Abstract:
A liquid resistant barrier for structural openings such as doors, windows, vents, or the like for use during floods or storms is disclosed. A barrier frame is placed within and about the periphery of the opening, with a gasket located on the structural side, to form a seal. A barrier frame cover, with a corresponding barrier frame cover gasket, is placed over the barrier frame and compression fittings used to hold them together. The gaskets form a seal that is impermeable to liquids and the barrier frame cover prevents damage by flotsam or dynamic pressure.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to liquid barriers and, more specifically, to a impermeable covering mountable on a structure, specifically for an aperture, such as door, window, vent, or other opening to prevent liquid passage through the aperture. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     There are other barrier devices designed to prevent the ingress of fluids into a structure. While these barrier devices may be suitable for the purposes for which they where designed, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described. 
     It is thus desirable to provide an aperture barrier for a structure having a frame and gasket mountable over a structural aperture to provide a watertight seal between the frame and the structure and also to provide a rigid impermeable cover releasably mountable to the frame with a closed cell gasket between the liquid impermeable cover and the frame. 
     It is further desirable that the rigid impermeable cover be manufactured from a material selected from the group of wood, plastic and metal. 
     SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     Many building envelopes are susceptible to water damage through their apertures, such as doors, windows, vents, or other openings whether at grade or below grade. Historically, these apertures were not designed with seals to prevent standing water from leaking around them, resulting in a situation that can quickly degrade catastrophically when standing water, even a few inches, containing flotsam driven by wind and current, compromises the existing aperture device. 
     The idea for this invention arose from reviewing the carnage of Superstorm Sandy on the beaches in NY. Flood damage to buildings was largely due to breaches of the building thru windows and doors that did not fail intrinsically but failed where they were structurally attached to the building. Glass breakage did account for some building flooding but in many cases the force of the water actually pushed doors and windows into the interior of the house without actually breaking the door, window or glass. 
     There are many generally accepted strategies for protecting apertures from storm water and wind damage. They include the use of plywood, sandbags, tape and other means that are applied to the door and window in the attempt to strengthen it against both wind and water. 
     Each of these strategies when deployed alone or in combination still have deficiencies that compromise their effectiveness. The use of plywood alone failed due to mechanical fasteners not being strong enough and the fact that the plywood did not form a water tight seal with the wall of the surrounding building—protecting the aperture from hydrostatic pressure. Sandbags alone also failed as they did not form a watertight seal and they were subject to flotsam that compromised their integrity and allowed erosion of the sandbag. Tape is commonly used to keep glass from shattering and offers little protection from water at all. Combinations of these strategies show promise but limitations in installation and deployment compromised their effectiveness resulting in significant loss. 
     It was clear that combinations of protection were needed to overcome the effects of moving water, standing water and debris that could be part of the moving flood waters. 
     Household protection is needed to combat these multiple problems and be easy and quick for the building operator to deploy. 
     Each of these issues is addressed by the fluid impermeable barrier of the present invention for a door, window, vent, or other type of opening. 
     The frame attached to the building wall allows a protective cover to evenly compress a gasket material to form a watertight seal. The cover itself protects the aperture and gasket from the dynamic forces of the water and the flotsam that might cause major damage. 
     Deployment of plywood, sandbags and other improvised protective measures takes time and is a drain on local building resources such as plywood. Additionally, these materials themselves may become flotsam in flood waters. Once the frame is attached to the building, deployment of the cover is a simple operation that is carried out quickly allowing the building operator to focus on other important issues in the face of the coming storm or flood. 
     The idea to position the cover by use of a channel allows for easy deployment and uniform transmission of the compressive force. Other methods to position the cover have been tried and are admissible for use with this device. 
     The cover is attached thru compressive force to ensure the gasket maintains its integrity. Several compressive attachments have been tried including bolts and nuts, rotating cams, toggles and other means to compress a gasket. 
     Numerous tests of the various components have been tried and are available for review. Frame and cover material, gasket material and compression devices have been examined. The preferred embodiments illustrated are the result of development of all these components that will allow the building operator to quickly and easily deploy this level of protection. 
     A primary object of the present invention is to provide a fluid impermeable barrier mountable over a structural aperture in whole or in part to prevent the passage of fluid through said structural aperture. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a fluid impermeable barrier mountable over a structural aperture designed to prevent passage of fluid and to prevent driven flotsam from breaching the fluid impermeable barrier. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a fluid impermeable barrier having a frame mountable to the peripheral opening of a structural aperture. 
