Water blocking system configured to prevent water from penetrating a construction through a window or door

Abstract

A water blocking system for at least partially blocking water from penetrating a construction through a window or door thereof may include a deployable and flexible, watertight barrier. The water blocking system is configured to adopt a working configuration in which the watertight barrier is arranged in a deployed position, extending over the entirety of the window or door, with bottom edge, left edge and right edge portions of the watertight barrier extending beyond the entirety of the bottom side and at least part of the left and right sides of the window or door, with the left edge portion and the right edge portion of the watertight barrier watertightly abutted against the structure uninterruptedly along the left and right sides of the window or door, and preferably further along bottom and top sides thereof. A plurality of fasteners may secure the watertight barrier in place in the working configuration.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to home or business construction water barriers, and more particularly, to a water blocking system configured to deploy and elastically abut a flexible, watertight barrier about the window or door of a construction, allowing to at least partially block water from penetrating the construction through the window or door.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Floor water damage is a pervasive issue in homes across the United States, particularly in regions prone to hurricanes, tropical storms, and heavy rainfall. Each year, thousands of homeowners face the devastating consequences of water intrusion, which can compromise the structural integrity of their homes, lead to costly repairs, and create hazardous living conditions. The issue is especially pronounced in states like Florida, Louisiana, and Texas, where the frequency and intensity of hurricanes have escalated over recent years. While efforts to strengthen building codes and utilize impact-resistant windows and doors have mitigated some of the risks, these measures do little to address the challenge of flood waters entering homes.

[0003] Once water infiltrates a home, it can seep into walls, floors, and foundations, causing rot, mold growth, and long-term structural instability. Hardwood flooring may buckle, carpets can become saturated and unsalvageable, and electrical systems risk short-circuiting due to exposure to moisture. Furthermore, the impact of floor water damage will normally extend beyond the visible signs of water pooling on surfaces or visibly damaging floors.

[0004] The health implications of home flooding are equally concerning, as damp environments foster the growth of mold and mildew, which can exacerbate respiratory issues and allergies for the home's occupants. The financial burden is significant as well, with water damage ranking among the most expensive home repairs. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), just one inch of water in a home can cause over $25,000 in damages.

[0005] Hurricanes present a particularly severe threat because they combine torrential rains with storm surges that can inundate entire neighborhoods. While impact windows and hurricane shutters have become standard preventive measures to safeguard against windborne debris and high winds, they do not address the root of floodwater intrusion. In many cases, water enters homes through vulnerabilities at ground level, such as poorly sealed doors, cracked foundations, or gaps around windows. Additionally, municipal drainage systems are often overwhelmed during major storms, exacerbating the problem and forcing water into areas ill-equipped to handle the influx.

[0006] Given these challenges, the need for innovative solutions to prevent or minimize floodwater intrusion during hurricanes is clear. Homeowners and communities must consider strategies that go beyond traditional storm preparedness. Solutions such as installing sandbags or other flood barriers, using water-resistant building materials, and elevating homes in high-risk areas can significantly reduce the likelihood and severity of water damage. However, known solutions may be ineffective, expensive, and / or unapplicable to existing constructions.

[0007] Accordingly, there is an established need for floodwater blocking solutions which are capable of significantly reducing, or preventing, floodwater intrusion into constructions, allowing home and business owners to better protect their properties and reduce the physical, financial, and emotional toll of water damage during hurricanes and other severe weather events. It is desirable that these floodwater blocking solutions may be manufactured and installed at reasonable cost, while also being applicable to both existing constructions and new buildings.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention is directed to a water blocking system for at least partially blocking water from penetrating a construction through a window or door thereof may include a deployable and flexible, watertight barrier. The water blocking system is configured to adopt a working configuration in which the watertight barrier is arranged in a deployed position, extending over the entirety of the window or door, with bottom edge, left edge and right edge portions of the watertight barrier extending beyond the entirety of the bottom side and at least part of the left and right sides of the window or door, with the left edge portion and the right edge portion of the watertight barrier watertightly abutted against the structure uninterruptedly along the left and right sides of the window or door, and preferably further along bottom and top sides thereof. A plurality of fasteners may secure the watertight barrier in place in the working configuration.

[0009] In a first implementation of the invention, a water blocking system, configured to at least partially block water from penetrating a construction through a window or door thereof, may include a deployable and flexible, watertight barrier configured to prevent water from passing therethrough from an outer side of the watertight barrier to an inner side of the watertight barrier. The water blocking system may further comprise a plurality of fasteners configured to secure the watertight barrier to a structure of the construction adjacent to the window or door. The water blocking system may be configured to adopt a working configuration in which the watertight barrier is arranged in a deployed position in which the watertight barrier extends over the entirety of the window or door, with bottom edge, left edge and right edge portions of the watertight barrier extending beyond the entirety of the bottom side and at least part of the left and right sides of the window or door. In the working configuration, the left edge portion and the right edge portion of the watertight barrier may be watertightly abutted against the structure uninterruptedly along said at least part of the left and right sides of the window or door, and may be secured to the structure by the plurality of fasteners.

[0010] In a second aspect, the watertight barrier in the deployed position may extend beyond the entirety of the left and right sides of the window or door. In the working configuration of the water blocking system, the left edge portion and the right edge portion of the watertight barrier may be watertightly abutted against the structure uninterruptedly along the entirety of the left and right sides of the window or door.

