NOVEL ENHANCED MODULAR DAM SYSTEM INCLUDING BAGS HOLDING LIQUID CONFIGURABLE IN MULTIPLE SPATIAL ARRANGEMENTS

Abstract

Improved modular damming system takes the place of sand bags being used for erosion control, damming controlling of water run-off and other things, this is done by placing empty bags later filled from a water supply individually or in series in at least one configuration. Owing to ease of set-up and filling, the instant teachings allow for bags to be emptied and stored and easily transported to remote locations without the burdens of weight. Likewise, being able to drain and remove the bags of the present invention obviates the need for leaving them on site where they deteriorate and contribute to contamination of the environment.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the priority benefit of the U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/744,334 filed Apr. 5, 2006, by the present inventor and full Paris Convention priority rights are claimed, the same being expressly incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to improved systems used for constructing and supporting dams. In particular, the present invention relates to a bag that holds water and is configurable to create a set that can be stacked in horizontal or vertical rows for the purpose of a creating a dam for holding water including enhanced bags, couplers and devices for plugging.

2. Description of the Prior Art

While numerous designs and systems have been set forth to attempt to address the problem of creating a reliable, safe, and readily reproducible structure to function as a dam for blocking water, the longstanding need exists for a system that operates simply with high degrees of efficiency.

Likewise, in the face of the most glaring omissions among the prior art, the need to absolutely protect against technical failures, the present inventor has discovered that extant systems do not sufficiently address these concerns, prior to the advent of the instant teachings.

For example, no art has been uncovered which would provide a truly portable system that fills and drains reliably without mechanical challenge.

Accordingly, offered for consideration is an improved bag that holds water and is configurable to be stacked vertically and horizontally to create a damming system for holding water.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly stated, an improved modular dam system takes the place of sand bags being used for erosion control, damming and controlling of water run-off, this is done by placing empty bags later filled from a water supply individually or in series in at least one configuration, depending on the particular application.

Owing to ease of set-up and filling, the instant teachings allow for bags to be emptied and stored and easily transported to remote locations without the burdens of weight. Use of the present system overcomes longstanding needs, for example, in earthquake readiness kits.

Likewise, being able to drain and remove the bags of the present invention obviates the need for leaving them on site where they deteriorate and contribute to contamination of the environment. Environmentally-friendly systems are lacking among known art.

According to a feature of the present invention, there is provided a process for generating an improved modular dam system, which comprises, in combination, providing at least a bag for holding liquid, having a flexible coupler hose assembly effective for being operatively linked to at least one of a liquid source and another bag, filling at least a bag, and assembling the at least a bag in a desired spatial arrangement, alone or in combination with other bags.

An improved bag for holding water configurable to create a bag system of stackable horizontal or vertical rows effective for building a dam for holding water, which comprises in combination, a plurality of polypropylene or polyethylene mesh sheets laminate about a PVC core forming a bladder, an adaptor/fill orifice system, a plurality of industrial reinforced seems, a coupler hose system complete with o-rings, push-pins, a bayonet fitting and standard water hose threaded fittings and reinforced closed housing assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To more fully understand the manner in which the above-recited and other advantages and objects of the invention are obtained, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to a specific set of embodiments thereof as illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical set of embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered limiting of its scope, the invention as it is presently understood best mode for making and using the same has been described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 provides a partial plan view showing an embodiment according to the teachings of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a side view likewise illustrating embodiments according to the teachings of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a segmented view of a plurality of apparatus assembled as a system according to the teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an end view of the product showing detail on adapter/fill orifice according to the teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 5 shows detail on above-described orifice as depicted in FIG. 4, according to the teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 6 shows a flexible coupler hose according to the teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 7 likewise demonstrates further detail in the hose adapter; and

FIG. 8 shows a detailed view of the adapter portion as connected according to the teaching of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present inventor has discovered that the novel enhanced modular damming systems including bags holding liquid configurable in multiple spatial arrangements can be used to overcome longstanding problems in the art, including transport, storage, removal and a host of related environmental considerations.

According to the instant teachings, subject bags can be constructed of at least one material from the group of plastic, rubber, styrene, butadiene, rubber with nylon fabric, canvas, and/or other desired material. Artisans will understand that everything from linear low density polyethylene (LLDP) for example (Polyflex III® brand is available form Polyplex, Inc. of Grand Prairie, Tex.) to extruded PTFE (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, Calif.).

According to embodiments of the teachings of the present disclosure, bags are constructed with an embossed and stippled exterior, which are designed to help the bags remain in place when stacked, among other things.

Shapes, colors sizes and interchangeable materials likewise will be known to those of skill in the art, as will the use of alternate colors and sizes to those embodiments specifically described herein. For example materials disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,200,076 and 5,040,919 each of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference.

Referring now to FIG. 1, polypropylene or polyethylene mesh sheet 1, heat laminated to the PVC (polyvinylchloride) form a bladder and outside PVC skin combination for reinforcement. According to embodiments of the instant teachings, prototypes have been tested and have reinforcement support able to stand pressures in excess of 70 ppi, as those skilled I the art readily understand.

