Flood barrier

Abstract

 A collapsible flood barrier and method for erecting the same. The flood barrier comprises a water impermeable outer defining an interior cavity for receiving a fluid. In use the fluid present in the cavity erects the barrier.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a flood barrier, and in particular to a collapsible flood barrier which can be easily erected at a flood site.

[0002] Flooding can cause large amounts of water damage to property. One way of trying to reduce the damage caused by flooding is to erect barriers to provide flood defences by reinforcing sea walls, river banks and the like, to divert the water course or to prevent the egress of flood water into certain areas or properties.

[0003] A previous manner of providing flood defences has been to use a multiplicity of bags of sand to build substantially rigid barriers. Typically the bags are made of woven materials and are water permeable. Each bag must be filed with sand which requires significant time and is labour intensive. Further, large quantities of sand are not usually available at a flood site and so there is the logistical problem of transporting large amounts, and therefore weights, of sand. This can be difficult for remote areas and/or areas already subject to flooding.

[0004] Furthermore sand bag walls tend to allow some leakage owing to gaps in the walls and also as sand is water permeable. Sand bags cannot smoothly deform to perfectly fit into and fill a space for which they are to provide a barrier and so there can be leakage.

[0005] After flooding has subsided there is then the problem of disposing of the sand which involves further manual work and also poses an environmental issue.

[0006] An alternative solution to sand bags has been to provide a barrier or gate which is attached permanently to a property and moved into place when needed. However, this requires fixings to be permanently provided at a property.

[0007] There is therefore a need for a versatile flood barrier which can be erected and used at any site, which is reliable in effect, which can easily be stored when not used and which does not require any ancillary permanent equipment or fixings in order to be used.

[0008] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a collapsible flood barrier for erection at a flood site, comprising a water impermeable outer defining an interior cavity for receiving a fluid, such that in use the fluid present in the cavity erects the barrier.

[0009] The flood barrier is collapsible and can be erected at a flood site by introducing fluid into the flood barrier. The flood barrier itself is comprised of an outer skin or casing which is water impermeable so as to prevent water passing through the material of the barrier. The outer defines an interior cavity to the body of the flood barrier which can receive a fluid. When sufficient fluid is present in the body, the barrier can be erected from a collapsed into an erect state in which it forms a dam or water barrier.

[0010] As the flood barrier is collapsible, it can easily be stored at a recurring flood site for use, or transported to a flood site when required. The use of a fluid filler medium to erect the barrier allows the barrier to be easily and simply erected and also provides a deformable barrier which can easily mould to fit into and fill the space across which it is to provide a barrier. Further, the barrier can actively deform to absorb any pressure waves in the flood water, unlike a rigid barrier which would buckle or permanently deform instead. Actively deforming and reforming in response to pressure waves prevents the barrier from becoming damaged. The deformable nature of the barrier also allows it to provide a snugger fit thereby helping to prevent leaks.

[0011] The outer can be made from a non-woven material. The material of the outer can be a plastics material. Preferably, the material of the outer is a vinyl, nylon, PVC or similar material. The outer can comprise two skins joined around their periphery. The parts of the barrier can be joined, or have seams formed, by any adhesive method such as heat welding, adhesive materials, silicone, sealant materials, or by any suitable mechanical fastening, such as by sewing or rivetting.

[0012] The cavity can comprise a plurality of compartments. In this way if any one of the compartments becomes damaged such that fluid escapes from that compartment, the remaining compartments can retain their fluid. The remaining fluids can collapse over the damaged compartment to retain the integrity of the barrier and seal the damaged compartment to prevent further fluid escaping. Further, the plurality of compartments allow the flood barrier to be erected in a wall like configuration, but with each of the "bricks" in the wall being provided by a compartment which is continuously connected to the other compartments. Therefore flood water cannot pass between the compartments as can happen with a wall made of separate elements. This provides a unitary flood barrier formed like a conventional wall but with continuously connected "brick" elements.

[0013] The barrier can have a single inlet/outlet which allows fluid to be introduced into and removed from the barrier by a common port. The inlet/outlet preferably includes a valve.

[0014] Each of the plurality of compartments can have the same size. Each of the plurality of compartments can have the same shape. Preferably at least one of the plurality of compartments extends entirely across a lateral axis of the barrier.