     An additional object of the present invention is to provide a fluid impermeable barrier wherein the frame may include security bars. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a fluid impermeable barrier having a gasket positioned between the structural aperture and the mountable frame. 
     A yet further object of the present invention is to provide a fluid impermeable barrier having a cover mountable to the frame. 
     A still yet further object of the present invention is to provide a fluid impermeable barrier wherein said cover is manufactured from a group of materials including wood, plastic and metal. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a fluid impermeable barrier having a compression fitting whereby the cover is securely held to the frame under pressure. 
     Additional objects of the present invention will appear as the description proceeds. 
     The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a barrier for building structural openings comprising a fluid impermeable frame that can be mounted onto the periphery of a structure&#39;s door, window, vent, or other opening to form a waterproof seal between the frame and the rim of the opening and a frame cover that is freely attachable and detachable and that can be compressively fastened to the frame opening to create a impermeable and secure barrier over the door, window, vent, or other opening. 
     The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear from the description to follow. In the description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which forms a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In the accompanying drawings, like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views. 
     The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
       In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an illustrative view of the fluid impermeable barrier of the present invention in use. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of an embodiment of the structural building barrier of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged view of an enablement of a compression device for the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is an illustrative view of the present invention in use. 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged view of still another enablement of a compression device for the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is an illustrative view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of a latched fluid impermeable barrier of the present invention engaged. 
         FIG. 8  is a side exploded view of the impermeable barrier of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a side view of a latched fluid impermeable barrier of the present invention engaged. 
         FIG. 10  is an exploded view of the additional element of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a side exploded view of the additional element of the impermeable barrier of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  is a side view of a latched fluid impermeable barrier of the present invention engaged. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCED NUMERALS 
     Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, the figures illustrate the use of the present invention. With regard to the reference numerals used, the following numbering is used throughout the various drawing figures.
       10  impermeable barrier     12  structural openings     14  barrier frame     14 A barrier frame with security bars     16  frame cover     18  barrier frame gasket     20  cover gasket     22  frame cover channel     24  frame cover compression device     26  barrier frame mounting apertures     28  barrier frame hinge lock tab     30  hinge lock clip     32  hinge lock clip mounting bracket     34  hinge lock clip mounting bracket hardware     36  hinge lock clip handle     38  hinge lock clip latch     40 ,  42  hinge lock clip pivot points     44  hinge lock clip security lock aperture     46  second lock clip     48  second lock clip mounting bracket     50  second lock clip mounting bracket apertures     52  second lock clip handle     54  second lock clip latch     56  second lock clip pivot point     58  barrier frame latch tab     60  barrier frame latch tab latch receiver notch     62  cam latch     64  cam latch mounting bracket     66  cam latch mounting bracket apertures     68  cam latch handle     70  cam latch pivot point     72  cam latch engaging member     74  barrier frame cam latch mounting bracket     76  barrier frame cam latch mounting bracket apertures     78  bracket latch engagement receiver     80  barrier frame upper lip     82  barrier frame outward offset distance     84  plywood frame cover     86  plywood frame gasket     88  plywood frame mounting apertures     90  plywood frame mounting bolt     92  plywood frame mounting nut     100  stiffener   W water   S structure   A 1  hinge lock clip latch activation arrow   

