Patent Publication Number: US-9415932-B2

Title: All-terrain berm

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 11/442,825, filed May 30, 2006 having the same title. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is directed to a large capacity transportable berm for use in emergency, temporary or military situations, which is adaptable for use on substantially all-terrain. 
     Numerous situations arise where transportable berms, containments or flexible bladders are both useful and necessary. A primary use of these is with military operations where fluid, whether it be drinking water, waste water or contaminating materials such as petroleum and other similar products, need to be contained for storage or later proper disposal. Disaster areas also require the use of containments for the temporary storage of the above referred to fluids. Finally, in areas of extremely fast growth, there sometimes is a need for a temporary containment. 
     The instant invention has for a primary object a transportable containment capable of retaining large volumes of fluid for later distribution or disposal. 
     Another object of the invention is a transportable berm which can be easily and quickly assembled or disassembled. 
     Another object of the invention is a transportable berm capable of retaining large volumes of fluid over an extended period of time. 
     Another object of the invention is a system which includes a transportable berm capable of receiving and supporting a filled bladder against rupture and spillage. 
     Another object of the invention is a transportable berm constructed with a splash guard to prevent unwanted spillage. 
     Another object of the invention is a system for preventing rupture and spillage of a fluid containing bladder. 
     Another object of the invention is a large capacity berm which is capable of being easily disassembled and folded or arranged in small units for storage and transport. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is directed to a transportable all-terrain berm for collecting fluid. The berm is comprised of flexible impervious sheeting material configured to form a floor, which may be supported in a generally horizontal position, and opposed side and end wall sections which are connected along first edges with the floor and together along opposed ends. Retaining members are arranged to extend from second edges of the side and end wall sections at selected spaced positions. Also, support members are arranged to extend from the second side edges of the side and end wall sections at locations between the retaining members. 
     A plurality of braces, preferably A-frames, are positioned about the flooring in generally vertical positions. Each brace or A-frame comprises first and second legs pivotally engaged at least one of their upper ends. A spacer member is provided for selectively positioning and maintaining the lower ends of the first and second legs in spaced positions. A hook member may be located on an outer surface of one of the first and second legs adjacent its upper end for engagement with a retaining member. 
     The retaining members comprise loops formed of straps which are affixed with the side sections adjacent the side edges spaced from the floor. The loops engage over the upper ends of said brace members and with the hook members. 
     The support members comprise straps affixed adjacent the second side adjacent of the side and end members which are formed into loops, which are arranged between adjacent of the support members. Alternatively, the support members may comprise flexible sheeting extending from the second edge of the end and side members which are formed into an extended loop which extends between the retaining members. 
     A stabilizer, generally comprising a rod having down-turned ends, is engaged with upper ends of the braces interconnecting adjacent ones. The support members are engaged over the stabilizers. 
     The A-frames may be spaced at generally between 2 and 6 foot intervals, depending upon the weight of the product, along said side and end wall sections with spacings at the corners being slightly less. 
     The berm is a collapsible berm capable of being folded for storage and transport. The berm is also capable of being assembled to form a containment area for collecting or storing fluid. The containment area, which is formed of flexible impervious sheeting, includes a generally flat floor area surrounded by opposed generally vertical side and end walls. A plurality of braces are arranged in vertical positions about the flooring in position to engage with the end and side walls. There are retaining members and support members which are engaged with and positioned outwardly of and about the end and side walls. 
     Stabilizer members, which engage with and extend between adjacent of the braces, are adapted to engage with the support members to assist in maintaining the side and end walls in generally vertical positions. 
     The braces are preferably formed of U-shaped metal beams pivotally joined. Side sections of the metal beams overlap and form the pivot. An opening is formed adjacent the upper end of the braces which is designed to receive the down-turned ends of the stabilizer members. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The construction designed to carry out the invention will hereinafter be described, together with other features thereof. 
       The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein an example of the invention is shown and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the all-terrain berm in assembled condition. 
         FIG. 2A  is a sectional top view of the corner structure of the flexible sheeting. 
         FIG. 2B  is a sectional side view of a corner section formed by the end side walls. 
         FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of a pair of A-frames associated with a stabilizer member. 
         FIG. 3B  is a side view of an A-frame in folded condition. 
         FIG. 4A  is an exploded view of a retaining and support member engaged with an A-frame and stabilizer member. 
