Emergency flood prevention valve

Abstract

A emergency flood prevention valve (10) designed to prevent flooding of gutters when the amount of rainfall is insufficient for the downpipe to drain water from the gutter where the backflow of water in the downpipe results in the gutter overflowing in to the roof and / or wall cavity of the building. The emergency flood prevention valve (10) is attached to the downpipe between the gutter inlet end of the downpipe and the outlet end of the downpipe. The emergency flood prevention valve (10) includes an openable closure (20) (e.g. a flap, door, gate) whereby the openable closure (20) is in and retained in a closed position (Figure 2) when the downpipe is sufficient to drain water from the gutter with no backflow and flooding. However, the openable closure is caused to open to an open position (Figure 5) when the amount of rainfall is insufficient for the downpipe to drain water from the gutter once the level of water in the downpipe is adjacent and / or above the openable closure (20). The openable closure (20) opens due the water pressure being applied to the openable closure as the water level rises. Once the rate of water entering the downpipe from the gutter reduces such that the water level within the downpipe drops below the openable closure (20), the openable closure (20) returns to and retained in the closed position.

Description

[0001]Emergency Flood Prevention Valve Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an emergency flood prevention valve. The invention is directed particularly but not solely thereto towards an emergency flood prevention valve attachable to a gutter downpipe to prevent backflow within the downpipe causing flooding at and adjacent the gutter during heavy / torrential rainfall when the flow rate of water entering the downpipe from the gutter exceeds the maximum discharge flow rate capacity of the downpipe. A person skilled in the art may envisage other suitable applications for the invention. Background of Invention With the change in the climate as a result of climate warming the instances of heavy and / or torrential rain has increased in intensity and occurrences which has resulted in devasting floods and damage to homes, buildings and infrastructure. Residential housing and commercial buildings use guttering and downpipe systems to drain rainwater off roofs and into stormwater drains. However, these known guttering and downpipe systems are in most cases unable to handle extreme weather conditions such as heavy and torrential downpours. The amount of water during heavy and torrential downpours entering into the gutter can be insufficient for the downpipe downstream distal outlet to drain away the water, resulting in the water level in the downpipe to rise until such point the water level reaches the top of the downpipe causing the gutter to overflow and flood in to the roof and / or wall cavity of the building. Such overflow and flooding causing water damage to the building. Definitions: Non-flood mode as hereinafter is defined as to mean when the downpipe has a water flow rate capacity sufficient to drain water therethrough and out the discharge outlet of the downpipe with no backflow of water and no raising of the water level within the downpipe. Flood mode as hereinafter is defined as to mean when the downpipe has a water flow rate capacity insufficient to drain water therethrough and out the discharge outlet of the downpipe which causes backflow of water and the rising of the water level within the downpipe. Object of the Invention It is an object of the invention to provide an emergency flood prevention valve that ameliorates some of the disadvantages and limitations of the known art; or at least to provide the public with a useful choice. Summary of Invention In a first aspect, the invention may broadly be said to consist in an emergency flood prevention valve attachable to a downpipe to prevent backflow within the downpipe and flooding at an inlet end of an upper section of the downpipe when the amount of water entering the downpipe is insufficient for the downpipe to drain out at an outlet end of a lower section of the downpipe, the emergency flood prevention valve includes a housing defining an interior space therein, wherein the housing includes: a) an upper inlet portion connectable to a lower end of the upper section of the downpipe so as to allow water to flow from upper section into the interior space; b) a lower outlet portion connectable to an upper end of the lower section of the downpipe so as to allow water to flow from the interior space into the lower section of the downpipe; c) a side wall with an opening and an openable closure, the openable closure having an interior and outer surface, the openable closure is adapted to: i. be retained in a closed position when the emergency flood prevention valve is in a non-flood mode as hereinbefore defined; and ii. to move to an open position when the emergency flood prevention valve is in a flood mode as hereinbefore defined, whereby the openable closure is adapted to be released from the closed position and to open by the water pressure being applied to the interior surface of the openable closure when the water level rises within the interior space of the housing to a level adjacent to and / or above the openable closure such that when the openable closure is in the open position water within the interior space of the housing is able to drain from the interior space out through the opening to prevent the water level rising further up the housing and up into the upper section of the downpipe. Preferably, the openable closure is pivotally attached to the side wall at a position adjacent an edge of the opening. Preferably, the openable closure is pivotally attached to the side wall at a position adjacent and above an upper edge of the opening. Preferably, the openable closure is a flap, door or gate. Preferably, the openable closure includes closing means that is adapted to retain the openable closure in the closed position when in the non-flood mode and that is adapted to release the openable closure to allow the openable closure to move to the open position when in flood mode. Preferably, the closing means is a latch catch mechanism attached to the housing and the openable closure, the latch catch mechanism is connected to a float such that as the water level rises within the interior space the float cause the latch catch mechanism to release openable closure from the housing so that the openable closure is able to open as the water pressure increase against the internal surface of the openable closure. Preferably, the latch catch mechanism includes a first latch portion and a second latch portion whereby the first portion is attached to the openable closure and the second latch portion attached to the housing such that the first and second latch portions are able to releasably be connected to one another. Preferably, the first latch portion is attached to and extends outwardly from an interior surface of the openable closure. Preferably, the first latch portion