Abstract:
Systems and method are provided to protect devices from damage due to floodwaters. For example, a system includes a floating platform assembly, an apparatus securely disposed on the floating platform assembly, first and second platform retaining members connected to the floating platform assembly, and first and second vertical support members disposed on opposite sides of the floating platform assembly. Upper ends of the first and second vertical support members are connected to an outer sidewall of a dwelling, and bottom ends of the first and second vertical support members are fixedly secured at ground level. The first and second platform retaining members insertably receive the first and second vertical support members, respectively. The first and second platform retaining members are configured to slide along the respective first and second vertical support members when the floating platform assembly vertically rises and lowers in response to a changing level of floodwater.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure generally relates to techniques for protecting devices from damage due to floodwater. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Many residential homes and commercial buildings are located in regions that are prone to flooding. Such flooding can occur for various reasons. For example, some homes and commercial buildings are located close to waterways such as bays, canals, rivers, etc., which occasionally can have abnormally high water levels due to storm surges and other natural phenomena. Moreover, other homes and buildings can be located in low-lying areas with high water tables. In such circumstances, severe weather such as torrential rainstorms or hurricanes, for example, can cause flash flooding due to an increase in the water table, and the resulting inability for sewer systems to drain away flash flooding. Unfortunately, such flooding can cause significant financial damage to individuals and business owners whose dwellings, structures, and personal property are destroyed by rising floodwaters. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the invention include systems and methods for protecting apparatus from damage due to floodwaters. For example, one embodiment of the invention includes a system to protect an apparatus from floodwater. The system includes a floating platform assembly, an apparatus securely disposed on the floating platform assembly, first and second platform retaining members connected to the floating platform assembly, and first and second vertical support members disposed on opposite sides of the floating platform assembly. Upper ends of the first and second vertical support members are connected to an outer sidewall of a dwelling, and bottom ends of the first and second vertical support members are fixedly secured at ground level. The first and second platform retaining members insertably receive the first and second vertical support members, respectively. The first and second platform retaining members are configured to slide along the respective first and second vertical support members when the floating platform assembly vertically rises and lowers in response to a changing level of floodwater. 
     Another embodiment includes a method for protecting an apparatus from floodwater. The method includes placing a floating platform assembly on ground level adjacent an outer wall of a dwelling; securely mounting an apparatus on the floating platform assembly; connecting first and second platform retaining members to the floating platform assembly; and securely positioning first and second vertical support members on opposite sides of the floating platform assembly, with the first and second vertical support members inserted through the first and second platform retaining members, respectively. The first and second platform retaining members are configured to slide along the respective first and second vertical support members when the floating platform assembly vertically rises and lowers in response to a changing level of floodwater. 
     These and other embodiments will be described in the following detailed description of embodiments, which is to be read in conjunction with the accompanying figures. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  schematically illustrates a system for protecting a device from floodwater, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2A  is a schematic side view of the system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 2B  is a schematic side view of the system of  FIG. 1 , showing a mode of operation of the system in response to a flood. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a platform retaining member that can be implemented in the system of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a platform retaining member that can be implemented in the system of  FIG. 1 , according to another embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a float member that can be implemented in the system of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a float member that can be implemented in the system of  FIG. 1 , according to another embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Embodiments of the invention will now be described in further detail with regard to systems and methods for protecting devices from damage due to floodwaters. For example, FIG.  1  schematically illustrates a system  100  for protecting a device from floodwater, according to an embodiment of the invention. The system  100  comprises a floating platform assembly  110 , platform retaining members  120  and  122 , vertical support members  130  and  132 , and an apparatus  140  which is disposed or otherwise fixedly mounted on top of the floating platform assembly  110 . In one embodiment of the invention, the apparatus  140  comprises, for example, a portable or non-portable generator, or a portable or non-portable generator enclosed in a plastic or weather resistant housing, or other types of devices that are typically maintained outside of a home or commercial building. 
     The apparatus  140  (e.g., generator) is electrically connected to an electrical box  142  via suitable electrical wiring  144 . For illustrative purposes, embodiments of the invention will be discussed with reference to systems and methods for protecting generators from floodwaters, although techniques as disclosed herein can be utilized to protect other types of devices, systems or apparatus such as HVAC (heating, ventilating, and air conditioning) units, etc., from floodwater. 
     The floating platform assembly  110  comprises a frame  112  (e.g., rectangular-shaped frame) having an open bottom side, and an upper side with decking  114 . In one embodiment of the invention, the frame  112  and decking  114  can be constructed using weather resistant wood (e.g., pressure treated wood) or commercially available composite decking material. For example, the frame  112  can be fabricated using 2″×8″ or 2″×10″ stringers (lumber or composite material), for example, and the decking  114  may be 2″×6″ or 5/4″×4″ or 5/4″×6″ lumber or composite decking material, for example. 
     The floating platform assembly  110  further comprises at least one float member  116  (shown in phantom as a dashed line in  FIGS. 1, 2A and 2B ) disposed within the interior region of the frame  112  underneath the decking  114 . The float member  116  is configured to floatably support the floating platform assembly  110  in the event of a flood, and thereby raise the generator  140  above the floodwater to prevent water damage to the generator  140 , as will be further discussed below with reference to  FIGS. 2A and 2B . Furthermore, as explained below with reference to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the float member  116  can be implemented using various types of floatation devices and materials. 
