)
will allow a greater rate of flow of water. This
permeating water can cause damage to the structure of the
building and its contents.
A further advantage of using a flood barrier which covers
at least a portion of the outer skin of the structure is
that it avoids the need to provide a separate aperture
closure means for each door, window, air brick,wentilation
grating, waste pipe outlet, etc in a building. This lessens
the risk that an aperture may be forgotten about when the
flood protection apparatus is deployed. Failure to close
every aperture may have the effect of negating the purpose
of closing any aperture.
The flood barrier of the present invention is particularly
advantageous because the elastically deformable nature of
the impermeable sheet has the. effect that when there.,is
flooding and a barrier of the present invention is in
position, the hydrostatic forces exerted by the flood water
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against the barrier do not have to be resisted by the
barrier, but are transmitted to the structure. This
results in the barrier being capable of being constructed
of a material which, unsupported, may not be sufficiently
strong to resist the expected hydrostatic forces from the
flood water. Thus, the barrier of the present invention
may be considerably lighter than would otherwise be the
case. This is particularly advantageous because the
erection of a barrier of the~present invention does not
require either lifting equipment or a particularly strong
individual. Thus, the barrier of the present invention may
be deployed by non-specialists, and in particular, the
owner or occupant of a structure.
A further advantage of the flood barrier of the present
invention is that when the hydrostatic pressure exerted by
flood water has caused the impermeable sheet to
substantially conform with the contours of the structure's
skin, the impermeable sheet may form a seal with the
surface of the structure itself. This seal may not be
completely water-tight but may at least limit the amount of
water running down the outer skin of the structure above
the barrier and then between the barrier and the skin of
the structure.
There may be some instances where it is not desirable that
the hydrostatic forces exerted by the flood water are
wholly or partially transmitted via the barrier against
certain portions of the structure. For example, where
there is a window covered by the flood barrier of the
present invention. Where this is the case, a cover may be
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placed over the aperture against which the hydrostatic
pressure may act. For example, the aperture could be
covered by a metal plate or any other suitably strong sheet
structure. Alternatively, the impermeable sheet may
incorporate rigid strengthening elements. Most preferably
said elements are parallel to each other, and orientated
on or in the sheet in such a fashion that the impermeable
sheet may be conveniently stored. The strengthening
elements are preferably bars with a cross'section that has
a high resistance to bending.
The sealing of the flood barrier of the present invention
against the skin of the structure overlain by the flood
barrier caused by the presence of flood water may, in
addition to preventing the ingress of water into the
structure, also increase the security of the structure
whilst flooding is taking place. This is because the flood
barrier may serve to prevent potential intruders from
gaining access to the inside of the structure because, for
example, the doorways into that structure are blocked by
the flood barrier of the present invention.
It is most preferred if the impermeable sheet of the
present invention is a laminate comprising at least one
layer of an impermeable material and at least one layer of
a strengthening material. Most preferably, the barrier is
configured so that, in use, the face of the impermeable
sheet remote from the structure is comprised of a layer of
strengthening material. This has particular benefit
because the strengthening material will serve to protect
the impermeable layer or layers from damage caused by
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floating or water borne objects or materials such as stone,
grit and mud carried by flood waters.
The most preferred impermeable material for use in
constructing the impermeable sheet is butyl rubber. Other
impermeable materials may be used and may be more
appropriate in certain circumstances. The most preferred
strengthening material where present is a woven fabric or
similar mesh-like substance. A particularly preferred
strengthening material is canvas.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, at
least one of the first seal means of the flood protection
barrier is comprised of a rigid seal bar fixed to the skin
of the structure or to the ground adjacent to the
structure, and a seal portion of the impermeable sheet. In
one preferred embodiment the seal portion of the
impermeable sheet is configured to be reversibly fixed in
position in a channel, the walls of which are defined by
the seal bar. It is most preferred that the fixation of
the seal portion of the impermeable sheet in position in
the channel causes the formation of a substantially water-
tight seal between the seal bar and the impermeable sheet.
In one embodiment of this preferred embodiment, the channel
is dimensioned in cross section such that the mouth of the
channel is smaller than at least a portion of the channel.
The channel defined by the seal bar may have a cross
section substantially the same as an angular "C", an oval,
a pear shape, a frustoconical shape or any other shape.
