WO2012176183A1

WO2012176183A1 - A flood barrier

Info

Publication number: WO2012176183A1
Application number: PCT/IE2012/000032
Authority: WO
Inventors: Duncan William Mcinnes
Original assignee: Duncan William Mcinnes
Priority date: 2011-06-24
Filing date: 2012-06-25
Publication date: 2012-12-27
Also published as: EP2723962B1; EP2723962A1

Abstract

A flood barrier (1 ) comprises a pair of upstanding support elements (5) for securing to a wall on respective opposite sides of an opening (2) of a doorway (3). Each support element (5) comprises an abutment web (45) and a latching web (46). A plurality of barrier elements (10) extend between and are secured to the support elements (5) by latching elements (49). Each latching element (49) is pivotally mounted about a pivot axis (50) adjacent a corresponding end of a corresponding barrier element (10) and comprises a cam element (56) which is engageable with a latching surface (57) of the latching web (46) of the corresponding support element (5) for urging the corresponding barrier element (10) into watertight engagement with the abutment web (45) of the corresponding support element (5). Indents (58) in the respective latching webs (46) engage the camming elements (56) of the latching elements (49) for retaining the barrier elements (10) in watertight engagement with the support elements (5).

Description

"A flood barrier"

The present invention relates to a flood barrier, and in particular, to a flood barrier for preventing ingress of flood water through an opening, for example, an opening of a doorway, a window, a gate or the like.

Flood barriers for preventing the ingress of flood waters through an opening, for example, a door, window or the like to a building are known. Such flood barriers typically comprise a pair of upstanding members of channel-shape cross-section which are located spaced apart on respective opposite sides of the opening, and typically, are sealably secured to the opposite uprights of a framework of a door with open mouths of the respective channel members facing each other. A plurality of planks, typically of wood are provided to extend between the channel members with the opposite ends of the planks engaged in the channels of the channel members. An alternative flood barrier which also comprises a pair of upstanding channel members secured to the uprights of a doorframe is provided with a large panel typically of marine plywood, the opposite ends of which are engageable in the channels of the respective channel members. However, such flood barriers suffer from a number of disadvantages. Firstly, it is virtually impossible to adequately seal either the planks or the panel in the channel members, and secondly, in the case of flood barriers which comprise a plurality of planks extending between the channel members, it is virtually impossible to provide a watertight seal between adjacent ones of the planks. Thus, leakage of flood waters through such barrier elements is a common problem, and where a flood remains for a reasonable period of time, the leakage of the flood waters through such flood barriers can lead to flooding of a building.

There is therefore a need for a flood barrier which addresses these problems of known flood barriers.

The present invention is directed towards providing such a flood barrier. According to the invention there is provided a flood barrier for preventing ingress of flood water through an opening, the barrier comprising a pair of support elements . adapted for securing to respective upstanding elements located adjacent the opposite sides of the opening, a plurality of elongated barrier elements adapted to be located one above the other and extending from one of the support elements to the other one of the support elements, each barrier element defining a first side and a second side and having a lower wall and an upper wall spaced apart from the lower wall, the upper and lower walls extending along the barrier element from one of the first side and the second side thereof, a pair of complementary formations being provided on each barrier element, one of the complementary formations being located on the upper wall adjacent the first side thereof, and the other of the complementary formations being located on the lower wall adjacent the first side thereof for releasably and pivotally engaging the complementary formation on the upper wall of an adjacent one of the barrier elements, a first retaining means located on the upper wall of each barrier element, and a second retaining means located on the lower wall of each barrier element co-operable with the first retaining means on the upper wall of an adjacent one of the barrier elements, so that when the complementary formations of adjacent barrier elements of a pair thereof are pivotally engaged and one of the barrier elements is pivoted about the complementary formations relative to and into alignment with the other one of the barrier elements, the first and second retaining means of the adjacent barrier elements co-operate for retaining the complementary formations thereof interengaged with each other.

Preferably, a securing means is provided for securing the barrier elements to the support elements. Advantageously, each barrier element comprises a securing means.

In one aspect of the invention each support element is of angle cross-section.

Preferably, each support element comprises an abutment web for abutting the barrier elements adjacent one of the first and second sides thereof.

Advantageously, each support element comprises a latching web extending from the abutment web for engaging the securing means. Ideally, the latching web of each support element extends at an angle of approximately 90° from the abutment web. In another aspect of the invention each securing means comprises a pair of latching means, one latching means being located at one end of the corresponding barrier element for securing the barrier element to an adjacent one of the support elements, and the other one of the latching means being located adjacent the other end of the barrier element for securing the barrier element to the other one of the support elements. Preferably, each latching means comprises a latching element co- operable with the latching web of the adjacent one of the support elements for securing the corresponding one of the barrier elements to the adjacent one of the support elements.

