GB2373534A

GB2373534A - Adjustable flood barrier

Info

Publication number: GB2373534A
Application number: GB0107006A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gary Glen Muir
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-03-21
Filing date: 2001-03-21
Publication date: 2002-09-25
Also published as: GB0107006D0

Abstract

A flood barrier 1 has a waterproof sheet membrane 7 mounted on a U-shaped frame 2 with a seal 9 around the periphery, with means to move the elements 3, 4 forming frame 2 towards the walls of the aperture to be protected. Movement may be achieved by a pair of pivoted arms 14, which may be mounted on a common collar 13, operated by rotation of nut 17 on threaded post 12. A second pair of arms 14b may be provided, mounted on collar 13b and operated by nut 17b.

Description

FLOOD BARRIER The present invention relates to barriers to protect buildings from floods. More particularly, but not exclusively, it relates to removable barriers for installation in doorways and the like to prevent the ingress of water. Many premises, residential, commercial and industrial, are located where they are at risk from flooding. Many millions of pounds worth of damage are caused in the UK alone by floodwater entering such buildings and damaging the contents and/or causing structural damage. While flood defences are being constructed and improved at many locations, this takes time and resources, and is in any case unlikely ever to extend to every area at risk. Furthermore, it is thought that so called"global warming"may further increase the threat of flooding.

Numerous attempts have been made to develop apparatus to protect individual buildings from the ingress of floodwater. For example, it is known from UK Patent Applications No 2347163 and 2348666 to fix permanently to a doorway of the building a frame, into which a barrier panel may be fitted when required. It requires a certain expertise to fit the frame accurately so as to ensure that water cannot penetrate between the frame and the building, circumventing the barrier panel The frame, particularly the part thereof adjacent the ground, may hinder the normal use of the doorway. Such apparatus has not been widely adopted. Instead, many of those threatened by floods have no better recourse than building walls of sandbags around a threatened doorway Water can also enter a building through other apertures, such as windows, hatchways and the like, and the word"doorway"is used herein without limitation to refer to any such aperture in a wall of a building.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a barrier for installation in a doorway to prevent ingress of water which may be deployed rapidly without requiring preparatory work on the building and which is provided with a reliable seal to prevent penetration of water between the barrier and the building.

According to the present invention, there is provided a barrier mountable to a doorway to resist ingress of water, comprising a generally U-shaped frame having a substantially horizontal, in use, lower frame element and two substantially vertical, in use, side frame elements, each mounted, adjacent a lower end, to a respective end of the lower frame element, said frame being adapted to be locatable adjacent opposing walls and floor of a building adjacent the doorway thereof, a waterproof membrane spanning said frame and a seal means mounted to each outwardly facing surface of the frame to be contactable with said walls and floor and expansion means adapted to urge simultaneously each of said frame elements towards the respective walls and floor.

The expansion means preferably comprises a pair of arm means, each arm means being mounted pivotably adjacent a first end to a respective side frame element and adjacent an opposite second end to a common pivot means disposed lower than said first ends, and an activating means adapted to exert a force upwardly on said common pivot means and downwardly on the lower frame element.

Said activating means may thus simultaneously urge the lower frame element downwardly and urge the common pivot means upwardly, thereby causing the arm means to urge each of the side frame elements outwardly.

Advantageously, said activating means comprises a substantially vertical, in use, pillar means extending upwardly from the lower frame element, and said common pivot means comprises a collar means disposed about said pillar and to which each arm means is pivotably mounted.

The activating means may then comprise a screw thread extending along an outer surface of the pillar means, and a nut means, so disposed cooperably around said pillar that it may bear on an underside of said collar means, thereby urging the collar means upwardly and the pillar means downwardly.

Alternatively, the activating means may comprise a ratchet means, acting on the collar means and the pillar means to urge the collar means upwardly and the pillar means downwardly.

In either case, the activating means may be provided with lever means to increase the mechanical advantage of the expansion means.

The expansion means may additionally comprise a second pair of arm means, each arm means being mounted pivotably adjacent a first end to a respective side frame element and adjacent an opposite second end to a second common pivot means disposed lower than said first ends, and a second activating means adapted to exert a force upwardly on said second common pivot means.

Said second pair of arm means may be mounted to each side frame element at a point thereon above a point at which is mounted a respective first mentioned arm means.