Most preferably, the channel is substantially oval in cross
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section with a mouth in the curved end of the oval such
that one end of the major axis of the oval coincides with
the mouth. The mouth is preferably of sufficient dimension
to either allow the insertion and removal of the seal
portion of the impermeable sheet into and out of the
channel, or to allow the seal portion of the impermeable
sheet to be moved longitudinally along the channel so
moving a portion of the impermeable sheet longitudinally
along the mouth of the channel.
In one embodiment, the seal portion in the impermeable
sheet may be configured to be expandable from a size
capable of passing through the mouth of the channel or
moving along the channel to a size that causes the sheet
to engage with the inside walls of the channel. Expansion
of the seal portion has the effect that the seal portion is
fixed in position relative to the seal bar and it engages
with the inside walls of the channel so that it may not
pass through the mouth of that channel. The expansion
creates a water-tight seal between the impermeable sheet
and the walls of the channel.
In this embodiment it is most preferable that the seal
portion of the impermeable sheet is comprised of a gas-
tight envelope provided with at least one inflation means
in which the envelope is configured and constructed to
expand to substantially fill the channel and to engage with
the walls thereof when inflated. Inflation is preferably
by the introduction of gas into the envelope. The gas
introduced into the envelope may be of any nature, although
for safety reasons it is preferred that it is not volatile.
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The inflation gas may be pumped into the envelope, or be
introduced from a pressurised gas source. In an
alternative embodiment, the envelope is compartmentalised
into two or more independently inflatable compartments. In
this embodiment, each of the compartments is provided with
an inflation means. The most preferred method of
introducing gas into the envelope is via a gas-tight valve.
Where the~-seal means is an inflatable envelope, that
envelope may. be formed by creating a longitudinal tube
along an edge of an impermeable sheet and sealing the seam
and both ends of that tube in a gas-tight fashion.
Alternatively, the seal portion of the impermeable sheet
may be constructed independently from the sheet and
subsequently permanently fixed to the sheet.
In an alternative embodiment, at least one of the walls of
the channel defined by the seal bar is so configured that
that wall may be inflated an deflated between a first
deflated position wherein the movement of the seal portion
of the impermeable sheet into or out of or along the
channel is unimpeded and a second inflated position wherein
the seal portion of the impermeable sheet in the channel is
gripped by the walls of the channel and thus fixed in
position relative to the seal bar. The gripping of the
seal portion is preferably of sufficient force to create a
water-tight seal between the walls of the channel and the
seal portion.
The inflatable portion or portions of the wall or walls of
the channel are most preferably comprised of a gas-tight
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inflatable portion provided with at least one inflation
means in which the or each inflatable portion is configured
and constructed to respectively expand to substantially
fill the channel, or fill a sufficient portion of the
channel so that when all the inflatable portions are
inflated the channel is substantially filled. Inflation is
preferably by the introduction of gas into the or each
inflatable portion. The gas may be of any nature, although
for safetyreasons it is preferred that it is not volatile .
The inflation gas may be pumped into the or each inflatable
portion or be introduced from a pressurised gas source. In
an alternative embodiment, the or each inflatable portion
is compartmentalised into, two or more independently
inflatable compartments. In this embodiment, each of the
compartments is provided with an inflation means. The most
preferred method of introducing gas into the or each
inflatable portion is via a gas-tight valve.
In this embodiment it is preferred that the seal portion of
the impermeable sheet is configured in such a fashion as to
inhibit the seal portion from being pulled out of the mouth
of the channel when the inflatable portions are inflated.
A possible configuration of the seal portion of the
impermeable sheet is to cause the edge of the sheet to be
a bead, a lip, or a wedge shaped (with the thickest portion
of the wedge at the edge of the sheet) cross sectioned
thickening extending along the edge of the sheet. In this
embodiment, it is particularly preferred that the channel
is substantially frustoconical in cross section with the
mouth of the channel coinciding with the narrowest portion
of the frustoconical shape, and the walls of the channel
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sloping towards the mouth are both configured as inflatable
portions. With such a configuration, and when the seal
portion of the impermeable sheet is configured to be wedge
shaped (as discussed above), any force trying to pull the
impermeable sheet out of the channel causes the seal
between the channel walls and the impermeable sheet to
become stronger as the force pushing the two together
increases.
