Foundation flood gate with ventilation

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6485231
  • Patent Number
    6,485,231
  • Date Filed
    Thursday, March 29, 2001
    23 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, November 26, 2002
    22 years ago
Abstract
A flood gate is provided which includes a frame defining a fluid passageway therethrough, a door pivotally mounted in the frame for movement between a plurality of open positions to permit flow of fluid therethrough, and at least one latching mechanism for holding the door in the closed position. The latching mechanism can sense a fluid force acting on the door and can release the door when the fluid force meets a preset level. In addition, the latching mechanism can reset the door to the closed position when the fluid force acting on the door drops below the preset level. The door can include a ventilation opening, an automatic louver assembly for controlling air flow through the ventilation opening and a screen covering the ventilation opening. The automatic louver assembly can contain at least one louver, a temperature sensitive actuating device and a member connecting the louver to the temperature sensitive actuating device and can open and close in response to ambient temperatures.
Description




STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT




(Not Applicable)




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




1. Technical Field




This invention relates generally to crawl space and basement venting, and in particular, to the flood venting of enclosed spaces within a foundation.




2. Description of Related Art




To help limit flooding damage, several building code organizations and the federal government have promulgated regulations that mandate that buildings with enclosed spaces located below base flood plain levels, such as crawl spaces, must provide for automatic equalization of interior and exterior hydrostatic forces caused by flooding fluids such as water. According to these regulations, flooding fluids must be permitted to enter and exit the enclosed spaces freely. In particular, many of these regulations require builders to install a number of vents in the enclosed spaces. For example, federal regulations require flood venting for all new construction in flood-prone areas and where renovations to an existing structure exceed fifty percent of the value of the property.




In addition to the regulations mentioned above, good construction practice embraces the use of vents which can be opened during warmer months to allow for ventilation to permit moisture to escape from crawl spaces, while retaining the ability to close during colder months to prevent the circulation of cold air around exposed plumbing in crawl spaces. Typically, the use of screening and louvers is necessary to achieve both the warm weather and cold weather requirements of proper venting. As a result, a flood vent must be able to automatically remove the louver and screen barrier when confronted with free-flowing, flooding fluids.




Generally, a wide variety of devices have been developed which may be utilized to provide pressure relief from both liquid and gaseous forces. With respect to gas pressure relief devices, U.S. Pat. No. 3,680,239, issued Aug. 1, 1972 to Burtis for PRESSURE EQUALIZING VALVE, discloses a device to relieve overpressure and underpressure in the opening and closing of a door of a refrigerated space. U.S. Pat. No. 2,774,116, issued Dec. 18, 1956 to Wolverton for DOUBLE ACTING RELIEF VALVE, U.S. Pat. No. 2,798,422, issued Jul. 9, 1957 to Bourque for AIR RELIEF MEANS FOR DOORS, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,123,867, issued Mar. 10, 1964 to Combs for VESTIBULE PRESSURE EQUALIZER, relate to the equalization of differential air pressure experienced in the swinging of one door relative to another door. Additionally, U.S. Pat. No. 22,105,735, issued Jan. 18, 1938 to Hodge for PRESSURE RELEASING APPARATUS, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,116,213, issued Sep. 26, 1978 to Kamezaki for AIR PRESSURE CONTROL APPARATUS FOR A HOT OR COLD STORAGE CHAMBER, teach methods to release pressure in closed chambers resulting from changing temperatures within the chamber. In particular, the Kamezaki apparatus utilizes a swinging damper hinged at the top of an enclosing frame. Nevertheless, neither the Kamezaki apparatus nor other inventions contemplate the use of a vented damper able to relieve pressure resulting from fluid flow.




