Collapsible flood storage system

Abstract

A collapsible watertight storage system includes a watertight bag, a self-assembling collapsible hoop system, and equipment that keeps said watertight bag from floating. The watertight storage system may provide watertight storage for one or more objects loaded into the bag. The bag may include a vacuum access hole to allow users to remove extra air from the bag for compact storage or to reduce buoyancy, tie-down holes to secure the bag, and a watertight seal. The collapsible hoop system may be expanded inside the bag and may keep the watertight bag distended for loading. The collapsible watertight storage system may be suitable, but not limited to, providing protection from water intrusion, for example, due to leaking roofs, floods, or otherwise elevated water conditions, for objects, such as equipment, appliances, and motor vehicles, that are typically otherwise protected from the environment but where water damage could cause irreparable harm.

1 . A collapsible watertight storage system, comprising:
 a watertight bag;   a self-assembling collapsible hoop system, wherein said collapsible hoop system expands inside said watertight bag and keeps said watertight bag distended; and   equipment that keeps said watertight bag from floating.   
   
   
       2 . The collapsible watertight storage system of  claim 1 , wherein said watertight bag includes a watertight seal and a vacuum access hole, wherein said watertight seal seals said watertight bag, and wherein said vacuum access hole enables removal of air trapped inside said watertight bag when sealed. 
   
   
       3 . The collapsible watertight storage system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one object is loaded into said watertight bag, and wherein said watertight bag provides watertight storage for said object. 
   
   
       4 . The collapsible watertight storage system of  claim 1 , wherein said watertight bag includes a single piece flexible tube extending from a first end to a second end, a permanently sealed edge positioned at said first end, and an opening positioned at said second end opposite from said first end, wherein said watertight seal is positioned inside said tube proximate to said second end, and wherein said watertight seal closes said opening. 
   
   
       5 . The collapsible watertight storage system of  claim 1 , wherein said watertight bag is manufactured from a flexible water impermeable plastic or vinyl sheeting material. 
   
   
       6 . The collapsible watertight storage system of  claim 1 , wherein said watertight bag folds for storage, and wherein said collapsible hoop system collapses for storage. 
   
   
       7 . The collapsible watertight storage system of  claim 1 , wherein said watertight bag is set-up, loaded, sealed, and secured in place by a single user. 
   
   
       8 . The collapsible watertight storage system of  claim 1 , wherein said equipment that keeps said watertight bag from floating includes a tarp, weights, tether lines, and anchors, wherein said tether lines attach said watertight bag and said tarp to said anchors. 
   
   
       9 . The collapsible watertight storage system of  claim 1 , wherein said self-assembling collapsible hoop system includes a spring manufactured out of a lightweight material, wherein said spring collapses for storage, wherein said spring expands to full size and distends said watertight bag and said opening of said watertight bag. 
   
   
       10 . The collapsible watertight storage system of  claim 1 , wherein said self-assembling collapsible hoop system includes at least one hoop, wherein said at least one hoop is positioned inside said watertight bag and proximate to said opening, and wherein said at least one hoop holds said opening open when expanded and collapses for storage. 
   
   
       11 . A collapsible flood storage system, comprising:
 a watertight bag including a single piece flexible and foldable tube extending from a first end to a second end, wherein said tube has a permanently sealed edge positioned at said first end and an opening positioned at said second end opposite from said first end;   a watertight seal integrated into said watertight bag on the inside of said tube at a distance from said second end, wherein said seal and said second end form an edge of said tube having a width equal to said distance, wherein said edge includes a plurality of tie-down holes;   a vacuum access hole integrated into said watertight bag, wherein said vacuum access hole enables removal of air trapped inside said watertight bag when sealed;   a collapsible hoop system including a self-assembling collapsible spring, wherein said spring is expanded to full size inside said watertight bag and keeps said tube and said opening of said tube distended, and wherein said spring collapses for storage; and   equipment that keeps said watertight bag from floating including a plurality of weights, tether lines, and anchors, wherein said tether lines attach to said tie-down holes of said tube, and wherein said tether lines attach said watertight bag to said anchors,   wherein at least one of said plurality of said weights is positioned inside said watertight bag, and wherein at least one of said plurality of said weights attaches to said tether lines opposite from said tie-down holes;   wherein at least one object is loaded into said watertight bag through said opening; and   wherein said watertight seal closes said opening, and wherein said watertight bag provides watertight storage for said object.   
   
   
       12 . The collapsible flood storage system of  claim 11 , wherein said watertight seal resists entrance of water and air once closed. 
   
   
       13 . The collapsible flood storage system of  claim 11 , wherein said weights have blunt edges and include sand bags. 
   
   
       14 . The collapsible flood storage system of  claim 11 , wherein at least one of said plurality of said weights is positioned on top of sections of said watertight bag. 
   
   
       15 . The collapsible flood storage system of  claim 11 , wherein said equipment that keeps said watertight bag from floating further includes a rectangular tarp, wherein said tarp is positioned over said watertight bag and anchored to the ground. 
   
   
       16 . The collapsible flood storage system of  claim 11 , wherein said spring is removed from the inside of said watertight bag before said watertight bag is closed. 
   
   
       17 . A method for protecting objects from water damage during elevated water conditions, comprising the steps of:
 unfolding a flexible watertight bag;   distending said bag by expanding a self-assembling collapsible hoop system inside said bag;   loading at least one object into said bag;   sealing said bag with a watertight seal; and   anchoring said bag in place.   
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , further including the steps of:
 placing a plurality of weights inside said bag or inside said at least one object prior to sealing said bag;   collapsing and removing said hoop system from said bag prior to sealing said bag;   removing air trapped inside said bag after sealing said bag; and   anchoring said bag to the ground to keep said bag from floating in elevated water.   
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17 , further including the steps of:
 placing a tarp over said bag; and   anchoring said tarp in the ground.   
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 17 , further including the steps of:
 attaching a vacuum cleaner hose to a vacuum access hole integrated into said bag; and   removing said air from said bag by operating a vacuum cleaner to reduce buoyancy and size of said bag.