Flood Actuated Patents (Class 49/10)
  • Patent number: 11286631
    Abstract: A static floodwall system that includes at least one floodwall section, and may include an access gate. The access gate may include a motor, control box, and drive system for moving a gate panel between open and closed positions. The static floodwall system may further include a plumbing system for transporting rain water from a dry side to a wet side. The floodwall system may be installed such that it is surface mounted, requiring minimal excavation. Methods of installing the floodwall system include creating a shallow excavation, adding compact fill and a top layer to the excavation site, and installing the floodwall section(s) on the top layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: RSA Protective Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Richard S. Adler, Roderic A. Ellman, Jr., Risto Salo
  • Patent number: 10017937
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a flood vent panel includes a plurality of insulation pieces coupled together to form at least a portion of the flood vent panel. The flood vent panel further includes one or more insulation piece connectors coupled to the plurality of insulation pieces, and configured to couple the plurality of insulation pieces together. The flood vent panel is configured to be coupled, at least indirectly, to a structure, so as to at least partially block a fluid passageway through an opening in the structure. The one or more insulation piece connectors are further configured to uncouple one or more of the plurality of insulation pieces from the panel when at least a predetermined amount of pressure is applied to a portion of the flood vent panel by one or more of a fluid or an object carried by the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: SMART VENT PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Winfield Scott Anderson, Jr., Tom Little, Michael J. Graham
  • Patent number: 9752341
    Abstract: A safety barrier assembly is provided for a parking garage is positioned in proximity to an opening for a VRC and includes a horizontal AGV safety beam and upper and lower pedestrian barriers having horizontal railings and vertical legs. The vertical legs are slidable within openings at opposite ends of the AGV safety beam. The vertical legs of the upper pedestrian barrier are longer than those of the lower pedestrian barrier. The AGV safety beam can be moved vertically between a lower position where the AGV safety beam is substantially adjacent a floor of the parking garage and an upper position where the AGV safety beam is elevated from the floor. The horizontal railings of the pedestrian barriers are parallel to and spaced above the AGV safety beam in the lower position. However, the horizontal railings abut the AGV safety beam in the upper position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Space Maker International Inc.
    Inventor: Andreas N. Wastel
  • Publication number: 20150096232
    Abstract: A novel design and construction method for the creation of a Deployable Flexible Flood Mitigation Device manufactured from textile and membrane materials. The Flexible Flood Mitigation Device comprises a textile/membrane panel configured to be movable between an opened position and a closed position, wherein in the closed position, the panel forms a barrier against flood water; and a spool that is manually or electrically operated is used to move the panel from the closed position to the opened position. The spool can also be eliminated and the panel can be manually folded for storage. The Flexible Flood Mitigation Device can be configured for use in many applications including subway tunnels, vehicular tunnels, stairwells, ventilation shafts, and other openings that can be threatened by flooding. It can be used in any orientation (vertical, horizontal or at an angle with respect to gravity), and can stop fluids approaching from either side. It can also be shaped to fit any opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: ILC DOVER LP
    Inventors: David Phillip Cadogan, Jonathan Michael Hinkle, Jeffrey Lewis Roushey, Tony Ray McKee, Ralph Olav Elgesem
  • Patent number: 8893433
    Abstract: Provided is a water blocking board apparatus which can improve reliability of the operation of a water blocking board, the apparatus having: a water blocking board configured to ascend from a road surface to block water; a water blocking board accommodating pit formed under the road surface so as to accommodate the board; a water collecting pit configured to let water to flow thereinto upon flooding; a water collecting bucket which accumulates water having flown into the water collecting pit and is configured to descend in the water collecting pit by the weight of the accumulated water; and a transmission mechanism which connects the board and the bucket and converts a descending force of the bucket into an ascending force of the board, at least one of the mechanism and the bucket being provided with a device for inhibiting inclination of the bucket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Lixil Suzuki Shutter Corporation
    Inventor: Daiki Fukagawa
  • Publication number: 20130340340
    Abstract: Provided is a water blocking board apparatus which can improve reliability of the operation of a water blocking board, the apparatus having: a water blocking board configured to ascend from a road surface to block water; a water blocking board accommodating pit formed under the road surface so as to accommodate the board; a water collecting pit configured to let water to flow thereinto upon flooding; a water collecting bucket which accumulates water having flown into the water collecting pit and is configured to descend in the water collecting pit by the weight of the accumulated water; and a transmission mechanism which connects the board and the bucket and converts a descending force of the bucket into an ascending force of the board, at least one of the mechanism and the bucket being provided with a device for inhibiting inclination of the bucket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: LIXIL SUZUKI SHUTTER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Daiki Fukagawa
  • Publication number: 20130061522
    Abstract: The flood protection device is a door, patio door, window, french window, garage door or similar solution for closing apertures in buildings offering flood protection up to a predetermined height that includes a number of conduits which may be installed within a wall, a window, door or any other barrier in the outer perimeter of a building and conduits that extend through the barrier to allow water to enter into the building above the pre-determined height. The conduits are sited at a height at or below the height at which the force exerted upon the barrier by external water is equal to the maximum force which the barrier can withstand without undergoing failure. The flood protection device may be fitted with a visual and audible internal indicator and locking or disabling mechanism to prevent the device being opened in the presence of flood water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: EINSTEIN IP LIMITED
    Inventors: John Reginald Alexander, Brian Frederick Clegg, Peter Emmons
  • Patent number: 7926539
    Abstract: A flood vent access door assembly having a frame assembly defining a fluid entrance aperture; a door pivotally mounted in said frame assembly, where in the door includes at least one ventilation opening formed through the door; and at least one latching/release mechanism for releasably maintaining the door in a fixed position relative to the frame assembly if a level of fluid is not above a determined level and releasing the door to pivot relative to the frame assembly if the level of fluid is above the determined level, wherein the at least one latching/release mechanism comprises a float means coupled to an elongate release arm for determining the level of fluid and releasing a latch of the at least one latching/release mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Inventors: Steven L. Hurst, William R. Higdon
  • Patent number: 6651725
    Abstract: An air charged appliance includes an air chamber and an air sac, made in various shapes for different uses. The air sac is placed in the air chamber and filled up with air to become inflated together with the air chamber, but the both are made separately from each other. The air chamber is not easy to break and able to endure bumping so the air charged appliance can be used for a long period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Inventor: Tien-Chih Hong
  • Patent number: 4787602
    Abstract: A tether anchorage is provided for supporting barrier planks of free standing posts of portable barrier systems wherein an elongated plug with a head, flat intermediate tongue and body has a tether secured to one end of the plug and with the head of the plug being receivable in a slot and apertures in the wall of the post to suspend the plank by the tether.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1988
    Assignee: Glasdon Limited
    Inventor: Andrew D. Pidgeon