Abstract:
A protective flood barrier to protect a building and/or utility installation from flood waters that includes a continuous, water-tight base foundation surrounding and positioned in close proximity of the building; a plurality of removable structural stands adapted for placement on the base foundation wherein the structural stands have a proximal end situated adjacent the base foundation and a distal end; a sealing liner for placement on the structural stand; and a base seal for sealing the sealing liner to the base foundation.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention is directed to a flood protection system or flood barrier, and more particularly to a removable flood barrier system, for commercial buildings, agricultural buildings &amp; storage facilities, transformer stations, homes, lift stations, sanitation/sanitary facilities, etc. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Flooding in low-lying areas has long been a problem that results in extensive damage and destruction of buildings and utility installations, often costing in the tens of millions of dollars per location/occurrence. As a result, there have been many attempts to construct both permanent and temporary flood containment devices from the stacking of sandbags to permanent retaining walls. The following patents and patent publications, all of which are incorporated herein by reference, relate to examples of retaining walls: 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Pat./Publication No. 
                 Inventor 
                 Issue/Publication Date 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 5,645,373 
                 Jenkins 
                 Jul. 8, 1997 
               
               
                 5,993,113 
                 Darling 
                 Nov. 30, 1999 
               
               
                 6,029,405 
                 Wood 
                 Feb. 29, 2000 
               
               
                 7,552,565 
                 Smith 
                 Jun. 30, 2009 
               
               
                 7,976,240 
                 Mun 
                 Jul. 12, 2011 
               
               
                 8,001,735 
                 Fisher 
                 Aug. 23, 2011 
               
               
                 2014/0109482 
                 Rakhmanin 
                 Apr. 24, 2014 
               
               
                 3,975,915 
                 Haw 
                 Aug. 24, 1976 
               
               
                 5,470,177 
                 Hughes 
                 Nov. 28, 1995 
               
               
                 6,079,904 
                 Trisl 
                 Jun. 27, 2000 
               
               
                 6,354,762 
                 Muramatsu 
                 Mar. 12, 2002 
               
               
                 8,313,265 
                 Taylor 
                 Nov. 20, 2013 
               
               
                 8,858,120 
                 Allen et al. 
                 Oct. 14, 2014 
               
               
                 9,004,815 
                 Taylor 
                 Apr. 14, 2015 
               
               
                 2004/0098937 
                 Blake et al. 
                 May 27, 2004 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     While there have been many attempts to solve the flooding issue, there still remains a need for a safe and effective flood barrier, which is easy to install and maintain. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a protective flood barrier to protect property (both buildings and utility installations) from flood waters, comprising a continuous, water-tight base foundation surrounding and positioned in close proximity of the building and/or protected area; a plurality of removable structural stands adapted for placement on the base foundation wherein the structural stands have a proximal end situated adjacent the base foundation and a distal end; a sealing liner for placement on the structural stand; and a base seal for sealing the liner to the base foundation. 
     The present invention is further directed to a method of providing a flood barrier system to protect a specific building/area from flood waters, comprising providing a continuous, water-tight base foundation surrounding and positioned in close proximity of the building/protected area; providing a plurality of removable structural stands on the base foundation wherein the structural stands have a proximal end situated adjacent the base foundation and a distal end, wherein the plurality of structural stands further have an exterior side and an interior side; wrapping a flexible sealing liner around the exterior side of the plurality of structural stands, wherein the flexible sealing liner(s) has a leading edge and a trailing edge which meet; and placing a base seal over the leading edge and the trailing edge of the flexible sealing liner(s) for sealing the liner to the base foundation. 
     The advantages to the present system are that it is lightweight, simple to install, does not require intensive labor (2-3 people compared to 20-30 for sandbagging) and no heavy equipment required for deployment and disassembly. It takes only small readily available hand tools to employ and fasten the system and easy storage of components (i.e., all components stored efficiently on trailers). 
