PORTABLE WATER INFLATABLE BARRIER WITH ANCHORING SUPPORT BASE

Abstract

A portable, water-filled barrier system includes a plurality of water-fillable modules, each module being internally divided into cells that emulate a section of a sandbag dike or wall. Automatic valves can seal openings between the filled cells, so that a punctured cell will not cause cells below and behind to deflate. A manifold can be used to simultaneously fill a plurality of modules. The barrier system further includes at least one anchoring support base having an underlying portion that extends under at least one of the modules. A vertical portion of the support base extends upward behind and abuts at least one of the modules, and an anchoring portion includes openings that enable attachment of the anchoring support base to the underlying ground by stakes and/or spikes. A flexible sheet can be installed beneath and in front of the assembled barrier to further inhibit horizontal displacement of the modules.

Claims

1. A water-inflatable barrier system comprising: at least one barrier module, said at least one barrier module including a first barrier module having: first module flexible walls forming a first module shell configured to contain water within a first module interior of the first barrier module, said first module shell having a first module front, a first module rear, a substantially rectangular first module bottom, a first module length parallel to the first module front, a first module width perpendicular to the first module front, and a first module cross section that is wider at a first module bottom of the first barrier to module than at a first module top of the first barrier module; a plurality of substantially horizontal and substantially vertical first module partition walls dividing said first module interior into a plurality of adjacent, water-tight first module cells shaped as rectangular parallelepipeds, front and rear first module partition walls of each first module cell being substantially parallel to the first module front of the first module shell, said first module cells being arranged in a plurality of vertically stacked layers that are offset from each other such that none of the first module front and rear partition walls aligns with a first module front or rear partition wall in a vertically adjacent layer; a first module water inlet in liquid communication with the first module interior; and a plurality of first module passages between the first module cells, said first module passages being configured to allow filling of all of the first module cells with water from the first module water inlet; and an anchoring support base, including: an underlying base portion configured for insertion beneath at least one of the barrier modules; a vertical base portion having a vertical base width, said vertical base portion being configured to extend upward behind at least one of the barrier modules in abutting relationship therewith when the underlying base portion is inserted beneath the at least one of the barrier modules; and an anchoring base portion configured for attachment of the anchoring support base to an underlying surface by installation of at least one stake or spike through at least one opening provided in said anchoring base portion such that said stake or spike penetrates into said underlying surface.

2. The barrier system of claim 1, wherein the anchoring base portion extends behind said vertical base portion.

3. The barrier system of claim 1, wherein the vertical base portion is also the anchoring base portion, the at least one opening being provided in the vertical base portion.

4. The barrier system of claim 1, wherein the underlying base portion is also the anchoring base portion, the at least one opening being provided in the underlying base portion.

5. The barrier system of claim 4, wherein each opening of the at least one opening is counter bored or countersunk, whereby when a stake or spike is installed therein a top of the stake or spike is substantially flush with a top surface of the underlying base portion.

6. The barrier system of claim 1, wherein the anchoring support base is configured for insertion beneath the first barrier module, said vertical base width being substantially equal to a width of said first module rear.

7. The barrier system of claim 6, wherein dimensions of said underlying base portion are substantially identical to dimensions of said first module bottom of said first barrier module.

8. The barrier system of claim 1, wherein the barrier system comprises a second barrier module including: second module flexible walls forming a second module shell configured to contain water within a second module interior of the second barrier module, said second module shell having a second module front, a second module rear, and a substantially triangular or trapezoidal second module bottom; and a second module water inlet in liquid communication with the second module interior; said first and second barrier modules being configured for assembly together into a water barrier.

9. The barrier system of claim 8, wherein the anchoring support base is configured for insertion beneath the second barrier module, said vertical base width being substantially equal to a width of said second module rear.

10. The barrier system of claim 1, further comprising a fastening mechanism configured for interconnection of the first and second barrier modules in a fixed, adjoining, aligned relationship.