is a latch tab. Preferably, the latch tab extends outwardly at substantially perpendicular to the internal surface of the openable closure. Preferably, the latch tab is situated above and adjacent a bottom edge of the openable closure. Preferably, the latch tab has an opening to allow the latch tab to be releasably connectable with the second latch portion. Preferably, the second latch portion includes latch float assembly. Preferably, the float assembly is positioned within the internal space adjacent the opening and is pivotally connected to housing such that the latch float assembly is able to rotate from an openable closure closed position to an openable closure open position as the water level rises in the interior space and able to rotate from the openable closure open position to the openable closure closed position when the water level drops in the interior space as a result of water discharging out of the interior space via the opening and the downstream downpipe. Preferably, the latch float assembly has a float attached to an end of a latch arm, the latch arm having a latch hook at the other end distal from the float, wherein the latch arm extends in outwardly direction from the interior space toward the internal surface of the openable closure whereby to allow the latch hook to releasably connectable to the latch tab via the latch tab opening. Preferably, the closing means is a spring loaded means attached to the housing and the openable closure, the spring loaded means has sufficient strength to keep the openable closure closed when in non-flood mode, but is of insufficient strength to keep the openable closure closed when in flood mode, the spring force of the spring loaded means is less than the force exerted by the water pressure applied to the interior surface of the openable closure when in flood mode. Preferably, the closing means is a pair of magnets or a combination of a magnet and magnetic material attached to the housing and the openable closure, the magnet or magnets have sufficient strength to keep the openable closure closed when in non- flood mode, but are not of sufficient strength to keep the openable closure closed when in flood mode, the force of the magnets is less than the force exerted by the water pressure applied to the interior surface of the openable closure when in flood mode. Preferably, the closing means is an electric actuator assembly having an actuator armature and actuator linkage and electric motor, wherein the electric actuator assembly is mounted to the housing of the emergency flood prevention valve and one end of the actuator linkage is connected to the internal surface of the door, wherein in the flood mode the electric actuator assembly causes the actuator linkage to push against the internal surface of the door so as to release the door from the housing of the emergency flood prevention valve to enable door to open when the water pressure on the internal surface of the door increase as the water level rises within the interior space of the emergency flood prevention valve. In a second aspect, the invention may broadly be said to consist of a method of preventing backflow within a downpipe and flooding at an inlet end of an upper section of the downpipe when the amount of water entering the downpipe is insufficient for the downpipe to drain out at an outlet end of a lower section of the downpipe, wherein the method includes: a) positioning an emergency flood prevention valve as described in the first aspect between upper and lower sections of the downpipe by connecting an upper inlet portion of the housing to a lower end of the upper section of the downpipe and connecting a lower outlet portion to an upper end of the lower section of the downpipe; b) maintaining the openable closure in a closed position when in the non-flood mode whereby the openable closure is engaged with the housing such that water flows freely from the inlet end of and through the upper section of the downpipe, through the housings interior space and through and out the outlet end of the lower section of the downpipe; c) causing the openable closure to disengage from the housing as the water level rises within the interior space and then to open when in the flood mode whereby water pressure forces the openable closure to open when the water level within the interior space of the housing is at a level adjacent to and / or above the openable closure so that water within the interior space of the housing drains from the interior space out through the opening preventing the water level rising further up the housing and up the upper section of the downpipe; and d) causing the openable closure to close and to reengage with the housing once the interior space has drained and the emergency flood prevention valve has returned to the non-flood mode. Brief Description of Figures Preferred embodiments of the invention, which are given by way of example only, will now be described by reference to the accompanying Figures, in which like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in the various Figures, and in which: Figure 1 is a front view of an emergency flood prevention valve in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the invention in a non-flood mode; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional side view of the emergency flood prevention valve shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the emergency flood prevention valve shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 is a front view of the emergency flood prevention valve shown in Figure 1 in a flood mode. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional side view of the emergency flood prevention valve shown in Figure 4; Figure 6 is a perspective view of the emergency flood prevention valve shown in Figure 4; Figure 7 is a front view of the emergency flood prevention valve shown in Figure 1 in with the valve door fully open. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional side view of the emergency flood prevention valve shown in Figure 7; Figure 9 is a perspective view of the emergency flood prevention valve shown in Figure 7; Figure 10 is a perspective view an emergency flood prevention valve in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the invention; Figure 11 is a cross-sectional side view of the emergency flood prevention valve shown in Figure 10; Figure 12 is a perspective view of the divertor shown in figure 11; Figure 13 is a perspective view an emergency flood prevention valve in accordance with a third preferred embodiment of the invention; Figure 14 is a cross-sectional side view of the emergency flood prevention valve shown in Figure 10; Figure 15 is a perspective view of the leaf filter diverter shown in figure 14; Figure 16 is perspective view of the emergency flood prevention valve shown in figure 1 with downpipes; Figure 17 is cutaway perspective view of the emergency flood prevention valve shown in figure 16 with downpipes; Figure 18 is front view of the emergency flood prevention valve shown in figure 1 installed to a 65mm diameter downpipe; Figure 