Self-inflating, watertight stopper for standard doors and windows against flooding and storms.

Abstract

A device for protecting a standard opening in a dwelling during floods and storms, characterized in that it comprises an adaptable telescopic structure designed to be inserted into the opening with a sealing system configured to release expanding foam that fills the internal structure and the perimeter of the device in order to increase watertightness and impact resistance, as well as applying pressure to the edges of the opening for better support and improved resistance to bending. This system has the advantage of providing a rapid response to an emergency need for protection and sealing in the face of natural disasters such as floods and storms. The device requires no prior installation or special professional training and can be used by any user or first responder in a hostile environment during an emergency. See Figure 5 for abbreviations.

Description

Title of the invention: Self-inflating, watertight stopper for standard doors and windows against flooding and storms.

[0001] The present invention relates to the protection of dwellings, interior property, furniture, household appliances, and interior walls during flooding or from objects projecting onto the openings of a dwelling during a storm. This invention protects residential, commercial, and industrial buildings and houses, and is used in emergencies by emergency services or users themselves in the most difficult weather conditions. An extreme weather situation is defined here as a hostile environment with extreme temperatures (from -30°C to 60°C), high humidity, prolonged immersion of a dwelling underwater for several weeks, a UV index greater than 12, the high-speed projection of sharp and injurious objects by a flood or storm, and / or winds exceeding 100 km / h. These extreme situations will become more frequent over time due to global warming.This structure provides resistance equal to that of the wall on which it is positioned, increasing resistance to impacts from obstacles, as well as to bending and compression due to fluid pressure, whether from torrential water or wind, on the protective device.

[0002] Currently, there is no efficient and easy-to-install emergency system for flooding exceeding one meter in height or for severe storms. Three problems must be solved to achieve optimal protection for a building opening. The first is improving the opening's resistance to flooding or storms. The second is ensuring reliable sealing against high fluid pressures, such as water or wind. The third and final problem is adaptability to all standard opening sizes.

[0003] First, since the proposed system relies on the wall of the opening, the resistance of this protection cannot exceed the resistance of the wall of the dwelling. Indeed, if the wall is swept away or destroyed, the protection will also be swept away by the same force. The resistance of the device is therefore limited to that of the wall of the opening. Existing solutions require costly and difficult installation, are poorly suited to our problem, and are, in most cases, either too strong or too weak. Current protections, for example, take the form of fixing metal panels after drilling and concreting them into the wall and floor of the dwelling, or the installation of flood barriers. In front of the house, the installation of expensive protective shutters requires significant additional space outside the opening, resulting in a construction project with considerable installation costs. Furthermore, the installation of sandbags is often insufficient on the day of the disaster due to the number of bags and the quantity of sand required. The proposed emergency protection device is superior in every respect to current solutions because it is quickly and easily attached to the opening by the user and requires no prior installation, thus saving materials, time, and simplifying the process for the user. No existing solutions or devices currently address this resistance issue with easy installation by non-professional users, rapid deployment in emergency situations, and a technically simple manufacturing process.This protective device can be used by rescue workers or firefighters to protect homes at least six hours before a disaster begins. This invention can be seen as a fire extinguisher that allows for almost instantaneous damage from a flood or storm, compared to existing solutions.

[0004] The second problem is sealing. Faced with high fluid pressure, the protective device must be able to guarantee a seal on any wall material. Existing solutions are inadequate, such as the use of silicone seals pressed against the walls of the opening, which cannot conform to all the shapes and irregularities of a building's wall, or the use of expensive, watertight shutters requiring significant installation in terms of building materials, time, and budget for an individual. The protective device proposed in this patent uses an expanding foam that fills every irregularity in the wall of the opening, then solidifies and bonds the wall and the device together into a single unit. This protection should be considered as becoming one with the wall by virtue of the expanding foam.Once the damage is over, it's possible to remove the solidified foam with an inexpensive chemical solution readily available on the market. However, certain precautions are necessary as this solution is flammable. To remove the expanding foam from the wall, apply this chemical solution and simply rub with a sponge or cloth until the expanding foam is gone.

[0005] Finally, the third and last problem is adaptability to all dimensions of a standard opening. The existing solution involves custom-making for each opening, which considerably increases the complexity, development cost, and installation of the existing device. To overcome this drawback, it is necessary to use a telescopic structure adaptable to any type of standard opening, which can be adjusted to the correct dimensions by the user. This user will simply need to pull horizontally and vertically on the obstructor to put it to the correct dimensions, the position of said obstructor being blocked by a system of spring-loaded balls.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks of known devices. This object is perfectly achieved by this self-inflating, watertight barrier for standard doors and windows against flooding and storms.

[0007] This complex protection requires equipment and a range of specific components. It therefore consists of elements that are fully complementary in their use. These elements are detailed below:

[0008] First element: Figure 1 shows the telescopic structure from the front, allowing the shutter to adapt to any type of door or window opening. It is composed of 5 telescopic arms (1), each with 3 rods nested one inside the other. Each of these telescopic arms has a ball bearing system (2), shown in Figure 3, which locks the rods together. Figure 2 shows the telescopic structure connected by 4 supports (3) and the 10 telescopic arms (1) necessary for the proper functioning of the shutter. Figure 3 shows a close-up of the rod locking mechanism in a telescopic bar. The ball bearing (2), under pressure from a spring, positions the locking mechanism and secures the telescopic bar in the extended position.

