Flood barrier

Abstract

A flood barrier comprises a resilient trough and a flexible impermeable sheet anchored to the trough wherein the flexible impermeable sheet is capable of being stored in the trough or being extended therefrom for adjoining a structure for example a building.

1 . (Original) A flood barrier which comprises a resilient trough and a flexible impermeable sheet anchored to the trough wherein the trough has a base and two walls, a cross section of the trough is tapered and the walls converge towards the base; and wherein the flexible impermeable sheet is capable of  
       being stored in the trough or being extended therefrom for adjoining a structure.  
     
     
         2 . (Currently amended) A flood barrier according to [any preceding]  claim 1  wherein a shallow section of trough is provided that has a depth suitable for spanning over underground piping or wiring used to provide services to a structure.  
     
     
         3 . (Currently amended) A flood barrier according to [any preceding]  claim 1  or  2  wherein the trough is set in concrete.  
     
     
         4 . (Currently amended) A flood barrier according to [any preceding]  claim 1  wherein an impermeable seal is placed at the join between the wall of a structure and underground piping or wiring used to provide services to a structure.  
     
     
         5 . (Currently amended) A flood barrier according to [any preceding]  claim 1  wherein an impermeable material is placed directly against the wall of a structure from ground level downwards for sealing the structure against ground water.  
     
     
         6 . (Currently amended) A flood barrier according to [any preceding]  claim 1  wherein the flexible impermeable sheet has a first edge which is anchored to the trough and a second edge opposite the first edge which is resilient for adjoining to a structure.  
     
     
         7 . (Original) A flood barrier according to  claim 6  wherein the resilient edge comprises at least one rod which is preferably attached to the surface of the sheet or surrounded by a hem in the sheet.  
     
     
         8 . (Original) A flood barrier according to  claim 6  or  7  wherein shock cord is secured to the resilient edge.  
     
     
         9 . (Original) A food barrier according to  claim 8  wherein the shock cord is secured to a hanging bracket.  
     
     
         10 . (Currently amended) A flood barrier according to [any preceding]  claim 1  wherein the flexible impermeable sheet is manufactured of 1 mm thick calendered non-reinforced flexible polyvinyl chloride (PVC-P).  
     
     
         11 . (Currently amended) A flood barrier according to [any preceding]  claim 1  wherein the flexible impermeable sheet has an edge which comprises at least one fixing for adjoining to a structure.  
     
     
         12 . (Currently amended) A flood barrier according to [any preceding]  claim 1  wherein the flexible impermeable sheet has a joining means for joining a first impermeable sheet to a second impermeable sheet.  
     
     
         13 . (Original) A flood barrier according to  claim 12  wherein the joining means comprises a waterproof zipper or materia having complementary hook and loops.  
     
     
         14 . (Currently amended) A flood barrier according to [any preceding]  claim 1  which comprises a housing for mounting on a structure, the housing having a groove for receiving an edge of the flexible impermeable sheet.  
     
     
         15 . (Currently amended) A flood barrier according to [any preceding]  claim 1  which comprises a plate fixed to the trough sandwiching the flexible impermeable sheet for ensuring a secure waterproof seal.  
     
     
         16 . A flood barrier according to  claim 15  wherein the plate is bolted to the trough.  
     
     
         17 . (Currently amended) A flood barrier according to [any preceding]  claim 1  which comprises a flexible impermeable sheet which reaches a height of at least 1 m on a structure.  
     
     
         18 . (Currently amended) A flood barrier according to [any preceding]  claim 1  which comprises a flexible impermeable sheet which is anchored to a wall of the trough distal to a structure.  
     
     
         19 . (Currently amended) A flood barrier according to [any preceding]  claim 1  which comprises a trough having a cover or lid.  
     
     
         20 . (Original) A flood barrier according to  claim 19  wherein the cover is detachable from the trough.  
     
     
         21 . (Currently amended) A flood barrier according to [any preceding]  claim 1  which comprises a cover or lid which is divided into a plurality of sections and each section comprises a top face and downwardly projecting sides.  
     
     
         22 . (Original) A flood barrier according to  claim 21  wherein each side of the cover or lid comprises a slot or projection which engages with a corresponding projection or slot in the wall of the trough.  
     
     
         23 . (Original) A flood barrier according to  claim 22  wherein the slot is L shaped and engagement is achieved by pushing the lid or cover downwardly onto the trough, ensuring that the projections insert into the corresponding slots.  
     
     
         24 . (Currently amended) A flood barrier according to [any preceding]  claim 1  which comprises a pump for pumping water from the trough to the outside of the barrier distal to a structure.  
     
     
         25 . (Original) A flood barrier according to  claim 24  wherein the pump is located in or adjacent the trough.  
     
     
         26 . (Currently amended) A flood barrier according to [any preceding]  claim 1  which comprises at least one rigid board for being positioned against a structure having one or more columns, for example a porch.  
     
     
         27 . (Currently amended) A method for protecting a structure from flood damage which comprises installing a flood barrier according to [any preceding]  claim 1 .  
     
     
         28 . A method according to  claim 27  which comprises the steps of placing a resilient trough in the ground around a structure and securing a flexible impermeable sheet to the trough wherein the flexible impermeable sheet is capable of being stored in the though or extended therefrom for adjoining a structure.