     The objects and advantages of the invention will appear more fully from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention made in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a flood barrier system of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the structural support system of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a side plan view of the structural support system illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a detailed section (Detail A) from  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a detailed section (Detail B) from  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 7  is a partial top plan view of the base seal of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is an exploded side plan view of the vertical liner seal of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is an exploded top plan view of the vertical liner seal of  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 10  is a side plan view of vertical seal liner base connector as illustrated in  FIG. 8 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a flood barrier system capable of installation with little advance notice of an impending flood situation. Normally, locations with the propensity for a flood, or a flood zone, will have at least 1 to 2 days&#39; notice in order to prepare for the flood. 
     Turning to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , there is illustrated a building  10  protected by a flood barrier system  12  in close proximity to and surrounding the building  10 . The flood barrier system  12  includes the following component parts: a liner  14 , a series of structural stands  16  in close proximity to each other and extending around the building  10 , a watertight base foundation  18 , generally made of concrete, a base seal  20  and a vertical liner seal  22 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the liner  14  rises to a certain height to prevent the flood waters from reaching the building  10 . The height of the liner  14  and the flood barrier system  12  itself can be dependent upon the floodwater conditions in the geographic location or the needs of the owner of the property. Typically, the liner  14  height will range from three feet to six feet with a height of five feet being preferred. 
     Base  18 : 
     The base  18  is preferably a continuous watertight base foundation which surrounds the building  10 . The base  18  is made of reinforced, anchored concrete. The base  18  provides an apron around the building  10  and is preferably situated a minimum of one (1) foot from the building  10 , illustrated by the dotted line in  FIG. 1 . The base  18  is preferably no less than about 9 inches thick and formed of concrete. The finished surface  18   a  of the base  18  should be at existing ground level. The concrete is necessary to support and to make a sealable surface  18   a  to limit/eliminate bypass leakage for the flood barrier system  12 . As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the concrete structure of the base  18  is preferably further reinforced with rebars  19 , known to the art, which may be laid in a crisscross pattern within the concrete base  18  prior to the concrete being poured. In addition, augured earth anchors  21 , also known to the art, may be used for securing the concrete base  18  to the earth subgrade and preventing any movement of the base  18  during flooding conditions. Concrete anchors  24 , illustrated in  FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 , used to bolt structures to the concrete surface  18   a , are installed at extended lengths and at the corners of the base  18  for placement of the structural stands  16  on the base  18 . 
     When the flood barrier system  12  is not deployed, the appearance of the base  18  is similar to or the same as a concrete sidewalk. It can be colored or natural looking concrete and can be used as a driveway, walkway, patio or landscape boarder. Low imprint “stamping” is also allowable for aesthetics. 
     Structural Stand  16 : 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3-6 , the structural stand  16  is typically a light, aluminum structure capable of withstanding the static load of water to the desired design depth. While aluminum is the preferred composition for the structural stand  16 , it is within the scope of the present invention to use other materials, such a steel, iron and other metals, wood and some plastics and polycarbonates, as long as the material has the strength and consistency to withstand the force and weight of flood waters. 
     The structural stand  16  is composed of a pair of base supports  30 . The base supports  30  include a proximal end  30   a  and a distal end  30   b . The base supports  30  are hingedly connected at proximal end  30   a  to a pair of upright sections  32  at hinges  34 . The upright sections  32  include a proximal end  32   a  and a distal end  32   b . A support leg  36 , having a proximal end  36   a  and a distal end  36   b , is hingedly attached to each of the uprights  32 , approximately midway between ends  32   a  and  32   b , at hinge  38 . At the distal end  36   b  of each of the support legs  36  is a foot  40  designed to be fittingly engaged in any of a series of slots  42 , which are part of the base supports  30 . Preferably, the foot  40  is secured to a slot  42  by a pin  41  to prevent removal of the foot  40  from the slot  42  with resulting collapse of the structural stand  16  during periods of flooding. In this manner, the upright sections  32  of the structural stand  16  can be positioned at a 0° angle with respect to the base supports  30 , i.e., collapsed adjacent the base supports  30  to a fully upright, preferred 85° angle, as illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . 
     A front facing shield  43  is attached by welding or the like to the front of each of the pair of uprights  32  to complete the structural stand unit  16 . The shield  43  includes vertical pieces  44 ,  46  and horizontal pieces  48 ,  50 ,  52  connected to the uprights  32  in a framework to provide a backing for the liner  14 . Cross supports  54  and  56  are secured by welding or the like to the proximal ends  30   a  and the distal ends  30   b  of the base supports  30  to connect the two elements of the structural stand  16  into a unit, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
     Liner  14 : 
