Flood prevention system

A flood prevention system is described. The flood prevention system includes a first bracket attached to a side wall adjacent to a left side beam of a doorway and a second bracket attached to a side wall adjacent to a right side beam of a doorway with a unique structure to accommodate receiving a first doorway barrier piece that is attachable to the first bracket and the second bracket and a second doorway barrier piece is attachable to the first bracket and the second bracket and faces towards the first doorway barrier piece when attached. One or more beams can be stacked either in a vertical or horizontal direction in the lip of the first doorway barrier piece. The second doorway piece can be used to add additional barrier protection and to test the first doorway barrier piece by pouring water into the lip of the second barrier piece.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present invention relates to a flood prevention system that integrates multiple barriers that are removable and that can be mounted and/or attached to brackets located adjacent to a door frame. The flood prevention system prevents water, whether due to flooding from natural disasters such as hurricanes or storms or other causes, from entering through a doorway of a home or business and damaging the home or business.

BACKGROUND

Flooding is still a grave concern to homeowners and business owners alike. The amount of damage and expenses associated with flooding of homes and/or businesses as well as associated insurance companies is often times very significant.

While there are various attempts that exist to minimize or prevent flooding of one's home or business, there are still several drawbacks to such existing commercially available options. One well-known option to minimize or prevent flooding is the use of sandbags that are used to barricade the doors. However, sandbags are notoriously heavy and bulky, and are not an item that many people can lift and put in place to build a high enough barrier. Additionally, having to remove soaked sandbags that are heavier with water after a flooding event happens is also extremely difficult. Some individuals barricade their doors with 2×4 beams directly to the door frame, but this damages the door frames and also is not enough of a barrier to prevent flooding water from seeping through the cracks of the door frame.

Accordingly, an improved system of preventing flooding for homes and business is still much needed.

SUMMARY

One or more embodiments are provided below for a method of using a flood prevention system comprising providing the flood prevention system. The flood prevention system may comprise a first doorway barrier piece comprising a solid first doorway barrier piece panel and a first doorway barrier piece bottom rail attached to a lower end of the first doorway barrier piece panel, wherein a first doorway barrier piece channel is formed between the bottom rail and the first doorway barrier piece panel, wherein the first doorway barrier piece channel is configured to receive a plurality of solid or hollow beams useful in preventing flood water from entering through a doorway. The second doorway barrier piece may comprise a solid second doorway barrier piece panel having a first beam member on a left side and a second beam member on a right side of the solid panel and a second doorway barrier piece bottom rail with a second doorway barrier piece bottom rail channel extending through the second doorway barrier piece bottom rail between a front surface of the solid second doorway barrier piece panel and the second doorway barrier piece bottom rail.

The system may further comprise a first bracket attachable to a first property wall adjacent to a left side of a door and/or a doorway frame, the first bracket comprising a back piece and a front L-shaped piece, wherein a back edge of the front L-shaped piece is joined or otherwise formed and attached to approximately a centerline of the back piece, wherein the back piece of the first bracket is divided into a first bracket exterior side and a first bracket interior side, wherein a plurality of holes are spaced in vertical alignment on a first portion of the back piece of the first bracket, wherein a first set of pegs in vertical alignment are spaced on a front side of a front post of the front L-shaped piece. Further, a second set of pegs are spaced in vertical alignment on a front side of the first bracket interior side, wherein a first bracket channel is formed in between the front side of the front post of the front L-shaped piece and the first bracket interior side, wherein the first bracket channel is configured to face towards the left side of the first doorway barrier piece. A second bracket attachable to a second property wall adjacent to a right side of the door and/or the doorway frame, the second bracket comprising a back piece and a front L-shaped piece, wherein a back edge of the front L-shaped piece is joined or otherwise formed and attached to approximately a centerline of the back piece, wherein the back piece of the first bracket is divided into a first bracket exterior side and a second bracket interior side, wherein a plurality of holes are spaced in vertical alignment on a first portion of the back piece of the second bracket, wherein a first set of pegs in vertical alignment are spaced on a front side of a front post of the front L-shaped piece, wherein a second set of pegs are spaced in vertical alignment on a front side of the second bracket interior side, and wherein a second bracket channel is formed in between the front side of the front post of the front L-shaped piece and the second bracket interior side, wherein the second bracket channel is configured to face towards the left side of the second doorway barrier piece.