[0011] In another aspect, the watertight barrier may be arrangeable in an undeployed position in which the watertight barrier is moved away from the window or door such that the window or door is operative.

[0012] In another aspect, the water blocking system may further include a casing and a drum contained within the casing, the casing mountable adjacent to the window or door. The watertight barrier may be arrangeable in the undeployed position by retracting the watertight barrier into the casing and winding the watertight barrier onto the drum. The watertight barrier may be arrangeable in the deployed position by unwinding the watertight barrier from the drum and extending the watertight barrier out of the casing.

[0013] In another aspect, in the working configuration of the water blocking system, the casing and drum may be positioned above a top side of the window or door and the watertight barrier may extend downward from the casing.

[0014] In yet another aspect, the watertight barrier may include at least one watertight and elastic layer shaped and sized to extend over the entirety of the window or door and beyond the entirety of the bottom side and said at least part of the left and right sides of the window or door in the working configuration of the water blocking system.

[0015] In another aspect, the watertight barrier may further include an outer, protective layer extending over an outer side of the at least one watertight and elastic layer along the entirety of the at least one watertight and elastic layer.

[0016] In another aspect, the watertight barrier may further include a guided layer extending along an inner side of the at least one watertight and elastic layer. The water blocking system may further include a guide rail set mountable adjacent to the window or door. The guided layer may engage the guide rail set and travel therealong enabling the guide rail set to guide the water barrier in being deployed to the deployed position.

[0017] In another aspect, the guide rail set may extend along a section of the at least one watertight and elastic layer configured to span the entire window or door in the working configuration of the water blocking system.

[0018] In yet another aspect, the guide rail set may include left and right side rails fixedly secured along and with respect to the first and second sides, respectively, of the window or door in the working configuration of the watertight blocking system.

[0019] In another aspect, the guided layer may include a plurality of slats pivotably connected to one another in parallel relationship, the plurality of slats affixed to the inner side of the at least one watertight and elastic layer. The watertight barrier may be deployable to the deployed position by opposite left and right ends of each slat of the plurality of slats traveling along and being guided by the guide rail set.

[0020] In another aspect, the guided layer may be further configured to travel along the guide rail set enabling the guide rail set to guide the water barrier to an undeployed position in which the watertight barrier is winded onto the drum. The watertight barrier may be arrangeable in the deployed position by unwinding the watertight barrier from the drum.

[0021] In another aspect, the guided layer may be shaped and sized such that, in the working configuration of the water blocking system, the guided layer does not extend beyond a frame of the window or door.

[0022] In yet another aspect, in the working configuration of the water blocking system, the guide rail set may be mounted to the frame.

[0023] In another aspect, in the working configuration of the water blocking system, the plurality of fasteners may extend along the left and right sides of the window or door.

[0024] In another aspect, the water blocking system may further include at least one securing panel mountable over the outer side of the watertight barrier. In the working configuration of the water blocking system, the one or more securing panels may be mounted over the outer side of the watertight barrier and may be secured in place by the plurality of fasteners, and may press the watertight barrier against the structure thereby enhancing watertightness between the watertight barrier and the structure.

[0025] In another aspect, the one or more securing panels may include left and right side securing panels. In the working configuration of the water blocking system, the left and right side securing panels may be mounted along left and right sides of the watertight barrier thereby enhancing watertightness between the left and right sides of the watertight barrier and the structure, respectively.

[0026] In yet another aspect, the one or more securing panels may include at least one transverse securing panel. In the working configuration of the water blocking system, the one or more transverse securing panels may be mounted transversely over the watertight barrier and spanning transversely across the window or door, and may enhance watertightness between left and right sides of the watertight barrier and the structure.

[0027] These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the attached drawings and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments, which follow.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings provided to illustrate and not to limit the invention, where like designations denote like elements, and in which:

[0029] FIG. 1 presents a top, front left isometric view of a water blocking system in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, the water blocking system shown in a working configuration in which the water blocking system is mounted to a wall of a construction and a watertight barrier of the water blocking system extends over a window of the construction blocking water from passing therethrough;

[0030] FIG. 2 presents an exploded, top front left isometric view of the water blocking system, wall and window of FIG. 1;

[0031] FIG. 3 presents a top, front left isometric view of a casing, a drum, and a guide rail set of the water blocking system installed on the window, the watertight barrier arranged in an undeployed position in which the watertight barrier is winded onto the drum and contained within the casing;

[0032] FIG. 4 presents a top, front left isometric view of the assembly of FIG. 3, with the watertight barrier instead extended to a deployed position;

[0033] FIG. 5 presents a cross-sectional side elevation view of the assembly of FIG. 1, the cross section taken along section plane 5-5 indicated in FIG. 1 and showing details of the deployed position of the watertight barrier and the working configuration of the water blocking system;

[0034] FIG. 6 presents a cross-sectional side elevation view of the assembly of FIG. 1, the cross section taken along section plane 6-6 indicated in FIG. 1 and showing details of the deployed position of the watertight barrier and the working configuration of the water blocking system;

[0035] FIG. 7 presents an exploded, top front left isometric view of a water blocking system in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, applied to a door of a structure; and

[0036] FIG. 8 presents a top, front left isometric view of the water blocking system of FIG. 7, shown in a working configuration in which the water blocking system is installed at and extends over the door, blocking water from passing therethrough.

