Patent Publication Number: US-2004047689-A1

Title: Barrier device and method for building barrier wall

Description:
FIELD  
       [0001] This invention relates generally to barrier devices and more specifically to barrier devices used to build barrier walls.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002] Barrier devices, such as sandbags, are used to build makeshift barrier walls, that serve a variety of purposes. For instance, towns and municipalities located on flood plains build barrier walls to protect property from onrushing floodwater, road or highway commissions build retaining walls to prevent automobiles from driving off treacherous stretches of road, and military or police agencies build fortifications to prevent unauthorized vehicles from entering secure areas as well as to provide a barrier to resist ballistic penetration. These are only some of the functions for which barrier walls are used.  
       [0003] Regardless of their use, however, barrier walls must be easily assembled and provide sufficient stability to perform their intended functions. For example, a municipality with onrushing floodwater must build a stable wall quickly. Accordingly, the barrier devices used to construct barrier walls must have characteristics that provide for speedy construction and stability.  
       [0004] Unfortunately, many common barrier devices lack these characteristics. Conventional sandbags, for instance, are unwieldy, difficult to align, and it often takes a plethora of them to build a single wall. Sandbag walls also lack stability and onrushing water and moving objects often topple sandbag walls.  
       [0005] Accordingly, there is a need for a barrier device that is easily transported, easily aligned, and provide barrier walls with superior stability to that of conventional barrier walls. In addition, there is a need for a barrier wall, and a method for building a barrier wall with a barrier device of this type.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0006] Pursuant to the present invention, shortcomings of the existing art are overcome and additional-advantages are provided through the provision of a barrier device and method for building barrier walls.  
       [0007] The invention in one example comprises a barrier device. The barrier device includes a first containment chamber and a second containment chamber. The first containment chamber is secured to the second containment chamber by a connector.  
       [0008] The invention, in another example, encompasses a barrier device. In the barrier device a sidewall defines at least one chamber. At least one loop that is constructed of a strip is secured at opposing ends of the strip to the sidewall to permit insertion of a rigid support member into the at least one loop.  
       [0009] The invention in a further aspect, encompasses a barrier wall. The barrier wall includes a first barrier device having a first containment chamber, a second containment chamber, and a connector. A containment chamber of a second barrier device is positioned between the first containment chamber and the second containment chamber and is positioned in overlying relationship to the connector.  
       [0010] The invention in another aspect comprises a method. A first barrier device, having a first containment chamber, a second containment chamber, and a connector is positioned on a support surface. A containment chamber of a second barrier device is positioned between the first containment chamber and the second containment chamber of the first barrier device and overlying the connector.  
       [0011] These and other features are apparent from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings and the appended claims. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
     [0012]FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a barrier device;  
     [0013]FIG. 2 is a back perspective view of the barrier device of FIG. 1 with closed containment chambers;  
     [0014]FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial front perspective view of the barrier device of FIG. 1;  
     [0015]FIG. 3A is an enlarged partial front perspective view of a barrier device employing interlocking fasteners to close a containment chamber;  
     [0016]FIG. 3B is a side view of the containment chamber of FIG. 3A with the interlocking fasteners engaged;  
     [0017]FIG. 4 is a exploded front perspective view of the barrier device of FIG. 1;  
     [0018]FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the barrier device of FIG. 1;  
     [0019]FIG. 6A is a front perspective view of the barrier device of FIG. 1 including utilization of loops that receive rigid support members;  
     [0020]FIG. 6B is a partial view of one chamber a barrier device utilizing a lift loop having ends that are connected to the barrier device in the same location.  
     [0021]FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of another example of a barrier device;  
     [0022]FIG. 8A is a front perspective view of two aligned barrier devices supporting a third barrier device utilized in forming a barrier wall;  
     [0023]FIG. 8B is a front perspective view of the construction of a barrier wall; and  
     [0024]FIG. 9 is a cross section view taken along line  9 - 9  of FIG. 8B. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
     [0025] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, barrier device  100  comprises a sidewall  101 . Sidewall  101  in one example is constructed of a material that is strong enough to hold a filler material, such as sand or other suitable materials. Examples of such a material include but are not limited to heavy duty fabric, heavy duty plastic, and/or reinforced plastic cloth. The material should have sufficient flexibility to allow the barrier device  100  to conform in shape to a support surface such as the ground or another barrier so as to create a barrier wall. In one example, the material could be waterproof.  