In another aspect of the invention each latching element terminates in a cam element for engaging a latching surface of the latching web of the adjacent one of the support elements. Preferably, each latching element is pivotally coupled to the corresponding barrier element about a pivot axis, so that as the latching element is being pivoted from an unlatched state to a latched state, the cam element of the latching element co-operates with the latching surface of the latching web of the adjacent one of the support elements for urging the barrier element into engagement with the abutment web of the support element. Advantageously, the cam element of each latching element defines a camming surface.

Ideally, the pivot axis about which each latching element is pivotal is disposed relative to the camming surface of the cam element thereof, so that the cam element is urged through a top-dead-centre position as it is engaged with the latching surface to the latching web of the adjacent one of the support elements and as the latching element is being pivoted from the unlatched state to the latched state for retaining the latching element in the latched state.

Preferably, the pivot axis about which each latching element is pivotal extends substantially vertically in use.

In another aspect of the invention an indent is provided in the latching web of each support element for engaging the cam element of the adjacent one of the latching elements when the latching element is in the latched state.

In a further aspect of the invention a clip means is provided for releaseably retaining each latching element in the latched state. Preferably, the clip means comprises at least one resilient clip member extending from one of the corresponding latching elements and the corresponding barrier element, which is releaseably engageable with a receiver element on the other one of the latching element and the barrier element. Advantageously, each clip member extends from the corresponding latching element.

In another aspect of the invention each barrier element terminates in respective end caps at its opposite ends. Preferably, a sealing gasket is located between each end cap and the corresponding barrier element. In one embodiment of the invention each latching element is pivotally mounted in the corresponding one of the end caps about the corresponding pivot axis.

In another embodiment of the invention each barrier element comprises a first sealing means located on one of the upper and lower walls thereof for forming a seal between the adjacent one of the upper and lower walls of an adjacent one of the barrier elements. Preferably, the sealing means extends substantially the length of the corresponding barrier element. Advantageously, each first sealing means comprises an elongated first sealing element. Advantageously, each first sealing means comprises a resilient material.

In one aspect of the invention a first seal accommodating recess is formed in the one of the upper and lower walls of each barrier element for receiving the corresponding first sealing means. Preferably, the first seal accommodating recess is located in the lower wall of each barrier element.

In another embodiment of the invention each barrier element comprises a panel defining the first side of the barrier element. In another embodiment of the invention one of the complementary formations of each barrier element comprises a first lip extending from the panel parallel to and spaced apart from the upper wall of the barrier element to define with the upper wall thereof a first groove, and the other one of the complementary formations comprises a second lip extending from the lower wall, and defining with the panel a second groove, the second groove being pivotally engageable with the first lip of an adjacent barrier element, and the second lip being engageable with the first groove of the adjacent barrier element. Preferably, the first lip extends substantially the length of each barrier element. Advantageously, the second lip extends substantially the length of each barrier element.

In one aspect of the invention the upper wall of each barrier element extends substantially the length of the barrier element. Preferably, the lower wall of each barrier element extends substantially the length of the barrier element.

In another aspect of the invention each barrier element comprises a pair of second sealing means sealably engageable with the respective support elements.

Preferably, the second sealing means are provided on the respective end caps of each barrier element. Advantageously, each second sealing means comprises an elongated second sealing element secured to the corresponding end cap for abutting the abutment web of the corresponding support element.

In another embodiment of the invention each barrier element comprises a reinforcing element for reinforcing thereof. Preferably, each reinforcing element is slideable longitudinally relative to the corresponding barrier element into engagement with the barrier element. Advantageously, each reinforcing element is of channel shape construction, and respective opposite side webs of the reinforcing element abut corresponding ones of the upper and lower walls of the corresponding barrier element, with the reinforcing element located within the corresponding barrier element. Ideally, each reinforcing element comprises a main web extending between the respective opposite side webs, the main web defining the second side of the corresponding barrier element when engaged therewith. In another embodiment of the invention each support element is adapted for sealably securing to an adjacent upstanding element.

The advantages of the invention are many. The flood barrier according to the invention provides a watertight barrier against flood waters, thereby preventing the ingress of water to a building. Additionally, the flood barrier can be readily easily and quickly secured in an opening, and can also be readily easily and quickly removed when a flood has abated. Additionally, the flood barrier according to the invention can be easily stored when not in use and requires minimum storage space.

In particular, the flood barrier can be installed without the need for tools. The flood barrier can be easily cleaned and decontaminated, and can be stored ready for reuse. The flood barrier can be customised to fit various sizes of openings and apertures. In the embodiments of the invention where the barrier elements are provided as elongated elements, for example, extruded elongated elements and end caps are located on the respective opposite ends of each barrier element, a barrier element can be made to any size by cutting the barrier element to the appropriate length prior to securing the end caps to the barrier element. A further and particularly important advantage of the invention is that it is provided in modular form, and thus, can be adapted to form a barrier of any desired height.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some preferred embodiments thereof, which are given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a flood barrier according to the invention illustrated in use,

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the flood barrier of Fig. 1 ,

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the flood barrier of Fig. ,

Fig. 4 is an enlarged top plan view of a portion of the flood barrier of Fig. 1 , Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of the flood barrier of Fig. 1 ,