[0037] Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “rear”, “right”, “front”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

[0039] Shown throughout the figures, the present invention is directed toward a water blocking system configured to deploy and elastically abut against a flexible, watertight barrier about the window or door of a construction, allowing to at least partially block water from penetrating the construction through the window or door.

[0040] Referring initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, a water blocking system 100 is shown in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention. The water blocking system 100 is mountable to a building or construction 300, and more specifically, to a window or door of the construction 300 to block water from penetrating the construction 300 through the window or door in the presence of floodwater or heavy rain outside the construction 300. The wall 300 is formed along a front-to-back direction x, a left-to-right direction y, and a longitudinal or vertical direction z, where directions x, y, z form an orthogonal axis set.

[0041] For instance, the illustrations of FIGS. 1 and 2 show the water blocking system 100 specifically configured to be mounted to a window 310 of the construction 300. The window 310 may comprise a window structure or frame 312 mounted to an opening 302 formed in a structure or wall 304 of the construction 300. The frame 312 is configured to hold one or more window panes 330, which may consist of a single fixed window pane, a single movable (e.g., swaying) window pane, or a combination of two or more fixed and / or movable window panes. By way of example, the window 310 depicted herein includes a single window pane 330, which is supported in place with respect to the wall 304 by the window frame 312. In some applications, this single window pane 330 may be fixedly mounted to the window frame 312 such that the window is unable to be opened; in other applications, the window pane 330 may be movably (e.g., pivotably, slidably) mounted to the window frame 312 enabling opening and closing of the window as needed. It should be noted that the exact construction of the window may be virtually any, i.e. the present invention is not limited to any particular window configuration unless otherwise claimed herein.

[0042] With reference to FIG. 2, the window frame 312 may include a top jamb 314 (FIG. 6), a bottom sill or jamb 316, a left side jamb 318 and a right side jamb 320 providing a decorative or aesthetic finish to an outer perimeter of the window 310. The jambs 314, 316, 318, 320 may be mounted over the respective edges of the wall 304 which define the opening 302. The top, bottom, left side and right side jambs may constitute the top, bottom, left and right sides (or boundaries) of the window 310, respectively.

[0043] With continued reference to FIG. 2, the water blocking system 100 may include a deployable and flexible, watertight barrier 110, which may be arranged in a deployed position, shown for instance in FIG. 4, in which the watertight barrier 110 covers the window 310 as will be described in greater detail hereinafter. In some embodiments, such as the present embodiment, the watertight barrier 110 may be further arrangeable in a storage or undeployed position, shown for instance in FIG. 3. In some embodiments, the watertight barrier 110 may be manually operated to switch between the deployed and undeployed positions. Alternatively or additionally, the watertight barrier 110 may be automatically (e.g., electrically) operated to switch between the deployed and undeployed positions.

[0044] The watertight barrier 110 includes an inner side 112 and an outer side 114. When the watertight barrier 110 is arranged in the deployed position, shown for instance in FIG. 1, the inner side 112 and the outer side 114 face towards and away from the window 310, respectively. The watertight barrier 110 is configured to prevent water from passing therethrough, i.e. through the watertight barrier 110, from the outer side 114 of the watertight barrier 110 to the inner side 112 of the watertight barrier 110.

[0045] With reference to FIGS. 2 and 6, the watertight barrier 110 may include at least one watertight and elastic layer 120 which enables the watertight barrier 110 to prevent water from passing therethrough as described hereinabove. When the watertight barrier 110 is arranged in the deployed position, an inner side 122 and an opposite, outer side 124 of the watertight and elastic layer 120 face towards and away from the window 310, respectively. The watertight and elastic layer 120 is configured to prevent water from passing from an outer side 124 of the watertight and elastic layer 120 to an inner side 122 of the watertight and elastic layer 120 thereby preventing water from passing from the outer side 112 of the watertight barrier 110 to the inner side 114 of the watertight barrier 110. In some embodiments, such as the present embodiment, the at least one watertight and elastic layer 120 specifically consists of a single, watertight and elastic layer 120. In a non-limiting example, the watertight and elastic layer 120-or layers-may be made of rubber, elastomeric material, and / or other water-blocking elastic material(s). In being watertight, the watertight and elastic layer 120 prevents water from passing or seeping therethrough; in turn, in being elastic, the watertight and elastic layer 120 may elastically abut against an adjacent structure and create a watertight seal therebetween, for purposes described hereinafter.

[0046] With continued reference to FIGS. 2 and 6, in preferred embodiments, the watertight barrier 110 may further include an outer, protective layer 130, which may similarly include an inner side 132 and an opposite, outer side 134. The protective layer 130 may extend over the outer side 124 of the watertight and elastic layer 120, preferably along the entirety of the at least one watertight and elastic layer 120 (i.e. along the entirety of the outer side 124). The inner side 132 of the protective layer 130 faces, and more preferably, is attached to the outer side 124 of the watertight and elastic layer 120. In some embodiments, such as the present embodiment, the outer side 134 of the protective layer 130 may constitute the outermost side or surface (i.e., the outer side 114) of the watertight barrier 110. In some embodiments, the protective layer 130 may be made of metal and / or plastic which is / are sufficiently impact-resistant to provide a degree of mechanical protection to the underlying, watertight and elastic layer 120; furthermore, in preferred embodiments, the protective layer 130 is flexible.