[0009] Second element: Inflation is achieved using canisters of expanding foam placed in supports (4). These canisters are fixed within the structure as shown in [Fig. 4]. This expanding foam fills and solidifies the interior of the structure, conforming to every internal corner. The expansive nature of this foam allows pressure to be applied to the four sides of the structure, holding it in place within the standard door or window opening. This pressure is achieved by being initially liquid and sticky, then by hardening and expanding. This pressure allows for better elimination of imperfections due to the wall (brick, concrete, or wood), thus promoting a watertight seal. To maximize this seal, the edges of the barrier have holes and recesses that allow the expanding foam to adhere to the wall of the building.Expanding foam provides high resistance to impacts, cuts, bending, and compression. It conforms to every nook and cranny to seal any leaks. If the fabric is punctured, the expanding foam acts as a secondary layer of protection, either by flowing and drying, solidifying the open area like blood forming a scab on a wound, or by remaining solid and replacing the first layer of protection. The device for attaching these canisters includes a continuous plate (5) on which the canister rests, and... Fabric straps maintain pressure between the cylinder and a space provided on the telescopic bar. Glue is also used to reinforce the structure.

[0010] Third element: The textile (13) used is a Gore-Tex fabric that utilizes the lotus effect. It is hydrophobic and keeps the interior of the structure dry. It is cut-resistant, impact-resistant, and UV-resistant. The textile is applied to all sides to ensure optimal sealing. It is attached to the metal structure. Figure 5 shows the inflated plug fitted with this textile.

[0011] Fourth element: Figure 6 shows the inflation system comprising a non-return system (6) and a locking system (7). We use additive manufacturing to produce these elements, as well as other industrial processes. The user turns the non-return handle, which pulls a string (14) that inflates the nozzles of the expanding foam canisters. Figure 7 shows the non-return system. When the user rotates the handle, the system pulls on the string, activating the expanding foam canisters. It is a single-use, self-locking system with no possibility of return, comprising tabs (8) that prevent the spiked shaft (9) from rotating. The string (14) winds around the handle shaft and makes several turns. Figure 8 shows the locking system.The user must press the handle (10) and then turn, which prevents inadvertent activation of the shutter. The system consists of a circular body to which two small cylinders (11) are attached. During translation, these cylinders slide within the recess in the wall of the frame (12) and then lock into position. Figure 9 illustrates this trajectory.

[0012] Fifth element: Figure 10 shows the decompression valve for releasing excess expanding foam or gas. The self-inflating, airtight plug requires several decompression valves.

[0013] To limit flood damage, an emergency inflatable flood barrier system should be installed on the doors and windows of homes at least 6 hours before the start of the natural disaster. The user installs the barrier in two steps. The first step is to position it in the opening of the home, adjusting it to the correct size using the telescopic structure. In the second and final step, the user turns the handle to release expanding foam that fills the internal structure and solidifies the barrier.

Claims

Claims

1. Device for protecting an opening of a dwelling during floods and storms, the device comprising a sealing system as well as a structure with telescopic arms (1) adaptable to be inserted into the opening with the sealing system, the device being characterized in that the sealing system is configured to emit an expanding foam filling the interior of the adaptable telescopic structure and the contour of the device in order to increase the sealing and the resistance to shocks as well as to apply pressure on the edges of the opening for better support and better resistance to bending and compression.

2. Device for protecting an opening of a dwelling during floods and storms according to claim 1 comprising an adaptable structure with telescopic arms (1), characterized in that the device for protecting an opening of a dwelling during floods and storms can be adjusted to adapt to different sizes and shapes of windows.

3. Device for protecting an opening of a dwelling during floods and storms according to claim 1 comprising cylinders (4) of expanding foam, characterized by the expansive nature of the expanding foam allowing pressure to be applied to the edges of the opening for better resistance to bending and compression.

4. Device for protecting an opening of a dwelling during floods and storms according to claim 3, comprising a non-return handle (6), characterized by a system for activating the cylinders (4) of expanding foam allowing a string (14) to be pulled.

5. Device for protecting an opening of a dwelling during floods and storms according to claim 4, comprising a non-return handle (4), characterized in that it is easy for the user to operate.

6. Device for protecting an opening of a dwelling during floods and storms according to claims 3 and 4, comprising a system for blocking the non-return handle (6) with slats (8) and picks (7), characterized by the blocking of the central shaft (9) allowing the string (14) to be blocked.

7. Device for protecting an opening of a dwelling during floods and storms according to claim 1, comprising a textile (13) using the lotus effect, characterized by better sealing of the device, the door and the window, and characterized by its resistance to cuts, shocks and UV rays.

8. Device for protecting an opening of a dwelling during floods and storms according to claims 3 and 7, comprising a textile (13) using the lotus effect, characterized by its openings (11) on the side of the device allowing the expanding foam to exit the device and seal the edges of the device and the door / window.

9. Device for protecting an opening of a dwelling during floods and storms according to claims 1 and 3, comprising a decompression valve (15), characterized by the possibility of excess pressure of expanding foam escaping from the device.

10. Device for protecting an opening of a dwelling during floods and storms according to claim 2, comprising a structure with telescopic arms (1), characterized by a compact device before activation, allowing space saving for storage during storage.

11. Device for protecting an opening of a dwelling during floods and storms according to claims 2 and 3, comprising a structure with telescopic arms (1), characterized in that the device can be easily installed and removed without damaging the door or window.

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