AU2013100353A4 - A barrier - Google Patents

Abstract

A barrier for water ducts, the barrier comprising a body including a top portion and a support portion, the top portion being able to 5 extend a width of a water duct; and at least one support portion that extends downwardly from the top portion wherein the body is foamed from a foam.

Description

P/00/012 Regulation 3.2 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 ORIGINAL COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT Invention Title: "A BARRIER" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: 1 TITLE "A BARRIER" FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a barrier. In particular, the invention 5 relates to a barrier that prevents the insects from using pooled water within drains to produce offspring. However, it should be appreciated that the barrier may be used within other water ducts such as gutters, channels, gulley traps and the like. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 10 Drains are an integral part of any modern city. They are used primarily to transport storm water and assist in preventing flooding. Drains are generally designed to use the force of gravity to transport the water through the drains. However, the inclination in most drains is not required to be particularly precise and therefore stormwater often pools in 15 areas along the drain until the water eventually evaporates. Pooled storm water within drains is undesirable especially in areas where mosquitoes are prevalent. Mosquitoes are known to carry and transmit many diseases which include Ross River fever, Dengue Fever, Yellow fever and Malaria. Mosquitoes follow a classic four stage 20 insect lifecycle namely egg, larva, pupa and adult. The first three stages are largely aquatic and can typically last 5-14 days. Therefore, any pooling of water within a drain can provide a breeding ground for mosquitoes which is undesirable. A further problem with drains is that they are often 25 considered to be a place in which rubbish can be deposited willfully or as a consequence of loose litter. This rubbish can often block drains and can also be difficult to remove. Sometimes this rubbish includes hazardous material such as used syringes. If during removal of the rubbish a person is pricked by a used syringe, diseases such as HIV and hepatitis can be 30 transmitted to the person. Even if a person is pricked and disease is not transmitted, the person can suffer physiological scarring as a result as the 2 disease is often not able to be detected until 3 to 6 months has passed since the incident. The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion 5 that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the invention to overcome or alleviate one or more of the disclosures or provide the consumer with the useful or commercial choice. 10 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one form, although not necessary the only or broadest form, the invention relates to a barrier for water ducts, the barrier comprising: a body including a top portion and a support portion, 15 the top portion being able to extend a width of a water duct; and at least one support portion that extends downwardly from the top portion wherein the.body is foamed from a foam. 20 Normally the top portion and the at least one support member are integrally formed from a foam. Preferably the foam is an open celled foam. The foam may be UV stabilized. The foam may include one or more of the follow: 25 a flame retardant; a biocide; a fungicide; an algaecide; an insecticide; 30 an insect repellant; a mosquito repellant and/or any other anti microbial as required.

3 The top portion may be shaped to match a top profile of the water duct. The top portion may be substantially rectangular when viewed in plan. The support portion may include at least one support 5 member. Typically the support portion includes at least one support member. Preferably, there are at least two support members. The support portion may extend downwardly from the top portion. A channel may extend through the body portion. Normally the support portion extends the length of the body. The channel may be of 10 any shape. Preferably, the channel is arcuate in transverse cross section. In another form, the invention resides in a water duct assembly comprising: a water duct having a waterway to allow water to flow from one location to another location; and 15 a barrier comprising a body formed from foam; wherein the body is located within the waterway. Typically the water duct is in the form of a drain or gutter. The waterway typically has substantially side walls. The side walls may be parallel 20 The barrier typically fills at least the top of the waterway. That is, the body extends between the side walls. The body typically extends between the side walls. The body may have a top portion and a support portion. The drain may include a grate. The top portion of the body 25 may contact the grate when located within the waterway. In yet another form, the invention resides in a method of forming a water duct assembly, the method including the step of: placing a barrier formed for a body of foam within a waterway of a water duct. 30 The method may also include one or more of the steps of: removing a grate from a top of the waterway; replacing a grate from a top of the waterway.

