Cross Reference to Related Application
Technical Field
[0002] The present invention relates to a temporary entryway flood barrier, suitable for
fitting in the lowermost portion of doors and windows, for preventing floodwaters
from entering a building.
Background of the Invention
[0003] There has been an increase in flooding of urban areas in recent years, which may
be attributed to the phenomenon of global warming. Around five million people live
in areas at risk of flooding in England and Wales. Property, land and assets to the
value of several hundred billion dollars are at risk of flooding in England and Wales.
[0004] Flooding poses a real threat to society, both socially and economically yet many
homeowners are inadequately prepared for dealing with a flood.
[0005] Apparatus and measures for preventing floodwater or storm water from entering a building
are known. In particular, it is known to lay a wooden or metal panel across the entryway
and hold it in place with sandbags. It is also known to attach a metal or plastic
screen to the entryway to prevent entry of water into the building. However, there
are problems associated with all of the existing apparatus or measures for preventing
floodwater or storm water from entering a building. The existing apparatus or measures
are either cumbersome to position in the entryway or lacking in their ability to seal
with the surface of the entryway. Furthermore, the existing apparatus do not enable
a quick and straightforward adjustment to allow the flood resistant barrier to be
accommodated in doorways and window recesses of a range of sizes.
[0006] There is therefore a genuine need for a domestic flood defence system that can meet
all of these requirements; a domestic flood defence system that can be both easily
and quickly positioned in a doorway or window recess without the need for any permanent
fixings; a domestic flood defence system that can be positioned in doorways and windows
that range significantly in height and width; and, a domestic flood defence system
which can form a tight seal with the surfaces of such doorways and windows.
Brief Summary of the Invention
[0007] According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an entryway flood
barrier for blocking floodwaters from entering a building comprising a frame assembly
for mounting in a lowermost portion of an entryway, said frame assembly comprising
at least one vertically disposed removable downward pressure stay and a plurality
of horizontally disposed connecting bars, said frame assembly comprising a waterproof
cover stretched over the frame,
characterised in that the at least one removable downward pressure stay and at least one horizontally disposed
connecting bar possess means for providing pressure between the frame assembly and
the entryway.
[0008] The temporary entryway flood barrier may be positioned in a doorway or a window recess
of a building at risk of flooding. The height and width of the temporary entryway
flood barrier are adjustable, allowing it to be positioned in doorways and window
recesses having a wide range of dimensions. Advantageously, the temporary entryway
flood barrier can be quickly and rapidly assembled and positioned in the entryway
of a building. The combination of the means of providing pressure by both a removable
downward pressure stay and at least one horizontally disposed connecting bar results
in direct engagement of the temporary entryway flood barrier with the surface of the
base and sides of entryway. This ensures a tight seal with these surfaces to prevent
the entry of floodwater or storm water into the building.
[0009] In a preferred embodiment, the means for providing pressure comprise co-operating
threaded components.
[0010] Preferably, the means for providing pressure comprise adjusting wheels around a threaded
rod. The threaded rod may be metal, and preferably stainless steel. The adjusting
wheels can be initially rotated by hand. The adjusting wheels may comprise holes for
adjustment with a tool. After an initial rotation by hand, a tool can be inserted
in these pre-drilled holes to enable pressure seals to be created between the frame
and the opening of the hole.
[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the frame assembly comprises two parts.
The two parts may be identical. The two parts are assembled before positioning of
the frame assembly in the entryway. The two parts are connected at the centre of the
horizontally disposed connecting bars. This embodiment provides the advantage of ease
of storage of the temporary entryway flood barrier when not in use.
[0012] Preferably, at least one horizontally disposed connecting bar comprises an insert
at the centre of the horizontally disposed connecting bars, wherein the insert is
in telescopic engagement with the connecting bar. This insert may be made from nylon.
These inserts in one or more of the connecting bars provide a degree of flexibility
to the frame assembly for ease of assembly.
[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the vertically disposed removable downward pressure stays
comprise a kink. This kink is situated in the vertically disposed removable downward
pressure stay at the height where an average sized person comfortably uses their arms
whilst standing. This advantageously enables the frame assembly to be positioned without
the user scraping their arms and/or hands on the surface of the entryway, namely the
doorway or window recess. The kink therefore increases the ease of positioning of
the frame assembly. Preferably, the vertically disposed removable downward pressure
stays may include feet for direct engagement with the surface of the entryway. These
feet may be fabricated from rubber or plastic. This allows the vertically disposed
removable downward pressure stay to be adjusted where necessary in the case of an
uneven surface of the entryway, such as an uneven windowsill or an arched doorway.