The method may further include attaching the first bracket to the first property wall adjacent to the left side of the door and/or doorway frame, attaching the second bracket to the second property wall adjacent to the right side of the door and/or doorway frame, and sliding the first doorway barrier piece into the first bracket channel and into the second bracket channel. The method may further include, after sliding the first doorway barrier piece into the first bracket channel and into the second bracket channel, hooking the designated openings on a left side member of the first doorway barrier piece onto the second set of pegs of the first bracket and hooking the designated openings on a right side member of the first doorway barrier piece onto the second set of pegs of the second bracket. The method may further include stacking the set or plurality of beams into the first doorway barrier piece bottom rail channel of the first doorway barrier piece and attaching a second doorway barrier piece further comprising hooking the designated openings of the second doorway barrier piece for each side member of the second doorway barrier piece onto the first set of pegs of the first bracket and onto the first set of pegs for the second bracket, such that the second doorway barrier piece bottom rail of the second doorway barrier piece is facing a frontside of the first doorway barrier piece bottom rail. The method may further include testing the flood prevention system by pouring water into the second doorway barrier piece bottom channel of the second doorway barrier piece bottom rail to determine if any water goes past the first doorway barrier piece and past the set of beams. The method may further include keeping both the first doorway barrier piece with the set of beams positioned against the door and/or doorway as well as the second doorway barrier piece that is removably attached to the first doorway barrier piece, wherein the first doorway barrier piece extends past a width of the door and/or doorway. Upon completion of the use of the flood prevention system, the method may further include removing the set of beams and detaching the second doorway barrier piece from the first doorway barrier piece and removing the first doorway barrier piece, wherein the first bracket remains attached to the first property wall adjacent to a left side of the door and/or the doorway frame and the second bracket remains attached to the second property wall adjacent to the right side of the door and/or the doorway frame.

In one aspect, the set of beams are storable within the first doorway barrier piece bottom rail and/or within the second doorway barrier piece bottom rail upon completion of the use of the flood prevention system. In another aspect, the frontside of the second doorway barrier piece bottom rail hooks onto the frontside of the first doorway barrier piece bottom rail. In another aspect, when installed, a front surface of the second doorway barrier panel piece faces towards a front surface of the first doorway barrier panel piece. In another aspect, when installed, a rear surface of the second doorway barrier panel is visible from an external viewpoint and wherein the door and/the doorway are blockaded by both the first doorway barrier piece and the second doorway barrier piece and the set of beams. In another aspect, the first bracket and the second bracket are not attached to the door and/or the doorway when installed.

The present description includes description for a flood prevention system comprising a first doorway barrier piece having a first doorway barrier piece panel having a left side and a right side, the left side and right side comprising a first set of peg holes spaced apart from each other in a vertical orientation along the left side and the right side, and a base rail, wherein the base rail is attached or integrally formed with the first doorway barrier piece panel, and wherein the left side and the right side of the first doorway barrier piece panel extend past each terminal end of the base rail, wherein the base rail comprises a hollow channel and a front piece that extends laterally along a front side of the back surface, wherein the hollow channel is configured to receive a set of beams that are removably storable within the hollow channel of the base rail of the first doorway barrier piece.

