FIELD OF INVENTION

The invention relates to a system for providing protection to an area from flood water or other unwanted liquids.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is indisputable that global warming has been one of the main causes leading to climate change. A higher ambient temperature has worsened and increased the frequency of many types of disasters such as storms, floods, heat wave, droughts and etc. As storms, hurricanes, excessive rain and floods become larger or more frequent than they used to be in many places, peoples who live in these areas suffer a great deal of losses which include loss of human life, damage to property, destruction of crops, loss of livestock, and deterioration of health condition owing to waterborne diseases. Even worse, there are only limited of protection systems which are sufficiently comprehensive and commercially viable to effectively prevent damage and disruption caused by the above-mentioned disasters.

Of interest in respect to a buoyant flood protection barrier is GB2397086A. This patent discloses a flood protection system which includes a flotation body securely affixed to a flexible, waterproof barrier and guide rollers running in guide rails affixed to a property to be protected. The other end of the flexible waterproof barrier is affixed in a secure and waterproof manner to the bottom of a container for the flexible waterproof barrier when at rest. The container is sunk into the ground immediately adjacent to the boundary of the property to be protected. Nonetheless, such flood protection system would need to rely on a support, such as a building or property, while the barrier is being lifted. Without the support, the lifted barrier would not withstand the pressure and weight of the flood water. In addition to that, there is no further covering structure to prevent rain water from flooding the building or property while the barrier is being lifted. This can be especially dangerous when there are people trapped within the building or property.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a system that is capable of overcoming the abovementioned drawbacks. This invention provides such a flood prevention system.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a flood prevention system for protecting an area which is potentially subject to flooding, the system comprises one or more floating bodies which float on flood water in an event of flood; one or more extendable and retractable waterproof curtain walls being arranged to surround a periphery of the area, having a first end and a second end respectively connected to the floating bodies and one or more anchoring structures fixably located at the peripheral of the area in a waterproof manner, whereby the waterproof curtain walls are lifted by the floating bodies during the event of flood and thereby forming a buoyant barrier with a top opening that surrounds the area to prevent the flood water from entering into the area; and a cover structure disposed on top of the floating bodies for preventing access of flood water and/or rainwater into the area via the top opening; wherein different sections of the waterproof curtain walls are provided with one or more strengthening ribs that reinforce the waterproof curtain walls.

Preferably, the cover structure may be in the form of a roofing structure having a roof suspended by a plurality of poles that are extended upwardly from the floating bodies.

Preferably, the cover structure may be in the form of a waterproof sheet cover attached to the floating bodies in a waterproof manner.

In the first aspect of the invention, the flood prevention system may further comprise one or more trenches extending along the peripheral of the area for the floating bodies, the waterproof curtain walls, and the anchoring structures to be placed therein.

Preferably, the anchoring structures may be in the form of heavy blocks (for example concrete and etc) that include one or more fasteners for attachment of the second end of the waterproof curtain walls to the anchoring structures.

Preferably, the anchoring structures may be in the form of one or more enclosures which are inflatable by introducing air, liquid, solid or any combination thereof into the enclosures and thereby forming one or more non-floatable weights for the waterproof curtain walls to be anchored thereto.

In this aspect of the invention, the flood prevention system may further comprise one or more guide rods connected to the floating bodies for preventing the floating bodies from horizontal movements, whereby the guide rods are telescopically extendable or retractable in length or predetermined length according to the flood water level of which the floating bodies are floated thereon.

In the first aspect of the invention, the flood prevention system may further comprise a sheet of safety netting attached to the floating bodies for covering the top opening of the barrier partially or entirely.

In the first aspect of the invention, the flood prevention system may further comprise a plurality of ladder rungs on at least one surface of the waterproof curtain walls and/or the floating bodies. Preferably, the floating bodies may in the form of side tubes which are inflatable by introducing gas or air into the side tubes, whereby each side tubes are compartmentalised into a plurality of chambers to independently containing the gas or air such that leaking in one chamber will not affect the other chambers.

Preferably, the floating bodies may be in the form of rigid low-density floats.

Preferably, the floating bodies may be formed by the combination of the inflatable side tubes and the rigid low-density floats.

Preferably, the strengthening ribs may be in the form of a plurality of elongate strengthening rods accommodated by a plurality of pockets located at the different sections of the waterproof curtain walls.

