GB2561675A

GB2561675A - A flood barrier

Info

Publication number: GB2561675A
Application number: GB1802594.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Thomas Connolly John
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-02-16
Filing date: 2018-02-16
Publication date: 2018-10-24
Anticipated expiration: 2038-02-16
Also published as: IE20180056A1; GB201802594D0; GB2561675B; GB201702535D0

Abstract

A removable flood barrier 1 for the temporary positioning across a doorway or other opening 3, the flood barrier having a panel 2 for upright orientation, in use. extending across or in the doorway or other opening. A deformable seal to press against the surfaces of a frame of the doorway or other opening the panel is to abut and a securing arrangement to secure the panel in or across the doorway or other opening with the seal compressed to make the seal watertight. The securing arrangement comprising an elongate member 8 attached to the panel securable between the two opposing uprights 5 of a frame of the doorway or other opening and an adjustable clamping member 9 for coupling the panel to a portion of a frame of the doorway or other opening. The adjustable clamping member is in operational engagement with the elongate member via an engagement arrangement, to clamp the panel to a portion of a frame of the doorway or other opening.

Description

(54) Title of the Invention: A flood barrier

Abstract Title: Temporary flood barrier for door or openings in domestic or commercial premises (57) A removable flood barrier 1 for the temporary positioning across a doorway or other opening 3, the flood barrier having a panel 2 for upright orientation, in use. extending across or in the doorway or other opening. A deformable seal to press against the surfaces of a frame of the doorway or other opening the panel is to abut and a securing arrangement to secure the panel in or across the doorway or other opening with the seal compressed to make the seal watertight. The securing arrangement comprising an elongate member 8 attached to the panel securable between the two opposing uprights 5 of a frame of the doorway or other opening and an adjustable clamping member 9 for coupling the panel to a portion of a frame of the doorway or other opening. The adjustable clamping member is in operational engagement with the elongate member via an engagement arrangement, to clamp the panel to a portion of a frame of the doorway or other opening.

Figure 1

1/2

Figure 1

212

7,8

Figure 2

A FLOOD BARRIER

The present invention relates to a moveable flood barrier for the temporary protection of doorways or other openings in domestic or commercial premises.

Due to periodic flooding of low lying areas during heavy rainfall and/or other uncontrollable discharges of water from rivers, lakes or the like there is a recognised requirement to protect both residential and commercial properties by the use of temporary flood barriers which are capable of sealing doorways, windows or other such openings io preventing the ingress of floodwater.

Traditionally when floodwater threatens a property a temporary barrier of sandbags is constructed at each doorway. Notwithstanding that the materials are readily available in this construction but the building of the sandbag barrier is cumbersome, time-consuming and involves heavy lifting. On occasions warnings, may not provide a sufficient timeframe to produce such a temporary barrier and these types of barriers are only effective in the shortterm and the barrier will fail during prolonged flooding. There have been multiple attempts to provide an easier deployment and more efficient flood barrier to protect both residential and commercial properties from rising floodwaters. These are either permanently or temporarily fixed to the relevant doorways or other such openings.

Conventional temporary flood barriers for doorways or other such openings generally require that the flood barrier be pre-prepared prior to fitting. This pre-preparation requires fixtures for example, upright channels or angle-brackets to be fitted to the opposite upright sides of an opening or a frame or an anchorage(s) to be fixed to the wall on each side of the respective opening. These fixtures are unsightly; especially when not in use.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a temporary flood barrier for doorways, windows or other such building openings to prevent the ingress of water during times of flooding through said doorways and openings which can be quickly and easily installed.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a removable flood barrier for the temporary positioning across a doorway or other opening, the flood barrier comprising:

a panel for upright orientation, in use, extending across or in the doorway or other opening, a deformable seal being provided on or proximal to the lower edge portion of the panel and on or proximal to each of two opposing upright edge portions, to press against the io surfaces of a frame of the doorway or other opening the panel is to abut, and securing means to secure the panel in or across the doorway or other opening with the seal compressed to make the seal watertight, the securing means comprising an elongate member attached to the panel securable between the two opposing uprights of a frame of the doorway or other opening and an adjustable clamping member for coupling the panel to a portion of a frame of the doorway or other opening, wherein, the adjustable clamping member is in operational engagement with the elongate member via engagement means, to clamp the panel to a portion of a frame of the doorway or other opening.