         FIG. 4B  is an exploded view of another arrangement of a support member and a retaining member engaged with an A-frame and stabilizer member. 
         FIG. 5  is a top diagrammatic view of the assembled berm. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an alternative arrangement of the all-terrain berm of the invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a cutaway side view of the berm arrangement shown in  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 8  is a cutaway side view similar to  FIG. 7  showing the splash flap positioned relative to fluid level. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the arrangement shown in  FIG. 6  to include a bladder positioned within the berm. 
         FIG. 10A  is a perspective view of an arrangement in which a bladder is encased within the berm of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 10B  is a cutaway perspective view of the arrangement of  FIG. 10A  showing the relative positions of the flexible material forming the berm, the support members and the bladder. 
         FIG. 11A  is a perspective view of another arrangement in which a bladder is encased in a berm similar to that that of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 11B  is a cutaway perspective view of  FIG. 11A  showing the relationship of the flexible material forming the berm, the support members and the bladder. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now in more detail to the drawings, the invention will now be described in more detail. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 1 , a primary version of the all-terrain berm or ATB transportable containment berm of the invention is shown in its assembled position at  10 . Berm  10  is formed of flexible impervious sheet material, usually a fabric coated with synthetic material. The berm comprises a containment area A which includes a floor  12 , see  FIG. 5 , opposed end walls  14  and opposed side walls  16 , each engaged along their inner edge with an edge of flooring  12  and along opposed edges with each other forming containment area A. End and side walls are preferably of equal height of between 2 feet and 4 feet. Retaining members  20  are secured adjacent outer edges  18  of side and end walls  14  and  16  in substantially equally spaced positions. Between retaining members  20  and along edges  18  there are provided support members  22  and/or  23 . 
     Both retaining members  20  and support members  22  may comprise straps secured adjacent their opposed ends with end and side walls  14  and  16  forming loops which extend beyond edges  18 . The straps are generally woven and are of a heavier material than the flexible sheet material. Alternatively, the support members may comprise an extension of the flexible sheet material extending between adjacent retaining members  20  and formed into a loop as shown at  23 . See also  FIGS. 4A and 4B . 
     The flexible sheeting material may comprise a fabric, formed of natural or synthetic materials which may be woven, knitted or non-woven which is coated with a synthetic material. The coating material must be resistant to degrading when contacted with petrochemicals or other contaminants which are desired to be retained. Polyurethane is generally a suitable coating. The flexible sheeting must be of sufficient strength to resist tearing under the pressure created by the contained fluid. The flexible sheeting must also resist undue wear due to the berm being set up and taken down repeatedly. Suitable fabrics are manufactured by several known manufacturers, two of which are the Seaman Corporation of Wooster, Ohio, and Cooley, Inc. of Pawtucket, R.I. 
     A plurality of braces  24  or A-frames, best seen in  FIGS. 1-3B , are provided to assist in retaining the side and end walls  14 ,  16  in generally vertical positions. Each brace  24  preferably comprises an A-frame comprised of a pair of U-shaped metal beams  26  joined adjacent upper ends with a pin  28  forming a pivotal connection. Adjacent the lower ends of beams  26  there is provided a spacer  30  which, when engaged with spaced beams  26 , maintains them in fixed position. 
     Beams  26  include spaced and parallel side edges  32  through which bores pass to receive pins  28  and  29  which secure the A-frame in position. Pin  29  may be used to also secure spacers  30  in positions parallel with beams  26  when the brace is in its collapsed position for storage or transport. 
     Adjacent lower ends of beams  26  an additional bore  34  is provided to receive an anchor which acts to secure brace  24  in fixed position with the ground or its supporting surface. The anchor may comprise a peg or screw pin passed through bore  34  and into the ground or support surface. Alternatively, the anchor may comprise a cord or chain secured at one end with beam  26  and at its other end with peg or screw  35 , which is then embedded in the ground as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     Adjacent the upper end of brace  24  is provided a hook  27  or other suitable securing member. Also, adjacent the same upper end, overlapping parallel sides  32  of beams  26  form an enclosed opening  36 . 
     Rods having down-turned opposed ends form stabilizers  38 . Each stabilizer is preferably formed to be between 2 and 6 feet in length with the down-turned ends being between 4 and 6 inches in length. The stabilizers, which are located at the corners of the containment, may be slightly shorter than the stabilizers extending along the end and side wall sections, i.e. between 1.5 and 4.5 feet depending on the placement of the braces  24 . 