Preferably, the floating bodies may be sized and shaped to provide a buoyancy level which is sufficient for carrying one or more humans or animals.

In a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a flood prevention system for protecting an area which is potentially subject to flooding, the system comprises one or more floating bodies which float on flood water in an event of flood; and one or more waterproof curtain walls being arranged to surround a periphery of the area, having a first end and a second end respectively connected to the floating bodies and one or more anchoring structures fixably located at the peripheral of the area in a waterproof manner, whereby the waterproof curtain walls are lifted by the floating bodies during the event of flood and thereby forming a buoyant barrier with a top opening that surrounds the area to prevent the flood water from entering into the area; wherein the floating bodies are sized and shaped to provide a buoyancy level which is sufficient for carrying one or more humans or animals. In the second aspect of the invention, the flood prevention system may further comprise a cover structure disposed on top of the floating bodies for preventing access of flood water and/or rainwater into the area via the top opening.

Preferably, the cover structure may be in the form of a roofing structure having a roof suspended by a plurality of poles that are extended upwardly from the floating bodies.

Preferably, the cover structure may be in the form of a waterproof sheet cover attached to the floating bodies in a waterproof manner.

In the second aspect of the invention, the flood prevention system may further comprise one or more trenches extending along the peripheral of the area for the floating bodies, the waterproof curtain walls, and the anchoring structures to be placed therein.

Preferably, the anchoring structures may be in the form of heavy blocks (example concrete and etc) that include one or more fasteners for attachment of the second end of the waterproof curtain walls to the anchoring structures.

Preferably, the anchoring structures may be in the form of one or more enclosures which are inflatable by introducing air, liquid, solid or any combination thereof into the enclosures and thereby forming one or more non-floatable weights for the waterproof curtain walls to be anchored thereto.

In the second aspect of the invention, the flood prevention system may further comprise one or more guide rods connected to the floating bodies for preventing the floating bodies from horizontal movements, whereby the guide rods are telescopically extendable or retractable in length or predetermined length according to the flood water level of which the floating bodies are floated thereon. In the second aspect of the invention, the flood prevention system may further comprise a sheet of safety netting attached to the floating bodies for covering the top opening of the barrier partially or entirely.

In the second aspect of the invention, the flood prevention system may further comprise a plurality of ladder rungs on at least one surface of the waterproof curtain walls and/or the floating bodies.

Preferably, the floating bodies may be in the form of side tubes which are inflatable by introducing gas or air into the side tubes, whereby each side tubes are compartmentalised into a plurality of chambers to independently containing the gas or air such that leaking in one chamber will not affect the other chambers.

Preferably, the floating bodies may be in the form of rigid low-density floats.

Preferably, the floating bodies may be formed by the combination of the inflatable side tubes and the rigid low-density floats.

Preferably, different sections of the waterproof curtain walls may be provided with one or more strengthening ribs that reinforce the waterproof curtain walls.

Preferably, the strengthening ribs may be in the form of a plurality of elongate strengthening rods accommodated by a plurality of pockets located at the different sections of the waterproof curtain walls.

One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the invention is well adapted to carry out the objects and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. The embodiments described herein are not intended as limitations on the scope of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the invention, there is illustrated in the accompanying drawing the preferred embodiments from an inspection of which when considered in connection with the following description, the invention, its construction and operation and many of its advantages would be readily understood and appreciated.

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a first embodiment of a flood prevention system.

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a second embodiment of the flood prevention system.

Fig. 3a shows a first embodiment of an anchoring structure for the flood prevention system.

Fig. 3b shows a second embodiment of the anchoring structure.

Fig. 4a shows a first embodiment of a cover structure for the flood prevention system.

Fig. 4b shows a second embodiment of the cover structure.

Fig. 4c is a top view diagram illustrating a first configuration of a waterproof sheet cover.

Fig. 4d is a top view diagram illustrating a second configuration of the waterproof sheet cover. Fig. 4e is a top view diagram illustrating a first configuration of a safety netting.

Fig. 4f is a top view diagram illustrating a second configuration of the safety netting.

Fig. 5a a front view diagram illustrating a first exemplary attachment of a waterproof curtain wall to a floating body.

Fig. 5b a side view diagram illustrating the first exemplary attachment.

Fig. 5c a front view diagram illustrating a second exemplary of the attachment.

Fig. 5d a side view diagram illustrating the second exemplary attachment.

