Flood water barrier

Abstract

A flood barrier protection system has a first barrier support member having a channel therein. A second barrier member spaced from the first support member having a channel therein. A barrier member disposed within both channels is sealingly engageable with one surface of each the support member. The barrier member has a rigid front wall and a rigid rear wall spaced across a gap form each other to form a hollow body open at at least one end. An upper engaging portion and a lower engaging portion each extend from the hollow body in opposite directions.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention is directed to a system for preventing flood water from reaching an entry point to a building, and in particular, to a system which utilizes the weight of the oncoming water to increase the impermeability of the system to the oncoming water.[0002]Flood waters from torrential rains, hurricanes, rising rivers and high tides cause damage. They particularly cause damage if they approach or enter the doorways or ground level windows of a building.[0003]A number of methods are known for reducing the risk of flood damage to a building. The most common of these methods is to stack sand bags against the particular entry point of the building. While this structure and method has been satisfactory, it suffers from the disadvantages that the creation of the sand bag wall is difficult, arduous and time consuming, requiring the lifting and maneuvering of heavy sand bags into position. Furthermore, even once the sand bag barrier has been const...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a flood water barrier system that consists of two support members and a hollow barrier member that can hold water. There is a gap between the support members and the open end of the barrier member. The system also includes two gaskets, one on the barrier member and one on each support member, and fasteners to secure the support members to a fixed surface. The system can also have positioning members to keep the barrier members in place. The technical effect of this system is that it provides a flexible and effective means to prevent flood water damage to buildings or other areas.

Problems solved by technology

Flood waters from torrential rains, hurricanes, rising rivers and high tides cause damage.

They particularly cause damage if they approach or enter the doorways or ground level windows of a building.

While this structure and method has been satisfactory, it suffers from the disadvantages that the creation of the sand bag wall is difficult, arduous and time consuming, requiring the lifting and maneuvering of heavy sand bags into position.

Furthermore, even once the sand bag barrier has been constructed, it is not completely water tight and may allow water to seep either through the bag or through the space between adjacent bags.

This prior art solution has been satisfactory in that it is more easily assembled and removed than the sand bag, however, due to the close engagement between the sealant in the U-shaped channel and the panel, it is difficult to push the panel into the barrier and often requires two or more people to lift the heavy panel and force it into to the channel.

Furthermore, this activity often results in damage to the panel.

However, in addition to all the other issues with the prior art, this requires anchoring structure in the sidewalk or ground at two locations and substantially blocks off the area of a sidewalk formed by the triangle of the support member extending at an angle from the barrier wall.

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