GB2318145A

GB2318145A - Flood barrier for doors and windows

Info

Publication number: GB2318145A
Application number: GB9721356A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Thomas Edward Haughey
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1996-10-12
Filing date: 1997-10-09
Publication date: 1998-04-15
Anticipated expiration: 2017-10-09
Also published as: GB9621359D0; GB9721356D0; GB2318145B

Abstract

A flood water stop gate arrangement comprising a U-shaped sub-frame (16) for fitting externally to a existing door (or window) frame or the wall adjacent thereto, and a flood water stop gate (14), say about 1 metre high, which fits sealingly to the sub-frame to prevent entry of flood water.

Description

Flood Water Stop Gate This invention relates to a flood water stop gate.

In some parts of some countries, there is an increasing risk of flooding of buildings due to deteriorating sea and river bank defences, rising water levels, unusually high tides and changing weather patterns, etc. Typically, flooding only occurs to a depth of substantially less than a metre, but nevertheless this can result in very substantial damage to carpets, furniture and the contents of buildings generally, even if life is not put at risk.

According to the invention, there is provided, for mounting on the exterior side of the door or window of a building, a U-shaped sub-frame for sealed fixing to the bottom portion of an existing door or window frame or the building wall adjacent thereto, and a water stop gate which is removable from said sub-frame and when closed in the sub-frame seals against it to prevent entry of flood water.

When the gate is removed from the sub-frame, use of the existing door for entry and exit purposes is unaffected, as is opening or closing of any near ground level window. Commonly, however, the existing door or window, even if equipped with seals, is not able to prevent entry of flood water. In the event of a flood warning therefore, the exterior partial height water stop gate of the present invention can be fitted to the sub-frame in order substantially to prevent entry of flood water, at least up to the height of the stop gate, which typically may be of the order of 1 metre or slightly less.

The gate may be slidable into and out of a subframe channel from the top, or may attach to the sub frame by means of lift-off or like separable hinges, in order to enable its removability.

The sub frame may have a U-shaped or channel-shaped cross-section in the case of a gate slidable into and out of position, and an L-section in the case of a gate with lift-off hinges.

In both arrangements, sealing means, for example strip seals made of compressible polypropylene or the like, may act between the door or window and the interiorside web of the sub-fiame cross-section. Strip seals, acting in spaced apart positions, may be provided on the interior-side web of the sub frame, the face of the gate, or both the sub-frame and the gate. These strip seals may be fixedly located in elongate recesses formed in the sub-frame and/or gate respectively, both of which are preferably moulded of rigid plastics material such as UPVC or polypropylene, although the use of timber or other material is not excluded.

In the case of a gate slidable into position, wedges may be provided for insertion between the sub-frame and the gate on the exterior side in order to ensure effective sealing. In the case of a hinged gate, a suitable bolting or latching means engaging into the sub-frame is provided on the door or window (or vice versa) to ensure effective sealing. In both instances, the aim is to ensure watertight compression of the strip seals, which extend continuously around the subframe.

The invention is feather described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a view from the exterior of a building door outside which has been fitted a flood water stop gate in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 shows part of a U-shaped sub frame in elevation, as seen from the exterior with the gate removed; Figure 3 is a cross-section through the sub-frame; Figure 4 is an elevational view of the gate; Figure 5 shows an alternative arrangement of the sub-frame and gate from above; Figure 6 shows the arrangement of Figure 5 when arranged on a door frame, again as seen from above; and Figure 7 shows one possible arrangement at the door sill.

Referring to Figure 1, a door 10 fitted in door frame 12 is shown, and on the exterior side of the door a flood water stop gate 14. This gate is carried by a subframe 16 fixed as by screwing to the door frame and sealed thereto, for example by mastic material. The gate 14 fits removably to the sub-frame 16, so that with the gate removed normal use of the door 10 is unaffected. The gate is fitted when a flood warning is given or a flood is suspected.

