GB2536639A

GB2536639A - A flood protection barrier and method of sealing an opening against flood water

Info

Publication number: GB2536639A
Application number: GB1504844.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stone Marcus
Original assignee: FLOOD PROOF Ltd
Current assignee: FLOOD PROOF Ltd
Priority date: 2015-03-23
Filing date: 2015-03-23
Publication date: 2016-09-28
Also published as: GB201504844D0

Abstract

A flood protection barrier comprising first (22, Fig. 2), second (32, Fig. 2) and third (50, Fi.g 6) gasket portions; a biasing mechanism 18; and a barrier member between the gaskets. The gaskets engage first, second and third interior parts of an opening respectively; the second part opposite the first and the third located between them. The biasing mechanism biases the first and second gaskets away from each other to seal against the interior parts. The gaskets comprising a water-swellable elastomer material comprising particles of water absorbent material embedded in an elastomer matrix. The water-swellable elastomer material may further comprise water-soluble material embedded in the matrix. There may be a second biasing means 20 for sealing the third gasket against the third interior part. The barrier member may comprise a flat panel 2 and the second and third gaskets may be retractable and extendable in the plane of the panel.

Description

A FLOOD PROTECTION BARRIER AND METHOD OF SEALING AN OPENING AGAINST FLOOD WATER

The present invention relates generally to a flood protection barrier and a method of sealing an opening against flood water and finds particular, although not exclusive, utility in sealing doonvays in domestic and/or commercial buildings against ingress of water.

Flood waters can cause considerable damage to houses and other buildings. Often, even though flood waters may only be up to 50-60cm deep, they can flood the ground floors of buildings. One known procedure for protecting houses is to use a flood-proof panel across external doorways. Typically, these are inserted into a frame affixed either side of a door, often in the door reveal. However, such permanently installed frames for receiving panels are unsightly during times when they are not necessary. It is therefore desirable to have a temporary solution to flooding, where a complete flood panel may be temporarily used to seal an external doorway, and when removed leaves no indication that it had been there. In addition, it is desirable to have a re-usable barrier with no sacrificial parts or components, such that installation and removal of die barrier may be carried out if niltiple times, for instance for demonstration and training purposes, or as a precaution, without cost overheads.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a flood protection barrier for sealing an opening against flood water, the barrier comprising: a first gasket for engaging with a first interior part of the opening; a second gasket for engaging with a second interior part of the opening opposing the first interior part; a first biasing mechanism for biasing the first and second gaskets away from each other to seal against the first and second interior parts of the opening, respectively; a third gasket for engaging with a third interior part of the opening located between the first and second interior parts; and a barrier member extending between the first, second and third gaskets such that, in use, a portion of the opening bounded by the first, second and third interior parts thereof is substantially sealed against ingress of water; wherein at least one of the first, second and third gasket comprises a water-swellable dastomer material comprising particles of water-absorbent material embedded within an dastomer matrix, the watenswellable elastomer material configured to swell in size in response to absorption of water by the water-absorbent material.

In this way, the barrier may be installed into an opening, in particular a rectangular opening such as a doorway, by placing the first gasket against one side of the opening, and extending the second gasket away from the first gasket to engage with an opposite side of the opening (e.g. in the door reveal). The third gasket may then be biased toward a base of the opening (e.g. the doorstep). In this way, the opening may be substuatially sealed. In addition, as flood waters reach the doorway, the gaskets are caused to swell, thereby filling any small openings around the periphery of the barrier that were not sealed merely by biasing the gaskets. Once the flood waters subside, the gaskets may contract, giving up their stored water, and the biasing mechanisms may be released, such that the barrier may be removed from the doorway.

The water-swellable elastomer material may be configured to swell by at least 20% in volume or linear extent in response to absorption of water by the water-absorbent material, in particular by at least 25%, 30%, 35% or 40%.

The water-swellable elastomer material may be configured to contract in size in response to release of water from the water-absorbent material.

The water-swellable elastomer material may comprise between 3% and 40% by weight of water-absorbent material, in particular between 5% and 30%, more particularly between 10% and 25%.