[0047] With continued reference to FIG. 2, in preferred embodiments, the watertight barrier 110 may further comprise a guided layer 140, which may similarly include an inner side 142 and an opposite, outer side 144 facing towards and away from the window 310, respectively. The guided barrier 140 preferably extends along the inner side 122 of the watertight and elastic layer 120. In preferred embodiments, the outer side 144 of the guided layer 140 is attached to the inner side 122 of the watertight and elastic layer 120.

[0048] Thus, watertight barrier 110 is jointly formed by two or more attached layers, namely, the watertight and elastic layer 120 and at least one of, and more preferably, both of the protective layer 130 and the guided layer 140. In preferred embodiments, the various layers are permanently or non-separably attached to one another, such as by a strong adhesive, welding, snap fitting, riveting, or other applicable attachment means or mechanism. In preferred embodiments, such as the present embodiment, in which all three layers 120, 130, 140 are present, as best shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, the watertight and elastic layer 120 is sandwiched between and attached to the protective layer 130 and the guided layer 140. In some embodiments, such as the present embodiment, the watertight barrier 110, the watertight and elastic layer 120 and the protective layer 130 may be generally square or rectangular, and may be equally shaped and sized with respect to one another in length (height) and width.

[0049] In turn, the guided layer 140 may have a reduced height and width with respect to the watertight and elastic layer 120 and the protective layer 130. As shown in FIG. 2, the watertight and elastic layer 120 and the protective layer 130 may protrude transversely outward and downward from the guided layer 140. More specifically, a bottom edge portion 116 of the watertight barrier 110 formed by overlapping bottom edge portions 126 and 136 of the watertight and elastic layer 120 and the protective layer 130, respectively, may protrude downward from the bottom edge 146 of the guided layer 140. A left edge portion 117 of the watertight barrier 110 formed by overlapping left edge portions 127 and 137 of the watertight and elastic layer 120 and the protective layer 130, respectively, may protrude transversely outward (leftward) from the left side edge 147 of the guided layer 140. Similarly, a right edge portion 118 of the watertight barrier 110 formed by overlapping right edge portions 128 and 138 of the watertight and elastic layer 120 and the protective layer 130, respectively, may protrude transversely outward (rightward) from the right side edge 148 of the guided layer 140. For purposes described hereinafter, a plurality of fastener openings 160 may extend through the left edge portion 117 of the watertight barrier 110 at discrete, spaced-apart positions therealong. Similarly, a plurality of fastener openings 162 may extend through the right edge portion 118 of the watertight barrier 110 at discrete, spaced-apart positions therealong.

[0050] With continued reference to FIG. 2, in some embodiments, the guided layer 140 may include a plurality of slats 150 arranged in parallel relationship with one another and pivotably connected to one another about parallel rotation axes 152. The plurality of slats 150 may be affixed to the inner side 122 of the at least one watertight and elastic layer 120 and may rotate with respect to one another about the rotation axes 152 allowing the guided layer 140 to roll and unroll regardless of the rigidity of each individual slat 150. Each slat 150 may be provided with respective opposite ends or end flanges 154, for purposes described hereinafter.

[0051] As further shown, an inner protective layer 170 may be arranged on the inner side 122 of the watertight and elastic layer 120 along the protruding, bottom edge portion 116 and left and right edge portions 117 and 118. For example, in the present embodiment, the inner protective layer 170 is generally planar and U-shaped. The inner protective layer 170 may be made of a relatively thin film of metallic or plastic material, configured to protect the watertight and elastic layer 120 from scratching or deteriorating as a result of friction against the wall 304 when deploying, un-deploying or otherwise operating the water blocking system 100; for example, the inner protective layer 170 may be a flexible aluminum film. The inner protective layer 170 includes an inner side 172 and an outer side 174. The outer side 174 faces and is attached to the inner side 122 of the watertight and elastic layer 120 along the bottom edge portion 116 and left and right edge portions 117 and 118. The inner side 172 is arranged opposite to the outer side 174 and configured to abut against the wall 304 during operation of the water blocking system 100, as will be described hereinafter.

[0052] With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the water blocking system 100 may further include a guide rail set 180 mountable adjacent to the window 310. As best shown in FIG. 3, the guide rail set 180 may include a left side rail 182 and right side rail 184, mounted at opposite, left and right sides of the window 310. In a non-limiting example such as that shown herein, each one of the left and right side rails 182 and 184 is formed as an elongated profile having a generally rectangular C-shaped cross-section, as best shown in the enlarged partial views of the top and bottom ends of the right side rail 182 included in FIG. 3. The left and right side rails 182, 184 are arranged in vertically (longitudinally) and in spaced-apart relationship with one another. In an illustrative assembly, as shown, the left and right side rails 182, 184 may be mounted to the left and right side jambs 318 and 320 of the window frame 312. Preferably, the left and right side rails 182 and 184 are fixedly or non-movably mounted such as by an adhesive, bolts, or other fastening means or mechanism.

[0053] The guided layer 140 of the present embodiment is configured to engage with and travel along the guide rail set 180 to guide the water barrier 110 while switching between the deployed position and the undeployed position. More specifically, the end flanges 154 of the slats 150 at the left and right sides of the guided layer 140 are slidably received within and configured to slide along the left and right side rails 182 and 184, respectively. When the watertight barrier 110 is arranged in the deployed position (FIGS. 1 and 4), as heretofore described, a section of the watertight barrier 110 spans and covers the entire window 310; in preferred embodiments, the guide rail set 180 is shaped, sized, and mounted such that the guide rail set 180 extends along said section of the watertight barrier 110. For example, in the present embodiment, the guide rail set 180 extends along the entire height of the window 310.