4 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Embodiments of the invention, by way of example only, will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures in which: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of barrier 5 according to an embodiment of the invention; FIG. 2 is an perspective view of a barrier according to FIG, 1 installed within a drain; and FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a barrier installed within a gulley trap. 10 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIGS. 1 shows a barrier 10 for use in a drain 1 as shown in FIG 2 to assist in preventing mosquitoes access to any storm water that may pool within the drain 1. The barrier 10 includes a body 20 which is made from foam. 15 The foam is reticulated polyurethane foam. However, it should be appreciated that the foam used may vary and other foams may be suitable. The foam that is used is flame retardant, algae resistant, fungi resistant, UV stabilized and includes an insect repellant. The body 20 includes a top portion 30 and a support portion 20 40. The top portion 30 and the support portion 40 are integrally formed from foam. The support portion includes two support members 41 that extend the length of the top portion. A channel 50 extends through the body 20 and extends the length of the body 20. The channel 50 is located between the two support members 41. The channel 50 is arcuate in 25 shape. However, it should be appreciated that the channel 50 may be of other shapes such as round, oval, elliptical, rectangular or square. FIG. 2 shows a barrier 10 that has been placed within a drain 1. The drain 1 is a standard drain which includes a waterway 2 that is covered by a removable grate 3. The waterway 2 includes two 30 substantially parallel sidewalls 4 which are interconnected by a floor 5. The barrier 10 sits within the waterway 2 so that the two support members 41 of the barrier 10 abut against the sidewalls 4 of the 5 waterway 2. Thus, the top portion 30 extends betweens sidewalls 4 of the waterway 2. The channel, which extends through the body 20 of the barrier 10, allows to water flow through the waterway without being substantially impeded. 5 In order to install the barrier 10 within the drain 1, the grate 3 of the drain 10 is removed from above the waterway 2. The barrier 10 is then able to be compressed as the body 20 of the barrier 10 is made of foam. The barrier 10 is then located within the waterway 2 and released. The resilient nature of the foam causes the support members 41 to 10 engage with the sidewalls 4 to hold the barrier tightly within the waterway 2. The grate 3 is then replaced to complete installation. It is desirable that the barrier 10 is positioned within the waterway so that a top of the top portion 30 is substantially in alignment with a top of the waterway 2 so that when the grate 3 is repositioned, the grate 3 contacts the barrier 10. 15 It should be appreciated that the grate 3 and the barrier 1Om may be adhered together. Accordingly, the grate 3 and the barrierlO may be installed in a single step to ensure the correct positioning of the barrier with respect to the waterway 2. FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the barrier 10. In this 20 embodiment, the barrier 10 is located within a gulley trap 100. The gulley trap has a grate 3 and a waterway 2. The waterway has is connected to two associates' water conduits (not shown). The barrier 10 is similar to that described above. However, the number and shape of the support members 41 has changed as has 25 the channel 50. That is, there are two support members 41 which are defined around the location of the channel 50. The channel 50 is L shaped to coincide with the water conduits of the gulley trap. In order to install the barrier within the gulley trap 100, grate 3 is removed. The barrier 10 is compressed and located within the 30 waterway 2 to ensure that the channel 50 align with respective water conduits. The barrier 10 is then released when in a desired position. The grate is then replaced to complete installation.

6 The barrier 10 provides the advantage of assisting in prevent mosquitoes and other insects accessing any stagnant water that may reside within a drain. The barrier 10 is therefore likely to reduce the breeding of mosquitoes. Further, the barrier 10 will all enable the drains to 5 be relatively free of debris as any debris that passes into the drain will sit on top of the top portion 30 of the barrier 10. It should be appreciated that the barrier 10 may keep out other natural debris such as sand. It will also be appreciated that various other changes and modifications may be made to the embodiment described without 10 departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (5)

1. A barrier for water ducts, the barrier comprising: a body including a top portion and a support portion, the top portion being able to extend a width of a water duct; 5 and at least one support portion that extends downwardly from the top portion wherein the body is foamed from a foam.

2. The barrier of claim 1 wherein the top portion and the at least one 10 support member are integrally formed from a foam.

3. The barrier of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein a channel extends through the body portion.

4. A water duct assembly comprising: a water duct having a waterway to allow water to flow from 15 one location to another location; and a barrier comprising a body formed from foam; wherein the body is located within the waterway.

5. A method of forming a water duct assembly, the method including the step of: 20 placing a barrier formed for a body of foam within a waterway of a water duct.