GB2570106A

GB2570106A - Flood defence barrier with guide posts

Info

Publication number: GB2570106A
Application number: GB1800033.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kelly Frank
Original assignee: Lismore Securities Ltd
Current assignee: Lismore Securities Ltd
Priority date: 2018-01-02
Filing date: 2018-01-02
Publication date: 2019-07-17
Also published as: WO2019134790A1; GB201800033D0

Abstract

A flood defence barrier comprises a plurality of dam members 1 arranged substantially end to end and configured to rise in the event of a flood and to fall when the flood recedes. A guide post 5 is positioned between adjoining ends of a pair of the dam members and is connected to each thereof so as to form a watertight joint. The guide post is slidably mounted within a hollow shaft 11 for upward and downward movement as the guide post rises and falls with the dam members.

Description

FLOOD DEFENCE BARRIER WITH GUIDE POSTS

This invention relates to a flood defence barrier incorporating guide posts.

Flood defence barriers, and in particular self-activating flood defence barriers, are well known and generally comprise a dam member which rises from ground level as flood water rises and retracts back to ground level as flood water falls. Such a flood defence barrier is known from, for example, EP2354326. The dam member may be capable of floating and/or may be raised by means of an inflatable air bag or other lifting means positioned beneath the dam member.

A problem associated with such flood defence barriers is that, in order to provide a flood defence barrier of any length, adjacent dam members require to be interconnected in a watertight manner. This is conventionally achieved by engaging the dam members with end posts. For example, in EP2354326 the end posts are in the form of shaped end-of-travel profiles at each end of the dam member such that the dam member rises up into the profile and seals with a flange provided on the profile to form a watertight seal. The end posts are permanent fixtures and, not only do they detract from the aesthetic appearance of the location of the flood barrier, but they are vulnerable to vandalism, require maintenance to ensure they are in working order to seal effectively with the dam member, and may in any event not work effectively due to the possibility that flood debris may prevent the dam member sealing with the end post.

-2It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a flood defence barrier with guide posts which overcomes, or at least ameliorates, the above problems.

According to the present invention there is provided a flood defence barrier comprising:

a plurality of dam members arranged substantially end to end and configured to rise in the event of a flood and to fall when the flood recedes;

a guide post positioned between adjoining ends of a pair of dam members and connected to each thereof so as to form a watertight joint; and a hollow shaft within which the guide post is slidably mounted for upward and downward movement as the guide post rises and falls with the dam members.

The guide post may be provided with flange members for connection to the dam members. Theflange members may extend in substantially opposing directions. Alternatively, the flange members may be at an angle other than 180 degrees to each other.

The flanges may be offset to one side relative to the axis of the guide post and hollow shaft. For example, the flanges may be offset away from that side of the barrier adapted to be exposed to flood water.

-3Lifting means, such as a hydraulic ram, may be positioned within the assembly of the guide post and hollow shaft for raising and lowering the barrier.

The hollow shaft may be positioned between, or integrated into, chambers for accommodating the adjoining dam members. The hollow shaft may be closed at its lower end. The hollow shaft may have a laterally extending generally horizontal flange at the upper end thereof configured to be positioned in use substantially at ground level. A gasket, for example of polymeric material such as a rubber, may be mounted on or in the flange to contact the guide post and provide a watertight seal between the top of the hollow shaft and the guide post. An upper region of the hollow shaft, including the lateral flange and/or gasket where provided, may be formed with slits for accommodating the flange members of the guide post.

A seal may be provided between each flange member and the dam member to which it is connected.

The guide post may be provided with a cover. The guide post may be configured such that the cover is positioned in use at ground level when the dam members and the guide post are in a lowered configuration.

The inner surface of the hollow shaft and/or the outer surface of the guide post may be provided with a low friction coating to facilitate upward and downward movement of the guide post within the hollow shaft.

-4The guide post and hollow shaft may be of square, circular or oval cross section.

