Anti-flooding bulkhead with adjustable trim

Abstract

The present invention refers to the field of anti-flooding devices and concerns an anti-flooding bulkhead (100) with adjustable trim, adapted to be placed on a floor and mounted between two vertical surfaces that delimit an access opening, comprising: - a first (1) and a second (2) shoulder, adapted to be fixed to a respective vertical surface creating front stops (11, 21); - an infill panel (3); - a first (4') and a second (4") lateral gasket and a linear base gasket (5); - safety means adapted to block said panel (3) against the front stops (11, 21 ) of said shoulders (1, 2) and against the floor of the access opening to be protected, comprising: - a first (7) and a second (8) latch, associated with said panel (3); - a first (9) and a second (10) housing, associated respectively with said first (1) and second (2) shoulder, each adapted to cooperate with a corresponding latch (7, 8); - a first (12) and a second (13) block, each comprising one of said housings (9, 10) and adapted to cooperate with one of said latches (7, 8); - means for adjusting the position of each of said blocks (12, 13), adapted to make said blocks (12, 13) movable in both directions along a vertical line.

Description

[0001] ANTI-FLOODING BULKHEAD WITH ADJUSTABLE TRIM

[0002] Technical field of application

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

[0004] Background art

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

[0006] To solve the aforesaid problem, the use of anti-flooding devices is known, commonly known with the name of anti-flooding bulkheads or barriers, to be positioned when necessary to close said access openings, even only partially.

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

[0008] Said safety means include: a first and a second latch fixed, on opposite sides, on the upper face of said panel, and adapted to protrude, in use, with respect to the lateral faces of said panel. a first and a second housing, associated respectively on the top of said first and second shoulder, each adapted to cooperate with the free end of the corresponding latch, when protruding. Said housings are, for example, made using C-shaped profiles, the wings of which act as retaining side elements for the respective latch.

[0009] Anti-flooding bulkheads of the type described above have some limits and drawbacks.

[0010] The defined position of the latches, above the upper face of the panel, and the respective fixed position of the relative housings, at the upper end of the shoulders, does not guarantee perfect blocking of the bulkhead to the opening to be protected.

[0011] In fact, in the case in which, for example, the floor and the vertical surfaces that delimit the opening to be protected are not perfectly square with one another, blocking of the panel against the front stops of said shoulders and against the floor is not guaranteed.

[0012] In particular, the compression of the linear base gasket may not be even, but risks being slacker, for example, at one end of the bulkhead, at a shoulder that is not orthogonal to the floor, also due to wall construction defects.

[0013] Moreover, with conventional bulkheads it is not possible to modulate or change the compression strength of the gaskets, in particular the base gasket, over time.

[0014] Presentation of the invention

[0015] The object of the present invention is to overcome the aforesaid problems, and hence to produce an anti-flooding bulkhead with adjustable trim that is easy, precise and quick to install, structurally simple to produce, safe, strong and efficient, which adapts precisely even to access openings that are not perfectly constructed, for example where the floor and the vertical surfaces are not perfectly square.

[0016] A further object is also to be able to change the compression strength applied to the linear base gasket over time.

[0017] The objects are achieved with an anti-flooding bulkhead with adjustable trim, adapted to be placed on a floor and mounted between two vertical surfaces that delimit an access opening to block the passage of water, comprising: a first and a second shoulder, each L-shaped and adapted to be fixed to a respective vertical surface, each creating a front stop for said bulkhead; a panel, adapted to act as an infill for said access opening, comprising a front face, a rear face, a base face, an upper face, a first and a second lateral face; a first and a second lateral gasket arranged at the end edges of the rear face of said panel and adapted to cooperate, in a sealing manner, respectively with the front stops of said first and second shoulder; a linear base gasket which runs along the base face of said panel; a first and a second hooking pin protruding respectively from said first and second shoulder to delimit with said front stops a space in which said panel is insertable; safety means adapted to block said panel against the front stops of said shoulders and against the floor of the access opening to be protected; where said safety means comprise: a first and a second latch, associated with said panel, each adapted to protrude, in use, with respect to one of said lateral faces; a first and a second housing, associated respectively with said first and second shoulder, each adapted to cooperate with the free end of a corresponding latch, characterized in that said safety means comprise: a first and a second block, each comprising one of said housings and adapted to cooperate with the free end of one of said latches; means for adjusting the position of each of said blocks, adapted to make said blocks movable in both directions along a vertical line.

[0018] According to a first aspect of the invention, said adjustment means comprise a first and a second slot, obtained respectively in said first and second shoulder, and adapted to constitute a sliding track for said first and second blocks.

[0019] In particular, said blocks each include a threaded hole, and said adjustment means include a screw adapted to cooperate with said threaded hole to move said blocks along the respective slots.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, each shoulder includes a box-shaped profile and said slots are obtained on a face of said box-shaped profile facing the lateral face of said panel.