Ideally, the flood barrier comprises a plurality of securing means to secure the panel in or across the opening with the seal compressed to make the abutment watertight.

Preferably, the adjustable clamping member is in operational engagement with the elongate member via engagement means, to clamp the panel to a stop portion of a frame of 25 the doorway or other opening.

Ideally, the adjustable clamping member is in operational engagement with the elongate member via engagement means, to clamp the panel to a portion of a frame of the doorway or other opening protruding from the frame into the opening.

Preferably, the adjustable clamping member is in operational engagement with the elongate member via engagement means, to clamp the panel to a stop of the frame of the doorway or other opening.

Ideally, the adjustable clamping member is adjustable relative to the elongate member via engagement means.

Preferably, the elongate member and adjustable clamping member are attachable to opposing portions of the stop of the frame of the doorway or other opening for releasably clamping the flood barrier to the stop.

Ideally, a portion of the adjustable clamping member abuts with a portion of the stop io of the frame of the doorway or other opening.

Preferably, the adjustable clamping member extends across the doorway or other opening from one side of the frame of the doorway or other opening towards the opposite side of the frame.

Ideally, the adjustable clamping member is an elongate bar locatable to abut against 15 a portion of the stop of the frame of the doorway or other opening, the elongate bar being of a greater length than the width of the opening of the doorway or other opening between the two opposing frame members.

Preferably, the adjustable clamping member is a substantially flat bar locatable to abut against a portion of the stop of the frame of the doorway, the substantially flat bar being of a greater length than the width of the opening of the doorway or other opening between the two opposing frame members.

Ideally, the adjustable clamping member is an elongate and substantially flat bar locatable to abut against a portion of the stop of the frame of the doorway, the elongate and substantially flat bar being of a greater length than the width of the opening of the doorway or 25 other opening between the two opposing frame members.

Ideally, the elongate member extends across a substantial latitudinal length of the panel.

Preferably, the elongate member extends across the entire latitudinal length of the panel.

Ideally, the adjustable clamping member is movable relative to the elongate member. Preferably, the adjustable clamping member is movable relative to the elongate member via the engagement means.

Ideally, the adjustable clamping member is rotatable relative to the elongate member. Preferably, the adjustable clamping member is rotatable relative to the elongate member via the engagement means.

Ideally, the adjustable clamping member is configured for linear movement relative to io the elongate member via the engagement means.

Preferably, the adjustable clamping member and the elongate member are configured for movement towards and away from each other via the engagement means.

Preferably, the engagement means comprises a linear actuator for linear movement of the adjustable clamping member.

Ideally, the linear actuator comprises a screw-threaded element anchorable between the adjustable clamping member and the elongate member.

Preferably, the linear actuator comprises a screw-threaded element and bores locatable within both the adjustable clamping member and elongate member for receiving the screw-threaded elements.

Ideally, the bores located within the adjustable clamping member are through bores and the bores located within the elongate member are blind bores and/or through bores. Preferably, the through bores within the adjustable clamping member are correspondingly located with the bores within the elongate member when mounted in the doorway or other opening such that the screw-threaded elements can be inserted and pass 25 through the through bores of the adjustable clamping member and enter the bores of the elongate member.

Ideally, in use the panel of the flood barrier is placed into position within or extending across the frame of a doorway or other opening, the adjustable clamping member is positioned such that a portion of the adjustable clamping member abuts an opposing portion of the stop of the frame of the doorway or other opening relative to that of the elongate member, a screw-threaded element is passed through the through bore located within the adjustable clamping member into the correspondingly located bore within the elongate member the axial movement of the screw-threaded element translates to linear movement of the adjustable clamping member and/or elongate member such that the adjustable clamping member moves in a direction towards the elongate member and clamps the panel to a portion of the stop of the frame of doorway and other opening.

