EP3237686B1

EP3237686B1 - Anti-flooding device

Info

Publication number: EP3237686B1
Application number: EP15830863.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Mario ONORI
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-12-23
Filing date: 2015-12-23
Publication date: 2020-11-11
Anticipated expiration: 2035-12-23
Also published as: WO2016103207A1; ES2849954T3; EP3237686A1

Description

Technical field of the invention

The present invention relates to an anti-flooding device, or system. The device is suitable to be adopted in correspondence or proximity of water courses or lakes.

Background

The problem of flooding is particularly felt in Italy and abroad, especially in light of recent climate changes which have increased the frequency and amount of rainfall and, consequently, the risk of flooding from rivers or lakes.
Despite the frequency and criticality of such events, to date effective solutions to contain the flood and avoid the serious damage they cause have not been found.
In particular, in some instances fixed containment structures are installed, with an important environmental impact and high costs of installation and maintenance.
Containment structures of this type are described for example in DE102008030984 and DE202013103301 as comprising substantially closed containers, apt to be filled with water or other ballasting material, bearing inside them supporting frames of varying conformation, apt to be anchored to the ground.
US2010150656 describes a more complex containment system, which provides the use of a plurality of sleeves apt to be filled to realize barriers to a water flow, interconnected by means of a network anchored to the ground, interspersed with rigid structures of support.
DE102008030984 mentioned above discloses an anti-flooding device according to the preamble of claim 1.
Disadvantageously, these known systems require the use of pumping means for filling and means for anchoring to the ground so that their position is fixed in a stable manner. In addition, they include rigid structures that are not configured to follow curved trajectories and to adapt to the particular paths of rivers to curb.
Alternatively, extemporaneous expedients are employed, for example by placing bags filled with ballast material at the natural embankment. These are difficult to bring in situ, involving important human resources and still represent a device suitable to temporarily buffer only modest overflows. In addition, these bags also pose a disposal problem after their (single) use.

Summary of the invention

The technical problem posed and solved by the present invention is therefore to provide a device which allows to obviate the drawbacks mentioned above with reference to the known art.
This problem is solved by an anti-flooding device according to claim 1 and by a corresponding modular system according to claim 15.
Preferred features of the present invention are object of the dependent claims.
In particular, the invention provides an anti-flooding device based on an expandable supporting structure, for example configured substantially bellows. In this way, the device is susceptible to assume a compact configuration for storage and transport in situ and a deployed operating configuration in which it presents an oblong extension that follows, for example, the path of a natural levee.
In fact, by virtue of the expandable structure, the device is configured to unfold in use according to trajectories either straight or curved, thus being able to adapt advantageously to follow the path of rivers or waterways to contain.
Therefore, the anti-flooding device of the invention results extremely simple to transport, set up in situ and subsequently uninstall. The device can in fact be reused.
Still, in general terms, the device is self-supporting, therefore it does not need to be anchored to the ground. Additionally, its filling by means of dedicated pumping means is not necessary. In this way, advantageously, an economic saving can be realized with respect to the use of the devices of the known art, in addition it allows to enjoy a greater simplicity and rapidity of installation.
The device is also suitable to be used as a unit of a modular system which provides the connection in sequence, or series, of identical devices, in order to cover a desired spatial extent.
Furthermore, the device of the invention lends itself to a low weight, simple and economical realization.
In terms of application, the device is suitable to be used both to prevent or control a flood and in already flooded or esondate areas also in order to deflect relative water courses.
Other advantages, features and the modes of employ of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of some embodiments thereof, given by way of example and not of limitation.

