WATER BARRIER

Abstract

Water barrier including a frame having tow posts and at least one sill extending therebetween, which posts and sill bound a passage that can be closed off against water, further including a flexible water-retaining cloth, a storage space for the cloth and a transfer element for transferring the cloth from a storage condition accommodated in the storage space, wherein the passage is open, to a water-retaining condition, wherein the passage is at least partially closed off by the cloth.

Description

The invention relates to a water barrier, in particular to a water barrier which can be transferred from an inoperative position into a water-retaining condition and vice versa.

Water barriers comprising a watertight cloth are known, such as from DE 35 27 100, and from DE 20 56 356. From these documents water barriers are known wherein a cable is provided in a seam of the cloth, which cable, at intermediate distances, is attached to pole structures.

It is an object of the invention to provide a water barrier of the type mentioned in the preamble that is able to provide a reliable sealing.

It is an object of the invention to provide a water barrier that is suitable to function in a passage that is usually used by people and/or vehicles.

It is an object of the invention to provide a water barrier that takes up little space in the inoperative condition.

For achieving at least one of these objects the invention, according to one aspect, provides a water barrier comprising a frame bounding a passage that is to be closed off against water, further comprising a flexible water-retaining cloth, a storage space for the cloth and transfer means for transferring the cloth from a storage condition accommodated in the storage space, wherein the passage is open, to a water-retaining condition, wherein the passage is at least partially closed off by the cloth.

In one embodiment the frame has two posts and a sill extending therebetween. The sill can be a bottom sill or a top sill.

In an advantageous embodiment as regards space, the water barrier comprises means for rolling up the cloth or folding it together in the storage space.

The storage space can be situated in the sill. Alternatively the storage space can be situated in a post of the frame.

In a first further development of the water barrier according to the invention the transfer means comprise a drive mechanism, which comprises a driven element that drivingly engages onto a longitudinal edge of the cloth, which longitudinal edge extends in direction of movement of the cloth between the storage condition and the water-retaining condition edge of the cloth. In that way the movement of the cloth can be controlled to a large extent. This is further enhanced when the driven element is endless and circulating and at evenly distributed locations drivingly engages onto the longitudinal edge of the cloth.

The driving element may extend over at least substantially the entire passage, parallel to the direction of movement of the cloth.

In one embodiment the driven element only engages onto the part of the cloth that has been discharged from the storage space, as a result of which the storage space can be simple.

In a particular embodiment the cloth is provided with a series of holes in the longitudinal edge and the driven element is provided with projections for driving engagement in the holes. As a result the cloth can be entirely flat, which is advantageous for storage, particularly on a roll. Both longitudinal edges can be designed in that way. The cloth may in essence have the appearance of a film for a projector or camera.

In a further embodiment the driven element engages onto a lower longitudinal edge of the cloth.

In an alternative embodiment the driven element engages onto a vertical longitudinal edge of the cloth, wherein preferably a driven element engages onto each vertical longitudinal edge of the cloth.

An alternative further embodiment of the water barrier according to the invention is described in claims 15-21 and the other claims depending thereon, particularly claim 57, the contents of which claims should be considered inserted here.

Preferably with the longitudinal edge or longitudinal edges, the cloth is directly or indirectly guided in a (stationary) guide/in guides. Said guide may have an access for the cloth, which access is situated aligned with the main plane of the cloth.

According to a particular further development of the water barrier according to the invention the barrier is provided with means for, in case of slight outgoing movement of the cloth out of the access, clamping the cloth in or with respect to the guide. As a result when the cloth is loaded, because of which the cloth will tend to bulge and the edges of the cloth will want to move towards each other, as if of its own accord a clamping force will be generated that stops the cloth and the cloth edges from moving further. Said clamping force can also be utilised for watertightness along the cloth edges.

In a compact embodiment the driven element forms an operating means for the clamping means.

The clamping means may comprise at least one clamping block, preferably two cooperating clamping blocks situated on both sides of the cloth, and which can be accommodated in the guide so as to be stationary in longitudinal direction. They may be deformable themselves, in order to then start clamping the cloth. In that case use can be made of wedging action as well. It is also possible to make use of clamping blocks that are shape-retaining and will provide the clamping force through wedging action with the guide.