Preferably, the adjustable clamping member is detachably couplable to the elongate io member.

Ideally, the engagement means is configured to detachably couple the adjustable clamping member to and from the elongate member.

Preferably, in the installed/mounted position the adjustable clamping member is in alignment with the elongate member.

Ideally, the adjustable clamping member and the elongate member are vertically and horizontally aligned.

Preferably, the engagement means comprises quick release and attachment means.

Ideally, the quick release and attachment means comprises snap fit, press fit, click fit or any other quick release and attachment means.

Alternatively, the engagement means comprises screws, bolts, pins, studs or other mechanical fasteners.

Preferably, the elongate member comprises first and second plate members.

Ideally, the first and or second plate member are configured such that the first plate member is perpendicular to the second plate member.

Ideally, the first plate member or the second plate member is parallel to the main plane of the panel.

Preferably, the first plate member or second plate member extends perpendicular from the main plane of the panel in a direction away from the panel in a direction towards the adjustable clamping member when in use within a doorway or other opening. This angled elongate member increase the structural strength of the panel.

Ideally, the L-shaped configuration of the elongate member provides added rigidity and strength to the panel to resist the forces pressing against the panel from weight of a body of water.

Preferably, a reinforcing member is locatable between the door frames at or about the floor for supporting the base of the panel.

Advantageously, the reinforcing member is suitable for door frames without a threshold.

io Ideally, the panel is a water imperious panel.

Preferably, the panel is a rigid panel.

The skilled man will appreciate that all preferred or optional features of the invention described with reference to only some aspects or embodiments of the invention may be applied to all aspects of the invention.

It will be appreciated that optional features applicable to one aspect of the invention can be used in any combination, and in any number. Moreover, they can also be used with any of the other aspects of the invention in any combination and in any number. This includes, but is not limited to, the dependent claims from any claim being used as dependent claims for any other claim in the claims of this application.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing which shows by way of example only one embodiment of an apparatus in accordance with the invention.

Figure 1 is a detailed front view of the removeable flood barrier in the installed 25 position across a doorway.

Figure 2 is a rear view of the removeable flood barrier in the mounted position across a doorway prior to attachment to the stop of the frame of the doorway.

In the drawings, there is shown a removeable flood barrier indicated generally by the reference numeral 1 for the temporary positioning across a doorway or other opening. The flood barrier 1 having a panel 2 for upright orientation, in use, extending across or in the doorway or other opening 3 (see in particular figure 1), The flood barrier 1 further having a deformable seal (not shown) proximal to the lower edge portion 4 of the panel 2 and each of two opposing upright edge portions 5 of the panel 2, to press against the surfaces of the frame 6 of the doorway or other opening the panel 2 is to abut/ The flood barrier 1 further has a securing mechanism 7 to secure the panel 2 in or across the doorway of other opening 3 with the seal (not shown) compressed to make the seal watertight. The securing io mechanism 7 having an elongate member 8 attached to the panel 2 securable between the two opposing uprights of the frame 6 of the doorway or other opening 3 and an adjustable clamping member 9 for coupling the panel 2 to a portion of the frame 6 of the doorway or other opening 3. The adjustable clamping member 9 is in operational engagement with the elongate member 8 via engagement components 10, to clamp the panel 2 to a portion of the frame 6 of the doorway or other opening. It will be appreciated that the flood barrier 1 can have a plurality of securing mechanisms 7 to secure the panel 2 in or across the opening with the seal compressed to make the abutment watertight (see figure 2).

The adjustable clamping member 9 is in operational engagement with the elongate member 8 via the engagement components 10, to clamp the panel 2 to a stop 11 of the frame 6 of the doorway or other opening 3 and is adjustable relative to the elongate member via the engagement components 10. The elongate member 8 and adjustable clamping member 9 are attachable to opposing portions of the stop 11 of the frame 6 of the doorway or other opening 3 for releasably clamping the flood barrier 1 to the stop 11. A portion of the adjustable clamping member 9 abuts with a portion of the stop 11 of the frame 6 of the doorway or other opening 3. The adjustable clamping member 9 extends across the doorway or other opening 3 from one side of the frame 6 of the doorway or other opening towards the opposite side of the frame 6.

