Abstract:
A portable, modular fluid-containment system is described which can be assembled anywhere to form a wall or dike for preventing fluids (e.g., water) from escaping from their intended location and for preventing flooding. The system uses individual collapsible modules which can be stacked in rows and columns, as desired. The modules overlap each other and are also interconnected so that a liquid such as water can be used to fill all of the modules to make them more stable and immobile.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is based upon, and claims priority from, my copending provisional application Serial No. 60/030,271, filed Nov. 1, 1996. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to fluid-containment systems. More particularly, this invention relates to methods and portable structures for preventing a fluid such as water or chemicals from flooding an adjacent area. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     There are many situations where it is necessary or highly desirable to be able to prevent fluids (such as water or chemicals) from flowing into areas where the fluids can cause damage. For example, in areas where there are swollen rivers resulting from heavy rains or spring run-off, it is often necessary to build earthen levees or to stack sandbags along the river banks in order to prevent the high water from damaging residential areas or valuable property. Then after the river level has gone down, the levees or sandbags can be removed. 
     Also, it is usually necessary or desirable to build berms or to stack sandbags around oil or chemical tanks to contain any chemicals which would be released in the event that the tanks would leak. 
     Building earthen levees, or filling and stacking sandbags, is very time-consuming and labor-intensive. Also, after the crisis has passed (i.e., after flood waters have receded or spilled chemicals have been removed) it is another time-consuming and labor-intensive task to remove the levees or sandbags. 
     There has not heretofore been provided a portable, easy-to-use, and effective fluid containment system having the advantages and features provided by the present invention. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the present invention there is provided a portable, modular fluid-containment system comprising a plurality of interlocking modules or segments which can be easily deployed in an area where fluid containment is required. The modules or segments are preferably collapsible plastic units with an internal cavity. It is also preferable for the segments or units to include wings extending outwardly from opposite sides to facilitate locking of one segment to another when several segments are stacked upon each other in brick-like fashion. 
     The segments include ports (a plurality of apertures communicating with the internal cavity) and couplers (operable closure members) enabling them to be connected so that the segments can be easily filled with fluid (e.g., water). The fluid fills the internal cavity in each segment to provide weight and ballast to the assembled system (which may be in the form of an elongated dike or wall, for example). After the need for the containment system has passed, the fluid can be drained from the assembled system, and the individual segments can be disconnected and loaded onto a truck or trailer for transport or storage. 
     The system of the invention is light in weight and can be rapidly deployed when needed. The individual segments preferably have walls composed of flexible plastic so that the segments can be collapsed for transport and storage, yet they can be filled with fluid when necessary during use. 
     The segments can be made in any desired size. Preferably the segments are all of the same design and size such that only one style is required, with the fluid couplers in each segment being adapted to connect to similar couplers in an adjacent segment. Preferably there are six fluid couplers in each segment (one in the top surface, one in the bottom, one in each side wall, and one in each end). Adjacent segments are coupled together in at least one location. 
     Other advantages and features of the system of this invention will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention is described in more detail hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the several views in which: 
     FIG. 1 is an end perspective view of one embodiment of a segment or module which is useful in the system of this invention; 
     FIG. 1A is an end view of a portion of a wing member of the module shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the module shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the segment shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of another embodiment of a module or segment useful in this invention showing one wing member folded downwardly and around the bottom of the segment; 
     FIG. 5 is a top plan view showing several modules or segments connected together; 
     FIG. 6 is a side perspective view showing several modules or segments laid on top of each other to form a wall; 
     FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of a module or segment with connecting disks secured at the top and bottom ends of support columns positioned through openings in a module or segment structure; 
     FIG. 8 is a side elevational view showing a support column with disks connected to its top and bottom ends; 
     FIG. 9 is a side elevational view showing two vertical rows of modules or segments connected together by means of support columns extending through the segments; 
     FIG. 10 is a top view of a disk showing the slotted opening therein for enabling connection thereto of one end of a support column; 
     FIG. 11 is a top view of another embodiment of module or segment which includes an articulating joint or section; 
     FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of the module or segment shown in FIG. 11; and 
     FIG. 13 is a top plan view of the segment of FIG. 11 illustrating the manner in which it can flex or bend longitudinally. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is a portable, modular fluid-containment system which can be assembled anywhere to form a wall or dike for containing fluids or for preventing fluids from escaping from their intended location. For example, the system can be used to increase the height of existing river levees to prevent high river water from escaping and flooding adjacent property. Also, the system could be used to build a temporary wall around a water-treatment plant to keep flood waters from damaging the plant. The system could also be used for protecting property adjacent to large oil or chemical tanks in the event of a leak. 