Fig. 5e a front view diagram illustrating a third exemplary of the attachment.

Fig. 5f a side view diagram illustrating the third exemplary attachment.

Fig. 6a a front view diagram illustrating a first exemplary of a pocket for accommodating an elongate strengthening rod.

Fig. 6b a side view diagram illustrating the first exemplary pocket.

Fig. 6c a front view diagram illustrating a second exemplary of the pocket.

Fig. 6d a side view diagram illustrating the second exemplary pocket.

Fig. 7a a front view diagram illustrating a plurality of ladder rungs attached to the floating body and the waterproof curtain wall.

Fig. 7b a side view diagram illustrating the ladder rungs attached to both inner and outer sides of the floating body and the waterproof curtain wall.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention will now be described in greater detail, by way of example, with reference to the drawings.

Referring to Figs. 1 & 2, a flood prevention system for protecting an area which is potentially subject to flooding is illustrated. It should be understood that the flood prevention system can be operated by numerous ways, but the different ways of implementations have the common features of: one or more floating bodies 1 which float on flood water in an event of flood and one or more extendable and retractable waterproof curtain walls 2 being arranged to surround a periphery of the area. The waterproof curtain walls 2 have a first end and a second end respectively connected to the floating bodies 1 and one or more anchoring structures 3 fixably located at the peripheral of the area in a waterproof manner. In the event of flood, the waterproof curtain walls 2 are lifted by the floating bodies 1 and thereby forming a free-standing buoyant barrier with a top opening that surrounds the area to prevent the flood water from entering into the area. Different sections of the waterproof curtain walls 2 are provided with one or more strengthening ribs 5 that reinforce the waterproof curtain walls 2 to such a level that the lifted barrier can withstand the flood water pressure. To prevent access of flood water and/or rainwater into the area, the top opening of the barrier can have a cover structure 4 disposed on top of the floating bodies 1. During the occurrence of flood or similar type of disasters, it is also important that the floating bodies 1 can be converted to a lifesaving buoyant platform that can carry one or more humans or pets. As such, the floating bodies 1 should be sized or shaped in such a way that the floating bodies 1 can provide a buoyancy level which is sufficient for carrying humans or animals.

Referring back to Fig. 1, a first embodiment of the flood prevention system is illustrated. In this embodiment, the flood prevention system is preferably a built-in and/or fixed system which can be either located at outdoor, indoor or both. The location of the flood prevention system may include but is not limited to a vehicle parking area, periphery of a premise or building, an indoor area and etc. A build-in or fixed flood prevention system may generally include the floating bodies 1, the waterproof curtain walls 2, the cover structure 4, a trench 8, the anchoring structures 3, and one or more guide rods 9.

In this embodiment, the trench 8 can be built around the periphery of an intended area for flood protection. The trench 8 may comprise one or more anchoring structures 3 for the second end of the waterproof curtain walls 2 to be connected thereto, and storage space which is sized to sufficiently accommodate the waterproof curtain walls 2 and the floating bodies 1 when there is no flood. While the floating bodies 1 are stored within the trench 8, a top surface of the floating bodies 1 can be positioned at a ground level 13. The trench 8 can be provided with some openings or underground pipes for directing flood water into the storage space so that the floating bodies 1 can be lifted out from the trench 8 and float according to the current level 12 of the flood water. A layer of waterproof sealant 15 can be provided to prevent flood water within the trench 8 from leaking into the area.

In this embodiment, the anchoring structures 3 are preferably formed by concrete blocks built in within the trench 8. As shown in Fig 3a, the concrete blocks may include one or more holes 14, each hole 14 has an access channel extending from the respective hole 14 to a surface of the concrete block for allowing the second end of the waterproof curtain walls 2 to access the hole. The second end of the waterproof curtain walls 2 can be secured within the hole 14 via insertion of a pipe or a rod into an attachment pocket at a distal end of the second end of the waterproof curtain walls 2 to expand the size of the distal end and thereby preventing the second end from exiting the hole 14 via the access channel. It should be understood that the blocks can be also made of other type of materials as long as the material can allow the blocks to be heavy enough for anchoring onto the ground or the trench 8. The blocks can also be a water weight which will be discussed in a later embodiment. The layer of waterproof sealant 15 can be wrapped around the concrete blocks for water leak prevention.

