AU2015101647A4 - A flow control arrangement for a building structure and a method of operation thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

A flood water control arrangement for a building structure, said arrangement including a flood water control release flap hingeably such that flood water directionally flowable against said flood water release flap during a flood event provides a force to resiliently reconfigure each pair of split spreadable leg extensions from a split leg spread configuration to a non-split leg spread configuration so as to unfasten said flood water release flap from an exposed skirt of a foundation plate to permit said flood water release flap to move between a closed position to an open position so as to permit flood water to pass there through the building structure.

Description

1 A FLOW CONTROL ARRANGEMENT FOR A BUILDING STRUCTURE AND A METHOD OF OPERATION THEREOF TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD [001] This invention relates to a flow control arrangement for a building structure and more particularly to a flood water control arrangement for a building structure and even more particularly to a simple structural arrangement that will assist buildings constructed on river flood plains that may be subjected to periodic flooding, with the ability to allow the flood waters to pass there through the relevant building rather than having the structural integrity of the buildings placed at risk due to the destructive forces of the flood waters about the ends and/or sides of such building structures. BACKGROUND ART DISCUSSION [002] Throughout the specification reference is made to the flow control arrangement as a flood water control arrangement however the flow control arrangement can also be used in applications such as a wind control arrangement for a building, so the specification should be read to encompass such applications. [003] River flood plains as well as land areas close and around wetlands provide fertile soils most suited for horticultural applications including market gardens and the like. [004] In order to gain enhanced economic activity from these river flood plain locations and to improve market garden yields various enclosures and structures are erected such as plastic sheds and the like to provide a more controlled environment for the plants contained therein. [005] Nonetheless the problem with these kinds of building structures on river flood plains is that such locations are subjected to periodic flooding and as these building structures are often built without any significant foundational support they can easily be destroyed and washed away by such flooding events unless means are put in 2 place to try and control the effects of such flood water. Also as will be discussed below these structures also divert damaging flood water onto adjoining properties. [006] One way in which these kinds of building structures, such as plastic sheds and the like for horticultural purposes constructed on river flood plains to divert flood water, is to install at the side or end of the building structure a plate in the ground, not dissimilar to a breakwater type arrangement in the ocean wherein the flood water instead of cascading into a side or end of the building structure, crashes into the plate or platform that has been placed in the ground to act as a guard or obstacle with the potential to redirect damaging floodwater away from the building onto adjoining land use [007] Nonetheless this type of control has its own significant short comings in that diverting the water through a forced abutment as an obstacle simply just sends the water off to the lateral sides of the abutment where it still then maintains a cascading effect with increased velocity to cause damage to the side of the building structure and/or to the sides of building structures or land use that have been constructed adjacent to a particular plastic shed and the like. [008] While there maybe a variety of obvious ways in which the rising flood water can be diverted most part these would include establishing significant foundations and drainage networks throughout and about the building structure which in many instances would be very expensive and impractical as most of these kinds of buildings are temporary in nature. [009] Accordingly it would be more advantageous to be able to inherently introduce features to the building structures constructed on the river flood plains that will allow flood water to pass there through rather than having to divert or drain away the water. [010] By introducing inherent features into the building structures per se would be advantageous because as introduced above while these building structures need to be able to account for flood water, such flood water events on a river flood plain are still not so common in nature that they would require installation costs one would expect from drainage and/or reinforced foundations to accompany such building 3 structures like plastic clad sheds for horticultural purposes, the kinds of which one would associate with being built on river flood plains. [011] Hence it is important that if a feature is going to be inherently adapted to the building structure constructed on the river flood plain that it is inexpensive, easy to install, maintain and re-set as required after a flood event has occurred. [012] One way to do this would be to place along the bottom side or end of the building structure upon which the water flow is directionally flowable there against, a flood flap type arrangement. [013] Rather than having the side or end of the building acting as an obstacle to water flow, by introducing a flood flap at the base of the side or end of the building structure where flood water is to make contact the flap could open up under moderate pressure thereby allowing the water to pass through the building structure so there is no build up of force of the flowing water to interrupt the structural integrity of the building structure or diversion onto adjoining land use. [014] As is to be expected, the opposing side or end of the building structure could have a corresponding flap such that water could enter the building structure at one end through a self-opening flap and exit at the opposing end through a corresponding flap. [015] The problem is however with introducing a simple feature such as a hinged flap at the base of the side or end of the building structure to which flood water is directionally flowable there against, is that there is still the requirement for building structures such as plastic sheds used for horticultural purposes, to be able to keep out unwanted pests such as mice, birds, insects and the like. [016] If the flap was simply able to open and close through a hinge arrangement this would be unacceptable as the pests would be able to easily swing back the flap to gain access into the relevant building structure.

