GB2498330A

GB2498330A - A flood barrier

Info

Publication number: GB2498330A
Application number: GB1120428.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Frank Kelly
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-11-28
Filing date: 2011-11-28
Publication date: 2013-07-17
Anticipated expiration: 2031-11-28
Also published as: GB2498330B; GB201120428D0

Abstract

A flood barrier comprises a curved cover member 3 with a peripheral frame 1, a mounting member 17 extending from the curved cover member towards the plane of the frame but not intersecting the same, mounted on the mounting member, e.g. by a screw thread, is an elongate securing member 21 to engage in with opposing sides of the opening . The securing member is releasably urged towards the cover member such that the frame and the opposing end regions of the securing member are urged against outer and inner regions respectively of the building surrounding the opening. Also disclosed is a situation where the mounting member extends beyond the plane of the frame. The barrier may have reflective strip (11 Fig 1) or securing means for a sign (13) located at the top of the barrier. A handle 15 may be provided on the inside of the cover. The securing member may move laterally within an elongate aperture or slot 27.

Description

FLOOD DEFENCE BARRIER

This invention relates to a flood defence barrier, for example a flood defence barrier which can be readily deployed to prevent the entry of flood water through an aperture of a building.

Currently available flood defence barriers require the use of numerous fixings in order to secure the barrier in place. In addition, most such barriers require to be fixed in place from outside the building concerned. The means the user of the flood defence barrier seeking to deploy the barrier are required to climb over the barrier once it has been secured in place in order to re-enter the building and may have to stand in rising flood water while deploying the barrier. In addition, some users, especially elderly users, find it difficult to manipulate the numerous fixings and find them awkward to secure in place. Moreover, it is especially difficult for elderly and/or infirm users to climb over the barrier once it has been deployed. Furthermore, if means is provided to secure the barrier in place from within a building, it is difficult to configure the barrier such that the door can be closed once the barrier is in place.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a flood defence barrier which overcomes, or at least ameliorates the above problems.

According to the present invention there is provided a flood defence barrier comprising: a curved cover member and a peripheral frame which extends around the cover member, the cover member extending from the plane of the frame only to one side of the frame; and means for securing the barrier to an opening of a building or the like and including a mounting member extending from the curved cover member towards the plane of the frame but not intersecting the same, an elongate securing member mounted on the mounting member and configured to engage in opposing end regions thereof with opposing sides of the opening to be spanned by the barrier, and means for releasably urging the securing member towards the cover member such that the frame and the opposing end regions of the securing member are urged against outer and inner regions respectively of the building surrounding the opening.

The cover member may be convex or may be part cylindrical with planar closure elements at each end thereof.

A lower edge of the cover member may be formed with a first lateral protruding portion which extends laterally of the frame and protrudes from the frame in the same direction as the remainder of the cover member. Similarly, an upper edge of the cover member may be formed with a second lateral protruding portion which extends laterally of the frame and protrudes from the frame in the same direction as the remainder of the cover member. The first and/or second protruding portions may have a planar surface facing externally of the barrier and preferably extending the entire width of the cover member, which planar surface may be provided with a reflective member, for example in the form of a reflective strip.

The peripheral frame or an upper region of the cover member, such as a top surface of the second protruding portion, may be provided with means for removably attaching a sign.

The barrier may be provided with a handle on an interior surface thereof, in particular on an interior surface of the cover member.

The mounting member may comprise a threaded post and the releasable securing means may comprise a rotatable member, such as a rotatable member, mounted on the threaded post.

The elongate securing member may be adjustable in length. For example, the securing member may comprise first and second securing member portions which are slidably relative to each other. The mounting member may pass through an elongate aperture formed in the securing member, for example through each of the securing member portions.

The means by which the securing member portions are slidable relative to each other may comprise a return lip along each longitudinal edge of the first securing member portion, for example, substantially at right angles to the major part of the securing member portion, and which restrains movement of the second securing member portion relative to the first securing member portion.

Outer end regions of the securing member may be deformed so as to engage with a frame of the building opening and, preferably, to pass between the frame and an opening closure (such as a door) such that the closure can be opened and closed while the barrier is in position. To this end, the outer end regions may be formed with a first end portion which, in use, extends inwardly of the building, for example substantially at right angles to the major part of the respective securing member portion, and with a second end portion extending, for example substantially at right angles from the first end portion, in an outward direction and adapted to pass between a frame and a closure.

The elongate apertures in each of the first and second securing member portions may be configured to overlap in the longitudinal direction of the securing member portions such that the mounting member can extend through both apertures over a wide range of widths for the securing member. If desired, each longitudinal end of each aperture may be formed with a part-circular region.

For a better understanding of the present invention and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure lisa perspective diagrammatic illustration from outside a building of one embodiment of a flood defence barrier according to the present invention; and Figure 2 is a perspective diagrammatic illustration on a different scale from inside a building of the flood defence barrier shown in Figure 1.