     [0026] Sidewall  101  comprises three portions: a first portion  102  that defines a first containment chamber  104 , a second portion  106  that defines a second containment chamber  108 , and a third portion  110  that defines a connector  112 . Sidewall  101  in one example is substantially rectangular in shape. Accordingly, the length of sidewall  101  is greater than the width of sidewall  101 .  
     [0027] Both first containment chamber  104  and second containment chamber  108  comprise a space that receives a filler material. Containment chambers  104 ,  108 , when filled and positioned relative to containment chambers of other barrier devices, are used to build a barrier wall.  
     [0028] Connector  1   12  performs a variety of functions, such as securing first containment chamber  104  to second containment chamber  108 . Connector  112  is positioned between first containment chamber  104  and second containment chamber  108 , and extends along at least a portion of the length of containment chambers  104 ,  108 . Connector  112  has a lower elevation relative to an elevation of first containment chamber  104  and second containment chamber  108  when containment chambers  104 ,  108  contain a filler material and are positioned on a support surface. The elevation of first containment chamber  104  and second containment chamber  108  with respect to connector  112  forms channel  114 . Channel  114  extends along the length of containment chambers  104 ,  108 . Channel  114  can receive a containment chamber of another barrier device, as will be described in more detail herein.  
     [0029] Referring further to FIGS. 1 and 2, positioned on the top side of sidewall  101  within an area that is defined by the containment chamber  104  and second containment chamber  108  are first loop  116  and second loop  118 . First loop  116  and second loop  118  permit the insertion of one or more support members, such as wooden or steel poles, between the loops and the top side of sidewall  101 . Loops  116 ,  118  act as lift loops to allow users of barrier device  100  to lift, position, and/or carry barrier device  100  as will be described in more detail herein.  
     [0030] Referring now to FIG. 1, the first portion  102  of sidewall  101  further defines first opening  120  that is in communication with first containment chamber  104 . Second portion  106  defines second opening  122  that is in communication with second containment chamber  108 . In one example both first opening  120  and second opening  122  are positioned at the same end of and along the width of sidewall  101 . Filler material is inserted into barrier device  100  through first opening  120  and second opening  122 . Both first opening  120  and second opening  122  can be closed and sealed by flaps  124  to prevent filler material from leaking out of the containment chambers  104 ,  108 .  
     [0031] Referring to FIG. 3, flaps  124 , in one example, comprise securement flaps  302  and insert flaps  304 . Securement flaps  302  extend along the first opening  120  and the second opening  122 , respectively. Each securement flap  302  has a first end  306  that is attached to the sidewall  101  along its respective opening. In one example, first end  306  is attached integrally to the sidewall  101 .  
     [0032] Each securement flap  302  also has second end  308 . In one example, second end  308  is releasably securable to another portion  309  of sidewall  101  along first opening  120  and second opening  122  respectively, through the employment of connecting strips  310  and connecting strips  312 .  
     [0033] Connecting strips  310  are each attached to the other portion  309  of sidewall  101  and extend along each of first opening  120  and second opening  122 . Connecting strips  312  each are attached to second end  308  of securement flaps  302  along widths that correspond to the first opening  120  and the second opening  122 , respectively.  
     [0034] In one example, connecting strips  312  carry the opposite hook or loop fasteners that connecting strips  310  carry. Accordingly, connecting strips  310  and the connecting strips  312  carry mating hook and loop fasteners.  
     [0035] Securement flaps  302  are employed to close and seal first opening  120  and the second opening  122 . To close and seal openings  120 ,  122  each securement flap  302  is bent so as to overly its respective opening  120 ,  122  (see arrows  2  in FIG. 2). Connecting strips  3   2  located at second end  308  of each securement flap  302  are then each connected to mating connecting strips  312  attached to the sidewall  101 .  