     The liner  14  is typically a polyvinyl chloride (“PVC”) or reinforced vinyl composite liner material for the flood barrier system  12 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the liner  14  has a leading edge  14   a  and a trailing edge  14   b . As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the liner material includes an outside layer  60  preferably of 20-30 mil PVC or reinforced vinyl composite material. If added resistance is required, the liner  14  can be backed by a second support backing  62 . While any of number of flexible backings can be used, e.g., canvas, textile, etc., a preferred backing is made of geogrid material for additional strength and rigidity. The flood barrier system  12  can also be used with a reinforced polyvinyl layer  60  that will not require a separate geogrid support backing material. 
     Base Seal  20 : 
     The base seal  20  serves as a seam between the liner  14  and structural concrete base  18 . The base seal  20  can be made of rubber or other water impermeable substances and is attached to the base  20  via a base seal retainer bar—direct fastening system. As illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 5 , the base seal  20  is an extended block preferably of recycled, vulcanized rubber material that extends along the perimeter of the base  18 . As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the base seal  20  can be formed of interlocking units  23  designed to extend around the base  18 , including corners, etc. 
     Once the base seal  20  is placed in position on the surface  18   a  of base  18 , one end of the liner sheet  14  is placed on top of the base seal  20 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 5 , such that the end  14   a  of the liner  14  sheet is contiguous with the outer edge  20   a  of the base seal  20 . A pressure equalizer bar  70 , typically a straight steel or metal rod or a section with two 45° angles to achieve a 90° interior or exterior corner steel or metal rod, is then placed on the end of the surface edge of the liner  14  such that the liner  14  is sandwiched between the pressure equalizer bar  70  and the base seal  20 , as illustrated best in  FIG. 5 . Depending on the length of the pressure equalizer bar  70 , the bar  70  may include a connection piece  71  as shown in  FIG. 5 , consisting of a male end  71   a  and a female end  71   b . The male end  71   a  includes an attachment tongue  71   c  welded or otherwise adhered to the upper surface of the male end  71   a  and extending over the end of the female end  71   b . The attachment tongue  71   c  includes a downwardly depending post  71   d  that fits within an opening  71   e  extending downwardly from the surface of the female end  71   b.    
     The retainer bar further include openings  76 . The liner  14  also includes an opening  15 , typically supported by a grommet, which coincides with the openings  76 . Additionally, the base seal  20  will be provided with an opening  20   b , designed to be situated over the anchors  24  placed at regular intervals along the base  18 . Once the pressure equalizer bar  70  is placed over the openings, a securing mechanism such as a bolt  73  is then inserted through the openings in pressure equalizer bar, liner, base seal and secured into the prepositioned concrete anchors  24 , predrilled and epoxied into the surface  18   a  of base  18 . As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , securing bolts  73  are placed at regular intervals on the base seal  20  to seal the liner  14  to the base  18  through the barrier flood system  12 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 6 , the distal ends  32   b  of each of the upright sections  32  throughout the flood barrier system  12  include suspension cable retainer system for suspending a barrier suspension cable  90 . The suspension cable retainer system includes a suspension cable retainer  92  secured to an eyebolt  94  with a solid fastener, which is secured to the proximal end  32   a  of the upright sections  32  by threaded screw or the like. A washer  96  assists in the securing operation. As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the top end of the liner  14  is then secured to the suspension cable  90  by sewing, adhesion or the like. An opening  98  is provided to expose the cable  90  for attachment to the suspension cable retainer. As illustrated, the suspension cable retainer  92  includes a spring operated locking element  100  for receiving the cable  90 . 
     In this manner, the liner  14  can be secured at both vertical edges (top &amp; bottom) to the base seal  20  and the proximal ends  32   a  of the structural stand uprights  32 . 
     Vertical Liner Seal  22 : 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the vertical liner seal  22  creates a waterproof barrier at all vertical seams  22  where the leading edge  14   a  and the trailing edge  14   b  of the liner  14  meet within the flood barrier system  12 . While a number of seals can be contemplated, the following is a preferred seal for the present invention. The vertical liner seal  22  can be made of vulcanized rubber and is attached to the system using a double retainer bar, bolt/washer/nut configuration as illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . Edges  14   a  and  14   b  of liner  14  overlap at a juncture point  110  of the seal  22  and are sandwiched together by an inner strip  112  and an outer strip  114  of flexible, strong, liquid impervious material. While materials are known to the industry for providing these qualities, a preferred material is a strip of flexible, vulcanized rubber approximately 4-6 inches wide and extending from the upper border  116  of the barrier system  12  to the sealing foot  118  at the location of the base  18 . The strips  112 ,  114  are secured to the overlapping edges  14   a  and  14   b  of the liner  14  by a vertical seal pressure connector system  120  including a male section  122  and a female section  124 . As illustrated, the male section  122  includes a series of regularly spaced threaded extensions  126  extending at a ninety-degree angle from the male section  122 . The female section  124  includes a