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CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application is the national phase of PCT/EP01/00343. 
     
    
     
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
         [0002]    Not Applicable.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    The object of the present invention is a water protection system intended for use next to the access to a dwelling or other structure in order to prevent infiltration of water, mud and other substances into the protected dwelling.  
           [0004]    More specifically, the invention relates to a leakproof panel designed to be mounded in front of a door or a window of a building in order to avoid water infiltration during floods.  
           [0005]    The panel can also serve to prevent escape of water or other substances during a fire in a building or elsewhere.  
           [0006]    Whether industrial buildings or domestic lodgings are involved, many types of services requiring sealing of building accesses, as well as devices for preventing leakage of water and mud into building interiors during floods and rising waters, which could cause considerable damage.  
           [0007]    Essentially, for obvious reasons, it is desirable to be able to limit the propagation of water as much as possible across openings of buildings such as doors or windows. Two main techniques exist, of which the first can be used only for new construction since it consists specifically of constructing, from the very beginning of construction, walls equipped with external sealing devices. In order to do this, for example, a wall is constructed which consists externally of multiple layers using a watertight material. Its effectiveness is entirely relative and depends upon different factors. Furthermore, its price is rather high.  
           [0008]    The second technique consists of barricading building openings with sand bags or with panels fixed to exterior walls and/or to door or window frames in order to resist elevated water pressure and to reduce infiltration of water, mud and other substances into buildings. If we consider damage caused by such floods despite use of these materials, it may be confirmed that this technique does not resist elevated water pressure and does not offer sufficient water tightness. These materials are also heavy and cumbersome. Difficulties in installation and transport also result from the use of such materials.  
           [0009]    Document EP-A-0 848 136 describes a leak protection system designed to be used between the walls of an opening in a dwelling or other structure or other building in order to prevent leakage of water, mud or other substances into the dwelling to be protected. In particular, document EP-A 0 848 136 shows a leak prevention system which features a central panel which can be adapted to the dimensions of the opening to be protected; a peripheral inflatable air chamber which ensures the sealing qualities of the system; a formed frame attached to the peripheral of the central panel which is designed to support and guide the inflatable air chamber; and a central extension in the shape of a formed frame, and both parts form a gangue into which both parts are inserted.  
           [0010]    Thus it is clear that a leak-prevention system is needed for use next to the external accesses of a building, a system which, in large measure, will allow the shortcomings noted in earlier systems to be addressed.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0011]    Consequently, one of the goals of the present invention is to provide a leakproof system which offers excellent qualities for resistance to elevated water pressure, while at the same time it is thinner and very easy to mount. Specifically, the object of the invention is to offer a leakproof panel that is low cost and which is of sufficient intrinsic resistance to water pressure.  
           [0012]    Another goal of the present invention is to offer a leakproof system that can be adapted to any door or other opening to places requiring protection, without damaging door frames or the edges of adjoining walls.  
           [0013]    These goals, as well as others, are achieved, according to the invention, by a new system of sealing designed to be used near an opening in a dwelling in order to prevent leakage of water, mud or other substances into the building requiring protection. The sealing system includes a central panel in two distinct parts adaptable to the dimensions of the opening to be protected, a peripheral inflatable air chamber which ensures watertightness of the system, a formed frame attached to the periphery of the central panel designed to support and guide the inflatable air chamber, and a central extension which adapts to the formed frame and of the two parts of the central panel and which form a gangue in which the two parts are inserted. More specifically, the system of the invention is characterized by the fact that it features, among other things, a guiding element which serves as a support for the two parts, and which prevents the inflatable air chamber from extending into the central portion towards the interior of the gangue.  
           [0014]    The preferred methods of production for this invention are laid out in the related claims 2 through 23.  