The channel defined by the seal bar may further include a
sub channel along which the ends of strengthening elements
may travel. In this embodiment, the sub channel and the
end of a strengthening element adapted to engage therein is
so configured that the end of the strengthening element may
not be pulled out of the mouth of the channel extending
longitudinally along the seal bar.
The flood barrier of the present invention may be further
provided with a storage means. That storage means may be
located in the region of the intersection of the
structure's skin and the ground, or it may be attached to.
the skin of the structure at some other position. When the
storage means is attached to the skin of the structure it
is preferably attached so as to extend substantially
vertically upwards from the intersection of the structure's
skin and the ground.
When the storage means is located in the region of the
intersection of the of the structure's skin and the ground
it preferably has a longitudinal extent substantially equal
to the longitudinal extent of the face or faces of the
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structure to be overlain by the barrier. The storage means
may be sunk into a trench in the ground. This renders the
storage means unobtrusive and serves to protect the storage
means. Alternatively, the storage means may be fixed to
the skin of the structure adjacent to the ground and a
substantially water-tight seal formed between the storage
means and the skin. When storage means is present, the
second seal means is adapted to reversibly form a
substantially water-tight longitudiiially~ extending seal
between the impermeable sheet and the storage means.
When the storage means is attached to the skin of the
structure and is extending substantially vertically upwards
from the intersection of the structure's skin and the
ground then the storage means preferably has a longitudinal
extent substantially equal to or greater than the height of
the portion of the structure that is to be overlain by the
impermeable sheet.
The storage means is preferably constructed and configured
to contain the impermeable sheet when not in use and to
allow the impermeable sheet to be moved between a stored
configuration within the storage means, and a deployed
configuration wherein it overlies the skin of the
structure.
In either of the two above alternatives, the storage means
is preferably provided with means to substantially prevent
flood water passing through the storage means and thus
around an edge of the impermeable sheet.
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It is most preferred that the storage means comprises a
trough of substantially "U" shaped cross section, and a lid
suitable for closing the mouth of the "U". The lid is
wholly removable, hinged to one edge of said "U", or hinged
to a different portion of said "U". It is most preferred
that the lid of the storage means is so configured that
when the impermeable sheet is deployed, closing the lid of
the storage means creates a substantially water-tight seal
between the storage means and the impermeabl~e~sheet, and a
substantially water-tight seal between the lid and the
trough of the storage means.
It is further preferred that the trough and lid of the
storage means and each seal means where the edge of an
IS impermeable sheet is sealed to a second impermeable sheet
or the outer skin of the structure (the first seal means)
are so adapted that closure of the lid of the trough causes
a substantially water-tight seal to be created between the
storage means and an end of the first seal means adjacent
to the trough of the storage means.
When the first seal means of the present invention is
composed of a seal bar defining a channel, and the seal
portion of the impermeable sheet is comprised of one or
more inflatable envelopes, it is preferable that the seal
bar adjacent the storage means is so configured that only
a portion of the channel is defined by the seal bar, and
that the partially defined channel is located so that
closure of the lid of the storage means causes an edge of
the lid to engage with the seal portion of the impermeable
sheet.
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Most preferably, the channel is so configured that the
portion of the seal portion of the impermeable sheet is
pinched between the edge of the lid and the partially
defined portion of the channel. It is particularly
preferred that at the position where the lid pinches the
seal portion of the impermeable sheet there is an insert in
the channel. The insert is preferably configured to
include a pinch face against which the seal portion of the
impermeable sheet may be pinched. The seal may further
include a support slope extending between the pinch face
and the wall of the channel onto which the insert is
affixed. The insert may either be integral with the seal
bar or, more preferably, fixed to the seal by a suitable,
substantially water-tight, means such as by adhesive. The
1S insert is most preferably of a material that is elastically
deformable.
The lid to the storage box may be a single unit, or may be
formed of two or more elements which might be hinged or
otherwise joined together.
In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present
invention, the impermeable sheet is stored in the storage
means as a roll about an axle mounted in the storage means.
When the impermeable sheet is moved to a deployed position
it is unrolled from the axle. When the impermeable sheet
is to be returned to its stored position from the deployed
position it is rolled back onto~the axle.
