Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
CA 02619792 2014-07-07
ALL-TERRAIN BERM
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention is directed to a large capacity transportable berm
for use
in emergency, temporary or military situations, which is adaptable for use on
substantially all-terrain.
[0003] Numerous situations arise where transportable berms, containments
or
flexible bladders are both useful and necessary. A primary use of these is
with
military operations where fluid, whether it be drinking water, waste water or
contaminating materials such as petroleum and other similar products, need to
be
contained for storage or later proper disposal. Disaster areas also require
the use of
containments for the temporary storage of the above referred to fluids.
Finally, in
areas of extremely fast growth, there sometimes is a need for a temporary
containment.
[0004] The instant invention has for a primary object a transportable
containment capable of retaining large volumes of fluid for later distribution
or
disposal.
[0005] Another object of the invention is a transportable berm which can
be
easily and quickly assembled or disassembled.
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' [0006]
Another object of the invention is a transportable berm capable of
retaining large volumes of fluid over an extended period of time.
[0007]
Another object of the invention is a system which includes a
transportable berm capable of receiving and supporting a filled bladder
against
rupture and spillage.
[0008]
Another object of the invention is a transportable berm constructed-with
a splash guard to prevent unwanted spillage.
[0009]
Another object of the invention is a system for preventing rupture and
spillage of a fluid containing bladder.
[0010]
Another object of the invention is a large capacity berm which is
capable of being easily disassembled and folded or arranged in small= units
for
storage and transport.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The
invention is directed to a transportable all-terrain berm for collecting
fluid. The berm is comprised of flexible Impervious sheeting material
configured to
form a floor, which may be supported in a generally horizontal position, and
opposed
side and end wall sections which are connected along first edges with the
floor and
together along opposed ends. Retaining members are arranged to extend from
second edges of the side and end wall sections at selected spaced positions.
Also,
support members are arranged to extend from the second side edges of the side
and
end wall sections at locations between the retaining members.
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[0012] A plurality of braces, preferably A-frames, are positioned about
the
flooring in generally vertical positions. Each brace or A-frame comprises
first and
second legs pivotally engaged at least one of their upper ends. A spacer
member is
provided for selectively positioning and maintaining the lower ends of the
first and
second legs in spaced positions. A hook member may be located on an outer
surface of one of the first and second legs adjacent its upper end for
engagement
with a retaining member.
[0013] The retaining members comprise loops formed of straps which are
affixed with the side sections adjacent the side edges spaced from the floor.
The
loops engage over the upper ends of said brace members and with the hook
members.
[0014] The support members comprise straps affixed adjacent the second side
adjacent of the side and end members which are formed into loops, which are
arranged between adjacent of the support members. Alternatively, the support
members may comprise flexible sheeting extending from the second edge of the
end
and side members which are formed Into an extended loop which extends between
the retaining members.
[00151 A stabilizer, generally comprising a rod having down-turned ends,
is
engaged with upper ends of the braces interconnecting adjacent ones. The
support
members are engaged over the stabilizers.
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[0016] The A-frames may be spaced at generally between 2 and 6 foot
intervals, depending upon the weight of the product, along said side and end
wall
sections with spacings at the corners being slightly less.
[0017] The berm is a collapsible berm capable of being folded for
storage and
transport. The berm is also capable of being assembled to form a containment
area
for collecting or storing fluid. The containment area, which is formed of
flexible
impervious sheeting, includes a generally flat floor area surrounded by
opposed
generally vertical side and end walls. A plurality of braces are arranged In
vertical
positions about the flooring in position to engage with the end and side
walls. There
are retaining members and support members which are engaged with and
positioned
outwardly of and about the end and side walls.
[0018] Stabilizer members, which engage with and extend between adjacent
of
the braces, are adapted to engage with the support members to assist in
maintaining =
the side and end walls in generally vertical positions.
[0019] The braces are preferably formed of U-shaped metal beams pivotally
joined. Side sections of the metal beams overlap and form the pivot. An
opening is
formed adjacent the upper end of the braces which is designed to receive the
down-
turned ends of the stabilizer members.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] The construction designed to carry out the invention will
hereinafter be
described, together with other features thereof.
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[0021] The
invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the
following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings forming
a part
thereof, wherein an example of the invention is shown and wherein:
[0022]
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the all-terrain berm in assembled
condition.
[0023]
Figure 2A is a sectional top view of the corner structure of the flexible
sheeting.
[0024]
Figure 2B is a sectional side view of a corner section formed by the end
side walls.
[0025] Figure 3A is a perspective view of a pair of A-frames associated
with a
stabilizer member.
[0026] Figure 3B is a side view, of an A-frame in folded condition.