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional end elevational view of a portion of the flood barrier of Fig. 1 ,

Fig. 7 is a perspective end view of a portion of the flood barrier of Fig. 1 ,

Fig. 8 is an end elevational view of a detail of the flood barrier of Fig. 1,

Fig. 9 is an enlarged top plan view of a portion of the flood barrier of Fig. 1 ,

Fig. 10 is another top plan view of the portion of Fig. 9 of the flood barrier of Fig. 1 ,

Fig. 11 is another top plan view of the portion of Fig. 9 of the flood barrier of Fig. 1 ,

Fig. 12 is an exploded perspective view of a detail of the flood barrier of Fig. 1 ,

Fig. 13 is another exploded perspective view of the detail of Fig. 12 of the . flood barrier of Fig. 1 ,

Fig. 14 is an end elevational view of the flood barrier of Fig. 1 ,

Fig. 15 is an end elevational view of a portion of a flood barrier according to another embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 16 is a perspective view of a detail of the flood barrier of Fig. 15,

Fig. 17 is another perspective view of a detail of the flood barrier of Fig. 15, Fig. 18 is a perspective view of a portion of a flood barrier according to another embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 19 is another perspective view of the portion of the flood barrier of Fig. 18 with a detail of the portion in a different state to that of Fig. 18,

Fig. 20 is a perspective view of the portion of the flood barrier of Fig. 18 with the detail in a further different state, Fig. 21 is a perspective view of a detail of the portion of the flood barrier of

Figs. 18,

Fig. 22 is a perspective view of a support element of a flood barrier according to another embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 23 is a cross-sectional view of the support element of Fig. 22,

Fig. 24 is a top plan view illustrating the support element of Fig. 22 in use, Fig. 25 is a perspective view of a support element of a flood barrier according to another embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 26 is a cross-sectional view of the support element of Fig. 25, Fig. 27 is a top plan view of the support elements of Fig. 25, and

Fig. 28 is a top plan view of the support elements of Figs. 22 and 25 also in use. Referring to the drawings and initially to Figs. 1 to 14, there is illustrated a flood barrier according to the invention, indicated generally by the reference numeral 1 , for preventing ingress of food water through an opening, for example, an opening 2 of a doorway 3. The flood barrier 1 comprises a pair of support elements 5 adapted for securing to corresponding upstanding elements, namely, the wall 7 of a building 8 in which the opening 2 of the doorway 3 is formed. In this embodiment of the invention the support elements 5 are secured to the return 9 of the wall 7 in which the opening 2 is formed. A plurality of barrier elements 10 are provided to extend between the support elements 5 and to be secured thereto for sealably closing a lower portion of the opening 2 in order to prevent the ingress of flood waters through the opening 2, and in turn through the doorway 3.

Each barrier element 10 is formed by an extrusion, which in this embodiment of the invention is an aluminium extrusion. Each barrier element 10 defines a first side, namely, an outer side 14 and a second side, namely, an inner side 15, and comprises a panel 16 which is shaped to form an outwardly facing elongated central channel 17 which extends the length of the barrier element 10. An upper wall 19 extends inwardly from the panel 16 of each barrier element 10 adjacent the top thereof and extends substantially the length of the barrier element 10 and defines with an adjacent portion of the panel 16 an inwardly facing upper channel 20. A lower wall 22 extends inwardly from the panel 16 of each barrier element 10 adjacent the bottom thereof and extends substantially the length of the barrier element 10 and defines with an adjacent portion of the panel 16 an inwardly facing lower channel 23.

A pair of complementary formations provided by a first lip 25 adjacent the upper wall 19 of each barrier element 10 and a second lip 26 adjacent the lower wall 22 of each barrier element 10 are provided so that the first lip 25 of one barrier element 10 is co-operable with the second lip 26 of an adjacent barrier element 10 for facilitating pivoting of the adjacent barrier elements 10 for aligning the adjacent barrier elements 10 with the lower wall 22 and the upper wall 19 of the respective adjacent barrier elements 10 abutting each other, see Figs. 6 to 8. The first lip 25 of each barrier element 10 extends upwardly and inwardly from the panel 16 spaced apart from and above the upper wall 19 and extends substantially the length of the barrier element 10. The first lip 25 of each barrier element 10 is located adjacent the outer side 14 thereof, and defines with the upper wall 19 a longitudinally extending first groove 28 which extends substantially the length of the barrier element 10. The second lip 26 of each barrier element 10 extends outwardly from the lower wall 22 and extends substantially the length of the barrier element 10. The second lip 26 of each barrier element 10 is located adjacent the outer side 14 thereof, and defines with the panel 16 an elongated second groove 29 which extends substantially the length of the barrier element 10. The first and second lips 25 and 26 of an adjacent pair of barrier elements 10 are engageable with the second and first grooves 29 and 28, respectively, of the adjacent barrier elements 10 for facilitating pivoting of the adjacent barrier elements 10 about the first and second lips 25 and 26 and the first and second grooves 28 and 29 as the barrier elements 10 are being pivoted into vertical alignment with each other with the lower wall 22 of one of the barrier elements 10 abutting the upper wall 19 of the other one of the barrier elements 10. Each barrier element comprises first and second retaining means for retaining the first and second lips 25 and 26 engaged in the second and first grooves 29 and 28, respectively, of adjacent barrier elements 10 with the adjacent barrier elements 10 vertically aligned. The first retaining means of each barrier element 10 comprises a retaining lip 30 extending upwardly from the upper wall 19 of the corresponding barrier element 10 adjacent the inner side 15 thereof. The second retaining means of each barrier element 10 comprises an end edge 31 of the lower wall 22 of the barrier element 10 adjacent the inner side 15 thereof engageable with the retaining lip of an adjacent one of the barrier elements 10 for retaining the first and second lips 25 and 26 engaged in the second and first grooves 29 and 28, respectively, of the adjacent barrier elements 10.

