Abstract:
A temporary dam system for containing a body of water is provided. The temporary dam system is constructed with a number of dam sections. Each dam section has three or more supports and a back brace for supporting a resistant membrane backed by a plate. The supports comprise an end support, a middle support, and a top support in an A-frame structure. A membrane backing plate is attached to the front of the assembled support structure. The overall containment dam system is constructed by connecting dam sections together to form a continuous wall of rigid plates facing a body of water. A flexible liquid-impervious membrane is then placed over the rigid plates to contain the water.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not applicable. 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING 
       [0003]    Not applicable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    (1) Field of the Invention 
         [0005]    This application is directed to field of temporary water containment dams and more particular a portable system that can be assembled into a temporary water containment dam. 
         [0006]    (2) Description of Related Art 
         [0007]    Temporary dams or dikes are often needed to hold back water, whether for emergency flood control, water diversion, repairs to structures normally surround or covered by water such as bridges or banks, construction projects, etc. Conventionally, sandbags and earthen berms or dams are used in these situations to form dikes to contain the water, however, these methods are time consuming and very labor intensive. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,676,333 by Wiseman et al is an attempt to provide a temporary type of structure, but it lacks practicality due to the frequent support structures, and the membrane used to contain the water is poorly supported. 
         [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,450,733 by Krill et al is a design requiring significant foundational support. As a practical matter, it is not very portable or mobile. 
         [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,132,140 by Kullberg is another attempt to provide a temporary type of structure, but it also lacks practicality and economy due to the excessive weight/design of the membrane support face, which is very heavy. Also, the design lacks consideration to ensure that a multi-curve path can be followed. 
         [0011]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,079,904 by Trisl is a solid wall containment system. The design is very heavy, complicated, and the pipe/rod system requires field bending. Field installation is labor intensive; requiring training and special tools. 
         [0012]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,012,872 by Perry et al describes a water filled modular system. The design is complicated and it is questionable that the design would be stable under actual hydrostatic pressure conditions. 
         [0013]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,470,177 by Hughes is a solid wall containment system. The design is very complicated, heavy, and needs soil for weight to stabilize the base. The system is difficult and unappealing to utilize in the event of a natural disaster where it needs to be installed by a flood. Also, no consideration is given except for a straight system design. 
         [0014]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,213,628 by Serota is a water filled plastic design structure, stayed by a wire anchor system. 
         [0015]    The design is overly complicated for a temporary dam system requiring an excessive amount of work to fill the various structures with water in place. 
         [0016]    Sandbags are a method to build a temporary containment wall or dike, and it is a very labor intensive method. Because the sand bags are stacked on top of each other to form the wall, and the wall often wall needs to be relatively high, it is often the case that the base needs to be wider than the top. Additionally, not only is it time consuming to fill and place the sandbags, it takes a lot of labor to deconstruct sandbag walls after they are no longer needed. In emergency situations, it is often hard to prioritize the labor to deconstruct the sandbag wall after a crisis is over. 
         [0017]    In the case of a simple earthen dam, large machinery is often needed to construct it and deconstruct it, and this can be troublesome or even dangerous in the circumstances. 
         [0018]    Additionally, earthen dams and sandbags can involve a relatively high environmental impact. In the case of sandbags, sand left behind from the sandbags can have an environmental impact. In the case of earthen dams, often the dirt for the dam is taken from the site causing an impact on the surrounding environment and often the earthen dam cannot be completely leveled when it is no longer needed, leaving traces of the dam behind. 
         [0019]    A number of portable dam devices and systems have been developed for creating temporary water containment dikes because of the time and labor requirements needed to create a temporary containment wall of sandbags or an earthen dam. These devices have been developed to be relatively transportable and quick to set up with less labor required than needed for sandbags or earthen dams. They typically consist of a framework that can be assembled at a site to create the temporary dam. 
         [0020]    These systems also have to be sufficiently strong to withstand the hydrostatic pressure that can be exerted as a result of having to hold back a body of water. Additionally, because they will have to be quickly set up on whatever ground surface is present at the site of the body of water, they have to be relatively compact to be transportable, and relatively quick to set up. 
         [0021]    It is highly desirable to design a system that uses unskilled labor to assemble, such as can be constructed on site during an impending disaster, with confidence that it&#39;s simplicity is reasonably foolproof in design. 
         [0022]    Further, it is desirable to design a system using a minimum amount of supports per length of dam, so that a system could be erected as quickly as possible when a flood on a river, lake, or similar body of water, will soon occur due to an unpredictable event. It is also desirable to utilize a support system that is light weight and can be readily transported by manual labor, so that trucks can deliver the containment system parts to a central location, and then the actual erection and construction is handled by human labor when the parts have to be carried by hand over moderate to long distances. In particular, it is desirable that no piece is too large or heavy for one or two individuals to carry. A weight of approximately 50 lbs or less would therefore be desirable for a single individual to carry, or 100 lbs or less for two people. 