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, byway of example, to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of part of a self-activating flood defence barrier;

Figure 2 shows part of a flood defence barrier according to the present invention;

Figure 3 shows one embodiment of a hollow shaft for receiving a post forming part of a flood defence barrier according to the present invention;

Figure 4 shows one embodiment of a post for use with the shaft shown in Figure 3;

Figure 5 shows the shaft and post of Figures 3 and 4 with the post in a lowered configuration;

Figure 6 shows the shaft and post of Figures 3 and 4 with the post in a raised configuration;

-5Figure 7 shows another embodiment of a hollow shaft for receiving a post forming part of a flood defence barrier according to the present invention;

Figure 8 shows an embodiment of a post for use with the shaft shown in Figure 7;

Figure 9 shows the shaft and post of Figures 7 and 8 with the post in a lowered configuration;

Figure 10 shows the shaft and post of Figures 7 and 8 with the post in a raised configuration; and

Figure 11 is a transverse cross-sectional view corresponding to Figure 10.

The self-activating flood defence barrier shown in Figure 1 comprises a chamber formed between a first side wall 23 and a second side wall 25 and an inlet/outlet (not shown). A dam member 1 is arranged in the chamber 21 and is movable upwardly and downwardly dependent upon the level of water in the chamber. The dam member may have a number of configurations and may be asymmetrical as shown in Figure 1 or symmetrical. The dam member includes an upright wall 27 for preventing flow of water into a region behind the barrier and at least one inclined surface 29 for engaging with at least one complementary inclined surface 31 formed in an upper region of the chamber and causing the width of the chamber to narrow such that the inclined surfaces of the dam member and chamber engage when the dam member is deployed. In the embodiment of Figure 1, a single support block 33 is arranged on the first side wall 23 of the chamber 21 and has a single inclined surface 31 which engages with inclined surface 29 of a blocking element 35 which extends to one side of the dam member 1 for limiting upward movement of the dam member. Due to the orientation of the inclined surface 31 of the support block 33 of the chamber 21, the blocking element 35 of the dam member 1 is forced to move sideways and thus a lateral force is created which urges the dam member 1 against the second side wall 25 of the chamber. Alternative arrangements include the provision of a support block 33 on both side walls 23 and 25 to engage with inclined surfaces on both sides of the dam member 1 or walls that taper substantially over the entire height thereof.

The external faces of the chamber 21 are provided with reinforcing ribs 37 which both stiffen the chamber and facilitate securing the chamber in the ground. Endmost reinforcing ribs 37 of a chamber 21 are formed with apertures 39 (two such apertures being shown in Figure 1, but a greater number of apertures is provided in practice) to enable adjoining chambers to be secured together, for example with nuts and bolts, to form a longer barrier. It should be noted that alternative securing means may be provided, such as a threaded pin on one chamber and a corresponding aperture on an adjacent chamber to allow the chambers to be connected with nuts. A seal is arranged between adjoining reinforcing ribs of attached chambers.

-7 An inverted tray 39 is provided internally along the base of the chamber 21 and allows debris or the like to pass through or around the tray and to collect at the bottom of the chamber where it is less likely to interfere with operation of the barrier. Services may also pass beneath the tray 39 if desired. A number of air bags 41 are positioned in the chamber 21 between the inverted tray 39 and the dam member 1. An air transfer pipe 43 passes through a seal (not shown) in the side of the chamber to a (high pressure) pump/compressor 45 provided in a watertight chamber 47 at the top of the chamber 21, for example in one end of the support block 33 as shown in Figure 1, or between adjacent reinforcing ribs 37. Two adjoining reinforcing ribs may be provided with a cover (not shown) to protect the air transfer pipe 43. One or more access panels (not shown) may be provided to allow access to the pump/compressor 45 and /or the air transfer pipe 43 for maintenance or other purposes. The pump/compressor may be operated by switch means (not shown), for example by a manual switch or by a sensor which determines that the dam member needs to be moved. More than one air bag is preferred, for example three air bags, for each chamber because failure of one air bag will still permit the dam member to be raised or lowered using the remaining air bags, but a single air bag may be provided if desired. The air bags may be connected to the pump/compressor either individually or collectively.. The pump/compressor is preferably connected to a supply of mains electricity, but in case of a power failure may additionally be connected to, or in remote locations may alternatively be connected to, a generator and/or to a solar panel power supply and/or to a rechargeable battery.