[0015] Each of the plurality of compartments can be fluid communicable with at least a nearest neighbour compartment. In this way, a path is provided for fluid to pass between compartments such that the collapsable flood barrier can have fluid introduced into it from a single inlet. Preferably a fluid communication path exists between all of the plurality of compartments. Preferably a fluid communication path exists from a top to a bottom of the plurality of compartments. More preferably, each of the plurality of compartments is fluid communicable with all of its nearest neighbour compartments. This provides a multiplicity of paths by which fluid can pass between the compartments. Preferably the compartments are multiply connected: ie have more than one path by which fluid can reach the compartments. This ensures that if one path becomes blocked, fluid can still pass into adjacent nearest neighbour compartments.

[0016] Preferably, the plurality of compartments are defined by joins between opposing parts of the outer. The outer skins of the flood barrier can be joined so as to define the compartments within the cavity of the flood barrier. The joins can be provided by material extending between the opposing parts of the outer. Preferably, the joins are seams formed between opposing parts of the outer. This provides a particularly simple means for defining the compartment structures within the cavity. The seams can be provided by adhesive, heat welding or any other suitable means for providing a water tight join between the material of the outer skins.

[0017] The barrier can be configured such that in use it has an axis of reduced rigidity extending along a lateral axis of the barrier about which the barrier can more easily fold. A formation of the barrier can provide the axis of reduced rigidity. Providing a formation in the flood barrier defining a fold axis allows the flood barrier to be erected so as to adopt a stable configuration with enhanced rigidity in a preferred direction. Preferably, the barrier can adopt a zigzag configuration when erected.

[0018] The formation which provides the axis of reduced rigidity can also provide a part at least partially defining at least any one of the plurality of compartments in the cavity. In this way, the same element provides a part helping to define at least a one of the plurality of cavities in the barrier and also the reduced rigidity folding axis. Preferably the formation is a seam defining a part of any one of the plurality of compartments.

[0019] The barrier can have an inlet toward a top end of the barrier for introducing fluid into the barrier. The barrier can have at least one outlet toward a bottom end of the barrier for removing fluid from the barrier. Preferably the or each of the at least one outlet is positioned such that it is accessible when the barrier is erected.

[0020] The barrier can include releasable fasteners at each or either end of the barrier to allow a plurality of erected barriers to be joined together to form an extended barrier. The releasable fasteners can be hook and eyelet fasteners, or hook and loop fasteners. In this way a number of smaller barriers can be easily assembled into a larger barrier to provide a dam across a larger aperture than could be covered by a single barrier.

[0021] The barrier can include a flap at a bottom end of the barrier. The flap provides an integral anchor. The flap can also be used to overlay a part of the site to provide improved flood protection. The flap can provide a seal.

[0022] According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of erecting a flood barrier comprising the steps of locating a collapsible flood barrier according to the first aspect of the invention at a flood site and then introducing fluid into the barrier sufficient to provide a substantially impermeable barrier to flood water. The fluid can be a gas or a liquid.

[0023] The flood barrier can include an anchor to hold the barrier in place when containing a gas which renders the flood barrier buoyant.

[0024] Preferably the fluid is a liquid. Any non-harmful liquid can be used. Preferably the liquid is water. This renders the barrier particularly easy to erect as a supply of water is commonly available in most locations. More preferably the water is flood water. This allows the barrier to be erected at a flood location if there is no other water supply other than the flood water at that location. This is particularly convenient in remote areas not supplied with a water utility.

[0025] The method can include the step of transporting the collapsable flood barrier in a collapsed or flaccid state. The flood barrier can be transported entirely empty of fluid. This makes the flood barrier very light to transport. The flood barrier can be transported in a flat state. The flood barrier can also be transported in a folded state. This allows a large number of flood barriers to be easily transported and distributed as required.

[0026] An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram illustrating a first outer part of a collapsible flood barrier according to the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram illustrating fluid flow paths within the flood barrier of the present invention;

Figures 3a and b respectively show side and end elevations of an erected flood barrier;

Figure 4 shows an example of an erected flood barrier in use;

Figure 5 illustrate alternative embodiments of the flood barrier of the invention; and

Figure 6 illustrates in cross-section a plurality of embodiments of the flood barrier of the invention assembled into a large dam.

[0027] Similar items in different Figures share common reference numerals unless indicated otherwise.

[0028] Figure 1 shows a first outer skin 110 of a collapsible flood barrier. A second outer skin, substantially the same as the first outer skin is also provided. Each outer skin is made from a plastics water impermeable material. The second outer skin is mounted in registration with the first outer skin and attached thereto by a peripheral seam 120 extended around the periphery of the skins. This provides a water impermeable outer casing. Heat welding is used to form the peripheral seam 120 providing a water tight seal around the periphery of the flood barrier.