           [0015]    The system of the present invention offers excellent characteristics of watertightness and resistance to water pressure using the combination of a rigid panel and an inflatable air chamber, which serves not only for watertightness but also to maintain the panel in place under high pressure. These advantages are: reduced weight, a reduced thickness which, on the one hand, facilitates its transport to the place to be protected, and on the other hand, its rapid installation by simply inflating the air chamber, since this system comes preassembled.  
           [0016]    The purpose of the panel is to prevent leakage of water and other substances into buildings and all places requiring protection. The panel, with its inflatable air chamber, adapts easily to different door dimensions or dimensions of other openings in places to be protected, without damaging door frames or other wall surfaces.  
           [0017]    The panel can also serve as a barrier to the escape of water or other substances during a fire in a building or any other place.  
           [0018]    The manufacturing technique specific to this sealing system invention allows it to be easily applied to an irregular support. It is never necessary to permanently affix the sealing system to the walls of the building being protected, which is very desirable after usage from an esthetic point of view. Continuity between the sealing system and the walls is ensured in order to obtain an overall rigid and watertight surface. Furthermore, it goes without saying that after deflating the air chamber, the sealing system is completely reusable.  
           [0019]    Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become apparent during the description which follows and which is nevertheless given only for information purposes. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0020]    The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description, which includes attached drawings, among which are:  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 1, which shows a lateral schematic view of the different elements comprising the sealing system for building openings according to the present invention,  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 2, which shows a lateral schematic view of the sealing system in FIG. 1 after assembly,  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 3, which shows a cutaway schematic view of the profiled frame of the system in FIG. 1,  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 4, which shows a cutaway schematic view of a variation of the air chamber of the system in FIG. 1,  
         [0025]    [0025]FIGS. 5 a ,  55   b  and  5   c , which are cutaway views of variations in plug closures,  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 6, which shows a lateral schematic view of a variation in the sealing system according to document EP-A-0 848 136,  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 7 which shows a lateral schematic view of the sealing system of the invention, and  
         [0028]    [0028]FIGS. 8 a  through  8   d  show perspective views of the fully-assembled leakproof system in FIG. 7.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0029]    With regard to its composition, the sealing system in FIG. 1 includes a central panel  10  which is adaptable to the aperture of the building to be protected (e.g. a door or a window), a peripheral inflatable air chamber  20  which ensures the watertightness of the system, and a profiled frame  30  which is provided for adaptation to the periphery of the central panel  10  so as to support and guide the inflatable air chamber  20  as it is being inflated.  
         [0030]    The assembled panel is then placed between the edges of the exterior walls, as close to the door or window frame as possible. Advantageously, the assembled panel can be placed against the frame of the door or window, with the profiled frame  30  placed in contact with the frame. Use of intermediary shims can also be considered.  
         [0031]    As seen in FIG. 2, assembly of the different elements allows us to obtain a separating partition that is relatively adjustable using the inflatable air chamber, which will fill the joints left between the panel and the two lateral edges of the walls. A space on the order of 1 to 3 centimeters on each side can be filled and made leakproof by inflating the air chamber in such a way that the same panel can be adapted to different openings.  
         [0032]    The leakproof panel in the present invention offers, in particular, a capacity for resistance to high pressure, thanks to the presence of the inflated air chamber which holds the panel in place.  
         [0033]    Regarding the material in panel  10 , a choice can be made for a panel of marine wood or some other material, of any dimension, which is adaptable to the object being protected. For example, the sealing system can be supplied as a kit, with a panel  10  measuring 0.80 m high, 0.90 m wide and 18 mm thick. Other panels with different heights and/or widths can be provided upon request.  
         [0034]    The profiled frame  30  serves as a support element and as a guide for the air chamber  20  around the central panel  10 . Regarding frame  30 , the material envisioned for its production is formed aluminum, or any other rigid material adapted to be affixed to the edges of central panel  10 A rubber frame  30  can also be used. Each of elements  31 ,  32  and  33  can be formed in a single piece. The general shape of elements  31 ,  32  and  33  is an “H”, whose upper arms  34  and  35  are oriented towards the exterior of the device.  