Furthermore, the feet improve the tightness of the seal between the frame assembly
and the surface of the entryway.
[0014] Preferably, the frame assembly is made from metal, and more preferably, the frame
assembly is made from aluminium. Aluminium is durable yet lightweight. This advantageously
facilitates the positioning of the frame assembly by persons who are weak and/or small.
[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the waterproof cover stretched over the frame assembly
is made from tri-laminate neoprene. The frame, together with its waterproof cover,
can hold back a body of water up to 0.9 metres deep. There are no seams on the front
surface, namely the surface facing the exterior of the building, where floodwater
may act as a pressure surface. The rear surface of the waterproof cover, namely the
surface facing the interior of the building, possesses an opening to allow access
to the frame adjusting mechanisms. The opening may be of any size. However, optimally,
the opening may be of a size that allows a person positioning the temporary flood
resistant barrier to easily adjust the means for providing pressure.
[0016] Preferably, a resilient sealing material is provided between the frame assembly and
the waterproof cover. The resilient sealing material may be closed-cell expanded foam.
The resilient sealing material may be welded to the frame assembly or be attached
by means of an adhesive material. The resilient sealing material may be permanently
attached to the frame assembly or may be incorporated onto the frame assembly before
positioning of the temporary entryway flood barrier. This aids in creating a watertight
seal on uneven surfaces, between the frame assembly and the surface of the entryway.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0017]
Figure 1 shows a house in a flooded area;
Figure 2 shows an open doorway, through which flood water or storm water may easily
flow;
Figure 3 illustrates a temporary entryway flood barrier with a waterproof covering
before assembly in the lowermost portion of a doorway;
Figure 4 shows the adjustment of the horizontally disposed connecting bars;
Figure 5 shows the adjustment of the vertically disposed removable downward pressure
stays;
Figure 6 shows a perspective view of the temporary entryway flood barrier positioned
in the lowermost portion of a doorway. An opening is shown in the waterproof cover
on the side facing the interior of the building;
Figure 7 shows a detailed view of a horizontally disposed connecting bar; and
Figure 8 shows a detailed view of a vertically disposed removable downward pressure
stay.
Detailed Description of the Invention
Figure 1
[0018] A house in a flooded area is shown in Figure 1. There has been an increase in flooding
in recent years. Flooding poses a real threat to society, both socially and economically
yet many homeowners are inadequately prepared for dealing with a flood. Known apparatus
and measures for preventing floodwater from entering a building through an entryway
101 are inadequate. There are no known measures which can be both easily and quickly
positioned in the lowermost portion of a doorway or window recess without the need
for any permanent fixings; which can be positioned in doorways and windows ranging
significantly in size; and also which can form a tight seal with the surfaces of such
doorways and windows.
Figure 2
[0019] An entryway 201 through which floodwater or storm water may flow is shown in Figure
2. The entryway 201 may be a doorway or a window recess of any type of building. Doorways
or window recesses may vary significantly in size, both in height and width. However,
the temporary entryway flood barrier claimed herein can be quickly and easily adjusted
to be accommodated in a range of different sized doorways.
Figure 3
[0020] The positioning in the lowermost portion of an entryway of the temporary entryway
flood barrier 301 claimed herein is shown in Figure 3. The user fits the waterproof
covering 302 over the frame assembly before positioning the entryway flood barrier
in the lowermost portion of a doorway or window recess 201. The waterproof covering
302 is shaped to fit snugly over the frame assembly. However, a section 305 of the
frame assembly is not contained within the waterproof covering 302. The waterproof
covering may be fabricated from any waterproof material. However, in the preferred
embodiment, the waterproof material used for fabrication of the waterproof covering
302 is tri-laminate neoprene. The frame assembly may have two parts, which may be
identical. The two parts are connected together to form the frame assembly.
Figure 4
[0021] The main elements of the construction of the frame assembly are shown in Figure 4.