The particles of water-absorbent material may have a lateral dimension of up to 500 micro-meters, in particular up to 400 micro-meters, more particularly up to 300 micro-meters.

The water-absorbent material may comprise a water-absorbent resin. In particular, the water-absorbent material may comprise cross-linked polyarrylate resin, for instance cross-linked porous sodium polyarrylate; however other materials are also contemplated.

The water-absorbent material may be configured to absorb at least 10 times its weight in water, in particular at least 15 times, more particularly at least 20 times or 25 times.

The water-swellable elastomer material may further comprise particles ofwater-soluble material embedded within the elastomer matrix.

The water-soluble material may comprise a water-soluble resin. In particular, the water-soluble material may comprise a polyethylene-oxide, for instance polyethylene glycol or polyoxyethylene.

The water-swellable elastomer material may comprise between 10% and 60% by weight of water-soluble material, in particular between 20% and 50%, more particularly between 30% and 40%.

The water-swellable elastomer material may be substantially homogeneous. The water-absorbent material and/or the water-soluble material may be uniformly dispersed within the elastomer matrix.

The elastomer may comprise silicone. Alternatively or additionally the elastomer may comprise rubber, synthetic rubber or any other form of elastic material.

The water-swellable elastomer material may be a non-foaming material, specifically it may not be a foam. In particular, the water-swellable elastomer material may not be a polyurethane foam, it may not be applied to the interior parts of an opening in a pre-polymer state, and/or may not cure after being applied to the interior parts of the opening, and/or it may not cure upon contact with water to form, for example, a stable foam. In contrast, the water-swellable nature of the water-swell/able elastomer material may he reversible.

The first, second and third gaskets may he portions of a single gasket extending around a perimeter of the barrier member.

The barrier may comprise a second biasing mechanism for biasing the third gasket toward the third interior part of the opening, to seal against the third interior part of the opening.

The barrier member may comprise a substantially flat panel, for instance comprising composite material, fibreglass, carbon fibre, steel, plywood or any other suitable substantially rigid material. The panel may comprise reinforcing components for increasing rigidity and/or strength of the panel. In other embodiments, the barrier 25 member may comprise a fluid impermeable membrane and a support frame therefore; the membrane may comprise, for instance a stretchable material such as neoprene. The barrier member may comprises a substantially flat panel, the substantially flat panel having the first gasket provided along a first edge thereof and the second gasket provided along a second edge thereof, opposite the first edge. The second gasket may be linearly movable relative to panel within a plane of the panel, between a first retracted position in which the first gasket and second gasket are substantially parallel and spaced from each other by a first distance, and a first extended position in which the first gasket and second gasket are substantially parallel and spaced from each other by a second distance larger than the first distance.

The flat panel may have the third gasket provided along a third edge thereof, the third edge extending substantially between the first and second edges, the third gasket being linearly movable relative to the panel within the plane of the panel, between a second retracted position in which the first gasket and third gasket are substantially at right angles and spaced from one another by a third distance, and a second extended position in which the first gasket and third gasket are substantially at right angles and spaced from one another by a fourth distance larger than the third distance.

The first, second and third gaskets may be substantially linear; that is, having a length that is substantially greater than a width and a depth thereof. For instance, the length of the respective gasket may be at least four, five, six or seven times its width and its depth.

Movement of the second and/or third gasket with respect to the panel is achieved by virtue of the first and/or second biasing mechanisms, respectively. The biasing mechanisms may be any form of mechanism for moving the gaskets in a direction perpendicular to their respective lengths. in particular, the biasing inechanistri(s) if lay be configured for such movement. For instance, the biasing mechanism(s) may be any form of mechanical drive including devices such as a screw thread or ratchet. In particular, the biasing mechanism may be a mechanism that is commonly used in caulking guns (e.g. as described in US4356938 and/or U84461407), C-or C-clamps, including quick-release clamps, and/or a mechanical jack (e.g. a jackscrew or a housejack). the biasing mechanism(s) may have a release control, for instance a quick-release control, as is well known in the art.