The flood prevention system may further include a second doorway barrier piece comprising a second doorway barrier piece panel, a second doorway barrier piece left side member, a second doorway barrier piece right side member, and a second doorway barrier piece bottom rail, wherein the second doorway barrier panel left side member, the second doorway barrier piece right side member, and the second doorway barrier piece bottom rail are positioned in front of the second doorway barrier piece panel such that a channel is present between the second doorway piece left side member, the second doorway piece right side member, and the second doorway barrier piece bottom rail and the second doorway barrier piece back surface. Further, a set of second doorway barrier piece peg holes included on the second doorway barrier piece left side member and on the second doorway barrier piece right side member. Further, a set of second doorway barrier pegs are distributed in horizontal alignment on a front surface of the second doorway barrier piece bottom rail. The system may further include a first bracket attachable to a first property wall adjacent to a left side of a door and/or a doorway frame, the first bracket comprising a back piece, a front L-shaped piece, wherein a back edge of the front L-shaped piece is joined or otherwise formed and attached to approximately a centerline of the back piece, wherein the back piece of the first bracket is divided into a first bracket exterior side and a first bracket interior side, and wherein a plurality of holes are spaced in vertical alignment on a first portion of the back piece of the first bracket. Further, the first set of pegs in vertical alignment are spaced on a front side of a front post of the front L-shaped piece, wherein a second set of pegs are spaced in vertical alignment on a front side of the first bracket interior side, wherein a first bracket channel is formed in between the front side of the front post of the front L-shaped piece and the first bracket interior side, wherein the first bracket channel is configured to face towards the left side of the first doorway barrier piece. The second bracket is similar in appearance and form to the first bracket.

In another aspect, the first bracket and the second bracket and the first doorway barrier piece and the second doorway barrier piece are not attachable to the door or to the doorway frame. In another aspect, the first doorway barrier piece panel hooks onto the first bracket and onto the second bracket. In another aspect, the first set of peg holes on the left side of the first doorway barrier piece panel hook onto the second set of pegs on the front side of the first bracket interior side of the first bracket and wherein the first set of peg holes on the right side of the first doorway barrier piece panel hook onto the front side of the second bracket interior side of the second bracket. In another aspect, the set of second doorway barrier piece peg holes on the second doorway barrier piece left side member hook onto the first set of pegs on the front side of the front post of the front L-shaped piece of the first bracket and wherein the set of second doorway barrier piece peg holes on the second doorway barrier piece right side member hook onto the first set of pegs on the front side of the front post of the front L-shaped piece of the second bracket. In another aspect, the set of second doorway barrier pegs on the front surface of the second doorway barrier piece bottom rail hook into the set of peg holes in horizontal alignment on the front piece of the base rail of the first doorway barrier piece.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure is generally drawn to various embodiments for a flood prevention system that is particularly suitable for preventing flooding of doors and doorways of homes and businesses or any other physical location.

FIG.1illustrates a non-limiting embodiment of the flood prevention system100which incorporates a number of components as shown inFIG.1and throughoutFIGS.2-11. In a non-limiting embodiment, the flood prevention system100includes a first bracket110, a second bracket120, a first doorway barrier piece118, a second doorway barrier piece122, and seals126affixed or attached to the first doorway barrier piece118and the second doorway barrier piece122. The flood prevention system100may be installed on a property102. The property102may include, but is not limited to, residential structures including homes, apartments, condos, beach houses, mobile homes, trailers, or any other type of structure used as a residence. The property102may also be a non-residential, business location or structure, including, but not limited to, offices, store fronts, and buildings. It is intended that the flood prevention system100may act as a barrier and prevention system that is easily installable and removable by users to minimize flood damage due to any flood water130. The flood water130may be a result from flooding due to storms, hurricanes, tornadoes, or may be due to other causes of flooding without limitation thereto.

In a non-limiting embodiment, the first bracket110may be fastened and/or otherwise attached to a first property wall104adjacent to a doorway108. The second bracket120may be fastenably attached and/or otherwise attached to the second property wall106adjacent to the doorway108. The first property wall104may be the wall portion of the property102to the left of the doorway108and the second property wall106may be the wall portion of the property102to the right of the doorway108.

The first doorway barrier piece118is removably attached to the first bracket110and the second bracket120. The second doorway barrier piece122is also removably attached to the first bracket110and the second bracket120. The second doorway barrier piece122, as shown in an example inFIG.2andFIG.3, is turned to face inward toward the doorway108while the first doorway barrier piece122faces away from the doorway108.