[0021] Advantageously, each block includes a body and a protruding portion. Even more advantageously, said body includes said threaded hole and said protruding portion, which includes one of said housings, is adapted to engage a corresponding slot.

[0022] Moreover, each shoulder includes an upper closing plate for said box-shaped profile including a passage hole for said screw.

[0023] According to a further aspect of the invention, said panel includes, below said upper face, a first and a second seat in which said first and second latch are sliding respectively and each lateral face includes a hole through which the end of the corresponding latch passes.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment, the upper face of said panel includes a first and a second guide slot, in each of which a movement pin of the respective latch slides.

[0025] Even more preferably, each latch includes an operating knob associated with said pin.

[0026] The mains advantages of the invention are the following.

[0027] The safety means that block the bulkhead against the front stops of the shoulders and against the floor have an adjustable position so as to be able to offset any misalignments of position and construction defects in the walls.

[0028] The housings for the ends of the two latches do not have a compulsory and fixed position as in the prior art, but have a position that is adjustable in height: by using the screw adjustment means to act on the blocks that include the housings it is possible to realign the panel and the shoulders of the bulkhead.

[0029] Even more advantageously, independent adjustment of the position of each of the two blocks at the two sides of the bulkhead allows diversification, and selection of the most suitable height for insertion of the latches in the housings of the shoulders, for example, in the case in which the floor is sloping.

[0030] By acting on the position of said blocks it is possible to vary the compression of the linear base gasket according, for example, to the thrust and pressure of the water against the bulkhead or to the deformation of said gasket over time.

[0031] The box-shaped profile with which said shoulders are made allows, during construction, correct positioning of the block in the respective slot.

[0032] The edge of said slots acts as abutment for the travel of said blocks, preventing them from sliding too far downward or upward.

[0033] The screws for adjusting the position of the blocks, accessible from the outside, make the bulkhead easy to install and configure.

[0034] Even with the bulkhead already mounted it is possible, by acting on these adjustment screws, to vary the compression of the linear base gasket.

[0035] The seats in which the latches are sliding do not protrude from the upper face of the panel as occurs in the prior art, but are obtained below said upper face, making the panel less dangerous for the user, more compact and sturdier, without accessory elements applied externally that are more exposed to risks of impacts or breakage.

[0036] Brief description of the drawings

[0037] Further features and advantages of the invention will be more apparent from the more detailed description provided below, with the aid of the drawings, which show a preferred embodiment, illustrated purely by way of non-limiting example, wherein:

[0038] - Figs. 1 and 2 show, respectively in complete and exploded axonometric view, an anti-flooding bulkhead with adjustable trim according to the invention;

[0039] - Figs. 3 and 4 show, in axonometric view, two details III and IV of the anti-flooding bulkhead with adjustable trim of Fig. 2;

[0040] - Fig. 5 shows, in exploded axonometric view, the detail of Fig. 3;

[0041] - Fig. 6 shows, in a section along a transverse vertical plane VI, the bulkhead of Fig. 1 ;

[0042] - Fig. 7 shows, in top plan view, a detail of the bulkhead of Fig. 1 . Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention

[0043] With reference to Figs. 1 -7, there is illustrated an anti-flooding bulkhead 100 with adjustable trim, adapted to be placed on a floor or on a threshold and mounted between two vertical surfaces that delimit an access opening so as to close it, at least partially, and block the inflow of water.

[0044] Said anti-flooding bulkhead 100 essentially comprises: a first 1 and a second 2 shoulder, each L-shaped and adapted to be fixed to a respective vertical surface, each creating, with the foot of the L, a front stop 11 , 21 for said bulkhead 100; a panel 3, adapted to act as an infill for said access opening, comprising a front face 3a, a rear face 3b, a base face 3c, an upper face 3d, a first 3e and a second 3f lateral face. Said panel 3 and said shoulders 1 , 2 are made of metal, advantageously of aluminium.

[0045] According to a possible embodiment, said panel 3 can be formed of different section bars arranged one on top of another to reach the desired height of the bulkhead 100.

[0046] To guarantee the seal of said bulkhead 100 against the floor, and specifically the seal of the panel 3 against the shoulders 1 , 2 that delimit the access opening to be protected, said bulkhead 100 includes a plurality of gaskets.

[0047] In particular, said bulkhead 100 comprises: a first 4’ and a second 4” lateral gasket arranged at the end edges of the rear face 3b of said panel 3 and adapted to cooperate, in a sealing manner, respectively with the front stops 11 , 21 of said first 1 and second 2 shoulder; a linear base gasket 5 which runs along the base face 3c of said panel 3.

[0048] To complete it, said bulkhead 100 includes a first 6’ and a second 6” hooking pin protruding respectively from said first 1 and second 2 shoulder to delimit with said front stops 11 , 21 a space in which said panel 3 is insertable.