Correspondingly, several devices have been developed which provide relief from overpressure resulting from the flow of water and other liquids. U.S. Pat. No. 4,349,296, issued Sep. 14, 1982 to Langeman for IRRIGATION DITCH GATE, describes a gate for an irrigation ditch, which during normal conditions through the use of tensioned springs, maintains flood gates in a closed position, but upon flood conditions, allows for the gates to open. U.S. Pat. No. 3,939,863, issued Feb. 24, 1976 to Robison for BASEMENT SUMP CONSTRUCTION, discloses a basement drain containing a trap for the prevention of back flow of flood water. U.S. Pat. No. 4,174,913, issued Nov. 20, 1979 to Schliesser for ANIMAL GUARD FOR FIELD PIPE, relates to an invention which, while allowing for the free-flow exit of debris carrying effluents from an open pipe end, prevents animal entry into the pipe. Still, none of the aforementioned devices contemplate the integration of a liquid flow control device with a temperature controlled ventilation system.




Presently several patents disclose methods for ventilating enclosed foundation spaces. U.S. Pat. No. 5,293,920, issued Mar. 15, 1994 to Vagedes for LOUVERED BASEMENT VENT, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,487,701, issued Jan. 30, 1996 to Schedegger et al. for PLASTIC FOUNDATION VENT, embody louvered basement vents which can be manually adjusted to limit air flow in colder temperatures and to maximize air flow in hotter conditions. U.S. Pat. No. 5,460,572, issued Oct. 24, 1995 to Waltz et al. for FOUNDATION VENTILATOR, discloses merely a one-piece molded plastic foundation ventilator without louvers. The Waltz invention, however, contemplates the manual use of hinged doors to regulate air flow through to the foundation. U.S. Pat. No. 2,754,747, issued Jul. 17, 1956 to Bertling for AIR REGISTER OR LOUVER, embodies a hinged, louvered door designed to facilitate the maintenance of the screen behind the louvered door. Nonetheless, the louvers are designed to be operated manually by the user.




All of the aforementioned foundation ventilators contain screening to prevent small animals and other pests from gaining access to the enclosed area. Significantly, none of the aforementioned foundation ventilators will act as a pressure relief valve in response to the ebb and flow of flooding fluids. Furthermore, few provide for the automatic adjustment of louvers in a flood gate in response to increasing or decreasing temperature so as to prevent either the rotting of the elements of the structure's foundation or the freezing of pipes within the enclosed space. Accordingly, the prior art has not provided an integrated apparatus that automatically ventilates an enclosed space of a foundation, allows for the relief of fluid pressure on either side of the vent and prevents small animals and other pests from entering the enclosed space.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




The subject invention has advantages over all current air vents now used and provides a novel and nonobvious opening for the entry and exit of flooding fluids such as water. The low-maintenance flood vent can be installed in new and existing crawl spaces and foundations and can remain in use year round. These vents have particular utility in areas designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as flood prone areas. When installed, the vent will allow for the free passage of air ventilation in warm temperatures and the temperature controlled louvers will close fully in colder temperatures.




Also, the louvered panel will be screened to prevent penetration by small animals and other pests and will operate like a pivotally connected gate. The panel can be secured in the closed position by a latching mechanism that senses the height and the direction of the flow of fluid surrounding the vent and releases the panel at a predetermined height.




A vent in accordance with an inventive arrangement can remain open for regular air ventilation in warm weather conditions, can close to block off air flow during cold weather conditions and can, at any time, open to enable the passage of flooding fluid into and out of the crawl space.




The present invention relates to a flood gate. The flood gate includes a frame defining a fluid passageway therethrough and a door pivotally mounted in the frame for rotation between a plurality of open positions to permit flow of fluid therethrough. The flood gate also includes at least one latching mechanism for holding the door in the closed position. The latching mechanism senses the fluid force acting on the door and releases the door when the fluid force meets a preset level.




In one aspect of the invention, the latching mechanism include a float to determine the level of the fluid force. In addition, the float can be disposed within the door. In this arrangement, the door can contain at least one aperture for permitting the fluid force to act upon the float.




In another arrangement, the flood gate can have a sensing and releasing device which can sense the fluid force acting on the float and can release the door when the fluid acting on the float meets the preset level. In addition, the frame can define an open slot adjacent the float. Further, the sensing and releasing device can be a pin extending from the float, and the pin can be adapted to be inserted into the open slot. Positioning the pin within the open slot can prevent the door from pivoting.