In a non-limiting embodiment, a set of beams124are stacked either vertically or horizontally into the specific design of the first doorway barrier piece118. The beams124may be solid and/or hollow in one or more non-limiting embodiments. The beams124act as another physical barrier to minimize or prevent flood water130from passing through the doorway108of a property. The flood water130should also be prevented from passing through the doorway108and into the property102due to the presence of the second doorway barrier piece122as well. In a non-limiting embodiment, any flood water130attempting to pass through the flood prevention system100should be prevented by the overall combination of components described inFIG.1and shown elsewhere inFIGS.2-11and further described below.

FIG.2andFIG.3show exemplary pictorial illustrations of the flood prevention system100as installed in front of the doorway108and on a property102.FIG.2shows that the first bracket110is attached to the first property wall104that is adjacent to the left side of the doorway108.FIG.2further shows that the second bracket120is attached to the second property wall106that is adjacent to the right side of the doorway108. In a non-limiting embodiment, the doorway108may encompass the doorframe and the door109. Advantageously, the flood prevention system100is designed so that the components are not fastened or attached to the door109, thereby avoiding damaging or making unsightly holes or other damage to the door109itself.

In a non-limiting embodiment, fasteners (e.g., removable screws, nails, other types of fasteners) may be inserted through the fastener holes202a,202b,202c,202don the first bracket110and the fastener holes202e,202f,202g,202hincluded with the second bracket120in order to fasten the first bracket110to the first property wall104by a lower half of the doorway108and in order to fasten the second bracket120to the second property wall106by a lower half of the doorway108.

As shown inFIG.2, the first doorway barrier piece118is removably attached and/or slid into place in between the first bracket110and the second bracket120. The first doorway barrier piece118includes, in a non-limiting embodiment, a panel204and a bottom rail206(of which further detail may be provided below). Further, as shown inFIG.5, there is a hollow channel508extending through the bottom rail206of the first doorway barrier piece118which is capable of receiving the stacked beams124(e.g.,124a-124c) in the channel508. The beams124may be stacked horizontally one over the other as shown and will further be retained by the side support members of the first bracket110and the second bracket120(e.g., side support members408and410as shown inFIGS.4A-4B). A set of exemplary beams124a,124b,124care shown stacked in a horizontal manner inFIG.2but the set of beams124may also be stacked vertically one against another if the user so desires. The set of beams124may be wooden or metal 2×4 beams in one or more non-limiting embodiments. It is noted that even thoughFIG.2shows gaps between the beams124a,124b, and124c, this is not required in use. The beams124a-124cand other beams124may be stacked one on top of the other so that there are no gaps between each beam124.

In a non-limiting embodiment, the width W1as shown inFIG.2spans from a first edge of the first bracket110as attached to the first property wall104and a first edge of the second bracket120as attached to the second property wall106. Notably, width W1is wider than the width W2of the door109itself, which is purposeful, so that the flood doorway prevention system100can act as a barrier to the flood water130(e.g., as shown inFIG.3) to prevent the flood water130from flooding into the property102past the door109and causing expensive damage to the property102itself. Notably, the first doorway barrier piece118extends wider than the doorway108so as to prevent flood water130from seeping past the cracks and openings of the door109which has a narrower width W2.

FIG.3shows that the second doorway barrier piece122is further connected to the first bracket110and the second bracket120and installed facing the first doorway barrier piece118. The second doorway barrier piece122has a number of functions, as further explained below, including serving as a second reinforcement structural piece to prevent damage to the door109from the encroaching flood water130and further may be used as a test case to test the efficacy of the first doorway barrier piece118because the user can pour water into the hollow channel714cof the bottom rail704(e.g., as shown inFIG.7and inFIG.8) and observe if the test water has passed through the beams124and the first doorway barrier piece118as removably connected to the first bracket110and the second bracket120past the doorway108into the property102or not. Further, if so desired, the user can stack one or more additional beams124into the bottom rail704(e.g., as shown inFIG.7) of the second doorway barrier piece122. Thus, the second doorway barrier piece122may have a number of functions and roles.