     [0036] Referring still to FIG. 3, insert flaps  304  are employed to seal openings  120 ,  122 . Each insert flap  304  extends along either first opening  120  or second opening  122  of sidewall  101 , respectively. Each insert flap  304  has a first end  314  that is attached to the sidewall  101  along first opening  120  and second opening  122  respectively. In one example first end  314  is attached to the other portion  309  of sidewall  101 . In another example, the first end  314  is integral to the other portion  309  of sidewall  101 . Each insert flap  304  also has a second end  316 . In one example, second end  316  is insertable into first opening  120  and second opening  122  respectively.  
     [0037] When insert flaps  304  are employed to seal first opening  120  and second opening  122 , each insert flap  304  is bent so as to overly its respective opening  120 ,  122  (see arrow  1  in FIG. 1). A portion of second end  316  of each insert flap  304  is then inserted into first opening  120  and second opening  122 , respectively. Securement flaps  302  then overly insert flaps  304  and hold insert flaps  304  in place when the hook and loop connecting strips  310 ,  312  are engaged. In this manner, securement flaps  302  and insert flaps  304  work in conjunction to close and seal first opening  120  and second opening  122 .  
     [0038] Referring to FIG. 3A, in one example, mating interlocking fasteners  350  could be used instead of connecting strips  310 ,  312  to close first containment chambers  104  and/or second containment chamber  108 . Interlocking fasteners  350  in one example comprise elongated strips of plastic each having a “J” crossection.  
     [0039] A first interlocking fastener  352  is attached to other portion  309  of sidewall  101  and extends along first opening  120  and/or second opening  122 . A second interlocking fastener  354  is attached to second end  308  of securement flap  302  along a width that corresponds to first opening  120  and/or the second opening  122 . In one example, both the first interlocking fasteners  352  and the second interlocking fastener are attached to sidewall  102  by a line of stitching that extends along each interlocking fastener  352 ,  354  along the straight portion of the “J”.  
     [0040] To seal first opening  120  and/or second opening  122 , each insert flap  304  is bent so as to overly its respective opening as described above. A portion of second end  316  of insert flap  304  is then inserted into first opening  120  and/or second opening  122 , respectively. Securement flaps  302  are then bent to overly insert flaps  304  and connected to the other portion of sidewall through utilization of interlocking fasteners  350  which are releasably securable to one another.  
     [0041] Referring to FIG. 3B, first and second interlocking fasteners  352 ,  354  are shown mated together. The releasably interlocking fasteners  352 ,  354  are mated by snapping together a curved end  356  of the first interlocking fastener  352  and a curved end  358  of the second interlocking fastener.  
     [0042] Turning to FIG. 4, an exemplary description of the components of barrier device  100  is now provided. Sidewall  101 , in one example, comprises a first overlying substantially rectangular sheet  402  that is secured to a second overlying substantially rectangular sheet  404 . Overlying rectangular sheets  402 ,  404  in one example are generally rectangular and of the same dimensions. First loop  116  and second loop  118 , in one example, comprise two rectangular strips  405  that are attached to top overlying sheet  402 . Accordingly, first loop  116  and second loop  118  are attached to the top of sidewall  101 . Connecting strips  310 ,  312  comprise rectangular strips  406  of material that contain mating hook and loop fasteners. In one example, the strips are made of Velcro®.  
     [0043] Flaps  124  are formed from first overlying sheets  402  and second overlying sheet  404 . For instance, a portion  408  of first overlying sheet  402  that corresponds to first containment chamber  104  defines one insert flap  304 , and a portion  410  of first overlying sheet  402  that corresponds to second containment chamber  108  defines another insert flap  304 . Cutout portions  412 ,  413  from the first overlying sheet  402  further define insert flaps  304 .  
     [0044] A portion  414  of the second overlying sheet  404  that corresponds to first containment chamber  104  defines one securement flap  302 , and a portion  416  of the second overlying sheet  404  that corresponds to second containment chamber  108  defines the other securement flap  302 . Cutout portions  418 ,  419  from second overlying sheet  404  further define securement flaps  302 .  