Said second activating means may thus urge the secondary common pivot means upwardly, thereby causing the second arm means to urge a respective upper portion of each side frame element outwardly.

The second activating means may be so usable in conjunction with the activating means as to urge respective upper and lower portion of the side frame elements differentially to conform to non-vertical walls.

Preferably, the lower frame element and each side frame element are so connected that the side frame elements are laterally moveable to adjust the width of the barrier.

Advantageously, each side frame element is connected to the lower frame element with bolt means passing through corresponding apertures in the respective side frame element and the lower frame element, either one or both of said apertures being an elongate aperture.

Said waterproof membrane may comprise a plastics material, preferably an elastomeric material.

Advantageously, said waterproof membrane may comprise a rubber membrane.

The seal means may comprise a plastics material, preferably a foamed elastomeric material.

Said seal means may comprise foam rubber.

Alternatively, said seal means may comprise a polyurethane foam.

The seal means may be provided with an outer skin, which may be tougher and/or more resistant to abrasion than a remainder of the seal means.

Alternatively or additionally, the seal means may comprise a closed-cell foamed material.

The seal means may have a cross-sectional shape provided with an apex disposed in use towards a respective wall or floor.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a barrier embodying the present invention ; Figure 2 is an elevation of the barrier of Figure I installed in a doorway; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional plan view of the barrier of Figure 2, taken along the line Ill-Ill, and Figure 4 is a cross-sectional plan view of the barrier of Figure 2, before installation, taken along the same line.

Referring now to the drawings, and to Figure 1 in particular, a barrier 1 is provided with a generally U-shaped frame 2, comprising two substantially vertical, in use, side frame elements 3 and a substantially horizontal, in use, base frame element 4 Each frame element 3,4 has a generally T-shaped cross-section, and may conveniently be constructed from a length of steel girder. A respective"cross-piece"3A, 4A of each T-shaped frame element 3,4 is disposed to form an outer edge of the frame 2, as shown, with a lower end of each side frame element 3 connected to a respective end portion of the base frame element 4. The frame 2 is adapted to be located easily within or adjacent a doorway, etc. , with the base frame element 4 adjacent a floor or equivalent and each side frame element 3 facing a respective opposing wall.

The side frame elements 3 are each connected to the base 4 by a bolt 5 passing through a hole (not visible) adjacent a lower end of each side frame element 3 and a respective elongate slot 6 adjacent each end of the base frame element 4. The slots 6 permit a limited amount of lateral adjustment of the positions of the side frame elements 3 with respect to the base 4, to enable the barrier 1 to be adjusted to the width of a particular doorway. A heavy-duty rubber or resiliently extendible plastics membrane 7 extends across an open face of the frame 2, and marginal portions thereof are mounted sealingly to an external face of the"cross-piece"3A, 4A of each frame element 3,4. The membrane 7 is adapted to extend across any gap 8 which may be formed between a side frame element 3 and the base frame element 4 as a result of adjustment of the width of the barrier 1, as described above.

A sealing strip 9, comprising a closed cell rubber or plastics, especially polyurethane, foam or similarly compressible waterproof material is mounted to a part of an outer surface of the membrane 7 corresponding to the"cross-piece"3A, 4A of each frame element 3,4 and thus extends around both sides and base of the barrier 1. The sealing strip 9 may thus contact the floor and walls of a doorway.

The sealing strip 9 preferably has a pentagonal cross-section, as shown, though other shapes are envisaged, preferably provided with an apex 10 disposed outwardly so as to make first contact with a wall or floor during installation. The apex 10 may be angled as shown or may be an apex of a curved shape, such as a portion of a cylinder.

The frame 2 is provided with an expansion mechanism 11, by which the frame elements 3,4 may be forced outwardly to make contact sealingly with the walls and floor of a doorway.

The expansion mechanism 11 comprises a substantially vertical post 12, provided with a screw thread along all or most of its length. A lower end of the post 12 is disposed in contact with the base frame element (not visible in this view). About the post 12 is disposed a collar 13, to which are mounted two link arms 14, one end of each pivotably connected thereto by means of an inner yoke mounting 15. At an end remote from the collar 13 each link arm 14 is also pivotably connected to a respective side frame element 3 by means of an outer yoke mounting 16 The link arms 14 are so disposed that the inner yoke mountings 15 are lower than the outer yoke mountings 16, and the link arms 14 are thereby angled upwardly and outwardly.