     The system of the invention comprises the use of a plurality of modules or segments which can be stacked and connected together in a manner such that a wall of desired length, height and width is constructed to serve as a fluid barrier. One embodiment of a module or segment 10 is shown in FIGS. 1-4. This segment has a length greater than its width and includes a step or ledge 11 at one end and a complementary shaped overhang or ledge 12 at its opposite end. This feature enables one segment end to mate with the abutting end of an adjacent segment when they are laid end-to-end. 
     Preferably the module or segment includes spaced-apart, longitudinal raised ribs 13 therealong. Preferably each module or segment also includes a laterally-projecting wing 14 on one side and another laterally-projecting wing 15 on the opposite side, as shown. Preferably the wings include spaced-apart, longitudinal raised ribs 14A and 15A, respectively. Preferably each wing is integral with the body of the segment, as shown. 
     When the wing of one module or segment is laid on top of another segment, the ribs of the wing fit between the body ribs of the other segment. This is one aspect of an interlocking feature which is very advantageous. 
     Each module or segment includes a plurality of couplers 16 (with a threaded cap 16A) which enable each segment to be coupled to another adjacent segment. Preferably the couplers are located at six locations on each segment (top, bottom, each side, and each end). Each coupler is a conventional unisex style so that it can be connected to any similar coupler on an adjacent segment. Each coupler 16 includes a base portion 16B which enables the coupler to be pulled outwardly from the module (as shown at the top of the module in FIGS. 1 and 3) or pushed into a corresponding recessed area 18 in the module (as is also illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3). The corresponding couplers 16 of abutting modules may be connected together so that the cavities of the abutting modules communicate through the connected couplers. 
     Each segment is preferably composed of flexible plastic and includes a hollow cavity therein. It is also preferable for each segment to include a member of vertical walled openings 17 extending therethrough, as shown in FIG. 3. 
     Preferably each wing member extends outwardly sufficiently so that it can be folded downwardly along the side of the body and beneath the segment (as shown in FIG. 4). This feature is utilized when one side of the segment is facing the fluid to be contained by the system (and it is desired not to have the wing projecting into the fluid). 
     The size of the modules or segments may vary. A preferred size for the body is about 48 inches wide, 12 inches high, and 90 to 96 inches long. The wings preferably project outwardly about 20 to 24 inches. 
     The sides of the ribs of each wing and those along the length of the body preferably taper about 50 towards each other so that when a ribbed module or segment is positioned thereon, a tight fit is obtained between the segment and the wing (or between stacked segments). 
     FIG. 5 illustrates several modules or segments 10 which have been assembled (e.g., to form a wall for containing fluid). 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of several modules or segments laid in a brick-like manner to form a wall structure. The wings are not shown in this figure. Each segment is coupled to each abutting segment via couplers 16 so that water can be injected into each segment for ballast purposes. Also, water injected into the lower course of stacked segments will automatically flow through the lower segments into the upper segments via the fluid couplers 16. 
     For additional structural reinforcement of the segments, a column or rod member 19 can be positioned in the openings 17 extending through each segment, and a disk 20 can be attached to each end of the column or rod. Then another similar column or rod 19 in an overlying segment can be connected thereto. See FIGS. 7-9. 
     FIG. 10 is a top view of a disk 20 showing a key opening 20A therein. A complementary shaped key in the end of column 19 can be secured therein to make a physical connection. The bottom side of the disk also includes a similar opening 20A for connection to another column or rod. 
     FIGS. 11-13 illustrate another embodiment of module or segment 30 useful in this invention. This segment includes a telescoping section 31 (preferably near the center of the segment). This type of segment is advantageous because it enables the segment to bend slightly (e.g., when it is necessary to assemble a curved fluid retaining wall). 
     The modules or segments are preferably composed of a tough, durable, flexible and resilient plastic (e.g., polyolefin such as polyethylene, or polypropylene, polyvinylchloride, nylon, polyester, etc.). Preferably the segments are made by means of a conventional rotational molding process. The wall thickness may vary (e.g., from about 0.04 inch to 0.4 inch, preferably 0.1 to 0.2 inch). The segments are light in weight and can be individually handled. They are portable and re-usable. They can be assembled into walls, for example, of any length, height and width as needed for a particular job. Preferably the width of the assembled wall is at least equal to or greater than the height of the wall. 
     Preferably the modules or segments have left and right sides which are mirror images of each other. Also, the opposite ends are mirror images of each other. This enables all the segments to be produced in the same mold and used anywhere in the assembly of a wall, for example. 
     Other variants are possible without departing from the scope of this invention.