4 [017] Hence while a hingedly supported flap at the base of the side or end of the building structure to allow water to pass there through the building structure, would be advantageous if the problem associated with pests being able to enter the building structure are to be prevented there needs to be some way in which to fasten the flap so it cannot be inadvertently simply swung open by a pest to gain access into the building structure. [018] While there are no doubt countless ways in which a flap can be fastened into place to prevent unauthorised opening, once again this invention needs to be put in context of the application and the type of building structure to which this flood control arrangement will be applied. [019] As introduced above, given many of the building structures are temporary, without foundations and/or just made of plastic, there would be the requirement to come up with a simple inherent mechanical way in which a swingable flap can remain fastened and closed in place during non-flood events so as to prevent pest and the like from gaining access into the building structure but at the same time be inherently adapted to automatically become unfastened so that the flap can be swung away from its closed position to allow flood water to pass there through the building structure rather than being diverted on to adjoining properties or damaging other parts of the shed through the redirection of the flood water by allowing the flood water to pass there through. [020] Accordingly it is an object of this invention to provide a flood water control arrangement for a building structure that will use a swingable flap type mechanism to allow water to pass there through the building structure, but one that will be able to be fastenable so as to prevent unauthorised pest access during non-flood event times and then during a flood event be able to swing open to allow flood water to pass there through the building structure without the requirement of any expensive and difficult to install fastening mechanism.

5 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [021] In one form of the invention there is a flood water control arrangement for a building structure, said arrangement including; [022] a flood water control release flap hingeably supportable along a base of a side or end of a building structure to which flood water is directionally flowable there against said side or end of said building structure during a flood event; [023] a foundation plate adapted to be mountable in the ground to provide an exposed skirt at an upper end of said foundation plate wherein said exposed skirt substantially overlaps in a parallel configuration with a ground faceable edge of said flood control release flap; [024] a plurality of resilient clips, each clip including a pair of split spreadable leg extensions, wherein each resilient clip is adapted to pass through corresponding aligned holes between the overlapping exposed skirt of the upper section of the foundation plate and the ground faceable edge of said flood water control release flap when said pair of split spreadable leg extensions are in a non-split leg spread configuration; and [025] wherein fastening of the exposed skirt of the foundation plate with the overlapped ground faceable edge of the flood water control release flap together for a closed position of said flood water control release flap is provided by configuring each pair of split spreadable leg extensions in a split spread leg configuration of the respective resilient clip; [026] such that flood water directionally flowable against said flood water release flap during a flood event provides a force to resiliently reconfigure each pair of split spreadable leg extensions from the split leg spread configuration to a non-split leg spread configuration so as to unfasten said flood water release flap from said exposed skirt of the foundation plate to permit said flood water release flap to move 6 between the closed position to an open position so as to permit flood water to pass there through said building structure. [027] In preference the arrangement is positioned at opposing ends or sides within the building structure to which water flow is directionally flowable during a flood event. [028] An advantage of such an arrangement is that rather than employing any costly drainage or support foundations to building structures that have been erected within the river flood plain areas that are subjected to periodic flooding, the unique use of the foundation plate, flood water control release flap and the resilient clips will provide a simple mechanical structural mechanism to inherently provide the building structure with the means to maintain integrity of the building structure against pest infiltration through a closed and fastened flap during a non-flood event, but at the same time allow the flap to be able to become unfastened and to swing open during times of rising water when a flood event occurs through the resilient pin. [029] Through the unique application of the resilient pin that will allow the overlap at the ground faceable edge of the flood water release flap and that exposed skirt of the foundation plate that has been mounted into the ground provides and allows a closing off of the side or end where flood water is likely to engage during a non-flood event but when there is a flood occurring the water pressure building up on the flap is then able to swing open the flood water release flap because of the resiliency of the clip as the pair of leg extensions that were in the leg split spreadable configuration are resiliently forced back into the non-split leg spreadable configuration when they were originally passed through the corresponding holes between the overlapping exposed skirt of the foundation plate and the ground faceable edge of the flood control release flap. [030] In preference the resilient clip is formed from a single rod. [031] In preference the single rod is formed to provide for a circular head wherein the circumferential edge of the circular head terminates in a pair of leg extensions that run parallel one with respect to the other.