19 is a side view of the emergency flood prevention valve shown in figure 18; Figure 20 is front view of the emergency flood prevention valve shown in figure 1 installed to an 80mm diameter downpipe; Figure 21 is a side view of the emergency flood prevention valve shown in figure 20; Figure 22 is front view of the emergency flood prevention valve shown in figure 1 installed to a 100mm diameter downpipe; Figure 23 is a side view of the emergency flood prevention valve shown in figure 22; Figure 24 is front view of the emergency flood prevention valve shown in figure 1 installed to a 150mm diameter downpipe; Figure 25 is a side view of the emergency flood prevention valve shown in figure 24; Figure 26 is a front view of a residential emergency flood prevention valve attachable to an 80mm downpipe in accordance with the first preferred embodiment of the invention as shown in figure 1; Figure 27 is a side view of the emergency flood prevention valve shown in figure 27; Figure 28 is front view of a commercial emergency flood prevention valve attachable to a 160mm downpipe in accordance in accordance with the first preferred embodiment of the invention as shown in figure 1; Figure 29 is a side view of the emergency flood prevention valve shown in figure 28; Figure 30 is a cross-sectional side view of an emergency flood prevention valve in accordance with a fourth preferred embodiment of the invention; Figure 31 is a cross-sectional side view of an emergency flood prevention valve in accordance with a fifth preferred embodiment of the invention; and Figure 32 is a cross-sectional side view of an emergency flood prevention valve in accordance with a sixth preferred embodiment of the invention. Detailed Description of Figures The present invention to the emergency flood prevention valve is designed to prevent flooding of gutters when the amount of rainfall is insufficient for the downpipe to drain water from the gutter where the backflow of water in the downpipe results in the gutter overflowing in to the roof and / or wall cavity of the building. The emergency flood prevention valve is designed to be attached to the downpipe between the gutter inlet end of the downpipe and the outlet end of the downpipe. The emergency flood prevention valve includes an openable closure (e.g. a flap, door, gate) whereby when the downpipe is sufficient to drain water from the gutter with no backflow and flooding the openable closure is in and retained in a closed position. However, when the amount of rainfall is insufficient for the downpipe to drain water from the gutter, the openable closure is caused to open once the level of water in the downpipe is adjacent and / or above the openable closure. The openable closure is caused to open due the water pressure being applied to the openable closure as the water level rises adjacent to and / or the openable closure such that openable closure opens to then allow the water to drain from the downpipe thus preventing the water to rise further up the downpipe and backflow out to the gutter, thus preventing flooding of the roof and / or wall cavities. Once the rate of water entering the downpipe from the gutter reduces such that the water level within the downpipe drops below the openable closure, the openable closure returns to and retained in the closed position. The emergency flood prevention valve is preferably designed to be retro fitted to existing downpipes by cutting out a piece of the downpipe and attaching the emergency flood prevention valve thereto with downpipe sealant. However, it is envisaged that the emergency flood prevention valve can be designed and manufactured as a one piece integral unit of the downpipe without departing from the scope of the invention. The emergency flood prevention valve can also be installed with new builds. The invention will now be described with reference to a preferred embodiment shown in figures 1 to 9, 16 ad 17. Note other preferred embodiments are shown in figures 30 to 32 which are described in more detail further on in this specification. Figures 1 to 9 show an emergency flood prevention valve 10 having a releasable latch float assembly for releasably latching a door 20 to the housing of the emergency flood prevention valve 10. The emergency flood prevention valve 10 consisting of a left side casing 11 and a right side casing 12 joined together forming an elongate housing having a hollow interior space 18 to receive water from a downpipe and discharge water from the interior space 18 via a downpipe and / or opening 19. Each casing 11, 12 has an upper inlet region 111, 121, a mid-region 112, 122, an outlet region 113, 123, a rear face 114 and front face 115. The upper inlet region 111, 121 has a water inlet 13 connected to a lower outlet end of an upstream section 80 of the downpipe so as to allow water to flow from upstream section 80 into the interior space 18. The lower outlet region 113, 123 has water outlet 14 connected to the inlet end of an upper end of a downstream section 70 of the downpipe so as to allow water to flow from the interior space 18 into the downstream section of the downpipe. The mid region 112, 122 has a front face 115 with an opening 19 and a door 20 (having an internal surface 25 and outer surface 24) that when in non-flood mode closes the opening 19 and when in flood mode opens the door 20 so to allow water that has built up within the interior space 18 to be discharged quickly from the interior space 18, via the opening 19 as a result of water pressure being applied to the internal surface 25 of the door 20. A door receiving surface 16 is situated within the interior space 18 adjacent a lower area of the opeining. The door 20 has a pivot hinge 21 pivotally connected via pivot shaft 23 to the housing above and adjacent to the top of the opening 20 to allow the door to pivot between closed and open positions. The pivot hinge 21 is situated above and adjacent to the top of edge of the door 20. The door has along its internal edge an interlocking channel 17 that interlocks with a corresponding protruding edge (not shown) on the door receiving surface 16 on the housing. The door 20 has a latch tab 22 extending outwardly, preferably at a right angle (but not limited thereto), from the internal surface 25 of the door 20. The latch tab 22 is situated above and adjacent a bottom edge of the door 20. The latch tab 22 has an opening 26 to allow the latch tab 22 to releasably connect with a latch hook 33 of a latch arm 32 attached to a float of a latch float assembly 30. The float assembly 30 is positioned within the internal space 18 adjacent the opening 19 and is pivotally connected via latch pivot shaft 34 to housing such that the latch float assembly 30 is able to rotate from a door closed position (figure 2) to a door open position (figure 5) as the water level rises in the interior space 18 and able to rotate from a door open position (figure 5) to a door closed position (figure 2) when the water level drops in the interior space as a result of water discharging out of the interior space via the opening 19 and the downstream