     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The following discussion describes in detail one embodiment of the invention (and several variations of that embodiment). This discussion should not be construed, however, as limiting the invention to those particular embodiments, practitioners skilled in the art will recognize numerous other embodiments as well. For definition of the complete scope of the invention, the reader is directed to appended claims. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , shown is an illustrative view of the fluid impermeable barrier  10  of the present invention in use. The present invention is a barrier  10  for building S structural openings  12 , such as doors, windows, vents and other types of openings that were not designed to be submerged under water (indicated at W) or to withstand water pressure placed on these apertures or openings. the present invention  10  provides a fluid impermeable frame  14 , discussed below, that can be mounted onto the periphery of a structure S door, window, vent, or other opening  12  to form a waterproof seal between the frame  14  and the rim of the door, window, vent, or other opening  12  where then, when needed, a provided attachable and detachable fluid impermeable frame cover  16  can be compressively fastened over the frame opening creating a fluid impermeable barrier  10  over said door, window, vent, or other opening  12 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , shown is an exploded view of an embodiment of the structural building barrier  10  of the present invention. Shown is the fluid impermeable barrier  10  for door, window, vent, or other opening  12  comprising a frame  14  that can be installed onto the existing periphery (detailed further below) of a door, window, vent, or other opening  12  either temporarily or permanently, and a frame cover  16  that when attached to the barrier frame  14  provides a waterproof seal over the door, window, vent, or other opening  12 . The barrier frame  14  includes a barrier frame gasket  18  and, in the embodiment seen in the Figure, also includes mounting apertures indicated at  26  for securing the barrier frame  14  to the structure. It should be noted that the mounting apertures  26  are only one method that could be used to secure the barrier frame to the structure: other securement means would occur to a skilled practitioner. The frame cover  16  includes a frame cover gasket, indicated at  20  and optionally provides for cover stiffener  100 . The frame cover  16  also includes a channel  22  and compression device  24 , both of which will be discussed in further detail below. Alternately provided is a barrier frame  14 A having security bars B where desired. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , shown is an enlarged view of one enablement of the compression device  24  for the present invention. The present invention provides for at least one compression device  24  mounted to either the fluid impermeable barrier frame  14  or barrier frame cover  16  for applying a force to create an impermeable seal between the cover  16  and frame  14 . In this Figure the compression device  24  is a hinge lock clip  30  having a mounting bracket  32 , mounting bracket hardware  34 , a handle  36 , a latch  38 , two pivot points  40 ,  42 , and a security lock aperture  44 . The hinge lock clip  30  is attached to the frame cover  16  through mounting bracket  32  and mounting hardware  34  and the latch  38  engages the locking tab  28  (seen in  FIG. 2 ) of the barrier frame  14 . The handle is moved as indicated by directional arrow A 1  about pivot points  40 ,  42  thus compressing the frame cover gasket  20  between the barrier frame  14  and the frame cover  16 . If desired a lock (not shown) may be inserted through aperture  44  to prevent unauthorized removal of the frame cover  16 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , shown is an enlarged view of another enablement of the compression device  24  for the present invention. In this second embodiment  46  of the device shown in the Figure, the second lock clip  46  includes a mounting bracket  48 , mounting bracket apertures  50 , a handle  52 , a latch  54 , and pivot point  56 . Engaging the latch  54  is a barrier frame latch tab  58  secured to the barrier frame  14  (not shown in this Figure). Barrier frame latch tab  58  includes latch receiver notch  60 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , shown is an enlarged view of still another enablement of a compression device for the present invention. In this embodiment of the compression device  24 , it consists of a cam latch  62  with a mounting bracket  64 , including mounting bracket apertures  66 . The handle  68  rotates on a pivot point  70  and carries an engaging member  72 . The engaging member  72  fits to cam latch engagement receiver  78 , which is, as seen, is integral with barrier frame cam latch mounting bracket  74  which, in turn, is held to barrier frame  14  through the mounting bracket apertures  76 . 
