Patent Application
20200298693
This invention relates to the field of vehicles and more particularly to a system for reducing the risk of damage to vehicles from rising water.
Every year various communities are impacted by flooding. Whether from storm surge, excess rain, snow melting, bridge dams in rivers, or anything else, many people have their homes, property, and vehicles destroyed by rising water.
Motor vehicles are of particular concern in this application. After flooding recedes, vehicle buyers must be wary to make sure the vehicle they are purchasing was not flooded. Sometimes, it is difficult to tell, but a musty smell and mud lines in the engine compartment are sure giveaways. A vehicle in which flood water crests above the engine intake is typically considered a total loss from an insurance perspective, but such vehicles are often refurbished and sold as if nothing was wrong.
There are two classifications of flooding. One in which water rises and one in which water flows. Rising water will often damage a vehicle, but will not relocate the vehicle and crash the vehicle into other vehicles, buildings, objects, etc. Flowing water on the other hand has sufficient force to push vehicles many feet or miles, often destroying the vehicle and damaging that which is hit by the vehicle.
There is not much one can do with regard to flowing water, other than relocating the vehicle to an area where flooding isn't expected as is often done before storms having advanced warning (e.g. hurricanes). Rising water is different, in that, the flood waters rise slowly, do their damage to vehicles, then ebb slowly, leaving mud and debris in their wake. Often, those affected are not aware of the rising water until it is too late, not expecting the severity of the situation. Take hurricane Harvey and Katrina, those inland, away from the storm surge, experienced slowly rising flood waters. Some of those that stayed in their homes found themselves surprised and, later, on their roofs hoping for a helicopter or boat to rescue them. In these situations, the last of these people's worries is their vehicles.
In countless rising flood water situations, the water rises 1-3 feet, then recedes, often not high enough to damage homes that are higher than street level or on stilts, but vehicles on the street are subject to damage from these intermediate floods.
What is needed is a system that will reduce the possibility of water intrusion to vehicles that are subject to rising flood waters.
A system, method, and apparatus for flood damage avoidance provides some level of protection for certain flooding conditions, typically minimally flowing flood water conditions. In such, vehicles (e.g. cars, vans, trucks, motorcycles, golf cards) are subjected to rising flood water, but are typically not swept away by strong currents. In such, the flood water rises slowly, but often rises high enough as to enter passenger compartments, engine compartments, storage/trunks, etc., causing substantial damage to the vehicles. The disclosed apparatus provides a shield of protection to vehicles in certain levels of low-flowing flood water, providing a partial encapsulation of the vehicle to reduce chances of flood water penetration into the vehicles.
In one embodiment, a system for mitigating vehicular flood damage is disclosed including at least one sheet of a water-resistant material and a device for closing the at least one sheet of the water-resistant material. A vehicle standing upon the at least one sheet of the water-resistant material is substantially enclosed within the sheet of the water-resistant material upon operating the device for closing, thereby, a potential of damage from rising flood water is reduced by the at least one sheet of the water-resistant material.
In another embodiment, a method of reducing a probability of damage to a vehicle caused by rising water is disclosed including positioning the vehicle atop a sheet of a water-resistant material and enclosing at least part of the vehicle in the sheet of the water-resistant material, thereby reducing water penetration into the sheet of the water-resistant material caused by rising water.
In another embodiment, an apparatus for reducing a probability of damage to a vehicle from rising water is disclosed including a first sheet of a water-resistant material and a second sheet of the water-resistant material. A first side of a connector (e.g., zipper) is interfaced to a first periphery of the first sheet of the water-resistant material and a second side of the connector is interfaced to a second periphery of the second sheet of the water-resistant material. After a vehicle is placed upon the first sheet of the water-resistant material, the second sheet of the water-resistant material is draped over the vehicle and the first side connector is engaged with the second side connector, thereby encapsulating the vehicle within the first sheet and second sheet of the water-resistant material.
The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in all figures.
Referring to
The flood damage mitigation system 5 includes a sheet of water-resistant material 10, a device for closing 12 the sheet of water-resistant material 10, and a device for fastening 14 (or tying) the device for closing 12. Before there is a prediction of a flood (or before going on vacation, etc.), the vehicle 30 that is to be protected is positioned on the sheet of water-resistant material 10 and the device for fastening 14 is engaged while edges of the sheet of water-resistant material 10 are lifted until the vehicle 30 is substantially enclosed within the sheet of water-resistant material 10, at which time the device for fastening 14 is utilized to maintain such enclosure (or ends of the device for fastening 14 is tied). In such, later, as flood waters rise, the vehicle 30 is protected from most or all of the flood waters.
It is anticipated that the sheet of water-resistant material be made of a durable cloth (e.g. canvas) or flexible plastic, or combination of such as often used in the tarp industry. A water-proof material would be best, but water-resistant material is sufficient, as most flood waters recede within a few days and a small intrusion of flood water (e.g. a few inches) will likely not harm the vehicle 30. Likewise, if there is an imperfect closure by the device for fastening 14, small amounts of rainwater entering the flood damage mitigation system 5 will likely not damage the vehicle 30.
In the example shown, the device for fastening 14 is a spring clip through which ends of the device for closing 12 pass. Squeezing of the spring clip allows for pulling of the device for closing 12 through the spring clip, while releasing of the spring clip holds tight the ends of the device for closing 12. It is fully anticipated that other fastening devices be used for the device for fastening 14, including a simple knot system.
Referring to
Referring to
In this example, a first section 10A of water-resistant material 10 is positioned on the ground and the vehicle 30 is moved atop the first section 10A of water-resistant material 10. Next the second section 10B of water-resistant material 10 is draped over the vehicle and the first connector 20 of the second section 10B of the water-resistant material 10 is engaged with the second connector 22 of the first section 10A of water-resistant material 10, thereby sealing or substantially sealing the first section 10A of water-resistant material 10 to the second section 10B of the water-resistant material 10. Note that there is no limitation as to the location at which the second section 10B of the water-resistant material 10 is engaged with the second connector 22 of the first section 10A of water-resistant material 10. Even though the location of engagement shown in
Although any type of connectors 20/22 are anticipated including snaps, plastic zippers; one preferred type of connectors 20/22 are zippers. Many zippers are somewhat water resistant, though as stated above, it is anticipated that small amounts of flood water will leak into the joined sections 10A/10B of the water-resistant material 10.
Referring to
Also shown in
Equivalent elements can be substituted for the ones set forth above such that they perform in substantially the same manner in substantially the same way for achieving substantially the same result.
It is believed that the system and method as described and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely exemplary and explanatory embodiment thereof. It is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.