downpipe. The latch float assembly 30 has a latch covering shroud 45 that is positioned above and partially surrounds upper regions of the latch float assembly 30 in order to protect the latch float assembly 30 from the flow of water entering into the interior space as water enters the interior space 18 from the upstream downpipe, especially during flood mode when the flow rate of water entering the interior space is significantly greater than the flow rate during non-flood mode. The door 20 may include the pivot hinge being sprung in order to assist in the door to return form the open position to the closed position or could be weighted with weights in order to assist in the door to return form the open position to the closed position. The door receiving surface 16 has a latch opening 46 through which the latch tab 22 is able to extend therethrough in order to engage with the latch hook 33 of the latch arm 32 in order to retain the door 20 in a closed position when in the non-flood mode and to allow the latch tab 22 to pass through when the latch tab 22 is caused to disengage from the latch hook 33 during flood mode. The housing has a latch override opening 15 situated below the opening 19 so to allow a screw driver or similar device to be inserted in to the latch override opening 15 to push the float chamber 31 of the latch float assembly 30 back to release the latch arm 32 from the latch tab 22 so the door 20 can be manually opened in order to service, cleaning or clear blockages in the emergency flood prevention valve 10 or so that the emergency flood prevention valve 10 can be used for other purposes such as diverting water to a water collecting tank or catching and diverting leaves (figures 10 to 15). The emergency flood prevention valve 10 has a drain hole 47 situated within the door receiving surface 16 situated beneath the latch opening 46. The emergency flood prevention valve 10 is retrofitted to a downpipe for draining water from a gutter attached to a building. The emergency flood prevention valve 10 can be attached along the length of downpipe downstream from the gutter, preferably at height of 1 to 2 meters from ground level (but limited thereto) for ease of attachment and serviceability. A section of the downpipe of a desired length, (preferably about approx.90% (but not limited thereto) the length of the emergency flood prevention valve 10) is cutaway from respective upstream and downstream sections 70, 80 of the downpipe such that the outlet end of the upstream section 80 extends into the water inlet 13 of the emergency flood prevention valve 10 and the inlet end of the downstream section 70 extends into the water outlet 14 of the emergency flood prevention valve 10. The emergency flood prevention valve 10 is positioned and then attached to the respective ends of the downpipe sections 70, 80 by suitable affixers, such as adhesives. Once attached the emergency flood prevention valve 10 is ready for use to prevent backflow within the downpipe to prevent flooding at and adjacent the gutter during heavy / torrential rainfall. NON-FLOOD MODE: The emergency flood prevention valve 10 is in a closed position (figures 1 to 3), when there is no water flowing through the downpipe or when the flow rate of water draining through the downpipe is not sufficient to cause backflow of water and consequently the rising of water level within the downpipe. In the closed position the door 20 is closed and is held closed via the latch arm 22 to the latch arm 32 of the latch float assembly 30. FLOOD MODE During heavy / torrential rainfall the amount of water can be of an extent where the flow rate is not sufficient for the downpipe to handle whereby the backflow of water forms within the downpipe such that water level rises which if left unchecked (as in the case where no emergency flood prevention valve 10 is attached) water will flood out the top of the downpipe in to and around the gutter resulting in the gutter overflowing in to the roof and / or wall cavity of the building. The emergency flood prevention valve 10 is designed to prevent such gutter overflowing in to the roof and / or wall cavity of the building during heavy and torrential rain. The flood prevention valve 10 achieves this by allowing water to be discharged via the opening 19 of the emergency flood prevention valve 10 when the level of water rises within the downpipe, preferably to a level above the top of the door 20 of the emergency flood prevention valve 10 and up the upstream section 80 of the downpipe. The higher the height of the level of water above the top of the door 20 the greater the water pressure being applied to the internal surface 25 of the door 20. As a result of the downpipe unable to drain away the amount of water entering the downpipe from the gutter the water level rises up the downpipe from the downstream section 70 water into the interior space 18. As the water level rises within the interior space the float 31 moves in an upward direction which causes the latch float assembly 30 to rotate about the latch pivot shaft 34 which in turn causes the latch hook 33 of the latch arm 32 to disengage from the latch tab 22 of the door 20. As the level of water continues to rise the pressure applied to the internal surface 25 of the door increases to the point where the disengaged door 20 is able to pivot open to thus release and discharge the backflow of water accumulated within the interior space 18 of the emergency flood prevention valve 10 and / or within the upstream section 80 of the downpipe. The door 20 remains open until such point where the amount of water entering from the gutter no longer causes the level of water to rise within the internal space 18. Downpipe. At the point where the amount of water entering from the gutter no longer causes the level of water rises within the internal space 18, the door 20 closes and the float 31 drops so that latch hook 33 of the latch arm 32 to reengages with the latch tab 22 to latch the door 20 closed. OTHER USES: Turning to figures 10 to 12 with reference to figures 1 to 9 the emergency flood prevention valve 10 is shown adapted to be incorporated with a water diverter accessory 50. The water diverter accessory 50 is able to be attached to and used with the emergency flood prevention valve 10 when in the non-flood mode. The water diverter accessory 50 can have two functions; 1. diverts and prevents any roof wash including any chemicals used to clean the roof away from the stormwater system in a controlled manner. 