FIGS.4A and4Bprovide a closer, in-depth view of the first bracket110and the second bracket120. In a non-limiting embodiment, the first bracket110and the second bracket120are identical in appearance, except that the first bracket110is oriented so that the front L-shaped piece405of the first bracket110is oriented facing to the left or towards the front L-shaped piece405of the second bracket120. This is such that the first doorway barrier piece118can be inserted in between the first bracket110and the second bracket120on the left and right side, respectively, of the doorway108with the front L-shaped portion405of the brackets110,120facing each other as shown inFIG.2.

FIG.4AandFIG.4Bshow that the brackets110,120are identical in appearance. As noted above, the only difference is that one bracket (e.g., bracket110as shown inFIG.2AandFIG.2B) is oriented to face towards the left side direction and another bracket (e.g., bracket120as shown inFIG.2AandFIG.2B) is shown facing the right side direction. In terms of structure, the first bracket110and the second bracket120is comprised of a back piece403that connects to the front L-shaped piece405.

The front L-shaped piece405may be comprised of a side piece440and a front piece408that joins together to form an L. The back piece403of the brackets110,120includes the exterior portion430(exterior to the front L-shaped piece405) and the interior portion432as shown inFIG.4A. A hollow channel412extends vertically down between the front piece408and the interior back portion432of the back piece403.

Along the inside of the interior portion432of the brackets110,120, are several pegs or hooks418a,418b,418cas shown inFIGS.4A-4B. The pegs or hooks418throughout are useful for one component of the flood prevention system100, such as the first doorway barrier piece118and the second doorway barrier piece122, to removably connect to the first bracket110and to the second bracket122. The pegs or hooks418are shown inFIGS.4A-4Bto be protruding elements. The pegs or hooks418(or guides) also have a cylindrical shape. It is noted that this is an exemplary embodiment as other variations in design for the pegs or hooks418may alternatively or additionally be used.

Along a front side404of the front piece408of the brackets110,120are additional pegs or hooks418d,418e, and418fas shown inFIGS.4A-4B. These pegs418d,418e, and418fare a second set of pegs or hooks that are intended to be used to couple the second doorway barrier piece122to the pegs or hooks418d,418e, and418fof the brackets110,120. The first set of interior positioned pegs or hooks418a,418b, and418care dedicated to coupling to the first doorway barrier piece118, as shown for example inFIG.2and inFIG.5.

Along the exterior portion side430of each bracket110,120are located several fastener holes202a,e,202b,f,202c,g, as shown inFIGS.4A-4B. As noted above with respect toFIGS.2-3, these fastener holes202a-202gare intended to receive fasteners (e.g., screws) to fastenably attach the exterior portion side430of each bracket110,120adjacent to the left side and the right side of the doorway108on the first property wall104and the second property wall106.

The width W3of the hollow channel412is at least as wide as the width of the first doorway barrier piece118which is intended to fit within the hollow channel412when in use. Preferably, the hollow channel412is a little wider than the width of the first doorway barrier piece118to accommodate clearance fit whereby the first doorway barrier piece118should be able to be guided in and out without obstruction, and where alignment can be loosely guided but does not require tight precision such that the holes502a,502b,502c,502d,502e, and502fof the first doorway barrier piece118(e.g., as shown inFIG.5andFIG.6) can easily connect to the hooks or pegs418a,418b,418con the interior back piece432of the back piece403of the brackets110,120.

It is noted that in an alternative embodiment, rather than having pegs or hooks418, and in place of the brackets, there may be holes dedicated to receiving fasteners (e.g., screws) to screw the first doorway barrier piece118and/or second doorway barrier piece122into place. Alternatively, hook and loop fasteners, such as VELCRO, may be used to removably couple the first doorway barrier piece118and the second doorway barrier piece122to the brackets110,120in their designated locations.

FIG.5shows the combination of the first and second brackets110,120with the first doorway barrier piece118positioned coupled to the first and second brackets110,120.FIG.6shows a rear view of the first doorway barrier piece118without the first and second brackets110,120so that it is easier to see and understand the potential structure and design of the first doorway barrier piece118.

