GB2368087A

GB2368087A - Fully portable expanding water barrier

Info

Publication number: GB2368087A
Application number: GB0025721A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Christopher Kelly
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-10-19
Filing date: 2000-10-19
Publication date: 2002-04-24
Also published as: GB0025721D0

Abstract

A flood water barrier consisting of six perimeter framework units 1, 2, 6, forming one central supportive unit framework capable of expanding or retracting both horizontally and vertically. Threaded bars 3 hold the framework together and the motion is a result of rotation of nuts and washers 5 along these bars. The nuts may be operated by an 'open mouth ratchet spanner' 11, specific for that purpose. The framework may be enveloped by a water repellent jacket 7, secured to the framework by a touch fastening strap 8 and buckle 9. The jacket may also have reinforced corners 10 for sealing. The barrier may be used in multiple by stacking to raise the protective waterproof level.

Description

FULLY PORTABLE EXPANDING HATER BARRIER The following invention relates to a fully portable manually operated two piece expanding water barrier that can be placed in situ within the frames of doors and low level windows in order to prevent floodwater passing their threshold.

There are geographical locations both Nationally and Globally where adverse weather conditions are responsible for initiating flooding from rivers, lakes, seas and oceans.

Owners and occupants of properties, both domestic and commercial, built in flood susceptible zones sustain substantial structural damage to buildings and loss of furniture and personal possessions when they are consumed by surging floodwater.

Many efforts are made to minimise this damage by attempting to prohibit the entering of floodwaters into premises by bridging doorways and windows with, as a prime example, sandbags.

These efforts are often futile for the following reasons, sandbags are not always readily available in times of crisis, they can be cumbersome and physically challenging to manoeuvre-even more so when wet.

Sandbags will eventually, over the duration of a flood, become permeable to water, and that is even if they have provided a good fit/seal in the first place.

Finally when not in use sandbags create an unsightly space consuming eyesore. A more suitable and effective alternative must exist.

One such device will now be described with the aid of and reference to the accompanying diagrams in which: FIGURE 1 shows the internal structure of the device and its operational mechanism.

FIGURE 2 shows a water repelling jacket that attaches to the structure in Figure one.

FIGURE 3 shows how the structure in figure one is enveloped by the water repelling jacket in figure two.

FIGURE 4 shows theoretically the complete device in situ within a door frame and directions of expansion so as to create a water tight seal. wi reference to the four accompanying drawings.

Firstly Figure 1 This shows a symmetrical framework that comprises of units 1,2 and 6 whereby frame unit 2 consists of a further 2 units.

These slide horizontally, left and right, through the threaded bar 3 and box shaped sleeve 4 combination. 3 and 4 provide a guide for width ways expansion of the top and bottom of the framework and also support, reinforcement and leverage for the centre of frame sections 2.

All directional movements of expansion by the framework are governed by all threaded bars 3. These pass freely through the frame units 1,2 and 6 and produce movement when nut and washer combination 5 are rotated clockwise or anti-clockwise respectively with the aid of an open mouth ratchet spanner 11

. The hatched lines 7 represent the'expanding water repelling jacket'that envelopes and is attached to all framework in figure 1.

As the framework expands so does the'expanding water repellent jacket'shown on its own in figure 2. It is a one piece moulded unit and is held onto frame units 1,2 and 6 using a touch fastening strap 8 and buckle 9 system incorporated in its water proof structure. It also has reinforced, defined corners 10, to provide additional strength and accurate sealing into the corners of the door frames during the expansion process.

A front view combination of figure 1 and 2 can be seen in figure 3 with restraining straps open.

Figure 4 depicts one application of the entire device (figures 1 and 2 combined), in situ in a door frame.

Directions of expansion can be seen, these being the result of the operation of threaded bars 3 via the rotation of nut and washer combinations 5 by the open mouth ratchet spanner 11 specific for this purpose.

Anti-clockwise rotation of all nut and washer combinations 5 expands the entire device in all directions. Clockwise rotation of 5 reverses the process.

The whole device due to its all round perimeter expansion can if necessary be used in'multiple'. Two or more units can be used in a'stacking capacity', one on top of another to raise the protective level of a door or window dependent on expected or monitored flooding levels.

Finally as the'fully portable expanding water barrier'is designed with portability and ease of use in mind. It is possible when fully retracted and not in use to store the complete device flat. As a result it takes up a relatively small amount of space.

Claims

CLAIMS 1 A fully portable expanding water barrier comprising of a six unit perimeter and one central supportive unit framework, capable of expanding or retracting both vertically and horizontally. This motion is a result of clockwise or anti-clockwise rotation of nut and washer combinations along threaded bars that pass freely through the framework at designated points, these also hold the framework together and give it its stability.
2 A fully portable expanding water barrier as claimed in claim 1 whereby all framework mentioned is enveloped by an flexible water repellent jacket that is attached to it by means of touch fastening strap and buckle combinations that also expands and retracts simultaneously with any movement dictated by the framework.
3 A fully portable expanding water barrier as claimed in claim 1 or 2 whereby the flexible water repellent jacket has defined reinforced corners to provide strength and accurate positioning and sealing into corners when the whole device is in situ for its purpose.
4 A fully portable expanding water barrier as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 whereby left and right framework sections are one piece symmetrically identical units.
5 A fully portable expanding water barrier as claimed in claim 1, 2, 3 or 4 whereby top and bottom framework sections each consists of a further two units that may either slide across each other or slide inside each other telescopically to accommodate width ways motion.
6 A fully portable expanding water barrier as claimed in claim 5 whereby all width ways motion at these points top and bottom is contained and supported centrally within a box shaped sleeve.
7 A fully portable expanding water barrier as claimed in claim 1, 2, 3, 4,5 or 6 whereby, expansion or retractive motion, via nut and washer combinations being rotated, clockwise or anti-clockwise, along all threaded bars that attach framework pieces is enabled by an open mouth ratchet spanner specific for this purpose.
8 A fully portable expanding water barrier as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the entire device maybe used in multiple in a stacking capacity in order to raise protective waterproof levels for the threshold in which it is positioned.
9 A fully portable expanding water barrier substantially as described herein with reference to figures 1-4 of the accompanying drawings.