Window Structure For Inhibiting Flood Waters

Abstract

A flood barrier system for windows for inhibiting a water breach into a residential or commercial structure. The flood barrier is adapted to fit within a retaining wall cavity using a sealing mechanism that expands so as to stop water intrusion. The barrier operates with an extruded frame having vertical reveal members and high strength glass. A sealing joint is fitted about the retaining wall and the flood barrier's vertical reveal members for inhibition of flood seepage. The sealing joint, having at least two surfaces forming an open end and a tapered end, is anchored at the bottom wall of the extruded frame member and about the glass flood barrier's vertical reveal members at least 12 inches above the base flood elevation level.

1 . A flood barrier system for window openings comprising:
 a frame constructed from two sidewalls, a top wall and a bottom wall, said frame having an outer surface sized for placement within a window opening of a building structure and an inner surface defining a viewing aperture, said frame also having a front surface positioned toward an exterior of said building structure and a back surface positioned toward an interior of said building structure;   at least one vertically oriented mechanical seal securable to said outer surface of said at least one sidewall of said frame member, said mechanical seal positionable between said frame and said window opening of said building structure; and   a glass panel secured to a front surface of said frame;   wherein said mechanical seal is capable of expanding upon the presence of flood water pressure for sealing said frame to said building structure.   
   
   
       2 . The flood barrier system for window openings according to  claim 1 , wherein said vertically oriented mechanical seal having a tapered end and an open end, said tapered end positioned toward an interior of said building structure and said open end positioned toward an exterior of said building structure. 
   
   
       3 . The flood barrier system for window openings according to  claim 2 , wherein said vertically oriented mechanical seal is memory shaped to maintain a secure seal between said frame and said window opening. 
   
   
       4 . The flood barrier system for window openings according to  claim 1 , wherein said vertically oriented mechanical seal is securable to said outer surface of at least one said sidewall of said frame. 
   
   
       5 . The flood barrier system for window openings according to  claim 4 , wherein said vertically oriented mechanical seal extends from a bottom of said window opening to a height at least 12 inches above the base flood elevation level. 
   
   
       6 . The flood barrier system for window openings according to  claim 1 , wherein said vertically oriented mechanical seal is securable to said outer surface of each said sidewall of said frame. 
   
   
       7 . The flood barrier system for window openings according to  claim 6 , wherein said vertically oriented mechanical seal extends from a bottom of said window opening to a height at least 12 inches above the base flood elevation level. 
   
   
       8 . The flood barrier system for window openings according to  claim 1 , including a horizontally oriented mechanical seal securable to said bottom wall of said frame, and positionable between said frame and said window opening of a structure. 
   
   
       9 . The flood barrier system for window openings according to  claim 8 , wherein said horizontally oriented mechanical seal extends from a retaining wall to an opposite retaining wall on said window opening. 
   
   
       10 . The flood barrier system for window openings according to  claim 1 , wherein said frame is formed from extruded aluminum. 
   
   
       11 . The flood barrier system for window openings according to  claim 1 , wherein said viewing aperture may further include at least one mullion. 
   
   
       12 . The flood barrier system for window openings according to  claim 11 , wherein said mullion comprises of a vertical or a horizontal structure forming a grid-like pattern of various viewing openings within said viewing aperture. 
   
   
       13 . The flood barrier system for window openings according to  claim 1 , including a reinforcement member positioned between said sidewalls of said frame, traversing said viewing aperture, and intersecting said top wall and said bottom wall of said frame. 
   
   
       14 . The flood barrier system for window openings according to  claim 13 , wherein said reinforcement member is formed from extruded aluminum. 
   
   
       15 . The flood barrier system for window openings according to  claim 1 , including a reinforcement member positioned between said top wall and said bottom wall of said frame, traversing said viewing aperture, and intersecting each said reveal members of said frame. 
   
   
       16 . The flood barrier system for window openings according to  claim 15 , wherein said reinforcement member is formed from extruded aluminum. 
   
   
       17 . The flood barrier system for window openings according to  claim 1 , wherein said viewing aperture is on a horizontal plane interposed between said inner surface of said sidewalls and said inner surface of said top and bottom wall. 
   
   
       18 . The flood barrier system for window openings according to  claim 1 , includes a water resistant sealant positioned between said glass panel and said front surface of said frame. 
   
   
       19 . The flood barrier system for window openings according to  claim 1 , includes a gasket positioned between said glass panel and said front surface of said frame. 
   
   
       20 . The flood barrier system for window openings according to  claim 1 , wherein said glass panel is a laminated impact window. 
   
   
       21 . The flood barrier system for window openings according to  claim 18  wherein said mechanical seal is further defined as at least two surfaces forming an open end and a tapered end, said tapered end having said two surfaces joined together forming an angle thereinbetween. 
   
   
       22 . The flood barrier system for window openings according to  claim 1 , wherein said glass panel and said mechanical seal is secured to said frame before placement in said window opening. 
   
   
       23 . The flood barrier system for window openings according to  claim 22 , wherein said securement of mechanical seal to frame is by a fastener. 
   
   
       24 . The flood barrier system for window openings according to  claim 22 , wherein said securement of mechanical seal to frame is by use of an extruded raceway formed integral with said frame allowing slidable engagement of said mechanical seal having a stem, said stem slidably insertable into said extruded raceway of said frame. 
   
   
       25 . The flood barrier system for window openings according to  claim 22 , wherein said securement of mechanical seal to frame is by use of an extruded raceway formed integral with said mechanical seal allowing slidable engagement of said frame having a stem, said stem slidably insertable into said extruded raceway of said mechanical seal. 
   
   
       26 . The flood barrier system for window openings according to  claim 22 , wherein said securement of mechanical seal to frame is a snap lock fastener.