Patent Publication Number: US-10774489-B1

Title: Flood mitigation system

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to flood mitigation systems, and, more particularly, to a flood barrier wall formed of a number of barrier units having structure along the bottom surface, and end-to-end connections, that collectively resist dislocation when impacted by flood waters and provide substantial protection against the ingress of water there through. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     It is often highly desirable to locate residences, businesses, farms and other establishments nearby bodies of water such as streams, rivers and lakes for aesthetic and commercial reasons. Depending upon weather conditions, elevation and other factors, many locations experience flooding from time-to-time which can create devastating material damage and life-threatening situations. 
     Locations that are particularly susceptible to flooding are often at least partially protected by earthen dikes, levees or other permanent structures erected along the banks of a body of water. Despite these measures, flood waters may crest above the level of permanent structures thus exposing establishments and residents to physical danger and economic loss. In other areas where flooding may occur only periodically, permanent flood barrier structures are often not employed at all. 
     The solution suggested in the prior art to both of the situations noted above is the erection of temporary flood barriers atop permanent structures or along the banks of a body of water with no permanent flood protection. The most common form of temporary flood protection is sand bags which are stacked atop one another to form a wall. The bags are typically made of burlap and filled with sand or other local fill material. While temporary sand bag walls provide some degree of protection from flood waters, they are highly labor intensive and time consuming to construct. Further, the sand bags are usually not reusable and must be disposed of after the flood danger has passed which is costly and creates a disposal problem. Moreover, sand bag walls tend to topple over if the flood water crests at or above the height of such walls, and can become structurally weakened, when saturated, to the point of failure. 
     A variety of other designs have been proposed in the prior art to mitigate the damage that can be caused by flooding. Inflatable barrier walls have been suggested, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,712,998; 5,984,577 and 5,538,360. Wall structures formed of aluminum, plastic or other materials are also common. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,690,865; 6,551,025 and 7,214,005. Further, modular units that are connected end-to-end to form a flood barrier wall have been suggested, such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,394,705. 
     All of the designs noted above suffer from one or more deficiencies. Those that are intended for a single use, such as sand bags, are of dubious economic value and create a disposal problem. Many temporary structures are bulky, cumbersome to erect and disassemble, and, require substantial space for storage. The cost of storage alone for units that are not needed for relatively long periods of time may be prohibitively expensive for communities, and especially for individual owners of residences and/or businesses. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention is directed to a flood mitigation system comprising a number of barrier units connected end-to-end to form a flood barrier wall wherein each individual unit includes gripping structure along a bottom wall to resist dislocation when impacted by flood water and floating debris. 
     In one presently preferred embodiment, each of the barrier units is formed of plastic material having a top wall, bottom wall, opposed end walls and opposed side walls interconnected to form a hollow interior which may receive ballast such as sand, water, gravel or combinations thereof. The bottom wall of each barrier unit is formed with a number of spaced channels, extending into the hollow interior toward the top wall, defining gripping elements between them. When the barrier units are placed on a surface such as soil or sand, and filled with ballast, the barrier units may sink downwardly so that the mud, sand or the like from such surface enters the channels of the barrier units and engages their gripping elements to prevent lateral displacement in response to forces exerted by flood water and debris. 
     In one embodiment, one of the end walls of each barrier unit is formed with an outwardly extending plate or tongue and the opposite end wall has an elongated groove. The barrier units may be positioned end-to-end to form a barrier wall wherein the tongue of one barrier unit extends into the groove of an adjacent unit. Preferably, a seal is provided in the end wall having the tongue in position to engage the end wall of an adjacent barrier unit with the elongated groove when such barrier units are connected together. In an alternative embodiment, each end wall is formed with an elongated groove such that when barrier units are placed end-to-end to form a barrier wall a board or plate may be inserted into the elongated groove of adjacent barriers, spanning two barrier units, to aid in securing them together. 