In another arrangement, the open slot can include an opening in which the position of the opening determines the preset level. When the fluid force acting upon the float meets the preset level, the pin can exit the opening of the open slot and the pin can be unconstrained by the open slot. This can enable the door to rotate between the open positions. In addition, the frame can define a channel which can enable passage of the pin through the frame when the door rotates between the open positions. In another aspect, the latching mechanism can reset the door to the closed position when the fluid force acting on the door drops below the preset level.




In another arrangement, the flood gate can include at least one stake for attaching the flood gate to a structure. Each stake can include a longitudinal member and an attachment portion. In another aspect, the frame can define a tine slot for receiving the longitudinal member in which the longitudinal member can be insertable into the tine slot in one direction and resistant to removal in an opposite direction.




In yet another aspect, the frame can define opposing door slots in which the door slots include opposing door pins respectively positionable within the opposing door slots. Each door slot can include a bottom which can define a resting vertical and horizontal position of the door pins upon insertion into the door slots. In addition, each door slot can include a door slot opening which can be positioned above the resting vertical and horizontal position. Also, each door pin can be respectively pivotable within the door slot.




In another aspect of the invention, the door can include a ventilation opening, an automatic louver assembly for controlling air flow through the ventilation opening and a screen covering the ventilation opening. In one arrangement, the automatic louver assembly can open and close in response to ambient temperatures. The automatic louver assembly can have at least one louver, a temperature sensitive actuating device and a member connecting the louver to the temperature sensitive actuating device.











DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS




Presently preferred and alternative embodiments of the inventive arrangements are shown in the drawings, it being understood, however, the inventive arrangements are not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.





FIG. 1



a


is a front elevation of a door of a flood vent according to the invention.





FIG. 1



b


is a side elevation of the door in

FIG. 1



a.







FIG. 2



a


is a front elevation of a frame of a flood vent.





FIG. 2



b


is a side elevation of the frame in

FIG. 2



a.







FIG. 3

is a side elevation of a flood vent inserted into a wall and stakes for attaching the flood vent to the wall.





FIG. 4

shows the stakes of

FIG. 3

inserted into a frame of the flood vent.





FIG. 5

is an expanded sectional side elevation of a stake attached to a wall.





FIG. 6

is an expanded partial side elevation of the stake in

FIG. 4

inserted into a frame of a flood vent.





FIG. 7

is a sectional elevation of the door in

FIG. 1



a.







FIG. 8

is a detailed side elevation of a temperature sensitive actuating device.





FIG. 9



a


is a cross section taken along line


9





9


in

FIG. 7

showing louvers in a closed position.





FIG. 9



b


is a cross section taken along line


9





9


in

FIG. 7

showing louvers in an open position.





FIG. 10

is a front elevation of a flood vent showing louvers in a closed position.





FIG. 11



a


is a cross-sectional side elevation of a flood vent showing the reaction of a float to an increasing or a decreasing fluid level.





FIG. 11



b


is a cross-sectional side elevation of a flood vent showing a door swinging open after a float has released the door.





FIG. 12



a


is a front elevation view of a float according to another preferred embodiment of the invention.





FIG. 12



b


is a side elevation view of the float illustrated in

FIG. 12



a.







FIG. 12



c


is a top plan view of the float illustrated in

FIG. 12



a.







FIG. 12



d


is a bottom plan view of the float illustrated in

FIG. 12



a.







FIG. 13

is a front elevation of a door frame according to another embodiment of the invention.





FIG. 14



a


is a cross-sectional side elevation of a flood vent according to another embodiment of the invention showing the position of a float therein when the flood vent is in a closed position.





FIG. 14



b


is a cross-sectional side elevation of the flood vent in

FIG. 14



a


illustrating a pin being raised from a pin slot by the force of flowing fluid.





FIGS. 14



c-f


are cross-sectional side elevations of the flood vent in

FIG. 14



a


sequentially illustrating the sequential opening of a door by the force of flowing fluid.





FIG. 15

is a side elevation of a door and a frame before insertion of the door into the frame.





FIG. 16



a


is a side elevation of a door and a frame showing the positional relationship of the door to the frame during insertion of the door into the frame.





