Water barrier device

Abstract

A water barrier device which doubles as a walkway, the device having a base secured to earth proximate a body of water and a plate pivotally connected to the base unit. There is a lifting device connected between the base and the plate for lifting one side of the plate that is opposite the body of water. There is a seal between the plate and the base, and between multiple plates thereby creating a water barrier.

1 - 3 . (canceled)  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 20  further comprising a footing for securing the base to the earth and configured with a water return curve to alter the flow of the body of water and minimize erosion of the earth.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 20  wherein the lifting device is a hydraulic cylinder.  
   
   
       6 . (canceled)  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 20  further comprising concrete footings to secure the base to the earth.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 20  further comprising multiple plates configured so that, when the plates are pivoted to the up position, the barrier forms a curve and deflects water around a curve.  
   
   
       9 - 11 . (canceled)  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 20  further comprising plate supports for strengthening and supporting the plate.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 20  further comprising an automated control system for raising and lowering the plate between the up and down positions.  
   
   
       14 . (canceled)  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 24  further comprising securing the base to the earth with concrete footings.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising forming one of the footings to have a return curve for forcing water back towards the body of water.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 24  further comprising bracing the plates for added strength to withstand high water and water surges.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 24  wherein the plate is configured as a walkway when in the down position.  
   
   
       19 . (canceled)  
   
   
       20 . Apparatus for protecting a building built upon the earth from a body of water during hurricanes comprising: 
 the earth having an upwardly presented surface and which extends to the body of water;    the building being on the earth separate from the body of water;    a base between the building and the body of water and being connected to the earth;    a plate pivotally mounted to the base for pivotal movement from a down position approximately at zero degrees with respect to the base to an up position wherein the plate forms an angle of greater than 90 degrees with respect to the base and is slanted toward the body of water;    a lifting device connected between the base and the plate for causing the plate to move between the down position and the up position;    the plate having an upwardly presented surface that approximates the upwardly presented surface of the earth and can be walked upon by a human when in the down position;    the plate forming a protective barrier for the building when in the up position so as to protect the building from the body of water during hurricanes.    
   
   
       21 . The apparatus of  claim 20  wherein a plurality of bases and plates are pivotally joined to one another, a plurality of seals being between the plurality of plates when in the up position to seal the plates to one another.  
   
   
       22 . The apparatus of  claim 20  wherein the pivotal connection between the base and the plate is provided with a seal when the plate is in the up position so as to provide a seal against the body of water.  
   
   
       23 . The apparatus of  claim 21  wherein the plurality of plates are pivotally connected to the plurality of bases by a plurality of pivotal connections, a plurality of seals being provided adjacent the plurality of pivotal connections respectively so as to provide a plurality of seals against the body of water when the plate is in the up position.  
   
   
       24 . A method for protecting a building from a body of water during hurricanes, the building being on the earth spaced from the body of water, the method comprising: 
 placing a base on the earth between the building and the body of water, the earth having an upwardly presented surface;    pivotally mounting a plate to the base for pivotal movement from a down position wherein an upwardly presented surface of the plate approximates the upwardly presented surface of the earth and can be walked upon by a human to an up position wherein the plate forms an angle of greater than 90 degrees with respect to the base and is slanted toward the body of water;    connecting a lifting device to the base and the plate for causing the plate to move between the up and the down positions;    the plate creating a protective barrier for the building when in the up position so as to protect the building from the body of water during hurricanes.