The adjustable clamping member 9 is an elongate and substantially flat bar locatable to abut against a portion 13 of the stop 11 of the frame 6 of the doorway or other opening 3. The elongate and substantially flat bar 9 being of a greater length than the width of the opening of the doorway or other opening 3 between the two opposing frame members 6. The elongate member 8 extends across the entire latitudinal length of the panel 2.

The adjustable clamping member 9 is movable relative to the elongate member 8 via the engagement components 10. The adjustable clamping member 9 is configured for linear movement relative to the elongate member 8 (towards and away from each other) via the engagement components. In embodiments not shown in the drawings the adjustable io clamping member 9 can also be rotatable relative to the elongate member 8.

The engagement components 10 have a linear actuator 14 for the linear movement of the adjustable clamping member 9. The linear actuator 14 is a screw-threaded element 15 anchorable between the adjustable clamping member 9 and the elongate member 8. and bores 16 locatable within both the adjustable clamping member 9 and elongate member 8 for receiving the screw-threaded elements 15. The bores 16 located within the adjustable clamping member 9 are through bores 17 and the bores 16 located within the elongate member 8 are blind bores and/or through bores 18. The through bores 17 within the adjustable clamping member 9 are correspondingly located with the bores 18 within the elongate member 8 when mounted in the doorway or other opening 3 such that the screw20 threaded elements 15 can be inserted and pass through the through bores 17 of the adjustable clamping member 9 and enter into the bores 18 of the elongate member 8.

In use the panel 2 of the flood barrier 1 is placed into position within or extending across the frame 6 of a doorway or other opening 3. The adjustable clamping member 9 is positioned such that a portion of the adjustable clamping member 9 abuts an opposing 25 portion of the stop 11 of the frame 6 of the doorway or other opening 3 relative to that of the elongate member 8. A screw-threaded element 15 is passed through the through bore 17 located within the adjustable clamping member 9 into the correspondingly located bore 18 within the elongate member 8. The axial movement of the screw-threaded element 15 translates to linear movement of the adjustable clamping member 9 and/or elongate member such that the adjustable clamping member 9 moves in a direction towards the elongate member 8 and clamps the panel 2 to a portion of the stop 11 of the frame 6 of doorway and other opening 3.

The adjustable clamping member 9 is detachably couplable to the elongate member and the engagement component 10 is configured to detachably couple the adjustable clamping member 9 to and from the elongate member 8. In the installed/mounted position (see figure 1) the adjustable clamping member 9 and the elongate member 8 are vertically and horizontally aligned.

io The engagement component 10 has snap fit, press fit, click fit quick release and attachment elements (not shown). Alternatively, as shown in the drawings, the engagement component 10 are screws, bolts, pins, studs or other mechanical fasteners.

The elongate member 8 has first 19 and second 20 plate members. The first plate member 19 extends perpendicular from the main plane of the panel 2 in a direction away from the panel 2 towards the adjustable clamping member 9 when in use within a doorway or other opening 3. This angled elongate member 8 increase the structural strength of the panel

2. The panel 2 is rigid and water imperious.

In relation to the detailed description of the different embodiments of the invention, it will be understood that one or more technical features of one embodiment can be used in combination with one or more technical features of any other embodiment where the transferred use of the one or more technical features would be immediately apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art to carry out a similar function in a similar way on the other embodiment.

In the preceding 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 the 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 features disclosed in the foregoing description or the following drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing a disclosed function, or a method or a process of attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may separately, or in any combination of such features be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A removable flood barrier for the temporary positioning across a doorway or other opening, the flood barrier comprising:

a panel for upright orientation, in use, extending across or in the doorway or other

5 opening, a deformable seal being provided on or proximal to the lower edge portion of the panel and on or proximal to each of two opposing upright edge portions, to press against the surfaces of a frame of the doorway or other opening the panel is to abut, and securing means to secure the panel in or across the doorway or other opening io with the seal compressed to make the seal watertight, the securing means comprising an elongate member attached to the panel securable between the two opposing uprights of a frame of the doorway or other opening and an adjustable clamping member for coupling the panel to a portion of a frame of the doorway or other opening,

15 wherein, the adjustable clamping member is in operational engagement with the elongate member via engagement means, to clamp the panel to a portion of a frame of the doorway or other opening.