[0027] Figure 4A is an exploded view of a retaining and support member
engaged with an A-frame and stabilizer member.
[0028] Figure 4B Is an exploded view of another arrangement of a support
member and a retaining member engaged with an A-frame and stabilizer member.
[0029] Figure 5 is a top diagrammatic view of the assembled berm.
[0030] Figure 6 is a perspective view of an alternative arrangement of
the all-
terrain berm of the invention.
[0031] Figure 7 is a cutaway side view of the berm arrangement shown in
Figure 6.
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,
[0032]
Figure 8 is a cutaway side view similar to Figure 7 showing the splash
flap positioned relative to fluid level.
[0033]
Figure 9 is a perspective view of the arrangement shown in Figure 6 to
include a bladder positioned within the berm.
[00341
Figure 10A is a perspective view of an arrangement in which a bladder
is encased within the berm of Figure 1.
[0035] Figure 10B
is a cutaway perspective view of the arrangement of Figure
1CIA showing the relative positions of the flexible material forming the berm,
the
support members and the bladder.
[0036] Figure 11A
is a perspective view of another arrangement in which a
bladder is encased in a berm similar to that that of Figure 1.
[0037] Figure 11B
is a cutaway perspective view of Figure 11A showing the
relationship of the flexible material forming the berm, the support members
and the
bladder.
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0038] Referring now in more detail to the drawings, the invention will now
be
described in more detail.
[0039] Turning
now to Figure 1, a primary version of the all-terrain berm or
ATB transportable containment berm of the Invention is shown in its assembled
position at 10. Berm 10 is formed of flexible impervious sheet material,
usually a
fabric coated with synthetic material. The berm comprises a containment area A
which includes a floor 12, see Figure 6, opposed end walls 14 and opposed side
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walls 16, each engaged along their inner edge with an edge of flooring 12 and
along
opposed edges with each other forming containment area A. End and side walls
are
preferably of equal height of between 2 feet and 4 feet. Retaining members 20
are
secured adjacent outer edges 18 of side and end walls 14 and 16 in
substantially
equally spaced positions. Between retaining members 20 and along edges 18
there
are provided support members 22 and/or 23.
[0040] Both
retaining members 20 and support members 22 may comprise
straps secured adjacent their opposed ends with end and side walls 14 and 16
forming loops which extend beyond edges 18. The straps are generally woven and
are of a heavier material than the flexible sheet material. Alternatively, the
support
members may comprise an extension of the flexible sheet material extending
between adjacent retaining members 20 and formed into a loop as shown at 23.
See
also Figures 4A and 4B.
[0041] The
flexible sheeting material may comprise a fabric, formed of natural
or synthetic materials which may be woven, knitted or non-woven which is
coated
with a synthetic material. The coating material must be resistant to degrading
when
contacted with petrochemicals or other contaminants which are desired to be
retained. Polyurethane is generally a suitable coating. The flexible sheeting
must be
of sufficient strength to resist tearing under the pressure created by the
contained
fluid. The flexible sheeting must also resist undue wear due to the berm being
set up
and taken down repeatedly. Suitable fabrics are manufactured by several known
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manufacturers, two of which are the Seaman Corporation of Wooster, Ohio, and
Cooley, Inc. of Pawtucket, Rhode Island.
[0042] A
plurality of braces 24 or A-frames, best seen in Figures 1-3B, are
provided to assist in retaining the side and end walls 14, 16 in generally
vertical
positions. Each brace 24 preferably comprises an A-frame comprised of a pair
of U-
shaped metal beams 26 joined adjacent upper ends with a pin 28 forming a
pivotal
connection. Adjacent the lower ends of beams 26 there is provided a spacer 30
which, when engaged with spaced beams 26, maintains them in fixed position.
[0043]
Beams 26 include spaced and parallel side edges 32 through which
bores pass to receive pins 28 and 29 which secure the A-frame in position. Pin
29
may be used to also secure spacers 30 in positions parallel with beams 26 when
the
brace is in its collapsed position for storage or transport.
[0044]
Adjacent lower ends of beams 26 an additional bore 34 is provided to
receive an anchor which acts to secure brace 24 in fixed position with the
ground or
Its supporting surface. The anchor may comprise a peg or screw pin passed
through
bore 34 and into the ground or support surface. Alternatively, the anchor may
comprise a cord or chain secured at one end with beam 26 and at its other end
with
peg or screw 35, which is then embedded in the ground as shown in Figure 1.
[0045]
Adjacent the upper end of brace 24 is provided a hook 27 or other
suitable securing member. Also, adjacent the same upper end, overlapping
parallel
sides 32 of beams 26 form an enclosed opening 36.