In this embodiment, the floating bodies 1 can be of solid floatable structures that are arranged to surround the intended area for protection. By way of example, the floating bodies are in the form of rigid low-density floats. The floating bodies 1 can be guided by one or more guiding rods 9 to prevent the floating bodies 1 from horizontal movements or drifted away while the floating bodies 1 are floating on the flood water. By way of example, the floating bodies 1 may include one or more holes for the guide rods 9 to penetrate therethrough in an upright manner so that the floating bodies 1 can move vertically according to the flood water level 12 and simultaneously restricts the horizontal movements. Alternatively, the guide rod 9 can be telescopically extendable or retractable in length or predetermined length according to the flood water level 12 of which the floating bodies 1 are floated thereon. For safety purpose, the floating bodies 1 can be provided with seats with middle bump and seat belts for securing persons to their respective seats. As shown in Figs. 4e & 4f, safety nettings 7 can be attached to the floating bodies 1 for covering the top opening of the barrier entirely or in a partial manner to prevent humans or animals from falling off the floating bodies 1 into the area while floating on high level 12 of flood water. Such safety nettings can also be in the form of a sheet of durable weight supporting plastic or canvas.

In this embodiment, the waterproof curtain walls 2 can made of flexible sheets of waterproof materials having sides that are connected to each other, a first end which is attached to the floating bodies 1, and a second end which is attached to the anchoring structures 3. Such waterproof materials may include but is not limited to High Density Poly Ethylene, Low Density Polyethylene, Tarpaulin, Polyvinyl Chloride, Polytetrafluoroethylene, Thermoplastic Polyurethane, Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer, Nitrile Rubber, Synthetic Rubber, Treated Natural Rubber, Neoprene, Viton, Kevlar and its composite or various lamination of different materials etc. Preferably, all attachments are in a waterproof manner. In one alternative embodiment, the waterproof curtain walls 2 may further include a bottom mat 16 that is connected to the second end and the anchoring structures 3 are just placed on the bottom mat 16 as a weight to anchor the waterproof curtain walls 2 to the ground. In this alternative embodiment, the trench 8 can be excluded. In operation, the curtain walls 2 can be lifted by the floating bodies into an extended position while flooding and being in a retracted position when there is no flooding.

Different attachment methods of the waterproof curtain walls 2 to the floating bodies 1 are illustrated in Figs 5a to 5f. In a first example of attachment as shown in Figs 5a & 5b, each floating body 1 includes a recess or through hole on the top end and a channel 23 that extends from the bottom end to the recess. The first end of the waterproof curtain walls 2 may pass through the channel 23 and subsequently reaches the recess. The first end of the waterproof curtain walls can be provided with an attachment pocket which can be enlarged when receiving a stopper 24. The enlargement of the waterproof curtain walls 2 at their respective first end will prevent the first end from exiting the recess via the channel 23. In a second example of attachment as shown in Figs. 5c & 5d, the first end of the waterproof curtain walls 2 can wrap around the floating bodies 1. In a third example of attachment as shown Figs. 5e & 5f, the floating bodies 1 can be provided with a recess on the top end and the first end of the waterproof curtain walls 2 may secured within the recess by a stopper 25. In the first and third examples, a cap can be provided to cover the recess. The waterproof curtain walls 2 include a plurality of strengthening ribs 5, in the form of a plurality of elongate strengthening rods, accommodated by a plurality of pockets 26 at different sections of the waterproof curtain walls 2 as shown in Figs 6a to 6d. The pockets 26 can be formed by stitching one or more additional waterproof sheets onto the surface of the waterproof curtain walls 2 and the patches of additional waterproof sheets can be reinforced by waterproof sealings. The strengthening ribs 5 can also be connected to the guide rods 9 via one or more linkages 10 so that the waterproof curtain walls 2 can be further supported by the guide rods 9. The strengthening ribs 5 can also provide certain level of buoyancy for the lifting of the waterproof curtain walls 2. Alternatively, the waterproof curtain walls 2 can be formed by a series of lightweight interlocking panels. As shown in Figs. 7a & 7b, a plurality of ladder rungs 11 can be provided on at least one surface of the waterproof curtain walls 2 and/or the floating bodies 1 to allow one or more users to climb up to the floating bodies 1. The ladder rungs 11 can be attached manually or build in onto the surfaces of the curtain walls 2.