Industrial reinforced seem 3, may be made of any known materials with which artisans would be comfortable for performing any of the functions listed below. Expressly incorporated herein by reference, are U.S. Patent Publication Nos. US 2005/02600038; US 2004/0146359 and US 2004/0047688.

Referring now also to FIG. 2, adaptor/fill orifice 2, is shown in ad side view orientation whereby sheet 1, an industrially reinforced seem are accessible to users from a side area. Among the advantages of the instant teachings, the ability to create a system and/or construction or assembly comprising vertically or horizontally stacked groups of bags will become obvious to those skilled in the art reading the description below in combination to the claims which are appended hereto.

Referring now also to FIG. 3, a product use view shows a plurality of flexible coupler hose elements 4, as attached through adaptor/fill orifices 2, whereby any number of bags may be stacked in orientations as illustrated or known to those skilled in the art. Artisans further will understand that bags built in various sizes, diameters and lengths with adaptor/fill orifices 2, of the present invention can be used individually or coupled together in series to create a berm or be used in other known configurations for the damming of water.

FIG. 3 illustrates a section of a series of bags coupled together in series and places in tiers which can create a dam or a berm which may be effective for use in erosion control.

Referring now also to FIG. 4, a product end view is shown with orifice detail. Sheet 1, is shown in relation to orifice 2, for which an internal view is provided also in FIG. 5.

Referring also to FIG. 5, adaptor/fill orifice 2, effective to receive coupler 4, as shown in FIG. 3, and in detail in FIG. 6. O-rings 5, are selectively places inside of adapter 2, whereby o-rings 5, cooperate such that compressing the o-rings acts as a spring-loaded lock. Push-pin 6, opens hinge valve door when coupling end is inserted into orifice 2. In that fitting 7, cooperates with o-rings 5, such that coupler hose 4, thereby matingly engaged.

Referring also to FIG. 7, male aspect of bayonet fitting 17, matingly engaged with female bayonet fitting 7, such that flexible coupler hose 4, may be used to transmit liquid into an empty bag.

Coupler hose 4, is used to fill an empty bag by inserting it into adapter/orifice 2, and turning it ¼ turn in order to lock the coupler 4, by its end into adaptor/fill orifice 2. Adaptor receives coupler plugs into receiver that lugs can be inserted into and turned into receiver thereby locking the coupler in place and opening interior flap in adaptor. When coupler is attached to bags, it allow water to fill as many bags as are coupled together. Water flows from one bag to the other using a coupling hose as conduit. Those skilled in the art understand that components can be used individually or connected together in multiples as to various sizes of applications.

Referring now also to FIG. 8, hose adaptor detail is shown as connected standard water hose threaded fitting 8, effectively locking and engaging flexible coupler hose 4, whereby liquid is transmitted through adaptor/fill orifice 2, into any bag. The teachings of the present disclosure can likewise be used on flat areas, hillside contours, and other areas requiring different sizing and shaping of the bags. Those skilled in the art understand that hinged valve flap panel maybe constructed as a vulcanized flap that stops in a closed position and creates a leak proof valve when seated against the orifice that is attached to. A valve flap is opened when couplers attached to entry orifice bag and forces flap to open. To empty your series of bags, the couplers inserted in end bag and water will empty using the same method as filling the bags.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics that described embodiments should be considered in all respects only as a illustrative and not restrictive the scope of the present invention is therefore indicated by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraces within their scope.

Claims

1. A process for generating an improved modular dam system, which comprises, in combination: providing at least a bag for holding liquid having a flexible coupler hose assembly effective for being operatively linked to at least one of a liquid source and another bag; filing at least a nag; and assembling at least a bag in a desired spatial arrangement, alone or in combination with other bags.

2. A product, by the process of claim 1.

3. The product of claim 2, a flexible coupler hose assembly further comprising an o-ring set acting as a spring-loaded lock.

4. The product of claim 3, the flexible coupler hose assembly further comprising a push-pin opening, a hinged valve when a coupling end is inserted therein.

5. The product of claim 4, flexible coupler hose assembly further comprising a bayonet fitting matingly engageable with a standard water hose threaded fitting.

6. The product of claim 5, further comprising industrially reinforced seems.

7. The product of claim 6, further comprising at least one of polypropylene and/or polyethylene mesh.

8. The process of claim 1, wherein the providing step further comprises heat laminating a sheet to the PVC to form a bladder outside the PVC skin effective for supporting at least about 70 ppi.

9. An improved damming bag for holding water configurable to create a bag system of stackable horizontal or vertical rows effective for building a dam for holding water, which comprises in combination: a plurality of polypropylene or polyethylene mesh sheets laminated about a PVC core forming a bladder; and adaptor/fill orifice system; a plurality of industrial reinforced seems; a coupler hose system complete with o-rings, push-pins, a bayonet fitting and standard water hose threaded fittings and reinforced closed housing assembly.

10. The improved damming bag of claim 9, whereby the coupler hose system allows for rapid filling and draining of the system.

11. A business method for supplying the product of claim 7.

12. A business method for supplying the product of claim 10.

13. A business method according to claim 7 for supplying the improved modular damming system in a kit.