2. diverts water to a water storage tank. The water diverter accessory 50 has a water diverter outlet 51 which a hose can be easily attached to divert any roof wash to a collection tank to prevent any roof wash water entering the stormwater system or where the hose can be easily attached to divert any rain water to a water storage tank. The water diverter accessory 50 is attached by opening the door 20 via inserting a small screwdriver in the latch override opening 15 to push the float chamber 31 of the latch float assembly 30 back releasing the latch arm 32 from the latch tab 22 so the door 20 can be then opened. Once the door 20 is open the water diverter accessory 50 is inserted and retained by the accessory support grooves / rails 40 having support lower surfaces 41 and support upper surfaces 42 situated on the interior side walls of the emergency flood prevention valve 10. The water diverter accessory 50 is shaped and configured with an inclined open funnel shape as shown in figure 12. The water diverter accessory 50 has a water diverter receiving area 53 above a water diverting base 56 that inclines to a water diverting funnel 52 having the water diverting outlet 51. The side walls of the water diverter accessory 50 has water diverting retainer clips 54 and water diverting support rails 55 which engage with the support grooves / rails 40 situated on the interior side walls of the emergency flood prevention valve 10 to releasably retain the water diverter accessory 50 within the interior space 18. When the emergency flood prevention valve 10 is to be used for flood prevention the water diverter accessory 50 is removed from the emergency flood prevention valve 10 and door 20 closes and retained by the latch float assembly 30. Turning to figures 13 to 15 with reference to figures 1 to 9 the emergency flood prevention valve 10 is shown adapted to be incorporated with a leaf catcher accessory 60. The leaf catcher accessory 60 is able to be attached to and used with the emergency flood prevention valve 10 when in the non-flood mode. The leaf catcher 60 is attached by opening the door 20 via inserting a small screwdriver in the latch override opening 15 to push the float chamber 31 of the latch float assembly 30 back releasing the latch arm 32 from the latch tab 22 so the door 20 can be then opened. Once the door 20 is open the leaf catcher accessory 60 is inserted and retained by the accessory support grooves / rails 40 having support lower surfaces 41 and support upper surfaces 42 situated on the interior side walls of the emergency flood prevention valve 10. The leaf catcher accessory 60 is shaped and configured with an inclined open channel shape as shown in figure 15. The leaf catcher 60 has leaf catcher side walls 67 and leaf catch receiving area 63 which has leaf catcher perforation 61 which water can flow therethrough. The leaf catcher accessory 60 has on its side walls leaf catcher retainer clips 64 and leaf catcher support rails 65 which engage with the support grooves / rails 40 situated on the interior side walls of the emergency flood prevention valve 10 to releasably retain the leaf catcher accessory 60 within the interior space 18. When the emergency flood prevention valve 10 is to be used for flood prevention the leaf catcher accessory 60 is removed from the emergency flood prevention valve 10 and door 20 closes and retained by the latch float assembly 30, e.g. by inserting rods therein to clear any debris or blockages within the downpipes. . The emergency flood prevention valve 10 also has a further additional function whereby should there be a blockage in the downpipe it creates an inspection eye and internal access to the interior space 18 via opening of the door 20 to thereby allowing of clearing of the blockage within the downpipe. TYPES OF EMERGENCY FLOOD PREVENTION VALVE: Figures 18 to 25 show differing versions of the emergency flood prevention valve. Figures 18 and 19 show a residential emergency flood prevention valve 101 configured and sized to fit a 65mm diameter downpipe. Figures 20 and 21 show a residential emergency flood prevention valve 102 configured and sized to fit an 80mm diameter downpipe. Figures 22 and 23 show a commercial emergency flood prevention valve 103 configured and sized to fit a 100mm diameter downpipe. Figures 24 and 25 show a commercial emergency flood prevention valve 104 configured and sized to fit a 150mm diameter downpipe. Figures 26 to 27 show typical dimensions for a residential emergency flood prevention valve 105 configured and sized to fit an 80mm. Figures 28 to 29 show typical dimensions for a commercial emergency flood prevention valve 106 configured and sized to fit an 150mm. OTHER PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Figures 30 to 32 show the emergency flood prevention valve with different ways of closing and opening the door. Figure 30 shows a emergency flood prevention valve 10 having the opening and closing of the door 20 controlled by a spring loaded mechanism 180 attached to the housing about the pivot hinge 21. The spring loaded mechanism 180 has sufficient strength to keep the door closed where the door interlocking ridge 163 engaged within interlocking channel 164 situated on the edge of the opening when in non- flood mode. However, but is of insufficient strength to keep the door 20 closed when in flood mode, the spring force of the spring loaded mechanism 180 is less than the force exerted by the water pressure applied to the interior surface 25 of the door 20 when in flood mode. Figure 31 shows a emergency flood prevention valve 10 having the opening and closing of the door 20 controlled by a pair of magnets 161, 162 or a combination of a magnet and magnetic material attached to the housing and the door 20. The magnet or magnets 161, 162 have sufficient strength to keep the door 20 closed when in non-flood mode, but are not of sufficient strength to keep the door 20 closed when in flood mode, the force of the magnets is less than the force exerted by the water pressure applied to the interior surface of the door 20 when in flood mode. Figure 32 shows an emergency flood prevention valve 10 having the opening and closing of the door 20 controlled by an electric actuator assembly 170 having an actuator armature 172 and actuator linkage 171 and electric motor 173. The electric actuator assembly 170 is mounted to the housing of the emergency flood prevention valve 10 and one end of the actuator linkage 171 is connected to the internal surface of the door 20. In flood mode the electric actuator assembly 170 is activated to cause the actuator linkage 171 to push against the internal surface of the door 20 so as to release the door interlocking ridge 163 from the interlocking channel 164 situated on the edge of the opening of the emergency flood prevention valve 10. Once released from the interlocking channel 164 the door 20 is then able to open as the water pressure on the internal surface of the door 20 increase as the water level rises within the interior space of the emergency flood prevention valve 10. COMPARISON: The table below shows the comparison of discharge flow rates of various types and sizes of downpipes fitted with and without an emergency flood prevention valve of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. ^ It is assumed that free discharge of the existing circular gutter and downpipe system occurs. ^ a 5cm head will operate for residential scenarios and a 10cm head will operate for commercial scenarios. ^ that assumed depths of head will not result in internal flooding of premises and are available within the normal operational functionality of the system. ^ A conservative estimate