FIG.5illustrates a front side550of the first doorway barrier piece118. As shown inFIG.5and as noted above, there is a front panel piece204that makes up the majority of the first doorway barrier piece118. The front panel piece204is generally rectangular in shape and should be a solid, somewhat thick panel. The front panel piece204, when in use, will be positioned up against the door109of the doorway108of a property102as shown inFIG.2. The first doorway barrier piece118further includes a bottom rail206that has a channel508extending therethrough. The bottom rail206or lip is configured to receive the beams124as shown inFIG.2, whereby in a non-limiting embodiment the beams124may be one or more 2×4 wooden beams (or beams of any other material type). On a front side505of the bottom rail206, are one or more hooks, pegs, or guides418g,418h,418ias shown inFIG.5. The top edge503of the first doorway barrier piece118, in a non-limiting embodiment, does not extend above the top edges of the brackets110,120. Alternatively, in other non-limiting embodiments, the top edge503of the first doorway barrier piece118(and/or the second doorway barrier piece122) may extend above the top edges of the brackets110,120.

FIG.6shows the rear view of an exemplary first doorway barrier piece118. The first doorway barrier piece118shows that there is an exemplary seal126that may cover the back portion of the panel204of the first doorway barrier piece118. Notably, the seals126may be located also on the bottom side606(e.g., as shown inFIG.6) of the bottom rail206in one or more non-limiting embodiment as well as along the sides and/or on the front side of the panel204. The seals126may be located on every component of the flood prevention system100including anywhere water may seep in.

As shown inFIG.6, there are three fastener holes502d,502e,502fon a left side portion of the panel204of the first doorway barrier piece118and three fastener holes502a,502b, and502con the right side portion of the first doorway barrier piece118as shown inFIG.6. The left side portion608aand right side portion608bextend slightly wider as shown at602inFIG.6and inFIG.10than the bottom rail206of the first doorway barrier piece118. Accordingly, the left side portion608aof the first doorway barrier piece118comprises a set of fastener holes502d,502e,502fthat can be hooked or otherwise positioned over the pegs418a,418b,418clocated on the interior portion432of the first bracket110(e.g., as shown inFIG.4A). Similarly, the right side608bof the first doorway barrier piece118comprises another set of fastener holes502a,502b, and502cthat can be hooked or otherwise positioned over the pegs418a,418b, and418cof the second bracket120in one or more non-limiting embodiments.

FIG.7andFIG.8illustrate the second doorway barrier piece122according to one or more non-limiting embodiments.FIG.8provides a front perspective view of the second doorway barrier piece122. As shown inFIG.7and inFIG.8, there may be a wider elongated single panel702that is coupled to a bottom rail704. Further, there may be a first side support beam708and a second side support beam709on the second doorway barrier piece122. There may be a hollow channel714a, as shown inFIG.7, extending between the panel702and the first side support beam708as well as a hollow channel714bextending between the panel702and the second side support beam709.FIG.8shows a third hollow channel714cextending between the panel702and the interior side of the bottom rail704of the second doorway barrier piece122. As shown inFIG.7, there may be a set of dedicated peg holes712d,712e, and712fin vertical alignment positioned on the first side support beam708as well as a set of peg holes712a,712b, and712con the second side support beam709. A set of peg holes418j,418k, and418lare also integrated or included on the front side or front lip of the bottom rail704as shown inFIG.7. In a non-limiting embodiment, the bottom rail704of the second doorway barrier piece122connects to the side members708,709of the second doorway barrier piece122and there is not a gap between the bottom rail704on the sides (as is the case with the first doorway barrier piece118). As further explained and shown below, the front side722of the second doorway barrier piece122is intended to face the front side550of the first doorway barrier piece118when installed in use in front of the doorway108to prevent flood water130from penetrating through the flood prevention system100into the doorway108and the property102.