Brief description of drawings

Reference will be made to the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which:

▪ Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the anti-flooding device of the present invention, partially exploded;
▪ Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the device of Figure 1, in an assembled configuration which does not include the use of panels of protection or reinforcement;
▪ Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the device of Figure 1, in an assembled configuration that envisages the use of panels of protection or reinforcement;
▪ Figure 4 shows another perspective view of the device of Figure 1, in an operating configuration which provides a connection of multiple devices in sequence to form a modular system;
▪ Figure 4A shows a cross-sectional view of the device of Figure 4, taken along the line A-A of the latter figure;
▪ Figure 5 shows a schematic representation in longitudinal section of a modular system similar to that of Figure 4;
▪ Figure 5A shows a view of an enlarged detail of the device of Figure 5;
▪ Figure 6 shows a front view, partially in section, of some components of the device of Figure 1; and
▪ Figure 6A shows a cross-sectional view of the device of Figure 6, taken along the line A-A of the latter figure.

The thicknesses and the curvatures shown in the figures introduced above are to be understood as purely exemplary and may be shown magnified and not necessarily in proportion.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments

Various embodiments and variations of the invention will be described below, and this with reference to the figures introduced above.
Similar components in different figures are denoted by the same reference number.
In the detailed description which follows, further embodiments and variants with respect to embodiments and variants already described in the description will be illustrated limited to the differences with what has already been exposed. Moreover, the different embodiments and variants described in the following are suitable to be employed in combination, if compatible.
With reference initially to Figures 1 and 2, an anti-flooding device, or structure, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention it is generally denoted by 1.
The device 1 mainly comprises a supporting structure 2 and an expandable tubular covering element 3 which precisely covers, and in particular wraps, the supporting structure 2.
In the present embodiment, the supporting structure 2 is realized in the form of a helix having longitudinally expandable coils, or sub-structures, triangular.
These coils are obtained starting from a wire of metallic material, preferably steel and still more preferably galvanized steel. One of these coils is denoted by way of example with 21.
In general terms, in the present invention the supporting structure 2 realizes a bellows system.
In general, the supporting structure can be formed by a plurality of segments arranged angled relative to one another so as to define a sequence of sub-polygonal structures and / or to realize a tensile structure.
The covering element 3 has, in this example, a structure of pocket or sock. In other words, the covering element 3 internally receives the supporting structure 2 by wrapping it bilaterally, that is, by covering both the part of the coils facing towards the outside and the part facing towards the interior of the device 1.
The covering element 3 can be made of waterproof material, for example PVC (polyvinyl chloride), rubber, elastic synthetic material of recycled tires, other plastic materials.
In general, it can be embodied in the form of a sheet.
At the longitudinal ends of the device 1 rigid end panels 40 are provided, which in this example are made in the form of triangular profiles.
The end panels 40 are secured or adapted to be secured to the supporting structure 2 and / or protection element 3 at the respective cross section of the ends of the device 1.
Advantageously, the panels 40 realize a hermetic seal for said longitudinal ends.
By virtue of the helical construction of the supporting structure 2 and the inherent deformability of the covering element 3, the device 1 can assume a first compact configuration and a second operating configuration deployed or expanded.
In the configuration of minimum encumbrance, the coils, and in general, the sub-structures, of the supporting structure 2 are arranged longitudinally juxtaposed to each other and the covering element 3 has its flaps folded between the coils. In this configuration, the device 1 can so be moved smoothly and effectively on a site overflows, flooded or liable to flooding. In Figure 1, the direction of longitudinal expansion has been denoted by way of example by L.
In the unfolded operative configuration the coils are longitudinally spaced to form a substantially oblong body suitable to define, in use, an artificial embankment. In such a configuration, in the present example the device 1 has an overall substantially tubular configuration. Also in this operating configuration, the device 1 can have a curvilinear and not necessarily rectilinear extension, thanks to the deformability of the supporting structure 2. In other words, the device is configured to fit the curvature of the natural banks and / or define any privileged path for a watercourse to avoid the flooding in urban facilities nearby.
Furthermore, in the present example, the overall shape of the device 1 is substantially pyramidal, and in particular of a rectangular base.
In the operative configuration and with reference to Figure 4, we can identify:

▪ a base of the device, overall denoted by 10;
▪ a first side, or versant, 11, which is positioned proximally to water to contain; and
▪ a second front or side, 12, disposed on the side opposite to the first side 11 with respect to an edge or upper vertex 13.