[0029] An inlet 130 is provided at a top end of the flood barrier incorporating a valve (not shown) by which water can be introduced into the flood barrier.

[0030] A cavity 140 is defined within the outer casing. The cavity 140 has four compartments 142, 144, 146, 148 defined therein. The compartments are defined by interior seams 150, 152 joining the inner faces of the opposing skins of the outer casing. Compartments 142 and 148 extend across the entire lateral dimension 160 of the flood barrier. Compartments 144 and 146 each extend across substantially one half of the width of the flood barrier. Conduits 154, 155 are provided by narrow non-joined parts of the seams, which provide a path between compartments through which fluid can flow, as illustrated in Figure 2.

[0031] There is a direct path by which fluid can flow from each compartment to all of its nearest neighbour compartments. There are also multiple connected paths between upper compartment 142 and lower compartment 148 such that fluid can flow there between.

[0032] Although seam 150 is not strictly continuous across the entire width of the barrier, it can be considered to provide a seam extending across the width of the barrier which also provides an area of reduced rigidity, to provide a fold axis as will be described subsequently. Similarly, seam 152 also extends across the width of the barrier to provide a further fold axis.

[0033] Although not shown in the figures, hook fasteners are provided along one end edge 185 of the barrier and loop fasteners are provided along the other end edge 186 of the barrier. The hook and loop fasteners on adjacent barriers can then be used to connect individual barriers together to provide a longer barrier when required.

[0034] A flap 156 is provided at a bottom end of the barrier. Continuous seam 158 defines one edge of the flap, which is not in fluid communication with the remainder of the interior of the barrier, and provides a further fold axis.

[0035] Use of the collapsable flood barrier will now be described with particular reference to Figures 2 and 3. In its collapsed state, the flood barrier is substantially flat and can be folded for ease of storage or transportation. Alternatively, a flood barrier can easily be transported while flat and with multiple flood barriers piled on top of each other. At the location of a flood, where the barrier is required to provide a dam, the flood barrier can be erected in the following manner. Water 132 from the mains supply, or alternatively flood water itself, is fed into the flood barrier by inlet 130. Under action of gravity, the water will make its way via conduits 154 to the lower chamber 148 where it will collect.

[0036] Figure 2 also shows two outlet valves 170, 172 present in the upper outer skin, as shown in Figure. 2. As water is introduced into the barrier, the barrier expands from a flat, flaccid state into a turgid, expanded, more rigid state while still being deformable. Seams 150 and 152 provide regions of reduced rigidity extending across the width of the expanded barrier providing an axis about which the barrier can be folded.

[0037] As illustrated in Figure 3b, the barrier is folded in a zig zag manner about folds 174, 176 provided by seams 152 and 150. The thus erected barrier 180 provides a wall like structure having a width dimension 160, depth dimension 162 and height dimension 164. The compartments provide "bricks" for the wall formed by the barrier. However, the "bricks" are not separate but are continuously connected by the seam parts of the outer about which the barrier folds 174, 176.

[0038] The flap 156 can provide an integral anchor to help prevent the barrier from being washed away by flood waters. Weights can be placed on the flap, or the weight of flood water bearing down on the flap can provide an anchoring effect by increasing the surface are of the barrier in contact with the ground and thereby increasing the frictional force preventing movement of the barrier. The flap can also be used to provide a further sealing effect by molding over or being wedged into formations at the flood site.

[0039] It should be noted that the outlets 170 and 172 are positioned in the lower compartment such that they are freely accessible when the barrier is erected. This facilitates dismantling the barrier as the outlet valves are immediately accessible for operation to allow water to be removed 134 by the pressure head generated by the water above the lowest compartment 148.

[0040] A further feature of the barrier is that should any one of the compartments become damaged and start to leak water, the other compartments can collapse onto the damaged compartment preventing the loss of further water so as to retain the effectiveness of the barrier. For instance, should compartment 146 become damaged and start to leak, as compartment 146 deflates, compartment 140 will collapse upon compartment 146 under action of the weight of water present
in compartment 142. This has the effect of closing and sealing conduit 155 thereby preventing the egress of water from compartment 144 into 146. Conduits 154 are effectively sealed by the folding of the barrier along the fold axis provided by seams 150 and 152. Therefore, if one of the compartments fails, the barrier can still provide effective protection.