     [0045] Referring to FIG. 5, an exemplary description of construction of barrier device  100  is now provided. In one example, the first overlying sheet  402  is placed over the second overlying sheet  404  (not shown). As each overlying sheets  402 ,  404  is substantially rectangular, each overlying sheet  402 ,  404  has a perimeter  502  having two opposing sides  504  and two opposing ends  506 .  
     [0046] First overlying sheet  402  and second overlying sheet  404  are secured together by stitches  508 . In one example, stitching  508  comprises a plurality of lines of stitches or double lines of stitches that extend along overlying sheets  402 ,  404 . The particular characteristics of stitching  508  is only important to secure two overlying sheets  402 ,  404  reliably together when barrier device  100  is filled with filler material and in use. Therefore, it should be understood that stitch configurations, such as a zig zag, could also be used to secure the overlying sheets  402 ,  404  together. Similarly, the thread used to create stitching  508  must be able to reliably secure the overlying sheets  402 ,  404  together while the barrier device is filled with filler material and in use. Examples of thread that can be used are Nylon and Kevlar®. It should be noted, however, that Kevlar® thread wears out faster in sunlight then nylon thread. Therefore, the necessary longevity of barrier device  100  is a consideration when choosing the materials with which to construct barrier device  100 .  
     [0047] Still referring to FIG. 5, opposing lengths  504  extend along two overlying sheets  402 ,  404  a length L. In one example, L is approximately 49 inches. Opposing sides  506  extend along overlying sheets  402 ,  404  a width W. W in one example approximately 31 inches. The dimensions given for W and L are for exemplary purposes only. The width W and length L of overlying sheets  402 ,  404  can be a variety of combinations. The larger that barrier device  100  is, the less number of barrier devices  100  are needed to build a wall. Nevertheless, if barrier device  100  is too large, it will be too heavy to carry. For instance, a barrier device  100  having these dimensions would weigh anywhere from 120 to 160 pounds when filled with a filler material, such as sand. Therefore, the particular dimensions of barrier device  100  should be chosen with an eye to its intended use.  
     [0048] Overlying sheets  402 ,  404  are also stitched together along perimeter  502 . For instance, one line of stitches  518  extends along one of opposing sides  504  of perimeter  502  and another line of stitches  520  extends along the other of opposing sides  504  of perimeter  502 . A line of stitches  522  extends along one of opposing ends  506  of perimeter  502  of sidewall  101 .  
     [0049] To form the first containment chamber  104 , the second containment chamber  108 , and the connector  112 , a first line of stitches  524  and a second line of stitches  526 , which are spaced apart from and are generally parallel to the two opposing sides  504 , extend along a portion of the length L of the two overlying sheets  402 ,  404 . The first line of stitches  524  and the second line of stitches  526  are spaced apart and generally parallel to each other. Line of stitches  522  extends along one opposing end  506  of the perimeter  502  and is positioned transverse to the first and second lines of stitches  524 ,  526 . Consequently, line of stitches  518 , line of stitches  522 , and line of stitches  524  form first containment chamber  104  and opening  120 . Line of stitches  524 , line of stitches  522  and second line of stitches  526  form connector  112 . Line of stitches  520 , line of stitches  522 , and line of stitches  526  form second containment chamber  108 .  
     [0050] In FIG. 5, barrier device  100  has a rectangular shape, as do first containment chamber  104 , second containment chamber  108 , and connector  112 . These rectangular shapes result from the rectangular shape of overlying sheets  402 ,  404  and the geometric relation of lines of stitches  510  relative to each other. The shape of overlying sheets  402 , 404  and the geometric relationships of lines of stitches  510  could be altered to produce numerous variations on the shape of barrier device  100  and its constituent elements (i.e., first containment chamber  104 , second containment chamber  108 , connector  112 , etc.). All of these variations are within the scope of the present disclosure.  