corresponding series of openings  128  to receive the threaded end of the extensions  126 . To complete the connection of the seal  22 , corresponding openings  130  are provided in the strips  112 ,  114 , and corresponding openings  132  are provided in overlapped area of the liner  14 , all of which allow the threaded extensions  126  of the male section  122  to penetrate through the juncture point  110  at which point the female section  124  can be connected to the male section  122  by placing the openings  128  over the extensions  126 . The connection is completed by means of a series of threaded nuts  134  connected to each of the threaded extensions  126 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 10 , both the inner and outer strips  112  and  114  fold along the surface  18   a  of the base  18  for attachment to the base  18  by means of anchor  24 . Each strip  112  and  114  includes a pair of openings  136 ,  138 , which are designed to fit upon the threaded extensions  140  of a male vertical seal base pressure connector  142 . Once the strips  112 ,  114  are fitted onto the male vertical seal base pressure connector  142 , a female vertical seal base pressure connector  144  with corresponding openings  146  to the threaded extensions  140  is fitted onto the male vertical seal base pressure connector  142 . The connection is secured by means of a pair of threaded nuts  148  connected to the threaded extensions  140 . 
     As illustrated best in  FIG. 10 , the attachment of the vertical liner seal  22  to the base  18  is first provided by an extension piece  150  connected to the female base pressure connector  114 . The extension piece  150  is provided with an opening  152  for receiving a threaded bolt  154 , which will be threadably attached to the anchor  24 . As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the bolt  154  first passes through the opening  152 . A pressure connector block  154  of water impermeable material is then placed between the extension piece  150  and the pressure equalizer bar  70  to sealingly fit the pieces together. The extension piece  150  further includes a downwardly extending support block  156  to seal any further openings between the extension piece  150  and the vertical strips  112 ,  114 . 
     Method of Constructing Flood Barrier System 
     Site Preparation for Flood Barrier System  12   
     To prepare the flood barrier system  12 , plants, grasses, topsoil and humus bearing materials should first be stripped from the area where the base foundation  18  is intended to be poured. Topsoil can be stockpiled for placement around the finished structural foundation  18 . Elevations shall be shot and recorded, making sure that slopes do not exceed 3% along the run of the proposed base foundation  18 . Any necessary fills should be made with a cohesive, clay material, not silts, sands, gravel or other deleterious material. It is not recommended to use gravel or sand as a subbase for the proposed base foundation  18 . Concrete should be placed on the mechanically compacted, existing sub grade material. The subgrade should be established 9-inches below the finished grade of the proposed concrete slab/sidewalk/concrete ring. 
     Installation of Reinforced Structural Slab Anchors  24   
     Once the location of the base foundation  18  has been established, earth anchors  21  are drilled in base  18  at each corner (interior and exterior) and at the midpoint of any straight section exceeding 20 lineal feet; then at a frequency not exceeding 20 lineal feet for the remainder of the length of the straight section. The earth anchors  21  are preferably installed 1 foot from the outside edge of the proposed slab at a 10-degree positive angle from vertical. 
     Installation of Steel Reinforced Structural Concrete Slab 
     Two layers of #4 steel rebar  19 , spaced at a frequency of 2 foot on center are preferably placed; one at a level of +3-inches above the sub grade and another at an elevation of +6-inches above the established sub grade elevation. This places the top layer of rebar  19  at an elevation 3 inches below the finished surface  18   a  of the base  18 . Once the first layer of rebar  19  is placed, the earth anchors  21  are connected to this rebar  19  layer with stainless or galvanized fasteners. A second layer of steel rebar  19  is then tied to anchor system throughout. Concrete is poured into forms surrounding the building structure and allowed to set. Openings for the concrete anchors  24  are located and drilled in the surface  18   a  of the base  18  for placement of the anchors  24  and eventual placement of the structural stands  16 . Concrete anchors  24 , with epoxy, are installed in the openings in the base foundation  18 . The finished concrete slab is then sealed with a quality sealant. The thickness of the finished slab shall be no less than that necessary to support the system under full design floodwater load. 
     The inside edge of the base  18  preferably shall be no closer to the protected area/structure  10  than 1 foot. While the required width and length of the base  18  is mandatory, the concrete can be poured outside these parameters to create whatever ornamental landscaping design the owner requests. 
     Deployment of the Base Seals  20   
     The base seals  20  are formed in three structures: (1) straight sections, (2) interior corner sections, and (3) exterior corner sections. The base seals  20  are placed on the base foundation  18  and anchored as described above. The base seals  20  are positioned approximately 1 foot in from the outside edge of the base  18 . As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the base seal segments fasten together with the pre-formed tabs at  23 , similar to a puzzle piece. The base seals  20  are then fastened together by inserting screws, to securely lock the individual base seal pieces together. Referring particularly to  FIG. 5 , the base seals  20  and liner system  14  are fastened to the base  18 , with the pressure equalizer bar  70  using the anchor  24 . The pattern of anchor openings in the base foundation  18  is established and drilled after the initial installation of the base foundation  18 . 