     It should be understood that in all of the various configurations of the compression device  24  discussed above, the fitting receivers and corresponding engagement members could be placed either on the barrier frame  14  or the barrier cover  16  as desired, without departing from the spirit of the invention. The interengaging portions of the various compression device  24  could be mounted on the top edge or the side edges of the barrier frame  14  and/or the barrier frame cover  16  as is desired or convenient. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , shown is an illustrative view of one embodiment of the present invention. Shown is the fluid impermeable barrier  10  having the hinge lock clip embodiment  30  of a compression device  24  for applying a force between the barrier frame  14  and the barrier cover  16  that will compress the frame cover gasket  20  between the cover  16  and frame  14 . Also seen in the Figure and discussed further below are the barrier frame gasket  18  and the frame cover channel  22 . As can be seen, the hinge lock clip  30  is shown in the unlocked position. Hinge lock clip latch  38  is positioned to engage the barrier frame hinge lock tab  28 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , shown is an illustrative view of the present invention  10  similar to the view as seen in  FIG. 6  with the hinge lock clip  30  in the locked position, wherein handle  36  is now substantially upright and the frame cover gasket  20  is compressed against barrier frame  14  to form a tight seal, impermeable to liquids. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , shown is an exploded side view of the impermeable barrier  10  for a building door, window, vent, or other opening. Seen in the Figure is the barrier frame  14  which is mountable to the periphery of an existing door, window, vent, or other opening (indicated at  12  in  FIG. 1 ) in an existing structure S. The barrier frame  14  has a first, inner side with the barrier frame gasket  18  disposed thereon, and a second, outward side, which is adapted to receive the barrier frame cover  16  that compressively mounts to the barrier frame  14  making a waterproof seal over the covered door, window, vent, or other opening in the structure S. This compressive mounting is made up of a channel  22  that fits over the upper lip  80  of the barrier and, in the embodiment shown in this Figure, the hinge lock clip  30 , with its handle  36  and latch  38 , where the latch engages the barrier frame hinge lock tab  28 . Upper lip  80  is a portion of the lip that extends substantially completely around the second, outward side of the barrier frame  14 . Note also that the barrier frame  14  extends outwardly a short distance from the structure S with the barrier frame outward offset distance being indicated at  82 . The impermeable barrier cover  16  has a first inner side with a frame cover gasket  20  disposed thereon, and a second, outer side. The barrier cover  16  is preferably manufactured of a rigid material to resist a load, whether sheer, tensile or compressive forces and alternately provides a cover stiffener comprising one or more longitudinal or lateral flanges  100  spaced away from the cover edge to resist deformation of the cover by flotsam within storm/flood waters. The barrier frame gasket  18  and frame cover gasket  20  are made from a compressible, waterproof, flexible material: various polymer or rubber materials would serve, the object of the gaskets  18 ,  20  being to provide a secure and impermeable seal against liquids at the periphery of the selected opening  12 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , shown is a side view of the latched fluid impermeable barrier as seen in  FIG. 8  engaged in a locked configuration. The impermeable barrier  10  of the instant invention provides a barrier frame  14  mountable to the periphery of an existing door, window, vent, or other opening  12  and further provides a barrier frame cover  16  that compressively mounts to the barrier frame  14  making a waterproof seal over the covered door, window, vent, or other opening as described herein. The impermeable barrier frame  14  further provides a lipped rail-like flange  80  with the cover having a correspondingly positioned channel  22  so that when the cover channel  22  is placed over the rail and latched by the compression fitting (indicated at  30  in the Figure) the closed cell cover frame gasket  20  is compressed to create a waterproof seal between the cover  16  and frame  14 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , shown is an exploded view of another embodiment of the present invention. There is seen a fluid impermeable barrier  10  for door/window/vent/opening comprising a frame  14  that can be installed onto the existing periphery of a door, window, vent, or other opening ( 12 , seen in  FIG. 1 ) either temporarily or permanently. In this embodiment, the barrier  10  also includes a plywood frame cover  84  that when attached to the barrier frame  14  provides a waterproof seal over the door, window, vent, or other opening. The plywood frame cover  84  includes a plywood frame gasket  86  and also includes a plurality of mounting apertures  88  therethrough where a mounting bolt  90  and mounting nut  92  serve to attach frame cover  84  to barrier frame  14 . Note that barrier frame outward offset distance  82 , as seen in  FIG. 8  allows for the installation of the mounting bolt and nut  90 ,  92  respectively. 
     Referring to  FIG. 11 , shown is an exploded side view of the embodiment of the present invention seen in  FIG. 10 . Barrier frame  14  is attached to the periphery of a door, window, vent, or other opening in structure S with the barrier frame gasket  18  forming a liquid-tight seal thereabout. Plywood frame cover  84  is then placed over frame barrier as seen and secured with mounting bolt  90  and nut  92  through plywood frame cover mounting apertures  88  and barrier frame mounting apertures  26 . This forms another fluid resistant seal with plywood frame gasket  86  to protect the interior of structure S from flooding and potential flotsam damage. 
     Referring to  FIG. 12 , shown is a side view of the fluid impermeable barrier  10  of the embodiment seen in  FIGS. 10 and 11  with the plywood frame cover  84  in place over the frame barrier  14  and secured with mounting bolts  90  and mounting nuts  92 . Gaskets  18  and  86  serve to form a liquid resistant seal between both the frame barrier  14  and structure S and frame barrier  14  and plywood frame cover  84 . 
     It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of methods differing from the type described above. 
     While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. 
     Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.