     The corner sections are slightly rounded and are shown in  FIGS. 2A, 2B and 5 . Each corner is formed by folding excess of the flexible sheet material, to overlap and then heat sealed along lines  40  as shown in  FIG. 2B . A support member  22  may be attached along this section to retain the corner in the vertical position as shown. 
     Additionally, secondary bracing in the form of two straps or rods  64  which are attached at each corner may be necessary when large volumes of fluid are contained. These straps are connected over the upper pivoted end of braces  24  which are adjacent the corners. The straps are drawn downwardly and away from containment  16 , where they are secured with the ground or support surface by spikes  66 . 
     It is noted that the corner forming arrangement of the flexible sheet material forms no part of the instant invention and any known corner forming arrangement is acceptable. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 1 and 5 , a perspective view and a top view of the general arrangement of the berm of the invention is shown. Braces  24  are preferably arranged in equally spaced positions, i.e. between about 2 to 6 feet apart, along both the side and end walls  14 ,  16 . Braces  24  are positioned about 2 feet from each corner section. Stabilizers  38  are engaged in openings  36  adjacent the top of the braces. Flexible sheeting, with dimensions of about 24′×32′, is positioned within the arranged braces  24  with side and end walls  14 ,  16  in engagement with inner legs  26  of braces  24 . It is noted these dimensions may be larger or smaller as desired. Retaining members  20  are secured over the upper ends of the braces and in engagement with hook  27 . Also, support members  22  or  23  are engaged over stabilizers  38 . The retaining members and support members act to hold the end and side walls in a generally vertical position and in engagement with the inner leg of brace members  24 . Stabilizers  38  further act to maintain the braces in vertical positions. Straps or rods  64  secure with braces  24  adjacent each corner section to provide additional support for these areas. 
     Berm  10  is designed to be arranged in a disassembled condition for transport and storage. In the disassembled condition, the flexible sheet forming the flooring and the end and side walls is folded into a generally flat, generally rectangular or square condition which can be accommodated in a minimum space. The braces are put in closed position with the legs in parallel engagement. The braces, along with the stabilizers, are then arranged together and located with the flexible sheeting. 
     In this disassembled condition, berm  10  may be transported to a point of need where the flooring of the flexible sheet is laid out on the available terrain. The braces are assembled into their A-frame configuration and positioned about the periphery of flooring  12 . The stabilizers  38  are engaged with frames  24  fixing them in position. The side and end walls are brought up into their generally vertical position and the retaining and support members are engaged with the braces and stabilizers securing the side and end walls in substantially vertical positions. In this condition, berm  10  is assembled. 
     It is to be noted that it may be desirable to attach a cover sheet with the upper edges of the side and end walls. The cover sheet may be permanently or removably attached at one or a multiple of edges. The cover is desirable when protecting the content of the bladder from airborne impurities and debris. The cover is especially desirable when drinking water is being stored. The cover sheet is generally of the same material as the material forming the berm. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 6 , an alternative arrangement of the berm is shown at  10   1 . Berm  10   1  is substantially of the identical structure as the earlier described berm  10  with the exception that end and side walls  14  and  16  have attached along their upper edges  18  side and end wall extensions  15  and  17  which are of an equal height of between 1 foot and 3 feet. Retaining members  20  may be provided as in berm  10  along with secondary retaining members  20   1  which are secured in selected locations adjacent the upper edge of wall extensions  15 ,  17 . Support members  22   1  are secured adjacent upper edge  18  and are of a length to extend beyond edge  18   1 . The support members may be engaged with extensions  15  and  17  adjacent the upper edge with any suitable means as shown in the drawing. 
     A-frames or braces  24   1  are provided to support or retain containment  10   1  in an operative condition substantially as in  FIG. 1 . Each brace  24   1  includes an inner leg  26  and an outer leg  26   1 . Inner leg  26  is as earlier described while outer leg  26   1  is lengthened by a length substantially equal to the height of extensions  15  and  17 . The upper end of legs  26   1  are closed to form a receiving and retaining area for the turned down ends of stabilizer rods  38 . Leg  26  is pivotally connected with leg  26   1  at  40  which is substantially the same point longitudinally that legs  26 ,  26   1  are pivoted together. Spacer  30  is provided to lock brace  24   1  in the upstanding position. Stabilizers  38  and retaining members  20  are engaged with braces  24   1  as earlier described while retaining members  20   1  are engaged over upper ends of legs  26   1  and supports  22   1  engage with the stabilizers to hold end and side walls  14 ,  16  along with extensions  15  and  17  in a generally elevated position. The outer sides of the walls and extensions in their generally vertical positions engage against legs  26  and the upper portion of extension  26   1 . Due to the angle of the inner and outer legs, the end and side walls are held in a slightly concave position. 
