U.S. patent application number 10/933938 was filed with the patent office on 2006-03-09 for methods and apparatus for reducing sand erosion in golf course bunkers.
Invention is credited to William M. Benson.
Application Number | 20060051161 10/933938 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35996400 |
Filed Date | 2006-03-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060051161 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Benson; William M. |
March 9, 2006 |
Methods and apparatus for reducing sand erosion in golf course
bunkers
Abstract
The present invention is directed to improved golf course bunker
drainage systems and methods for reducing sand erosion caused by
water impinging upon and soaking into sloped zones of a golf course
bunker. Such bunkers have a layer of sand disposed atop a substrate
layer, and include an upper lip, at least one water fall line and a
bunker bottom. Formed within the substrate layer of the golf course
bunker are an upper drain trough, at least one intermediate trough,
and a bottom drain trough. Disposed respectively therein are
respective upper, intermediate and bottom drainage pipes, with each
containing substantially upwardly directed apertures for receiving
the impinging water disposed within the troughs. A drain pipe
connector operatively interconnects to each of the drain pipes, and
a vacuum source is operatively connected to one of said respective
drainage pipes to create a pressure differential across the sand
layer to drain excess moisture therefrom, and thereby to reduce
substantially sand erosion within the bunker.
Inventors: |
Benson; William M.;
(Martinez, GA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MCNAIR LAW FIRM, P.A.
P.O. BOX 10827
GREENVILLE
SC
29603-0827
US
|
Family ID: |
35996400 |
Appl. No.: |
10/933938 |
Filed: |
September 3, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
405/43 ;
405/36 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E01C 13/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
405/043 ;
405/036 |
International
Class: |
E02B 13/00 20060101
E02B013/00 |
Claims
1. In a golf course bunker drainage system for reducing sand
erosion caused by water impinging upon and soaking into sloped
zones of a golf course bunker having a layer of sand disposed atop
a substrate layer and including an upper lip, at least one water
fall line and a bunker bottom, and having formed within the
substrate layer of the golf course bunker an upper drain trough, at
least one intermediate trough, and a bottom drain trough, the
improvement comprising: respective drainage pipes containing
substantially upwardly directed apertures for receiving the
impinging water disposed within said troughs, said respective
drainage pipes including an upper drain pipe disposed within the
upper drain trough and adjacent an upper portion of the bunker
sloped area and having a longitudinal dimension extending
transverse to the water fall line; at least one intermediate pipe
disposed within the intermediate drain trough and down-slope from
the first trough and having a longitudinal dimension extending
transverse to the water fall line of the golf course bunker; and a
bottom drain pipe disposed within the bottom drain trough and
substantially at the bunker bottom; a drain pipe connector
operatively connected to each of said upper, intermediate and
bottom drain pipes to drain the impinging water from each of the
respective upper, intermediate and bottom areas of the golf course
bunker; and a vacuum source operatively connected one of said
respective drainage pipes.
2. The improved apparatus of claim 1 wherein the longitudinal
dimension of said upper drain pipe extending transverse to the
water fall line is disposed substantially perpendicular to the
water fall line of the golf course bunker.
3. The improved apparatus of claim 1 wherein the upper drain pipe
is disposed at a distance of less than approximately two feet from
the upper lip of the golf course bunker.
4. The improved apparatus of claim 1 wherein the most proximate
intermediate drain pipe is disposed substantially perpendicular to
the water fall line of the golf course bunker and at a distance of
less than approximately five feet from said first drain pipe.
5. The improved apparatus of claim 1 wherein said vacuum source
comprises an air blower.
6. The improved apparatus of claim 5 wherein said air blower
further includes an electric motor.
7. The improved apparatus of claim 5 wherein said air blower
further includes a hydraulic drive.
8. The improved apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a rain
gauge operatively connected to said air blower to automatically
start said air blower when the rain level exceeds a selected
amount.
9. The improved apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a moisture
sensor operatively connected to said air blower to automatically
start said air blower when the moisture level exceeds a selected
amount.
10. The improved apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a barrier
material disposed substantially atop the substrate layer of the
golf course bunker.
11. The improved apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an
aggregate material disposed within at least one of said troughs at
least beneath said drainage pipes.
12. The improved apparatus of claim 11 wherein said aggregate
material substantially covers said drainage pipes.
13. The improved apparatus of claim 11 said respective drainage
pipes contained within said respective troughs are substantially
covered with said aggregate material.
14. The improved apparatus of claim 11 wherein said aggregate
material is gravel sized.
15. The improved apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a check
valve operatively connected to one of said drainage pipes and
disposed near said drainage outlet.
16. The improved apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a water
trap operatively connected to one of said drainage pipes and
disposed near said drainage outlet.
17. The improved apparatus of claim 1 wherein said substrate
comprises soil.