of coefficient of discharge of 0.6 has been adopted in this instance. ^ an unrestricted head is available for the emergency flood prevention valve that corresponds to the height of the downpipe (less emergency flood prevention valve discharge height) - therefore assumed that a 1.4m head will be available in residential scenarios and a 5m head will be available in commercial scenarios. ^ no reduction of available head through the opening of the emergency flood prevention valve door. Conclusion The Flow Comparison Table above shows likely discharge at spouting / gutter interface with comparison to likely discharge through with and without the emergency flood prevention valve. The results clearly show a very significant increase in the discharge rates where the emergency flood prevention valve is attached to a range of residential and commercial applications, ranging from a 144% increase for a 200mm downpipe (commercial application) to a 1021% for a 65mm downpipe (residential application). Therefore, it is clear that when the emergency flood prevention valve in all scenarios there will be no back-up / surcharge / flooding of the downpipe from a fully operational emergency flood prevention valve of the present invention. Advantages The emergency flood prevention valve of the present invention accordingly offers a number of advantages over the prior art, including: ^ Easy to retro fit to existing downpipes ^ Able to used for both residential and commercial buildings and downpipes ^ Prevents overflow of gutters and overflowing in to the roof and / or wall cavity of the building At the very least, the present invention offers the public a useful choice. Itemised Numbering used in the Figures Item Name Flood Prevention 10 (residential) 11 Left side casing 12 Right side casing 13 Water inlet 14 Water outlet 15 Opening for manual 16 Gate receiving surface 17 Gate interlocking 18 Interior space 19 Opening 20 Door 21 Pivot hinge 22 Latch tab 23 Gate pivot shaft 24 Door outer surface 25 Door internal surface Latch float assembly Float Latch arm Latch hook Latch pivot shaft Accessory support groove / rail Support groove lower surface Support groove upper surface Latch mechanism shroud Latch opening Gate cavity drain hole Water diverter accessory Water diverter outlet Water diverter funnel Water diverter receiving area Water diverter retention clip Water diverter support rail Water diverter base Leaf catcher accessory Leaf catcher perforations Leaf catcher receiving area Leaf catcher retention clip Leaf catcher support rail Leaf catcher side walls Outlet pipe (65mm) Inlet pipe (80mm) Outlet pipe (100mm) Outlet pipe (150mm) Inlet pipe (65mm) Inlet pipe (80mm) Inlet pipe (100mm) Inlet pipe (150mm) Flood Prevention Valve (residential) with 65mm installed Flood Prevention Valve (residential) Flood Prevention Valve (Commercial) with 100mm 103 adapters installed Flood Prevention Valve (Commercial) Flood Prevention Valve 105 (residential) Flood Prevention Valve 106 (Commercial) 111 Inlet region of left side 112 Mid region of left side 113 Outlet region of left side 114 Rear face of casing 115 Front face 121 Inlet region of right side 122 Mid region of right side 123 Outlet region of right side 161  Fixed magnet  162  Gate magnet  163  Gate interlocking ridge  164  Gate interlocking channel  170  Electric actuator assembly  171  Actuator linkage  172  Actuator armature  173  Electric motor  180  Gate spring  It will be understood that the above-described preferred embodiments of the invention have been given purely by way of illustrative example. They are not to be construed as in any way limiting the scope of the invention, and variations or modifications thereto are possible without departing from its scope. In particular, any specific dimensions or other characteristics related to the preferred embodiments disclosed herein are not to be construed as limiting. Disclaimer It will be understood that all and any modifications or variations to the invention herein described that would be apparent to a person skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of the present invention. The invention may also broadly be said to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated herein, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more of the parts, elements or features. Where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents, such equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth. To avoid doubt, it will be understood that where a product, device, system, method or process as herein described is sold, offered for sale or otherwise provided incomplete, as an individual component, or as a “kit of parts”, such exploitation is deemed to fall within the ambit of the present invention. Throughout the present specification, reference to a “skilled person”, “skilled addressee”, or “person skilled in the art” should be understood as referring to a practitioner having ordinary skill in the relevant field, but implementing this in an unimaginative manner. It will be appreciated that a degree of trial and experimentation may fall within the ambit of the practice of the skilled addressee when performing the invention disclosed herein. Throughout the present specification, any references to “comprise” and derivatives of that term are to be interpreted inclusively. That is to say, references to “comprise” will be taken to include not only any listed components directly referenced in a given case, but also other non-specified components or elements. This applies whether the term “comprise” is used in relation to a product, device, system, one or more steps in a method or process, or any other aspect of the invention herein disclosed. To avoid doubt, “comprise” is not to be ascribed an exclusive meaning; that is to say, it is not to be taken to exclude any features, components, integers or steps merely due to their not being explicitly mentioned. Similarly, the terms “including and having” or “having and including”, if used herein, are to be defined inclusively. Throughout the present specification, the terms “upper”, “up”, “lower”, “down”, “right”, “left”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “top”, “bottom”, “lateral”, “longitudinal”, “side”, “front”, “rear” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as it is oriented in the Figures. However it is to be understood that the invention may from time to time assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. In any given case, reference to the above-listed terms should be accorded the meaning reasonably indicated by the context. All references cited in this specification, including any patent or patent application, or any document, act, or item of knowledge, are hereby incorporated by reference. The discussion of these references states what their authors (or proponents) assert. No admission is made that any reference constitutes valid prior art; neither is any admission made as to the accuracy or pertinency of any reference. All rights to challenge the accuracy, pertinency and / or validity as prior art of any reference are hereby reserved.