     Straps or rods  64  may be utilized to support the corners while rods  64   1  may be engaged with adjacent braces  24   1  for additional stabilization of the brace members. It is noted that in certain conditions, a single pair of rods  64   1 , secured along each end and side wall, may sufficiently stabilize the braces. These straps or rods may also be used in the arrangement shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , sectional views of berm  10   1  are provided to more clearly show the relative positions of the inner surfaces of braces  24   1  and the outer surfaces of the berm. Also shown is an inwardly extending flap  42  which engages with and extends about the upper edge of extensions  15  and  17 . A retaining member or strap  44  connects with extension  17  and the outer edge of flap  42  at selected locations about the containment area A. Straps  44  control the upward movement of flap  42  to generally the position shown in  FIG. 8 . Flap  42  is provided to prevent spillage over the upper edge of the containment area due to a sudden rush of fluid into the berm.  FIG. 8  shows the level of fluid which may be contained in the berm. 
     Berms  10  and  10   1  may be also employed to contain bladders such as bladder  46  shown in  FIG. 9 . In this arrangement, bladder  46  may be filled with water, sewage, petrochemicals or other containments in volumes of up to 500,000 gallons. The bladders are generally attached to piping through opening  48  for either filling or dispensing fluid. Due to the terrific pressure exerted by the large volume of fluid within the bladder and especially during periods of heat expansion, bladders have a tendency to rupture along their forming seams. Berm  10   1  is designed to contain the sudden rush of fluid flowing from the ruptured bladder without spillage over the walls  14 ,  16  of berm  10   1  due to end and side wall extensions  15 ,  17  and flap  42 . The berm arrangement shown in  FIG. 9  is another view of the berm arrangement described in  FIGS. 6-8 . 
     Bladder  46  is a known containment which generally resembles a large hot water bottle. Bladders are made in many sizes generally of an impervious flexible material similar to that forming berm  10 . The construction of the bladder forms no part of the instant invention. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 10A and 11A , berm  10  along with berm  10   1  are shown with bladder  46  positioned in containment area A. In the arrangement shown in  FIGS. 10A and 10B , berm  10  is exactly as disclosed in  FIG. 1 . Braces  24  are positioned about the circumference of containment area A with their inner legs  26  in engagement with side and end walls  14 ,  16  as previously disclosed. Positioned in juxtaposed position with side and end walls  14 ,  16  are the side and end wall portions of bladder  46 . 
     The bladders, because of varying demands, are of varying sizes ranging from around 100 gallons to greater than 500,000 gallons. They may be used to contain almost any type liquid ranging from water to petrochemicals. The larger size bladders, which are comprised of a plurality of sheets of flexible non-porous material joined together with heat sealed seams, have a tendency to separate when over-filled in hot conditions due to expansion of the contained fluid. By engaging or supporting the side sections of the bladder through engagement with the inner legs of braces  24 , it has been found that the tendency to separate is greatly reduced. 
     Turning now to the arrangement shown in  FIGS. 11A and 11B , the flexible sheeting forming the containment area A is exactly as described in the arrangements shown in  FIGS. 1 and 10A . Braces  24  are also of the same structure. The difference is the manner of erecting berm  10   11  to form containment area A. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 11A and 11B , the flexible sheeting is laid flat and braces  24  are positioned on floor  12  a distance from the outer edges equal to the height of side and end walls  14 ,  16 . The outer portions are drawn up against outer legs  26  and connected with the upper ends of braces  24  and stabilizers  38  forming containment area A, as earlier described. Bladder  46  is then positioned in the containment area with its outer walls in contact with and supported by braces  24  as shown in  FIG. 11B . 
     In the described condition, the berm is arranged to receive fluid for storage. The berm also may act to retain fluid which is to be removed at desired times and in desired amounts. 
     While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described using specific terms, such description is for illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the following claims.