     The barrier units employed in the flood mitigation system of this invention are durable, light-weight when not filled with ballast, easy to handle and assemble, and may be used for a number of years. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The structure, operation and advantages of the presently preferred embodiment of this invention will become further apparent upon consideration of the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1A  is a schematic, perspective view of one embodiments of the flood mitigation system of this invention illustrating individual barrier units connected together end-to-end to form a barrier wall; 
         FIG. 1B  is side perspective view of two barrier units separated from one another showing a plate or board in position to be inserted within slots formed in each barrier unit when they are connected together; 
         FIG. 2  is a side perspective view of an individual barrier unit employed in the system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the opposite side of the barrier unit shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is an end view of one of the end walls in the barrier unit of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a view similar to  FIG. 4  except of the opposite end wall; and 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of structure for connecting adjacent barrier units together in a barrier wall. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1-5 , the flood mitigation system of this invention is formed of a number of barrier units  10  connected end-to-end to form a barrier wall  11  as schematically illustrated in  FIG. 1 . Each individual barrier unit  10  comprises a top wall  12 , a bottom wall  14 , opposed end walls  16 ,  18 , and, opposed side walls  20 ,  22  which are interconnected to collectively define a hollow interior  24 . For purposes of the present discussion, the terms “top,” “bottom,” “upper” and “lower,” refer to the vertical orientation of the barrier units  10  as depicted in the Figs. The terms “height,” “height dimension,” “longer” and “shorter” refer to a dimension measured in a direction between the top and bottom walls  12 ,  14 . The terms “depth” and “depth dimension” refer to a dimension measured in a direction between the side walls  20 ,  22 . 
     In the presently preferred embodiment, each of the walls  12 - 22  is formed of a semi-rigid plastic material chosen from the group consisting of low density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, acrylonitrile or butadiene styrene, high impact styrene, polycarbonates and the like. These plastic materials are all inherently tough and exhibit good energy absorption characteristics. They will also deform and elongate, but will not fail in a brittle manner at energy inputs which cause other materials to undergo brittle failure. Additionally, materials of this type are unaffected by weather and have excellent basic resistance to weathering, leaching and biodegradation. Ultraviolet inhibitors can be added to such materials making them further resistant to the effects of weather. They also retain their mechanical and chemical properties at low ambient temperatures. 
     The hollow interior  24  of each barrier unit  10  is preferably filled with a ballast material such as water or other liquid, a granular solid material such as sand, gravel and the like, or, combinations thereof. Preferably, the top wall  12  of barrier units  10  is formed with one or more fill holes  13  for insertion of ballast, and the bottom wall  14  may include one or more drain holes  15 . The walls  12 - 22  of barrier units  10  may have a thickness in the range of about ⅛ inch to 1 inch so as to perform satisfactorily in service. In one presently preferred embodiments, the barrier units  10  may have a length in the range of about 6 to 8 feet between end walls  16 ,  18 , a height of about 4 feet between the top and bottom walls  12 ,  14 , and, a depth between the opposed side walls  20 ,  22  of about 28 inches. At those dimensions, the barrier units have an internal volume of about 31.72 cubic feet and hold about 235 gallons of water. 
     The side walls  20 ,  22  of each barrier unit  10  have a somewhat different construction as best seen in  FIGS. 2-5 . The side wall  20  includes a base section  26  which extends from the bottom wall  14  to a horizontally oriented step or ledge  28 . The base section  26  may be tapered or angled inwardly, toward the side wall  22 , in a direction from the ledge  28  toward bottom wall  14 . The base section  26  may have a vertical height of about 9 inches, measured from the bottom wall  14  upwardly. The horizontal extent of the ledge  28  may be on the order of about 0.75 inches measured in the direction from the outer edge of base section  26  toward the hollow interior  24  of barrier device  10 . 
     Extending upwardly from the step  28 , in a direction toward top wall  12 , is an intermediate section  30  which terminates at an upper section  32 . The upper section  32 , in turn, is connected between the intermediate section  30  and the top wall  12  of barrier unit  10 . As best seen in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , both the intermediate section  30  and upper section  32  are tapered or angled in a direction toward the side wall  22 . The intermediate section  30  has an upper portion  34  joined with the upper section  32  and a lower portion  36  joined with the base section  26 . The upper and lower portions  34 ,  36  of intermediate section  30  are connected by a second ledge  38  which may be about 0.50 inches measured in a direction from the outer edge of lower portion  34  toward side wall  22 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , a number of stabilizers  40  are integrally formed in the intermediate section  30  of side wall  20 , at regularly spaced intervals between the end walls  16 ,  18 . Each stabilizer  40  includes a floor  42  and opposed sides  44  and  46 . The floor  42  of each stabilizer  40  is coplanar with the ledge  28 . The sides  44 ,  46  of each stabilizer  40  taper inwardly, toward one another, in a direction from the floor  42  toward the ledge  38 . 
