Drainage system for sports fields
OwnerDennis James Wilkersoninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An improved system for draining bunkers on golf courses and other sports playing areas, and for draining landscaped areas. A receptacle is positioned below the surface for receiving drain water and for discharging the water through an outlet. A perforated pipe water collection system can be attached to the receptacle to direct water to the receptacle interior space. A receptacle cover is removable to permit access to the receptacle interior space. The cover is sufficiently strong to support the overlying weight of people and equipment, and can have apertures for permitting water entry while resisting entry of sand and other solids into the interior space of the receptacle.
Claims23
A drainage box for location and use below the surface of a sports field or landscaped area, which drainage box comprises:
- a) a container having a substantially solid bottom surface and having sides forming a substantially continuous perimeter, the container being removable from the ground and further having a top opening and having a size and shape which can be located below the playing surface a sufficient distance and is adapted to permit persons to play above the drainage box, the container being removable from the ground;
- b) the container having at least one support surface associated with the top opening;
- and
- c) a water permeable cover over the top opening and supported by the support surface, the water permeable cover on the support surface comprising a support grate and a water permeable mesh over the support grate and a protective grate above the water permeable mesh, the cover having a strength which is adapted to permit persons to play above the landscape material on the drainage box but which resists entry of solids into the box;
- d) the water permeable cover being removable from the top opening to allow cleaning of the container and then replaceable for relocation below the surface of the sports field or landscaped area and to permit play above the box without damage to the box;
- e) the box having one or more locations in its sides or bottom which can be associated with an exit pipe for drainage of water from the box.
A method for draining water from a sports playing field, which method comprises:
- (a) locating a drainage box under the playing field to accept drainage water a sufficient distance below the surface of the playing field to allow activity above the box, the box having a water permeable cover with playing material over the cover;
- (b) connecting the drainage box to an outlet which directs water outside of the playing field area, and
- (c) cleaning the box by removing material overlying the cover, removing the cover, and removing solids collected within the box;
- and then replacing the cover and the overlying material to reform the playing field area.
A drainage system for a sports playing field, the drainage system comprising a drainage box located below the playing surface of the playing field to accept drainage water, the box being located a sufficient distance below the surface of the playing field and adapted to permit persons to play above the box, the drainage box comprising a container having a substantially solid bottom surface and having sides forming a substantially continuous perimeter, the container being removable from the ground, and having a water permeable cover on the container for supporting playing material over the cover and weight and impacts by sports players;
- playing material on and supported by the cover, the playing material having sufficient water permeability to allow passage of water through the playing material into the box;
- a drain outlet associated with the box to direct water from the box and the playing field;
- and a water collection system associated with the box to direct water from the playing field into the box;
- the cover of the box being openable to allow cleaning of the box and being replaceable to allow reforming of the playing surface of the playing field without damage to the box.
A drainage system for a landscaped area, the drainage system comprising a drainage box located below the surface of the landscaped area to accept drainage water, the box being located a sufficient distance below the surface of the landscaped area and adapted to permit persons to engage in activity above the box, the drainage box comprising a container having a substantially solid bottom surface and having sides forming a substantially continuous perimeter, the container being removable from the ground, and having a water permeable cover on the container for supporting landscape material over the cover and weight and activity above the landscape material;
- landscape material on and supported by the cover, the landscape material having sufficient water permeability to allow passage of water through the landscape material into the box;
- a drain outlet associated with the box to direct water from the box and the landscape area;
- and a water collection system associated with the box to direct water from the landscape area into the box;
- the cover of the box being openable to allow cleaning of the box and being replaceable to allow reforming of the surface of the landscaped area without damage to the box.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.