7 [032] In preference the pair of leg extensions when in the parallel configuration is a characterisation of the resilient clip with the leg extensions in a non-split leg spread configuration which would allow the leg extensions to pass through the corresponding holes aligned between the overlapping exposed skirt of the foundation plate and the ground faceable edge of the flood water control release flap. [033] In preference the parallel arranged leg extensions of the resilient clip, once having been passed through the corresponding holes of the aligned overlapping exposed skirt of the foundation plate and the ground faceable edge of the flood water control release flap are adapted to be divergently pulled apart one from the other to provide a general apex. [034] In preference the circular head of the resilient clip provides an abutment on one side of the fastened overlapping engagement between the exposed skirt of the foundation plate and the ground faceable edge of the flood water control release flap and wherein the general apex provides the opposing side abutment between the exposed skirt of the foundation plate and the ground faceable edge of the flood water control release flap for the fastening fit between the foundation plate and the flood water control release flap. [035] Advantageously this arrangement allows for the leg extensions to be pushed through the corresponding holes of the overlapping exposed skirt of the foundation plate and the ground faceable edge of the flood water control release flap for the circular head of the resilient clip then to force itself up against one side and then to be held in place then in a fastened fixed configuration as the leg extensions are divergently spread apart to provide that general apex which adds as the abutment and frictional interference fit on the opposing side. [036] As is to be expected, when the flood water builds up pressure against the closed flap of the building structure, this then acts on the general apex forcing the closing together again of the leg extensions that were split out. [037] Once the diverged legs are forced to return together in the substantially parallel configuration as the flap pushes against the general apex and slowly moves 8 along the length of the leg extensions, the flap is then able to swing away and become free from the closed position thereby then allowing flood water to pass there through the building structure rather than being diverted there around. [038] In preference the ground faceable edge of the flood water release flap includes a metal plate or strip along the ledge. [039] In preference the foundation plate is made of metal or timber. [040] In preference the flood event is a flood event occurring on a river flood plain. [041] In preference the building structure is constructed on a river flood plain. [042] In preference the building structure is a plastic clad shed. [043] In order now to describe the invention in greater detail a series of preferred embodiments will be presented with the assistance of the following illustrations and accompanying text. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [044] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a building structure with a flood water control arrangement installed thereon both ends of the building structure in a preferred embodiment of the invention. [045] Figure 2 is a side view of the arrangement shown in Figure 1. [046] Figure 3 is a part perspective view showing the overlap relationship between the flood water control release flap and the foundation plate in a preferred embodiment of the invention. [047] Figures 4a and 4b show perspective views of the resilient clip in a non-split leg spread configuration as in 4a and a split leg spread configuration as in Figure 4b.

9 [048] Figures 5a and 5b show schematic representations of the flood water control arrangement in a closed and fastened position as in Figure 5a and in an open position as seen in Figure 5b in a preferred embodiment of the invention. [049] Figure 6 is a perspective view similar to the representation shown in Figure 1 with the flood water control arrangement incorporated as part of a building structure, however showing the flood water release flaps in an open position with flood water flowing there through a building structure as in a preferred embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [050] Referring to the drawings now in greater detail where there is provided a building structure shown generally as (10) which is mounted to the ground (22) having opposing sides (12) and (14) and opposed ends (16) and (18). [051] In the preferred embodiment shown in the figures, arrow (20) is representative of the expected directional flow of the flood water in the event of a flood event. [052] Accordingly, the foundation plate (24) has been mounted in the ground to provide two sections, that section of the foundation plate (24) referenced in the illustration as (21) as being mounted in the ground (22) which then provides as part of the foundation plate (24) a generally exposed skirt (23) which is able to overlap in a parallel configuration with the ground faceable edge (25) of the flood water control release flap (26). [053] In the preferred embodiment as shown in Figures 5a and 5b the ground faceable edge (25) of the flood water control release flap (26) includes a metal strip (41) across the lateral length of the flood water control release flap (26) to provide greater strength and durability to the overlapping sections of the foundation plate (24) and the flood water release flap (26). [054] As best seen in Figure 3 the flood water control release flap (26) is hingedly (28) secured to the respective ends (16) and (18) of the building structure (10).