In a variant of the preferred embodiment and as shown also in Figure 1, the covering element 3 has, at least at the side 11 proximal to the water, a plurality of holes or micro-holes 31 suitable to allow a passage of water. These holes or micro-holes 31 are otherwise configured / dimensioned so as not to allow the entry of floating materials of large dimensions.
In the expanded operative configuration, the holes 31 of the cover element 3 can thus allow a controlled entry of water within the internal compartment of the device defined by the supporting structure 2 and by the covering element 3. In this way, the weight of water and the atmospheric pressure keep the device 1, and in particular its base 10, fixed to the ground. In general terms, the device 1 is self-supporting.
Moreover, the triangular configuration of the coils, and / or in general the presence of the edge or upper vertex 13, allows the device 1 to remain stable even in presence of wind and / or water impact, as it gives an aerodynamically advantageous configuration.
In addition, the inclined configuration of the proximal side 11 allows to reduce the angle of impact of wind and water with respect to vertical structures, improving said aerodynamics.
Advantageously, the device 1 can be provided as a unit of an anti-flooding modular device, precisely comprising a plurality of devices of the described type connected in longitudinal sequence. Figure 4 shows an example of a part of such a system, here denoted as a whole by 100 and formed by two devices 1 and 1'.
By virtue of this application in a modular system, the device 1 preferably comprises connection means 4 with another, analogue device, i.e. the device 1' in Figure 4.
As shown in Figures introduced so far and also in Figure 4A, this connection means 4 comprises, in the present example, the end panel 40 of each of the two devices to be connected. Two panels 40 of adjacent devices can be removably stuck on each other by means of interlocking means 42. In the present example, the latter consist of a plurality of jaws 42, or elements square "C" shaped, arranged in sequence along the sides 11 and 12. The jaws 42 are precisely adapted to clamp the edge portions of two adjacent panels 40 and can be made of steel.
As shown in Figure 4A, the connection of adjacent devices 1, 1' can be obtained by means of the engagement by means 42 of seats formed in the panels 40.
According to the invention, as shown in Figure 1, the device 1 also comprises a plurality of support elements of reinforcement, one of which is denoted by way of example by 5. The reinforcement element 5 is configured to be disposed internally of the supporting structure 2, in particular at a coil thereof, of which reproduces the triangular profile. Advantageously, the reinforcement element 5 is a tensile structure, preferably crosslinked. In particular, in the shown example, the reinforcement element 5 includes a pair of rod-like lateral elements 51 and parallel intermediate uprights 52. Variants of embodiment may provide a crisscross pattern of uprights.
Figures 6 and 6A show in greater detail the connection mode, and in particular the locking, of the reinforcement element 5 within the supporting structure 2. In particular, the reinforcement element 5 has, at each peripheral element 51, a curved mating profile 52, specifically an arc of a circle, suitable to partially accommodate a segment of the supporting structure 2 together with the respective part of the protection element 3. The coupling then takes place by means of a nut-bolt type system 53, preferably at least in part already arranged on the element 5.
From Figure 6A it is also appreciated how the covering element 3 bilaterally envelop the supporting structure 2 by means of an outer flap 31 and an inner flap 32.
Still according to a preferred embodiment and with reference to Figures 1, 3 and 4, the device 1 also includes a plurality of protective elements, arranged or adapted to be arranged outside the covering element 3 and one of which denoted by way of example by 6.
In Figure 4, these protective elements have been represented, by way of example, only for the device 1'.
Each protection element 6 is connected, preferably removably connected, with the supporting structure 2, in particular by means of a hooking system. Advantageously, the connection is of a rotary type and realized by means of one or more pins 71 protruding from the structure 2 at the first side 11 and suitable to engage corresponding seats 72 of a respective protection element 6. Said seats 72 are formed at an edge or end portion of each element 6. The connection mode is visible in greater detail in Figures 5 and 5A.
In the present example, each protection element 6 is in the form of a body or panel substantially rectangular or quadrangular, rotatable around an axis corresponding to that of pins 71 and parallel to the transverse edges of the proximal side 11. Thus, each protection element 6 has substantially the configuration of a rotatable door.
At this point, it will be better understood that the device and the system of the invention have extreme flexibility of use and therefore are apt to adapt to any type of ground, even steep, with the possibility of avoiding obstacles.
The device and the modular system described above also have high maneuverability with minimal use of human resources.
Furthermore, the modularity of the system allows rapid assembly and disassembly as well as an ease of emptying and cleaning.
The supporting structure described above, particularly as configured as a tensile structure, allows avoiding unwanted deformations or displacements even in case of impacts by machines or large debris, thanks to the intrinsic capacity to absorb impacts.
The present invention has hereto been described with reference to preferred embodiments. It is to be understood that there may be other embodiments afferent to the same inventive core, as defined by the scope of protection of the claims set out below.