In this embodiment, the cover structure 4 is in the form of a roofing structure having a roof 22 suspended by a plurality of poles 6 that are extended upwardly from the floating bodies 1 which can be shown in Fig. 4a. A further fence or wall structure 21 can be provided on top of the floating bodies 1 as an additional safety feature to prevent humans or animal from fall off the floating bodies 1 into the flood water or flood water from overflowing into the area. Alternatively, the cover structure 4 can also be in the form of a waterproof sheet cover attached to the floating bodies 1 in a waterproof manner to partially or entirely cover the top opening of the lifted barrier as shown in Figs. 4b to 4d. If the flood prevention system is an indoor system, the cover structure 4 can be excluded.

In one example where the flood prevention system is designed to protect buildings, water ingress prevention plugs can be installed at water piping outlets of the buildings such as toilet, bathrooms, drainage, sinks, bath tub drain holes to prevent flood water from entering the buildings via underground water pipes. Such plugs can also be installed at electrical wiring holes, internet wiring holes, or any holes to prevent water ingress from outside.

Referring back to Fig. 2, a second embodiment of the flood prevention system is illustrated. In this embodiment, the flood prevention system is preferably a portable system which can be compact in size while being lightweight. Similar to the first embodiment, the portable flood prevention system may generally comprise the floating bodies 1, the waterproof curtain walls 2, the anchoring structure 3 and the cover structure 4.

In this embodiment, the floating bodies 1 can be in the form of side tubes which are inflatable by introducing gas or air into the side tubes via an opening 18 at the side tubes. Additional tool such as an air pump can be provided to pump the gas or air into the side tubes. Each side tubes can be compartmentalised via a plurality of diaphragms into a plurality of chambers to independently containing the gas or air such that leaking in one chamber will not affect the other chambers. Alternatively, the floating bodies can be formed by the combination of the inflatable side tubes and the rigid low-density floats. The floating bodies 1 can further include fastener 17 such as ropes or cables to tie he system onto a fixed object for preventing the portable flood prevention system from drifting away by the flood. Alternatively, the guide rods 9 can be attached between the anchoring structure and the floating bodies to further support the system.

In this embodiment, the waterproof curtain walls 2 can made of sheets of waterproof materials having a bottom mat 16 and side walls extended from the bottom mat 16. A first end of the side walls is attached to the floating bodies 1, and a second end of the side walls is attached to the anchoring structures 3. The waterproof curtain walls 2 may include a plurality of strengthening ribs 5 for reinforcement. The strengthening ribs 5 can be in the form of a plurality of tubes that can also be inflatable by gas or air to strengthen the lifted barrier. Such inflatable strengthening ribs 5 can also provide buoyancy for the lifting of the waterproof curtain walls 2.

In this embodiment, the anchoring structure 3 can be in the form of one or more enclosures which are inflatable by introducing air, liquid, solid or any combination thereof into the enclosures and thereby forming one or more non-floatable weights for the waterproof curtain walls 2 to be anchored thereto. As shown in Fig. 3b, the enclosure may include a water pump 19 for pumping flood water into the enclosure and subsequently transform the enclosure into the anchoring structure 3, and an outlet 20 for releasing the water within the enclosure. Alternatively, the anchoring structure 3 can be a heavy object such as a vehicle that is placed within the bottom mat 16. In another alternative embodiment, the portable flood prevention system can be transformed into a water or liquid tank such as a swimming pool, floating agriculture or aquaculture breeding/rearing plot/tank by just introducing water or liquid or grow medium into the intended area of protection and the floating bodies will still float according to the level 12 of water or liquid within the intended area of protection. Fasteners 17 such as ropes, cables, strings or any elongate flexible structures can also be provided to the anchoring structure 3 to tie the system to fixed objects.

In this embodiment, the cover structure 4 can be in the form of a lightweight roofing structure having a sheet of waterproof cover 4 suspended by a plurality of lightweight poles 6 on the floating bodies 1. Alternatively, the cover structure 4 can be in the form of a waterproof sheet cover 4 directly attached to the floating bodies 1 to partially or entirely cover the top opening of the lifted barrier without the lightweight poles 6. The poles 6 can be inserted into pre-formed slots on top of the floating bodies 1.

The present disclosure includes as contained in the appended claims, as well as that of the foregoing description. Although this invention has been described in its preferred form with a degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of the preferred form has been made only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction and the combination and arrangements of parts may be resorted to without departing from the scope of the invention.