Extensible Anti-flooding bulkhead

Abstract

The present invention refers to the field of anti-flooding devices and, more in detail, concerns an extensible anti-flooding bulkhead (100), adapted to be placed on a floor and mounted between two vertical surfaces that delimit an access opening, comprising: a first large panel (1 ) and a second panel (2), sliding with respect to the first panel (1 ) so as to overlap it, adapted to allow the variation in length of said bulkhead (100); sealing gaskets (4, 14, 5, 15, 6, 7) adapted to cooperate in a sealing manner with the vertical surfaces, the floor and between said first (1 ) and second (2) panel. Said first panel (1 ) includes a plurality of straight grooves (11) having a C-shaped section, each groove (11 ) being open with a cut (12) towards the outside; said second sliding panel (2) includes a corresponding plurality of keys (13), each key (13) being internally associated with a main face (2e, 2f) of said second panel (2) by means of at least one screw (8) adapted to simultaneously engage a through hole (9) provided on said second panel (2) and a corresponding threaded hole (18) provided on said key (13). Said keys (13) are adapted to slidingly engage said grooves (11 ), said at least one screw (8) is adapted to engage said cut (12), and the tightening of said at least one screw (8) causes stable coupling between said first (1 ) and said second (2) panel in a given position, preventing further sliding.

Description

[0001] EXTENSIBLE ANTI-FLOODING BULKHEAD

[0002] Technical field of application

[0003] The present invention refers to the field of anti-flooding devices and, more in detail, concerns an extensible bulkhead adapted to be placed at access openings, such as doors and windows, of buildings of any type, such as, by way of non-limiting example, residential houses, public buildings, shops, warehouses, industrial buildings, with the purpose of preventing them from flooding.

[0004] Background art

[0005] During periods of intense and prolonged rainfall, it is increasingly frequent for even vast areas of territory, above all if adjacent to river basins, to be affected by inundations and, in extreme cases, by actual flooding. Among the various types of material damage caused by calamities of this type, a substantial part concerns damage deriving from flooding of buildings. In these cases, the furnishings, goods and machinery located in the rooms flooded by water may suffer even irreparable damage.

[0006] To solve the aforesaid problem, the use of anti-flooding devices is known, commonly known with the name of anti-flooding bulkheads or barriers.

[0007] The utility model patent application 202019000002415 discloses an anti-flooding bulkhead, adapted to be placed on a floor or a threshold and mounted between two vertical surfaces that delimit an access opening, of the type comprising: a first and a second shoulder, each L-shaped and adapted to be fixed to a respective vertical surface, each creating a front stop; a panel, adapted to act as an infill for said access opening, comprising a front face, a rear face, a base face, an upper face, a first and a second lateral face; a first and a second lateral gasket arranged at the end edges of the rear face of said panel and adapted to cooperate in a sealing manner respectively with the front stops of said first and second shoulder; a linear base gasket which runs along the base face of said panel; a first and a second hooking pin protruding respectively from said first and second shoulder to delimit with said front stops a space in which said panel is insertable; fixing means of latch type adapted to block said panel against the front stops of said shoulders and against the floor of the access opening to be protected, so as to compress the relative gaskets.

[0008] An extensible anti-flooding bulkhead including a second panel, sliding with respect to said first panel so as to overlap it, is also known. Said second sliding panel is adapted to allow the variation in length of said bulkhead, or its extension, depending on the width of said opening.

[0009] On the side facing said shoulder of said second sliding panel two adjustment screws are arranged under said second gasket, which can be adjusted by an operator acting from the outside using an Allen key, adapted to interact with two corresponding lead screws arranged inside said first panel to move the two panels towards or away from each other and thus vary the total length of the bulkhead.

[0010] The second panel slides freely on said first panel, i.e., sliding does not take place by means of guides and is of the order of a few centimetres.

[0011] Moreover, stable fixing of the two panels, once their mutual position has been established, takes place using rivets or self-tapping screws, and therefore requires holes to be made in the respective main faces of both panels.

[0012] Naturally, said first and second panel each comprise a latch adapted to cooperate with a corresponding housing provided on each of said shoulders to fix the bulkhead to the opening to be protected.

[0013] Further, said second panel includes in turn a lateral gasket adapted to cooperate in a sealing manner with the front stop of said second shoulder, and said linear base gasket has a length such as to also run under the base face of said second panel.

[0014] The same solution of adding a sliding panel is also known from the utility model patent application 202018000003068, which describes an anti-flooding bulkhead that does not provide for the use shoulders for fixing to the vertical surfaces of the access opening to be protected, but is of the type provided with a third panel joined to said first panel with elbow catch fixing means.