The second and/or third gasket may be arranged to be movable along the respective second and/or third edge of the panel.

in this way, fine adjustment of the gasket(s) may be permitted.

The flood protection barrier may further comprise at least one channel provided along a respective edge of the panel, and in which a respective one of the gaskets may be housed to be movable from its retracted position to its extended position in which it projects from an open side of the channel.

In its retracted position, the gasket may be entirely within the channel, to prevent damage to the gasket, for instance during storage. However, in other embodiments, the gasket may only be partially withdrawn into the channel.

The channel may be a trough. The channel may have a length substantially equal to the length of its respective gasket. The channel may have a width that is substantially equal to the width of its respective gasket, and may be bounded by at least one wall. The at least one wall may be substantially coplanar with a major surface of the substantially flat panel. in some embodiments, the channel may have two walls bounding the width of the channel. The channel may have a depth, in a direction away from the panel, and an open side located away from panel.

In some embodiment, the first gasket is also movable in a similar way to the second gasket. This may enable the first gasket to be withdrawn into its respective trough for safe storage.

At least one gasket is coupled to the panel by a respective substantially rigid support structure.

At least one of the support structures may be linearly movable with respect to the panel, to enable movement of the respective gasket thereto.

The respective support structure is pivotally connected to the panel about an axis parallel to the respective edge of the panel.

The flood protection barrier may have a height of between approximately 50cm and im, for instance 55cm and 90cm, more particularly 60cm and 80cm, for instance approximately 65, 70 or 80cm.

The flood protection barrier may have a depth of between approximately 15mm and 35mm, in particular 20mm and 30mm, more particularly approximately 25mm.

The flood protection barrier may have a retracted width of between approximately 70cm and 1.1m, in particular between approximately 80cm and 1m, more particularly approximately 90cm. in alternative embodiments, the flood protection barrier may have a retracted width of between approximately 1 m and 2.5m, in particular between approximately 1.8111 and 2.4m, more particularly approximately 2111 to 2.1m.

The flood protection barrier may have a maximum extended width of at least approximately 80cm, 85cm, 90cm, 95cm, itn, 1.05m, 1.1m, 1.15m or 1.2m. In alternative embodiments, the flood protection barrier may have a maximum extended width of at least 1.5m, 2m, 2.2na, 2.5m or 3m.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of scaling an opening against flood water, comprising the steps of: providing a Hood protection barrier according to the first aspect; engaging the first gasket with a first interior part of the opening; biasing the first and second gaskets away from each other to engage the second gasket with a second interior part of the opening opposing the first interior part, thereby sealing the first and second gaskets against the first and second interior parts of the opening, respectively; biasing the third gasket toward a third interior part of the opening located between the first and second interior parts to engage the third gasket with the third interior part of the opening, thereby sealing the third gasket against the third interior part of the opening; and causing the water-swellahle elastomer material to swell in size, thereby substantially sealing a portion of the opening bounded by the first, second and third interior parts thereof In some procedures, the gaskets may be pre-wetted before installation, and/or may be pre-wetted after installation but prior to arrival of flood waters to ensure that a robust seal is provided.

The above and other characteristics, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. This description is given for the sake of example only, without limiting the scope of the invention. The reference figures quoted below refer to the attached drawings.

Figure 1 is a rear perspective view of a barrier.

Figure 2 is a top view of the barrier in a pre-installation state in a doorway. Figure 3 is a top view of the barrier in an installed state in a doorway.

Figure 4 is a top view of the barrier with its gaskets swelled by contact with water.

Figure 5 is a front view of the barrier in a pre-installation state in a doorway. Figure 6 is a front view of the barrier in an installed state in a doorway.

Figure 7 is a front view of the barrier with its gaskets swelled by contact with water.

