GB2373807A

GB2373807A - Flood prevention barrier

Info

Publication number: GB2373807A
Application number: GB0107498A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Christopher Padmore
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-03-26
Filing date: 2001-03-26
Publication date: 2002-10-02
Anticipated expiration: 2021-03-26
Also published as: GB2373807B; GB0107498D0

Abstract

A flood prevention barrier comprises a body 10 in the form of a box-shaped vessel enclosed at both ends and constructed from a waterproof and flexible material. The body is adapted to become rigid when filled with water and has openings 18 provided to allow it to be filled. Means 16 for ensuring a watertight seal when the barrier is placed flush against adjacent objects are also provided. The barrier may be have a removable top surface 20 and may incorporate internal strengthening straps or wires 14. Flaps 16 may be provided on the barrier for securing it to additional barriers, while loops may be attached around the bottom outside edge of the barrier so that it can be fixed in place with skewers or ropes.

Description

EMERGENCY FLOOD BARRIER This invention relates to an emergency flood barrier.

Emergency flood barriers are usually comprised of sandbags which are stacked along riverbanks, roads or buildings to hold back the flow of water.

In this case many people may be required to fill, carry and stack the bags over considerable distances. This is often slow, heavy work and labour intensive, all of which needs to be repeated when removing the sandbags after use.

According to the present invention there is provided a free-standing emergency flood barrier comprising a body in the form of a box shaped vessel enclosed at both ends and constructed from a waterproof and flexible material, the body being adapted to become rigid when filled with water and openings provided for the filling thereof, and means for securing a watertight seal when placed flush against additional flood barriers, walls and/or buildings.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings 1/3,2/3 and 3/3 in which ; Figure 1 shows in perspective, the barrier in position when filled with water; Figure 2 shows in perspective, a view of the interior; Figure 3 shows in cross-section, the interior of the barrier; Figure 4 shows in plan view various placements and configurations ; Figure 5 shows in plan view, a curved version of the flood barrier; Figure 6 illustrates in perspective, the curved version in position ; Figure 7 shows how the flood barrier will lie flat ; and Figure 8 illustrates in cross-section how the barrier will lie flat.

Refering to the drawings the flood barrier comprises a body in the form of a box shaped vessel 10 which is enclosed at both ends. The body is constructed from a waterproof and flexible material, for example a waterproof canvas. Fig. 1 shows the flood barrier as it appears when filled with water. The top surface 20 can be either fixed permanently or as shown in Fig. 2 can be removed or made removable by means of fastners, or similar means (not shown).

In order to provide stability when in use ribs 12 are secured vertically at regular intervals along each side and end as shown in Fig. 3. Likewise flexible straps or wires 14 are secured from the top of each rib 12 to the vessel's bottom side 15. when the flood barrier is filled with water the straps or wires 14 become taut and a rigid structure is formed. The sides and ends of the barrier will protrude or bulge between the ribs. The weight of the water and flexibility of the bottom side 15 ensures it seals against undulating ground.

In order to provide a watertight seal against additional barriers, walls or buildings the bulged areas must press flush and firmly against the surface in question as shown in Fig. 4. Different lengths of flood barrier may be positioned in various configurations while longer barriers placed end to end may stretch considerable distances.

Fig. 5 shows a plan view of a curved version of flood barrier specifically shaped to bridge openings such as doorways. Fig. 6 illustrates this version in position.

In order to join two or more flood barriers together Flaps 16 are provided around the top edge and ends as a means of securing by, for example, clamping, velcro, eyelets for binding, or similar means (not shown).

In order to fill or empty the water by pump, syphon or otherwise there is provided one or more openings 18. When water is emptied the body will collapse and lie flat if turned 90 degrees on its side as shown in Fig. 7 in the direction of arrow 22.

A cross-section illustrates this folding action in Fig. 8. The body can then be rolled up for storage.

Claims

CLAIMS 1 A free-standing emergency flood barrier comprising a body in the form of a box shaped vessel enclosed at both ends and constructed from a waterproof and flexible material, the body being adapted to become rigid when filled with water and openings provided for the filling thereof, and means for securing a watertight seal when placed flush against additional flood barriers, walls and/ or buildings.
2 An emergency flood barrier as claimed in claim 1, wherein a removable top surface is provided as a means for maintenance and/or access for filling and/or emptying water.
3 An emergency flood barrier as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein individual straps or wires are fixed from the top of each rib to the top of the corresponding rib on the opposite side.
4 An emergency flood barrier as claimed in any preceeding claim, wherein the body is provided with flaps as a means for securing additional flood barriers together in various configurations.
5 An emergency flood barrier as claimed in any preceeding claim, wherein the body is provided with loops fitted around the bottom outside edges as a means for securing with skewers or ropes.
6 An emergency flood barrier substantially described herein with reference to Figures 1-8 of the accompanying drawings numbered 1/3,2/3 and 3/3.

6 An emergency flood barrier substantially described herein with reference to Figures 1-8 of the accompanying drawings numbered 1/3,2/3 and 3/3.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1 A free-standing emergency flood barrier comprising a body in the form of a box shaped vessel enclosed at both ends and constructed from a waterproof and flexible material, the top surface being provided with at least one hole or opening suitable for inserting a hosepipe, and the sides and ends of the body being ribbed and divided internally with flexible straps in order to stand upright, and form bulged areas between the ribs, and to become stable when the body is filled with water, and a means for forming a watertight seal against vertical surfaces such as walls or other barriers by flush placement of the bulged areas, thus applying contact pressure only, without the need to physically join the body to any external surface.

2 An emergency flood barrier as claimed in claim 1, wherein a removable top surface is provided as a means for maintenance and/or access for filling and/or emptying water.

3 An emergency flood barrier as claimed in claim 1, wherein the top surface is in the form of individual straps fixed horizontally from the top of each rib, to the top of the corresponding rib on the opposite side.

4 An emergency flood barrier as claimed in any preceeding claim, wherein the body is provided with external flaps around the top surface and ends as a means to position and temporarily secure additional barriers prior to filling them with water.

5 An emergency flood barrier as claimed in any preceeding claim, wherein small finger-loops are provided around the bottom outside edges as a means for adjusting the flexible bottom side, prior to filling the body with water.