FIG. 16



b


is a side elevation of a door and a frame illustrating the positioning of the door in

FIG. 16



a


to a closed position.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS





FIGS. 1 and 2

illustrate a vent


8


according to a preferred embodiment of an inventive arrangement. The vent


8


can have a frame


10


formed from a corrosion resistant material, preferably stainless steel. The frame


10


is not limited as to a particular dimensioning; however, in one arrangement, the frame


10


can be in dimensions of 8″×16.″ In the one embodiment, the top rail


12


and the bottom rail


14


each can be approximately 17{fraction (11/16)}″ long, and the side rails


16


can be approximately 9{fraction (11/16)}″ long.




A door


22


can be attached to the frame


10


so that the door


22


can pivot relative to the frame


10


. Many features capable of pivoting the door


22


relative to the frame


10


are well known in the art, and all such features are acceptable for use with this invention; however, the presently preferred features to attach the door


22


to the frame


10


are door pins


86


which can extend from sides of the door


22


. The door pins


86


can be adapted to be received within door slots


88


which can be disposed within the frame


10


. As shown in

FIG. 2



b


, the door slots


88


can be T-shaped. This configuration can allow the door pins


86


to rise in the door slots


88


which can permit the door


22


to rise in response to flooding. Significantly, however, the design of the door slots


88


can prevent the door


22


from being easily removed during flooding conditions and can deter entry by unauthorized persons or pests.




The door


22


is preferably made with a corrosion-resistant material, most preferably stainless steel. The door


22


also preferably comprises two mesh grilles


24


which can be disposed on opposing faces of the door


22


. Although the mesh grilles


24


can allow air and water to pass through the door


22


, the size of the openings in the mesh grilles


24


can be sufficiently small to prevent objects such as small animals or debris from passing through the door


22


.




Any means of securing the frame


10


to a wall opening is acceptable. An example of a securing means is a set of stainless steel set screws. Divots can be drilled in the building prior to insertion of the setting screws to ensure proper security. Also, the perimeter can be caulked as required.




As illustrated in

FIGS. 3-6

, a presently preferred means of securing the frame


10


to a wall


17


is with one or more stakes


11


. The stakes


11


can include a forked longitudinal member


13


and an attachment portion


15


. The attachment portion


15


can be bent at predetermined positions based on the thickness of the wall


17


. Thus, the wall


17


can be wedged between the frame


10


and the bent portion of the attachment portion


15


. The attachment portion


15


preferably includes a slot or hole through which a fastener, such as a nail or screw, can be inserted into the wall


17


thereby securing the frame


10


to the wall


17


. The forked longitudinal member


13


preferably includes a pair of tines


19


; however, the invention is not so limited, as the forked longitudinal member


13


can contain any number of tines


19


.




The tines


19


can be configured to be inserted into a slot


23


in the frame


10


in one direction but resistant to removal in the opposite direction. The number of slots


23


contained in the frame can be based on the number of stakes


11


included in the invention; however, any number of slots


23


can be contained in the frame


10


. Any feature on the tines


19


that resists removal in an opposite direction is acceptable; however, the presently preferred feature is one or more teeth


21


. The teeth


21


can be externally mounted on the tines


19


, as shown in

FIGS. 3 and 6

. It should be noted, however, that the invention is not limited in this regard, as the teeth


21


can be can be internally mounted on the tines


19


such that the teeth


21


on opposing tines


19


will face towards each other. In this arrangement, each tine


19


containing the internally mounted teeth


21


can be inserted into an appropriately sized slot


23


in one direction but resistant to removal in the opposite direction.




The teeth


21


can also be both externally and internally mounted on the tines


19


. In this arrangement, the frame


10


can include one or more slots


23


for receiving one or more tines


19


containing both internally and externally mounted teeth


21


. Similar to the previously discussed teeth


21


arrangements, each tine


19


with both internally and externally mounted teeth


21


can be inserted into an appropriately sized slot in one direction but resistant to removal in an opposite direction. As shown in

FIG. 6

, each tooth


21


can be configured with a first contact surface


25


and a second contact surface


27


. In one arrangement, the width of the forked longitudinal member


13


is greater than the width of each slot


23


, and the distance


24


between the tines


19


is at least as great as the difference between the width of the forked longitudinal member


13


and the width of each slot


23


.




