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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to flood barrier walls. The present invention relates to a barrier system constructed of interconnected fabric bags or cells or containers filled with material, such as sand, each bag having the capability to disengage the bottom of the bag, and allow the bag to be lifted from the material held therein, and the material to remain in place on the ground upon which it had been set to continue to function as a barrier wall.
2. General Background of the Invention
The art of building temporary flood walls is well known. The most commonly known method is to fill small bags full of sand and to stack them up in a pyramid fashion to hold back flood waters. These small bags may weigh, for example, between 50 and 100 pounds. Building flood walls with this method involves a lot of labor and time.
It is also well known in the art that once flexible fabrics are formed into continuous cellular walls, and filled with sand and dirt, it forms a solid barrier against water. However, filling these flexible containers on banks along rivers and shore lines is not an easy task. The flexible walls must be properly supported until the containers are filled. One such method accomplishes this by using a large metal sled that supports each portion of the cellular wall as it is filled. The sled may then be pulled along a horizontal line until it clears the filled cell and new unfilled cells are opened and supported under the sled, waiting to be filled.
Existing methods support each cell's corner with a special plastic hangar that is not readily available and is therefore expensive. These plastic hangars can only be used a single time. As two hangars are used every two feet of the wall, the costs of these special parts add up over the course of each mile of wall that is placed. Further, with only the corners supported, there is noticeable sagging of the cellular walls as each cell is filled. This sagging creates uneven tensions on the four holders. The uneven tension can often overload individual hangars and cause them to fail during the movement of the sled.
The individual cells of the wall can be filled with up to 7,000 pounds of sand or dirt. After filling, the sled moves horizontally. The hangars must slide along metal rails until they clear the sled. Under this tremendous weight, these hangars can fail and cause the cells to drop from the sled prematurely.
Other methods involve simply piling truckloads of sand and dirt on top of levees. But while this method is fast, it is prone to washouts as the sand and dirt is uncontained against the flow of water.
Still another method uses open top bulk bags with wooden frames inside them which are bolted together in a cellular fashion to create vertical long walls that are then filled with sand and dirt. This method is a fairly fast method for constructing walls but has the expense of the wood and is limited to vertical walls that can be pushed over by fast moving flood waters, or collapsed from beneath as the flood waters hollow out the ground beneath them.
Still another method uses specially shaped bags that have triangular shaped sides. These bags are delivered using a large sled device that makes filling easier and faster than the methods listed above. However, this sled device relies on a bag support method that requires special parts to support each bag by its four corners that can be expensive and unreliable. Further the triangular shaped front of the containers are often unfilled due to the containers pointed toe. Due to the wave action of the flood waters, the sand and dirt can move after placement and cause some loss of control over its shape. And, just as the square bags can be hollowed out from below, so can this triangular faced design.
In short, the prior art methods of flood control that utilize flexible materials still have shortcomings that need to be addressed.
The present invention solves the problems in the art in a simple and straightforward manner. What is provided is a method of constructing, and a system of utilizing, a removable flexible bag or container or cell by providing a flexible bag or container or cell of the type having sidewalls, a sloping front wall and a vertical rear wall to define a space for holding material, such as sand; forming a bottom, which comprises a pair of panels, each panel extending two feet under the bag when the bag is filled with material; folding each panel back onto itself to end at the nearest edge; securing loops onto the end of each panel, which extend from out of the front and rear of the bag; securing the ends of the bag beneath the bag while the bag is being filled with material; pulling the loops away from the bag to pull the panels from under the bag so that the contents of the bag are exposed to the ground beneath the bag; and lifting the bag upward and away from the material contents of the bag, the material contents to remain in place on the ground upon which it had been set to continue to function as a barrier wall.