The flood barrier of the present invention is preferably
further provided with one or more support means in which
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said support means are so located and configured that they
hold the impermeable sheet loosely against the skin of the
structure whilst deploying the flood barrier according to
the present invention and/or when there is no flood water
flooding the ground adjacent to the structure. This
prevents the impermeable sheet slumping and not being in
the correct position when flooding occurs. One preferred
support means is a number of peg holes into the skin of the
structure which are so located~to correspond with eyelets
in the vertically uppermost portion of the impermeable
sheet when in use. The eyelets are aligned with the peg
holes and pegs pushed through the eyelets into the peg
holes so as to retain the impermeable sheet in position.
Alternative support means, but which operate in
I5 substantially the same fashion, may be burr fasteners:- the
male part thereof being attached to either the skin of the
structure or the impermeable sheet and the female part of
the burr fastener being attached to the other of the
impermeable sheet or the skin of the structure, or vice
versa; or the incorporation of one or more magnets into one
or both of the skin of the building and the impermeable
sheet, if one or more magnets are incorporated into only
one of the building skin and the impermeable sheet then a
material that is attracted to a magnet is incorporated
into the other of the building skin and the impermeable
sheet,
In an alternative embodiment, the preferred support means
is a cross bar engaged with the edge of the impermeable
30, sheet which vertically uppermost when deployed. That cross
bar is preferably of a cross section which is resistant to
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bending of the cross bar in the direction that the
impermeable sheet would pull the cross bar. The cross bar
may be provided with one or more support legs. Most
preferably each support leg is hinged to the cross bar and
may rotate about the hinge from a position substantially
parallel to and adj acent to the cross bar, to a position
where the end of the support, leg remote from the hinge
engages with the ground. In the latter ground engaging
position, the support leg~~may help prevent bending of the
cross bar. Incorporation of the support leg's into the
apparatus of the present invention allows the use of a
longer cross bar than might otherwise be possible without
increasing the cross sectional size, and thus the weight,
of the cross bar.
The flood barrier of the present invention may be comprised
of a flexible sheet constructed to have the dimensions of
the entire portion of the skin of the structure to be
overlain. Alternatively, and more preferably, the
impermeable sheet of the flood barrier of the present
invention may be constructed from a plurality of
impermeable sheets joined one to the other so as to form a
single impermeable sheet of appropriate dimensions. It is
preferred that the impermeable sheet of the flood barrier
be constructed from a number of smaller impermeable sheets
because it renders the storage, transportation and erection
of the flood barrier of the present invention easier.
The means of joining the individual impermeable sheets is
one that forms a substantially water-tight joint. In one
preferred embodiment, a means for joining individual
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impermeable sheets is a waterproof zip. An alternative
preferred embodiment is to employ a removable seal bar
configured and constructed from a pair of first seal means
as described above. Both of said first seal means are
incorporated into a single combined seal bar. The combined
seal bar may optionally be fixed to the skin of the
structure. An advantage of this alternative embodiment is
that the combined seal bar will help support the
impermeable sheets in position until flood water causes-the
impermeable sheets to be pushed against the skin of the
structure. A further advantage is that because the seal
bar does not need to be fixed to the structure, the
apparatus of the present invention can be used in locations
where it would be unacceptable to fix. a seal means
permanently to the skin of the structure.
The present invention will be further described and
explained by way of example with reference to the
accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 shows a first building surrounded by a first
embodiment of a flood barrier according to the present
invention;
Figure 2 shows the details of a flood barrier of a
first embodiment of the present invention of Figure 1
along section A-A1;
Figure 3 shows the frontage of a second building
protected by a second embodiment of a flood barrier
according to the present invention;
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Figure 4 shows details of the flood barrier of Figure
3 along section B-B1;
Figure 5 shows details of an alternative embodiment of
the flood barrier of Figure 3 along section B-B1;
Figure 6 shows the frontage of a third building
protected by a third embodiment of a flood barrier
according to the present invention;
Figure 7 shows details of the flood barrier of Figure
6 along section C-C1; and
Figure 8, 9 and 10 show details of examples of
embodiments of said seal bars according to the present
invention.
Referring to Figure 1, a building (2) is provided with four
substantially vertical outside walls (4, 6, 8 and 10).
Building (2) is situated on the ground (12):
The ground (12) is flooded to a level (14) by flood water.