The frame assembly further comprises at least one vertically disposed removable downward
pressure stay 401 and a plurality of horizontally disposed connecting bars 402. In
a preferred embodiment, as shown in Figure 4, there are two vertically disposed removable
downward pressure stays 401. In this preferred embodiment, the plurality of horizontally
disposed connecting bars 402 are disposed between the two vertically disposed removable
downward pressure stays 401.
[0022] The two parts of the frame assembly are connected at the centre 403 of the horizontally
disposed connecting bars 402. The uppermost portion 305 of the at least one vertically
disposed removable downward pressure stay is not contained within the waterproof covering
302. The waterproof covering 302 is not shown in Figure 4 in order that the construction
of the frame assembly is visible. However, the position of the waterproof covering
is shown with a dotted outline, labelled 408 in Figure 4.
[0023] In a preferred embodiment, a resilient sealing material is provided between the frame
assembly and the waterproof cover. The resilient sealing material may be closed-cell
expanded foam. The resilient sealing material may be welded to the frame assembly
or be attached by means of an adhesive material. The position of the resilient sealing
material is not shown in Figure 4.
[0024] The at least one removable downward pressure stay 401 and at least one connecting
bar 402 possess means for providing pressure 404 between the frame assembly and the
entryway. The means for providing pressure 404 may be co-operating threaded components.
[0025] At least one horizontally disposed connecting bar 402 comprises an insert 405 at
the centre of the horizontally disposed connecting bar 402, wherein the insert is
in telescopic engagement with the horizontally disposed connecting bar 402. This insert
may be made from nylon. In a preferred embodiment, as shown in Figure 4, there are
three horizontally disposed connecting bars with inserts. The other three horizontally
disposed connecting bars 402 in Figure 4 are shown with means for providing pressure
404 between the frame assembly and the entryway.
[0026] The at least one vertically disposed removable downward pressure stay 401 comprises
a kink 406. This kink is situated in the vertically disposed removable downward pressure
stay 401 at the height where an average sized person comfortably uses their arms whilst
standing. The at least one vertically disposed removable downward pressure stay may
include feet 407 for direct engagement with the surface of the entryway. These feet
may be rubber or plastic.
Figure 5
[0027] The frame assembly with two vertically disposed removable downward pressure stays
401 is shown in Figure 5. The vertically disposed removable downward pressure stays
401 can be detached from the frame assembly for ease of storage when the temporary
entryway flood barrier is not in use. The vertically disposed removable downward pressure
stays 401 may be hollow cylindrical tubes.
[0028] The two vertically disposed removable downward pressure stays shown in Figure 5 have
a means of providing pressure 404 between the vertically disposed removable downward
pressure stay and a surface of the entryway. The means for providing pressure 404
may be co-operating threaded components.
Figure 6
[0029] Figure 6 shows the temporary entryway flood barrier positioned in the lowermost part
of a doorway. The rear surface of the waterproof cover 302, the surface facing the
interior of the building, possesses an opening 601 to allow access to the frame adjusting
mechanisms. In this manner, the waterproof cover 302 can be fitted over the frame
assembly before the frame assembly in positioned in the lowermost part of a doorway
or window recess. The opening 601 in the waterproof cover 302 is optional. However,
where present, the opening 601 in the waterproof cover 302 can be of any size.
Figure 7
[0030] A detailed view of a horizontally disposed connecting bar is shown in Figure 7.
[0031] At least one horizontally disposed connecting bar 402 comprises a means of providing
pressure 404. The means of providing pressure 404 may comprise at least one adjusting
wheel 701 around a threaded rod 702. The adjusting wheel is maintained in position
in the horizontally disposed connecting bar 402 through means of a spigot 703, the
outer diameter of which is such that it fits inside the inner diameter of the horizontally
disposed connecting bar 402. The threaded rod 702 also has an outer diameter that
enables it to fit inside the inner diameter of the horizontally disposed connecting
bar 402.
[0032] The adjusting wheels 701 can be initially rotated by hand. The adjusting wheels comprise
holes 704 for adjustment with a tool. The tool may be a lever, an Allen key, a Tommy
bar or a T-bar.
[0033] In a preferred embodiment, as shown in Figure 7, the means of providing pressure
404 comprise two adjusting wheels 701 around a threaded rod 702. When the adjusting
wheels 701 are rotated, the length of the threaded rod 702 in between the two adjusting
wheels 701 is altered in length. This enables the width of the horizontally disposed
connecting bar 402 to be adjusted. The adjusting wheels 701 of the horizontally disposed
connecting bar 402 therefore enable the easy adjustment of the entryway flood barrier
to be accommodated in doorways and window recesses of a range of different widths.