     The side wall  22  comprises a base section  48  which extends from the bottom wall  14  to a horizontally oriented step or ledge  50 . The base section  48  may be tapered or angled inwardly, toward the side wall  20 , in a direction from the ledge  50  toward bottom wall  14 . The base section  48  may have a vertical height of about 9 inches, measured from the bottom wall  14  upwardly. The horizontal extent of the ledge  50  may be on the order of about 2 inches measured in the direction from the outer edge of base section  48  toward the hollow interior  24  of barrier device  10 . 
     Extending upwardly from the ledge  50 , in a direction toward top wall  12 , is an intermediate section  52  which terminates at an upper section  54 . The upper section  54 , in turn, is connected between the intermediate section  52  and the top wall  12  of barrier unit  10 . As best seen in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , both the intermediate section  52  and upper section  54  are tapered or angled in a direction toward the side wall  20 . The intermediate section  52  has an upper portion  56  joined with the upper section  54  and a lower portion  58  joined with the base section  48 . The upper and lower portions  56 ,  58  of intermediate section  48  are connected by a second ledge  60  which may be about 0.50 inches measured in a direction from the outer edge of lower portion  58  toward side wall  20 . As viewed in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the intermediate section  52  of side wall  22  is substantially longer than the intermediate section  30  of side wall  20 . The upper section  54  of side wall  22  is substantially shorter than the upper section  32  of side wall  20 . 
     A number of stabilizers  62  are integrally formed in the intermediate section  52  of side wall  22 , at regularly spaced intervals between the end walls  16 ,  18 . Each stabilizer  62  includes a floor  64  and opposed sides  66  and  68 . The floor  64  of each stabilizer  62  is coplanar with the ledge  50 . The sides  66 ,  68  of each stabilizer  62  taper inwardly, toward one another, in a direction from the floor  64  toward the ledge  60 . 
     In the presently preferred embodiment, the bottom wall  14  of each barrier unit  10  may be formed with a number of channels  64   a ,  64   b  and  64   c  which are spaced from one another in a direction from one side wall  20  to the other side wall  22 , and which extend between end walls  16 ,  18 . The channels  64   a - c  protrude into the interior  24  of the barrier units  10 , toward top wall  12 , preferably at a height of about 3.5 inches. Adjacent channels  64   a - c  define gripping elements  66   a - d  in the bottom wall  14 . Specifically, gripping element  66   a  is formed between the bottom section  26  of side wall  20  and channel  64   a , gripping element  66   b  is located between adjacent channels  64   a  and  64   b , gripping element  66   c  is formed by channels  64   b  and  64   c , and, the fourth gripping element  66   d  extends from the channel  64   c  to the bottom section  48  of side wall  22 . In one presently preferred embodiment, wherein the depth of the barrier units  10  is 28 inches, each of the channels  64   a - c  may have a depth dimension of 3.5 inches, and the depth of gripping elements  66   a - d  may be 2.56 inches, 4.25 inches, 4.25 inches and 5.56 inches, respectively. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , a vertical plane  68  is diagrammatically shown in broken lines which bisects the top wall  12  and extends through the hollow interior  24  of barrier unit  10  between the top and bottom walls  12 ,  14 . The hollow interior  24  of barrier unit  10  inherently has an internal volume, and the vertical plane  68  divides it into a first volume  70  and a second volume  72 . The first volume is located in the space defined by the top wall  12 , bottom wall  14 , side wall  20 , the vertical plane  68  and end walls  16 ,  18 . The remainder of the volume of hollow interior  24  forms the second volume  72  which is defined by the top and bottom walls  12 ,  14 , the end walls  16 ,  18  and the space between the vertical plane  68  and side wall  22 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the vertical plane  68  intersects the bottom wall  14  approximately midway through the channel  64   b . The cumulative depth dimension of the gripping elements  66   a  and  66   b , the channel  64   a  and about half of the channel  64   b  is less than the cumulative depth dimension of the gripping elements  66   c  and  66   d , the channel  64   c  and the remainder of the channel  64   b.    