[0015] This utility model patent application 202018000003068 in fact refers to an extensible anti-flooding bulkhead, adapted to be placed on a floor or a threshold and mounted between two vertical surfaces that delimit an access opening, of the type comprising:

[0016] - a first large panel;

[0017] - a second panel, sliding with respect to said first panel so as to overlap it, adapted to allow the variation in length of said bulkhead, or its extension, depending on the opening of said opening;

[0018] - a third panel of small dimensions;

[0019] - a first and a second lateral gasket arranged respectively at an end face of said second panel and at an end face of said third panel, adapted to cooperate in a sealing manner with said vertical surfaces;

[0020] - a linear base gasket that runs along a base face of said first, second and third panel;

[0021] - coupling gaskets arranged between said first and second panel and between said first and third panel;

[0022] - a hinge with a vertical axis connecting said first and third panel;

[0023] - a handle adapted to be associated with said third panel to operate and install said bulkhead.

[0024] Sliding of said second panel on said first panel takes place, as for the solution described above, by means of the cooperation between two adjustment screws, placed on the outer side of said second sliding panel, and two corresponding lead screws arranged inside said first panel to move the two panels towards or away from each other and thus vary the total length of the bulkhead.

[0025] Extensible anti-flooding bulkheads of conventional type, both with two panels with latch fixing means, and with three panels with elbow catch fixing means, have some limits and drawbacks:

[0026] - the first and the second panel are weakened by the holes required for mutually fixing, compromising the seal of the bulkhead and creating passage holes for the possible infiltration of water;

[0027] - in case of measurement error, and once the holes have been made on the panels, it is no longer possible to restore the continuity of the panels;

[0028] - adjustment is complex and requires attention and precision by a skilled technician for initial installation of the bulkhead, not allowing the purchaser to install it personally;

[0029] - the mutual travel of said first and second panel is limited to a few centimetres, and therefore the bulkhead is not universal and hence is adaptable to only a few sizes of openings; sliding of the second panel on the first panel is not guided, and therefore bending or slight inclination can occur between components, compromising the perfect watertight seal of the bulkhead against the vertical surfaces and the floor of the opening in which it is mounted.

[0030] Presentation of the invention

[0031] The object of the present invention is to overcome the aforesaid problems, and hence to produce an extensible anti-flooding bulkhead that is easy, precise and quick to install, structurally simple to produce, safe, strong and efficient, with wide travel and hence adaptable to openings of various widths.

[0032] The objects are achieved with an extensible anti-flooding bulkhead, adapted to be placed on a floor and mounted between two vertical surfaces that delimit an access opening to block the passage of water, comprising: a first large panel; a second panel, sliding with respect to said first panel so as to overlap it, adapted to allow the variation in length of said bulkhead, or its extension, depending on the width of said opening; a first and a second lateral gasket, adapted to act as sealing means along said vertical surfaces; a linear base gasket adapted to act as a sealing means along said floor; coupling gaskets adapted to act as sealing means between said first and second panel; characterized in that: said first panel includes a plurality of straight grooves having a C-shaped section, each groove being open with a cut towards the outside on a main face of said first panel; said second sliding panel includes a corresponding plurality of keys, each key being internally associated with a main face of said second panel by means of at least one screw adapted to simultaneously engage a through hole provided on said second sliding panel and a corresponding threaded hole provided on said key, where said keys are adapted to slidingly engage said grooves, said at least one screw is adapted to engage said cut, and the tightening of said at least one screw causes stable coupling between said first and said second panel in a given position, preventing further sliding.

[0033] According to a first aspect of the invention, said groove includes two shoulders that delimit said cut.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment, said key is T-shaped and includes a central core and two wings, where said wings engage said groove, said core engages said cut, and said threaded hole belongs to said core.

[0035] According to a possible variant of embodiment, said first panel includes two straight C-shaped grooves for each of its main faces, and said second panel includes two corresponding keys for each of its main faces.

[0036] Advantageously, the grooves of opposite faces of said first panel are arranged at the same height, or alternatively at different heights, and likewise the keys of opposite faces of said second panel are arranged at the same height, or alternatively at different heights, based on the arrangement of said grooves.

[0037] According to a further aspect of the invention, said extensible antiflooding bulkhead includes pad gaskets, shaped in a T section like said keys, adapted to engage said grooves in front of said keys, to guarantee the seal between said grooves and said keys.