In a preferred embodiment, each of the first contact surfaces


25


can be oriented at an angle relative to the direction the stake


11


is to be inserted into the slot


23


. Further, each of the second contact surfaces


27


can be oriented substantially perpendicular to the insertion direction of the stake


11


. Pressure from inserting the stake


11


into the slot


23


against the first contact surface


25


can force the tines


19


towards one another and can enable the stake


23


to be inserted into the slot


23


. Also, because the second contact surface


27


can be oriented substantially perpendicular to the insertion direction, the second contact surface


27


can prevent removal of the stake


11


from the slots


23


; however, the stake


11


can be removed from the slots


23


if the tines


19


are forced together such that the combined width of the tines


19


and teeth


21


is less than the width of the slots


23


.




This preferred embodiment of the attachment means has several advantages. Specifically, no tools are needed to install the device. In addition, since the door


22


can be completely removed from the frame


10


during installation, maintenance, cleaning or removal, access to the inner surface of the wall


17


can be achieved without entering the structure.




During installation, the frame


10


can be placed in a prepared opening in the wall


17


. The stakes


11


, which can be bent based on the thickness of the wall


17


, can then be positioned through the opening in the frame


10


with the bent attachment portion


15


of the stake


11


placed behind the wall


17


. Further, the forked longitudinal member


13


of the stake


11


can be inserted into the slot


23


of the frame


10


. As a result, the wall


17


can be secured between the frame


10


and the stake


11


. The installation process can then be repeated for each of the remaining stakes


11


. These stakes can then be anchored to the wall


17


with a fastener, such as a screw or nail. Once the frame is secured to the wall


17


, the door


22


can be installed in the frame


10


.




Once attached to the wall


17


, the frame


10


can be difficult to remove. However, if the frame


10


does have to be removed for maintenance or any other purpose, forcing the tines


19


together can enable the stakes


11


to be removed from the slots


23


and can thereby allow the frame


10


to be removed from the wall


17


. Because this is a difficult and nonobvious process, however, it can discourage removal of the frame


10


by unauthorized persons.




FIGS.


7


and


9


-


10


illustrate the substantially equally spaced positioning of louvers


58


within a door frame


28


. Although these drawings illustrate the door frame


28


as containing four louvers


58


, the invention is not so limited. In fact, the door frame


28


can contain any number of louvers


58


. A vertical rod


60


, preferably made from a corrosion-resistant, strong material such as stainless steel, can be coupled to each louver


58


, as shown in

FIGS. 9



a


and


9




b


. Referring to

FIG. 8

, the vertical rod can be coupled to a temperature sensitive actuating device


36


. The temperature sensitive actuating device


36


, so named because the device translates thermal inputs into physical motion, can be adjusted to drive the louvers


58


open through vertical rod


60


during warm temperatures and to substantially fully close the louvers


58


through vertical rod


60


when the temperature falls below approximately forty degrees Fahrenheit. In one arrangement, the temperature sensitive actuating device


36


can be a bi-metallic coil. It should be noted, however, that the invention is not limited in this regard, as the actuating device


36


can be wax elements, thermal pistons, thermal bellows, a snap acting disc or leaf, a thermal diaphragm, a helical coil or a spiral band or mechanism utilizing electronic sensors and motorized actuators or any other suitable temperature activated device.





FIG. 7

illustrates the latching mechanism


70


. The latching mechanism


70


can operate by sensing the level or flow of fluids, such as water, passing through the door frame


28


and, at a preset level, can release the door


22


. At a time when the level of fluid has decreased sufficiently so that the door


22


hangs substantially perpendicular to the ground, the latching mechanism


70


can be reset, which in turn can return the door


22


to its pre-release position. Although any type of latching mechanism


70


so capable is acceptable, the presently preferred latching mechanism uses a float


72


, which can indicate the level or flow of the fluid. Although the float


72


is positioned within the door


22


, the invention can be configured so that fluid contacts the float


72


. Moreover, the invention is not limited to two floats as illustrated in

FIG. 7

, as the invention can contain any number of floats


72


. Once the float


72


is lifted by the height or flow of the fluid to a preset level, the door


22


can be released. Many types of devices are capable of sensing the float


72


at a preset level and capable of subsequently releasing the door


22


, and the invention is not limited as to a particular type of sensing and releasing device.