     [0051] Referring further to FIG. 5, first loop  116  and second loop  118  are connected to first overlying sheet  402 . Both loops  116 ,  118  are constructed of a rectangular strip of material  405  having two opposing ends  528 . Strip  405  can be made of the same material as overlying sheets  402 ,  404  or made of another material suitable and strong enough to receive rigid support members. Opposing ends  528  are stitched to sidewall  101  in a spaced apart relationship along a length of strip  405 . In one example one opposing end  528  is connected to the sidewall and another opposing end  528  is connected to another portion of the sidewall  101 . For example, one opposing end  528  is secured to sidewall  101  along a perimeter of the first containment chamber  104  and the second containment chamber  108 , and another opposing end  528  is secured to the sidewall  101  within the perimeter of the first containment chamber  104  and the second containment chamber  108 . Another example, one opposing end  528  of each strip  405  is stitched to the sidewall  101  along one of opposing sides  504  of the perimeter  502  of overlying sheet  402 . In a further example, the distance between opposing ends  528  for each loop  116  and  118  is less than the width of first containment chamber  104  and second containment chamber  108 , respectively.  
     [0052] Referring still to FIG. 5, strips  405  are rectangular in shape and are positioned such that first loop  116  and second loop  118  are substantially bounded by areas substantially bounded by perimeters of first containment chamber  104  and second containment chamber  108 , respectively. Strips  405  in one example are secured to sidewall  101  along the perimeters of first containment chamber  104  and second containment chamber  108 , respectively. Strips  405 , in one example, have a length that is at least equal to one half the length of the containment chambers  104 ,  108 . Both strips  405  are generally centered along a length of containment chambers  104 ,  108  and are generally parallel to each other. The shape and placement of strips  405 , however, could be varied in numerous ways, provided the resulting loops were sufficient to receive rigid support members and act as lift loops to help a user to position, carry, and align barrier device  100 . It should also be noted that connecting strips are also shown in FIG. 5 stitched to sidewall, and could be of numerous lengths, shapes, and configurations provided they function to seal openings  120 ,  122 .  
     [0053] Further referring to FIG. 5, in one example, line of stitches  524  and line of stitches  526  are each spaced a distance w from a corresponding line of stitches  518  and line of stitches  520 , respectively. In one example, w equals 11 inches. Accordingly, the width of the first containment chamber  104  and the second containment chamber  108 , prior to being filled with filler material, is 11 inches. Line of stitches  522 , in one example, is spaced a distance I from openings  120 ,  122  (not shown). In one example, I equals 45 inches. Accordingly, the length of containment chambers  104 ,  108  is 45 inches.  
     [0054] Now referring to FIGS. 1 and 5, when building a barrier wall, one of containment chambers  104 ,  108  of one barrier device  100  can be received into channel  114  formed by filled containment chambers  104 ,  108  and connector  112  of another barrier device  100 , to produce a sealing effect between the two barrier devices  100 . Accordingly, to produce a tight seal, the width of connector  112  must be substantially equal to the width of containment chambers  104 ,  108  when containment chambers  104 ,  108  contain filler material.  
     [0055] One method of computing the width of connector  112  is to model filled containment chambers  104 ,  108  as perfect circles. In the model, the diameter of the perfect circle would be approximately equal to the width of containment chambers  104 ,  108  when filled with filler material. It is well known that the diameter (D) of a circle is the circumference (C) divided by Π:  
       D=C/Π,    (1)  
     [0056] If containment chambers  104 ,  108  were modeled as circles, the circumference of the containment chambers  104 ,  108  would equal approximately 22 inches (2× the width of each chamber, which in this example the width is 11 inches). Solving for equation (1), the width of chambers  104 ,  108  when filled with material (i.e., diameter of the hypothetical circle) is:  
     22/Π inches≈7 inches;  
     [0057] therefore, the width of filled containment chamber  104 ,  108  would equal approximately 7 inches. Accordingly, the first line of stitches  524  and the second line of stitches  526  in this example should be spaced 7 inches apart to form a connector  112  approximately 7 inches wide. Therefore, in the example the ratio of the width of connector  112  to the width of one of the first containment chamber  104  and second containment chamber  108 , equals 2/Π.  