A first elongated seal accommodating groove 35 extends the length of the lower wall 22 of each barrier element 10 for accommodating a first sealing means, in this embodiment of the invention an elongated first resilient sealing element 36 which extends the length of the first seal accommodating groove 35, and in turn the length of the barrier element 10. The first sealing element 36 of each barrier element 10 comprises an elongated seal of rubber or synthetic rubber material. A second seal accommodating groove 38 is formed in the upper wall 19 of each barrier element 10 for accommodating and engaging the first sealing element 36 of an adjacent barrier element 10. A pair of spaced apart parallel elongated ridges 39 extend longitudinally into and along the second seal accommodating groove 38 of each barrier element 10 substantially the length of the barrier element 10 for engaging the first sealing element 36 for ensuring a good watertight seal between adjacent ones of the barrier elements 10. However, it is envisaged that in some embodiments of the invention the ridges 39 may be omitted.

Intermediate walls 40 extend from the panel 16 into the upper and lower channels 20 and 23 of each barrier element 10, and terminate in respective partly tubular elements 41 which extends along the corresponding intermediate wall 40. The intermediate walls 40 and the corresponding partly tubular elements 41 extend substantially the length of each barrier element 10. Each partly tubular element 41 is adapted for receiving a self-tapping or a machine screw 42 or other suitable fastener for securing respective end caps 43 to each barrier element 10 at respective opposite ends thereof.

The end caps 43 may be of any suitable material, for example, a plastics material or aluminium, and typically, are moulded. In this embodiment of the invention the end caps 43 are of injection moulded plastics material, and are of substantially similar outer profile to the outer profile of the panel 16 with the upper and lower side walls 19 and 22. A sealing gasket 59 of rubber or synthetic rubber material is located between each of the two end caps 43 and the corresponding barrier element 10 to provide a watertight seal between each end cap 43 and the adjacent end of the barrier element 10. Countersunk bores 44 in the end caps 43 accommodate the screws 42 into bores 37 in the corresponding ones of the tubular elements 41 extending along the corresponding intermediate walls 40.

Each support element 5 is of L-shape angle cross-section having an abutment web 45, which is adapted for sealably abutting the corresponding end caps 43 of the barrier elements 10, and a latching web 46 for facilitating securing of the barrier elements 10 to the support element 5, as will be described below. Second sealing means, in this embodiment of the invention a plurality of elongated second resilient sealing elements 47 are secured to the end caps 43 of each barrier element 10 in corresponding grooves 48 for sealably abutting the abutment webs 45 of the corresponding support elements 5. The second sealing element 47 of each end cap 43 comprises an elongated seal of rubber or synthetic rubber material.

Turning now to the sealable securing of each barrier element 10 to the support elements 5, each barrier element 10 comprises a securing means provided by a pair of latching means, namely, latching elements 49. The latching elements 49 are located in the central channel 17 of the barrier element 10 which extends through the end caps 43 of each barrier element 10 for latching the corresponding barrier element 10 onto the support elements 5. Each latching element 49 is pivotally carried in the central channel 17 on a pivot pin 50 which extends between upper and lower portions 52 and 53 of the corresponding end cap 43 across the central channel 17. Each latching element 49 terminates at one end in a handle 55 and at the other end in a cam element 56 which defines a camming surface 51. The camming surface 51 of each latching element 49 is engageable with a latching surface 57 of the latching web 46 of the adjacent support element 5. The cam elements 56 cooperate with the latching surface 57 of the adjacent one of the support elements 5, so that as the latching elements 49 are being pivoted in the direction of the arrow B from an unlatched state, see Fig. 9, to a latched state, see Fig. 11 , the cam elements 56 co-Operate with the latching surface 57 for urging the end caps 43 and in turn the corresponding barrier element 10 into sealable engagement with the abutment webs 45 of the adjacent support elements 5, see Fig. 11. An indent 58 in the latching surface 57 of the latching web 46 of each support element 10 retains the cam elements 56 of the corresponding latching elements 49 in engagement with the latching web 46 once the latching element 49 has been pivoted into the latched state.