[0054] In some embodiments, the water barrier 110 may be arrangeable in the undeployed and deployed positions by rolling and unrolling the water barrier 110 onto and from a drum. For example, referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the water blocking system 100 of the present embodiment is provided with a casing 190 and a drum 192 contained within the casing 190. The casing 190 may be mounted adjacent to or at the window 310, such as secured to the structure or wall 304, secured to the frame 312 (e.g., to the top jamb), or integrally-formed with the frame 312. The drum 192 is rotatable inside and with respect to the casing 190, and thus with respect to the wall 304, about a drum rotation axis 194. The watertight barrier 110 is arrangeable in the storage or undeployed position, shown in FIG. 3, by retracting the watertight barrier 110 into the casing 190 and winding the watertight barrier 110 onto the drum 192. Conversely, the watertight barrier 110 is arrangeable in the deployed position, shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, by unwinding the watertight barrier 110 from the drum 192 and extending the watertight barrier 110 out of the casing 190. Rotation of the drum 192 in order to wind or unwind the watertight barrier 110 may be carried out manually, such as via a strap or handle. Alternatively or additionally, the drum 192 may be rotatable by an electric motor, which may be user-activated when needed. In preferred embodiments, the casing 190 and the drum 192 are positioned above or at a top side of the window 310 and the watertight barrier 110 extends downward from the casing 190 when deployed, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4.

[0055] Referring again to FIG. 2, the water blocking system 100 may further include at least one securing panel mountable over the outer side 114 of the watertight barrier 110 contributing to immobilize the watertight barrier 110 in the deployed position (FIGS. 1 and 4). In some embodiments, the at least one securing panel may include at least one of, and more preferably, both a left side securing panel 200 and a right side securing panel 202. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one securing panel may include at least one transverse securing panel 210. For instance, the present embodiment is provided with left and right side securing panels 200 and 202 and a pair of transverse securing panels 210.

[0056] As shown, the left and right side securing panels 200 and 202 may each be provided with a plurality of fastener openings 204 arranged in discrete, spaced-apart positions along the securing panel 200, 202 and extending through the securing panel 200, 202. The plurality of fastener openings 204 of the left and right side securing panels 200 and 202 are configured to align with fastener openings 160 and 162 of the left and right edge portions 117 and 118 of the watertight barrier 110. Additionally, each securing panel may include an elastic layer 206 and a protective layer 208 attached to and arranged outward of the elastic layer 206, and configured to mechanically protect the elastic layer 206. The fastener openings 204 extend through both the elastic layer 206 and the protective layer 208.

[0057] Each transverse securing panel 210 may be provided with fastener openings 214 arranged in spaced-apart relationship and configured to align with a respective topmost fastener opening 160 and 162 of the left and right edge portions 117 and 118 of the watertight barrier 110. Additionally, each securing panel may include an elastic layer 216 and a protective layer 218 arranged outward of and attached to the elastic layer 216, and configured to mechanically protect the elastic layer 216. The fastener openings 214 extend through the securing panel 210, i.e. through both the elastic layer 216 and the protective layer 218.

[0058] An illustrative method of operation of the water blocking system 100 is described with reference initially to FIG. 2. Initially, fastener openings 306, 308 may be drilled, formed or otherwise provided at the wall 304, at left and right sides of the window 310. The fastener openings 306, 308 may be arranged such that a first column of discrete, spaced-apart fastener openings 306 is positioned generally parallel to the left side of the window 310 and a second column of discrete, spaced-apart fastener openings 308 is positioned generally parallel to the right side of the window 310. The left and right side rails 182 and 184 of the guide rail set 180 are fixedly secured along and with respect to the first and second sides, respectively, of the window 310, as heretofore described. In some embodiments, more specifically, the guide rail set 180 may be mounted to the frame 312; for example, in the present embodiment, the left and right side rails 182 and 184 of the guide rail set 180 are mounted to the left and right side jambs 318 and 320 of the frame 312, respectively.

[0059] As further shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the casing 190, containing the drum 192 and the undeployed watertight barrier 110, may be positioned over the window 310. As heretofore described, and best shown in FIG. 3, the undeployed, watertight barrier 110 may be winded onto the drum 192 and contained within the casing 190. In the undeployed position, the watertight barrier 110 is moved away from the window 310 such that the window 310 is operative. By ‘operative’, it is understood that the window 310 may be used normally, in accordance with its nominal function (typically, seeing through the window, and opening / closing the window if applicable).

[0060] When preparing for a hurricane or other adverse weather conditions, the user may proceed to deploy the watertight barrier 110 over the window 310 by manually or automatically unwinding the watertight barrier 110 from the drum 192 and extending the watertight barrier 110 out of the casing 190. As the watertight barrier 110 is extended out of the casing 190, the guided layer 140 (FIG. 2) engages, and is guided by, the guide rail set 180 causing the entire watertight barrier 110 to jointly displace downward along the guide rail set 180 as indicated in FIG. 6 by arrow A. In the present embodiment, such guiding effect is specifically provided by the flanges 154 of the slats 150 sliding along the left and right side rails 182 and 184, as heretofore described.