     [0058] Turning now to FIG. 6A, first loop  116  and second loop  118  are now described in use. First loop  116  and second loop  118  are shown receiving rigid support members  602 . Rigid support members  602 , in one example, comprise wooden poles. In another example, rigid support members  602  comprise steel or plastic polls. In a further example, the rigid support members  602  comprise an end of a fork lift. Rigid support members  602  simply must act as a means to lift, transport and position barrier device  100 .  
     [0059] Referring now to FIG. 6B, an alternative to forming first loop  116  and second loop  118  by stitching opposing ends  528  to sidewall  101  in a spaced apart relationship is shown. As an alternative, first loop  116  and/or second loop  118  are formed by folding strip  405  in half and attaching opposing ends  528  to the same portion of sidewall  101 . For example, one opposing end  528  is secured to sidewall  101  along a perimeter of first containment chamber  104  and/or second containment chamber  108 , and the other opposing end  528  is secured to the sidewall  101  along the same portion the perimeter of the first containment chamber  104  and/or the second containment chamber  108 , respectively. In one example, opposing ends  528  could be stitched to the sidewall  101  along one or both of opposing sides  504  of the perimeter  502  of overlying sheet  402 .  
     [0060]FIG. 7 depicts an exemplary description of a barrier device  100  in accordance with another example of the present invention.  
     [0061] In one example, first containment chamber  104  comprises a first containment bag  702 , and second containment chamber  108  comprises a second containment bag  704 . Each of containment bags  702 ,  704  are constructed a material that is strong enough to hold a filler material and flexible enough to allow barrier device  100  to conform to a support surface. Examples of such a material are heavy duty fabric, heavy duty plastic, and/or reinforced plastic cloth. In example, first containment bag  702  and second containment bag  704  are generally rectangular in shape.  
     [0062] Connector  112 , in one example, comprises a flexible strip of material. Strip of material or connector  112 , in one example, is constructed of a flexible waterproof material. Examples of such a material are heavy duty fabric, heavy duty plastic, and/or reinforced plastic cloth. In another example, strip of material or connector  112  has a generally rectangular shape. Connector  112  is stitched along opposing perimeter lengths  708  of strip  112  to first containment bag  702  and second containment bag  704 , respectively. In one example strip of material  112  extends along a length of the first containment bag  702  and second containment bag  704 , respectively. In one example first containment bag  702  and second containment bag  704  each have a width greater than the width of strip of material  112 .  
     [0063] Connector  112  in one example is positioned between first containment bag  702  and second containment bag  704 . Connector  112  has a lower elevation relative the uppermost elevation of first containment bag  702  and second containment bag  704  when barrier device  100  is filled and positioned on a support surface. The lower elevation of connector  112  and its proximity between first containment bag  702  and second containment bag  704  forms a channel  712  by and along a length of first containment bag  702 , second containment bag  704  and connector  112 . Channel  712  is employed to receive a containment bag of another barrier device  100 . Channel  712  acts to seal two barrier devices  100  together.  
     [0064] Barrier device  100  further comprises loops  714  that extend along the length of the first containment chamber  702  and second containment chamber  704 , respectively. Loops  714  are each comprised of a strip of material that has a substantially rectangular shape. The strips of material are attached to bags  702 ,  704  along opposing perimeter lengths  718  of bags  702 ,  704  respectively. The strips, in one example, are attached to the bags by stitching. In one example strips extend to at least one half of the length of the first containment bag  702  and the second containment bag  704 , respectively. In use, loops  714  receive rigid support members, in the manner similar described with respect to FIG. 6.  
     [0065] An exemplary description of the manner in which barrier device  100  is used to construct a barrier wall, and the sealing properties of channels  114 ,  712  as described above with respect to FIGS. 1 and 7 is now provided.  