The flood defence barrier shown in Figures 1 and 2 comprises a peripheral frame 1 which is integrally formed with and extends around a cover member 3 the cover member extends from the plane of the frame only to one side of the frame, that is to the external side of the frame when the barrier is in use. The cover member is curved to impart strength in order to resist the pressure of flood water against the barrier. The cover member may have any suitable curved configuration, such as convex, but a part cylindrical configuration is particularly convenient, with planar closure elements 5. The flood defence barrier may be made of any convenient material, for example a plastics material, such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE) is particularly convenient. The frame 1 is provided with a seal 6 around at least three sides of the frame and which in use seals the barrier against a building along the sides and bottom of the frame.

A lower edge of the cover member 5 is preferably formed with a first lateral protruding portion 7 which extends laterally of the frame and protrudes from the frame in the same direction as the remainder of the cover member. The first protruding portion increases the strength and rigidity of the barrier and accommodates a rain bar of a door and/or sill of a door frame (neither shown in the drawings). Similarly, an upper edge of the cover member 5 is preferably formed with a second lateral protruding portion 9 which extends laterally of the frame and protrudes from the frame in the same direction as the remainder of the cover member, including the first protruding portion. The second protruding portion also increases the strength and rigidity of the barrier. The second protruding portion (and optionally the first protruding portion) may have a planar surface facing externally of the barrier and preferably extending the entire width of the cover member, which planar surface is provided with a reflective member 11 in the form of a reflective strip and which assists in locating the barrier, and therefore the door or the like of a building the barrier is protecting, during hours of darkness.

The peripheral frame 1, or an upper region of the cover member 3, such as a top surface of the second protruding portion 9, is provided with means for removably attaching a sign 13 which can be used for a number of purposes, such as for identifying any members of a community in need of assistance.

The manner in which the barrier is secured to an opening of a building, in particular a door frame, is shown more clearly in Figure 2. The barrier is provided with a handle 15 on an interior surface thereof, in particular on an interior surface of the cover member 3. Although the handle 15 may be positioned elsewhere, an interior surface of the cover member is particularly convenient because the handle need not extend beyond the plane of the frame 1 and therefore allows a door or the like to be closed when the barrier is deployed. The handle allows the barrier to be held in position from within a building, or otherwise manipulated, while the barrier is being installed or removed.

A fixing system forming part of the barrier comprises a threaded post 17 on which is mounted a rotatable member 19, such as a rotatable handwheel. The threaded post is secured at one end thereof to the curved cover member and extends in a direction towards the plane of the frame but not so far as to intersect the plane of the frame. Rotation of the member 19 moves an elongate securing member 21 towards or away from the frame and the cover member for securing the barrier in a releasable manner to a frame around an opening, such as a door frame, of a building in order to install or remove the barrier.

The securing member 21 comprises first and second securing member portions 23, 25 which are slidably relative to each other so as to lengthen or shorten the securing member in order to adapt the securing member to the width of the aperture determined by the door frame or the like. The threaded post 17 passes through an elongate aperture 27 formed in each of the securing member portions 23, 25. The securing member portions 23, 25 may be mounted so as to be slidable relative to each other by any convenient means. One such means is illustrated in Figure 2 and comprises a return lip 29 along each longitudinal edge of the first securing member portion 23, substantially at right angles to the major part of the portion 23, and which restrains movement of the second securing member portion 25 relative to the first securing member portion 23.

The majority of the securing member remains within the space defined by the cover member 3, except for outer end regions 31, 33 of the securing member 21 which are deformed so as to engage with a frame of the building opening and, ideally, to pass between the frame and the opening closure (such as a door). In this way the closure can be opened and closed while the barrier is in position.

To this end, as illustrated in Figure 2, the outer end regions 31, 33 may be formed with a first end portion 35 which, in use, extends inwardly of the building, substantially at right angles to the major part of the respective securing member portion 23, 25, and with a second end portion 37, extending substantially at right angles from the first end portion in an outward direction and adapted to pass between a frame and a closure.

The elongate apertures 27 in each of the first and second securing member portions 23, 25 are configured to overlap in the longitudinal direction of the securing member portions such that the threaded portion 17 can extend through both apertures over a wide range of widths for the securing member 21. If desired, each longitudinal end of each aperture may be formed with a part-circular region.

In use of the barrier, the closure, such as a door is opened and the barrier, which will generally be stored within the respective building, is passed through the opening and drawn back against the building or frame surrounding the opening.

The securing member 21 is then adjusted to the required width and placed around the door frame or the like. The barrier can be manoeuvred and maintained temporarily in position with the handle 15. With the barrier and the securing member in position, the frame and the opposing end regions engage respectively with outer and inner regions of the building, such as a door frame, surrounding the opening and the rotatable member 19 is used to tighten the barrier, and therefore the seal 6, against the door frame and to create a water-tight seal between the frame and the barrier, although water pressure against the barrierwill serve to further improve the nature of the seal. Removal of the barrier is effectively a reverse of the installation procedure.