The flood water is prevented from entering the building (2)
via the door (16) , windows (18) or air brick (20) an any
other apertures in the building skin, by a flood protection
barrier (22). Flood barrier (22) extends across the lower
portion of each of walls (4, 6, 8 and 10) of the building
(2) .
With reference to Figure 2, the flood barrier (22) is
comprised of an impermeable sheet (24) and a rigid channel
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{26). Rigid channel {26) is fixed to the portion of wall
(6) adjacent to the ground (12) by means not shown. Rigid
channel (26) is likewise fixed to the portions of the other
walls (4, 8 and 10) adjacent to the ground {12). A sealant
(not shown) is placed between the wall (6) and rigid
channel (26) before fixation of rigid channel (26) to each
of the walls (4, 6, 8, 10) occurs. Most preferably, the
sealant is a flowable sealant which will subsequently set,
for example a silicone sealant. Rigid channel (26) is," as
shown, configured to have a cross section that is
substantially the shape of an angular "C".
The impermeable sheet (24) is provided along one edge with
a means (28) for sealingly engaging with and locking into
the rigid channel (26). The means (28) comprises a
longitudinal envelope (30) created by doubling over a
longitudinal edge of the impermeable sheet (24) and, where
the edge of impermeable sheet {24) is adjacent to the
impermeable sheet {24) creating a gas-tight seal (32).. The
gas-tight seal (32) may be formed by a combination of
stitching through both layers of impermeable sheet (24) and
a sealant, such as a silicone sealant'. Alternative known
means for creating a gas-tight seal may be employed.
The envelope (30) is provided with an inflation/deflation
means (not shown) such as a gas-tight valve. The gas-tight
valve is so located on envelope (30) that it projects away
from the rigid channel (26) both during and after inflation
of the envelope (30).
When the flood water rises to Level (14) the flood water
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exerts hydrostatic forces (34) against the submerged
portion of impermeable sheet (24). The impermeable sheet
(24) is thus forced against the wall (6) as shown in Figure
2. As may be seen in Figure 2, where there is a contour in
the surface of the wall (6), such as a recess formed by air
brick (20), the impermeable sheet (24) is moulded into that
contour by the hydrostatic forces (34). This has the
effect that the impermeable sheet (24) is substantially
supported in all areas that are~submerged by the flood
water. Above the level of the flood water, the impermeable
sheet (24) is not forced against the wall (6) except in the
uppermost region where a peg (36) engages in a peg hole
(38) . The peg (36) passes through an eyelet (40) in the
impermeable sheet (24) and holds the portion of the
impermeable sheet (24) in the region of the eyelet (40)
against the wal l ( 6 ) .
The peg (36) is used to hold the impermeable sheet (24)
against the wall (6) to prevent the otherwise floppy
impermeable sheet (24) falling downward due to gravity and,
quite possibly, allowing the flood water over the top of
the impermeable sheet (24). The peg (36) and the peg hole
(38) are adapted to releasably engage the peg (36) and may
be constructed in any appropriate fashion.
In addition to the impermeable sheet (24) and rigid channel
(26), the flood barrier of the present invention may
further include support portions for the impermeable sheet
(24). Such support portions may either be adapted to
prevent the impermeable sheet (24) being pushed into
apertures where there will be no support for the
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impermeable sheet (24), or where it is not desired that the
impermeable sheet (24) bears upon the aperture closure
means. For example, if it is not desired that the
impermeable sheet (24) bears upon the window panes in
windows (18). Accordingly, a support means would be placed
across the windows (18) to prevent that occurring. The
support means may take the form of a mesh or a solid board
(neither of which are shown).
Alternatively, the support means (42) may be comprised of
a contoured support unit for covering features in wall (6)
that may pierce or tear the impermeable sheet (24). As
shown in Figure 2 a cistern overflow outlet (44) is
potentially sharp and, as such, support means (42) prevents
the impermeable sheet (24) from bearing on the end of the
outlet (44) if the water level (14) gets that high. It is
particularly preferred that the support means (42) has a
rounded profile so as to avoid the generation of sharp
edges which may cause piercing or tearing of the
impermeable sheet (24). Further support means may be
provided at the corners of the building where two walls
intersect. Again, this is to seek to prevent the sharp
edges formed by a pair of intersecting walls piercing or
tearing the impermeable sheet (24).