The pivot pin 50 about which each latching element 49 is pivotal defines a substantially vertical pivot axis 54 which is disposed relative to the camming surface 51 of the cam element 56, so that as the latching element 49 is being pivoted from the unlatched state to the latched state to engage the indent 58, the cam element 56 passes through a top-dead-centre position relative to the latching surface 57 of the adjacent one of the support elements 5. Thus, when each latching element 49 is urged into the latched state, the latching element 49 is retained in the latched state with the cam element 56 engaged in the indent 58 by virtue of the fact that the camming element 56 has passed through the top-dead-centre position before entering the latched state.

A lip 70 extending upwardly from the lower wall 22 of each barrier element 10 is provided with a longitudinally extending groove 71 for accommodating a third sealing means, namely, a third sealing element 73, see Fig. 6 for abutting a saddle (not shown) or other footplate (not shown) in the doorway 3. Although each barrier element 10 is provided with the lip 70 and the groove 71 , the third sealing element 73 is only provided in one of the barrier elements 10, which is the barrier element 10, which in use becomes the lowest one of the barrier elements 10. The third sealing element 73 is an elongated seal, which extends the length of the corresponding barrier element 10 and across the corresponding end caps 43.

In use, the support elements 5 are secured to the respective returns 9 of the wall 7 by, for example, masonry bolts or screws. The support elements 5 are permanently left in place. When it is desired to use the flood barrier 1 , the barrier elements 10 are sequentially secured to the support elements 5 commencing with the lowest-most barrier element 10, which is the barrier element 10 provided with the third sealing element 73. Initially the barrier element 10 which will become the lowermost barrier element is offered up to the support elements 5 with the latching elements 49 in the unlatched state, and the barrier element 10 is urged downwardly to bring the first sealing element 36 into sealing engagement with a step, saddle or the like in the opening 2. The latching elements 49 are then pivoted from the unlatched state to the latched state for engaging the cam elements 56 with the latching surfaces 57 of the adjacent support elements 5 for urging the lowermost barrier element 10 into tight sealing engagement with the support elements 5, and in turn for engaging the cam elements 56 in the indents 58 in the support elements 5 for securing and retaining the lowermost barrier element 0 in sealing engagement with the support elements 5. The next of the barrier elements 10 is then assembled to the lowermost barrier element 10 by engaging the second lip 26 of the barrier element 10 with the first groove 28 of the lowermost barrier element 10, and engaging the second groove 29 of the barrier element 10 with the first lip 25 of the lowermost barrier element 10. The barrier element 10 which is to be secured to the lowermost barrier element 10 is then pivoted about the first and second lips 25 and 26 and the second and first grooves 29 and 28, respectively, in the direction of the arrow A until the adjacent upper and lower walls 19 and 22 abut each other, and the end edge 31 of the barrier element 10 abuts the retaining lip 30 of the lowermost barrier element 10. In this state the first sealing element 36 provides a watertight seal between the adjacent barrier elements 10. The co-operating action of the first retaining lip 30 and the corresponding end edge 31 retain the first and second lips 25 and 26 in engagement with the second and first grooves 29 and 28, respectively. When the second of the barrier elements 10 has been assembled to the lowermost barrier element 10, the latching elements 49 of that barrier element 10 are then operated from the unlatched state to the latched state for securing that barrier element 10 to the support elements 5. Thereafter assembly of the next and subsequent barrier elements 10 is similar to that just described.

When the flood waters have receded, the barrier elements 10 are removed by operating the latching elements 49 from the latched state to the unlatched state for disengaging the barrier elements 10 from the support elements 5, and the barrier elements 10 are then disassembled by pivoting the adjacent pairs of barrier elements 10 about the first and second lips 25 and 26 and the second and first grooves 29 and 28 to disengage the first and second lips 25 and 26 from the second and first grooves 29 and 28, respectively.

Referring now to Figs. 15 to 17, there is illustrated a portion of a flood barrier according to another embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment of the invention the flood barrier is similar to the flood barrier 1 described with reference to Figs. 1 to 14, and similar components are identified by the same reference numerals. The only difference between the flood barrier of the embodiment of the invention of Figs. 15 to 17 and the flood barrier 1 of Figs. 1 to 14 is that an elongated reinforcing element 61 is provided for reinforcing each barrier element 10. Each reinforcing element 61 is slideably engageable with the corresponding barrier element 10, and comprises a channel shaped element having a main web 63 and a pair of opposite side webs 64 extending from the main web 63. The main web 63 is of width such that the side webs 64 slideably abut the corresponding upper wall 19 and lower wall 22 of the barrier element 10 on the inner sides thereof. The lip 70 which extends upwardly from the lower wall 22 and a lip 62 which extends downwardly from the upper wall 19 of each barrier element 10 engage recesses 65 and 66, respectively, which extend longitudinally along the main web 63 adjacent the side webs 64 for retaining the corresponding reinforcing element 61 in engagement with the barrier element 10. Elongated spacer elements 68 extend inwardly from the main web 63 for abutting the barrier element 10 for spacing the main web 63 from the panel 16 adjacent the central channel 17.