         [0035]    As FIG. 3 shows, formed frame  30  comprises two assembly elements  36  and  37  to which the central panel  10  can be affixed. The assembly is made using a spacer  38  shaped like a “U”, of the formed frame ( 30 ). This part  38  consists of two arms  36  and  37 , which can be assembled on the peripheral edge of panel  10 . The formed frame  30  can be affixed to the central panel  10  using glue and/or screws. A silicone joint can be used between the formed frame  30  and the central panel  10  in order to maintain its leakproof qualities. The interior distance D 1  between arms  36  and  37  corresponds to the thickness of the central panel  10 .  
         [0036]    Guiding elements in the form of two arms  34 ,  35  serve to support the inflatable air chamber  20 . Advantageously, arms  34  and  35  are directed towards the exterior relative to the plane of the central panel  10  in order to receive and guide the inflatable air chamber  20 . For arms  34  and  35 , a widening angle on the order of 20 degrees relative to the panel plane is envisioned for supporting the air chamber while allowing adequate inflation. The interior distance D 2  between arms  34  and  35  corresponds approximately to the diameter of air chamber  20 .  
         [0037]    For air chamber  20 , a choice can be made for a rubber air chamber or any other inflatable watertight material. As an example, we will use an air chamber made of 92C butyl rubber, 65°±50° shore, 1 mm thick and with an exterior diameter of 28 mm.  
         [0038]    In the arrangement shown in FIG. 3, the formed frame  30  features three elements,  31 ,  32  and  33  respectively (FIG. 1), which are attached to the lateral and lower edges of the central panel  10  and, after assembly air chamber  20  has the general shape of a “U” which conforms to the formed frame  30 .  
         [0039]    The air chamber is a tube  20  of circular section and length corresponding approximately to the dimensions of the panel (height and length). The air chamber  20  can be glued to the formed frame  30 . Alternatively, an air chamber with an oval cross-section can be utilized.  
         [0040]    Advantageously, as shown in FIG. 4, air chamber  20  features a grooved surface  21 , which comes into contact with the edges of the wall of the opening being protected. Whereas satisfactory results have been achieved with an air chamber with a smooth surface, the grooves  21  on the air chamber  20  allow this sealing system to achieve a greater resistance to elevated water pressure. Furthermore, the grooves  21  on the air chamber  20  make it more rigid and protect it from any significant deformation.  
         [0041]    The air chamber  20  includes of a cylindrical plug  25 ,  26  in each of both ends, one of which  26  consists of an inflation ferrule  27  (FIG. 5 a ). As an example, a rubber plug  25 ,  26 , 30-mm in diameter and 24 mm long can be used. In the case of an oval air chamber, as shown in FIG. 5 b , corresponding oval plugs  26   b  are used (example: axis dimensions of 20 mm and 40 mm).  
         [0042]    As is shown in FIG. 5 c , trapezoidal plugs  26   c  in the shape of the formed frame  30   c  can be used. This manner of construction offers the advantage of having plugs  26   c  positioned entirely inside the formed frame  30   c , plugs  26   c  being slightly withdrawn relative to arms  34   c  and  35   c  of frame  30   c . Thus all damage to plug  30   c  and/or to the air chamber during installation can be avoided.  
         [0043]    Advantageously, the air chamber will be lined with a strip of watertight foam rubber. This foam strip is intended to be used between the air chamber and the exterior wall edges of the building, in such a way as to equalize irregular surfaces of these walls, if necessary. As an example, this foam strip fills in the joints or any other irregularity in the building&#39;s exterior masonry. In this regard, a foam rubber strip 50 mm wide and  10  or 20 mm thick is envisioned.  
         [0044]    Furthermore, corner-pieces  40  and  41  made of watertight foam are envisioned, destined to be used in the lower corners of the panel. These corner-pieces  40  and  41  ensure watertightness of the system between the angles formed by the lower corners of the opening being protected and the arc formed by the air chamber  20  in these areas.  