In an embodiment of the method of the present invention, each of the bottom panels are four feet long, with two feet set under the bag, and two feet folded back onto itself, and wherein the lifting loops extend one foot out from under the bag; and wherein the ends of the panels are secured under the bag, with the use of a hog ring on each panel, for example; and wherein after the bag is lifted away, the bag is cleaned, the bottom panels are re-secured in place, and the bag is stored for further use; and wherein the bag may be a group of a plurality of bags interconnected with each bag having its own bottom panels to operate as disclosed.
An embodiment of the present invention comprises a method of constructing a removable flexible bag, comprising: a) providing a flexible bag of the type having sidewalls, a sloping front wall and a vertical rear wall to define a space for holding material, such as sand; b) forming a bottom, which comprises a pair of panels, each panel extending two feet under the bag when the bag is filled with material; c) folding each panel back onto itself to end at the nearest edge; d) securing loops onto the end of each panel, which extend from out of the front and rear of the bag; e) securing the ends of the bag beneath the bag while the bag is being filled with material; f) pulling the loops away from the bag to pull the panels from under the bag so that the contents of the bag are exposed to the ground beneath the bag; and g) lifting the bag upward and way from the material contents of the bag.
In another embodiment of the method of the present invention, each of the bottom panels are four feet long, with two feet set under the bag, and two feet folded back onto itself.
In another embodiment of the method of the present invention, the lifting loops extend one foot out from under the bag.
In another embodiment of the method of the present invention, the ends of the panels are secured under the bag with the use of a hog ring on each panel.
In another embodiment of the method of the present invention, after the bag is lifted away, the bag is cleaned, the bottom panels are re-secured in place, and the bag is stored for further use.
In another embodiment of the method of the present invention, the bag may be a group of a plurality of bags interconnected with each bag having its own bottom panels to operate as claimed herein.
Another embodiment of the present invention comprises a method of using a removable flexible bag or cell, comprising the steps of: a) providing a flexible bag of the type having sidewalls, a sloping front wall and a vertical rear wall to define a space for holding material, such as sand; b) forming a bottom, which comprises a pair of panels, each panel extending two feet under the bag when the bag is filled with material so that the four foot bottom of the bag is defined by the two panels; c) folding each panel back onto itself to end at the nearest edge; d) securing loops onto the end of each panel, which extend from out of the front and rear of the bag; e) securing the ends of the bag beneath the bag while the bag is being filled with material; f) filling the bag with material, such as sand; g) pulling the loops away from the bag to pull the panels from under the bag so that the contents of the bag are exposed to the ground beneath the bag; and h) lifting the bag upward and way from the material contents of the bag.
Another embodiment of the present invention comprises a removable flexible bag, comprising: a) a flexible bag of the type having sidewalls, a sloping front wall and a vertical rear wall to define a space for holding material, such as sand; b) a bottom portion, which comprises a pair of panels, each panel being four feet in length; c) each panel back folded onto itself so that each panel is two feet in length under the bag, and the end extends out to end at the nearest edge; d) a hog ring for securing each panel under the bag when material is poured into the bag; e) a loop secured to the end of each panel, which extend from out of the front and rear of the bag; and f) the loops pulled away from the bag to pull the panels from under the bag so that the contents of the bag are exposed to the ground beneath the bag, so the bag can be lifted upward and way from the material contents of the bag.
In another embodiment of the removable flexible bag of the present invention, each of the bottom panels are four feet long, with two feet set under the bag, and two feet folded back onto itself.
In another embodiment of the removable flexible bag of the present invention, the lifting loops extend one foot out from under the bag.
In another embodiment of the removable flexible bag of the present invention, the ends of the panels are secured under the bag with the use of a hog ring on each panel.
In another embodiment of the removable flexible bag of the present invention, the bag is lifted away, the bag is cleaned, the bottom panels are re-secured in place, and the bag is stored for further use.
In another embodiment of the removable flexible bag of the present invention, the bag may be a group of a plurality of bags interconnected with each bag having its own bottom panels to operate as claimed and disclosed herein.