Impermeable sheet (24) may be a single length of
impermeable material joined together by a watertight
sealing means, for example by a waterproof zip, where the
two ends of that length meet. Alternatively, the
impermeable sheet (24) may be comprised of a plurality of
smaller impermeable sheets (24) each of which are joined to
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their adjacent sheets by a waterproof joining means, such
as a waterproof zip. The latter is preferred because it
will thus be easier to store, move and erect the flood
barrier (22) of the present invention.
Where the building (2) to be protected is not free
standing, or, for whatever reason, the flood protection
barrier (22) is not to fully surround said building, it is
pre f erred that addit Tonal ~ f fixed channel s ~~ ('2 6 ) ~ are
orientated substantially vertically at the horizontal ends
of the portion of building (22) that it is desired to be
protected. The impermeable sheet (24) may be appropriately
adapted to provide an envelope (30) that has an appropriate
configuration to engage with all of the rigid channels
(26) .
When the flood protection barrier (22) is not in use, the
or each impermeable sheet (24) is stored in an appropriate
location and the open mouth of the or each rigid channel
(26) is closed with a cap (not shown). The purpose of the
cap is to prevent detritus accumulating within the rigid
channel (26).
With reference to Figure 3, a portion of a building (50) is
shown. The building (50) is substantially larger than the
portion shown and may, for example, form part of an
industrial unit or other commercial premises. Located in
the face of building (50) adjacent to the ground (12) is a
doorway (S2) and a display window (54). To protect the
doorway (52) and the display window (54) from imminent
flooding a flood prevention barrier (56) has been erected.
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The flood prevention barrier (56) is comprised of an
impermeable sheet (58) which is sealed by a substantially
watertight seal to the skin of the building (50) by seal
means (60) either side of the doorway {52) and the display
window (54).
The seal of seal means (60) is substantially as the seal
means {26, 28) as illustrated in Figure 2 in connection
with the first embodiment of the present'invention. As w
such, no further discussion of seal means (60) is
necessary. Alternative seal means may be used. Examples
os such seal means are as illustrated in Figures 8, 9 and
20.
With reference to Figure 4, the impermeable sheet (58) is
stored as a roll (61) about an axle (62) located in a
storage means (64) set into the ground (12). The
impermeable sheet (58) passes in and out of the storage
means (64) via a slot (65).
The impermeable sheet (58) is sealed against the movement
of water beneath the lowermost portion of the impermeable
sheet (58) by way of a seal means (66) extending along the
length of the storage means (64) . The seal means (66) is
comprised of a rigid channel {68) which is substantially
"U" shaped. The channel (68) is so located that it mouths
toward the impermeable sheet (58) , and the open mouth of
the channel (68) is adjacent to the slot {65). Located
within rigid channel {68) is an inflatable envelope (70)
extending the length of rigid channel (68). When the
inflatable envelope (70) is inflated it expands to force
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the impermeable sheet (58) against the wall of the storage
means (64) towards which the open channel (68) mouths.
When envelope (70) is inflated to a sufficient pressure, a
watertight seal will be formed between the envelope (70)
and the impermeable sheet (58), and between envelope (70)
and rigid channel (68). This will create a watertight seal
preventing flood water entering into storage means (64).
To hold the flood barrier (56) in the correct position
whilst awaiting flooding, the uppermost edge of impermeable
sheet (58) is provided with a number of eyelets (72)
through which pegs (not shown) may be passed. Said pegs
will, in turn, engage with peg holes (not shown), so as to
hold the impermeable sheet (58) in place.
In an alternative embodiment, the uppermost edge of the
impermeable sheet (when deployed) is fixed to a
longitudinally extending bar (not shown). Said bar is
preferably rigid. This embodiment is particularly
beneficial because it enables the easy lifting of the
impermeable sheet into the deployed position by either
mechanical or manual means. Furthermore, the ends of the
bar may be fixed to the seal means (60) at one or more
predetermined positions by known fixing means.
When it is desired to deploy, or store the flood barrier
(56) the impermeable sheet (58) is either unrolled from or
rolled onto the axle (62) either by human power or by
automated means. When the impermeable sheet (58) is stored
within storage means (64) it is preferred that the slot
through which impermeable sheet (58) passes into and out of
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the storage means (64) be closed by a cap. This will
prevent dirt and other detritus entering the storage means
(64) .