Claims

Claims What is claimed is:

1. An emergency flood prevention valve attachable to a downpipe to prevent backflow within the downpipe and flooding at an inlet end of an upper section of the downpipe when the amount of water entering the downpipe is insufficient for the downpipe to drain out at an outlet end of a lower section of the downpipe, the emergency flood prevention valve includes a housing defining an interior space therein, wherein the housing includes: a. an upper inlet portion connectable to a lower end of the upper section of the downpipe so as to allow water to flow from upper section into the interior space; b. a lower outlet portion connectable to an upper end of the lower section of the downpipe so as to allow water to flow from the interior space into the lower section of the downpipe; c. a side wall with an opening and an openable closure, the openable closure having an interior and outer surface, the openable closure is adapted to: i. be retained in a closed position when the emergency flood prevention valve is in a non-flood mode as hereinbefore defined; and ii. to move to an open position when the emergency flood prevention valve is in a flood mode as hereinbefore defined, whereby the openable closure is adapted to be released from the closed position and to open by the action of water pressure being applied to the interior surface of the openable closure when the water level rises within the interior space of the housing to a level adjacent to and / or above the openable closure such that when the openable closure is in the open position water within the interior space of the housing is able to drain from the interior space out through the opening to prevent the water level rising further up the housing and up into the upper section of the downpipe.

2. The emergency flood prevention valve as claimed in claim 1, wherein the openable closure is pivotally attached to the side wall at a position adjacent an edge of the opening.

3. The emergency flood prevention valve as claimed in claim 2, wherein the openable closure is pivotally attached to the side wall at a position adjacent and above an upper edge of the opening.

4. The emergency flood prevention valve as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the openable closure is a flap or a door or a gate.

5. The emergency flood prevention valve as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, the openable closure includes closing means that is adapted to keep the openable closure in the closed position when in the non-flood mode and that is adapted to release the openable closure to allow the openable closure to move to the open position when in flood mode.

6. The emergency flood prevention valve as claimed in claim 5, wherein the closing means is a latch catch mechanism attached to the housing and the openable closure.

