Control Barriers, Systems, and Methods of Using the Same

Abstract

In an embodiment, a control barrier may include a hollow body at least partially defined by a front wall, a back wall, a top portion extending between the front and back walls, a bottom portion generally opposite the top portion, and first and second ends extending between the top and bottom portions. An elongated foot member may be connected to the back wall and a plurality of channels may be defined in at least one of the front wall or the back wall. The channels extend at least in a first direction and are arranged to reinforce the hollow body.

1 . A control barrier comprising:
 a hollow body at least partially defined by a front wall, a back wall, a top portion extending between said front wall and said back wall, a bottom portion generally opposite said top portion, a first end extending between said top portion and said bottom portion, and a second end extending between said top portion and said bottom portion;   an elongated foot member connected to said back wall; and   a plurality of channels defined on at least one of said front wall or said back wall, said plurality of channels extending in at least a first direction and arranged to reinforce said hollow body.   
     
     
         2 . The control barrier of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of said channels extend into an upper surface of said foot member. 
     
     
         3 . The control barrier of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of said back wall is oblique relative to a portion of said foot member. 
     
     
         4 . The control barrier of  claim 1 , wherein said first direction is between said top portion and said bottom portion of said hollow body. 
     
     
         5 . The control barrier of  claim 1 , wherein said foot member is sized and configured such that a body of water positioned above said foot member exerts a generally downward force normal to said upper surface portion of said foot member to push said foot member against a support surface under said foot member. 
     
     
         6 . The control barrier of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one first connection member defines a through hole. 
     
     
         7 . The control barrier of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of holes defined in said back wall. 
     
     
         8 . The control barrier of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of holes defined in said front wall. 
     
     
         9 . The control barrier of  claim 1 , wherein at least some of said plurality of channels are defined on said back wall. 
     
     
         10 . The control barrier of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of ribs defined on at least one of said front wall or said back wall, said plurality of ribs extending in at least a first direction. 
     
     
         11 . The control barrier of  claim 1 , wherein said hollow body is arranged to receive a material. 
     
     
         12 . A control barrier system comprising:
 a first control barrier including:
 a hollow body at least partially defined by a front wall, a back wall, a top portion extending between said front wall and said back wall, a bottom portion generally opposite said top portion, a first end extending between said top portion and said bottom portion, and a second end extending between said top portion and said bottom portion; 
 an elongated foot member connected to said bottom portion; 
 a plurality of channels defined on at least one of said front wall or said back wall, said plurality of channels extending in at least a first direction and arranged to reinforce said hollow body; and 
   a second control barrier connected to said first control barrier.   
     
     
         13 . The control barrier system of  claim 12 , wherein said second control barrier is rotatably connected to said first control barrier. 
     
     
         14 . The control barrier system of  claim 12 , further comprising a waterproof membrane draped over at least said rotatable connection between said first control barrier and said second control barrier. 
     
     
         15 . The control barrier of  claim 12 , wherein a portion of said channels extend into an upper surface of said foot member. 
     
     
         16 . The control barrier of  claim 12 , wherein a portion of said back wall is oblique relative to a portion of said foot member. 
     
     
         17 . The control barrier of  claim 12 , wherein said first direction is between said top portion and said bottom portion of said hollow body. 
     
     
         18 . A method of forming a control barrier wall, the method comprising:
 providing a first control barrier and a second control barrier, each of said first control barrier and said second control barrier including:
 a hollow body at least partially defined by a front wall, a back wall, a top portion extending between said front wall and said back wall, a bottom portion generally opposite said top portion, a first end extending between said top portion and said bottom portion, and a second end extending between said top portion and said bottom portion; 
 an elongated foot member connected to said bottom portion; 
 a plurality of channels defined on at least one of said front wall or said back wall, said plurality of channels extending in at least a first direction; and connecting the first control barrier to the second control barrier. 
   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising covering said back walls of said first and second control barriers with a waterproof membrane. 
     
     
         20 . A control barrier comprising:
 a hollow body at least partially defined by a front wall, a back wall, a top portion extending between said front wall and said back wall, a bottom portion generally opposite said top portion, a first end extending between said top portion and said bottom portion, and a second end extending between said top portion and said bottom portion;   an elongated foot member connected to said hollow body; and   a plurality of recessed portions defined on at least one of said front wall or said back wall, said plurality of recessed portions arranged to reinforce said hollow body.   
     
     
         21 . The control barrier of  claim 20 , wherein the elongated foot member is connected to said bottom portion. 
     
     
         22 . The control barrier of  claim 20 , wherein the elongated foot member is connected to said back wall.