Claims

An anti-flooding device (1), comprising:
- an expandable supporting structure (2), apt to assume a first configuration of minimum encumbrance, wherein it can be transported on a site subject to flooding, and a second deployed operating configuration, wherein said structure is longitudinally expanded to form a substantially oblong body apt to define, in use, an artificial embankment,
said supporting structure (2) being formed by a plurality of segments arranged angled relative to one another so as to define a sequence of sub-structures or coils (21),
wherein said device (1), in said deployed configuration, has a side (11) proximal to the water to contain substantially oblique; and

- a tubular covering element (3), made of waterproof and deformable material, covering said supporting structure (2), said covering element (3) further having, at least at a portion thereof apt to be exposed on said side proximal to the water to contain (11), a plurality of holes or micro-holes (31) apt to allow a passage of water,
wherein said supporting structure (2) has a longitudinally expandable-helix construction with said sub-structures or coils (21) in such a way to realize a bellows system, the device (1) being configured in such a way that, in said first configuration of minimum encumbrance, said polygonal coils (21) are arranged longitudinally juxtaposed to each other and said covering element (3) has its own flaps folded between said said sub-structures or coils, and the device (1) being configured to provide, in said deployed configuration, a curved extension suitable to fit the curvature of the natural banks and / or define any privileged path for a watercourse,
characterised in that said sub-structures or coils (21) are triangular,
the device (1) comprising a plurality of reinforcement support elements (5) arranged or apt to be arranged internally to said supporting structure (2) and connected to the latter,
wherein each reinforcement support element (5) has a profile mating with said supporting structure (2),
each reinforcement support element (5) being configured to be disposed internally of said supporting structure (2) at a sub-structure or coil (21) thereof, of which
reproduces the triangular profile.
The device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said supporting structure (2) is a tensile structure.
The device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said supporting structure (2) is made of metal, preferably steel.
The device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, which has, in said deployed configuration, a substantially tubular shape.
The device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, which has, in said deployed configuration, a substantially pyramidal shape.
The device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said covering element (3) has a pocket or sock structure, configured to receive internally said supporting structure (2), enclosing it bilaterally.
The device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said covering element (3) is made of a material selected from a group comprising: PVC, rubber, elastic synthetic material of recycled tires, other plastic materials.
The device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising, at least at one longitudinal end, connection means (4), preferably removable, with a similar device (1'), to form an anti-flooding modular system (100).
The device (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein said connection means (4) comprises one or more interlocking profiles (40, 42).
The device (1) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein said connection means (4) comprises a coupling panel or profile (40) and at least one interlocking holding element (42) of adjacent panels or profiles.
The device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said or each reinforcement support element (5) has a tensile structure, preferably of reticular type.
The device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one protection element (6), preferably a plurality of protective elements, arranged or apt to be arranged externally to said covering element (3).
The device (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein said protection element or elements (6) are removably connected or connectable to said supporting structure (2), preferably by means of hooking means.
The device (1) according to claim 12 or 13, wherein said protection element or elements (6) are rotatably connected or connectable to said supporting structure (2), preferably so as to realize a door configuration.
An anti-flooding modular system (100), comprising a plurality of anti-flooding devices (1, 1') apt to be removably connected in a longitudinal sequence, wherein each of said devices is made according to any of the preceding claims.