         [0045]    Following another arrangement described in document EP-A-0 848 136 illustrated in FIG. 6, the sealing system is comparable to the one in FIG. 2 but includes two central panels  10   a  and  10   b , and an extension  40  whose purpose is to adapt it to openings of greater width. A means of attachment  60  is provided in order to link together the two parts  10   a  and  10   b . Extension  50  of the panel can be inserted doc between the two parts  10   a  and  10   b  and attached to them using an additional method of fixation  61 .  
         [0046]    Advantageously, two fixation elements  60  and  61 , with a profile in the shape of an “H”, are used to fix extension  50  to the central panels  10   a  and  10   b . A frame extension  35 , shaped in the same way as frame  30 , is fixed to extension  50  in order to support and guide the air chamber  20  into place. Air chamber  20  is of sufficient flexibility to allow use of extension  50  and to enlarge the panel without a problem for the air chamber. As an example, this system can be supplied in kit form with extensions  50  of 5 cm, 10 cm and 15 cm such that openings of significantly different widths can be leakproofed or sealed. A space on the order of 1 to 3 cm between the sealing system and each side of the masonry edges is filled by inflating the air chamber. If extension  50  is not needed, the two panels  10   a  and  10   b  are affixed to each other using the one of the two shaped fixation elements  60  and  61 .  
         [0047]    In the arrangement shown in FIG. 6, air chamber  20  includes two closure plugs  25 ,  25  without an inflation ferrule. Air chamber  20  comprises a lateral inflation ferrule  28  and an opening  38  is introduced into the formed frame  30  in order to allow passage of an inflation ferrule  28 . The same type of air chamber  20  with a lateral ferrule  28  can also be used in the version of the invention shown in FIG. 2.  
         [0048]    In one specific version of the invention (not shown), three distinct air chambers corresponding respectively to the dimensions of the lateral and inferior edges of the central panel are used. These separate air chambers each feature two plugs at their ends, one of which features an inflation ferrule to allows the air chambers to be inflated independently of each other.  
         [0049]    In another specific version the invention (not shown), the formed frame consists of four formed elements, adapted to be affixed to the four sides of the central panel. The system is thus customized for a complete closure of a window or a door. When constructed in this way, an air chamber of an overall circular shape can be used, and use of closing plugs is no longer necessary, since an inflation ferrule is affixed to the side of the air chamber.  
         [0050]    In another specific version of the invention, shown in FIG. 7, the sealing system is comparable to the one in FIG. 6 but comprises two central panels  10   a  and  10   b , and a variable extension  50 , with a view to adapting it to openings of varying widths. A sliding guide  70  is provided to link the two parts of the panel  10   a  and  10   b  together. Panel extension  50  can be inserted between the two parts  10   a  and  10   b  and linked to them by several additional means of attachment  71 , such as watertight bolts  71 .  
         [0051]    Advantageously, two extension elements  50  are affixed to the central panels  10   a  and  10   b , using watertight bolts  71 . The extension elements  50  include a lengthening of formed frame  35  in the same way as frame  30  to support and guide the air chamber  20  in this place. Air chamber  20  is of sufficient flexibility to permit use of the variable extension element  50  and to enlarge the panel without disturbing the air chamber.  
         [0052]    When the air chamber  20  is constructed in this way, it features two closure plugs  25 ,  25  without an inflation ferrule. Air chamber  20  includes a lateral inflation ferrule  28  and an opening  38  is introduced into the formed frame  30  in order to allow passage of the inflatable ferrule  28 . The same type of air chamber  20  with a lateral ferrule  28  can also be used in the manner described in FIG. 2.  