The clamping means may comprise a clamping strip, which with an engagement edge, preferably an edge that does not slip with the cloth, can be pressed against the cloth, preferably a clamping strip oblique with regard to the cloth and having a directional component oriented towards the cloth edge, wherein preferably on both sides of the cloth such clamping strips are active, clamping the cloth with their engagement edges in between them. In one embodiment the clamping strip can be pressed against the cloth by deformation of the clamping block.

The driven element may form a pressure means for bringing the clamping block into the cloth clamping condition. Advantageously the pressure means itself can be driven by movement of the cloth out of the access in order to clamp the cloth in the guide. Said projections can be part of the pressure means.

In order to limit the frictional forces along the clamping blocks and the like in the direction of the longitudinal edge, the projections can be rotatably attached to the driven element, particularly be rolling freely over the wedge, particularly rotatable about centre lines that are transverse to the cloth.

According to a further aspect the access of the guide is wedge-shaped or the guide contains said wedges at that location for clamping the cloth edge by wedging action, in the water-retaining condition of the cloth.

The access of the guide can be provided with sealing means, for instance a resilient closing lip.

The driven element can be a toothed belt, wherein the teeth form the projections.

It is also possible to make use of a driven element in the form of a toothed cable. Such an embodiment may be advantageous because as a result of its cross-section it can more easily be fittingly and slidably accommodated in a guide. In turn this is advantageous in preventing dirt from penetrating, particularly undesirable when the guide is situated in a bottom sill. The teeth can then extend sidewards, so that the cable can be upwardly shielded.

In a further development of the water barrier according to the invention the cloth comprises a leading edge, provided with a stiffening for it.

In a further development thereof having a bottom sill and two posts, the stiffening is guided with a lower end in a bottom sill, particularly a rail. The guiding of the stiffening in the bottom sill can then be designed for keeping the stiffening upright during its movement.

The first post can be adapted for keeping the stiffening in the storage position of the cloth. The second post can be adapted for keeping the stiffening in the water-retaining condition of the cloth. At least one of the posts can be attached to or be part of a building.

In that way a multiple water barrier can be made in an advantageous manner, for instance over a public space between two buildings situated on either side of a road. In that case the water barriers connect to each other in the water-retaining condition.

In one simple embodiment at least two adjacently positioned water barriers have one common post. Said common post may be provided with a storage space for the cloth of the one water barrier and with means for holding the leading edge of the cloth of the other adjacent water barrier. Alternatively the common post may be provided with a storage space for the cloth of the one water barrier and with a storage space for the cloth of the other adjacent water barrier.

In a further development the frame comprises a post or sill provided with an accommodation space for the leading edge with stiffening in the water-retaining condition. The accommodation space can be provided with operable locking means for locking the stiffening in the accommodation space. The post or sill in question can be provided with a water seal cooperating with the cloth.

The stiffening may be part of means for guiding the edge or edges transverse to the leading edge and along one or more sills, or one or more posts, respectively.

The storage space can be provided with an accommodation space for the stiffening.

In a further development the transfer means comprise tensioning means for at least in the storage condition, pre-tensioning the cloth towards the water-retaining condition. In a further development thereof, wherein the transfer means comprise a roller for rolling up the cloth and a drive for it, the tensioning means comprise a torsion spring which is tensioned when rolling up, which torsion spring preferably is at least largely accommodated in the roller.

Creases in the cloth can be further counteracted when means are provided that press against the roller and that stretch the cloth in sideward direction in order to prevent creases during rolling up.

The storage space preferably is provided with a water-sealing cooperating with the cloth.

The cloth, which is watertight, preferably is manufactured of ultra high-strength fibres, particularly of PE, which cloth is flexible, can be rolled up and shows little stretch. An example is Dyneema (registered trademark).

The invention furthermore, according to a further aspect, provides a cloth for a water barrier, wherein the cloth can be rolled up and at one or both longitudinal edges is provided with a series of holes for cooperation with projections of a drive for the cloth.

The posts and/or sill with storage space can be permanent.

According to a further aspect the invention provides a continuous assembly of several water barriers according to the invention.

The passage may form a passage for man or vehicle.

The transfer means can be remote controlled or be operated through self timing.

The aspects and measures described in this description and the claims of the application and/or shown in the drawings of this application may where possible also be used individually. Said individual aspects may the subject of divisional patent applications relating thereto. This particularly applies to the measures and aspects that are described per se in the sub claims.