-8The dam member 1 is generally constructed to float in water such that the barrier automatically rises in the event of a flood and falls as the flood water recedes. The air bags allow for raising and lowering the dam member for the purposes of servicing and maintenance of the barrier, when there is no flood water to raise the dam member, but can alternatively be used either to raise and lower the dam member in the event of a flood or to provide a backup in the event the dam member should become jammed and be unable to rise automatically as the flood water rises.

Figure 2 shows part of a flood defence barrier including adjoining dam members 1 which are able to rise above ground level 3 in the event of a flood and to fall back once the flood water recedes, for example as described above. Details, such as a chamber or concrete basin in which each dam member is received and the means by which the dam member rises and falls, are well known, inter alia from Figure 1 and the above-mentioned EP2354326, and need not be set out herein.

A guide post 5 is positioned between each adjoining pair of dam members 1 and is provided with flange members 7 which, in the illustrated embodiment, extend in substantially opposing directions. One flange member is secured to the end of a dam member in a watertight manner, for example by means of a seal (not shown) between the flange and the dam member and threaded fastening (also not shown) which pass through openings 9 provided in each of the flange members.

-9The guide post is slidably mounted in a hollow shaft 11 which is positioned within the ground, for example positioned between, or integrated into, the chambers of two adjoining dam members. The shaft 11 may be closed at its lower end and has a laterally extending generally horizontal flange 13 at the upper end of the shaft and positioned substantially at ground level. A gasket 15, for example of polymeric material such as a rubber, is mounted in the flange 13 and contacts the guide post to provide a watertight seal between the top of the shaft 11 and the guide post 5 so as to prevent water and debris entering the shaft or passing through the barrier. As will be explained hereinafter, the upper region of the shaft, including the lateral flange 13 and gasket 15, is formed with slits for accommodating the flange members 7 of the guide post 5.

The guide post 5 is provided with a cover 17, or finishing plate, which is positioned at ground level when the dam members and the post are in their lowered configuration. Thus, in this configuration no part of the flood defence barrier is above ground level and therefore does not present any hazards to pedestrians or vehicles while providing an aesthetic appearance to the region of the flood defence barrier. The arrangement of the present invention also improves sealing between the dam members and the guide post, reduces the risk of damage to the posts and reduces the need for regular maintenance of the posts.

-10The inner surface of the hollow shaft 11 and the outer surface of the guide post 5 may be provided with a low friction coating to facilitate upward and downward movement of the guide post within the shaft.

An embodiment of the shaft and post assembly is shown in Figures 3 to 6. As illustrated, the post 5 and shaft 11 are of square section although they may have other cross-sections such as circular or oval. Moreover, the flanges 13 may have configurations other than the configuration shown in Figures 3 to 6. For example, the flanges may be offset to one side relative to the axis of the post and shaft with slits 19 in the shaft 11, lateral flange 13 and gasket 15 being correspondingly offset from the axis of the shaft. Such an arrangement allows the flanges to be positioned against the land (dry) side of the dam members such that in the event of a flood the dam members are urged against the flanges. Moreover, the flanges do not need to be coplanar or even to extend in directly opposing directions. In this way, adjoining dam members need not be coplanar and the guide post may serve as a junction between two adjoining dam members which are arranged at an angle to each other, allowing the flood defence barrier to be configured in geometrical arrangements other than a straight line, for example to extend around corners.

