Flood defence barriers and methods of erecting flood defence barriers

Abstract

A temporary flood defense barrier suitable for at least partially surrounding a structure, the barrier comprises a number of connectable sections; wherein each section comprises a base and a screen; the screen being fixed to and extending from a surface of the base; wherein the barrier is formed by connecting at least two of said sections together along their adjacent edges; the number of sections being dependent on the size and shape of the structure to be surrounded.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A temporary flood defense barrier comprising a number of connectable sections;
 wherein each section comprises a base and a screen; the screen extending from the base; each section incorporating an upper edge, a first and a second side edge; each side edge being connectable to an adjacent side edge to form a substantially waterproof connection; whereby the barrier is formed by connecting at least two of said sections together along their adjacent side edges.   
     
     
         2 . A temporary flood defense barrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the barrier further comprises at least one attachment member which extends between the upper edge of the at least one section and a structure; whereby the attachment member holds the at least one section in a spaced apart position from the structure to which the barrier is attached. 
     
     
         3 . A temporary flood defense barrier according to  claim 2 , wherein the at least one section further comprises a beam located at said upper edge, whereby said attachment member extends between said beam and the structure. 
     
     
         4 . A temporary flood defense barrier according to  claim 2 , wherein the at least one attachment member is integral with the at least one connectable section. 
     
     
         5 . A temporary flood defense barrier according to  claim 2 , wherein said barrier further comprises a bracket which is fixable to a structure; whereby the bracket facilitates attachment of the at least one attachment member to the structure. 
     
     
         6 . A temporary flood defense barrier according to  claim 2 , wherein the barrier further comprises a number of supporting members which are positioned in the space formed by the at least one attachment member; wherein the supporting members span at least partially across the length and/or width of each section. 
     
     
         7 . A temporary flood defense barrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the barrier is collapsible. 
     
     
         8 . A temporary flood defense barrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one substantially waterproof connection comprises at least one clasp locker connection. 
     
     
         9 . A temporary flood defense barrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the base comprises a fellable container. 
     
     
         10 . A temporary flood defense barrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the base and screen are formed of a flexible plastics material. 
     
     
         11 . A temporary flood defense barrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the base further comprises a skirt which extends laterally across an outwardly facing surface of said base and between said outwardly facing surface and the ground on which the barrier is located. 
     
     
         12 . A temporary flood defense barrier according to  claim 9 , wherein the base of the at least one section incorporates a fluid entry and exit point. 
     
     
         13 . A temporary flood defense barrier according to  claim 12 , wherein an entry and exit point is incorporated in the base of each section for allowing fluid or a material with fluid-like properties to fill each respective base. 
     
     
         14 . A temporary flood defense barrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the base of each connectable section is in fluid connection with the base of an adjacent section once the barrier is formed. 
     
     
         15 . A temporary flood defense barrier according to  claim 9 , wherein the barrier further comprises a pump for facilitating the entry of fluid or a material with fluid-like properties into each base. 
     
     
         16 . A temporary flood defense barrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the screen of at least one of said connectable sections further comprises a doorway or window. 
     
     
         17 . A temporary flood defense barrier according to  claim 16 , wherein the barrier further comprises a supporting frame, and said doorway or window is reinforced by a supporting frame. 
     
     
         18 . A temporary flood defense barrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the screen of the at least one or each section is transparent or translucent. 
     
     
         19 . A temporary flood defense barrier according to  claim 1 , further comprising an anchor for rooting said barrier to the ground. 
     
     
         20 . A method of erecting a temporary flood defense barrier, comprising the steps of:
 providing a flood defense barrier comprising a number of connectable sections; wherein each section comprises a base and a screen; the screen extending from the base; each section incorporating an upper edge, a first and a second side edge; and   connecting at least two sections together along their adjacent side edges to form a substantially waterproof connection.