[0041] The water filled barrier is sufficiently rigid to withstand the pressure exerted on it by flood water but is also sufficiently deformable to fit tightly into an aperture across which it is to provide a barrier. Further, the barrier can readily deform to seal against complicated profiles or shapes. Furthermore, as the barrier can actively deform, i.e. change its shape in response to changes in the water pressure applied, it can absorb pressure changes without being damaged or having its efficiency reduced. This can be contrasted with a sand bag barrier in which waves of water can push or move sand bags around thereby creating a leak.

[0042] It will further be appreciated, that it is easy and simple to fill and erect the barrier as all that is required is a source of water. It is further easy to dispose of the filler water by merely emptying the barrier after use. This is to be contrasted with sand bags in which significant labour is required to dismantle the barrier and care must be taken in disposing of the sand in an environmentally acceptable manner.

[0043] Figure 4 shows an erected barrier 180 in use on a step 182 before a door 184 of a house at a flood site. As is illustrated, the top compartment of the barrier 142 deforms to more tightly and accurately fill the profile provided by the door frame. Also, the flap 156 molds itself over the step, to match its shape, thereby providing some sealing effect as water would need to pass between the flap and step in order to leak under the barrier. The weight of flood water on the flap both presses the flap against the step to improve the seal and also acts to anchor the barrier more firmly in place.

[0044] Figure 5 illustrates two embodiments of a flood barrier of the invention. The water impermeable outer 51 of the first embodiment (a) adopts a brick shape when erected. The water impermeable outer 52 of the second embodiment (b) adopts a flask shape when erected. Typically the outer which may be of any chosen size is made of PVC type material and has a valve 53.

[0045] Figure 6 illustrates the use of a plurality of flood barriers of the type illustrated in Figure 5(a) in a large dam 61. In use, the weight of water inside the outer 51 of each flood barrier serves to deform the flood barriers to a sufficient degree to give a water tight seal therebetween.

[0046] It will be appreciated that the present barrier provides a versatile and easy to use flood barrier which can easily be stored, transported and used with minimal effort and in a wide variety of circumstances.

[0047] Although the present barrier has been described with only four compartments, it will be appreciated that different numbers and configurations of compartments within the interior of the barrier can be used. It will also be appreciated that the interior cavity of the barrier can comprise a single compartment.

[0048] A particular feature of the barrier is that there is no need to provide an ancillary fill material. The barrier will only be required in circumstances in which there is flooding in which case there will be flood water available to provide the fill material to erect the barrier.

Claims

1. A collapsible flood barrier for erection at a flood site, comprising:

a water impermeable outer defining an interior cavity for receiving a fluid, such that in use the fluid present in the cavity erects the barrier.

2. A barrier as claimed in claim 1, in which the cavity comprises a plurality of compartments.

3. A barrier as claimed in claim 2, in which each of the plurality of compartments is fluid communicable with at least a nearest neighbour compartment.

4. A barrier as claimed in claim 3, in which each of the plurality of compartments is fluid communicable with all of its nearest neighbour compartments.

5. A barrier as claimed in any of claims 2 to 4, in which the plurality of compartments are defined by joins between opposing parts of the outer.

6. A barrier as claimed in claim 5, in which the joins are seams formed between opposing parts of the outer.

7. A barrier as claimed in claim 1, and including a formation providing an axis of reduced rigidity when the barrier is erected and about which the barrier can fold to adopt a preferred configuration.

8. A barrier as claimed in claim 7, in which the configuration is a zigzag.

9. A barrier as claimed in claim 7 or 8, in which the formation also provides a part at least partially defining at least a one of the plurality of compartments in the cavity.

10. A barrier as claimed in any preceding claim, and including an inlet toward a top end of the barrier for introducing fluid into the barrier and at least one outlet toward a bottom end of the barrier for removing fluid from the barrier.

11. A barrier as claimed in any preceding claim and having a flap at a bottom end of the barrier.

12. A flood barrier comprising a collapsible flood barrier as claimed in any preceding claim and having fluid within the cavity sufficient to provide a substantially impermeable barrier to flood water.

13. A method of erecting a flood barrier comprising the steps of locating a collapsible flood barrier as claimed in any of claims 1 to 10 at a flood site and introducing fluid into the barrier sufficient to provide a substantially impermeable barrier to flood water.

14. A method as claimed in claim 13, in which the fluid is water.

15. A method as claimed in claim 14, in which the water is flood water.

16. A method as claimed in any of claims 13 to 15, and including the step of transporting the collapsible flood barrier to the flood site in a flaccid state.

17. A method as claimed in claim 16, in which the collapsible flood barrier is empty.

Drawing