The invention will be elucidated on the basis of a number of exemplary embodiments shown in the attached drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1, 1A and 1B show a number of schematic arrangements of a water barrier according to the invention;

FIGS. 1C-1E show an example of a multiple arrangement with water barriers according to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows an example of a winding mechanism of a cloth in a water barrier according to the invention;

FIG. 3 shows a cross-section of a top sill with an example of a provision for securing an upper strip on a cloth in a water barrier according to the invention;

FIG. 4 shows a detail of the outer end of a winding mechanism for a cloth of a water barrier according to the invention;

FIG. 5 shows a detail of a cloth edge and a guide for it, including clamping provision;

FIG. 6 shows an alternative embodiment of a cloth edge including clamping provision;

FIG. 7 shows a detail of an alternative drive for a cloth in a water barrier according to the invention and a view of the cloth;

FIGS. 8A and 8B show in horizontal, schematic cross-section, the drive of FIG. 7, the cloth edge and its guide, respectively, in the condition when paying out and in water-loaded condition of the cloth;

FIG. 9 shows a view of an alternative embodiment of a cloth for a water barrier according to the invention;

FIGS. 10A-C show a top view of a sill for a water barrier according to the invention, with post that can be moved along it at the leading edge of a cloth;

FIGS. 11A-C show cross-sections according to a-a, b-b and c-c in FIGS. 10A-C; and

FIG. 11D shows a detailed cross-section of the sill of FIGS. 11A-C.

FIG. 1 shows an arrangement of the water-retaining cloth or sheet according to the invention, for closing off a passage bounded by a bottom sill, two posts and a top sill. The cloth 10 has been pulled up out of the bottom sill 20. At least at one of the vertical edges the cloth is provided with a seam 10a, which is guided by the post 1 up into the top sill 21. The cloth 10 is also provided with a seam at the top or front side, in which seam, possibly over only a part of the seam length, a stretching strip 22 is placed. Said stretching strip 22 can be clamped in a pull-tight manner in the top sill 21, also see FIG. 3.

In FIG. 1A there is no top sill. The cloth or sheet is in this case pulled up out of the sill 20 by mechanical means which are provided in or via the posts 10. At the top side a seam including stretching strip or stiffening 22 is provided.

At at least one side a seam 10a is provided when using a cloth, or an engagement relief when using a sheet according to FIG. 6.

In FIGS. 1 and 1A the cloth 10 can be rolled up or folded up in the bottom or storage side 20. For that purpose the cloth is connected to a winding bush 12 or folding mechanism so as to be able to be rolled up or folded up, also see FIG. 2. It is noted that an embodiment is also possible wherein the cloth/sheet is stored in a top sill and is then extended downwards. Furthermore several water barriers can form a continuous series.

The winding bush 12 is situated in the sill 20. The location of the functions in the sill 20 and the upper girder 21 shown are interchangeable (top-bottom or bottom-top) or can be used vertically, see FIG. 1B. In that case the—in this case vertical—girder 21 is fixated at some distance from—in this case vertical—sill 20 by at least one horizontal member 1, in which a guide profile 3 is placed. In that case a rail function is suggested in horizontal member 1, which is in horizontal position here, which enables guiding and fixating the stretching strip or stiffening 22 up into the vertically placed girder 21.

The cloth or sheet 10 is composed of an ultra high-strength super fibre-based fabric, a fibre of an extremely high tensile force that can be fixated with a coating. The cloth 10 is impermeable to water.

The cloth 10 is paid out and retracted using a draw wire 6b, which is attached to the upper edge of the cloth 10, at the level of the stretching strip 22. Stretching wires 6a are accommodated in the seam 10a, which with their upper ends at the level of the stretching strip 22 can be attached to the draw wire 6b, optionally forming the continuation thereof. They form a thickening of the cloth edge. The stretching wires 6a may optionally also be attached to the stretching strip, just like the draw wire 6b.

In FIGS. 1C-E an example is shown of a multiple arrangement with water barriers according to the invention. Situated between two buildings and placed on either side of a road are posts or columns, the outermost posts fixed to or contiguous to the buildings and in between a number of posts, two at the road edges and one in the middle on an elevation. The posts are visible to traffic, for instance by means of a reflective coating. At the top they are provided with operable signals, such as tones or lights which are perceptible when the water barrier is being closed off and/or has been closed off. Between the posts, connected thereto, rails 1 are accommodated in the ground level/road surface.

