Liquid barrier assembly

Abstract

The present invention relates to a liquid barrier assembly for the prevention of flow of liquid from one area to an adjacent area. The assembly comprises a plurality of barriers each having a substantially rigid container defining and enclosed chamber and a front concave wall against which, in use, liquid is intended to be incident. The front wall of at least one of the barriers has a plurality of apertures that allow the passage of liquid into and out of the chamber. Adjacent barriers are corrected to one another in a side by side relationship by an elongate dog-bone connector. Each connector has a plurality of resiliently deformable sealing members which ensure that a liquid-tight seal is retained between the barriers. Angular displacement of one barrier relative to its neighbour about the connector is permitted so that a non-linear liquid barrier assembly can be constructed.

In the claims:  
     
         1 . A liquid barrier assembly for the prevention of flow of liquid from one area to an adjacent area, the assembly comprising a plurality of barriers each comprising a substantially rigid container defining an enclosed chamber, the container having a front wall against which, in use, liquid is intended to be incident, wherein said front wall of at least one of said barriers has at least one aperture that allows the passage of said liquid into and out of said chamber, adjacent barriers being connected to one another by a connector that forms a liquid-tight seal between the barriers.  
     
     
         2 . A liquid barrier assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the barriers are connected to one another in a side by side relationship and are angularly displaceable relative to one another about said connector parallel to the plane of a surface on which they are located.  
     
     
         3 . A liquid barrier assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the connector is slideably received in a groove formed in a side wall of the barrier.  
     
     
         4 . A liquid barrier assembly according to  claim 3 , wherein the connector has at least one resiliently deformable sealing member for sealing against said groove.  
     
     
         5 . A liquid barrier assembly according to  claim 3 , wherein the connector has an arcuate portion complementary in shape to the groove in which it is received.  
     
     
         6 . A liquid barrier assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the connector is elongate.  
     
     
         7 . A liquid barrier assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the connector extends commensurate with the depth of the barrier.  
     
     
         8 . A liquid barrier assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said barrier comprises an anchor member for restricting its movement relative to a surface on which it is located.  
     
     
         9 . A liquid barrier assembly according to  claim 8 , wherein the anchor member comprises at least one sheet of non-slip material affixed to the barrier so as to engage said surface.  
     
     
         10 . A liquid barrier assembly according to  claim 8 , wherein the anchor member comprises at least one projection configured to engage said surface.  
     
     
         11 . A liquid barrier assembly according to  claim 10 , wherein the, or each, projection is connected to the barrier.  
     
     
         12 . A liquid barrier assembly according to  claim 10 , wherein the, or each, projection is connected to the connector.  
     
     
         13 . A liquid barrier assembly according to  claim 8 , wherein the anchor member comprises a plurality of projections configured to engage said surface, at least one projection being connected to the barrier and at least one projection being connected to the connector.  
     
     
         14 . A liquid barrier assembly according to claims  10 , wherein the, or each, projection is a stud or a spike.  
     
     
         15 . A liquid barrier assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the barrier has at least one attachment member so that any suitable lifting means can be attached to said barrier.  
     
     
         16 . A liquid barrier assembly according to  claim 15 , wherein the, or each, attachment member is a lifting eye.  
     
     
         17 . A liquid barrier assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the barriers is at least partially filled with ballast material.  
     
     
         18 . A liquid barrier assembly according to  claim 14 , wherein the ballast material is water, wet sand, concrete or any other suitable aggregate.  
     
     
         19 . A liquid barrier assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the barrier has a further wall, which has a port allowing access to said enclosed chamber.  
     
     
         20 . A liquid barrier assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the further wall is a top wall of the barrier.  
     
     
         21 . A liquid barrier assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the front wall, against which liquid is intended to be incident, is arcuate.  
     
     
         22 . A liquid barrier assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the front wall, against which liquid is intended to be incident, is concave.  
     
     
         23 . A liquid barrier assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the barrier is manufactured from a plastic material.  
     
     
         24 . A liquid barrier assembly according to  claim 23 , wherein the plastic material is polyethylene or polypropylene.  
     
     
         25 . (Cancelled)  
     
     
         26 . A kit of parts to be assembled to provide a liquid barrier assembly for the prevention of flow of liquid from one area to an adjacent area, the assembly comprising a plurality of barriers each comprising a substantially rigid container defining an enclosed chamber, the container having a front wall against which, in use, liquid is intended to be incident, wherein said front wall of at least one of said barriers has at least one aperture that allows the passage of said liquid into and out of said chamber, adjacent barriers being connected to one another by a connector that forms a liquid-tight seal between the barriers.  
     
     
         27 . An environmental flood barrier comprising a liquid barrier assembly according to any preceding claim.