The present inventioti will be described with respect to certain drawings but the invention is not limited thereto but only by the claims. The drawings described are only schematic and are non-limiting. Each drawing may not include all of the features of the invention and therefore should not necessarily be considered to be an embodiment of the invention. Tn the drawings, the size of some of the elements may be exaggerated and not drawn to scale for illustrative purposes. The dimensions and the relative dimensions do not correspond to actual reductions to practice of the invention.

Furthermore, the terms first, second, third and the like in the description and in the claims, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking or in any other manner. It is to be understood that the terms so used arc interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that operation is capable in other sequences than described or illustrated herein.

Moreover, the terms top, bottom, over, under and the like in the description and the claims are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing relative positions. It is to be understood that the tetras so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that operation is capable in other orientations than described or illustrated herein.

Tt is to be noticed that the term "comprising", used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being restricted to the means listed thereafter; it does not exclude other elements or steps. It is thus to be interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated features, integers, steps or components as referred to, but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps or components, or groups thereof. Thus, the scope of the expression "a device comprising means A and B" should not be limited to devices consisting only of components A and B. It means that with respect to the present invention, the only relevant components of the device are A and B. Reference throughout this specification to "an embodiment" or ccan aspect" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or aspect is included in at least one embodiment or aspect of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment", "in an embodiment", or "in an aspect" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment or aspect, but may refer to different embodiments or aspects. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics of any embodiment or aspect of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments or aspects.

Similarly, it should be appreciated that in the description various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspect. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Moreover, the description of any individual drawing or aspect should not necessarily be considered to be an embodiment of the invention. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in fewer than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the detailed description are hereby expressly incorporated into this detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

Furthermore, while sonic embodiments described herein include some features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form yet further embodiments, as will be understood by those skilled in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodinlents cart be used in ally combination.

Tn the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth.

TIowever, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practised without these specific details. In other instinces, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description.

In the discussion of the invention, unless stated to the contrary, the disclosure of alternative values for the upper or lower limit of the permitted range of a parameter, coupled with an indication that one of said values is more highly preferred than the other, is to be construed as an implied statement that each intermediate value of said parameter, lying between the more preferred and the less preferred of said alternatives, is itself preferred to said less preferred value and also to each value lying between said less preferred value and said intermediate value.

The use of the term "at least one" may mean only one in certain circumstances. The principles of the invention will now be described by a detailed description of at least one drawing relating to exemplary features of the invention. It is clear that other arrangements can be configured according to the knowledge of persons skilled in the art without departing from the underlying concept or technical teaching of the invention, the invention being limited only by the terms of the appended claims.

Figure 1 is a rear perspective view of a first flood protection barrier. The barrier comprises a substantially flat panel 2 having a rectangular shape, and being sized to fit within a door reveal of a typical exterior door. The panel 2 is provided with a support frame, comprising a top 4, base 6, left side 8 (shown to the right in the figure), right side 10 (shown to the left in the figure) and a structural support 12 extending between the top 4 and base 6. An open-ended trough or channel 14 is provided along the right side 10 with its ends respectively adjacent to the top 4 and the bottom 6 of the frame, and having a width extending across the depth of the frame, a length extending substantially the full height of the panel and a depth from its open side that is within a factor of two of the width. One side wall of the trough 14 is substantially coplanar with the panel 2, and may be integrally formed therewith. The base of the trough 14 may be formed by the right side 10 of the frame.

A water-swellable material 16 is provided around a portion of the perimeter of the frame, in particular extending along the full right side 10, the base 6 and the left side 8 in a continuous strip. The water-swellable material 16 is provided as 21 single piece of substantially uniform semi-circular cross-section, with its flat side coupled to the frame.

The water-swellable material 16 is coupled to the left side 8 directly, for instance by gluing/adhesive. However, in alternative arrangements, the water-swellable material 16 may be shaped with an interlocking profile to engage with the frame, such as having a portion of the cross-section that is a '1-shape, for engaging with a '1-slot on the frame. In further alternative embodiments, the water-swellable material 16 may be mechanically coupled to the frame by, for instance, bolts or screws.