11. The barrier system of claim 10, wherein the fastening mechanism includes attachment features fixed to each of the first and second barrier modules.

12. The barrier system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the barrier modules includes at least one extended row of cells extending below other rows of cells in a bottom cell layer of the barrier module, the extended row being configured for placement in a trench prepared at a site where the barrier system is to be installed.

13. The barrier system of claim 1, further comprising an underlying sheet configured for extending beneath at least one of the barrier modules and for attachment thereto, said underlying sheet being further configured to extend in front of at least one of the barrier modules so as to be pressed downward when in use against the underlying surface by water disposed against the barrier system, thereby increasing a resistance of the at least one of the barrier modules to horizontal displacement by the water.

14. A method of constructing a barrier assembly, the method comprising: providing a water inflatable barrier system according to claim 1; placing the anchoring support base at a desired location; installing at least one stake or spike through at least one of the openings provided in the anchoring base portion of the anchoring support base such that said at least one stake or spike penetrates into an underlying surface beneath the anchoring base portion; placing the at least one barrier module at the desired location so as to form a barrier having a desired shape and extent, whereby the underlying portion of the anchoring support base extends beneath at least one of the barrier modules, and wherein the vertical base portion of the anchoring support base extends upward behind and in abutting relationship with at least one of the barrier modules; and inflating the at least one barrier module with water.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising inflating the at least one barrier module with air before placement thereof at the desired location, and wherein inflating the barrier module with water includes removal of said air from said at least one barrier module.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein: at least one of the barrier modules is an extended module that includes at least one extended row of cells extending below other rows of cells in a bottom cell layer of the barrier module; the method further comprises preparing a trench at the desired location; and placing the at least one barrier module at the desired location includes placing the extended module such that the at least one extended row of cells extends into the trench.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] FIG. 1 is perspective view of a sandbag barrier of the prior art having a flat base;

[0033] FIG. 2 is perspective view of a sandbag barrier of the prior art having two rows of sandbags at its base that are placed in a trench prepared at the construction site;

[0034] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a single module that is one cell in length in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] FIG. 4A is a cross sectional view of a module in an embodiment having a water inlet on top, a water outlet near the bottom, and simple passages between tops and bottoms of cells;

[0036] FIG. 4B is a cross sectional view of a module in an embodiment similar to FIG. 4A, but including only a water port at the top through which the barrier is both filled and emptied with water;

[0037] FIG. 5 is a partial cross sectional view of a module in an embodiment having passages between tops and bottoms of cells that are closable by passive valves;

[0038] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing three of the modules of FIG. 3 interconnected using loops and straps to form a partial barrier;

[0039] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment similar to FIG. 6, but wherein a single strap extends through loops positioned on front faces of more than two of the modules;

[0040] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a module in an embodiment where the module has interlocking ends;

[0041] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an embodiment wherein the barrier has two additional rows of cells at its base that are placed in a trench prepared at the construction site;

[0042] FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of an embodiment that includes stiffening rods within the cells and a series of bent metal rods located at intervals along the rear side of the barrier.

[0043] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an embodiment that includes an anchoring sheet underlying the barrier and extending under the water to as to further resist lateral displacement of the barrier by the water;

[0044] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an embodiment that includes a covering sheet that extends under the barrier and over the front face of the barrier, so as to inhibit leakage of water under and between the cells;

[0045] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a wedge-shaped module having a triangular base;

[0046] FIG. 14A is a top view of the group of three adjacent modules of FIG. 6A;

[0047] FIG. 14B is a top view of the module of FIG. 13;

[0048] FIG. 15A is a top view of a barrier assembled from groups of modules as shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B;

[0049] FIG. 15B is a top view of a barrier similar to FIG. 15A, but including wedge-shaped modules having a trapezoidal base;

[0050] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the barrier of FIG. 15A;

[0051] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a barrier similar to FIG. 16, except that wedge-shaped modules are installed therein in both a front-to-front configuration and a front-to-rear configuration;