         [0023]    It is additionally desirable to provide a design that is easily adaptable to ground terrain conditions, so that a long portable water containment system could follow a multi-curved path based on a lake front, waterfront, beach line, river bank, tree line, property line, path, roadway, etc. For example, an entire lake may need to be surrounded by a temporary water containment system. 
         [0024]    These requirements have resulted in previously designed systems being relatively complicated, consisting of numerous heavy braces, overly rigid connection points, fixed designs, and complicated support members. Especially in the case of lateral support, the previous systems often require quite complex ways of linking the temporary structure to provide lateral support, which often involves numerous braces and lateral support members. 
         [0025]    In particular, previous attempts have difficulties with providing light weight designs and simplified adaptability to changes in following a multi-curved path. 
         [0026]    Accordingly, there is a need for a portable and temporary dam system that is sufficiently strong to contain a body of water, yet relatively simple, transportable and easy to set up. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0027]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a system and method that overcomes problems in the prior art. 
         [0028]    An embodiment of the present invention is a supporting structure, a membrane support plate, and a water membrane which contacts the water and contains it. The supporting structure is light weight in design, and alternates in three primary parts: an end support frame and a middle supporting frame. A top supporting frame is also included in many embodiments, but not in all. The design features simplified field erection, light weight transportation, and an efficient design for following a field directed path without the use of surveyors. 
         [0029]    An important embodiment of the present invention includes additional structures which allow convenient methods to turn the support structure and membrane support plate in a way that allows the water containment system to follow a curved path rather than only follow a straight line. Convenient features provide a method to create a path that follows a lake front, shoreline, river bed, etc. 
         [0030]    The water containment system is constructed by connecting the support structures, along with the membrane support plates, together to form a lengthwise continuous length so that the membrane support plates form a long continuous supporting wall. A water membrane, i.e. a flexible liquid-impervious membrane, is placed over the water membrane plates extending down to the ground and over the entire front surface of the temporary dam. The water membrane stops the water, and the membrane support plate is held in place by the support structures. The weight of the water on the membrane naturally provides a sealing effect. Thus, the body of water will be readily contained. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
         [0031]      FIG. 1  shows other art for portable flood control. 
           [0032]      FIGS. 2A-2B  show other art sandbag method of portable flood control. 
           [0033]      FIGS. 3A-3H  shows partial assembly and detail views of an improved design support structure. 
           [0034]      FIG. 4  is a side view of an alternate embodiment of an improved design support structure. 
           [0035]      FIG. 5  shows multiple supports connected in a side by side manner to provide a portable water containment system. 
           [0036]      FIG. 6  is a view showing back support details of how interconnecting plates are utilized that allow flexibility in a curved design rather than a straight design. 
           [0037]      FIG. 7  is another view showing back support details of how interconnecting plates are utilized that allow flexibility in a curved design rather than a straight design. 
           [0038]      FIG. 8  shows a cross section of the design when used to contain water. 
           [0039]      FIG. 9  shows a top view where the water containment system is not in a straight line by using a special plate. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0040]    This application incorporates by reference the entirety of Canadian Application No. CA  2628067 , filed on Apr. 2, 2008. 
         [0041]      FIG. 1  illustrates another art design where an inflated water dam is used to retain low water levels of a lake or dam spillover. A pump  101  is used to fill an elastomer tube  102  which is nearly filled with water  105  to hold back a water level  103  on a lake or river bed surface  104 . This device has some advantages in rapid deployment, but is offset by disadvantages in sliding on the lake bed due to hydrostatic pressure when the water level is high, and seepage underneath the elastomer tube. 
         [0042]      FIG. 2A-2B  illustrate a common method of stacking sandbags for a portable dam where the sandbags are stacked in an alternate manner, both in height and depth so that the top sandbag row has a large supporting base. Other stacking arrangements are common and the top row may have a larger or more narrow base, depending upon the local conditions.  FIG. 2A  is a cross section and  FIG. 2B  is a frontal view. Sandbags often allow seepage, depending on various factors, and are a common method for low level water containment heights where the hydrostatic pressure against the sandbag wall is lower. 
         [0043]      FIGS. 3A-3B  show a support for an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the rear. 