         [0053]    Regarding the manner of construction shown in FIG. 7, the sealing system is adaptable to the width of any door or window thanks to one or two plates  50 , of steel or any other metal or material offering similar solidity and watertightness. These plates are shaped like the form  30  and parts  10   a  and  10   b  of marine wood, which together take the shape of a gangue, in which are inserted the two half-panels of marine wood (or any other material which offers the same watertightness and resistance) to a depth that is variable to the millimeter as a function of the width of the door or window being protected. The space between the two half-panels  10   a  and  10   b  is filled below by a guiding ruler  70 , which serves as a support to the two half panels  10   a  and  10   b  and prevents the pneumatic  20  from extending into the central portion towards the interior of the gangue. The two metallic plates  50  form a hollow gangue and are bolted to the half-panels  10   a  and  10   b  with watertight bolts  71 .  
         [0054]    As shown in FIGS. 8 a  and  8   d , this sealing system in its basic version is composed of two half-panels  10   a  and  10   b  of bakelited marine wood, inserted to a depth in proportion to the width of the door into a steel gangue  50  and belted on a semi-perimeter by an aluminum form  30  intended to guide and especially to protect an inflatable structure with an anti-skid surface, whose pressure on the walls ensures watertightness.  
         [0055]    At least one of the two steel plates  50  includes an upper edge  36  that is bent at 90° so that it takes on the shape of the panels that also serve as stiffeners and to ensure rigidity. The two steel plates  50  may each include an upper edge, which oppose each other to ensure rigidity. The lengthening shape  35  of plates  50  in the lower portion takes on the shape of the form  30  and also serves as a stiffener.  
         [0056]    The standard system can be adapted to all door widths between 80 and 100 centimeters and to a height of 80 centimeters, which is enough to handle 90% of floods in Europe. It can, of course, be custom-manufactured, which may become necessary, for example, in the case of a garage on an incline.  
         [0057]    The initial mounting can be carried out at the client&#39;s home by a technician, because the system, although it is delivered in kit form, it must first be adapted to the width of the door.  
         [0058]    In the kit, the aluminum shapes  30  are already affixed to the half-panels  10   a  and  10   b , and the air chamber  20  is already attached to one of the half-panels.  
         [0059]    The technician slides the sliding guide ruler  70  into the space provided for it to the height of the form  30  (FIG. 8 a ) and places the half-panels at about one centimeter from the wall partitions by sliding the guiding ruler  70 .  
         [0060]    He next places the two steel plates  50  on either side of the half-panel  10   a  that has not yet been perforated, and bores holes into plates  50  and panels  10   a  and  10   b  in the place defined by the width of the door in order to bolt it in place with the watertight bolts  71 .  
         [0061]    Once this operation has been completed, he next slides the second half-panel  10   b  into the steel gangue and attaches the bolts  71  into the holes drilled earlier. Adaptation to the width of the door is now complete. All that needs to be done now is the placement of air chamber  20 . This air chamber is of sufficient elasticity that a difference of thirty centimeters presents no problem.  
         [0062]    Once the air chamber  20  has been attached and screwed in its plug  25  to the other upper part of the form  30 , the technician slightly inflates the air chamber  20  to adapt it to the desired size. After deflating it, he still needs to clip the foam or polystyrene corner  40  to the insides of the panels; he places the latter in front of the door, ideally against the rim, and again inflates the air chamber. The system is now ready to use. It can be deflated and put away with its accessories (spare corners, pump, back plates, silicone) near the door to save time in case of emergency.  
         [0063]    In theory, the silicone should not be used unless the wall partitions show abnormal roughness, in which case they must be smoothed.  
         [0064]    Thanks to this invention, even in the case of infiltrations through walls or basements, the rate at which the interior water level rises is slowed down so that it goes not higher than the flow capacity of a water pump. In the best case (new or leakproof walls and foundations, sealed air holes), the house is perfectly watertight.  