[0052] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a barrier formed from modules having vertical rear surfaces;

[0053] FIG. 19 is a top view of the barrier of FIG. 15B illustrating a gap formed in the barrier by horizontal displacement of a trapezoidal barrier module;

[0054] FIG. 20 is a side view of the barrier module of FIG. 3 positioned on an anchoring support base according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0055] FIG. 21A is a top view of the anchoring support base of FIG. 20, shown without the barrier module;

[0056] FIG. 21B is a top view of an anchoring support base similar to FIG. 20, but configured with a triangular underlying base portion; and

[0057] FIG. 22 is a top view of the barrier of FIG. 15B shown with anchoring support bases installed cooperative with each of the barrier modules, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0058] The present invention is a portable, modular, water-inflatable barrier that has a structure similar to a sandbag dike or wall 100 and functions in a similar manner, but does not require delivery of large quantities of heavy materials to the construction site, does not require large amounts of labor to assemble, and is simple and inexpensive to remove when no longer needed. The barrier comprises one or more barrier modules 300, each of which is made of a light, flexible material, such as a heavy plastic for nanofiber, and can be transported to the construction site in a deflated state, after which it is positioned and filled with locally available water. In embodiments, the modules 300 are coated with a material such as Tyvek or liquid rubber that will tend to seal any puncture of the material that may occur. In some embodiments, each module 300 weights less than 250 pounds, so that it can be lifted and carried without using heavy machinery.

[0059] In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the interior of the module is divided into a plurality of approximately rectangular cells 302. A port 304 for filing and/or emptying the module 300 is provided in the top surface. With reference to FIG. 4A, passages 400 between the tops and bottoms of the cells 302 allow the entire barrier module 300 to be filled from a single water inlet 304. In the illustrated embodiment, a separate water outlet 404 is provided at the base of the structure 300.

[0060] With reference to FIG. 4B, in some embodiments a separate water outlet 404 is not included, and instead water is both added and removed through a common port 304 at or near the top or bottom of the barrier module 300. This allows water to be removed from the barrier module 300 without introducing air, so that removing the water causes the barrier module to be collapsed in preparation for packing and transport.

[0061] In some embodiments, lateral passages (not shown) are provided at least between adjoining cells in the bottom rear row, so that a single outlet can drain all of the cells 302 in the barrier module 300.

[0062] With reference to FIG. 5, in some embodiments 500 the cells 302 include passive automatic valves 500 that seal the passages 400 after the cells 302 are filled with water, so that deflation of one cell due to a puncture or some other cause will not cause the cells beneath it to deflate. In the embodiment 500 of FIG. 5, the valves 502 are flaps of elastic material joined to the upper surfaces of the cells 302 by living hinges 504. A small air bladder 506 is included in the region of the valve 502 that is positioned to cover the passage 400. When the cell 302 is empty, gravity causes the valve 502 to fall away from the passage 400, so that the cell 302 can fill with water. However, once the cell 302 is full of water, the air bladder 506 lifts the valve 502 into place and closes the passage 400. Once the valves 502 are closed, if a cell should develop a leak and deflate, only the cells directly above it will be affected.

[0063] In addition, the embodiment 500 of FIG. 5 includes lateral passages 508 between neighboring cells at the lowest level of the barrier, so that the entire barrier can be emptied through a single water outlet 404 located at the lower rear of the structure 500. These lateral passages 508 include automatic valves 510 that will allow water to flow toward the rear as the cells empty from back to front, but will prevent water flowing from rear to front if one of the front cells is damaged.

[0064] Typically, the cells in the front row 302, 302A will be the cells that are directly exposed to threats such as debris carried by flood waters. The front cells 302, 302A are therefore the ones most likely to be damaged or punctured. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, if a cell 302A in the bottom front row is punctured, the lateral valve 510 will prevent water from flowing out of the cell next to it 302B and into the damaged cell 302A. However, if the rear cells 302B are drained first during the normal drainage process, then the lateral valves 510 will open and water from the front cells 302A will flow out.

