Abstract:
A frame expandable in a structural opening has a stretchable substantially fluid impermeable cover membrane disposed across the frame and arranged to stretch with expansion of the frame. The frame is preferably expandable in mutually perpendicular directions, and provided with peripheral seals for sealing in the structural arrangement. The barrier is conveniently fitted in openings such as doors and the like to provide a temporary barrier to rising floodwaters and the like.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a barrier arrangement and more particularly to a barrier arranged to inhibit fluid passing through a structural opening. 
     2. State of the Art 
     Barriers for preventing fluid egress through building structures are well-known for example for inhibiting water flooding of buildings through window or door openings. 
     An improved barrier arrangement has now been devised. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to the invention, there is provided a barrier arrangement for a structural opening, the barrier arrangement comprising: 
     i) a frame expandable in the opening; and, 
     ii) a stretchable substantially fluid impermeable cover membrane disposed across the frame and arranged to stretch with expansion of the frame. 
     Desirably the frame is expandable in a plurality of directions, preferably mutually transverse (most preferably mutually perpendicular) directions. 
     The frame preferably comprises spaced side frame elements and spaced top and bottom frame elements. Advantageously, at least some of the frame elements are linked telescopically (one element nested within another) to enhance the expandabilty of the frame. The frame preferably comprises a frame including rigid frame elements, desirably comprising rigid material such as metallic material or rigid plastics material. 
     The frame is preferably collapsible from its expanded position to a collapsed position for removal from the structural opening and/or storage. 
     Beneficially, peripheral portions of the barrier are provided with seal means arranged to seal against the structural opening. The seal means is preferably arranged to be compressible, preferably being caused to compress upon expansion of the frame in the opening. 
     Seal means are preferably provided on opposed side portions of the frame and also preferably along the lowermost portion of the frame. The seal means may be provided integrally with the cover membrane, at peripheral portions thereof. 
     The barrier arrangement preferably includes expansion means facilitating expansion of the frame in the opening. The expansion means may comprise rotational means (such as a screw threaded drive) arranged to drive a linear expansion of the frame. 
     The expansion means may comprise a fluid power arrangement (such as pneumatic or hydraulic actuator means). 
     Alternatively the expansion means may comprise a mechanical or electromechanical actuation arrangement. For example an expandable mechanical linkage (such as a scissors type linkage) may be utilised. The expansion means may be manually or electrically driven. Desirably force limitation means is utilised to prevent over forcing the frame into expanding engagement with the structural opening. 
     Where the frame is expandable in mutually perpendicular directions different expansion means may be provided facilitating expansion in perpendicular directions. 
     Desirably, the expansion means comprises means for expanding the frame such that peripheral frame elements separate moving in opposed directions simultaneously so as to engage mutually opposed portions of the structural opening. Desirably, the expansion means comprises means for expanding the frame in a direction transverse (preferably perpendicular) to the direction of separation of the separating peripheral frame elements. Beneficially, the barrier means comprises first frame portions expandable to separate from one another to engage opposed portions of the structural opening the first frame portions carrying respective second frame portions moveable (preferably independently of one another) in a direction perpendicular to the separation direction of the first frame portions. 
     The expansion means may be permanently carried by the frame. Alternatively the expansion means may be demountable from the frame. 
     It is preferred that the cover membrane is expandable in mutually perpendicular directions, advantageously comprising a sheet of fluid impermeable material. Desirably, the material of the cover membrane is resilient so as to return to a more relaxed position when the frame is collapsed from its expanded position. The cover membrane beneficially comprises a peripheral portion (or portions) arranged to grip the frame. The cover portion may, for example comprise a partial envelope having a peripheral portion (or portions) folded about the periphery of the frame. The cover membrane preferably comprises an elastomeric material (such as a rubber material) or plastics material. 
     It is particularly preferred that the peripheral portion or portions of the cover membrane folded about the periphery of the frame has, on the face of the frame that will engage with the portion of the structure defining the structural opening, a surface profile adapted to resiliently deform to compensate for any roughness of the surface of the structure. Most preferably, the profile is, in section an “m” shape. The profile is adapted to provide a seal about the edge of the barrier arrangement. 
