GB2254639A

GB2254639A - Flood protection bulkhead for premises.

Info

Publication number: GB2254639A
Application number: GB9107658A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jeffrey F Lawrence
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-04-11
Filing date: 1991-04-11
Publication date: 1992-10-14
Anticipated expiration: 2011-04-11
Also published as: GB9107658D0; GB2254639B

Abstract

A flood protection bulkhead to temporarily seal doorway openings has a rectangular panel 10 which is rebate-edged 11 to accommodate a captive pneumatic tube 12. At the top edge of the panel the tube is completely enclosed by the addition of a detachable capping through which the tube's inflating valve 16 protrudes for access. The panel is lowered into a rigid 3-sided frame 13 of channel section, this frame being bonded and secured to the threshold and, suitably, to either both lambs, reveals or wall face. With the panel so positioned, the encapsulated tube is inflated by hand-pump to effect, by uniform compression, a watertight seal to combat the ingress of floodwater. <IMAGE>

Description

FLOOD PROTECTION BULKHEAD FOR PREMISES This invention relates to a flood protection bulkhead for premises.

Seasonal flooding of coastal and lowland properties can cause personal hardship and distress, damage to furniture and floor coverings, residual damp penetration, health impairment, loss of trade and raised insurance premiums. Attempts to combat floodwater ingress with barricades of sandbags at door openings have proved ineffective, except to filter debris and silt.

According to the present invention there is provided a flood protection bulkhead comprising a panel devised to protect the lower half of the doorway opening. The panel is lowered into a 3-sided frame consisting of rigid channel extending across the threshold and some probable 900mm maximum up each door jamb or reveal to which it is bonded and screwed to effect an impervious joint.

The edges of the panel incorporate a continuous rebate which accommodates a captive pneumatic tube. When the panel is engaged within the frame a peripheral cavity is formed to encapsulate the tube.

The tube is then inflated by hand-pump to introduce an effective seal against floodwater ingress.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 shows, in perspective, the frame permanently installed in the doorway opening prior to insertion of the panel; Figure 2 illustrates the panel inserted in the frame with the tube inflated to seal; Figure 3 details the panel and tube attachment therto; Figure 4 indicates the profile of the frame as bonded and fixed to door jamb and threshold; Figure 5 is a typical horizontal section showing the cavity formed by the assembly with enclosed tube inflated to seal.

Referring to the drawing, the bulkhead comprises a panel 10 of construction such as to provide a continuous rebate 11 in which a captive pneumatic tube 12 is accommodated. The panel closely fits into a 3-sided frame 13 of channel section, the latter being a permanent fixture to the jambs and threshold of an external door opening. The two components are shown in Fig 1.

Fig 2 is sequential to Fig 1, showing the panel lowered to engage between the flanges of the frame and resting within its lowest section 14.

The location of the tube within the panel rebate is indicated in Fig 3. Also shown is a detachable capping 17 secured to the top edge of the panel to provide complete encapsulation of the tube when the panel is installed. The encapsulated tube is inflated by hand-pump 15 connected to a valve 16 which protrudes at the side of the detachable capping.

Upward movement of the panel during inflation is resisted by insertion of a loose bolt 18 to bridge the flanges of the channel on both sides immediately above the positioned capping section of the panel. This is shown in Fig 4 together with screvr-fixiag~detaïl.

(Holes in outer flange are for screwdriver access.) Deviation of the tube at corners is made transitional by a convex radius to the rebate at each corner of the panel, and by corresponding concave radii formed by insert blocks 19 bonded within the angles of the channel.

A typical horizontal section is represented by Fig 5. This shows the disposition of the inflated tube, encapsulated by the panel rebate and the channel of the frame. Uniform expansion of the tube ensures complete watertightness.

The bulkhead is demounted by deflation of the tube and upward removal of the panel.

Claims

1, A flood protection bulkhead, applicable to access openings in premises, boundary walls, compounds or other enclosures, comprising a panel having a rebated edge to accommodate a captive pneumatic tube, the panel being inserted between the flanges of a 3-sided frame of channel section pre-fixed to jambs or reveals and threshold, enabling the encapsulated tube to be inflated to provide a watertight seal against ingress of floodwater.

2. A flood protection bulkhead as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the inserted panel incorporates a capping section secured to the top edge to provide complete encapsulation of the tube.

3. A flood protection bulkhead as claimed in Claim 1 and Claim 2, having loose bolts, inserted before inflation, bridging the flanges to each side channel, suitably drilled, being positioned directly above the capping section of the panel after insertion and preventing uplift of the panel during inflation.

4. A flood protection bulkhead as claimed in any preceeding Claim, having designed radii at all appropriate corners to facilitate transitional right-angled deviations of the tube.

5. A flood protection bulkhead as claimed in any preceeding Claim, being optionally modified by elimination of the outer flange of the lower (horizontal) section of channel, a corresponding rein forcing flange being added to the lower edge of the panel in substitution.

6. A flood protection bulkhead as described herein with reference to Figures 1-5 of the accompanying drawing.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A flood protection bulkhead, applicable to access openings in premises, boundary walls, compounds or other enclosures, com prising a panel having a rebated edge to accommodate a captive pneumatic tube, the panel being inserted between the inward facing flanges of a 3-sided open frame of channel section pre fixed to the opening threshold and either jambs, reveals or flanking outer wallface, enabling the encapsulated tube to be inflated to provide a watertight seal against ingress of flood water.

2. A flood protection bulkhead as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the panel for insertion into the channelled frame is edged, on the three contact sides, with a rebate (otherwise termed a rabbet), by definition being a step-shaped reduction, a single tongue, which is markedly distinct in profile from any groove, recess, slot or channel.

3. A flood protection bulkhead as claimed in Claims 1 and 2 where in the rebated edge feature of the panel is distinctive from prior art embodiment of a groove, recess, slot or channel wherein the mostly embraced pneumatic tube, when inflated, exerts only an outward force in common plane with the panel; instead, the rebated edge permitting the tube to exert a sub stantially transverse force to apply between the inner flange of the fixed channel and the tongue of the rebate, the latter yielding to close compression against the outer flange.

4. A flood protection bulkhead as claimed in any preceeding Claim, having designed radii at all appropriate corners to facilitate transitional right-angled deviations of the inflated tube.

5. A flood protection bulkhead as claimed in any preceeding Claim, wherein the panel incorporates a capping section secured to the top edge to provide complete encapsulation of the tube.

6. A flood protection bulkhead as claimed in any preceeding Claim having loose bolts, inserted before inflation of tube, bridging the flanges to each side channel, suitably drilled, positioned directly above the capping section of the panel after in sertion and preventing uplift of the panel during inflation.

7. A flood protection bulkhead as described herein with reference to Figures 1-5 of the accompanying drawing.