[0065] Embodiments of the present invention comprise a plurality of modules 300 that are arranged side-by-side and coupled to each other. FIG. 6 illustrates the interconnection of three of the modules 300 illustrated in FIG. 3 so as to form at least part of a barrier 600. In this embodiment, the coupling mechanism that interconnects the modules 300 comprises loops 604 that are attached to the upper surfaces of the cells, whereby adjacent loops of adjoining modules are attached by straps 602. In similar embodiments, the loops 604 are interconnected by clamps or other fastening means known in the art.

[0066] FIG. 7 is a perspective rear view of an embodiment 700 similar to FIG. 6, except that the loops 604 are located on both the front-facing and rear-facing surfaces of the modules 300, and a single, continuous strap 702 is passed through the loops 604 and around the modules 300 so as to attach the modules 300 and form the barrier 700. The embodiment of FIG. 7 also includes a manifold 704 that can be used to fill all of the modules 300 simultaneously through fill-ports provided in the bases of the modules 300.

[0067] With reference to FIG. 8, in some embodiments the barrier modules 800 have interlocking ends that provide structural cooperation and a water-tight seal between adjacent modules. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a single module 800 that is three cells wide. The module includes alternate rows of cells 802 that extend from the ends by a length of one cell, while the interleaved rows 804 do not. The opposite pattern is provided on the other end of the module 800. It can be seen that a second module of the same configuration can be positioned so that its extended cells fit between the extended cells 802 of the adjacent module 800. In some of these embodiments, as mentioned above, the modules 800 can be initially filled with air and positioned with the ends interlocking, after which the modules 800 are filled with water while the displaced air is allowed to escape through pressure valves 304 provided at the tops of the modules 800.

[0068] With reference to FIG. 9, in further embodiments, additional rows 902 of cells extend below the base of the inflatable barrier 900 so that they can be placed in a trench 200 prepared at the construction site, thereby further resisting dislodgement of the barrier 900 by flood waters or other forces.

[0069] With reference to FIG. 10, in some embodiments the outer shell is made of a much thicker material than the internal cell walls 1008, so as to better resist puncture by exterior threats. In similar embodiments, the outer shell 1006 is a double layer of material, so that penetration of the outer layer does not affect the adjacent cell, so long as the inner layer remains intact. In some embodiments, only the portion of the outer shell 1006 that will face the flood or other threat is thicker, double-walled, or otherwise reinforced.

[0070] In embodiments, the internal cell walls enable the barrier 300 to maintain its shape when it is subjected to externally applied, lateral forces, such as pressure from flood waters. As illustrated in FIG. 10, in some embodiments, the shape of the barrier 1000 is made even more rigid by including within the cells 302 stiff, lightweight rods 1002 or panels made of plastic, bamboo, or a similar material.

[0071] In certain embodiments, the shape of the barrier is supported by external reinforcing structures. The embodiment of FIG. 10 includes a plurality of bent metal rods 1010 that can be located at intervals along the rear side of the barrier 1000. The rods 1010 include vertical sections 1012 that can be placed against the back sides of cells at the rear of the barrier 1000 so as to provide further resistance to horizontal forces applied to the front of the barrier.

[0072] The embodiment of FIG. 11 includes an anchoring sheet 1100 that is attached to the bottom of the barrier 600 and extends in front of the barrier 600, where it is pressed against the ground by the water in front of the barrier, so that there is a high friction between the anchoring sheet 1100 and the ground that further inhibits horizontal displacement of the barrier 600 by flood water.