         [0044]    An end support frame comprising a horizontal member  301 A, a back support member  301 B, and a plate support member  301 C are joined together to create the entire end support. The back support member connects to the plate support member substantially at the middle of the plate support member. The supports are joined by welding, bolts, machining, clips, mechanical fasteners, and the like. Alternately, the end support frame is manufactured or machined out of one piece. The end support frame is made from materials such as metal or reinforced plastics, such as fiberglass. In one embodiment, the end support frame is made from a material that is corrosion resistant, such as a galvanized steel or aluminum. In another embodiment, it is made primarily from aluminum or steel tube. In another embodiment, it is coated with a corrosion resistant material, such as paint. 
         [0045]    A middle support frame comprising a middle horizontal member  304  a vertical member  303  and a bottom horizontal member  302  are joined together to create the entire middle support frame. Similar to the end support frame, the middle support frame is made from materials such as metal or reinforced plastics, such as fiberglass. In one embodiment, the middle support frame is made from a material that is corrosion resistant, such as a galvanized steel or aluminum. In another embodiment, it is made primarily from aluminum or steel tube. In another embodiment, it is coated with a corrosion resistant material, such as paint. 
         [0046]    The middle support frame is connected to an end support frame by mechanical clips  309 C,D,E,F on each side, as will be illustrated later. The clips are tabs with bolt holes that allow mechanical fasteners, such as bolts, nuts, or screws, to be used which connect the end support frame to the middle support frame and then another end support frame together as illustrated in  FIG. 3A . In this manner, an entire supporting structure is built up by alternating end support frames and middle support frames, all connected together in the field. 
         [0047]      FIG. 3B  also illustrates a top support frame, comprising a top horizontal member and two end clips  309 A,B. Similar to the end support frame, the top horizontal member is made from materials such as metal or reinforced plastics, such as fiberglass. In one embodiment, the middle support frame is made from a material that is corrosion resistant, such as a galvanized steel or aluminum. In another embodiment, it is made primarily from aluminum or steel tube. In another embodiment, it is coated with a corrosion resistant material, such as paint. 
         [0048]    Use of a top support frame, as conceived in the present invention is one embodiment, and not a requirement. Depending upon the supporting structure rigidity and design, the need for the additional top support is dependent upon the overall requirements. Similar to the middle support frame, the top support frame is connected to an end support frame by the mechanical clips  309 A,B on each side. The clips are tabs with bolt holes that allow mechanical fasteners, such as bolts, nuts, or screws, to be used which connect the end support frame to the top support frame and then another end support frame together as illustrated in  FIG. 3A . In this manner, an entire supporting structure is built up by alternating end support frames, then middle and top support frames, all connected together in the field. 
         [0049]      FIG. 3A  also illustrates a partial assembly of the final structure. Bolts  307 A,C,E are used to join the supports together. A hole  308  in the end support is useful for field stabilization of the support frame and also for connecting to additional support to the earth, such as a spike, rod, telescoping leg, or a foot pad. It is also useful for storage purposes. Alternately, the end support incorporates a telescoping leg and the hole  308  is utilized to adjust the leg length. 
         [0050]    Holes  310  on the end support frame are used for a stabilization plate that will be illustrated later. A membrane supporting plate  306  faces the body of water. If a sufficiently rigid membrane supporting plate  306  is used, a top support frame is not required. The spacing of the holes  310  between end support frames is a predetermined design criterion based on the height of water to be contained, materials used for the various components, and overall optimization for weight. 
         [0051]      FIG. 3C  additionally illustrates the end support structure and highlights the angle of the membrane support structure from horizontal  319  remains substantially 45 degrees in the initially assembled state. This provides for a supporting structure of an economic design with a primary weight load toward the lower front of the membrane supporting plate  306 . This will cause the end support frame to thrust into the soil closest to the membrane supporting plate. In the field under actual load conditions, this angle will vary in practice. 
         [0052]      FIG. 3D  shows a front isometric view of the partial assembly shown in  FIG. 3A . 
         [0053]      FIG. 3E  shows a bracing plate  311  with connecting holes  312  inside an overall length  313 . The length  313  is designed based on substantially matching the width of the membrane support plate, the length of the top support frame, and the length of the middle support frame to within the tolerances needed to fit the section together. In a preferred embodiment, the bracing plate and the membrane support plates will overlap slightly when assembled to avoid the need for another set of bolt holes. The length of the bracing plate will be close to, but slightly longer than the top support frame and the middle support frame. 
         [0054]    Along with the bracing plate  311 , a bracing connecting plate  314  with slotted turning holes  316  and turning connecting holes  315  are used to attach the bracing connecting plate to an end support frame. 
         [0055]      FIG. 3F  shows a membrane support plate  317  at a designed spacing width  313 . Attaching/connecting holes are spaced on the surface of the membrane support plate.  FIG. 3G  shows various cross sections of the membrane support plate  306 , and is not meant to be restrictive but illustrative of embodiments. To go along with the bracing plate, a membrane turning plate  318 A with a bending line  321  along with a membrane turning connecting plate  320  with slotted turning holes  322  and membrane turning plate connecting holes  323  are used to attach the membrane turning plate to an end support frame. 