In one arrangement, the sensing and releasing device can be a pin


74


extending from the float


72


. Referring to

FIGS. 11



a


and


11




b,


the pin


74


can be adapted to be inserted into an open slot


78


in the frame


10


. As illustrated in

FIG. 11



a,


when the pin


74


is positioned within the open slot


78


, the door


22


can be prevented from swinging in either direction. The position of the opening of the open slot


78


determines the level of fluid at which the door


22


can open. Once the float


72


is lifted by fluid such that the pin


74


exits the opening of the open slot


78


, the pin


74


is not constrained by the open slot


78


and can rotate in the direction of the current of the fluid, as illustrated in

FIG. 11



b.






The frame


10


also preferably includes a channel


80


which can allow the pin


74


to pass through the frame


10


as the door


22


rotates. The width of the channel


80


is preferably at least as great as the range of movement of the pin


74


in the door


22


. The range of movement of the pin


74


is preferably constrained by a pin slot


82


in the door


22


through which the pin


74


extends.




Use of the float


72


, pin


74


and open slot


78


also acts as a resetting mechanism. When the fluid level drops sufficiently, the pin


74


can be lower than the opening in the open slot


78


if the door


22


is at a substantially perpendicular position relative to ground. The door


22


, however, may not be perpendicular until the weight of the door


22


overcomes the force of the current of fluid pushing against the door


22


. To assist the resetting process, one or more guides


84


can be disposed on the frame


10


. The guides


84


can be used to position the pin


74


in the open slot


78


. The guides


84


can be used when the door


22


returns to a substantially perpendicular position, which occurs when the level of fluid is lower than the opening in the open slot


78


. The guides


84


, which can be disposed on both sides of the open slot


78


, can be angled upward to position the pin


74


upward as the door


22


rotates to a substantially perpendicular position. Once the door


22


reaches this position, the pin


74


can be at the level of the opening of the open slot


78


, such that when the pin


74


is positioned over the opening, the pin


74


can fall into the open slot


78


thereby resetting the latching mechanism


70


.




The latching mechanism


70


can be any structure suitable for sensing the level of fluid passing through the vent


8


and for releasing the door


22


at a preset fluid level. Additional structures, such as paddles, levers, tabs, and paddle wheels, can be used independently, or in addition to the above-described latching mechanism


70


to sense the fluid level and to release the door


22


.




Fluids flowing through the vent


8


may rise and recede very slowly, or in the case of a storm surge, can rush in very quickly. The latching mechanism


70


can be configured to utilize the force of flowing fluids to release the door


22


. Referring to

FIGS. 12



a


-


12




d,


the latching mechanism


70


can include an actuating structure


160


, which can translate the force of flowing fluids into a lifting force to release and open the door


22


. The actuating structure


160


can include a float


172


. The float


172


can be configured to have a paddle-like configuration so that it can be displaced along a predetermined trajectory by the force of flowing fluids, such as water.




The float


172


preferably has a bottom surface


165


contacting a float pin


174


. The float


172


can have any suitable configuration, however, the float


172


is preferably configured to translate the force of fluids flowing through the vent


8


into an actuating force to release the float pin


174


from the open slot


78


thereby causing the door


22


to open. As shown in

FIG. 13

, the door


22


can include one or more apertures


130


to channel flowing fluids directly to the float


172


. Turning back to

FIG. 12



b,


in one arrangement, the float


172


can have a paddle-like configuration with a front surface


161


and a rear surface


163


. The front and rear surfaces


161


,


163


can be oriented substantially perpendicular to the direction of inward and outward fluid flow within the vent


8


. In the illustrated embodiment, the front and rear surfaces


161


,


163


flare outwardly to provide a narrower upper portion


167


and a wider bottom surface


165


; however, the invention is not limited in this regard, as the float


172


can be any configuration suitable for transforming forces from flowing fluids into rotation by the door


22


. The front and rear surfaces


161


,


163


can intersect with the bottom surface


165


to define lower edges


151


,


153


. The lower edges


151


,


153


can be any suitable shape in order to serve as rotational points to allow the float


172


to pivot backwards or forwards on a surface. For example, the lower edges


151


,


153


can be rounded, as shown in

FIG. 12



b.