The first post 20, at the building on the right hand side, is adapted for discharging a first water-retaining sheet/cloth 10a, from its storage space. At the leading end the cloth/sheet is provided with a stiffening, pillar. The second post 20/21 is both provided with a storage space for the next cloth/sheet and with means for holding the stiffening 22 of the first cloth/sheet 10a. The third and fourth posts 20/21 are designed in a similar manner. The fifth post 21 again is simpler and has means for holding the stiffening 22 of the fourth cloth/sheet 10d.

At the bottom side the stiffenings 22 are straight-up movably supported and guided by the rails 1, using driving means that are not further shown. The stiffening may for instance at the bottom, in the foot, be guided so as to slide or roll with a guiding member in the rail, driven by means of a cable or the like, extending between both posts.

When high water level is imminent, FIG. 10, the water barriers are operated, automatically. Traffic is warned by means of visual and/or acoustic signals. Wireless communication means with motorists, such as via telephone or navigation system, can also be made use of. The signals, particularly signals indicating a completed closed position, can also be transmitted to a control room so that it is known when the closed position has been reached. The signals can also be used for warning and diverting traffic at a distance before of the water barrier.

In FIG. 1D the cloth/sheet 10a with the stiffening 22 of the first water barrier is engaged by the second post 20/21. With the three-sided frame of the rail and both posts the first cloth/sheet 10a forms a watertight structure. At the lower edge the cloth/sheet is engaged by a wedge as a result of which it can be loaded with the water pressure that arises. The second, third and fourth cloth/sheet 10b-d are paid out. In that connection also see FIGS. 10A-C and 11 A-C.

In FIG. 1E all water barriers are closed off with cloths/sheets 10a/d.

FIG. 2 shows an example of mechanical means with which the cloth or sheet 10 can be rolled up or rolled out. A winding bush 12 and an inner bush 13 with support foot 14 are rotatably connected to the sill 20. The winding bush 12 is able to rotate both clockwise and anti-clockwise. One direction is set for accommodating the cloth 10 in the frame, the other direction is set for releasing the cloth for erecting/closing off the water barrier.

In order to let the winding bush 12 rotate motion, a torsion spring 17 can be used, which can be tensioned in radial direction due to rotation. In addition a drive of the winding bush 12 is provided via powerful draw springs or torsion springs that are placed in, or in the vicinity of the posts 1. The pre-tensioning can be achieved through external mechanical means such as a hand crank or mechanical means. In that way power is pre-installed to become available on cue for erecting the cloth 10 by winding draw wire 6b up on roller 15.

The release of cloth 10 can among others be achieved by means of an electromagnetic unlocking 19 which on (remote) signal releases the roller 15. The roller 15 is rotatable to a limited degree around the inner bush 13 in order to compensate for a difference in diameter occurring between the rolled up cloth and rolling in the draw wire 6b. The winding bush 12 may be provided with an internal roller motor or tube motor that ensures rolling up or rolling down in an electrically driven manner.

The roller 15 is provided for pulling in draw wire 6b and with the bundle of stretching wires 6a, in the seam 10a, bringing the cloth 10 in the operational position according to FIGS. 1. In FIG. 2 the stop 3b shows how a side of the guide 3 coincides with an edge at the sill 20 so that the cloth 10 in the operational position abuts the frame in a watertight manner. The space 11 in the sill 20 is storage space for the stretching strip 22 in rolled up condition of the cloth or sheet 10.

Worm 18 is the drive point for the external means (such as a crank or hand drill machine) which makes it possible to let the roller 15 rotate so that winding bush 12 rolls up the cloth 10 and at the same time provides the torsion spring 17 with pre-tension again.

FIG. 3 shows a method in which the stretching strip 22 is fixed in the top girder 21. Said stretching strip 22 is also placed as engagement member at the front side of the cloth in the direction of movement and can be pulled into the girder 21 by means of draw wire 6b, wherein in the interior of the girder 21, a movable element 23 is provided that is able to perform a clamping function with another, possibly fixed element 24, at the opposing side. The element 23 can be lowered, or pulled up by wire 27 that can be selectively operated by means of a flight 28 on roller 25.

FIG. 4 shows the space 16 created by the difference in diameter between the winding bush 12 and the inner bush 13 at the indicated location. Said space is available to compensate for the volume difference between the rolled up cloth 10 and the seam 10a with the stretching wires 6a in there. In both FIG. 4 and in FIG. 5 the seam 10a is shown in the operational position. In FIG. 4 the seam can also be seen as 10a+6a. This specific condition is the solution for the storage of the volume of the seam with the draw wire in there.