The adjusting wheels 701 of the horizontally disposed connecting bar 402 also enable
a pressure to be exerted on the sides of the entryway to ensure a tight seal between
the entryway flood barrier and the surface of the entryway.
Figure 8
[0034] A detailed view of a vertically disposed removable downward pressure stay is shown
in Figure 8.
[0035] In this preferred embodiment, the means for providing pressure 404 in the vertically
disposed removable downward pressure stays 401 comprise one adjusting wheel 801 around
a threaded rod 802, as shown in Figure 8.
[0036] In this preferred embodiment, the adjusting wheel 801 is maintained in position through
means of a spigot 803, the outer diameter of which is such that it fits inside the
inner diameter of the vertically disposed removable downward pressure stay 401. The
threaded rod has an outer diameter that enables it to fit inside the inner diameter
of the uppermost part of the vertically disposed removable downward pressure stay
401. The threaded rod 802 may be permanently attached to the uppermost part of the
vertically disposed removable downward pressure stay 401 by welding. In an alternative
embodiment, the threaded rod 802 may be attached to the uppermost part of the vertically
disposed removable downward pressure stay 401 through a threaded mechanism, to allow
for adjustment.
[0037] The adjusting wheel 801 can be initially rotated by hand. The adjusting wheel 801
comprises holes 804 for adjustment with a tool. The tool may be a lever, an Allen
key, a Tommy bar or a T-bar. When the adjusting wheel 801 is rotated, the length of
the screwed metal rod 802 in between the adjusting wheel 801 and the uppermost part
of the vertically disposed removable downward pressure stay 410 is altered in length.
This enables the height of the vertically disposed removable downward pressure stays
401 to be adjusted. The adjusting wheels 801 of the vertically disposed removable
downward pressure stays 401 therefore enable the easy adjustment of the entryway flood
barrier to be accommodated in doorways and window recesses of a range of different
heights. The adjusting wheels 801 of the vertically disposed removable downward pressure
stays 401 also enable a downward pressure to be exerted on the base of the entryway
to ensure a tight seal between the entryway flood barrier and the surface of the entryway
1. An temporary entryway flood barrier for blocking floodwaters from entering a building
comprising
a frame assembly for mounting in a lowermost portion of an entryway,
said frame assembly comprising at least one vertically disposed removable downward
pressure stay and a plurality of horizontally disposed connecting bars,
said frame assembly comprising a waterproof cover stretched over the frame assembly,
characterised in that the at least one removable downward pressure stay and at least one horizontally disposed
connecting bar possess means for providing pressure between the frame assembly and
the entryway.
2. An entryway flood barrier according to claim 1 wherein the means for providing pressure
comprise co-operating threaded components.
3. An entryway flood barrier according to claim 2 wherein the means for providing pressure
comprise an adjusting wheel around a threaded rod.
4. An entryway flood barrier according to claim 3 wherein the adjusting wheel comprises holes for adjustment with a tool.
5. An entryway flood barrier according to claim 1 wherein said frame assembly comprises two parts, and wherein the two parts of the
frame assembly are connected at the centre of the horizontally disposed connecting
bars.
6. An entryway flood barrier according to claim 5, wherein at least one horizontally disposed connecting bar comprises an insert at
the centre of the horizontally disposed connecting bars, wherein the insert is in
telescopic engagement with the connecting bar.
7. An entryway flood barrier according to claim 6, wherein the insert is made from nylon.
8. An entryway flood barrier according to claim 1, wherein the vertically disposed removable downward pressure stays comprise a kink.
9. An entryway flood barrier according to claim 1, wherein the vertically disposed removable downward pressure stays comprise feet for
direct engagement with the surface of the entryway.
10. An entryway flood barrier according to claim 1, wherein the frame assembly is made from metal.
11. An entryway flood barrier according to claim 1, wherein the frame assembly is made from aluminium.
12. An entryway flood barrier according to claim 1, wherein the waterproof cover is made from tri-laminate neoprene.
13. An entryway flood barrier according to claim 1, wherein a resilient sealing material is provided between the frame assembly and the
waterproof cover.
14. An entryway flood barrier according to claim 13, wherein the resilient sealing material is closed-cell expanded foam.