In addition, the lower edges


151


,


153


can also be sharp corners.





FIGS. 14



a


-


14




f


illustrate the float


172


within the door


22


.

FIG. 14



a


shows the position of the float


172


when the fluid level within the vent


8


is not sufficient to displace the float


172


. The door


22


can be in a vertical, closed position, and the float pin


174


can be seated in the open slot


78


. When the float


172


is not displaced by the fluid within the vent


8


, the rounded edges


151


,


153


can rest on the base


29


of the door frame


28


. The open slot


78


can be configured to functionally engage the configuration of the float


172


to facilitate the opening of the door


22


when the fluid rises to a sufficient level. The rounded edges


151


,


153


can allow the float


172


to rotate about oppositely disposed fulcrum points


181


,


182


on the base


29


.





FIGS. 14



b


-


14




f


illustrate the action of flowing fluid on the float


172


. As seen in

FIG. 14



b,


flowing fluid can enter the door


22


through the apertures


130


(

FIG. 13

) in the door frame


28


. The force of the flowing fluid can tilt the float


172


and can cause the float


172


to pivot on the rounded edge


153


at the fulcrum point


182


. This motion can lift the float pin


174


out of the open slot


78


, which can release the door


22


thus permitting the door


22


to swing open with the flow of the fluid. The pin slot


82


in the door frame


28


can constrain the upward movement of the float


172


. In

FIGS. 14



c


and


14




d,


the force of the flowing fluid can push the rear surface


163


of the float


172


against the door


22


thereby forcing the door


22


into the open position. As shown in

FIG. 14



e,


it can be seen that the channel


80


can allow the passage of the pin


174


through the frame


10


. As seen in

FIG. 14



f


, once the door has rotated into the fully open position, the force of the current and the buoyancy of the float


172


can maintain the door


22


in the open position. The float


172


, door frame


28


and channel


80


are preferably symmetrically constructed to allow the door


22


to be opened by the inflow and outflow of fluid into the vent


8


.




After the fluid level has dropped, the above-described arrangement of the float


172


, the float pin


174


, door frame


28


and the open slot


78


can function as a resetting mechanism. That is, when the fluid level has sufficiently receded, the float


172


can tilt on the fulcrum point


182


back to its original position, and the float pin


174


can rotate back into the open slot


78


to latch the door


22


.




In the event that the incoming fluid rises slowly and does not have sufficient current flow to push the float


172


, the buoyancy of the float


172


can lift the float pin


174


out of the open slot


78


, and the door


22


can be released in the manner described in the previous embodiment. The door


22


can thus be released by the buoyancy of float


172


, by the force of flowing fluid pushing on the float


172


, or by a combination of these two methods working in cooperation to release the door


22


.





FIGS. 15 and 16

illustrate one way to insert the door


22


into the frame


10


. As shown in

FIG. 15

, the door


22


can be held substantially perpendicular to the frame


10


and can then be inserted into the frame


10


by positioning the door pins


86


on the door


22


into the opening of the door slot


88


in the frame


10


. The opening of the door slot


88


can be positioned slightly higher than the final vertical position of the door pins


86


so that the door


22


can be rotated substantially perpendicular to the frame


10


. Once each pin


86


is in its respective door slot


88


, the door pin


86


can be constrained from movement in any direction except along the length of the door slot


88


. The bottom of the door slot


88


can define the final horizontal and vertical position of the door pins


86


.




As shown in

FIG. 15

, the configuration of the door slot


88


can limit the translational movement of the door pin


86


, even if the door pin


86


is moved slightly upward. Also, this feature can prevent the door


22


from being removed from the frame


10


when the door


22


is in a closed positioned. Thus, to remove the door


22


, the door


22


must be positioned at an angle so that the door pins


86


can be lifted upward in the door slot


88


and then towards the opening of the door slot


88


. A portion of the door slot


88


can continue vertically past the opening of the door slot


88


which can reduce the possibility of unauthorized or accidental removal of the door


22


. In addition, a retainer (not pictured) can be added to the door slot


88


, which can be removed only with a special tool. As a result, the retainer can prevent unauthorized entry.