7. The emergency flood prevention valve as claimed in claim 6, wherein the latch catch mechanism is connected to a float such that as the water level rises within the interior space the float causes the latch catch mechanism to release openable closure from the housing so that the openable closure is able to open as the water pressure increase against the internal surface of the openable closure.

8. The emergency flood prevention valve as claimed in claim 7, wherein the latch catch mechanism includes a first latch portion and a second latch portion whereby the first portion is attached to the openable closure and the second latch portion attached to the housing such that the first and second latch portions are able to releasably be connected to one another.

9. The emergency flood prevention valve as claimed in claim 8, wherein the first latch portion is attached to and extends outwardly from an interior surface of the openable closure.

10. The emergency flood prevention valve as claimed in claim 9, wherein the first latch portion is a latch tab.

11. The emergency flood prevention valve as claimed in claim 10, wherein the latch tab extends outwardly at substantially perpendicular to the internal surface of the openable closure.

12. The emergency flood prevention valve as claimed in claim 11, wherein the latch tab is situated above and adjacent a bottom edge of the openable closure.

13. The emergency flood prevention valve as claimed in claim 12, wherein the latch tab has an opening to allow the latch tab to be releasably connectable with the second latch portion.

14. The emergency flood prevention valve as claimed in claim 13, wherein the second latch portion includes latch float assembly.

15. The emergency flood prevention valve as claimed in claim 14, wherein the float assembly is positioned within the internal space adjacent the opening and is pivotally connected to housing such that the latch float assembly is able to rotate from an openable closure closed position to an openable closure open position as the water level rises in the interior space and able to rotate from the openable closure open position to the openable closure closed position when the water level drops in the interior space as a result of water discharging out of the interior space via the opening and the downstream downpipe.

16. The emergency flood prevention valve as claimed in claim 15, wherein the latch float assembly has a float attached to an end of a latch arm, the latch arm having a latch hook at the other end distal from the float, wherein the latch arm extends in outwardly direction from the interior space toward the internal surface of the openable closure whereby to allow the latch hook to releasably connectable to the latch tab via the latch tab opening.

17. The emergency flood prevention valve as claimed in claim 5, wherein the closing means is a spring loaded means attached to the housing and the openable closure, the spring loaded means has sufficient strength to keep the openable closure closed when in non-flood mode, but is of insufficient strength to keep the openable closure closed when in flood mode, the spring force of the spring loaded means is less than the force exerted by the water pressure applied to the interior surface of the openable closure when in flood mode.

18. The emergency flood prevention valve as claimed in claim 5, wherein the closing means is a pair of magnets or a combination of a magnet and magnetic material attached to the housing and the openable closure, the magnet or magnets have sufficient strength to keep the openable closure closed when in non-flood mode, but are not of sufficient strength to keep the openable closure closed when in flood mode, the force of the magnets is less than the force exerted by the water pressure applied to the interior surface of the openable closure when in flood mode.

19. The emergency flood prevention valve as claimed in claim 5, wherein the closing means is an electric actuator assembly having an actuator armature and actuator linkage and electric motor, wherein the electric actuator assembly is mounted to the housing of the emergency flood prevention valve and one end of the actuator linkage is connected to the internal surface of the door, wherein in the flood mode the electric actuator assembly causes the actuator linkage to push against the internal surface of the door so as to release the door from the housing of the emergency flood prevention valve to enable door to open when the water pressure on the internal surface of the door increase as the water level rises within the interior space of the emergency flood prevention valve.

20. A method of preventing backflow within a downpipe and flooding at an inlet end of an upper section of the downpipe when the amount of water entering the downpipe is insufficient for the downpipe to drain out at an outlet end of a lower section of the downpipe, wherein the method includes:a. positioning an emergency flood prevention valve as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 19 between upper and lower sections of the downpipe by connecting an upper inlet portion of the housing to a lower end of the upper section of the downpipe and connecting a lower outlet portion to an upper end of the lower section of the downpipe; b. maintaining the openable closure in a closed position when in the non- flood mode whereby the openable closure is engaged within the housing such that water flows freely from the inlet end of and through the upper section of the downpipe, through the housings interior space and through and out the outlet end of the lower section of the downpipe; c. causing the openable closure to disengage from the housing as the water level rises within the interior space and then to open when in the flood mode whereby water pressure forces the openable closure to open when the water level within the interior space of the housing is at a level adjacent to and / or above the openable closure so that water within the interior space of the housing drains from the interior space out through the opening preventing the water level rising further up the housing and up the upper section of the downpipe; and d. causing the openable closure to close and reengage with the housing once the interior space has drained and returned to the non-flood mode.

21. The method of preventing backflow within a downpipe as claimed in claimed 20, wherein the maintaining of the openable closure in a closed position uses the latch catch mechanism as claimed in claims 6 to 7.

22. The method of preventing backflow within a downpipe as claimed in claimed 20, wherein the maintaining of the openable closure in a closed position uses the spring loaded means as claimed in claim 8.

23. The method of preventing backflow within a downpipe as claimed in claimed 20, wherein the maintaining of the openable closure in a closed position uses the magnets as claimed in claim 9.

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