Figures 2 and 3 show the sub-frame 16 in more detail. It has an L-shaped crosssection, as shown in Figure 3; the web 16A of this section is in use fixed and sealed against the door frame 12. Web 16B carries hinge supports 18 (only one being visible in Figure 2). The gate 14 shown in Figure 4 carries corresponding cylindrical formations 20 for turning on supports 18 and enabling the gate to be lifted on and off the subframe 16. Reference 22 denotes a handle. On this side of the gate, there are also provided locking bolts or latches 24, designed so that when the gate is latched closed it is urged tightly against the web 16A via strip seals26. Two such seals carried in elongate recesses 28 (Figure 3) in the web 16A of the subframe 16 are shown in Figure 2. One of these strip seals, or an additional strip seal, may be carried by the gate 14, as indicated in Figure 4 at 26A.

The sub-frame and gate are preferably moulded of rigid plastics material such as UPVC or polypropylene and the strip seals may be of an elastic, compressible polypropylene plastics material.

Figures 5 to 7 show an alternative arrangement in which the flood water stop gate 30 drops into position in the sub-frame 32 and can be lifted out therefrom.

Reference 34 denotes a lifting handle for the purpose.

The sub-frame 32 is in this case of channel section; web 32A secures to and seals against the door frame 36 (see Figure 6), in which the door 37 is fitted, in like manner to the L-section sub-frame of Figures 1 to 3. On its interior, the web 32A also has elongate recesses 33 in which strip seals 38 are located.

In order that the gate 30 is not difficult to slide down into the subframe channel or be lifted therefrom, it may be preferable for it to be an easy fit and provide wedges 40 (see Figure 5) for urging the gate tightly against the web 32A via the strip seals.

Figure 6 shows one possible arrangement at the sill 42. However, reverting to Figure 1, it will be seen that it is possible to provide the gate 14 with a transverse recess 14A for receiving and covering the threshboard of the door. Thus, reverting back to Figure 6, it may be preferable in some instances to fix the sub frame to the wall ajacent the door frame. In this case the bottom crosspiece of the sub fame can be fixed and sealed to the wall beneath the sill 42, the gate having an enarged recess also to receive and cover the sill. Such a fixing of the sub frame is also possible in the arrangement of Figures 1 to 4.

The invention is equally applicable to windows, which are sometimes located at near ground level in some buildings, to prevent entry of flood water.

Claims

1. A flood water stop gate arrangement for mounting on the exterior side of the

door or window of a building, comprising a U-shaped sub-frame for sealed fixing to the bottom portion of an existing door or window frame or the building wall adjacent thereto, and a water stop gate which is removable from said sufrframe and when closed in the sub-frame seals against it to prevent entry of flood water.

2. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the gate is slidable into and out of a sub-frame channel from the top.

3. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the gate attaches to the subframe by means of lift-off or like separable hinges, in order to enable its removability.

4. An arrangement according to claim 2, wherein the subframe is a U-shaped or channel-shaped cross-section.

5. An arrangement according to claim 3, wherein the subframe has an L-shaped cross-section.

6. An arrangement according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein sealing means are provided to act between the door or window and the interior-side web of the subframe cross-section.

7. An arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the sealing means comprises strip seals of compressible plastics material such as polypropylene.

8. An arrangement according to claim 7, wherein the strip seals, acting in spaced apart positions, are provided on the interior-side web of the sub frame, the lace of the gate, or both the sub-frame and the gate.

9. An arrangement according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the strip seals are fixedly located in elongate recesses formed in the sub-frame and/or gate respectively.

10. An arrangement according to any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the sub-frame and gate are moulded of rigid plastics material such as UPVC.

11. An arrangement according to claim 2 or any claim appendant thereto, wherein wedges are provided for insertion between the sub-frame and the gate on the exterior side in order to ensure effective sealing.

12. An arrangement according to claim 3 or any claim appendant thereto, wherein a bolting or latching means engaging into the sub-frame is provided on the door (or vice versa) to ensure effective sealing.

13. An arrangement according to any of claims 1 to 12, wherein the flood gate is a metre high our slightly less.

14. A flood water stop gate arrangement substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.