         [0056]    For the sake of simplicity in erection, it is achievable to design the bracing plate, end support, middle support, top support, and the membrane support plate so that each one is 100 lbs or less. With attention to design parameters, and by making the support spacing more frequent, it is also attainable to design each plate/support so each one is 50 lbs or less in weight. These weights are generally recognized as reasonable values for two healthy individuals or a single healthy individual to lift and carry. Thus every component of the water containment system is transportable by two individuals or a single individual. 
         [0057]      FIG. 4  shows an embodiment where some flexibility in design for an end support frame is needed. An end support frame comprising a horizontal member  401 , a back support member  404 , and a plate support member  405  are joined together to create the entire end support. The back support member connects to the plate support member substantially at the middle of the plate support member by a pivoting joint  406 . The horizontal support member is attached to the back support member by a sliding shuttle  402 A and a bolt  403 A. Similarly, the horizontal support member is joined to the plate support member  405  by a sliding shuttle  402 B and a bolt  403 B. Both shuttles are incrementally locked in place by choosing a through hole in the back support member and plate support member. The horizontal support member  401  can be chosen in length to achieve a particular back support angle. This allows the overall structure to adapt to a particular ground elevation and allow the membrane support plate to remain substantially at a 45 degree angle. 
         [0058]    Similarly to the fixed design already discussed, the end support frame members are each machined or manufactured out of one piece. The end support frame is made from materials such as metal or reinforced plastics, such as fiberglass. In one embodiment, the end support frame is made from a material that is corrosion resistant, such as galvanized steel or aluminum. In another embodiment, it is made primarily from aluminum or steel tube. In another embodiment, it is coated with a corrosion resistant material, such as paint. 
         [0059]      FIG. 5  illustrates multiple supports connected in a side by side manner to provide a portable water containment system. In this figure, only a straight line system is shown. 
         [0060]      FIG. 6  illustrates the method of turning the membrane plate wall at an angle. The membrane turning plate  318 B along with the membrane turning connecting plate  320  are attached to two side by side end supports so that the angle changes, based on the designed curve of the membrane turning plate  318 B. The isosceles trapezoid rectangle along with the fold lines define the angular change. Because the membrane turning connecting plate  320  makes a slight spacing change for the bracing plate  311  between the end supports, the bracing connecting plates  314  are used as illustrated. The slotted holes in the membrane turning connecting plate  320  and in the bracing connecting plates  314  will take care of minor issues in alignment. 
         [0061]      FIG. 7  similarly illustrates the method of turning the membrane plate wall at an angle. In this case, the membrane turning plate  318 A turns the angle in a different direction, but the general assembly remains the same, as is illustrated. 
         [0062]    In one featured embodiment, the membrane turning plates  318 A,B turn the membrane plate wall angles 45 degrees. In other embodiments, other angles are used. 
         [0063]      FIG. 8  shows a cross section of the assembly when the water membrane  802  is holding back water  801 . The system is designed to contain water for a wide variety of depths up to near the very top of the support frame. The water membrane is pieced together by a zipper, strapping, snaps, hook and loop, and the like. The water membrane is preferably made by a flexible water resistant material, such as a PVC, 18-28 ounce/square yard reinforced fabric that is tear resistant. 
         [0064]      FIG. 9  shows a top view of two examples of membrane plates in a connected water containment system where membrane turning plates alter the angular orientation. Angles  901  and  902 , as illustrated, are 45 and 30 degrees respectively, but as this figure clearly illustrates, other angles could easily be designed into membrane turning plates. 
         [0065]    The system is capable of being erected in deep flowing water and can withstand substantial wave action. Also, as a result of its low angle design, the system will perform well in icy conditions by breaking up the ice on its sloping face, thus acting like an inverted ice-breaker. In addition to its capability of dealing with significant ice flow, the system will deflect floating debris. 
         [0066]    An extended seepage path results in a very low flow rate under the dam and can be easily managed by a sump pump. Overtopping will not result in a breach of the structure. 
         [0067]    The dam is readily disassembled by disconnecting the dam sections, and the system is generally connected together by mechanical fasteners such as bolts and nuts. It is also connectable by convenience fasteners, such as pins with enhanced hardware features that readily ensure their retention inside a hole. 
         [0068]    While various embodiments of the present invention have been described, the invention may be modified and adapted to various operational methods to those skilled in the art. Therefore, this invention is not limited to the description and figures shown herein, and includes all such embodiments, changes, and modifications that are encompassed by the scope of the claims.