[0061] The illustration of FIG. 4 shows the watertight barrier 110 arranged in the fully extended or deployed position. In the deployed position, the overall watertight barrier 110, and more specifically, the watertight and elastic layer 120, extends over the entirety of the window 310. The bottom edge portion 116, the left edge portion 117 and the right edge portion 118 of the watertight barrier 110 are arranged extending beyond the entirety of the bottom side (bottom jamb 316) and at least part of the left and right sides (left and right side jambs 318 and 320) of the window 310, and more preferably, beyond at least a bottom part of the left and right sides (left and right side jambs 318 and 320) of the window 310. In preferred embodiments, such as the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the watertight and elastic layer 120 extends beyond the entirety of the bottom side (bottom jamb 316) and the entirety of the left and right sides (left and right side jambs 318 and 320 of the window 310, i.e. beyond the bottom, left and right sides (bottom, left side, and right side jambs 316, 318 and 320) along their entire length. In turn, the guided layer 140 does not extend transversely or vertically beyond the window 310, and more preferably, does not extend transversely or vertically beyond the frame 312 of the window 310. Additionally, in the deployed position of the watertight barrier 110, the fastener openings 160 in the left edge portion 117 portion of the watertight barrier 110 align with fastener openings 306 in the wall 304 at the left side of the window 310, and the fastener openings 162 in the right edge portion 118 of the watertight barrier 110 align with fastener openings 308 in the wall 304 at the right side of the window 310.

[0062] Once the watertight barrier 110 has been extended to the deployed position, a plurality of fasteners 230 may secure the watertight barrier 110 to the wall 304 of the construction 300 in areas adjacent to the window 310, immobilizing the watertight barrier 110 over the window 310. For example, the plurality of fasteners 230 of the present embodiment are connected in a formation which extends along or generally parallel to the left and right sides (left and right side jambs 328 and 320) of the window 310. In preferred embodiments, such as the present embodiment, the one or more securing panels, and more specifically, the left and right side securing panels 200 and 202 and the pair of transverse securing panels 210, are mounted over the outer side 114 of the watertight barrier 110 and also secured in place by the plurality of fasteners 230.

[0063] More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 1, 5 and 6, and with reference additionally to FIG. 2, the left and right side securing panels 200 and 202 are positioned over the left and right edge portions 117 and 118 of the watertight barrier 110, respectively. The fastener openings 204 of the left side securing panel 200 are positioned in alignment with the fastener openings 160 of the left edge portion 117 of the watertight barrier 110. In turn, the fastener openings 204 of the right side securing panel 202 are positioned in alignment with the fastener openings 162 of the right edge portion 118 of the watertight barrier 110. A corresponding fastener 232 of the plurality of fasteners 230 is inserted through each set of aligned fastener openings 204, 160 and 306 and is threadingly or otherwise tightened to secure the left side securing panel 200 and the left edge portion 117 of the watertight barrier 110 to the wall 304. Similarly, a corresponding fastener 234 of the plurality of fasteners 230 is inserted through each set of aligned fastener openings 204, 162 and 308 and is threadingly or otherwise tightened to secure the right side securing panel 202 and the right edge portion 118 of the watertight barrier 110 to the wall 304.

[0064] Next, a first one of the transverse securing panels 210 is positioned in the transverse direction y across a top area of the window 310, such that the fastener openings 214 of the first transverse securing panel 210 align with the respective top fastener openings 204 of the left and right side securing panels 200 and 202. A corresponding fastener 236 of the plurality of fasteners 230 is inserted through the aligned fastener openings 214, 204, 160 and 306 and another fastener 238 of the plurality of fasteners 230 is inserted through the aligned fastener openings 214, 204, 162 and 308. The fasteners 236 and 238 are threadingly or otherwise tightened to secure the first transverse securing panel 210 to the left and right side securing panels 200 and 202 and further to the wall 304. Similarly, the second transverse securing panel 210 is positioned transversely across a bottom area of the window 310, such that the fastener openings 214 of the second transverse securing panel 210 align with the respective bottom fastener openings 204 of the left and right side securing panels 200 and 202. A corresponding fastener 240 of the plurality of fasteners 230 is inserted through the aligned fastener openings 214, 204, 160 and 306 and another fastener 242 of the plurality of fasteners 230 is inserted through the aligned fastener openings 214, 204, 162 and 308. The fasteners 240 and 242 are threadingly or otherwise tightened to secure the second transverse securing panel 210 to the left and right side securing panels 200 and 202 and further to the wall 304, and to elastically abut against the watertight barrier 110 to the wall 304.

[0065] For example, the illustration of FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional side elevation view of the water blocking system 100 mounted to the wall 304 in the working configuration, the cross-section taken along the fasteners 236, 232, 240 at the left side of the window 310. As can be seen in the figure, in tightly securing the fasteners 236, 232, 240, and optionally via the superimposed securing panels 200, 210, the left edge portion 117 of the watertight barrier 110 is abutted against the wall 304. The watertight and elastic layer 120 of the watertight barrier 110 elastically abuts against the wall 304 (optionally via the thin and deformable, inner protective layer 170) creating a watertight seal against the wall 304. In the event that the wall 304 is non-flat, such as having a brick or stone surface, the watertight and elastic layer 120 and the optional inner protective layer 170 may deform to conform to the non-flat surface of the wall 304, while the watertight and elastic layer 120 maintains an elastic sealing effect against the non-flat surface. The overlapping left side securing panel 200 and transverse securing panels 200, which are tightened against the sealing area (left edge portion 117) of the watertight barrier 110, contribute to enhance the sealing effect of the left edge portion 117 against the wall 304. Therefore, in the working configuration of the water blocking system 100, the left edge portion 117 of the watertight barrier 110 is watertightly abutted against the wall 304 uninterruptedly along at least part of, and more preferably, the entirety of the left side of the window 310, and secured in place by the plurality of fasteners 230. It should be noted that a similar arrangement and sealing effect is achieved at the right side of the window 310 by the right side securing panel 202.