By composing the stretching wire 6a in the seam 10a from loose wires the shape of the seam 10a is able to adapt to different functions. In addition the condition 10a+6a can be achieved by rolling the seam 10a along a roller 13a wherein the seam 10a with the loose wires 6a in there, acquire a flattened condition (one-dimensionally grouped arrangement) so that more windings can be accommodated in space 16.

In case the cloth is released again for the operational position the flat seam 10a with the stretching wires 6a in there will have to assume the shape according to FIG. 5 again (two-dimensionally grouped arrangement, such as an ellipse or circle). For that purpose a funnel-shaped part 3a of the guide 3 is provided. The shown teeth in the inner bush offer the possibility to move it radially with the winding bush in order to make rolling up and rolling out the cloth possible.

FIG. 5 shows a number of loose stretching wires 6a in cross-section that are bundled together in the seam 10a by a pull in the transverse direction in order to form a body in that way that presses against the wedges 30. Thereby said wedges 30 will want to move in transverse direction within the profile 3 of the guide, and thus will perform a clamping function on the seam 10a in the area of 30b as a result of which the transverse forces that the cloth 10 may exert, are utilised to prevent shifting of the seam. The clamping cooperation between cloth 10, wedges 30 and guide profile 3 is such that it also results in watertightness.

The wedges 30 can be of relatively hard material and the profile 3 of the guide of relatively softer material, in order to thus achieve an improved watertightness. This softer, resilient material also enables to achieve a damping action for cases/moments at which heavy forces are exerted on the water-retaining cloth due to heavy wave action or as a result of impacts due to collisions. High peak tensions are thus counteracted, as the tensions are better distributed over the cloth, as a result of which the loadability of the structure increases.

The said resilience also allows for tension of the cloth with the shortest distance to the guide with seam at the level of an impact being dispersed to a certain degree and the chance of the clamping of the seam being sufficient being increased.

FIG. 6 shows a cloth 10 according to the invention that can be clamped with wedges 30. Said clamping can be necessary when using a more rigid, sheet-shaped material, that cannot be folded flat but can indeed be slightly bent around and then being unable to follow the deformation like in FIG. 4/5, other than being rolled up. By arranging a relief either in or on the coating on the side edges of sheet 10, grip can be exerted on the sheet 10 by means of a counter relief 30a at the inside of the wedges 30 as a result of which forces that are oriented transverse can be taken.

In FIG. 7 and further the cloth 10 is furthermore provided with a series of holes 110 at the longitudinal edge(s). In the manner of a film said series of holes 110 is intended for engagement by projections on a drive. Special is that the drive in this case runs parallel to the longitudinal edge, and therefore engages the longitudinal edge over a considerable length. The drive is in this case a toothed belt 16, which is provided with teeth 16a, 16b on both sides. The teeth 16a fittingly mesh with the holes 110. The teeth 16b serve as engagement means for the actual drive, a wheel 13 driven by motor 40 and rotatable on foot 14 in the bottom sill 20 and provided with holes for fitting, driving accommodation of the teeth 16b. The cloth itself can be rolled up on roller 12 rotatable about axis 12a.

In the vertical end view on the left hand side in FIG. 7 it can be seen that the cloth 10 extends between wedge blocks 30a,b that are placed in a section 3 accommodating wedge blocks 30a,b, as a result of which a guide for the cloth 10 is formed near the cloth edge. The section 3 is relatively shape-retaining or rigid, also see the horizontal cross-section of FIG. 8A. The wedge blocks 30a,b, for instance of vulcanised TP, are provided with vertical, parting slits 31, that have a straight portion 31a and a round end portion 31b. Because of this the wedge blocks 30a,b are divided into parts that are able to turn with respect to each other, at the location of the cloth 10 towards each other. The cloth 10 extends from the longitudinal edge, where it has been engaged by the belt 16, in between the wedge blocks 30a,b, through the opening 3a in guide 3, to the field where the cloth has to retain the water. At the location of the belt 16 wedge block 30a is provided with an integrally formed shoulder 30c. At that side wedge block 30b has an abutment surface 30d.