[0049] The thickness of the panel 3 occupies exactly the space comprised between said hooking pins 6’, 6” and the front stops 11 , 21 of the shoulders 1 , 2.

[0050] To guarantee stable fixing of said bulkhead 100 inside the opening to be protected, said bulkhead 100 includes safety means adapted to block said panel 3 against the front stops 11 , 21 of said shoulders 1 , 2 and against the floor of the access opening to be protected, with the interposition of the relative gaskets 4’, 4”, 5.

[0051] Said safety means comprise: a first 7 and a second 8 latch, associated with said panel 3 in proximity of its upper face 3d opposite each other, a first 9 and a second 10 housing, associated respectively with said first 1 and second 2 shoulder, each adapted to cooperate with the free end of a corresponding latch 7, 8.

[0052] Said latches 7, 8 are arranged to protrude, when in use, i.e., when the bulkhead 100 is installed, with respect to one of said lateral faces 3e, 3f: during their sliding, said latches 7, 8 can thus assume two extreme positions, completely extended until they engage the relative housings 9, 10, or completely retracted until their whole length overlaps the upper face 3c of said panel 3.

[0053] Said safety means occupy the upper portion of said bulkhead 100, in distal position with respect to the hooking pins 6’, 6” which are instead close to the base of said bulkhead.

[0054] With particular reference to the detail of Figs. 3, 4 and 5, said safety means comprise: a first 12 and a second 13 sliding block, each comprising one of said housings 9, 10 and adapted to cooperate with the free end of one of said latches 7, 8; means for adjusting the position of each of said blocks 12, 13, adapted to make said blocks 12, 13 movable in both directions along a vertical line.

[0055] A first 14 and a second 15 slot, each adapted to constitute a sliding track for one of said blocks 12, 13, are obtained respectively in said shoulders 1 , 2.

[0056] In particular, said shoulders 1 , 2 each include a box-shaped profile and are hollow internally; each slot 14, 15 is obtained on a face of said box-shaped profile facing a corresponding lateral face 3e, 3f of said panel 3.

[0057] Each block 12, 13 includes a body 28 and a protruding portion 18.

[0058] Said protruding portion 18 includes the relative housing 9, 10 for the end of the latch 7, 8, and is adapted to engage the corresponding slot 14, 15, so that the edge of said slot 14, 15 acts as abutment means, interacting with the thickness of said protruding portion 18, to limit the downward sliding of said block 12, 13.

[0059] Said blocks 12, 13 each include a threaded hole 16, obtained in said body 28, and said adjustment means include a screw 17 adapted to cooperate with said threaded hole 16 to move said blocks 12, 13 along the respective slots 14, 15.

[0060] Substantially each block 12, 13 is hung from the corresponding screw 17, and the rotation of said screw 17 in one direction or in the opposite direction, causes the downward or upward sliding of said block 12, 13 in said slot 14, 15.

[0061] Each shoulder 1 , 2 includes an upper closing plate 19 for said box-shaped profile comprising a passage hole 20 for said screw 17.

[0062] Each plate 19 further includes a projection 30 acting as upper plug for said slots 14, 15 so as to limit the upward sliding of said block 12,

[0063] 13.

[0064] Each plate 19 is stably associable with the respective shoulder 1 , 2 by means of rivets 31 .

[0065] A washer 32, stably associated with the stem of said screw 17 is interposed between said plate 19 and said block 12, 13.

[0066] As mentioned above, said blocks 12, 13 are associated with said panel 3: they are not applied externally, but concealed inside it.

[0067] With reference to the section of Fig. 6 and to the detail of Fig. 7, said panel 3 includes, underneath said upper face 3d, a first 22 and a second 23 seat in which said first 7 and said second 8 latch are sliding respectively.

[0068] For the movement of said latches 7, 8, the upper face 3d of said panel 3 includes a first 25 and a second 26 guide slot through which a movement pin 27 of the respective latch 7, 8 protrudes and is free to slide.

[0069] Advantageously, each latch 7, 8 includes an operating knob 29 associated with said movement pin 27.

[0070] The operation of the invention, and the particular step of installing the anti-flooding bulkhead 100 illustrated, are described below.

[0071] Firstly, the shoulders 1 , 2 of the bulkhead 100 must be positioned and fixed to the vertical surfaces of the opening to be protected, arranging them so that the front stops 11 , 21 are facing the inside of the opening, i.e., the area to be protected.

[0072] The second step consists of positioning the panel 3 by inserting it between the two shoulders 1 , 2, taking care to occupy the thickness comprised between the front stops 11 , 21 and the hooking pins 6’, 6”.

[0073] Once the panel 3 has been inserted, it must be stabilized, both against the shoulders 1 , 2 and against the floor, so as to compress the relative interposed gaskets 4’, 4”, 5.