In use the reinforcing element 61 is slideably engaged in the corresponding barrier element 10 in the direction of the arrow C as illustrated in Figs. 16 and 17.

Otherwise, the flood barrier according to this embodiment of the invention is similar to the flood barrier 1 of Figs. 1 to 14 and its use is likewise similar. One advantage of the barrier element according to this embodiment of the invention is that the reinforcing element 61 significantly strengthens the barrier element 10, and thus, the barrier elements 10 so reinforced with the reinforcing elements 61 are suitable for spanning relatively wide doorways, for example, doorways into a garage, an industrial unit, an access opening to a loading bay of an industrial unit, or the like.

In this embodiment of the invention the reinforcing element 61 is formed by extrusion, and may be of any suitable material, typically, aluminium material, although, needless to say, the reinforcing element 61 may be of any other suitable material, and while it is advantageous to form the reinforcing element 61 by extrusion, the reinforcing element 61 may be formed by any other suitable manufacturing process.

Referring now to Figs. 18 to 21 , there is illustrated a portion of a barrier element 80 of a flood barrier (not shown) which is also according to the invention. The flood barrier according to this embodiment of the invention is substantially similar to the flood barrier 1 described with reference to Figs. 1 to 14, and similar components are identified by the same reference numerals. The only difference between the flood barrier according to this embodiment of the invention and the flood barrier 1 is in the barrier element 10. In addition to the pivot axis 54 of each latching element 49 being located relative to the camming surface 51 of the cam element 56 so that each latching element 49 passes through a top-dead-centre position as the latching element 49 is being urged into the latched state in order that the latching element 49 is retained in the latched state, in this embodiment of the invention a clip means is also provided for releaseably retaining each latching element 49 in the latched state. The clip means of each latching element 49 comprises a pair of resilient clip members 81 extending from the handle 55 of the latching element 49 which terminate in respective inwardly directed lugs 83. The clip members 81 are located on and extend from the handle 55 of each latching element 49 so that as the latching element 49 is being urged into the latched state, the clip members 81 releaseably engage a receiver element, namely, an elongated receiver element 84 extending the length of the corresponding barrier element 80 in the central channel 7 thereof. The receiver element 84 of each barrier element 80 is of T-shaped cross section having a central limb 85 extending from the central channel 17 of the barrier element 80 and terminating in a cross member 86 which is embraced and engaged by the resilient clip members 81.

Use of the flood barrier comprising the barrier elements 80 is similar to that described with reference to the flood barrier 1 , and accordingly, as the latching elements 49 of each barrier element 80 are being urged into the latched state the clip members 81 of the respective latching elements 49 engage the receiver element 84 on the corresponding barrier element 80. Otherwise the flood barrier according to this embodiment of the invention and the barrier elements 80 are similar to the barrier elements of the flood barrier 1.

Referring now to Figs. 22 to 24, there is illustrated a pair of support elements 90 for use with a flood barrier according to another embodiment of the invention. The flood barrier according to this embodiment of the invention is substantially similar to the flood barrier 1 described with reference to Figs. 1 to 14, and comprises a plurality of barrier elements identical to the barrier elements 10 of the flood barrier 1. In this embodiment of the invention each support element 5 comprises a wall abutting plate 91 for engaging a wall 92 of a building adjacent an opening 2 of a doorway 3. The wall abutting plate 91 comprises the abutment web 45 similar to the abutment web 45 of the support elements 5 of the flood barrier 1. An extension web 93 extends from the abutment web 45. A latching web 46 similar to the latching web 46 of the support elements 5 extends perpendicularly from the wall abutting plate 91 between the abutment web 45 and the extension web 93. An arcuate reinforcing web 94 extending between the extension web 93 and the latching web 46 reinforces the latching web 46.

In use, the support elements 90 are secured to the outer surface of the wall 92 of the building on respective opposite sides of the opening 2 of the doorway 3, and the barrier elements 10 are located between and engaged in and secured to the support elements 90 as already described with reference to the flood barrier 1 of Figs. 1 to 14. Referring now to Figs. 25 to 27, there is illustrated a pair of support elements 95 for use with a flood barrier according to another embodiment of the invention. The flood barrier according to this embodiment of the invention is substantially similar to the flood barrier 1 described with reference to Figs. 1 to 14, and comprises a plurality of barrier elements identical to the barrier elements of the flood barrier 1 of Figs. 1 to 14. In this embodiment of the invention the support elements 95 comprise a wall abutting plate 96 which forms a latching web 46 similar to the latching web 46 of the support elements 5. An extension web 97 extends from the latching web 46. An abutment web 45 similar to the abutment web 45 of the support elements 5 extends perpendicularly from the wall plate 96 between the latching web 46 and the extension web 97. An arcuate reinforcing web 98 extending between the abutment web 45 and the extension web 97 reinforces the abutment web 45.

