GB2400881A

GB2400881A - Flood barrier

Info

Publication number: GB2400881A
Application number: GB0309147A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kenneth Gordon Stephenson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-04-23
Filing date: 2003-04-23
Publication date: 2004-10-27
Also published as: GB0309147D0

Abstract

A flood barrier comprising a pair of attachment strips for fixing in a vertical manner either side of the aperture to be protected, and a barrier having a pair of rearwardly facing ribs or channels for releasable engagement with the forwardly facing channels of ribs of the attachment strips. Clips may be provided at the top of the barrier to ensure that a constant vertical force is applied to the barrier. The barrier may be used as a child gate.

Description

240088 1 Flood Barrier The present invention relates to a barrier

arrangement particularly for use as a flood barrier protecting a doorway, window or other aperture in the wall of a building, but which may also be used as a child gate.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a barrier arrangement which comprises a pair of attachment strips for fixing in upright position to structure either side of a doorway, window, aperture or other passage, and a barrier having a pair of ribs (or rearwardlyfacing channels) on its rear side, for engagement into forwardly facing channels (or to receive forwardly-directed ribs) of the attachment strips.

Preferably the ribs of the barrier (or attachment strips) are profiled in section and the channels of the attachment strips (or of the barrier) are of complementary section, so that the ribs fit into the channels in interlocking manner.

Where the barrier arrangement is to act as a flood barrier, the ribs engage into the channels in a manner sealing against the ingress of water.

Preferably the bottom edge of the barrier is provided with an elastomeric element for compressing against the doorstep, window sill or other horizontal ledge or surface at the bottom of the opening across which the barrier is to be formed. Where the barrier arrangement is to act as a flood barrier, preferably the elastomeric element is arranged to form a seal against the ingress of water.

Preferably means are provided for maintaining downward pressure on the barrier, when fitted, in order to maintain downward pressure on the elastomeric element. For this purpose, preferably a pair of brackets are provided at the tops of the attachment strips, either integrally with the attachment strips or separate from them, for engaging the top edge of the barrier. Preferably these brackets comprise clips with which the top edge of the barrier snap-engages.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be \ it, the top edge of the barrier snap-engages.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is a front view of a doorway, showing the doorframe fitted with attachment strips for a flood barrier panel; FIGURE 2 is a similar view of the doorway, shown with the flood barrier panel fitted in place; FIGURE 3 is an isometric view showing the flood barrier panel and attachment strips; FIGURE 4 is a rear view of the flood barrier panel; FIGURE 5 is a side view of the flood barrier panel and one of the attachment strips; FIGURE 6 is a top view of the flood barrier panel and attachment strips; and FIGURE 7 is an isometric view showing the flood barrier panel and attachment strips.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, there is shown a doorway having attachment strips S fixed to the uprights of the doorframe, on its outer side and adjacent its bottom.

Clips C are also fixed to the uprights of the doorframe, just above the tops of the attachment strips. Figure 2 shows a flood barrier panel P engaged with the attachment strips S and held in position by means of the clips C. As shown in Figures 3 to 7, the attachment strips S comprise channel-section members which are fixed to the doorframe with their channels facing outwards. The flood barrier panel P is rectangular in shape and provided along its bottom edge with a tubular seal 10 of elastomeric material.

On its rear surface, the flood barrier panel P is provided with projecting ribs 12 extending from top-to-bottom adjacent its opposite edges: the ribs 12 are arranged to engage in the channels of the attachment strips. As best shown in Figure 6, the ribs 12 are profiled in section, so as to include zones of enlarged width, whilst the channels of the attachment strips S are of complementary cross-section. The ribs 12 of the panel P accordingly interlock within the channels of the strips S. the opposite sides of which are resiliently flexible to allow the ribs 12 to enter and leave the channels.

In order to fit the flood barrier panel P in position in the event of an expected flood condition, the panel P is stood with its bottom edge on the doorstep: then the panel P is urged downwardly to compress its tubular seal 10 and deform it to an oval shape, as shown in the inset view in Figure 3.

Then the panel P is offered up to the attachment strips S so that its ribs 12 engage into the channels of these strips, starting at the bottom with the panel P tilted forwardly, then moving the panel to an upright position so that the ribs 12 enter the channels of the attachments trips S in progressive manner. In bringing the panel P finally to its vertical position, its top edge snap-engages under the clips C, which help to hold the panel P in position but also to maintain downward pressure on panel P and hence on the tubular seal 10.

Whilst the barrier has been described in use to protect a doorway, it may instead be used to protect windows or other apertures in a building. The barrier may also be used as a child gate.

Claims

Claims 1. A barrier arrangement for an aperture in a building, said

barrier arrangement comprising a pair of attachment strips for fixing in an upright position to structures either side of said aperture, and a barrier having a pair of ribs or rearwardly facing channels, for releasable engagement with forwardly facing channels or forwardly directed ribs of said attachment strips, thereby releasably securing said barrier across at least a portion of said aperture.
2. A barrier arrangement according to Claim 1 wherein the ribs of said barrier or attachment strips, are profiled in section and the channels of the attachment strips or of the barrier, are of a complementary cross section to enable the ribs to fit into the channels in an interlocking manner.
3. A barrier arrangement according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the ribs engage in the channels in a manner to provide a releasable sealing arrangement between the barrier and the attachment strips.
4. A barrier arrangement according to any preceding claim wherein the barrier is provided with an elastomeric element for compressing against a substantially horizontal surface forming a lower edge of the aperture across which the barrier is to be placed.
5. A barrier arrangement according to Claim 4 wherein the elastomeric element provides a seal against the substantially horizontal surface.
6. A barrier arrangement according to claims wherein when the barrier and attachment strips are arranged in an interlocking manner and means are provided for maintaining a downward pressure on the barrier to ensure that the elastomeric element at the bottom edge of the barrier is maintained in a sealing arrangement against a substantially horizontal surface forming the lower edge of the aperture.
7. A barrier arrangement according to Claim 6 wherein the means comprises a pair of brackets being at respective tops of attachment strips which engage at the top end of the barrier to ensure that a downward pressure is placed on the barrier.
8. A barrier arrangement according to Claim 7 wherein the brackets comprise clips which are engageable with the top edge of the barrier.
9. A barrier arrangement according to any preceding claim arranged to act as a flood defence.
10. A barrier arrangement according to any of the above claims, 1 to 9 wherein the barrier arrangement is arranged to act as a child gate.
11. A barrier arrangement according to any preceding claim, arranged to compensate with an aperture in the form of a door, a doorway, a window, a passageway in a wall of a building.
12. A barrier arranged to be used in a barrier arrangement according to any preceding claim.
13. An attachment means arranged to be used in a barrier arrangement according to any of Claims 1 to 10.
14. A barrier arrangement as substantially described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying figures.