[0074] To secure the panel 3 and set the bulkhead 100 in the using configuration, the vertical position of said blocks 12, 13 in the relative slots 14, 15 is adjusted, acting on the respective adjustment screws 17.

[0075] After identifying the appropriate position of the blocks 12, 13 that aligns both the housings 9,10 and the latches 7, 8 at the same height, it is possible to act on the operating knob 29 of each latch 7, 8 to take them to the protruding position and thus engage the housings 9, 10.

[0076] After the bulkhead 100 has been stabilized, it is still possible to adjust the compression of the gaskets, in particular the compression of the linear base gasket 5: by lowering the blocks 12, 13 already engaged by the latches 7, 8 further, the panel 3 is forced to move closer to the floor, compressing the linear base gasket 5.

Claims

CLAIMS1) Anti-flooding bulkhead (100) with adjustable trim, adapted to be placed on a floor and mounted between two vertical surfaces that delimit an access opening to block the passage of water, comprising:- a first (1 ) and a second (2) shoulder, each L-shaped and adapted to be fixed to a respective vertical surface, each creating a front stop (11 , 21 ) for said bulkhead (100);- a panel (3), adapted to act as an infill for said access opening, comprising a front face (3a), a rear face (3b), a base face (3c), an upper face (3d), a first (3e) and a second (3f) lateral face;- a first (4’) and a second (4”) lateral gasket arranged at the end edges of the rear face (3b) of said panel (3) and adapted to cooperate, in a sealing manner, respectively with the front stops (11 , 21 ) of said first (1 ) and second (2) shoulder;- a linear base gasket (5) which runs along the base face (3c) of said panel (3);- a first (6’) and a second (6”) hooking pin protruding respectively from said first (1 ) and second (2) shoulder to delimit with said front stops (11 , 21 ) a space in which said panel (3) is insertable;- safety means adapted to block said panel (3) against the front stops (11 , 21 ) of said shoulders (1 , 2) and against the floor of the access opening to be protected, where said safety means comprise:- a first (7) and a second (8) latch, associated with said panel (3), each adapted to protrude, in use, with respect to one of said lateral faces (3e, 3f);- a first (9) and a second (10) housing, associated respectively with said first (1 ) and second (2) shoulder, each adapted to cooperate with the free end of a corresponding latch (7, 8), characterized in that said safety means comprise:- a first (12) and a second (13) block, each comprising one of said housings (9, 10) and adapted to cooperate with the free end of one of said latches (7, 8);- means for adjusting the position of each of said blocks (12, 13), adapted to make said blocks (12, 13) movable in both directions along a vertical line.2) Anti-flooding bulkhead (100) with adjustable trim according to claim 1 , characterized in that said adjustment means comprise a first (14) and a second (15) slot, obtained respectively in said first (1 ) and second (2) shoulder, and adapted to constitute a sliding track for said first (12) and second (13) blocks.3) Anti-flooding bulkhead (100) with adjustable trim according to claim 2, characterized in that said blocks (12, 13) each include a threaded hole (16), and said adjustment means include a screw (17) adapted to cooperate with said threaded hole (16) to move said blocks (12, 13) along the respective slots (14, 15).4) Anti-flooding bulkhead (100) with adjustable trim according to claim 1 , characterized in that each shoulder (1 , 2) includes a box-shaped profile and said slots (14, 15) are obtained on a face of said box-shaped profile facing the lateral face (3e, 3f) of said panel (3).5) Anti-flooding bulkhead (100) with adjustable trim according to claim 4, characterized in that each block (12, 13) includes a body (28) and a protruding portion (18).6) Anti-flooding bulkhead (100) with adjustable trim according to claim 5, characterized in that said body (28) includes said threaded hole (16) and said protruding portion (18), which includes one of said housings (9, 10), is adapted to engage a corresponding slot (14, 15).7) Anti-flooding bulkhead (100) with adjustable trim according to claim 4, characterized in that each shoulder (1 , 2) includes an upper closing plate (19) for said box-shaped profile including a passage hole (20) for said screw (17).8) Anti-flooding bulkhead (100) with adjustable trim according to claim 1 , characterized in that said panel (3) includes, below said upper face (3d), a first (22) and a second (23) seat in which said first (7) and second (8) latch are sliding respectively and each lateral face (3e, 3f) includes a hole (24) through which the end of the corresponding latch (7, 8) passes.9) Anti-flooding bulkhead (100) with adjustable trim according to claim 7, characterized in that the upper face (3d) of said panel (3) includes a first (25) and a second (26) guide slot, in each of which a movement pin (27) of the respective latch (7, 8) slides.0) Anti-flooding bulkhead (100) with adjustable trim according to claim 8, characterized in that each latch (7, 8) includes an operating knob (29) associated with said movement pin (27).

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