     [0066] Referring to FIG. 8A, shown are three barrier devices  100 , a first barrier device  802 , a second barrier device  804 , and a third barrier device  806 . Each barrier device  802 ,  804 ,  806  comprises first containment chamber  104 , second containment chamber  108 , and connector  112 . In one example, the containment chambers  104 ,  108  of each barrier device  802 ,  804 ,  806  are spaced apart a distance less than a width of each containment chambers  104 ,  108  of each barrier device  802 ,  804 ,  806 . In a further example the ratio of the width of connector  112  of each barrier device  802 ,  804 ,  806  to the width of each containment chambers  104 ,  108  of each barrier device  802 ,  804 ,  806  is  2 / 11 . In one example each barrier device  802 ,  804 ,  806  is constructed as described above with respect to FIGS.  1 - 7 . Each containment chamber  104 ,  108  is filled with a filler material, such as sand or other suitable material, and sealed shut with flaps. Each barrier device  100  has loops  116 ,  118  that are employed as lift loops to receive rigid support members and aid in the lifting, carrying, and alignment of the barrier devices  802 ,  804 ,  806 .  
     [0067] In one example, to build a barrier wall  800 , first barrier device  802  and third barrier device  806  are both placed on a support surface  803 , such as the ground, and aligned longitudinally and abutted to one another. For instance, the ends of containment chambers  808 ,  810  of first barrier device  802 , and the ends of containment chambers  812 ,  814  of third barrier device  806  meet at joint  816 . Connector  818  of first barrier device  802  and connector  820  of third barrier device  806  are also longitudinally aligned and meet at joint  816 . Containment chambers  808 ,  810  and connector  818  of first barrier device  802 , and containment chambers  812 ,  814  and connector  820  of third barrier device  806  form channel  822 .  
     [0068] Still referring to FIG. 8A, in one example containment chamber  824  of second barrier device  804  is positioned between the containment chambers  808 ,  810  of first barrier device  802  and containment chambers  812 ,  814  of third barrier devices  806 . Containment chamber  824  of second barrier device  804  is positioned in an overlying relationship with connector  818  of first barrier device  802  and connector  820  of third barrier devices  806 . In one example, containment chamber  824  of second barrier device  804  is in contact with connector  818  of first barrier device  802  and connector  820  of third barrier devices  806 . Containment chamber  824  of second barrier device  804  in one example is also positioned in contact with containment chambers  808 ,  810  of first barrier device  802  and containment chambers  812 ,  814  of third barrier device  806 . Accordingly, containment chamber  824  of second barrier device  804  is positioned in channel  822 . The downward force of containment chamber  824  reacts with channel  822  in such a way as to cause the filler material in containment chamber  824  to align in the shape of channel  822 . Consequently, containment chamber  824  molds itself to at least a portion of channel  822 , thereby creating a seal between the first, second, and third barrier devices,  802 ,  804 ,  806 .  
     [0069] Referring further to FIG. 8A, connector  828  of second barrier device  804  overlies containment chamber  808  of first barrier device  802  and containment chamber  812  of third barrier device  806 . In one example, connector  828  overlies and contacts a portion of both containment chamber  808  and containment chamber  812  of first barrier device  802  and third barrier devices  806 , respectively. In one example containment chamber  824  of second barrier device  804  contacts a side  830  of containment chambers  808 ,  812  of first barrier device  802  and third barrier device  806 , respectively. Containment chamber  826  of second barrier device  804  contacts an opposing side  832  of containment chambers  808 ,  812  of first barrier device  802  and third barrier device  806 , respectively. The downward force caused by containment chamber  824 , and containment chamber  826  of second barrier device  804 , causes connector  828  of second barrier device  804  to exert a downward force on containment chambers  808 ,  812  of first barrier device  802  and third barrier device  806 , respectively. The downward force causes connector  828  to conform to the shape of containment chamber  808  and containment chamber  812  of first barrier device  802  and third barrier device  806 , respectively. Accordingly, containment chamber  824 , containment chamber  826 , and connector  828  of second barrier device  804  seal joint  816  between first barrier device  802  and third barrier device  806 .  
     [0070] An exemplary description of a method for building a barrier wall through employment of one or more of barrier device  100  is now provided.  