[0066] The illustration of FIG. 6, in turn, shows a cross-sectional side elevation view of the assembly of FIG. 1 taken along the right side rail 184 (FIG. 2) at the right side of the window 310. As shown in the figure, the top transverse securing panel 210, and more preferably, the elastic layer 216 thereof, may be sufficiently thick along the front-to-back direction x to press the top area of the watertight barrier 110 onto the adjacent, top jamb 314 of the window 310, forming a watertight seal along the top jamb 314. In turn, the bottom transverse securing panel 210, and more preferably, the elastic layer 216 thereof, may be sufficiently thick along the front-to-back direction x to press the bottom area of the watertight barrier 110 (i.e., the bottom edge portion 116) onto the wall 304, forming a watertight seal along the wall 304 and generally parallel to the bottom jamb 316.

[0067] When use of the water blocking system 100 is no longer required, the securing panels 200, 202 and 210 may be removed following an inverse sequence of steps, and the remaining watertight barrier 110 may be easily and rapidly shifted from the deployed position of FIG. 4 to the undeployed position of FIG. 3 by retracting the watertight barrier 110 into the casing 190 and winding the watertight barrier 110 onto the drum 192. The window 310 is then exposed, and remains operative until subsequent use of the water blocking system 100. Therefore, the water blocking system 100, with the watertight barrier 110 undeployed, as shown in FIG. 3, may conveniently remain installed on the wall 304 between uses without hindering or obstructing normal operation of the window 310.

[0068] The illustrations of FIGS. 7 and 8 show a variation of the water blocking system 100 which may be applied, for instance and without limitation, to a door 340 of a construction 300. The water blocking system 100 of is constructed and operates generally the same as heretofore described with respect to FIGS. 1-6, being selectively positionable in a deployed and working position, in which the water blocking system 100 prevents water from penetrating the construction 300 through the door 340, and an undeployed position, in which the water blocking system 100 enables normal operation of the door 340, and more particularly, the door pane 342.

[0069] As may be seen, however, the bottom edge portion 116 of the watertight barrier 110 of FIGS. 7 and 8 has a length (height) “L2” which is significantly greater than the length “L1” of the bottom edge portion 116 of the watertight barrier 110 (FIG. 2). More specifically, the bottom edge portion 116 of the watertight barrier 110 of FIGS. 7 and 8 is dimensioned such that, in the working configuration of the water blocking system 100, shown in FIG. 8, in which the water blocking system 100 is mounted over the door 340, the bottom edge portion 116 extends further onto and along the ground 344 in front of the door 340. If needed, sandbags 346 or other weights may be placed on the outer side 114 of the watertight barrier 110 in the area of the bottom edge portion 116 arranged on the ground 344, in order to immobilize the bottom edge portion 116 and elastically abut against the bottom edge portion 116 (via the watertight and elastic layer 120) to the ground 344, providing an additional water barrier effect in front of the door 340.

[0070] Since many modifications, variations, and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiments of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Furthermore, it is understood that any of the features presented in the embodiments may be integrated into any of the other embodiments unless explicitly stated otherwise. The scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

Claims

1. A water blocking system configured to at least partially block water from penetrating a construction through a window or door thereof, comprising:a deployable and flexible, watertight barrier configured to prevent water from passing therethrough from an outer side of the watertight barrier to an inner side of the watertight barrier; anda plurality of fasteners configured to secure the watertight barrier to a structure of the construction adjacent to the window or door; whereinthe water blocking system is configured to adopt a working configuration in which:the watertight barrier is arranged in a deployed position in which the watertight barrier extends over the entirety of the window or door, with bottom edge, left edge and right edge portions of the watertight barrier extending beyond the entirety of the bottom side and at least part of the left and right sides of the window or door, and further in whichthe left edge portion and the right edge portion of the watertight barrier are watertightly abutted against the structure uninterruptedly along said at least part of the left and right sides of the window or door, and are secured to the structure by the plurality of fasteners.

2. The water blocking system of claim 1, wherein the watertight barrier in the deployed position extends beyond the entirety of the left and right sides of the window or door, and further wherein, in the working configuration of the water blocking system, the left edge portion and the right edge portion of the watertight barrier are watertightly abutted against the structure uninterruptedly along the entirety of the left and right sides of the window or door.

3. The water blocking system of claim 1, wherein the watertight barrier is further arrangeable in an undeployed position in which the watertight barrier is moved away from the window or door such that the window or door is operative.

4. The water blocking system of claim 3, further comprising a casing and a drum contained within the casing, the casing mountable adjacent to the window or door, wherein the watertight barrier is arrangeable in the undeployed position by retracting the watertight barrier into the casing and winding the watertight barrier onto the drum, and further wherein the watertight barrier is arrangeable in the deployed position by unwinding the watertight barrier from the drum and extending the watertight barrier out of the casing.

5. The water blocking system of claim 4, wherein, in the working configuration of the water blocking system, the casing and drum are positioned above a top side of the window or door and the watertight barrier extends downward from the casing.