[0073] In embodiments, the flexible material of the barrier 600 allows the base of the barrier 600 to form a seal with ground even if the ground is rough. In the embodiment of FIG. 11, the underlying sheet 1100 also increases resistance to puncture of the barrier 600 from beneath, and also forms a seal with the ground so as to further resist penetration of water beneath the barrier 600. In some of these embodiments, the underlying sheet 1100 includes a cushioning layer such as foam or a puncture-proof air bag that enables the underlying sheet to form a seal with very rough ground, and also further helps to avoid puncture of the barrier from beneath. In certain of these embodiments, the underlying sheet 1100 is filled with dry sand, foam or some other compliant material that will not get wet from the flood water.

[0074] FIG. 12 illustrates a similar approach, wherein a cover sheet 1200 is placed beneath the barrier 600, and is folded over the front of the barrier 600 to further protect the barrier 600 from punctures and other damage, and to help to prevent water from leaking between the modules 300. In the embodiment of FIG. 12, the sheet 1200 is attached to the front surface of the barrier 600 by surrounding straps 1202.

[0075] In embodiments, the cover sheet 1200 is sufficiently flexible to allow it to conform closely to the underlying shape of the water-facing surface of the barrier 600. And in some of these embodiments, the cover sheet 1200 is made from a material that naturally clings to the water-facing surface of the barrier 600 due to static electrical attraction.

[0076] Barrier modules 300 as illustrated for example in FIG. 3 are suitable for constructing barriers having an approximately rectangular footprint, for example to form a barrier or dike that extends in a straight line between opposing anchor locations. With reference to FIG. 13, embodiments of the present invention include modules 1300 that are shaped as triangular or trapezoidal wedges that can be included in a barrier assembly so as to bend and curve the resulting barrier into a desired shape. FIG. 14A is a top view illustrating three modules 300 of the type shown in FIG. 3. Cross-hatching is used to indicate the regions of different height. FIG. 14B is a top view of a wedge-shaped module 1300 having a triangular footprint that can be combined with the modules 300 of FIG. 14A to form a barrier with bends and curves.

[0077] In embodiments, wedge modules 1300 are provided having a convenient wedge angle, so that multiple wedge modules 1300 can be combined to obtain desired bend angles. For example, wedge modules 1300 having a 15 degree wedge angle can be combined to provide a bend or curve of 15 degrees, 30 degrees, 45 degrees, 60 degrees, 75 degrees, and 90 degrees. Providing wedge modules 1300 with small wedge angles also reduces the weight and the number of cells included in a single wedge.

[0078] FIG. 15A is a top view of a barrier that includes two 30 wedge modules 1300 between groups of rectangular modules 300 to create a barrier having a bend of approximately 60 degrees. FIG. 15B is a top view of a similar barrier, in which the wedge modules 1500 have trapezoidal footprints rather than triangular footprints, thereby providing a more gradual bend (greater radius of curvature).

[0079] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the barrier of FIG. 15A. In the embodiment of FIG. 17, a barrier similar to FIG. 16 includes a second pair of wedge modules 1700 included in a reversed orientation, thereby creating a barrier having two parallel ends that are offset from each other by a slanted middle section. In the embodiment of FIG. 17, the inverted wedge modules 1700 are structurally identical with the non-inverted wedge modules 1300, and are simply installed in a different orientation.

[0080] It will be understood by those of skill in the art that the module shapes included in the present disclosure are not limited to only the shapes that are illustrated in the figures. In particular, the present invention includes embodiments wherein one side of each module 1800 is vertical, as shown for example in FIG. 18. In the embodiment of FIG. 18, rectangular modules 1800 and wedge modules 1802 are combined to form a barrier with a bend, where one side of the barrier is vertical and the other side is sloped.

[0081] According to the requirements of a given implementation, the sloped side of the barrier can be oriented either toward or away from the water that is being contained. Directing the sloped side toward the water can be advantageous because the weight of the water on top of the sloped surface can help to stabilize the barrier by pressing it against the underlying ground. On the other hand, directing the vertical side of the barrier toward the water can be advantageous if it is desirable to maintain a uniform depth of the contained water, or if the barrier is being used to temporarily raise the vertical sides of an existing waterway that is in danger of overflowing.