     It is apparent from viewing  FIG. 4  that more total volume, and, hence, greater mass when the barrier units  10  are filled with ballast material, is present on the right-hand side of the vertical plane  68  in  FIG. 4  (within second volume  72 ) than the left-hand side of such plane  68  (within first volume  70 ). The purpose of this construction is to provide a counter-balance against the force of flood water and debris that impact the side wall  20  of barrier units  10  when positioned to form the barrier wall  11 . The greater mass within second volume  72 , opposite side wall  20 , assists in preventing barrier units  10  from tipping over and tends to force the gripping elements  66   c  and  66   d  in a downward direction, toward the ground or other substrate beneath, so that the barrier units  10  better resist lateral displacement when impacted. The greater depth dimension of the gripping elements  66   c  and  66   d  of bottom wall  14  further enhances lateral stability of barrier units  10 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2-4 , the end wall  16  of each barrier unit  10  is formed with an outwardly protruding plate or tongue  74  which preferably extends from the channel  64   b  to a generally L-shaped slot  76  formed in part of the end wall  16  and top wall  12 . Preferably, the slot  76  has a vertical leg  78  formed in the end wall  16 , above the top end of tongue  74 , which is connected to a horizontal leg  80  formed in the top wall  12 . As best seen in  FIG. 4 , the end wall  16  mounts a seal  82  which comprises a vertical segment  84  extending between the gripping element  66   b  and top wall  12 , a second vertical segment  86  located between the gripping element  66   c  and top wall  12 , and, a horizontal segment  88 . The vertical segments  84 ,  86  are located on opposite sides of the tongue  74  of end wall  16 , and the horizontal segment  88  is connected between the vertical segments  84 ,  86 . Preferably, the seal segments  84 - 88  protrude outwardly from the surface of the end wall  16  and may be formed of an elastomeric material. 
     The opposite end wall  18  is formed with an elongated groove  90 , and an L-shaped slot  76  as in end wall  16 . The elongated groove  90  is located between the channel  64   b  and a point just below the vertical leg  78  of slot  76 . See  FIG. 5 . 
     The elongated groove  90  in the end wall  18  of each barrier unit  10  is positioned and dimensioned to receive and secure the tongue  74  on the end wall  16  of an adjacent barrier unit  10  when they are connected together to form the barrier wall  11 . With the tongue  74  seated within elongated groove  90 , the segments  84 - 88  of seal  82  on end wall  16  of one barrier unit  10  contact the facing surface of end wall  18  of an abutting barrier unit  10  to resist the passage of flood water, debris and the like between adjacent barrier units  10 . Additionally, as schematically shown in  FIG. 1B , a board or plate  92  may be inserted within respective L-shaped slots  76  in the end wall  16  of one barrier unit  10  and the end wall  18  of an adjacent barrier unit  10  when connected end-to-end within barrier wall  11 . Such plate  82  spans the adjacent barriers  10  and assists in resisting lateral displacement of the barrier wall  11 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , and alternative embodiment is illustrated of structure to connect adjacent barrier units  10  together within barrier wall  11 . In this embodiment, both of the end walls  16  and  18  are formed with a vertical groove  94  located between the top wall  12  and the channel  64   b . For ease of illustration, only the end wall  16  is shown in the drawings. A slot  96  is formed in the top wall  12  and connected to the groove  94 . A board or plate (not shown) may be inserted within the groove  94  and slot  96  in the end wall  16  of one barrier unit  10 , and simultaneously into the elongated groove  94  and slot  96  of an adjacent barrier unit  10 , when such units  10  are placed end-to-end within barrier wall  11 . The plate or board has sufficient width to span adjacent barrier units  10 , and a length to extend along the entire vertical extent of grooves  94 , so that it snugly fits within respective grooves  94  and slots  96  of each barrier unit  10 . Additionally, the plate or board may be formed with an angle such as 22°, 45° or 90°, so that adjacent barrier units  10  may be oriented at an angle relative to one another in order to follow a curve or other angulation required by the terrain on which the barrier wall  11  is positioned. 
     The flood mitigation system of this invention resists displacement when impacted with flood water and debris due the construction of its bottom wall  14  and either of the connections between the end walls  16 ,  18  of adjacent barrier units  10  as described above and shown in the drawings. It is contemplated that on surfaces that have been or will be softened by rain, melting snow or waterway overflow, the barrier units  10  filled with ballast material will sink into such surfaces such that mud, sand and the like may enter channels  64   a - c  and engage the gripping elements  66   a - d . The gripping elements  66   a - d  have sufficient rigidity and height such that lateral displacement in response to impact by flood water and debris is minimized. Further, the connections between the end walls  16 ,  18  of adjacent barrier units  10  within barrier wall  11  adds additional resistance to lateral displacement. 
     While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. For example, the dimensions of the various elements of barrier units  10  noted above are given by way of example only and in no way limit the scope of this invention. 
     Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.