[0038] In a preferred embodiment, said extensible anti-flooding bulkhead further includes:

[0039] - a third panel of small dimensions, rotatably associated with said first panel on the opposite side with respect to said second sliding panel;

[0040] - a hinge with a vertical axis connecting said first and third panel; - coupling gaskets adapted to act as sealing means between said first and third panel;

[0041] - a handle adapted to be associated with said third panel to operate and install said bulkhead.

[0042] The main advantages of the invention are the following:

[0043] - sliding between said first and second panel is guided by the interaction between grooves and keys, guaranteeing perfect coplanarity and precise alignment between the panels, the floor and the lateral surfaces of the opening to be protected;

[0044] - the final user does not require to make any cuts or holes on the bulkhead, guaranteeing the integrity of said bulkhead and hence its perfect watertight seal, allowing initial installation to be carried out directly without the intervention of a skilled technician;

[0045] - the possibility of extension of the bulkhead is substantially equal to the whole length of the second sliding panel, thereby making it possible to cover openings of very different sizes with a single bulkhead;

[0046] - the method of mutual fixing of the first and of the second panel is simplified and in fact only requires the tightening of screws acting from the outside of the bulkhead.

[0047] Brief description of the drawings

[0048] Further features and advantages of the invention will be more apparent from the more detailed description provided below, with the aid of the drawings, which show a preferred embodiment, illustrated purely by way of non-limiting example, wherein: Figs. 1 and 2 show, respectively in front plan view and in axonometric view, an extensible anti-flooding bulkhead according to a variant of the invention;

[0049] - Fig. 3 shows, in exploded axonometric view, the extensible anti-flooding bulkhead of Fig. 1 ;

[0050] - Figs.. 4a and 4b show, in axonometric view, two details of Fig.3;

[0051] - Figs.. 5 and 6 show, in a section along a transverse vertical plane and in detail, the bulkhead of Fig. 1 ;

[0052] - Figs.. 7 and 8 show, respectively in axonometric view and exploded axonometric view, an extensible anti-flooding bulkhead according to a further possible variant of the invention;

[0053] - Fig. 9 shows, in axonometric view, a detail of Fig.8.

[0054] Detailed description of preferred embodiments

[0055] With reference to Figs. 1 -3, there is illustrated an extensible antiflooding bulkhead 100 according to a first possible variant of the invention.

[0056] Said bulkhead 100 is adapted to be placed on a floor or on a threshold and mounted between two vertical surfaces that delimit an access opening so as to protect it from and block the inflow of water.

[0057] Said extensible anti-flooding bulkhead 100 substantially comprising:

[0058] - a first 10 and a second 20 shoulder, each L-shaped and adapted to be fixed to a respective vertical surface, each creating a front stop for said bulkhead 100;

[0059] - a first large panel 1 ;

[0060] - a second panel 2, sliding with respect to said first panel 1 so as to overlap it, adapted to allow the variation in length of said bulkhead 100, or its extension, depending on the width of said opening.

[0061] Said panels 1 and 2 are made of aluminium and each include two opposite main faces 1e, 1f, 2e, 2f, two end faces 1 a, 1 b, 2a, 2b, a base face 1 c, 2c, and an upper face 1d, 2d.

[0062] According to a possible embodiment, said first panel 1 can be formed of different section bars, arranged one on top of another to reach the desired height of the bulkhead.

[0063] To guarantee the seal of said bulkhead 100 against the floor and the vertical surfaces that delimit the access opening to be protected, said bulkhead 100 includes a plurality of gaskets.

[0064] In particular, said bulkhead 100 includes:

[0065] - a first 4 and a second 5 lateral gasket, arranged at the end edges of the rear faces 1f, 2f of said first 1 and second 2 panel, adapted to act as sealing means along said vertical surfaces cooperating respectively with the front stops of said first 10 and second 20 shoulder;

[0066] - a linear base gasket 6, which runs continuously along the base face 1 c, 2c of said first 1 and second 2 panel, adapted to act as a sealing means along said floor;

[0067] - coupling gaskets 7 adapted to act as sealing means between said first 1 and second 2 panel.

[0068] To complete it, said bulkhead 100 includes closing elements for said second sliding panel 2, in particular a lower C-shaped channel 19, adapted to act as base face 2c, into which part of said linear base gasket 6 is insertable, and an upper covering profile 21 adapted to act as upper face 2d.

[0069] Moreover, a carrying handle 26 is arranged on the upper face 1d of said first panel 1 .

[0070] Said bulkhead 100 further includes means for fixing the panels 1 , 2 to the respective shoulders 10, 20, so as to make the bulkhead safe and stably associated with the opening to be protected.