Claims

<claim-text>CLAIMS1. A flood defence barrier comprising: a curved cover member and a peripheral frame which extends around the cover member, the cover member extending from the plane of the frame only to one side of the frame; and means for securing the barrier to an opening of a building or the like and including a mounting member extending from the curved cover member towards the plane of the frame but not intersecting the same, an elongate securing member mounted on the mounting member and configured to engage in r opposing end regions thereof with opposing sides of the opening to be spanned 0.' by the barrier, and means for releasably urging the securing member towards the cover member such that the frame and the opposing end regions of the securing member are urged against outer and inner regions respectively of the building surrounding the opening.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. A flood defence barrier as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cover member is convex with planar closure elements at each end thereof.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. A flood defence barrier as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cover member is part cylindrical with planar closure elements at each end thereof.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. Aflood defence barrier as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein a lower edge of the cover member is formed with a first lateral protruding portion which extends laterally of the frame and protrudes from the frame in the same direction as the remainder of the cover member.</claim-text> <claim-text>5. A flood defence barrier as claimed in claim 4, wherein an upper edge of the cover member is formed with a second lateral protruding portion which extends laterally of the frame and protrudes from the frame in the same direction as the remainder of the cover member.</claim-text> <claim-text>6. A flood defence barrier as claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein the first and/or second protruding portions have a planar surface facing externally of the barrier. r r</claim-text> <claim-text>C'J 7. A flood defence barrier as claimed in claim 6, wherein the planar surface extends the entire width of the cover member.</claim-text> <claim-text>8. A flood defence barrier as claimed in claim 6 or 7, wherein the planar surface is provided with a reflective member.</claim-text> <claim-text>9. A flood defence barrier as claimed in claim 8, wherein the reflective member is in the form of a reflective strip.</claim-text> <claim-text>10. A flood defence barrier as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the peripheral frame or an upper region of the cover member is provided with means for removably attaching a sign.</claim-text> <claim-text>11. A flood defence barrier as claimed in claim 10 when dependent on claim or any claim dependent thereon, wherein a top surface of the second protruding portion is provided with means for removably attaching a sign.</claim-text> <claim-text>12. A flood defence barrier as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the barrier is provided with a handle on an interior surface thereof.</claim-text> <claim-text>13. A flood defence barrier as claimed in claim 12, wherein the handle is r provided on an interior surface of the cover member. (1 r</claim-text> <claim-text>14. A flood defence barrier as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the mounting member comprises a threaded post and the releasable securing means comprises a rotatable member mounted on the threaded post.</claim-text> <claim-text>15. A flood defence barrier as claimed in claim 14, wherein the releasable securing means comprises a rotatable handwheel.</claim-text> <claim-text>16. A flood defence barrier as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the elongate securing member is adjustable in length.</claim-text> <claim-text>17. A flood defence barrier as claimed in claim 16, wherein the securing membercomprises first and second securing member portions which are slidably relative to each other.</claim-text> <claim-text>18. A flood defence barrier as claimed in claim 17, wherein the mounting member passes through an elongate aperture formed in the securing member.</claim-text> <claim-text>19. A flood defence barrier as claimed in claim 18, wherein the mounting member passes through each of the securing member portions.</claim-text> <claim-text>20. A flood defence barrier as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the means by which the securing member portions are slidable relative to each other r comprises a return lip along each longitudinal edge of the first securing member C'1 portion and which restrains movement of the second securing member portion relative to the first securing member portion.</claim-text> <claim-text>21. A flood defence barrier as claimed in claim 20, wherein the return lip is substantially at right angles to the major part of the securing member portion.</claim-text> <claim-text>22. A flood defence barrier as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein outer end regions of the securing member are deformed so as to engage with a frame of the building opening. -14-</claim-text> <claim-text>23. A flood defence barrier as claimed in claim 22, wherein the outer end regions of the securing member are deformed to pass between the frame and an opening closure such that the closure can be opened and closed while the barrier is in position.</claim-text> <claim-text>24. A flood defence barrier as claimed in claim 23, wherein the outer end regions are formed with a first end portion which, in use, extends inwardly of the building and with a second end portion extending in an outward direction and adapted to pass between a frame and a closure.</claim-text> <claim-text>25. A flood defence barrier as claimed in claim 24, wherein the first end portion extends substantially at right angles to the major part of the respective r securing member portion. (1 r</claim-text> <claim-text>26. A flood defence barrier as claimed in claim 24 or 25, wherein the second end portion extends substantially at right angles from the first end portion.</claim-text> <claim-text>27. A flood defence barrier as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the elongate apertures in each of the first and second securing member portions are configured to overlap in the longitudinal direction of the securing member portions such that the mounting member can extend through both apertures over a wide range of widths for the securing member.</claim-text> <claim-text>23. Aflood defence barrier as claimed in claim 27, wherein each longitudinal end of each aperture is formed with a part-circular region.</claim-text> <claim-text>29. A flood defence barrier substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings. r r (1 r</claim-text>