With reference to Figure 5, the impermeable sheet (58) is
stored as a roll (61) about an axle (62) located in a
storage means (64) set into the ground (12). The
impermeable sheet (58) passes in and out of the storage
means (64) via a slot (120) . ~ Slot (120) ~ is defined' by lid
portion (122) and wall (126) of storage means (64).
Storage means (64) has a lid (128) comprised of lid
elements (122) and (124). Removal of lid (128) or one of
the lid elements (122) or (124) from storage means (64)
permits access to the inside of said storage means. Lid
(128) is configured so that when lid (128) is moved into a
fully closed position, slot (120) is either fully closed,
when impermeable sheet (58) is not deployed, or the edge of
lid element (122) abuts onto impermeable sheet (58) with
sufficient force to create a substantially water-tight seal
between lid element (122) and impermeable sheet (58) when
impermeable sheet (58) is deployed as shown in Figure 5.
The configuration of lid elements (122) and (124) is such
that sufficient abutment force between lid element (122)
and impermeable sheet {58) is generated upon closure of the
lid.
In the example of lid (128) illustrated in Figure 5, the
abutment force is generated by virtue of lid element {124)
being so configured that it acts effectively as a wedge
when brought into contact with lid element (122) and
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abutment face (130) of storage means (64). Lid element
(124) is provided with means, not shown, to enable a user
to force lid element (124) in the direction indicated by
arrow (132). Such means may be threaded screws, cams, or
other known mechanical devices. Tn this embodiment storage
means (64) is required to be sufficiently rigid that
forcing lid element (124) in the direction of arrow (132)
causes lid element (122) to move toward the left as viewed
in Figure 5 rather than deforming wall (134) 'of storage
means {64) to bend towards the right as illustrated in
Figure 5.
Alternative configurations for lid (128) may be envisaged.
Other pref erred conf igurat ions include 1 id ( 12 8 ) having two
or more hinges running substantially parallel to the
longitudinal axis of storage means (64). Said hinges are
most preferably waterproof and so arranged that lid {128)
may, in an open position, be in the form of a concertina or
substantially folded, and the act of flattening lid (128)
causes the edge of lid (128) remote from wall (134) of
storage means (64) against impermeable sheet (58).
With reference to Figure 6, a portion of a building (80) is
shown. The building (80) is substantially larger than the
portion shown and may, for example, form part of an
industrial unit or other commercial premises. Located in
the face of the building {80) adjacent to the ground (12)
is a doorway (82) and two windows (84). To protect the
doorway (82) and the windows {84) from imminent flooding a
flood prevention barrier (86) has been erected.
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The flood prevention barrier (86) is comprised of an
impermeable sheet (58) which is sealed by a substantially
water-tight seal to the skin of the building (80) by seal
means (90) substantially adjacent to the intersection of
the skin of the building (80) and the ground (12) and seal
means (92) extending substantially vertically from the end
of the seal means (90) to a height sufficient for the
uppermost corner (94) of the impermeable sheet (58) to
engage with th.e-- seal means ( 92 ) . ~ ' - " ' ' ' w
The impermeable sheet (58) is stored in a roll (96) about
an axle (98) located in a storage means (100). The storage
means (100) is fixed to the skin of the building (80) in
such a fashion that there is a substantially water-tight
seal between the edge of storage means wall (102) adjacent
the skin of the building (80) and the skin of the building
(80). This substantially water-tight seal is not shown.
The wall (102) of the storage means (100) is substantially
"L" shaped in cross-section in a plane substantially
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the storage means
(100). The edge of the wall (102) of the storage means
(100) remote from the skin of the building (80) is formed
into or is engaged with a pivot means (104) about which a
storage flap (106) hinges. The storage flap (106) may
hinge about the pivot (104) in an anti-clockwise direction
from the position shown in Figure 7 until the flap (106)
substantially overlies a portion of the wall (102) of the
storage means (100). The flap (106) is prevented from
hinging in a clockwise direction from the position shown in
Figure 7 by one or more stops (108).