10 [055] There is a variety of ways in which the flood water control release flap (26) can be mounted and supported at either opposing ends or sides of the building structure and therefore the invention should not be interpreted as simply being limited to a particular hinged embodiment of the flood water release flap to a respective side or end of the building structure. [056] Once the flood water control release flap (26) is hingedly mounted (28) to the respective opposing ends which in this preferred embodiment referenced as ends (16) and (18), this then allows for an overlap of corresponding aligned holes (31) in the exposed skirt of the foundation plate (24) and the hole (32) passing through the ground faceable edge (25) of the flood water control release flap (24) and the associated metal strip (41). [057] Once the holes (31) and (32) are aligned, this allows the resilient clip (30) as represented in Figure 4a to pass there through. [058] As seen in Figure 4a there resilient clip (30) has a circular head (33) along with two parallel leg extensions (35) and (37). [059] When the leg extensions (35) and (37) of the resilient clip (30) are configured as illustrated in Figure 4a this allows them to easily pass through the aligned holes (31) and (32). [060] In order to fasten the flood water release flap (26) to the foundation plate (24) the leg extensions as best seen in Figure 4 by way of arrow (34) are spread apart which provides for a general apex (38) of the diverging leg extensions (35) and (37). [061] Referring to Figure 5a on one side there is the circular head (33) of the resilient clip (30) pressing up against the front surface (29) of the exposed skirt section (23) of the foundation plate (24). [062] The flood water control release flap (26) is then able to be held up against the exposed skirt (23) of the foundation plate (24) once the resilient pin (30) has been passed through the corresponding holes (31) and (32) by spreading the leg 11 extensions (35) and (37) apart so that in effect that generally formed apex (38) is able to bring together and clamp the respective overlap exposed skirt of the foundation plate with the ground faceable edge (25) of the flood water control release flap (26). [063] Figure 5a and the arrow shown as (42) represents the direction of expected flood water flow and by way in part of referencing Figure 6 if the rising water build-up pressure against the flood water control release flap (26) is enough to push the two spread legs (35) and (37) of the resilient clip back to being substantially aligned and parallel as shown in Figure 4a the flood water control release flap (26) shown by way of arrow (43) is then able to swing away from the fastened overlap arrangement between the foundation plate (24) and the flood water control release flap (26) wherein arrow (61) in Figure 5b and water flow (44) in Figure 6 represents flood water which is then allowed to enter into the building structure (10) and to pass its way there through the building structure (10) to exit at the opposed end (16) to its entry point at the end (18).

Claims (5)

1. A flood water control arrangement for a building structure, said arrangement including; a flood water control release flap hingeably supportable along a base of a side or end of a building structure to which flood water is directionally flowable there against said side or end of said building structure during a flood event; a foundation plate adapted to be mountable in the ground to provide an exposed skirt at an upper end of said foundation plate wherein said exposed skirt substantially overlaps in a parallel configuration with a ground faceable edge of said flood control release flap; a plurality of resilient clips, each clip including a pair of split spreadable leg extensions, wherein each resilient clip is adapted to pass through corresponding aligned holes between the overlapping exposed skirt of the upper section of the foundation plate and the ground faceable edge of said flood water control release flap when said pair of split spreadable leg extensions are in a non-split leg spread configuration; and wherein fastening of the exposed skirt of the foundation plate with the overlapped ground faceable edge of the flood water control release flap together for a closed position of said flood water control release flap is provided by configuring each pair of split spreadable leg extensions in a split spread leg configuration of the respective resilient clip; such that flood water directionally flowable against said flood water release flap during a flood event provides a force to resiliently reconfigure each pair of split spreadable leg extensions from the split leg spread configuration to a non-split leg spread configuration so as to unfasten said flood water release flap from said exposed skirt of the foundation plate to permit said flood water release flap to move 13 between the closed position to an open position so as to permit flood water to pass there through said building structure.

2. The arrangement of claim 1 wherein the arrangement is positionable at opposing ends or sides within the building structure to which water flow is directionally flowable during a flood event and/or the resilient clip is formed from a single rod.

3. The arrangement of claim 2 wherein the single rod is formed to provide for a circular head wherein the circumferential edge of the circular head terminates in a pair of leg extensions that run parallel one with respect to the other and/or wherein the pair of leg extensions when in the parallel configuration is a characterisation of the resilient clip with the leg extensions in a non-split leg spread configuration which would allow the leg extensions to pass through the corresponding holes aligned between the overlapping exposed skirt of the foundation plate and the ground faceable edge of the flood water control release flap.

4. The arrangement of claim 3 wherein the parallel arranged leg extensions of the resilient clip, once having been passed through the corresponding holes of the aligned overlapping exposed skirt of the foundation plate and the ground faceable edge of the flood water control release flap are adapted to be divergently pulled apart one from the other to provide a general apex and/or wherein the circular head of the resilient clip provides an abutment on one side of the fastened overlapping engagement between the exposed skirt of the foundation plate and the ground faceable edge of the flood water control release flap and wherein the general apex provides the opposing side abutment between the exposed skirt of the foundation plate and the ground faceable edge of the flood water control release flap for the fastening fit between the foundation plate and the flood water control release flap.

5. The arrangement of claim 1 wherein the ground faceable edge of the flood water release flap includes a metal plate or strip along the ledge and/or the foundation plate is made of metal or timber and/or the flood event is a flood event occurring on a river flood plain and/or wherein the building structure is a plastic shed.