[0071] Said fixing means include, according to prior art:

[0072] - a first 31 and a second 32 latch fixed, on opposite sides, on the main front face 1e, 2e of said first 1 and second 2 panel, and adapted to protrude, in use, with respect to the lateral faces 2a, 1 b of said panels;

[0073] - a first 41 and a second 42 hole, obtained respectively on said first 10 and second 20 shoulder, each adapted to cooperate with the free end of the corresponding latch 31 , 32 when protruding.

[0074] With particular reference to the exploded view of Fig. 3, to the details of Figs. 4a and 4b, and to the sections of Figs. 5-6, said first panel 1 includes a plurality of straight grooves 11 having a C-shaped section.

[0075] Each groove 11 is open with a cut 12 towards the outside on a main face 1 e, 1f of said first panel 1 , and includes two shoulders 17 that delimit said cut 12.

[0076] In the variant illustrated, said first panel 1 includes four straight C- shaped grooves 11 for each of its main faces 1 e, 1f, and the grooves height so that they are not facing each other back to back. This solution is advantageous for bulkheads 100 of limited thickness: obtaining two grooves back to back would have weakened the structure of the first panel, while placing them one on top of another still ensures that the panel has a minimum total thickness.

[0077] Said second sliding panel 2 includes a corresponding plurality of keys 13.

[0078] Each key 13 is internally associated with a main face 2e, 2f of said second panel 2, and is adapted to slidingly engage a corresponding groove 11 .

[0079] Each key 13 is T-shaped and includes a central core 13a and two wings 13b: said wings 13b engage said groove 11 , while said core 13a engages said cut 12.

[0080] The keys 13 illustrated are continuous linear keys, but in a possible alternative variant said keys could be of the type with discontinuous points, arranged equidistant from one another along the same directrices of said grooves.

[0081] Each key 13 is associated with an internal main face 2e, 2f of the second sliding panel 2 by means of respective screws 8: said second panel 2 is in fact provided with a plurality of through holes 9, said key 13 is provided with a plurality of threaded holes 18 obtained along its core 13a, and said screws 8 are adapted to simultaneously engage said through holes 9 and said threaded holes 18. Advantageously, said screws 8 have a mushroom head and Allen key tightening system.

[0082] In the variant illustrated, said second panel 2 includes four keys 13 for each of its main faces 2e, 2f, and the keys 13 of the opposite faces of said second panel 2 are arranged at a different height.

[0083] Said bulkhead 100 further includes pad gaskets 16, shaped in a T section like said keys 13, adapted to engage said grooves 11 in front of said keys 13, to guarantee the seal between said grooves 11 and said keys 13.

[0084] The detail in section of Fig. 6 is useful for understanding operation of the invention, and in particular stable mutual fixing of the first 1 and second 2 panel.

[0085] During sliding of the two panels 1 , 2, said keys 13 are adapted to slidingly engage said grooves 11 and the screws 8 of each key 13 are adapted to engage, with their stem, said cut 12.

[0086] After identifying the mutual position of the two panels 1 , 2 required to extend the bulkhead 100 to the same width as the opening to be protected, said screws 8 are tightened.

[0087] This tightening causes the keys 13 to move inside the groove 11 towards the shoulders 17 that delimit the cut 12, in this way compressing the main faces 1 e, 1f, 2e, 2f of said first 1 and second 2 panel against each other, in a sandwich, stably coupling them in the established position and preventing them from sliding further.

[0088] After measuring the extension of the bulkhead 100 with mutual sliding of the two panels 1 , 2, it is necessary to stabilize the panels 1 , 2 thus coupled against the shoulders 10, 20, so that the relative interposed gaskets 4, 5 are also compressed.

[0089] For this fixing operation it is possible to operate each latch 31 , 32 to take it to the protruding position and thus engage the housings 41 , 42 of the shoulders 10, 20.

[0090] With reference to Figs. 7-9 there is illustrated an extensible antiflooding bulkhead 100 according to a further possible variant of the invention that does not include the use of shoulders for fixing to the vertical surfaces of the access opening to be protected, but of the type provided with a third panel joined to said first panel with elbow catch fixing means.

