Hydraulic and earth engineering – Fluid control – treatment – or containment – Flow control
Reexamination Certificate
1999-01-08
2001-04-10
Neuder, William (Department: 3673)
Hydraulic and earth engineering
Fluid control, treatment, or containment
Flow control
C405S090000, C405S091000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06213683
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a flexible film weir formed of a flexible film and laid across a river or the like, which is erected when air or a liquid such as water is supplied and falls flat when air or a liquid such as water is discharged.
2. Description of the Related Art
Water gates, weirs for protecting a lake and the like are generally made of steel and are large-scale installations.
Thus, one which is generally referred to as a “rubber weir” wherein a flexible film weir is erected and laid flat by supplying and discharging air or liquid such as water is often used for a river because its construction is easy. A weir of this kind can also be used as a water gate or a weir for protecting a lake.
Unlike one that is provided in the middle of the river, however, in a water gate or a weir for protecting a lake, the water levels of both sides of it may sometimes be reversed. Thus, water gates and weirs for protecting a lake need to stay erected with stability in all circumstances.
Additionally, as a water gate or a weir is opened when the water levels of both sides of it are equal, it is desirable that the flexible film weir falls completely flat when the water levels of both sides of it are equal.
However, if air is used, the film may be partially floated by the air that is trapped in the bag-like body when the weir falls flat, or some portions of the film do not come into close contact with the river bed even when the air is not trapped inside. The floating part and portions that are not in close contact with the river bed float in the water, thereby making it difficult to lay the flexible film weir completely flat.
Particularly, when the weir is provided in thoroughfares used by shipping, in some cases the portions floating in the water may come into contact with the bottom of a vessel.
In order to solve the aforementioned problems, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (JP-A) No. 62-45811 discloses forming irregularities on the river bed or mounting objects for forming irregularities (for example, tubes, sticks, or the like) on the river bed. However, the labor required to form irregularities or the cost of the objects for forming irregularities raises the problem of high cost.
Further, a flexible film weir of this type requires a structure to absorb the redundant length thereof as its configuration changes in accordance with the supply and discharge of the air. Thus, the concern exists that the structure may become complicated.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
With the aforementioned in view, an object of the present invention is to provide a flexible film weir with a simple structure and construction procedure.
A first aspect of the present invention is a flexible film weir consisting of a flexible film, which is mounted on a bottom face and on faces of slopes situated on both sides of the bottom face, extends transversely from one slope face to the other slope face, and is erected and laid flat as liquid is supplied thereto and discharged therefrom, characterized in that: the flexible film has a two-dimensional configuration when expanded, and the total length of the periphery of the flexible film is set longer than the mounting length of mounting portions of the bottom face and faces of slopes; and portions that are left redundant when the flexible film is mounted on the mounting positions are folded and fixed at toes of slopes in such a way that they are overlapped.
In the flexible film weir of the first aspect of the present invention, as the total length of the periphery of the flexible film is set longer than the mounting length of the mounting portions of the bottom face and the faces of slopes, some portions are left redundant when the flexible film is mounted on the mounting portions. The redundant portions are folded and fixed at the toes of slopes in such a way that they are overlapped, which fixes all the peripheral parts of the flexible film on the bottom face and both faces of slopes, thereby sealing the inside.
As the total length of the periphery of the flexible film is set longer than the mounting length of the mounting portions of the bottom face and the faces of slopes, the weir is able to stand erect when air or the like is supplied inside. Further, as the configuration of the flexible film is two-dimensional when expanded, it has an excellent effect in that the structure and construction is simplified.
A second aspect of the present invention is a flexible film weir consisting of a flexible film, which is mounted on a bottom face and on faces of slopes situated on both sides of the bottom face, extends transversely from one slope face to the other slope face, and is erected and laid flat as liquid is supplied thereto and discharged therefrom, comprising: the flexible film whose configuration at the time of expansion is two-dimensional; a pair of first mounting edges which extend in parallel with each other along one direction; and a pair of second mounting edges which are provided successively in the longitudinal direction of both of the end portions of the first mounting edges and whose end portions opposite to those connected to the first mounting edges are directly or indirectly connected to each other, characterized in that: the pair of second mounting edges are mounted along a pair of second lines which are provided on the faces of slopes, each of which is set with the same length as the second mounting edges when the flexible film is disposed on a plane, and whose angles are set narrower than those made by the pair of second mounting edges; and the pair of first mounting edges are mounted along a pair of first lines which are provided on the bottom face, each of which is set by being extended to the point of intersection with the second mounting edge when the flexible film is disposed on a plane, and which is set with a shorter distance than the distance of the pair of first mounting edges and extends in parallel with each other in the transverse direction so that redundant portions of the first mounting edges which go beyond the first lines are converged and mounted around toes of slopes in such a way that they are overlapped.
The configuration of the flexible film weir composed of the flexible film changes when it is laid flat and when it is erected. Therefore, it is necessary to install the weir with the slack for supplying air or the like inside so that the weir is erected.
In the flexible film weir of the first aspect using the flexible film whose configuration at the time of unfolding is two-dimensional, the flexible film includes the pair of first mounting edges which extend in parallel with each other along one direction, and the pair of second mounting edges which are provided successively in the longitudinal direction of both of the end portions of the first mounting edges and whose end portions opposite to those connected to the first mounting edges are directly or indirectly connected to each other.
And the pair of second mounting edges are mounted along the pair of second lines which are provided on the faces of slopes, each of which is set with the same length as the second mounting edges when the flexible film is disposed on a plane, and whose angles are set narrower than those of the pair of second mounting edges. Therefore, on the end portions in the longitudinal direction of the flexible film weir, that is, on the portions which are mounted on the faces of slopes, the slack of the flexible film is generated when laid flat, thereby enabling the flexible film weir to stand erect when air or the like is supplied inside.
In addition, the pair of first mounting edges are mounted along the pair of first lines which are provided on the bottom face, each of which is set by being extended to the point of intersection with the second mounting edge when the flexible film is disposed on a plane, and which is set with a shorter distance than the distance of the pair of first mounting edges and extends in parallel with each other in the transverse direction. Therefore, on the middle portion
Bridgestone Corporation
Neuder William
Oliff & Berridg,e PLC
Pechhold Alexandra K.
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