     The float member  116  may or may not be fixedly secured within the frame  112 . For example, when assembling the floating platform assembly  110 , one or more float members  116  can be placed in a target position on ground level  200 , and then an already constructed frame  112  and decking  114  assembly can be placed over the one or more float members  116  such that the float members  116  are freely disposed within the interior region of the frame  112  underneath the decking  114 . In such instance, when a floodwater occurs, the buoyancy force (upward force) exerted by the water against the floating member  116  will cause the floating member  116  to apply force against the bottom of the decking  114 , and cause the floating platform assembly  110  to rise, while the floating member  116  remains positioned within the interior of the frame  112  pushing against the underside of the decking  114 . 
     As further shown in  FIG. 1 , the platform retaining members  120  and  122  are connected to opposite sides of the frame  112  using, e.g., screws or bolts. The elongated vertical support members  130  and  132  are inserted through the respective platform retaining members  120  and  122 . The platform retaining members  120  and  122  are configured, with regard to size and shape, to slidably engage the elongated vertical support members  130  and  132 , while providing a free-floating fit that enables the floating platform assembly  110  to be vertically displaced (up and down) relative to the elongated vertical support members  130  and  132  in response to rising and falling floodwater levels, and while maintaining the floating platform assembly  110  in a relatively fixed distance from an outer wall  160  of a dwelling while the floating platform assembly  110  moves in a vertical direction (up and down) in response to rising and lowering floodwaters. 
     In one embodiment of the invention, the elongated vertical support members  130  and  132  may be implemented using solid or hollow piping. For example, the elongated vertical support members  130  and  132  may be implemented using hollow hot-dipped galvanized piping, with a diameter in a range of about ¾″ to 1.50″, for example. The elongated vertical support members  130  and  132  can be implemented using other types of materials and cross-sectional shapes. In addition, as explained below with reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the platform retaining members  120  and  122  can be implemented using various types of retaining devices and techniques that are suitable for the given application, which will vary based on the cross-sectional size and shape of the elongated vertical support members  130  and  132 . 
     As further shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2A , each elongated vertical support member  130  and  132  has an upper end connected to the outer wall  160  of a dwelling, and a bottom end fixedly secured to the ground. In particular, in one embodiment of the invention, the elongated vertical support member  130  comprises a connecting sleeve  130 - 1  that connects to an elbow portion  130 - 2 , which enables the upper end of the elongated vertical support member  130  to be connected to the outer wall  160  of the dwelling via a retaining flange  130 - 3 , for example. Similarly, the upper end of the elongated vertical support member  132  comprises a connecting sleeve  132 - 1  that connects to an elbow portion  132 - 2 , which enables the upper end of the elongated vertical support member  132  to be connected to the outer wall  160  of the dwelling via a retaining flange  132 - 3 , for example. In other embodiments of the invention, other structures and techniques may be used to secure the upper ends of the elongated vertical support members  130  and  132  to the outer wall  160  of the dwelling or to other dwelling structures (e.g., overhangs). 
     Furthermore, in one embodiment of the invention, the bottom ends of the elongated vertical support members  130  and  132  can be fixedly secured to the ground by burying the ends of the elongated vertical support members  130  and  132  within the ground soil at some depth below ground level  200  (e.g., about 1 foot or more) which is sufficient to fixedly secure the end portions of the elongated vertical support members  130  and  132 . In another embodiment of the invention, as specifically shown in  FIG. 1 , for example, auger members  150  may be connected to the bottom ends of the elongated vertical support members  130  and  132 , wherein the auger members  150  are configured to be screwed into the ground soil, thereby securing the bottom portions of the elongated vertical support members  130  and  132  in position within the ground soil. 
     In another embodiment, the floating platform assembly  110  may be disposed on top of a slab of concrete (as opposed to being disposed directly on top of grass or soil), in which case the bottom ends of the elongated vertical support members  130  and  132  can be secured to respective flange devices that are bonded or otherwise connected to the surface of the concrete slab. In yet another embodiment of the invention, small concrete footings or slabs can be constructed in the ground on opposite sides of the floating platform assembly  110 , whereby such small concrete footings or slabs can be utilized as secure structures to which the bottom ends of the elongated vertical support members  130  and  132  can be connected to fixedly secure the vertical support members  130  and  132  to the ground. 
     It is to be understood that other structures and techniques may be used to secure the bottom ends of the elongated vertical support members  130  and  132  to some fixed structure. For example, in one embodiment of the invention, the bottoms ends of the elongated vertical support members  130  and  132  can have elbow portions and other hardware to securely fix the bottom ends of the elongated vertical support members  130  and  132  to, e.g., a foundation  162  of the dwelling (similar to the techniques shown in  FIGS. 1, 2A, and 2B  for connecting the upper ends of the elongated vertical support members  130  and  132  to the outer wall  160  of the dwelling). 