2. A removable flood barrier as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flood barrier comprises a plurality of securing means to secure the panel in or across the opening with the seal

20 compressed to make the abutment watertight.

3. A removable flood barrier as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the adjustable clamping member is in operational engagement with the elongate member via engagement means, to clamp the panel to a stop portion of a frame of the doorway or other opening.

25

4. A removable flood barrier as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the adjustable clamping member is in operational engagement with the elongate member via engagement means, to clamp the panel to a portion of a frame of the doorway or other opening protruding from the frame into the opening.

5. A removable flood barrier as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the adjustable clamping member is in operational engagement with the elongate member via engagement means, to clamp the panel to a stop of the frame of the doorway or other opening.

6. A removable flood barrier as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the adjustable clamping member is adjustable relative to the elongate member via engagement means.

7. A removable flood barrier as claimed in claim 3 or claims 4 to 6 when dependent on claim 3, wherein the elongate member and adjustable clamping member are attachable to opposing portions of the stop of the frame of the doorway or other opening for releasably clamping the flood barrier to the stop.

8. A removable flood barrier as claimed in claim 3 or claims 4 to 7 when dependent on claim 3, wherein a portion of the adjustable clamping member abuts with a portion of the stop of the frame of the doorway or other opening.

9. A removable flood barrier as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the adjustable clamping member extends across the doorway or other opening from one side of the frame of the doorway or other opening towards the opposite side of the frame.

10. A removable flood barrier as claimed in claim 3 or claims 4 to 9 when dependent on claim 3, wherein the adjustable clamping member is an elongate bar locatable to abut against a portion of the stop of the frame of the doorway or other opening, the elongate bar being of a greater length than the width of the opening of the doorway or other opening between the two opposing frame members.

11. A removable flood barrier as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the elongate member extends across a substantial latitudinal length of the panel.

12. A removable flood barrier as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the adjustable clamping member is movable relative to the elongate member.

13. A removable flood barrier as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the adjustable clamping member is movable relative to the elongate member via the engagement means.

14. A removable flood barrier as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the adjustable clamping member is rotatable relative to the elongate member.

15. A removable flood barrier as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the adjustable clamping member is rotatable relative to the elongate member via the engagement means.

16. A removable flood barrier as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the adjustable clamping member is configured for linear movement relative to the elongate member via the engagement means.

17. A removable flood barrier as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the adjustable clamping member and the elongate member are configured for movement towards and away from each other via the engagement means.

18. A removable flood barrier as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the engagement means comprises a linear actuator for linear movement of the adjustable clamping member.

19. A removable flood barrier as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the adjustable clamping member is detachably couplable to the elongate member.

20. A removable flood barrier as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the engagement means is configured to detachably couple the adjustable clamping member to and from the elongate member.

21. A removable flood barrier as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein in the installed/mounted position the adjustable clamping member is in alignment with the elongate member.

22. A removable flood barrier as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the adjustable clamping member and the elongate member are vertically and horizontally aligned.

23. A removable flood barrier as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the engagement means comprises quick release and attachment means.

24. A removable flood barrier as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the elongate member comprises first and second plate members.

5

25. A removable flood barrier as claimed in claim 24, wherein the first and or second plate member are configured such that the first plate member is perpendicular to the second plate member.

26. A removable flood barrier as claimed in claim 24 or 25, wherein the first plate member or the second plate member is parallel to the main plane of the panel.

io

27. A removable flood barrier as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a reinforcing member is locatable between the door frames at or about the floor for supporting the base of the panel.

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: GB1802594.0 Examiner: Mr Haydn Gupwell