     [0071] In one example, the building of the barrier wall involves positioning first barrier device  802  on a support surface, such as the ground. Third barrier device  806  is positioned on the support surface such that containment chamber  808 , second containment chamber  810 , and connector  818  of first barrier device  802  are aligned longitudinally and abut with the containment chamber  812 , containment chamber  814 , and connector  820  respectively of third barrier device  806 .  
     [0072] Containment chamber  824  of second barrier device  804  is positioned between containment chamber  808  and containment chamber  810  of first barrier device  802  and containment chamber  812  and containment chamber  814  of third barrier device  806 . Containment chamber  824  of second barrier device  804  in one example is positioned to overly and in certain examples contact connector  818  of first barrier device  802  and connector  820  of third barrier device  806 .  
     [0073] Connector  828  of second barrier device  804  is positioned to overly and in certain examples contact containment chamber  808  of first barrier device  802  and containment chamber  812  of third barrier device  806 . Containment chamber  824  of second barrier device  804  is positioned in contact with side  830  of containment chamber  808  of first barrier device  802  and containment chamber  812  of third barrier device  806 . Containment chamber  826  of second barrier device  804  is positioned in contact with opposing side  832  of containment chamber  808  of first barrier device  802  and containment chamber  812  of third barrier device  806 .  
     [0074] Referring now to FIG. 8B, two users of barrier device  100  are shown constructing a barrier wall  850  in accordance with one example of the present invention.  
     [0075] The users are employing rigid support members  852  that are inserted through loops  116 ,  118  to lift and carry a barrier device  100  to wall  850 . Upon reaching wall  850 , the users will position the barrier device  100  with respect to other barrier devices  100 , as described above with respect to FIG. 8A.  
     [0076] Referring still to FIGS. 8B and 9, wall  850  comprises a first layer  854  of barrier devices  100 , a second layer  856  of barrier devices  100 , a third layer  858 , and a fourth layer  860 . Each layer comprises a plurality of barrier devices  100  positioned in an end-to-end configuration. The exact number of barrier devices  100  for each layer depends on the length and shape required for barrier wall  850  to perform its chosen function.  
     [0077] First layer  854  rests on a support surface  803 , such as the ground. Containment chambers  104 ,  108  in barrier devices  100  positioned in first layer  854  are generally only half filled with filler material. Half filling the barrier devices  100  in first layer  854  allows the connectors  112  of barrier devices  100  in first layer  854  to better seal with the support surface when containment chambers  104 ,  108  of the second layer  856  overly connectors  112  of first layer, as described in FIG. 8A. The containment chambers  104 ,  108  of the remaining layers  856 ,  858 ,  860  are generally full.  
     [0078] Second layer  856  of barrier devices  100  are positioned over the first layer  854  in an end-to-end manner. The barrier devices  100  of the second layer  856  are placed over first layer  854  as shown in FIG. 8A, to mold the containment chambers  104 ,  108 , of second layer  856  to the channels formed in the first layer  854  and to allow connectors  112  of the second layer  856  barrier devices to seal any joints between the barrier devices  100  of the first layer  854 .  
     [0079] Third layer  858 , fourth layer  860 , and any desired additional layers are added to wall  850  in the same manner with containment chambers  104 ,  108  of the upper layer resting between containment chambers  104 ,  108  of the lower layer and overlying respective connectors  112 . Connectors  112  of the upper chamber also rest on a portion of the containment chambers  104 ,  108  as described above with respect of FIG. 8A.  
     [0080] Wall  850 , if built as provided above extends four chambers deep. Wall  850  could be built to a greater desired height. Wall  850  could be built to a greater desired depth by making first layer  854  deeper. In addition, wall  850  could be made less deep by employing a combination of barrier device  100  with a single chambered barrier device. For instance, the first layer  854 , the third layer  858 , etc., could comprise a plurality of barrier devices  100  positioned end-to-end, while the second layer  856 , the fourth layer  860 , etc., could comprise a plurality of single chambered barrier devices stacked end to end.  
     [0081] Although several examples of the invention are described herein, it will be apparent to those of relevant skill in the art that various modifications, substitutions and the like can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and these are therefore considered to be within the scope of the invention as defined herein.