The expansion mechanism also comprises a knurled nut 17, an internal thread of which engages with the screw thread of the post 12. The knurled nut 17 is disposed below the collar 13. To operate the expansion mechanism, the knurled nut 17 is turned by hand, such that it rises relative to the post 12. The nut 17 thus bears on an underside of the collar 13 and urges it upwardly The angle to the horizontal made by the link arms 14 therefore decreases and the link arms 14 urge the side frame elements 3 substantially outwardly, thereby compressing a respective part of the sealing strip 9 against a wall or other surface with which it may be in contact. By action and reaction, urging the nut 17 upwardly relative to the post 12 also urges the post 12 and the base frame element 4 downwardly, compressing another respective part of the sealing strip 9 against a floor or other surface with which it may be in contact. The barrier 1 may thus be expanded to seal itself in two orthogonal directions, into a doorway, in a single step. The pitch of the screw thread on the post 12 and the angle of the link arms 14 allows the exertion of a substantial force on the frame elements 3,4, relative to the force exerted to turn the knurled nut 17.

The expansion mechanism 11 is also provided with a second collar 13B, a second pair of link arms 14B, and a second knurled nut 17B. The second pair of link arms 14B are each pivotably mounted to the second collar 13B by a second pair of inner yoke mountings 15B and to a respective side frame element 3 by a second pair of outer yoke mountings 16B.

The second pair of outer yoke mountings 16B are mounted to an upper portion of each side frame element 3 and the second collar 13B is disposed about an upper portion of the post 12.

The second knurled nut 17B may thus be turned to rise relative to the post 12 independently of the knurled nut 17, thereby causing the second pair of link arms 14B to urge the upper portions of the side frame elements 3 apart. The upper and lower portions of the barrier I may thus be expanded differentially, to allow for walls which may not be exactly vertical Figure 2 shows a barrier 1 in use. Barriers embodying the present invention may be constructed in a range of heights and widths to suit the dimensions of different doorways as defined herein (and different anticipated levels of floodwater) To install the barrier 1 in a doorway 18, its width is first adjusted, if necessary by loosening the nuts and bolts 5 acting in the slots 6, as described above so that the barrier 1 corresponds roughly to the width of the doorway 18. The barrier 1 is then placed in the doorway 18 with the lower portion of the sealing strip 9 resting on a floor 19 of the doorway 18, and the side portions of the sealing strip 9 being in contact with opposing walls 20 of the doorway. The cross-section shape of the sealing strip 9 makes is relatively easy to compress it lightly at this stage, to achieve a reasonably stable but repositionable fit to the doorway 18.

The expansion mechanism 11 is then operated as described above, expanding the barrier 1 towards the walls 20 and floor 19 of the doorway, and conforming to any non-vertical trend of the walls 20. As the sealing strip 9 is compressed more firmly towards the walls 20 and the floor 19, it can take up any smaller irregularities in the walls 20 or the floor 19. In particular, recesses 21 at mortar courses between courses 22 of bricks and damage 23 to the wall 20 can be filled, sealing potential routes for ingress of water. The comers 24 between the floor 19 and the walls 20 would normally be a vulnerable point for such a barrier, but the expansion step ensures that the sealing strip 9 also fills this potential route for ingress of water.

Note: in the drawing the sizes of the courses 22 of bricks have been exaggerated relative to the barrier 1 for clarity.

Figure 3 shows a cross-section of the barrier 1 in place in the doorway 18. In this case, the barrier 1 is located outside a door 25 of a building Should suitable opposing walls 20 not be present externally of the door 25, it may be necessary instead to install the barrier internally of the door 25, in a suitable passageway. It is preferable that the barrier be disposed as shown, with the membrane 7 and the sealing strip 9 facing potential flood water, so that the expansion mechanism 11 and other movable parts are kept dry. However, this may not always be possible. For example, should the door 25 open outwardly, it may be necessary to install the barrier 1 from outside the building, and the expansion mechanism 11 may then be exposed to water. It may then be necessary to grease the mechanism liberally or otherwise to waterproof it or protect it from corrosion. A barrier adapted to be mounted to a window may also require installation from outside, if the window cannot be opened conveniently to access the expansion mechanism 11.