The water-swellable material 16 is coupled to the right side 10 via a movable support plate (not shown). The movable support plate may be substantially flat and may he movable in and out of the trough 14 (in a direction out the open side of the trough 14) such that the water-swellable material 16 may be moved outward from the centre of the panel 2. One or more extension mechanisms 18 of any suitable form may be provided to move the support plate and thereby the water-swellable material 16 outward. In the present embodiment, the mechanism 18 used in a quick-release clamp is shown. For instance, the mechanism 18 could comprise a ratchet rod; that is, a serrated push rod that ratchets its way down with a thrust ratio of approximately 5:1. Alternatively, the mechanism 18 may comprise a smooth rod, with a thrust ration of approximately 10:1, in which the rod passes through a hole in a spring-loaded metal plate, which locks the rod in position via friction. When movement of the rod is desired (for instance, when releasing the rod or when moving the support plate out), the spring-loaded metal plate can be released from gripping the rod by applying pressure thereto. The water-swellable material 16 is coupled to the bottom 6 via a movable foot (not shown). The movable foot may be substantially the same as the movable support plate; however, the drive mechanism 20 shown in the figure is substantially different, as will be discussed below.

in operation, the barrier would be placed in a doorway with the water-swellable material 16 on the base 6 in contact with the threshold/step/sill, and the water-swellable material 16 on the left side 8 in contact with one side of the door reveal. The waterswellable material 16 on the right side 10 may then be moved out of the trough 14 to engage with an opposing side of the door reveal. in some installations, this would be sufficient however, it is preferred that the water-swellable material 16 on the sill be urged down to form a more robust seal.

The drive mechanism 20 comprises two threaded components mounted on the base 6 that, when rotated, move the foot downward toward the sill. in particular, the threaded components are received in co-operatively threaded holes in the base 6, such that rotation thereof results in axial movement through the base 6. the threaded components are rotatably coupled to the foot, such that rotrtion of the threaded components does not result in rotation of the foot. in addition, in preferred embodiments, the threaded components may be coupled to the foot by a ball joint or other similar joint that allows rotation between the threaded components and the foot about at least two non-parallel axes. In this way, the foot is permitted to pivot about an axis parallel to the plane of the panel 2, and parallel to the base 6. In this way, the foot may help form a tight seal with a door sill having a slope.

The water-swellable material 16 comprises elastic material, which enables it to stretch around the corner between the support plate and the foot, particularly when they have been moved out away from the panel.

Figures 2-4 show the operation of a second flood protection barrier in a pre-installation state in a doorway, viewed from above.

In figure 2, the barrier is shown in its contracted state, with a first gasket 22 retracted into a channel 24 along a first side of a panel 26. The first gasket 22 is mounted on a movable plate 28 located at the base of the channel 24. The first gasket 22 is spaced from a first side 30 of a door reveal. A second gasket 32 is provided on a second side of the panel 26 opposite the first side, and is placed in contact with a second side 34 of the door reveal.

Figure 3 shows the movable plate 28 having been moved out of the channel 24 so that the first gasket 22 contacts the first side 30 of the door reveal.

Figure 4 shows the first 22 and second 32 gaskets having swelled due to contact 10 with water (not shown), thereby forming a robust seal with the first 30 and second 34 sides of the door reveal against further water penetration.

Figures 5-7 show the operation of the second flood protection barrier viewed from in front.

Figure 5 shows the barrier located in a doorway, having a sill 34, a first side 36 and a second side 38. The barrier comprises a panel 40 with a first gasket 42 fixed to a first side thereof. The barrier is shown with the first gasket 42 in contact with the first side 38. The barrier is also shown with its lower edge spaced from this sill 34 for illustrative purposes only. In use, the barrier would be placed on the sill 34. jflue dotted line 46 illustrates the location of channels in the panel's base and second side opposite the first side.

Figure 6 shows the barrier with a second gasket 48 and a third gasket 50 moved out of their respective channels 46 by mechanical adjustment means (not shown) to engage the second side 38 and the sill 34. In this embodiment, the first 42, second 48 and third 50 gaskets are shown as individual components; however, in alternative embodiments, a single gasket strip is envisaged, as in figure 1. In this arrangement, a seal is made with the doorway; however, gaps 52, 54 are present between the gaskets 42, 48, 50.