In the condition of FIG. 8A the cloth 10 can be moved. The cloth 10 here need not be subjected to much counterforce from the wedge blocks 30a,b, which in that case leave a sufficient slit for guiding the cloth 10. In case in the field the cloth will tend to bulge due to water pressure, a force F, see FIG. 8B will be exerted on the cloth, as a result of which the longitudinal edge on the drawing will tend to the right. Due to holes 110 and teeth 16a meshing, a force G is exerted on the belt 16, which as a result with tooth 16a presses (H) against shoulder 30c, and starts movement/deformation of the wedge block 30a. The belt 16 with side 16c then also starts to press against plane 30d of wedge block 30b and starts movement/deformation (I) of wedge block 30b. Both blocks 30a,b are subjected to counterforce from guide 3, indicated by small force arrows. Due to the slits 31 the wedge blocks 30a,b are able to deform, see arrows M1 and M2, as a result of which their surfaces facing the cloth 10 are clamped against the cloth, resulting in the cloth being stopped from further movement out of the passage 3a. The cloth 10 is thus secured to said edge. At the opposite longitudinal edge the same structure can be present in case of posts. The clamping cooperation between cloth, wedge blocks and profile enhances the watertightness along the cloth edge.

In case the clamping force needs to be very high, use can be made of the presence of the slits 31, by placing a steel clamping strip 3 therein, which has a thickened origin 32b fitting in the round portion 31b and a strip member 32a. Due to the deformation of the wedge blocks 41a,b the clamping strips 32 rotate along, directions N1 and N2 wherein their acute edges 32c facing each other forcefully engage in the cloth, co-operatively. Due to the inclined position of the strips 32 a kind of locking against movement to the right of the cloth 10 is achieved.

In case during paying out or retracting the cloth 10 the teeth 16a are subjected to too much friction from the shoulder 30c, see FIG. 9, the belt may be provided with flat rollers 16a′, that are freely rotatable (P) and which cooperate with in that case circular holes 110′ in the cloth 10′.

It is remarked that resilient sealing lips may be provided along the profiles in order to seal the cloth against water near its access. This may be supplementary to the said watertight function of the wedges.

In the water barrier of FIGS. 10-11 use is also made of the “film cloth”. The cloth 10 is in that case horizontally extended, like in FIGS. 1C-E, wherein the lower longitudinal edge is provided with holes 110. The lower longitudinal edge extends in a bottom sill or rails 1 sunk in the bottom, with case 200, usually covered by lid 26. The bottom sill 1 extends between two walls 60, provided with a first post 61a and a second post 61b, respectively. Cloth 10 is rolled up in the first post 61a. The leading edge of the cloth 10 is attached to a vertical stiffening 64. It has a double foot 64a,64b that is slidable in tubes 201,202 in case 200. The tubes 201,202 have a circular cross-section.

Over their remaining lengths the tubes 201, 202 offer room to cables 16 and 17, in a fitting yet easily slidable manner. Cable 16 is provided with a series of teeth 16a, that are able to engage into the holes 110 of cloth 10 in order to take it along. Cable 17 is a return cable and is in series with cable 16 and forms a unity therewith that can reciprocally circulate in tubes 201, 202, which at their ends merge into each other at transitions that are not shown.

When the water barrier has to be deployed, locking device 62 is automatically released from lock 63a in post 61a and received in lock 63a in column 64. After that the drive for cable 16/17 is started, as a result of which, FIG. 10B, the column 64 is moved to the left. In addition a plough provision on the column 64 ensures progressing removal of the lid 26. When the column 64 has arrived at post 61b the locking device 62 is able to engage into its lock 63a. The column 64 is then secured. When moving the column the teeth 16a on cable 16 also took along the cloth 10, wherein tensile force in the cloth has been kept within limits. In FIG. 10C it is indicated that several of these arrangements may follow one another, consecutively, like in FIG. 1C-E.

Due to filling the tubes 201, 202 with cables 16,17 dirt will hardly be able to penetrate in there.

As can be seen in FIG. 11D, in this arrangement as well, in case the cloth 10 tends to move upwards, the teeth 16a are able to press against a wedge block 30, as a result of which the cloth 10 will be clamped just below the opening 3a.

The cloth or sheet 10 is particularly composed of a fabric of high-strength fibres, or is built up from an assembly of threads that have equal or almost equal tensile strength in both horizontal and in vertical direction and for the use according to the invention is pre-stretched. The high-strength fibres are particularly of a PE, such as Dyneema (registered trademark), the stretch of which can be limited, for instance in the order of 0.5%. The cloth has been treated to be watertight, such as by coating, which coating has a sufficiently high resistance against shearing forces or abrasive forces.