Figure 4 shows the barrier before it is installed in a doorway, with the sealing strip 9 uncompressed.

Alternative forms of expansion mechanism 11 are envisaged. The most important feature thereof is that the side frame elements 3 should be urged outwardly at the same time that the base frame element 4 is urged downwardly. For example, the knurled nuts 17,17B and the screw thread on the post 12 could be replaced by a respective ratchet mechanism urging each collar 13,13B upwardly and the post 12 downwardly. In another variation, the knurled nuts 17,17B could be provided with extensions to allow increased leverage to be exerted to turn them.

It is clear that, while the above description is mainly in terms of a barrier adapted to seal off a domestic doorway from ingress of flood water, the invention is equally applicable to larger entrances, as are found in commercial buildings, and also to windows, which may be at risk, for example, in deeper floods, or if they are windows to basements or sub-basements. Any aperture with a floor and two opposing walls may be sealed with a barrier embodying the present invention, made to suitable dimensions.

The present invention thus provides a barrier against the ingress of floodwater into a building, which may rapidly and conveniently be installed adjacent a doorway or other aperture at risk without the need for preparatory work on the building. The frame of the barrier may be expanded to compress a seal around the sides and base of the barrier into the walls and floor of the doorway in a single, straightforward step, and any adjustment for a non-rectilinear opening can be performed with but one further step. The barrier presents a continuous waterproof membrane to any flood water, and creates an effective seal to even irregular surfaces, to prevent water circumventing the barrier. It may be rapidly removed for storage once a flood has subsided, leaving the building completely accessible.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A barrier mountable to a doorway to resist ingress of water, comprising a generally U-shaped frame having a substantially horizontal, in use, lower frame element and

two substantially vertical, in use, side frame elements, said frame being adapted to be locatable adjacent opposing walls and floor of a building adjacent the doorway thereof, a waterproof membrane spanning said frame and seal means mounted to each outwardly facing surface of the frame to be contactable with said walls and floor and expansion means adapted to urge simultaneously each of said frame elements towards the respective walls and floor.
2. A barrier as claimed in claim 1, wherein the expansion means comprises a pair of arm means, each arm means being mounted pivotably adjacent a first end to a respective side frame element and adjacent an opposite second end to a common pivot means disposed lower than said first end, and an activating means adapted to exert force upwardly on said common pivot means thereby causing the arm means to urge each of the side frame elements outwardly, and downwardly on the lower frame element.
3. A barrier as claimed in claim 2, wherein said activating means comprises a substantially vertical, in use, pillar means extending upwardly from the lower frame element, and said common pivot means comprises a collar means disposed about said pillar and to which each arm means is pivotably mounted.
4. A barrier as claimed in claim 3, wherein the activating means comprises a screw thread extending along an outer surface of the pillar means, and nut means cooperable with said pillar to bear on an underside of said collar means to urge the collar means upwardly and the pillar means downwardly.
5. A barrier as claimed in claim 2, wherein the activating means comprises a ratchet means, so acting on a collar means and a pillar means as to urge the collar means upwardly and the pillar means downwardly.
6. A barrier as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the expansion means further comprises a second pair of arm means, each arm means being mounted pivotably adjacent a first end to a respective side frame element and adjacent an opposite second end to a second common pivot means disposed lower than said first ends, and a second activating means adapted to exert a force upwardly on said second common pivot means.
7. A barrier as claim in claim 6, wherein the second activating means is so usable in conjunction with the activating means as to urge respective upper and lower portions of the side frame elements differentially to conform to non-vertical walls.
8. A barrier as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each side frame element is so connected to the lower frame element that the side frame elements are laterally moveable to adjust the width of the barrier.
9. A barrier as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the waterproof membrane comprises an elastomeric plastics material.
10. A barrier as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the waterproof membrane comprises a rubber membrane.
11. A barrier as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the seal means comprises a foamed elastomeric plastics material.
12. A barrier as claimed in claim 11, wherein the seal means comprises a polyurethane foam.
13. A barrier as claimed in either claim 11 or claim 12, wherein the seal means is provided with an outer skin, which is tougher and/or more resistant to abrasion than a remainder of the seal means.
14. A flood barrier substantially as described herein with reference to the Figures of the accompanying drawings.