Modular-unit floodwall system

Abstract

A modular-unit floodwall system is disclosed. The system includes modular floodwall units configured for holding water and connecting and sealing devices for connecting the units together to form a barrier against floodwater. A method of constructing such a floodwall is also disclosed.

1 . A modular-unit floodwall system comprising
 modular floodwall units adapted for holding water, each unit having a bottom wall, opposite end walls and side walls, and   connecting and sealing devices for connecting the units and sealing junctions between the units to form a barrier against floodwater,   each connecting and sealing device comprising a footer configured for connecting two units together generally adjacent the bottom walls of the units, a header configured for connecting the two units together adjacent the top walls of the units, a generally vertical connecting member connecting the footer and the header and extending across a junction between the two units, and a seal on the connecting member for sealing the junction.   
     
     
         2 . A modular-unit floodwall system as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said footer comprises a base having connector components configured for releasable connection with mating connector components on said two units. 
     
     
         3 . A modular-unit floodwall system as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein said connector components comprise a pair of spaced-apart posts extending up from the base, and wherein said mating connector components on said two units comprise holes in adjacent lower corners of the units for receiving said posts. 
     
     
         4 . A modular-unit floodwall system as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein said base has an opening for removable reception of a lower end of said generally vertical connecting member. 
     
     
         5 . A modular-unit floodwall system as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein the lower end of the generally vertical connecting member is configured to project down through the base opening and to penetrate the ground. 
     
     
         6 . A modular-unit floodwall system as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said header comprises a header base having connector components configured for releasable connection with mating connector components on said two units. 
     
     
         7 . A modular-unit floodwall system as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein said connector components comprise a pair of spaced-apart header posts extending down from the header base, and wherein said mating connector components on said two units comprise holes in adjacent upper corners of the units for receiving said header posts. 
     
     
         8 . A modular-unit floodwall system as set forth in  claim 1 , said footer comprising a pair of spaced apart footer members having connector components configured for releasable connection with mating connector components on said two units, said header comprising a pair of spaced apart header members having connector components configured for releasable connection with mating connector components on said two units, and said connecting member comprising a panel having top, bottom and side edges configured for removable reception in respective openings in said footer and header members. 
     
     
         9 . A modular-unit floodwall system as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein said openings in the footer and header members are defined by channels on respective footer and header members. 
     
     
         10 . A modular-unit floodwall system as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein said seal comprises a gasket of compressible material on an inner surface of said panel. 
     
     
         11 . A modular-unit floodwall system as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein a first of said modular floodwall units comprises an elongate rigid structure that is generally rectangular as viewed from an end of the unit, and wherein a second of said modular floodwall units comprises an elongate rigid structure that is generally triangular as viewed from an end of the unit. 
     
     
         12 . A modular-unit floodwall system as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein said second modular floodwall unit is shaped as a right-triangle as viewed from an end of the unit. 
     
     
         13 . A modular-unit floodwall system as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said modular floodwall units comprise a first plurality of units having a first water-holding capacity and a second plurality of units having a second water-holding capacity less than said first water-holding capacity. 
     
     
         14 . A modular-unit floodwall system as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein at least some of said floodwall units have top walls extending between the side walls, and openings in the top walls for pumping water into or out of a respective floodwall unit. 
     
     
         15 . A modular-unit floodwall system as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising a pump-guide system on the top walls for guiding one or more mobile pumps along the top walls. 
     
     
         16 . A floodwall system as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein each floodwall unit defines an interior space divided by a bulkhead into a water-holding tank compartment and a dry storage compartment accessed by a door in an end wall of the unit. 
     
     
         17 . A floodwall system as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said connecting and sealing devices are configured for connecting at least some of the modular units either end-to-end or end-to-side. 
     
     
         18 . A modular floodwall unit comprising
 a rigid box-like structure having a top wall, a bottom wall, opposite end walls and opposite side walls,   said structure having a water-holding capacity of at least 1800 cubic feet,   at least one opening in the top wall, and   a pump-guide system on the top wall for guiding a mobile pump along the top wall.   
     
     
         19 . A modular floodwall unit as set forth in  claim 18 , wherein said structure defines an elongate interior space divided by a bulkhead into a water-holding tank compartment and a dry storage compartment accessed by a door in an end wall of the structure. 
     
     
         20 . A modular floodwall unit for controlling flood water, comprising
 a rigid elongate structure having a bottom wall, opposite end walls, a pair of corner posts extending up from the bottom wall adjacent the end walls, a first generally vertical side wall extending up from the bottom wall and secured to the corner posts, and a second inclined side wall sloping up from the bottom wall to the first side wall, and   openings in upper and lower ends of the corner posts for receiving connecting devices for connecting the modular floodwall unit end-to-end to adjacent modular floodwall units,   said structure having a generally triangular shape as viewed from an end of the structure.   
     
     
         21 . A method of constructing a floodwall from modular floodwall units comprising a first plurality of first modular units having a first water-holding capacity and a second plurality of second modular units having a second water-holding capacity less than said first water-holding capacity, said method comprising the steps of
 connecting a plurality of first modular units and a plurality of second modular units together, and   sealing junctions between the modular units to form a floodwall.   
     
     
         22 . A method as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein said connecting step comprises connecting a plurality of first modular units to one another to form a first segment of the floodwall, connecting a plurality of second modular units to one another to form a second segment of the floodwall, and connecting said first and second segments of the floodwall. 
     
     
         23 . A method as set forth in  claim 22 , wherein some modular units are connected end-to-end and other modular units are connected end-to-side. 
     
     
         24 . A method as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein each first modular unit comprises a rigid structure having a generally rectangular shape as viewed from an end of the structure, and wherein each second modular unit comprises a rigid structure having a generally triangular shape as viewed from an end of the structure.