For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and wherein:
Turning now to
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An embodiment of the removable flexible cell or bag system of the present invention comprises a series of identical chambers that are sewn together to make a continuous cell wall 35. In a preferred embodiment, the method of constructing a continuous cellular wall of the removable flexible cell or bag system, comprises building every other chamber completely, then connecting the completed chambers with a single main panel. A completed cell wall in a preferred embodiment would be comprised of 31 completed chambers and one connection chamber that is essentially an open chamber at the end of the string of chambers. An embodiment of the present invention would be made up of 17 complete chambers and 18 extra main panels. The system may be constructed in a series of steps, similar to those used in bulk bag production, except for the final stage of putting together the chain of bags.
In an embodiment of the present invention, each chamber will have two sleeves of fabric 19 near the top opening of each chamber or cell 10. These sleeves will provide support for the chambers during the filling and emptying process. These sleeves 19 may be added to each side panel 11, 12 prior to the production of the actual chamber.
Turning now to
Dimensions may further be as follows:
In a preferred embodiment, dimensionally, a horizontal height “B” will be 46 centimeters longer than the vertical height “A”. The toe front 20 will be 31 centimeters tall. A reusable embodiment features an incomplete bottom 14. The center portion 22 of the bottom 14 is completely open. The outer portions 14a, 14b are only slightly attached so that it can easily break free without damage during removal for reuse. A reusable embodiment also features pull straps 16 that will allow the bottom flaps to be pulled from beneath the load to free the filler sand 18 without damage. In a preferred embodiment, the lifting sleeves are strong enough to lift up to 6,000 pounds from the ground to allow easy removal of the flaps. However, the 5 to 1 safety ratio is not in play.
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When the units are complete, in a preferred embodiment fill openings 21 are 1 meter×1 meter. They are hemmed on all four sides with a 1 meter long sleeve 19 that has a 5 centimeter hem on each side that is even with the vertical edge of the center panel. For the connecting panels, the connecting panels will now be in two parts, each may be made of a 200 GSM sheet. There are two connecting panels for each cell. The panel for the vertical side 15 will be cut 184 centimeters×112 centimeters and hemmed 5 centimeters on all four sides. The panel for the slope side 13 will be cut 222 centimeters×112 centimeters and hemmed 5 centimeters on all four sides. Printing may be included on a cell and in a preferred embodiment will be oriented to start 40 centimeters from one edge, will then be placed near the fill opening when sewn into the cells. When attaching panels to center panels, a 1 centimeter same depth is preferred. Cells may also be in different colors, for example tan. If information, e.g. trademarks or contact information, is printed on the bag, such printing may be about 40 centimeters tall, with other printing being less tall, for example 10 centimeters. Printing may be, for example, on all panels near the top which is hemmed, or could be added to other locations as desired.
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A completed chain or wall 35 may be folded accordion style by gusseting connection panels and lining center panels flat to each other in the manner to illustrate the packing of completed chains as set forth on a pallet 36 as seen in
In the procedures for use of the removable flexible bag or cell, there is illustrated in
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The following is a list of parts and materials suitable for use in the present invention:
All measurements disclosed herein are at standard temperature and pressure, at sea level on Earth, unless indicated otherwise. All materials used or intended to be used in a human being are biocompatible, unless indicated otherwise.
The foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only; the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the following claims.
Priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/833,834, filed 11 Jun. 2013, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference, is hereby claimed. This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/364,114, filed 1 Feb. 2012, entitled “FLOOD WALL PROTECTION SYSTEM” (issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,672,585 on Mar. 18, 2014); pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/422,593, filed 16 Mar. 2012, entitled “FLOOD WALL PROTECTION SYSTEM” (published as No. US2012-0230766A1 on 13 Sep. 2012); and pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/492,492, filed 8 Jun. 2012, entitled “FLOOD WALL PROTECTION SYSTEM” (published as No. US2013-0094905A1 on 18 Apr. 2013), each of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference thereto.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61833834 | Jun 2013 | US |