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=
[0046]
Rods having down-turned opposed ends form stabilizers 38. Each
stabilizer is preferably formed to be between 2 and 6 feet in length with the
down-
turned ends being between 4 and 6 inches in length. The stabilizers, which are
located at the corners of the containment, may be slightly shorter than the
stabilizers
extending along the end and side wall sections, i.e. between 1.5 and 4.5 feet
depending on the placement of the braces 24.
[0047] The corner
sections are slightly rounded and are shown in Figures 2A,
(
2B and 5. Each corner is formed by folding excess of the flexible sheet
material, to
overlap and then heat sealed along lines 40 as shown in Figure 2B. A support
member 22 may be attached along this section to retain the corner in the
vertical
position as shown.
[0048]
Additionally, secondary bracing in the form of two straps or rods 64
which are attached at each corner may be necessary when large volumes of fluid
are
contained. These straps are connected over the upper pivoted end of braces 24
which are adjacent the corners. The straps are drawn downwardly and away from
containment 16, where they are secured with the ground or support surface by
spikes
66.
[0049] It
is noted that the corner forming arrangement of the flexible sheet
material forms no part of the instant invention and any known corner forming
arrangement is acceptable.
[0050]
Turning now to Figures 1 and 5, a perspective view and a top view of
the general arrangement of the berm of the invention is shown. Braces 24 are
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preferably arranged in equally spaced positions, i.e. between about 2 to 6
feet apart,
along both the side and end walls 14, 16. Braces 24 are positioned about 2
feet from
each corner section. Stabilizers 38 are engaged in openings 36 adjacent the
top of
the braces. Flexible sheeting, with dimensions of about 24'x32', is positioned
within
the arranged braces 24 with side and end walls 14, 16 in engagement with inner
legs
26 of braces 24. It is noted these dimensions may be larger or smaller as
desired.
Retaining members 20 are secured over the upper ends of the braces and in
engagement with hook 27. Also, support members 22 or 23 are engaged over
stabilizers 38. The retaining members and support members act to hold the'end
and
side walls in a generally vertical position and in engagement with the inner
leg of
brace members 24. Stabilizers 38 further act to maintain the braces in
vertical
positions. Straps or rods 64 secure with braces 24 adjacent each corner
section to
provide additional support for these areas.
[0051] Berm 10 is designed to be arranged in a disassembled condition for
transport and storage. In the disassembled condition, the flexible sheet
forming the
flooring and the end and side walls is folded into a generally flat, generally
rectangular or square condition which can be accommodated in a minimum space.
The braces are put in closed position with the legs in parallel engagement The
braces, along with the stabilizers, are then arranged together and located
with the
flexible sheeting.
[00521 In this disassembled condition, berm 10 may be transported to a
point
of need where the flooring of the flexible sheet is laid out on the available
terrain.
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The braces are assembled into their A-frame configuration and positioned about
the
periphery of flooring 12. The stabilizers 38 are engaged with frames 24 fixing
them in
position. The side and end walls are brought up into their generally vertical
position
and the retaining and support members are engaged with the braces and
stabilizers
securing the side and end walls in substantially vertical positions. in this
condition,
berm 10 is assembled.
[0053j It
is to be noted that it may be desirable to attach a cover sheet with the
upper edges of the side and end walls. The cover sheet may be permanently or
removably attached at one or a multiple of edges. The cover is desirable when
protecting the content of the bladder from airborne impurfties and debris. The
cover
is espedally desirable when drinking water is being stored. The cover sheet is
generally of the same material as the material forming the berm.
[0054j
Turning now to Figure 6, an alternative arrangement of the berm is
shown at 101. Berm 101 is substantially of the identical structure as the
earlier
described berm 10 with the exception that end and side walls 14 and 16 have
attached along their upper edges 18 side and end wall extensions 15 and 17
which
are of an equal height of between 1 foot and 3 feet. Retaining members 20 may
be
provided as in berm 10 along with secondary retaining members 201 which are
secured in selected locations adjacent the upper edge of wall extensions 15,
17.
Support members 221 are secured adjacent upper edge 18 and are of a length to
extend beyond edge 181. The support rnembers may be engaged with extensions 15
and 17 adjacent the upper edge with any suitable means as shown in the
drawing.
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[00551 A-frames or braces 241 are provided to support or retain
containment
101 in an operative condition substantially as in Figure 1. Each brace 241
includes
an inner leg 26 and an outer leg 261. Inner leg 26 is as earlier described
while outer
leg 261 is lengthened by a length substantially equal to the height of
extensions 15
and 17. The upper end of legs 261 are closed to form a receiving and retaining
area
for the turned down ends of stabilizer rods 38. Leg 26 is pivotally connected
with leg
261 at 40 which is substantially the same point longitudinally that legs 26,
261 are
pivoted together. Spacer 30 is provided to lock brace 241 in the upstanding
position.