[0091] Said extensible anti-flooding bulkhead 100 includes:

[0092] - a first large panel 1 ;

[0093] - a second panel 2, sliding with respect to said first panel 1 so as to overlap it, adapted to allow the variation in length of said bulkhead 100, or its extension, depending on the width of said opening;

[0094] - a third panel 3 of small dimensions, rotatably associated with said first panel 1 on the opposite side with respect to said second sliding panel 2;

[0095] - a hinge 23 with a vertical axis connecting said first 1 and third 3 panel;

[0096] - a first 14 and a second 15 lateral gasket arranged respectively at an end face 1 a of said third panel 3 and at an end face 2b of said second panel 2, adapted to cooperate in a sealing manner with said vertical surfaces;

[0097] - a linear base gasket 6 that runs along a base face 1 c, 2c, 3c of said first 1 , second 2 and third 3 panel;

[0098] - coupling gaskets 7 adapted to act as sealing means between said first 1 and second 2 panel;

[0099] - coupling gaskets 24 adapted to act as sealing means between said first 1 and third 3 panel;

[0100] - a handle 25 adapted to be associated with said third panel 3 to operate and install said bulkhead 100;

[0101] - a carrying handle 26 placed on the upper face 1 b of said first panel 1.

[0102] The extension method the bulkhead 100, i.e., the method of sliding of said second 2 and first 1 panel, is the same described for the variant of Figs. 1 -6, but the difference consists of the position of the grooves 11 and of the keys 13.

[0103] Said first panel 1 includes two straight C-shaped grooves 11 for each of its main faces 1 e, 1f, but the grooves 11 of the opposite faces of said first panel 1 are arranged at the same height, so as to be back to back with each other. Likewise, the corresponding keys 13 of the opposite faces of the second panel 2 are also arranged at the same height.

Claims

CLAIMS1) Extensible anti-flooding bulkhead (100), adapted to be placed on a floor and mounted between two vertical surfaces that delimit an access opening to block the passage of water, comprising:- a first large panel (1 );- a second panel (2), sliding with respect to said first panel (1 ) so as to overlap it, adapted to allow the variation in length of said bulkhead (100), or its extension, depending on the width of said opening;- a first (4, 14) and a second (5, 15) lateral gasket, adapted to act as a sealing means along said vertical surfaces;- a linear base gasket (6) adapted to act as a sealing means along said floor;- coupling gaskets (7) adapted to act as a sealing means between said first (1 ) and second (2) panel; characterized in that:- said first panel (1 ) includes a plurality of straight grooves (11 ) having a C-shaped section, each groove (11 ) being open with a cut (12) towards the outside on a main face (1 e, 1f) of said first panel (1 );- said second sliding panel (2) includes a corresponding plurality of keys (13), each key (13) being internally associated with a main face (2e, 2f) of said second panel (2) by means of at least one screw (8) adapted to simultaneously engage a through hole (9) provided on said second sliding panel (2) and acorresponding threaded hole (18) provided on said key (13), where said keys (13) are adapted to slidingly engage said grooves(11 ), said at least one screw (8) is adapted to engage said cut(12), and the tightening of said at least one screw (8) causes stable coupling between said first (1 ) and said second (2) panel in a given position, preventing further sliding.2) Extensible anti-flooding bulkhead (100) according to claim 1 , characterized in that said groove (11 ) includes two shoulders (17) which delimit said cut (12).3) Extensible anti-flooding bulkhead (100) according to claim 1 , characterized in that said key (13) is T-shaped and includes a central core (13a) and two wings (13b), where said wings (13b) engage said groove (11 ), said core (13a) engages said cut (12), and said threaded hole (10) belongs to said core (13a).4) Extensible anti-flooding bulkhead (100) according to claim 1 , characterized in that said first panel (1 ) includes two straight C- shaped grooves (11 ) for each of its main faces (1 e, 1f), and said second panel (2) includes two corresponding keys (13) for each of its main faces (2e, 2f).5) Extensible anti-flooding bulkhead (100) according to claim 4, characterized in that the grooves (11 ) of opposite faces (1 e, 1f) of said first panel (1 ) are arranged at the same height, or alternatively at different heights.6) Extensible anti-flooding bulkhead (100) according to claim 5, characterized in that the keys (13) of opposite faces (2e, 2f) of saidsecond panel (2) are arranged at the same height, or alternatively at different heights, based on the arrangement of said grooves (11 ).7) Extensible anti-flooding bulkhead (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that it includes pad gaskets (16), shaped in a T section like said keys (13), adapted to engage said grooves (11 ) in front of said keys (13), to guarantee the seal between said grooves (11 ) and said keys (13).8) Extensible anti-flooding bulkhead (100) according to claim 1 , characterized in that it includes:- a third panel (3) of small dimensions, rotatably associated with said first panel (1 ) on the opposite side with respect to said second sliding panel (2);- a hinge (23) with a vertical axis connecting said first (1 ) and third (3) panel;- coupling gaskets (24) adapted to act as a sealing means between said first (1 ) and third (3) panel;- a handle (25) adapted to be associated with said third panel (3) to operate and install said bulkhead (100).

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