GB2333118A - Water exclusion system utilising an inflatable seal - Google Patents

Abstract

Means of preventing uncontrolled water form entering a building through the doors, windows and air vents (see figs P.5) by means of a non-permeable material (4 and 24) held in position by a ribbed (10) inflatable seal (8 and 28) which can be expanded by the injection of a gas or fluid under pressure, and contracted by the controlled release of the gas or fluid.

Description

This invention relates to a water exclusion system.

The last few years have seen an increase in dramatio weather conditions being brought to our attention, wheather high wind speeds, heavy snow falls, urqusual tidal surges or heavy rain falls, many are predicted by the meteorological office and when possible steps are taken to save lives. In most cases of flooding the climatic conditions last only a few days but the affect on property is devastating and can be long lasting. Flooding in this country is usually caused by excess water prevented through man made or natural causes from taking its natural course, this damming affect results in low lying land over vast areas being covered in water, lowly pressurised water.

According to this invention a means of preventing flood waters from penetrating buildings and other sensitive enclosed areas is provided.

A specific embodiment of the invention with a description of its installation, for a specific case, will now be described with the accompanying drawings. First an explanation of the drawings, Page I of 5 Shows Front, Top and Side views of a window.

Parts refered to are, I) Window recess 2) Window frame.

3) Window glass. 4) Recess insert.

5) Prepared surface. 8) Inflateable seal.

A) Area detailed in Page 2 Page 2 of 5 Shows front, top and side views of a corner unit.

Parts refered to are, I) Window recess. 2 Window frame.

4) Recess insert. 5) Prepared surfae.

6) Corner insert. 8) Inflateabla seal.

9) Inflate/ deflate line. I0) Seal rib.

Page 3 of 5 Shows A a section of the inflatable seal Shows B aside vies of the inflatable seal Shows C a window centre insert with the seal fitted Shows D a door lower insert with the seal fitted Parts refered to are, 8) Inflatable seal. 9) Inflate / deflate line.

4) Window centre insert. 28) Inflatable seal ( door).

24) Door centre insert(lower). IO) Seal ribs.

Page 4 of 5 Shows the front and side views of a door lower half installed.

Parts refered to are, 20) Wall 21) Door recess 22) Door frame 23) Door 24) Centre insert (lower) 25) Prepared surface 26) Corner insert 27) Door step 28) Inflatable seal Page 5of 5 Shows the front and side view configuration employed for sealing this type of air vent.

Parts refered to are, 10) Wall II) Prepared surface 12) Inflatable seal I3) Seal retainer 14) Air vent 15) Securing nut I6) Securing rod I7) Inflate/deflate line ) Seal contact Z) Air gap when deflated Now the installation, for a specific case, will be described.

I) Prepare the surfaces of the window recess to a standard reuired to effect and accept the seal.

2) Measure the dimensions of the recess and select an insert to fit.

Remove the corners,and prepare the corner inserts and the central insert to accept the seal.

3) Install the corner inserts to the window recess 4) Fit the deflated seal to the central insert, ensuring that the ribs of the seal mate with the corresponding face.

5) Install the insert into the recess ensuring that all the corner inserts are aligned before inflating the seal.

6) Test the seal.

7) Hinges can be fitted to the insert enabling the insert to be removed from the window racess when not required.

8) when all sealed inserts are in position all inflation tubes can be connected to pressure switches which together with an indepenXent low voltage electrical circuit and a compressor will automatically adjust the pressure in the seals to a predetermined level.

9) Door inserts are similar to the above but to retain access to the building for as long as possible the door insert and seal can be made in two parts and fitted as shown in drawing 4 of 5 I0) What has been described above would prevent surface borne water from entering a building but in flood ccnditions sewage and other systems are pressurised and water can infiltrate buildings through those systems. Modifications to the configuration of the devils outlined above, and fitted in these systems, would overcome this problem.

Claims (6)

1. CLAIMS I) A means of preventing water from penetrating buildings or other enclosed areas by the use of an inflatable seal.
2. 2) An inflatable seal where the pressure is adjusted by the inclusion or release of a gas or fluid.
3. 3)An inflatable seal which has ribs to enhance the seal.
4. 4) A sealing system that renders doors, windows and vents watertight.
5. 5) A water exclusion system where a door, window or vent is protected by a non permeable material held in position by means of an inflatable seal.
6. 6) A sealing system that enhances the security of a building.