Stabilizers 38 and retaining members 20 are engaged with braces 241 as earlier
described while retaining members 201 are engaged over upper ends of legs 261
and
supports 221 engage with the stabilizers to hold end and side walls 14, 16
along with
extensions 15 and 17 in a generally elevated position. The outer, sides of the
walls
and extensions in their generally vertical positions engage against legs 26
and the
upper portion of extension 261. Due to the angle of the inner and outer legs,
the end
and side walls are held in a slightly concave position.
10056j
Straps or rods 64 may be utilized to support the comers while rods 641
=may be engaged with adjacent braces 241 for additional stabilization of the
brace
members. It is noted that in certain conditions, a single pair of rods 641,
secured
along each end and side wall, may sufficiently stabilize the braces. These
straps or
rods may also be used in the arrangement shown in Figure 1.
[0057j
Turning now to Figures 7 and 8, sectional views of berm 101 are
provided to more clearly show the relative positions of the inner surfaces of
braces
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241 and the outer surfaces of the berm. Also shown is an inwardly extending
flap 42
which engages with and extends about the upper edge of extensions 15 and 17. A
retaining member or strap 44 connects with extension 17 and the outer edge of
flap
42 at selected locations about the containment area A. Straps 44 control the
upward
movement of flap 42 to generally the position shown in Figure 8. Flap 42 is
provided
to prevent spillage over the upper edge of the containment area due to a
sudden
rush of fluid into the berm. Figure 8 shows the level of fluid which may be
contained
in the berm.
[0058] Berms 10 and 101 may be also employed to contain bladders such as
bladder 46 shown in Figure 9. In this arrangement, bladder 46 may be filled
with
water, sewage, petrochemicals or other containments in volumes of up to
500,000
gallons. The bladders are generally attached to piping through opening 48 for
either
filling or dispensing fluid. Due to the terrific pressure exerted by the large
volume of
fluid within the bladderS and especially during periods of heat expansion,
bladders
have a tendency to rupture along their forming seams. Berm 10118 designed to
contain the sudden rush of fluid flowing from the ruptured bladder without
spillage
over the walls 14, 16 of berm 101 due to end and side wall extensions 15, 17
and flap
42. The berm arrangement shown in Figure 9 is another view of the berm
arrangement described In Figs 6-8.
[00591 Bladder 46 is a known containment which generally resembles a large
hot water bottle. Bladders are made in many sizes generally of an impervious
flexible
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material similar to that forming berm 10. The construction of the bladder
forms no
part of the instant invention.
[0060]
Turning now to Figures 10A and 11A, berm 10 along with berm 101 are
shown with bladder 46 positioned in containment area A. In the arrangement
shown
in Figures 10A and 10B, berm 10 is exactly as disclosed in Figure 1. Braces 24
are
positioned about the circumference of containment area A with their inner legs
26 in
engagement with side and end walls 14, 16 as previously disclosed. Positioned
in
juxtaposed position with side and end walls 14, 16 are the side and end wall
portions
of bladder 46.
[0061] The
bladders, because of varying demands, are of varying sizes
ranging from around 100 gallons to greater than 500,000 gallons. They may be
used
to contain almost any type liquid ranging from water to petrochemicals. The
larger
size bladders, which are comprised of a plurality of sheets of flexible non-
porous
material joined together with heat sealed seams, have a tendency to separate
when
over-filled in hot conditions due to expansion of the contained fluid. By
engaging or
supporting the side sections of the bladder through engagement with the inner
legs of
braces 24, it has been found that the tendency to separate is greatly reduced.
[0062] Turning now to the arrangement shown in Figures 11A and 11B, the
flexible sheeting forming the containment area A is exactly as described in
the
arrangements shown in Figures 1 and 10A. Braces 24 are also of the same
structure. The difference is the manner of erecting berm 1011 to form,
containment
area A.
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[0063] As shown in Figures 11A and 11B, the flexible sheeting is laid flat
and braces 24 are positioned on floor 12 a distance from the outer edges equal
to the
height of side and end walls 14, 16. The outer portions are drawn up against
outer
legs 26 and connected with the upper ends of braces 24 and stabilizers 38
forming
containment area A, as early described. Bladder 46 is then positioned in the
containment area with its outer walls in contact with and supported by braces
24 as
shown in Figure 11B.
[0064] In the described condition, the berm is arranged to receive fluid
for
storage. The berm also may act to retain fluid which is to be removed at
desired
times and in desired amounts.
[0065] While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described
using specific terms, such description is for illustrative purposes only, and
it is to be
understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the
scope of the following claims.
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