Portable berm device with snap-foam features

Abstract

The containment device constructed according to a preferred embodiment of the invention includes a rectangular base formed of an impermeable material, a deformable wall formed along a first set of opposable ends of the rectangular base, and a support wall formed along at least a portion of a second set of opposable ends of the rectangular base. The deformable wall has an upright configuration in which the deformable wall is capable of containing hazardous materials within the containment device, and a deformed configuration enabling wheeled vehicles to pass over the deformable wall to enter and exit the containment device. The support wall includes rigid upright support members maintaining the support wall in an upright position and, preferably, additional rigid hypotenuse and base members that coact with the upright support members to form right triangles anchored to a skirt affixed to the base of the support wall.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A containment device for surrounding and containing hazardous materials comprising: 
 a rectangular base formed of an impermeable membrane defining a periphery having two sets of opposing edges;    a deformable wall formed along a first set of opposing edges having an upright configuration in which said deformable wall will contain said hazardous materials within said containment device and a deformed configuration enabling wheeled vehicles to pass over said deformable wall to enter and exit said containment device; and    a support wall formed along at least a portion of a second set of opposing edges, said support wall including rigid upright support members maintaining the support wall in an upright position.    
     
     
         2 . The containment device of  claim 1  further including a skirt coupled to the support wall, said skirt extending beyond the periphery of and formed coplanar with the rectangular base.  
     
     
         3 . The containment device of  claim 2 , further including a plurality of tie down straps coupled to the skirt, said tie down straps having reinforced holes formed therethrough adapted to receive anchoring members for anchoring the straps to the ground.  
     
     
         4 . The containment device of  claim 2 , further including: 
 a plurality of pockets coupled to the skirt, each pocket having an open end; and    a plurality of supplemental support members, each of said supplemental support members associated with a respective one of the plurality of pockets and including a rigid hypotenuse member and a rigid base member, said hypotenuse member being hingedly attached on a first end adjacent a top portion of the support wall and on a second end to a first end of the rigid base member, the second end of the rigid base member being a free end adapted to slide into the open end of the respective pocket thus forming an approximate right triangle with the hypotenuse member and the upright member.    
     
     
         5 . The containment device of  claim 4 , further including a strap having first, second, and third pockets spaced coaxially along a length of the strap, said pockets adapted to receive rigid rods forming upright, hypotenuse and base members, respectively, wherein the space between each pocket is adapted to fold in a hinged manner thereby allowing the strap to fold into an approximate right triangle when the rods are inserted within respective pockets.  
     
     
         6 . The containment device of  claim 5 , wherein said first, second and third pockets have respective lengths of 15, 19 and 11 inches.  
     
     
         7 . The containment device of  claim 5 , wherein said first, second and third pockets have respective lengths of 12, 15 and 9 inches.  
     
     
         8 . The containment device of  claim 5 , wherein said first, second and third pockets have respective lengths of 10, 13 and 7 inches.