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The flap (106) is comprised of a rigid portion (110) and a
deformable portion (112) . When the flap (106) is in the
position shown in Figure 7 the deformable portion (112)
bears against the impermeable sheet (58) as it extends from
the roll (96) and over the surface of the wall (80) . When
there is flooding, the flood water (not shown) bears upon
the face of the flap (106) remote from the roll (96) and
exerts hydrostatic pressure on that face. The hydrostatic
pressure impels the flap (106) to~'vard the roll (96) in. a
clockwise direction from the position shown in Figure 7.
The hydrostatic pressure forces the deformable portion
(112) against the impermeable sheet (88) so causing a
substantially water-tight seal to be developed between the
two.
When the impermeable sheet (58) is to be rolled onto or off
the roll (96) then the flap (106) may be hinged about the
pivot (104) in an anti-clockwise direction from the
position shown in Figure 7.so as to allow room for the
impermeable sheet (88) to either be deployed from or
returned to the roll (96).
The seal of seal means (90)' and (92) is substantially as
seal means (26, 28) as illustrated in Figures 2, 8, 9 or 10
in connection with the first embodiment of the present
invention. As such, no further discussion of the seal
means (90) and (92) is necessary. Alternative seal means
may be used.
The upper edge of the flood barrier (88) is held in the
correct position whilst awaiting flooding in the same
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fashion as the flood barrier (56) as illustrated in Figure
3. As such, no further discussion of this aspect of the
present invention will be entered into.
With reference to Figure 8, a seal bar (140) is comprised
of seal bar elements (142) and (144). Seal bar elements
(142) and (144) are adapted to abut each other along
abutment line (146). The faces of seal bar elements (142)
and (144) that meet on abutment line (146) -are so
configured as to define a channel (148). Channel (148) is
substantially oval in cross section and has an open mouth
(150). The major axis of channel (148) and abutment line
(146) substantially coincide. Mouth (150) likewise
coincides with abutment line (146).
Seal bar (140) is adapted to have the seal portion of the
impermeable membrane (not shown) passing longitudinally
along channel (148) with a single thickness of the
impermeable membrane extending through mouth (150).
Inflation of the sealing portion of the impermeable
membrane will bring said sealing portion into intimate
contact with the faces of the walls of seal bar elements
(142) and (144) creating a substantially water-tight seal
between the seal bar (140) and the impermeable membrane.
Inflation will also prevent movement of the impermeable
membrane in the sealing portion of the impermeable membrane
along the length of the channel (148).
Seal bar (140) is adapted to be affixed to the outer skin
of a building by means not shown. Said means may be
mechanical means such as screws, adhesives, or other
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appropriate means. Face (152) of seal bar element (144) is
adapted to abut the skin of the building.
With reference to Figure 9, a seal bar (160) defines two
channels (162) and (164). Channels (162) and (164) have
mouths (163 and 165 respectively). Mouths (163) and (165)
face substantially away from each other, i.e. in
substantially opposite directions. Seal bar (160) is
adapted to~~engage with the seal portions located on'the
edge of two sheets or portions of an impermeable sheet.
The mouth (163) of channel (162) is closed by a flexible
rubber flap (166) which prevents dirt and debris entering
channel (162). In a similar fashion, mouth (165) of
channel (164) is closed by a flexible rubber flap (168)
serving the same purpose as flap (166).
Seal bar (160) is shown as having screw holes {l70) which
may be used to affix seal bar (160) to the outer skin of a
building. Seal bar (160) may, however, be used without
attaching said seal bar to the outside of a building. The
seal bar is structurally integral within itself and does
not require attachment to the skin of a building to enable
it to perform its function. The seal bar (160) is
particularly preferred for use where both the impermeable
sheets engaging with the seal bar are in substantially the
same plane as each other in the region of the seal bar.
With reference to Figure 10, the seal bar {180) is of
substantially the same construction as seal bar (170) as
illustrated in Figure 9, with the exception that the seal
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bar (180) is configured so as to be adapted for use on
corners of buildings where the free space between the faces
of the intersecting walls is approximately 270°. Use of
such a seal bar is particularly desirable on such corners
because the seal bar may be made of a suf f iciently tough
material not to be damaged by the forces involved with
flooding and the sharpness of the corner. As with seal bar
(160), seal bar (180) may either be attached to the outer
skin of a building , or may be used'free'standing.