It should be understood that the examples and embodiments described herein are for illustrative purposes only and that various modifications or changes in light thereof will be suggested to persons skilled in the art and are to be included within the spirit and purview of this application. The invention can take other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof for an indication of the scope of the invention.



Claims
  • 1. A flood gate, comprising:a frame defining a fluid passageway therethrough; a door pivotally mounted in said frame for rotation between a plurality of open positions to permit flow of fluid therethrough; and at least one latching mechanism for holding said door in a closed position, said latching mechanism sensing a fluid force acting on said door and releasing said door when the fluid force meets a preset level, wherein said latching mechanism includes a float disposed within said door to determine the level of the fluid force.
  • 2. The flood gate according to claim 1, wherein said door contains at least one aperture for permitting the fluid force to act upon said float.
  • 3. The flood gate according to claim 1, wherein said latching mechanism includes a sensing and releasing device to sense the fluid force acting on said float and to release said door when the fluid force acting on said float meets said preset level.
  • 4. The flood gate according to claim 3, wherein said frame defines an open slot adjacent said float, said sensing and releasing device is a pin extending from said float, said pin adapted to be inserted into said open slot, said pin being positioned within said open slot thereby preventing said door from pivoting.
  • 5. The flood gate according to claim 4, wherein said open slot includes an opening, the position of said opening determining said preset level, whereby upon the fluid force acting upon said float meets said preset level, said pin exits said opening of said open slot and said pin is unconstrained by said open slot thereby enabling said door to rotate between said open positions.
  • 6. The flood gate according to claim 5, wherein said frame defines a channel enabling passage of said pin through said frame when said door rotates between said open positions.
  • 7. The flood gate according to claim 1, wherein said latching mechanism resets said door to said closed position when the fluid force acting on said door drops below said preset level.
  • 8. The flood gate according to claim 1, further comprising at least one stake for attaching said flood gate to a structure.
  • 9. The flood gate according to claim 8, wherein each stake includes:a longitudinal member; and an attachment portion.
  • 10. The flood gate according to claim 1, wherein said frame defines a tine slot for receiving said longitudinal member, said longitudinal member insertable into said tine slot in a one direction and resistant to removal in an opposite direction.
  • 11. The flood gate according to claim 1, wherein said frame defines opposing door slots, said door slots including opposing door pins respectively positionable within said opposing door slots, each said door slot including a bottom defining a resting vertical and horizontal position of said door pins upon insertion into said door slots.
  • 12. The flood gate according to claim 11, wherein each said door slot includes a door slot opening positioned above said resting vertical and horizontal position.
  • 13. The flood gate according to claim 11, wherein each said door pin is respectively pivotable within said door slot.
  • 14. The flood gate according to claim 1, wherein said door comprises:a ventilation opening; an automatic louver assembly for controlling air flow through said ventilation opening; and a screen covering said ventilation opening.
  • 15. The flood gate according to claim 14, wherein said automatic louver assembly opens and closes responsive to ambient temperatures.
  • 16. The flood gate according to claim 14, wherein said automatic louver assembly comprises:at least one louver; a temperature sensitive actuating device; and a member connecting said louver to said temperature sensitive actuating device.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This is a Continuation-In-Part of application Ser. No. 09/386,791 filed Aug. 31, 1999, U.S. Pat. No. 6,287,050, which is a Continuation-In-Part of application Ser. No. 09/079,611 filed May 15, 1998, U.S. Pat. No. 5,944,445. application Ser. No. 09/079,611 claims the benefit of provisional application No. 60/052,819 filed Jul. 10, 1997.

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Provisional Applications (1)
Number Date Country
60/052819 Jul 1997 US
Continuation in Parts (2)
Number Date Country
Parent 09/386791 Aug 1999 US
Child 09/821397 US
Parent 09/079611 May 1998 US
Child 09/386791 US