FIG.9shows a top view of the flood prevention system100with some components coupled together.FIG.10show a bottom view of the flood prevention system100with some components coupled together. For example, the first doorway barrier piece118is shown coupled to the first bracket110and the side bracket120. Further, the second doorway barrier piece122is coupled to the first bracket110and the side bracket120and is further coupled to the to the first doorway barrier piece118, because the pegs/hooks418g,418h, and418ion the front side505of the bottom rail206(e.g., as shown inFIG.5) of the first doorway barrier piece118removably insert into or hook into the holes418j,418kand418lon the frontside of the bottom rail704of the second doorway barrier piece122. Accordingly, the user may pick up the second doorway barrier piece122and turn so that the front side722(e.g., as shown inFIG.8) of the panel702of the doorway barrier piece122faces the front side550of the panel of the first doorway barrier piece118. Next, the user may hook the peg holes712a,712b,712con side member709of the second doorway barrier piece122onto the pegs/guides418d,418e,418fthat extend in vertical alignment on a front side404of the first bracket110. Similarly, the user may hook the peg holes712d,712e, and712fon side member708of the second doorway barrier piece122onto the pegs/guides418d,418e, and418fon the front side404of the second bracket110. In this manner, the second doorway barrier piece122is removably coupled to the first doorway barrier piece118by virtue of the bottom rail704of the second doorway barrier piece122hooking onto the bottom rail206of the first doorway barrier piece118. Further, the second doorway barrier piece122is removably coupled to the first bracket110and the second bracket122by virtue of the hooking onto the pegs418d,418e,418fon the front side404of the first bracket110and the second bracket122. At908aand908b,FIG.9shows how the second doorway barrier piece122is coupled to a front side (i.e.,405as shown inFIG.4AandFIG.4B) of the first bracket110and the second bracket120.

As shown inFIG.9, a cavity802is formed between panel204of the first barrier piece118and the bottom rail206of the first doorway barrier piece118and a second cavity804is formed between the panel702and the bottom rail704of the second doorway barrier piece122. As noted above, beams124may be stacked in place in the cavity802of the first doorway barrier piece118. Alternatively, or additionally, additional beams124may be stacked in place in the cavity804of the second doorway barrier piece122to help further prevent flood water130from penetrating through the doorway108of the property102. Additionally, a user may pour water up to the top edge of the panel702of the second doorway barrier piece122(or to a lower point) to test and see if any of that water enters the property102prior to any flood water130actually occurring in order to test the flood prevention system102to see if the water is barred by the first doorway barrier piece118with the stacked set of beams124and/or seals126incorporated onto the first doorway barrier piece118from entering through the cracks and openings of the doorway108of the property102.

FIG.10shows a bottom view of the flood prevention system100. The bottom side706of the second doorway barrier piece122and the bottom side606of the first doorway barrier piece118are intended to be positioned flat and evenly on the ground surface in front of the doorway108of the property to prevent water130from flowing under the first doorway barrier piece118and the second doorway barrier piece122. The bottom surface706of the bottom rail704of the second doorway barrier piece122is also the bottom of the second doorway barrier piece122. Conversely, the bottom surface606of the bottom rail206of the first doorway barrier piece118is also the bottom of the first doorway barrier piece118. Using the beams124that are stacked into the bottom rail206of the first doorway barrier piece118and the bottom rail704of the second doorway barrier piece122helps to keep the bottom surfaces flat against the ground surface of the property102in front of the doorway108as well. Further, there may be one or more seals126as shown in an example inFIG.6all around the edges of the first doorway barrier piece118, the second doorway barrier piece122, and/or the first bracket110and second bracket122to help prevent flood water130from entering into the property102via any doorway108openings.

FIG.11is a pictorial illustration illustrating that the first doorway barrier piece118is removable. It may be inserted into the first bracket110and second bracket120in the direction of arrow A if needed. But, when the user no longer needs the first doorway barrier piece118to be in place ahead of the doorway108, the user can remove the first doorway barrier piece118by unhooking the sides608a,608bof the first doorway barrier piece118from the interior position pegs418a,418b, and418cof the brackets110,120. The user may keep the first bracket110and the second bracket120fastened to the first property wall104and the second property wall106of the property102for ease of subsequent use. The set of beams124can be stored inside of the cavity802of the first doorway barrier piece118. Further, in a non-limiting embodiment, the second doorway barrier piece122can also slide into and fit within the cavity802of the first doorway barrier piece118, and then the user can stack the set of beams124within the cavity804of the second doorway barrier piece122for easy storage.