In use, the support elements 95 are secured on respective oppositely facing walls 7 which define an entrance to an opening 2 of a doorway 3 as illustrated in Fig. 27 with the abutment webs 45 extending perpendicularly from the wall abutting plate 96 and in turn extending perpendicularly from the opposite walls 99. The barrier elements 10 similar to the barrier elements 10 of the flood barrier 1 of Figs. 1 to 14 are then inserted between the support elements 95 and are secured thereto as described with reference to the flood barrier 1 of Figs. 1 to 14.

Referring now to Fig. 28, there is illustrated an entrance 100 to an opening 2 of a doorway 3 of a building. In this embodiment of the invention the barrier elements 10 of a flood barrier according to another embodiment of the invention are located between and secured to one of the support elements 90 and one of the support elements 95 which are described with reference to Figs. 22 to 27. The support element 95 is secured to a wall 101 which defines the entrance 100, while the support element 90 is secured to a wall 102 which extends from a wall 103 which also defines the entrance 100, and is located on the wall 102 adjacent the wall 103. Barrier elements similar to those of the flood barrier 1 described with reference to Figs. 1 to 14 are located between and secured to the respective support elements 90 and 95 as already described with reference to the flood barrier 1. While the support elements 5 have been described as being of angle section, the support elements 5 may be of any suitable cross-section. Indeed, in certain cases, it is envisaged that the support elements may be of channel section for facilitating sliding of the barrier elements into the support elements. Needless to say, any other suitable securing means for sealably securing the barrier elements in the support elements may be provided.

It will be appreciated that the barrier elements may be of profile different to that illustrated, and needless to say, the profile of the panel of each barrier element may be different.

While the barrier element has been described as being of extruded aluminium, the barrier element may be of any other suitable material, such as a plastics material, and may be formed by any other suitable manufacturing process, and when of a plastics material, the barrier element may be extruded or formed by any other suitable forming process. It will also be appreciated that the end caps may be of any suitable material, for example plastics material, a metal material or any other such suitable material, and may be formed by injection moulding or by any other suitable forming process.

Claims

1. A flood barrier for preventing ingress of flood water through an opening, the barrier comprising a pair of support elements adapted for securing to respective upstanding elements located adjacent the opposite sides of the opening, a plurality of elongated barrier elements adapted to be located one above the other and extending from one of the support elements to the other one of the support elements, each barrier element defining a first side and a second side and having a lower wall and an upper wall spaced apart from the lower wall, the upper and lower walls extending along the barrier element from one of the first side and the second side thereof, a pair of complementary formations being provided on each barrier element, one of the complementary formations being located on the upper wall adjacent the first side thereof, and the other of the complementary formations being located on the lower wall adjacent the first side thereof for releasably and pivotally engaging the complementary formation on the upper wall of an adjacent one of the barrier elements, a first retaining means located on the upper wall of each barrier element, and a second retaining means located on the lower wall of each barrier element co-operable with the first retaining means on the upper wall of an adjacent one of the barrier elements, so that when the complementary formations of adjacent barrier elements of a pair thereof are pivotally engaged and one of the barrier elements is pivoted about the complementary formations relative to and into alignment with the other one of the barrier elements, the first and second retaining means of the adjacent barrier elements co-operate for retaining the complementary formations thereof interengaged with each other.

2. A flood barrier as claimed in Claim 1 in which a securing means is provided for securing the barrier elements to the support elements.

3. A flood barrier as claimed in Claim 2 in which each barrier element comprises a securing means.

4. A flood barrier as claimed in Claim 2 or 3 in which each support element is of angle cross-section.

5. A flood barrier as claimed in Claim 4 in which each support element comprises an abutment web for abutting the barrier elements adjacent one of the first and second sides thereof.

6. A flood barrier as claimed in Claim 5 in which each support element comprises a latching web extending from the abutment web for engaging the securing means.

7. A flood barrier as claimed in Claim 6 in which the latching web of each support element extends at an angle of approximately 90° from the abutment web.

8. A flood barrier as claimed in Claim 6 or 7 in which each securing means comprises a pair of latching means, one latching means being located at one end of the corresponding barrier element for securing the barrier element to an adjacent one of the support elements, and the other one of the latching means being located adjacent the other end of the barrier element for securing the barrier element to the other one of the support elements.

9. A flood barrier as claimed in Claim 8 in which each latching means comprises a latching element co-operable with the latching web of the adjacent one of the support elements for securing the corresponding one of the barrier elements to the adjacent one of the support elements.

10. A flood barrier as claimed in Claim 9 in which each latching element terminates in a cam element for engaging a latching surface of the latching web of the adjacent one of the support elements.

11. A flood barrier as claimed in Claim 10 in which each latching element is pivotally coupled to the corresponding barrier element about a pivot axis, so that as the latching element is being pivoted from an unlatched state to a latched state, the cam element of the latching element co-operates with the latching surface of the latching web of the adjacent one of the support elements for urging the barrier element into engagement with the abutment web of the support element.