     Deployment of the Liner System 
     The liner system  14  is positioned around the base foundation by means of a vehicle, such as a riding lawnmower or an ATV (not illustrated). Referring to  FIG. 5 , the liner  14  is adhered to the rubberized base seal  20  by a pressure equalizer bar  70 , using the bolt/washer/drop anchor system described above. The liner  14  includes same-material reinforcement grommets  78 , which are used to seat the liner  14  to the vulcanized rubber base seal  20  and the base foundation  18 ; using the base seal retainer bar  70  and the bolt/washer/concrete drop anchor system. The Base Seal System  20  is then “snugged” down, with the exception of the area(s) directly adjacent to the vertical liner seal  22 . At this point, the liner  14  is loosely draped on the ground. 
     Deployment of the Structural Stands 
     Each upright of the structural stands  16  is placed over pre-drilled holes on the base foundation  18 . The structural stands  16  are preferably placed at 8-foot increments and at all corners of the base foundation  18 . Since the base foundation  18  can act like a sidewalk around the protected building area  10 , no depressions are necessary with the system. Just like the base seals  20 , the structural stands  16  have anchor holes  24  pre-drilled into the base foundation  18 . When deployment occurs, the bolt/washer/concrete drop anchor systems are used to fasten the stands to the base foundation  18 . 
     Installation of the Liner  14   
     The distal or outer edge of the liner  14  is connected to the structural stands  16  such that a suspension cable  90  connected to the liner  14  passes through a suspension cable retainer  92  as illustrated in  FIG. 6  at the distal end  32   b  of the upright section  32  of the structural stand  16 . The system is then tightened, using both the structural stand  16 , deployed to its final position, such that the liner  14  has a relatively snug fit against each of the structural stands  16 , thereby creating the barrier system. 
     Connecting and Sealing the Liner Ends 
     Once the liner  14  has been completely deployed, i.e., laid out around the protected area and fastened to the base foundation  18 , the leading edge  14   a  and trailing edge  14   b  of the liner must be connected and sealed. This is accomplished using a combination, bolt/washer/washer/nut, system, along with a vulcanized rubber/retainer bar/liner base pressure connector system. The vertical liner seal  20  is then completed as describe above. 
     Attachment of Liner Cable to Stand Karabiners and Erect Structural Stands 
     With the structural stands  16  in a horizontal position, liner support cable  90  is looped through all of the suspension cable retainers  92  on the structural stands  16 . The structural stands  16  are then erected to the “deployed” position. At this point, the structural stands  16  are in the deployed position, with the liner  14  hanging from the cable  90 , which is attached to the cable retainer  92  and the vertical seals  22  in place and locked down. 
     Firmly Tighten all Bolts to Required Torque 
     The flood barrier system  12  relies on having all fastening hardware tightened to specific levels to assure sealing of all components. Appropriate torque is applied to all bolts previously installed in the flood barrier system  12 . Preferably, bolts are tightened and marked with a paint stick to assure that appropriate forces have been applied. 
     Any version of any component or method step of the invention may be used with any other component or method step of the invention. The elements described herein can be used in any combination whether explicitly described or not. 
     All combinations of method steps as used herein can be performed in any order, unless otherwise specified or clearly implied to the contrary by the context in which the referenced combination is made. 
     As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. 
     Numerical ranges as used herein are intended to include every number and subset of numbers contained within that range, whether specifically disclosed or not. Further, these numerical ranges should be construed as providing support for a claim directed to any number or subset of numbers in that range. For example, a disclosure of from 1 to 10 should be construed as supporting a range of from 2 to 8, from 3 to 7, from 5 to 6, from 1 to 9, from 3.6 to 4.6, from 3.5 to 9.9, and so forth. 
     All patents, patent publications, and peer-reviewed publications (i.e., “references”) cited herein are expressly incorporated by reference in their entirety to the same extent as if each individual reference were specifically and individually indicated as being incorporated by reference. In case of conflict between the present disclosure and the incorporated references, the present disclosure controls. 
     The devices, methods, compounds and compositions of the present invention can comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of the essential elements and limitations described herein, as well as any additional or optional steps, ingredients, components, or limitations described herein or otherwise useful in the art. 
     While this invention may be embodied in many forms, what is described in detail herein is a specific preferred embodiment of the invention. The present disclosure is an exemplification of the principles of the invention is not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiments illustrated. It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular examples, process steps, and materials disclosed herein as such process steps and materials may vary somewhat. It is also understood that the terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting since the scope of the present invention will be limited to only the appended claims and equivalents thereof.