[0082] It will be understood by those of skill in the art that in embodiments the cells of the wedge module can be staggered laterally so as to interlock with the sides of rectangular modules such as those shown in FIG. 8.

[0083] Even when features such as the trench of FIG. 9 and/or the underlying sheet of FIG. 11 are implemented, these measures can be insufficient for resisting horizontal displacement of modules in some cases. In particular, it is notable that displacement of a module even by a small amount relative to its neighbors can lead to leakage of water between the modules. With reference to FIG. 19, this problem can be especially problematic for trapezoidal or wedge-shaped modules because even a slight horizontal displacement of such a wedge-shaped or trapezoidal module 1900 can open up a gap 1902 between the module and neighboring modules 300, 1500, thereby creating an opportunity for water to leak therebetween.

[0084] Accordingly, with reference to FIG. 20, the barrier system of the present invention further includes one or more anchoring support bases 2000 that resist rear-ward horizontal displacement of barrier modules 300. Each anchoring support base 2000 includes an underlying horizontal portion 2002 that extends in front of a vertical portion 2004. The horizontal underlying portion 2000 is configured to be installed beneath the bottom of one or more barrier modules 300, such that the vertical portion 2002 rises behind and abuts the one or more barrier modules 300.

[0085] The anchoring support base 2000 further includes an anchoring portion 2006 extending behind the vertical portion 2004 and configured for attachment to the ground by stakes or spikes 2008 driven through openings 2010 provided in the anchoring portion 2006. The vertical 2004 and anchoring 2006 base portions are made from a rigid or semi-rigid material or materials, such as a hard rubber or plastic, and can be formed as a single, monolithic element or as two or more elements that are rigidly fixed to each other, such that the vertical portion 2004 strongly resists any tendency of an abutting barrier module 300 to be horizontally displaced, while the underlying portion 2002 prevents any possible rotation or tipping backward of the vertical portion 2004 due to horizontal pressure from the abutting barrier module 300.

[0086] FIG. 21A is a top view of an anchoring support base configured such that the underlying portion 2002 is configured to extend beneath a barrier module 300 having a rectangular base shape, where the shape of the underlying portion 2002 is substantially identical to the shape of the base of the barrier module 300.

[0087] FIG. 21B is a top view of an anchoring support base configured such that the underlying portion 2002 is configured to extend beneath a barrier module 1802 having a triangular base shape, where the shape of the underlying portion 2002 is substantially identical to the shape of the base of the barrier module 1802.

[0088] FIG. 22 is an illustration from above of an embodiment similar to FIG. 15B, showing anchoring base modules 2000 installed cooperatively with each of the barrier modules 300, 1500.

[0089] While FIGS. 20 through 22 illustrate anchoring support bases 2000 that conform in shape to the bases of individual barrier modules 300, 1500, 1802, it will be understood that other embodiments include one or more anchoring support bases that do not necessarily conform to the shapes of barrier modules. For example, embodiments include anchoring support bases that extend only partway under a barrier module, and/or anchoring support bases that are narrower that the rear width of a corresponding barrier module. In addition, some embodiments include anchoring base modules that are sufficiently wide to extend beneath more than one barrier module.

[0090] It should further be noted that the anchoring base portion need not extend behind the vertical base portion, and that in some embodiments openings are provided in the vertical base portion for insertion therethrough of stakes and/or spikes, so that the vertical base portion is the anchoring base portion. In still other embodiments, the underlying base portion serves as the anchoring base portion, in that openings are provided in the underlying base portion through which stakes and/or spikes can be inserted. In some of these embodiments tops of the stakes and/or spikes are contained within counter bored or countersunk portions of the openings so that the tops of the stakes and/or spikes are substantially flush with an upper surface of the underlying base portion.

[0091] The foregoing description of the embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of this disclosure. It is intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by the claims appended hereto.