         [0065]    The rate of increase of the water level in a residence is not only of prime importance as a function of the capacity for flow of the water pump. Even in the absence of a water pump, the tenant in these premises will appreciate the time saved thanks to the invention because it will allow him to save whatever he can.  
         [0066]    Thus it is important, in case of emergency, to be able to rapidly install the system, and this is precisely one of its major attributes. If it is consistently stored near the door for which it was made, only a few seconds will be required to install it. It needs only to be put just in front of the door, and to proceed with inflation until the air chamber  20  causes pressure against the wall.  
         [0067]    The system requires no prior installation to the walls or the doors that it protects against impacts and moisture, so that once all danger is passed, the residence immediately regains its normal appearance.  
         [0068]    In another specific version of the invention (not shown), the bolts used to affix the half-panels to the gangue are useless, since the distance required between the two half panels in relation to the width of the opening to be protected, is ensured by springs or by a mechanical or electrical system that can be activated from outside by a crank or a button. These systems allow the panel to be adapted within a few seconds to the width of a door, and so they offer the Civil Protection Team, specifically, a time savings and easy access in case of emergency.  
         [0069]    In another specific version of the invention (not shown), the sealing system also features, on the upper edges of the panels, two latches intended to serve as security against rising water pressure in case the walls and door- and window-frames serve as support points for the lateral portions of the gasket are particularly smooth and risk allowing the gasket to slip.  
         [0070]    Once it is installed and inflated, the stability of the system is remarkable. Attempts to destabilize the device were unsuccessful. This stability is ensured by the pressure of the gasket against the lateral walls, despite the fact that the width of the system is variable. Additional water pressure only serves to increase this stability.  
         [0071]    Nevertheless, the pressure of this same gasket on the floor would tend to lift the device if this pressure were greater than the lateral pressure. Over a certain width limit, the pressure on the floor would be greater than the lateral pressure, and water could seep in under the gasket.  
         [0072]    This is why, in the case, for example, of a garage door, the use of two systems of this type is recommended, which would then be linked together by a central stanchion. In this other specific version of the invention (not shown), the device also features an aluminum cylinder, securely bolted to the floor and featuring on both sides of its diameter an extension in the shape of a widened “U”, similar in shape to frame  30  and designed to fit the air chamber. A metallic stem slides inside this cylinder. This stem is bolted to the ceiling to complete the stability of the system like a stanchion. The lateral extensions of the cylinder allow it to receive the respective gaskets of the two adjacent devices in the central part of the garage door. The system allows garage doorways of all dimensions to be effectively protected. Three devices of this type can also be used in this way, and two stanchions or even more can be used without decreasing the effectiveness of the system.  
         [0073]    The installation by a technician thus consists of a first installation of the system, and therefore the preparation of the floor and ceiling with the bolting of the stanchion. If the panel is correctly mounted, the door can be opened without damage in order to allow entry and exit from the house before the water falls.  
         [0074]    Other ways to produce the present invention, which are within the realm of the Craftsman&#39;s abilities, can also be foreseen without going outside of the scope of the invention.

Summary:
A sealing system which can be used to close to the opening of a dwelling or other building to prevent water, mud and other products from seeping into said dwelling. The inventive sealing system comprises a central panel consisting of two parts ( 10   a,    10   b ) whereby said panel can be adapted to the dimensions of the opening that is to be protected; a peripheral inflatable air chamber ( 20 ) ensuring the tightness of said system; and a profiled frame ( 30 ) which is fixed to the periphery of the central panel ( 10 ) in order to guide and support the inflatable air chamber ( 20 ). The panel also comprises a central extension ( 50 ) which matches the shape of the profiled frame ( 30 ) and two parts ( 10   a,    10   b ), which together form a lode wherein the two parts ( 10   a,    10   b ) can be inserted, in addition to a guiding element ( 70 ) which serves as a support for the two parts ( 10   a,    10   b ) and prevents the inflatable air chamber ( 20 ) from extending into the central part towards the inside of the lode.