Containment berm bracket

Abstract

Containment berms and associated support systems and structures. In one example embodiment, a containment berm bracket includes a substantially rigid first member and a substantially rigid second member. The first member defines a first complementary structure. The second member that defines a second complementary structure and a sidewall clamp. The second complementary structure is configured to releasably engage with the first complementary structure in order that the members can be releasably attached to each other.

1 . A containment berm bracket comprising:
 a substantially rigid first member that defines a first complementary structure; and   a substantially rigid second member that defines a second complementary structure and a sidewall clamp, the second complementary structure configured to releasably engage the first complementary structure in order that the members can be releasably attached to each other.   
   
   
       2 . The containment berm bracket as recited in  claim 1 , wherein one of the complementary structures comprises a substantially T-shaped rail and the other complementary structure comprises a substantially T-shaped groove, the substantially T-shaped rail being configured to slidably engage and disengage the substantially T-shaped groove to allow the second member and the first member to be manually attached and detached from each other. 
   
   
       3 . The containment berm bracket as recited in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first complementary structure is generally oriented at an angle between about 20° and about 70° with respect to an axis of the first member; and   the second complementary structure is generally oriented at an angle between about 20° and about 70° with respect to an axis of the second member.   
   
   
       4 . The containment berm bracket as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first member further defines a skirt clamp. 
   
   
       5 . The containment berm bracket as recited in  claim 4 , wherein each fabric clamp defines at least one fastening anchor in which a fastener can be positioned in order to tighten the clamp against a fabric received in the clamp. 
   
   
       6 . The containment berm bracket as recited in  claim 1 , wherein an axis of the second member is configured, when releasably attached to the first member, to be generally oriented at an angle between about 40° and about 140° with respect to an axis of the first member. 
   
   
       7 . The containment berm bracket as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the second member and the first member, when attached to each other, collectively define an outside edge that is generally oriented at an angle of between about 20° and about 70° with respect to an axis of the first member and with respect to an axis of the second member. 
   
   
       8 . The containment berm bracket as recited in  claim 1 , wherein at least one member comprises injection molded plastic. 
   
   
       9 . The containment berm bracket as recited in  claim 1 , wherein a channel of the sidewall clamp is open proximate a terminal end of the first member. 
   
   
       10 . The containment berm bracket as recited in  claim 1 , wherein a channel of the skirt clamp is closed proximate a terminal end of the second member. 
   
   
       11 . The containment berm bracket as recited in  claim 1 , wherein each of the members defines a web/flange shaped cross-section along at least a portion of the member. 
   
   
       12 . A containment berm bracket comprising:
 a substantially rigid first member that defines a sidewall clamp; and   a substantially rigid second member that defines a skirt clamp, the second member attached to the first member, an axis of the second member being generally oriented at an angle between about 40° and about 140° with respect to an axis of the first member.   
   
   
       13 . The containment berm bracket as recited in  claim 12 , wherein:
 the first member further defines a first complementary structure;   the second member further defines a second complementary structure,   wherein the second complementary structure is releasably engaged with the first complementary structure such that the second member is releasably attached to the first member, and wherein the second complementary structure is configured to be slidably disengaged from the first complementary structure such that the second member can be manually detached from the first member.   
   
   
       14 . The containment berm bracket as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the first member and the second member are part of a single injection molded plastic piece. 
   
   
       15 . A containment berm comprising:
 a fabric reservoir comprising:
 a base; and 
 a sidewall attached to the base around a perimeter of the base; 
   a fabric skirt attached to the base around the perimeter of the base; and   a plurality of brackets, each comprising:
 a substantially rigid first member that defines a skirt clamp and a first complementary structure, the skirt clamp releasably secured to the skirt; 
 a substantially rigid second member that defines a sidewall clamp and a second complementary structure, the sidewall clamp releasably secured to the sidewall, the second complementary structure configured to releasably engage the first complementary structure in order that the members can be releasably attached to each other. 
   
   
   
       16 . The containment berm as recited in  claim 15 , wherein one of the complementary structures comprises a substantially T-shaped rail and the other complementary structure comprises a substantially T-shaped groove. 
   
   
       17 . The containment berm as recited in  claim 16 , wherein:
 the first complementary structure is generally oriented at an angle between about 20° and about 70° with respect to an axis of the first member;   the second complementary structure is generally oriented at an angle between about 20° and about 70° with respect to an axis of the second member; and   the axis of the second member is configured, when releasably attached to the first member, to be generally oriented at an angle between about 40° and about 140° with respect to the axis of the first member.   
   
   
       18 . The containment berm as recited in  claim 16 , wherein:
 the sidewall clamp is releasably secured to the sidewall without engaging any pocket in the sidewall; and   the second claim is releasably secured to the skirt without engaging any pocket in the skirt.   
   
   
       19 . The containment berm as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the second member and the first member, when attached to each other, collectively define an outside edge that is generally oriented parallel to a line defined by terminal ends of the members. 
   
   
       20 . The containment berm as recited in  claim 16 , wherein at least one member comprises injection molded plastic. 
   
   
       21 . The containment berm as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the skirt and/or the sidewall are of pocketless construction.