FIG.12is a flowchart describing an exemplary method of using the flood prevention system100. In a non-limiting embodiment, the method1200shown inFIG.12may include at step1202attaching a first bracket110to a first property wall104of the property102and attaching a second bracket120to a second property wall106of the property102. At step1204, the method1200may further include sliding or otherwise positioning the first doorway barrier piece1204down into the hollow channel412of the first bracket110and the second bracket120. At step1206, the method may also include hooking the designated openings502a,502b,502c,502d,502e, and502f(e.g., as shown inFIGS.5-6) of the first doorway barrier piece108onto the guides/pegs418a,418b, and418cof the first bracket110and the second bracket120in order to attach the first doorway barrier piece118to the first bracket110and the second bracket120.

At step1208, the user may next stack a set of beams124in the designated opening or channel508of the first doorway barrier piece118up to the top edge503of the panel204of the first doorway barrier piece118. Alternatively, it is noted that the addition of the beams124may happen after steps1210when the second doorway barrier piece122is coupled to the first bracket110and second bracket122and to the first doorway barrier piece118.

At step1210, as shown inFIG.12, the second doorway barrier piece122is removably attached to the first doorway barrier piece118as shown inFIG.9and inFIG.10, whereby the bottom rail704of the second doorway barrier piece122couples with the bottom rail206of the first doorway barrier piece118and the second doorway barrier piece122has dedicated peg hole openings712a-712fthat hook onto the pegs418d,418e,418fthat extend down the front side408of the front piece405of the first bracket110and the second bracket120. As noted above, additional beams124may be inserted and stacked into the cavity804of the second doorway barrier piece122to provide further strong support from the flood water130easily flowing past the flood prevention system100.

At step1212, in addition to the above, the user may want to pour water into the cavity804of the second doorway barrier piece122in order to further test the flood prevention system100to see if any water goes past the first doorway barrier piece118, the set of beams124, seals126, and brackets110,120into the property102.

As shown at step1214, upon completion of user or need, the user may remove the stacked set of beams124. It is noted that each beam124should be easier to remove after a flood has occurred and flood water130being present on the property102than a soaked sandbag, which is the current standard apparatus used to block most doorways108in the event of flooding. This is a definite advantage for anyone who does not have the strength or ability to move and carry heavy sandbags.

At step1216, the user may detach the second doorway barrier piece122and the first doorway barrier piece118by unhooking the portions of each that are hooked onto each other (i.e., via bottom rails206and704) and onto the first bracket110and the second bracket120. Next, the user may store all the components together within each other in a safe location until further future use arises. The brackets110and120may be permanently attached to the first wall104and the second wall106, which will further prevent water from seeping past the brackets110and120.

There are many advantages and uses are offered by the one or more systems described herein. The flood prevention system100can be installed on multiple areas of a property102where there are doors109. The flood prevention system100may be made of lightweight materials, including but not limited to plastic, metal, wood, and/or a combination thereof. The flood prevention system100may be configured into various sizes and dimensions to accommodate doorways108of different widths and styles. It is noted that whileFIG.2andFIG.3show a single pane door109, the flood prevention system100may be configured whereby the W1of the flood prevention system100extends past two door panels109or more. The flood prevention system100may thus be made to be modular and accommodate a variety of doorway108sizes and designs.

Many other advantages are offered by the system as described above.

The term “coupled to” as used herein may mean a direct or indirect connection via one or more components. The term “set” may mean one item or a plurality of items.

The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. The present invention according to one or more embodiments described in the present description may be practiced with modification and alteration within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Thus, the description is to be regarded as illustrative instead of restrictive of the present invention.