Figure 7 shows the gaskets 42, 48, 50 having swelled after contact with water, eliminating the gaps 52, 54, and thereby sealing the doorway with the harrier against further ingress of water.

Claims

CLABIS1. A flood protection barrier for scaling an opening against flood water, the barrier comprising: a first gasket portion for engaging with a first interior part of the opening; a second gasket portion for engaging with a second interior part of the opening opposing the first interior part; a first biasing mechanism for biasing the first and second gasket portions away from each other to seal against the first and second interior parts of the opening, respectively; a third gasket portion for engaging with a third interior part of the opening located between the first and second interior parts; and a bather member extending between the first, second and third gasket portions such that, in use, a portion of the opening bounded by the first, second and third interior parts thereof is substantially scaled against ingress of water; wherein at least one of the first, second and third gasket portion comprises a waterswellable elastomer material comprising particles of water-absorbent material embedded within an elastomer matrix, the water-swellable clastorner material configured to swell in size in response to absorption of water by the water-absorbent material.
2. The flood protection barrier of claim 1, wherein the water-swellable elastomer material is configured to contract in size in response to release of water from the water-absorbent material.
3. The flood protection barrier of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the water-swellahle elastomer material further comprises particles of water-soluble material embedded within the elastomer matrix.
4. The Hood protection barrier of any preceding claim, further comprising a second biasing mechanism for biasing the third gasket portion toward the third interior part of the opening, to seal against the third interior part of the opening.
3. The flood protection barrier of any preceding claim, wherein the barrier member comprises a substantially flat panel, the substantially flat panel having the first gasket portion provided along a first edge thereof and the second gasket portion provided along a second edge thereof, opposite the first edge, the second gasket portion being linearly movable relative to panel within a plane of the panel, between a first retracted position in which the first gasket portion and second gasket portion are substantially parallel and spaced from each other by a first distance, and a first extended position in which the first gasket portion and second gasket portion are substantially parallel and spaced from each other by a second distance larger than the first distance.
6. The flood protection barrier of claim 5, wherein the flat panel has the third gasket portion provided along a third edge thereof, the third edge extending substantially between the first and second edges, the third gasket portion being linearly movable relative to the panel within the plane of the panel, between a second retracted position in which the first gasket portion and third gasket portion arc substantially at right angles and spaced from one another by a third distance, and a second extended position in which the first gasket portion and third gasket portion are substantially at right angles and spaced from onc another by a fourth distance.
7. The flood protection barrier of claim 4, wherein the second and/or third gasket portion may be arranged to be movable along the respective second and/or third edge of the panel.
8. The flood protection harrier of any one of claims 5 to 7, further comprising at least one channel provided along a respective edge of the panel, and in which a respective one of the gasket portions is housed to be movable from its retracted position to its extended position in which it projects from an open side of the channel.
9 The flood protection barrier of claim any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein at least one gasket portion is coupled to the panel by a respective substantially rigid support structure.
10. The flood protection barrier of claim 9, wherein the respective support structure is pivotally connected to the panel about an axis parallel to the respective edge of the panel.
11. A method of sealing an opening against flood water, comprising the steps of providing a flood protection barrier according to any preceding claim; engaging the first gasket portion with a first interior part of the opening; biasing the first and second gasket portions away from each other to engage the second gasket portion with a second interior part of the opening opposing the first interior part, thereby sealing the first and second gasket portions against the first and second interior parts of the opening, respectively; biasing the third gasket portion toward a third interior part of the opening located between the first and second interior parts to engage the third gasket portion with the third interior part of the opening, thereby sealing the third gasket portion against the third interior part of the opening; and causing the water-swellable clastomer material to swell in size, thereby substantially sealing a portion of the opening bounded by the first, second and third interior parts thereof.
12. A flood protection barrier substantially as herei thefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.