12. A flood barrier as claimed in Claim 11 in which the cam element of each latching element defines a camming surface.

13. A flood barrier as claimed in Claim 12 in which the pivot axis about which each latching element is pivotal is disposed relative to the camming surface of the cam element thereof, so that the cam element is urged through a top-dead-centre position as it is engaged with the latching surface to the latching web of the adjacent one of the support elements and as the latching element is being pivoted from the unlatched state to the latched state for retaining the latching element in the latched state.

14. A flood barrier as claimed in any of Claims 11 to 13 in which the pivot axis about which each latching element is pivotal extends substantially vertically in use.

15. A flood barrier as claimed in any of Claims 11 to 14 in which an indent is provided in the latching web of each support element for engaging the cam element of the adjacent one of the latching elements when the latching element is in the latched state.

16. A flood barrier as claimed in any of Claims 11 to 15 in which a clip means is provided for releaseably retaining each latching element in the latched state.

17. A flood barrier as claimed in Claim 16 in which the clip means comprises at least one resilient clip member extending from one of the corresponding latching elements and the corresponding barrier element, which is releaseably engageable with a receiver element on the other one of the latching element and the barrier element.

18. A flood barrier as claimed in Claim 17 in which each clip member extends from the corresponding latching element.

19. A flood barrier as claimed in any of Claims 11 to 18 in which each barrier element terminates in respective end caps at its opposite ends.

20. A flood barrier as claimed in Claim 19 in which a sealing gasket is located between each end cap and the corresponding barrier element.

21. A flood barrier as claimed in Claim 19 or 20 in which each latching element is pivotally mounted in the corresponding one of the end caps about the corresponding pivot axis.

22. A flood barrier as claimed in any preceding claim in which each barrier element comprises a first sealing means located on one of the upper and lower walls thereof for forming a seal between the adjacent one of the upper and lower walls of an adjacent one of the barrier elements.

23. A flood barrier as claimed in Claim 22 in which the sealing means extends substantially the length of the corresponding barrier element.

24. A flood barrier as claimed in Claim 22 or 23 in which each first sealing means comprises an elongated first sealing element.

25. A flood barrier as claimed in any of Claims 22 to 24 in which each first sealing means comprises a resilient material.

26. A flood barrier as claimed in any of Claims 22 to 25 in which a first seal accommodating recess is formed in the one of the upper and lower walls of each barrier element for receiving the corresponding first sealing means.

27. A flood barrier as claimed in Claim 26 in which the first seal accommodating recess is located in the lower wall of each barrier element.

28. A flood barrier as claimed in any preceding claim in which each barrier element comprises a panel defining the first side of the barrier element.

29. A flood barrier as claimed in Claim 28 in which one of the complementary formations of each barrier element comprises a first lip extending from the panel parallel to and spaced apart from the upper wall of the barrier element to define with the upper wall thereof a first groove, and the other one of the complementary formations comprises a second lip extending from the lower wall, and defining with the panel a second groove, the second groove being pivotally engageable with the first lip of an adjacent barrier element, and the second lip being engageable with the first groove of the adjacent barrier element.

30. A flood barrier as claimed in Claim 29 in which the first lip extends substantially the length of each barrier element.

31. A flood barrier as claimed in Claim 29 or 30 in which the second lip extends substantially the length of each barrier element.

32. A flood barrier as claimed in any preceding claim in which the upper wall of each barrier element extends substantially the length of the barrier element.

33. A flood barrier as claimed in any preceding claim in which the lower wall of each barrier element extends substantially the length of the barrier element.

34. A flood barrier as claimed in any preceding claim in which each barrier element comprises a pair of second sealing means sealably engageable with the respective support elements.

35. A flood barrier as claimed in Claim 34 in which the second sealing means are provided on the respective end caps of each barrier element.

36. A flood barrier as claimed in Claim 34 or 35 in which each second sealing means comprises an elongated second sealing element secured to the

corresponding end cap for abutting the abutment web of the corresponding support element.

37. A flood barrier as claimed in any preceding claim in which each barrier element comprises a reinforcing element for reinforcing thereof.

38. A flood barrier as claimed in Claim 37 in which each reinforcing element is slideable longitudinally relative to the corresponding barrier element into

engagement with the barrier element.

39. A flood barrier as claimed in Claim 38 in which each reinforcing element is of channel shape construction, and respective opposite side webs of the reinforcing element abut corresponding ones of the upper and lower walls of the corresponding barrier element, with the reinforcing element located within the corresponding barrier element.

40. A flood barrier as claimed in Claim 39 in which each reinforcing element comprises a main web extending between the respective opposite side webs, the main web defining the second side of the corresponding barrier element when engaged therewith.

41. A flood barrier as claimed in any preceding claim in which each support element is adapted for sealably securing to an adjacent upstanding element.