In one embodiment it is advantageous when the high-strength fibre is not only used horizontally and vertically but also at angles, including 45 degrees, in order to achieve that at impacts the cloth absorbs the forces evenly in many directions.

The above-mentioned publications show cloth-shaped water barriers which however do not have the characterising properties of the proposed invention. For instance there is no question of a cloth or sheet that is movable within a frame nor is there question of a choice for tensile-strengthened clamping or indeed release of the seam edges of the cloth or sheet.

Publication DE 3527100A1 shows a cable in the seam of the cloth that is suspended between posts and as such functions as holder in the longitudinal direction and thus keeps cloth 6 in an operational position and therefore is not suggested to move the cloth to and out of an operational position.

The seam with cable is not provided to absorb transversely oriented forces via a guide according to the invention, is not provided to be rolled up and not adapted for in the rolled up condition, such as in a flattened condition, achieve saving of space for storage.

The above description is included to illustrate the operation of preferred embodiments of the invention and not to limit the scope of the invention. Starting from the above explanation many variations that fall within the spirit and scope of protection of the present invention will be evident to an expert.

Claims

1-74. (canceled)

75. Water barrier comprising a frame bounding a passage that can be closed off against water, further comprising a flexible water-retaining cloth, a storage space for the cloth and transfer means for transferring the cloth from a storage condition accommodated in the storage space, wherein the passage is open, to a water-retaining condition, wherein the passage is at least partially closed off by the cloth.

76. Water barrier according to claim 75, wherein the frame has two posts and a sill extending therebetween.

77. Water barrier according to claim 76, wherein the frame comprises a bottom sill and/or top sill.

78. Water barrier according to claim 75, comprising means for rolling up the cloth or folding it together in the storage space.

79. Water barrier according to claim 75, wherein the storage space is situated in the sill.

80. Water barrier according to claim 75, wherein the storage space is situated in a post of the frame.

81. Water barrier according to claim 75, wherein the transfer means comprise a drive mechanism, which comprises a driven element that engages onto a longitudinal edge of the cloth, which longitudinal edge extends in direction of movement of the cloth between the storage condition and the water-retaining condition edge of the cloth.

82. Water barrier according to claim 81, wherein the driven element is endless and circulating and at evenly distributed locations drivingly engages onto the longitudinal edge of the cloth.

83. Water barrier according to claim 82, wherein the driving element extends over at least substantially the entire passage, parallel to the direction of movement of the cloth.

84. Water barrier according to claim 82, wherein the driven element only engages onto the part of the cloth that is discharged from the storage space.

85. Water barrier according to claim 81, wherein the cloth is provided with a series of holes in the longitudinal edge and the driven element is provided with projections for driving engagement in the holes.

86. Water barrier according to claims 81, wherein the storage space is situated in a post of the frame and wherein the driven element engages onto a lower longitudinal edge of the cloth.

87. Water barrier according to claim 81, wherein the storage space is situated in the sill and wherein the driven element engages onto a vertical longitudinal edge of the cloth.

88. Water barrier according to claim 87, wherein a driven element engages onto each vertical longitudinal edge of the cloth.

89. Water barrier according to claim 75, wherein the cloth is provided with a thickening at at least two edges that are situated opposite each other.

90. Water barrier according to claim 89, wherein the thickening is at least also formed by cloth edge material folded back onto itself, which preferably is attached onto itself.

91. Water barrier according to claim 89, wherein the thickening is deformable in transverse direction.

92. Water barrier according to claim 89, wherein in a post or sill the frame is provided with a guide for the thickening.

93. Water barrier according to claim 82, wherein the thickening in the water-retaining condition of the cloth engages onto the guide in a watertight manner.

94. Water barrier according to claim 89, wherein the thickening comprises a flexible cord, preferably accommodated in the cloth edge material, optionally over a limited portion of the edge in question, wherein the flexible cord preferably is formed by a group of parallel elements, such as threads, which in a direction transverse thereto can be moved with respect to each other for assuming different shapes, particularly between a two-dimensionally grouped arrangement, such as in an ellipse or circle, and a one-dimensionally grouped arrangement, such as a linear arrangement of a series of adjacently situated elements.