The embodiment of the shaft an post assembly shown in Figures 7 to 10 is similar to that shown in Figures 3 to 6 and the same references are used to denote the same or similar components. The embodiment of Figures 7 to 10

-11 differs from that of Figures 3 to 6 only in that the post and shaft have a circular cross-section in place of a square cross-section.

Figure 11 is a minor variation of the embodiment of Figures 7 to 10. The post and shaft have a circular cross-section and the flange members 7 are offset relative to the axis of the post with the dam members secured to the water (wet) side of the flange members. The flange members are also arranged at an angle relative to each other and do not extend in directly opposing directions such that the guide post serves as a junction between two adjoining dam members which are arranged at an angle to each other.

If desired, as shown in Figure 11, lifting means such as a hydraulic ram 20 can be positioned within the assembly of the post and shaft for raising and subsequently lowering the barrier, for example independently of any other mechanism for raising and lowering the barrier, in particular in the absence of flood water.

In use of the flood defence barrier, in normal conditions the dam members are lowered with the top of each dam member at ground level and providing a surface suitable for pedestrians and/or vehicles. The covers 17 for the posts are similarly at ground level.

In the event of a flood, the dam members rise to prevent the passage of flood water from the wet side of the flood defence barrier to the dry side. As the dam

-12 members rise, they cause the attached guide posts to rise and form a continuous flood defence barrier.

As the flood water recedes the flood defence barrier lowers and the dam members and attached posts retract belowground level until a subsequent flood.

Claims

1. A flood defence barrier comprising:

2. A flood defence barrier as claimed in claim 1, wherein the guide post is provided with flange members for connection to the dam members.

3. A flood defence barrier as claimed in claim 2, wherein the flange members extend in substantially opposing directions.

4. A flood defence barrier as claimed in claim 2, wherein the flange members are at an angle other than 180 degrees to each other.

5. A flood defence barrier as claimed in claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein the flanges are offset to one side relative to the axis of the guide post and hollow shaft.

6. A flood defence barrier as claimed in claim 5, wherein the flanges are offset away from that side of the barrier adapted to be exposed to flood water.

7. A flood defence barrier as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein lifting means is positioned within the assembly of the guide post and hollow shaft for raising and lowering the barrier.

8. A flood defence barrier as claimed in claim 7, wherein the lifting means comprises a hydraulic ram.

9. A flood defence barrier as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the hollow shaft is positioned between, or integrated into, chambers for accommodating the adjoining dam members.

10. A flood defence barrier as claimed in claim 9, wherein the hollow shaft is closed at its lower end.

11. A flood defence barrier as claimed in claim 9 or 10, wherein the hollow shaft has a laterally extending generally horizontal flange at the upper end thereof configured to be positioned in use substantially at ground level.

12. A flood defence barrier as claimed in claim 11, wherein a gasket is mounted on or in the flange to contact the guide post and provide a watertight seal between the top of the hollow shaft and the guide post.

13. A flood defence barrier as claimed in claim 12, wherein the gasket is made of polymeric material, such as rubber.

14. A flood defence barrier as claimed in claim 2 or any claim dependent thereon, wherein an upper region of the hollow shaft, including the lateral flange and/or gasket where provided, is formed with slits for accommodating the flange members of the guide post.

15. A flood defence barrier as claimed in claim 2 or any claim dependent thereon, wherein a seal is provided between each flange member and the dam member to which it is connected.

16. A flood defence barrier as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the guide post is provided with a cover.

17. A flood defence barrier as claimed in claim 16, wherein the guide post is configured such that the cover is positioned in use at ground level when the dam members and the guide post are in a lowered configuration.

18. A flood defence barrier as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the inner surface of the hollow shaft and/or the outer surface of the guide post is provided with a low friction coating to facilitate upward and downward movement of the guide post within the hollow shaft.

19. A flood defence barrier as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the guide post and hollow shaft are of square, circular or oval cross section.

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