6. The water blocking system of claim 1, wherein the watertight barrier comprises at least one watertight and elastic layer shaped and sized to extend over the entirety of the window or door and beyond the entirety of the bottom side and said at least part of the left and right sides of the window or door in the working configuration of the water blocking system.

7. The water blocking system of claim 6, wherein the watertight barrier further comprises an outer, protective layer extending over an outer side of the at least one watertight and elastic layer along the entirety of the at least one watertight and elastic layer.

8. The water blocking system of claim 6, wherein the watertight barrier further comprises a guided layer extending along an inner side of the at least one watertight and elastic layer, the water blocking system further comprising a guide rail set mountable adjacent to the window or door, the guided layer engageable to the guide rail set and configured to travel therealong enabling the guide rail set to guide the water barrier in being deployed to the deployed position.

9. The water blocking system of claim 8, wherein the guide rail set extends along a section of the at least one watertight and elastic layer configured to span the entire window or door in the working configuration of the water blocking system.

10. The water blocking system of claim 8, wherein the guide rail set comprises left and right side rails fixedly secured along and with respect to the first and second sides, respectively, of the window or door in the working configuration of the watertight blocking system.

11. The water blocking system of claim 8, wherein the guided layer comprises a plurality of slats pivotably connected to one another in parallel relationship, the plurality of slats affixed to the inner side of the at least one watertight and elastic layer, wherein the watertight barrier is deployable to the deployed position by opposite left and right ends of each slat of the plurality of slats traveling along and being guided by the guide rail set.

12. The water blocking system of claim 8, further comprising a drum mountable to the construction, wherein the guided layer is further configured to travel along the guide rail set enabling the guide rail set to guide the water barrier to an undeployed position in which the watertight barrier is winded onto the drum, and further wherein the watertight barrier is arrangeable in the deployed position by unwinding the watertight barrier from the drum.

13. The water blocking system of claim 8, wherein the guided layer is shaped and sized such that, in the working configuration of the water blocking system, the guided layer does not extend beyond a frame of the window or door.

14. The water blocking system of claim 13, wherein, in the working configuration of the water blocking system, the guide rail set is mounted to said frame.

15. The water blocking system of claim 1, wherein, in the working configuration of the water blocking system, the plurality of fasteners extends along the left and right sides of the window or door.

16. The water blocking system of claim 15, further comprising at least one securing panel mountable over the outer side of the watertight barrier, wherein, in the working configuration of the water blocking system, the at least one securing panel is mounted over the outer side of the watertight barrier and is secured in place by the plurality of fasteners and presses the watertight barrier against the structure thereby enhancing watertightness between the watertight barrier and the structure.

17. The water blocking system of claim 16, wherein the at least one securing panel comprises left and right side securing panels, wherein, in the working configuration of the water blocking system, the left and right side securing panels are mounted along left and right sides of the watertight barrier thereby enhancing watertightness between said left and right sides of the watertight barrier and the structure, respectively.

18. The water blocking system of claim 16, wherein the at least one securing panel comprises at least one transverse securing panel, wherein, in the working configuration of the water blocking system, the at least one transverse securing panel is mounted transversely over the watertight barrier and spanning transversely across the window or door and enhances watertightness between left and right sides of the watertight barrier and the structure.

19. A water blocking system configured to at least partially block water from penetrating a construction through a window or door thereof, comprising:a deployable and flexible, watertight barrier configured to prevent water from passing therethrough from an outer side of the watertight barrier to an inner side of the watertight barrier; anda plurality of fasteners configured to secure the watertight barrier to a structure of the construction adjacent to the window or door; whereinthe water blocking system is configured to adopt a working configuration in which:the watertight barrier is arranged in a deployed position in which the watertight barrier extends over the entirety of the window or door, with bottom edge, left edge and right edge portions of the watertight barrier extending beyond the entirety of the bottom side and the entirety of the left and right sides of the window or door, and further in whichthe left edge portion and the right edge portion of the watertight barrier are watertightly abutted against the structure uninterruptedly along said entirety of the left and right sides of the window or door, and are secured to the structure by the plurality of fasteners; whereinthe watertight barrier is further arrangeable in an undeployed position in which the watertight barrier is moved away from the window or door such that the window or door is operative.

20. A water blocking system configured to at least partially block water from penetrating a construction through a window or door thereof, comprising:a deployable and flexible, watertight barrier configured to prevent water from passing therethrough from an outer side of the watertight barrier to an inner side of the watertight barrier; anda plurality of fasteners configured to secure the watertight barrier to a structure of the construction adjacent to the window or door; anda casing and containing a rotatable drum; whereinthe water blocking system is configured to adopt a working configuration in which:the casing is fixedly positioned with respect to the structure, adjacent to the window or door,the watertight barrier is unwinded from the drum and extended outward of the casing to a deployed position in which the watertight barrier extends over the entirety of the window or door, with bottom edge, left edge and right edge portions of the watertight barrier extending beyond the entirety of the bottom side and the entirety of the left and right sides of the window or door, and further in whichthe left edge portion and the right edge portion of the watertight barrier are watertightly abutted against the structure uninterruptedly along said entirety of the left and right sides of the window or door, and are secured to the structure by the plurality of fasteners; whereinthe watertight barrier is further arrangeable in an undeployed position in which the watertight barrier is retracted into the casing and winded on the drum and thereby moved away from the window or door such that the window or door is operative.

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