       FIG. 2A  is a schematic side view of the system  100  of  FIG. 1  when no flood is present, and  FIG. 2B  is a schematic side view of the system  100  of  FIG. 1 , showing a mode of operation of the system  100  in response to a flood. As shown in  FIG. 2A , when no flood is present, the floating platform assembly  110  rests on the ground at ground level  200  adjacent the foundation  162  of the dwelling. As shown in  FIG. 2B , when a floodwater level  210  rises at some height H above the ground level  200 , the floating platform assembly  110  will rise and float on top of the floodwater to prevent the generator  140  (or other device or unit disposed on the platform) from being damaged by the floodwater. In this regard, the floating platform assembly  110  vertically moves up and down between the elongated vertical support members  130  and  132 , while the platform retaining members  120  and  122  slidably engage the elongated vertical support members  130  and  132  and maintain the floating platform assembly  110  at some fixed distance from the outer wall  160  as the floating platform assembly  100 ) rises and lowers with the level of the floodwater. 
     As further shown in  FIG. 2A , in one embodiment of the invention, the elongated vertical support members  130  and  132 , and corresponding platform retaining members  120  and  122  are disposed in a back region of the floating platform assembly  110  in relative close proximity to the outer wall  160  and foundation  162  of the dwelling. In other embodiments, the elongated vertical support members  130  and  132  and corresponding platform retaining members  120  and  122  can be disposed in a middle region or a front region of the floating platform assembly  110 . Moreover, in another embodiment of the invention, a pair of elongated vertical support members and corresponding platform retaining members can be disposed on each side of the floating platform assembly  110  in the front and back regions of the floating platform assembly  110 . 
     It is to be understood that the number of elongated vertical support members that are implemented, and the positioning of the elongated vertical support members with regard to the floating platform assembly  110 , will vary depending on various factors. Such factors include, but are not limited to, the size and shape of the floating platform assembly  110 , the size and weight of the device/apparatus that is disposed on the floating platform assembly  110 , the strength of the piping used for the elongated vertical support members, the manner in which the elongated vertical support members are secured to the ground, and other factors that should be taken into consideration to ensure that the floating platform assembly  110  will be securely maintained in position by the elongated vertical support members (and not float away or be violently rocked) in circumstances in which the floodwaters are turbulent, or contain floating or submerged debris that can bang into, and damage, one or more of the elongated vertical support members, etc. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a platform retaining member  300  that can be implemented in the system  100  of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the invention. The platform retaining member  300  comprises a ring  302  that is welded to, or otherwise integrally formed with, a mounting plate  304 . The mounting plate  304  comprises a plurality or holes  306  to connect the platform retaining member  300  to the frame  112  of the floating platform assembly  110 . The ring  302  can be circular-shaped, u-shaped, or square-shaped, for example. The size (e.g., inner diameter) of the ring  302  should be larger than the outer diameter (or size) of the vertical support member (e.g., piping) that is used in conjunction with the platform retaining member  300 . This will ensure that the platform retaining member  300  will freely slide along the vertical support member even as the floating platform assembly  110  rocks back and forth in turbulent floodwater, or when the weight (of the device/apparatus) on the floating platform assembly  110  is not centrally disposed (or evenly distributed over the decking), causing the horizontal plane of the floating platform assembly  110  to be tilted (and therefore not orthogonal) with respect to the vertical support members. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a platform retaining member  400  that can be implemented in the system  100  of  FIG. 1 , according to another embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the platform retaining member  400  comprises a U-bolt  402  that can be connected to the frame  112  of the floating platform assembly  110  using bolts  404  and washers (not shown), or using other conventional techniques for mounting U-bolt devices to structures. For the same or similar reasons discussed above with reference to  FIG. 3 , the size (e.g., inner diameter) of the U-bolt  402  should be larger than the outer diameter (or size) of the vertical support member (e.g., piping) that is used in conjunction with the platform retaining member  400 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a float member  500  that can be implemented in the system  100  of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the float member  500  comprises a block of Styrofoam or polystyrene foam, which can be cut to size to fit within the interior of the frame  112 .  FIG. 6  illustrates a float member  600  that can be implemented in the system  100  of  FIG. 1 , according to another embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the float member  600  is a commercially available foam-filled plastic float element. While commercially available foam-filled plastic float elements ( FIG. 6 ) are manufactured in various sizes and shapes, utilizing a block of Styrofoam or polystyrene foam ( FIG. 5 ) allows for more flexibility in constructing a custom sized and shaped floating platform assembly, as the block of Styrofoam or polystyrene foam can be custom cut (in size and shape) to accommodate the size and shape of the interior region of the frame portion  112  of the floating platform assembly  110 . On the other hand, commercially available foam-filled plastic float elements ( FIG. 6 ) are more structurally resilient to water and weather damage, as compared to the exposed Styrofoam or polystyrene foam material ( FIG. 5 ). In all embodiments, the size of the float member that is used (e.g., length, width, thickness) will depend on the weight of the device  140  that is to be supported by the floating platform assembly  110 , so as to achieve a suitable buoyancy and/or flotation capacity (in terms of weight). 
     Although illustrative embodiments of the present invention have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various other changes and modifications may be implemented by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.