     The invention will now be further described in a specific embodiment by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a barrier arrangement according to the invention in a collapsed configuration; 
     FIG. 2 is a side view of the barrier arrangement of FIG. 1 in an expanded configuration; 
     FIG. 3 is a plan view of the barrier arrangement in a condition shown in FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 is an end view of the barrier arrangement of FIGS. 1 to  3 ; 
     FIG. 5 is an enlarged broken section view of an upper portion of the arrangement of FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of an alternative embodiment of the barrier arrangement according to the invention; and 
     FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing a barrier arrangement according to the invention in use. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to the drawings, the barrier arrangement (generally designated  1 ) comprises a metallic box section frame  2  comprising two frame halves  5 , 6  which are moveable away from, or toward, one another in accordance with operation of an actuation mechanism  7 . Each frame half  5 , 6  comprises a respective side frame element  3 , 4  connected to respective uppermost frame element  8 , 9  and lower frame element  10 , 11 . Each lower frame element  10 , 11  carries a bottom rung  12 , 13  which is secured to the underside of the respective lower frame element  10 , 11  but moveable away from or towards the respective frame element  10 , 11  by means of operation of bolts  14  threadably received in respective threaded nuts secured to frame element  10 , 11 . Upper frame element and lower rung  12  each carry a respective projecting limb  15 , 18  which is telescopically received within the interior of the adjacent respective upper element  9  and lower rung  13 . Limbs  15 , 18  are friction fitting within the hollow channel section of upper element  9  and lower rung  13  respectively in order to enhance the rigidity of the frame is maintained when in the expanded configuration. 
     The actuation mechanism  7  is operable from the rear side of the apparatus and comprises a pivotal linkage mechanism including pivoting arms  19 , 20 , 21 , 22  and a threaded actuation rod  23  which is actuatable by a nut  24  provided at an end thereof. 
     Turning nut  24  causes the threaded rod  23  to rotate about its axis and the lowermost ends of arms  22 , 21  to be drawn toward the nut  24  in order to expand the frame  1 . Conversely, in order to retract the frame to a collapsed configuration, the nut  24  is rotated in the opposite sense causing the lowermost ends of arms  21 , 22  to move away from nut  24  due to the threaded connection with threaded rod  23 . 
     The obverse face of the frame is covered by a flexible (expandable) rubber sheet  25  envelope which is stretched across the frame and provided in the form of a partial envelope having peripheral edges  26  which overlap the frame, thereby securing the sheeting in position. In FIGS.  1 , 2 , 6  and  7  the planar portion of the sheet extending across the frame is not shown, for the purpose of clarity of explanation of the operation of the barrier frame. The outermost edges  27  of the rubber sheet envelope  25  are preformed to have a portion which abuts the frame members  8 , 9 , 3 , 4 , 11 , 12 , and portions which stand proud of the respective frame element. By this means, edge portions  27  of the rubber sheet envelope are arranged to collapse/flatten against the respective frame element when the frame is expanded into abutment with the walls of the structural opening across which the barrier is positioned. This provides an efficient seal with the relevant wall. The rubber sheet  25  enveloping the frame terminates in a free edge portion  28  which extends around the frame permitting access to the rear of the frame (and for example the actuating mechanism  7 ). 
     In use, the arrangement including the rubber sheet  25  in position stretched across the frame  1  is positioned in its collapsed configuration in position in the structural opening to be barred. The actuation mechanism  7  is then operated to cause the frame  1  to expand such that frame portions  2 ,  3  move away from one another until the side frame elements (covered by the peripheral sealed portion  27  of sheet  25 ) engage respective side walls of the structural opening. The nut  24  may, for example, be actuated by a preset torque wrench such that the frame is not over tightened in the opening. When in position with the barrier engaging the side walls of the structural opening, bolts  14  are operated to force rungs  12 ,  13  downwardly into engagement with the base portion of the structural opening in order to achieve an efficient seal therewith. When expanding the frame by operation of actuation mechanism  7  and bolts  14 , the rubber sheet  25  stretches with the frame. 
     As shown in FIG. 6, respective frame portions  2 , 3  may carry respective projections  30 , 31 , 32 , 33  arranged to co-operate with spaced recesses on bracing struts  35 , 36  which serve to aid rigidity of the barrier in its expanded configuration. In certain embodiments the actuation mechanism  7  may be demountable from the frame, such that a plurality of separate barriers may be installed using the same actuating mechanism. This is particularly useful for the emergency services, for example, for installing a large number of barriers in close proximity at minimum expense. In such circumstances, bracing struts  35 , 36  act as primary bracing elements. 
     The barrier arrangement of the invention provides a number of advantages. For example the arrangement is easily assembled on site and may be assembled whilst flooding is occurring. 
     Additional barriers may be positioned in side by side relationship either horizontally or vertically and expanded in order to increase the area covered by the barrier. 
     As shown in FIG. 7, the barrier arrangement is particularly useful for restricting flood damage through structural openings such as doors, windows and the like.