18. An improved apparatus for reducing water within the wet layer
of sand of a sloped zone of a golf course bunker, said apparatus
comprising means for creating a pressure differential within said
sand layer of said sloped zone to reduce substantially the amount
of water within said layer of sand at said sloped zone to a level
below that sufficient for fluidization of the sand, thereby to
reduce substantially erosion of the sand within said sloped
zone.
19. An improved apparatus for reducing sand erosion caused by water
impinging upon and soaking into sloped zones of a golf course
bunker having a layer of sand disposed atop a substrate layer and
including an upper lip, a water fall line and a bunker bottom, said
golf course bunker including within the substrate layer (i) an
upper drain trough disposed adjacent an upper portion of the bunker
sloped area and having a longitudinal dimension extending
transverse to the water fall line, (ii) at least one intermediate
trough disposed down-slope from the first trough and having a
longitudinal dimension extending transverse to the water fall line
of the golf course bunker, and (iii) a bottom drain trough disposed
substantially at the bunker bottom; said apparatus comprising:
drainage means for draining said respective upper, intermediate and
bottom troughs, said drainage means containing substantially
upwardly directed aperture means for receiving the impinging water
within each of said upper, intermediate and bottom drainage means;
and connecting means for operatively interconnecting said
respective drainage pipes to reduce substantially the amount of
water contained within the sand of each of the respective upper,
intermediate and bottom areas of the golf course bunker.
20. The improved apparatus of claim 19 further comprising vacuum
means operatively connected one of said respective drainage pipes
for providing a vacuum thereto sufficient to reduce substantially
the amount of water contained within the sand of each of said
upper, intermediate and bottom areas of said golf course
bunker.
21. An improved apparatus for reducing water within the wet layer
of sand of a sloped zone of a golf course bunker, said apparatus
comprising means for creating a pressure differential within said
sand layer of said sloped zone to reduce substantially the amount
of water within said layer of sand at said sloped zone to a level
below that sufficient for fluidization of the sand, thereby to
reduce substantially erosion of the sand within said sloped
zone.
22. A golf course bunker having improved characteristics resistance
to sand erosion caused by water impinging upon and soaking
thereinto, said golf course bunker comprising: an upper lip portion
including a sloped zone and a bunker bottom portion, and at least
one water fall line area defining a sloped zone therebetween, each
of said upper lip, at least one water fall line area and bunker
bottom comprising a substrate layer and a layer of sand disposed
atop said substrate layer, said substrate layer having formed
therewithin (i) an upper drain trough disposed adjacent an upper
portion of the bunker sloped zone and having a longitudinal
dimension extending transverse to one of said water fall line
areas, (ii) at least one intermediate trough disposed down-slope
from the first trough and having a longitudinal dimension extending
transverse to one of said water fall line areas of the golf course
bunker, and (iii) a bottom drain trough disposed substantially at
said bunker bottom; and respective drainage pipes containing
substantially upwardly directed apertures for receiving the
impinging water disposed within each of said upper, intermediate
and bottom drain troughs; a drain pipe connector operatively
connecting said respective drainage pipes to drain, the impinging
water from each of said respective upper, intermediate and bottom
portions of the golf course bunker; and a vacuum source operatively
connected to one of said drainage pipes.
23. An improved method for reducing sand erosion caused by water
impinging upon and soaking into sloped zones of a golf course
bunker having a layer of sand disposed atop a substrate layer and
including an upper lip, at least one water fall line and a bunker
bottom, said method comprising the steps of: (a) forming within the
substrate layer (i) an upper drain trough disposed adjacent an
upper portion of the bunker sloped area and having a longitudinal
dimension extending transverse to the waterfall line, (ii) at least
one intermediate trough disposed down-slope from the first trough
and having a longitudinal dimension extending transverse to the
water fall line of the golf course bunker, and (iii) a bottom drain
trough disposed substantially at the bunker bottom; (b) disposing
respective drainage pipes containing substantially upwardly
directed apertures for receiving the impinging water within each of
said upper, intermediate and bottom drain troughs; (c) operatively
interconnecting said respective drainage pipes; and applying a
vacuum to one of said operatively interconnected drainage pipes to
drain the impinging water from each of the respective upper,
intermediate and bottom areas of the golf course bunker at a
drainage outlet.
24. The improved method of claim 23 wherein the longitudinal
dimension extending transverse to the water fall line is
substantially perpendicular to the water fall line of the golf
course bunker.
25. The improved method of claim 23 wherein the upper trough is
located at a distance of less than approximately two feet from the
upper lip of the golf course bunker.
26. The improved method of claim 23 wherein the most proximate
intermediate trough is located substantially perpendicular to the
water fall line of the golf course bunker and at a distance of less
than approximately five feet from the first trough.
27. The improved method of claim 23 wherein said vacuum is formed
by means of an air blower.
28. The improved method of claim 27 wherein said air blower is
powered by means of an electric motor.
29. The improved method of claim 23 further comprising the step of
providing a rain gauge operatively connected to said air blower to
automatically start said air blower when the rain level exceeds a
selected amount.
30. The improved method of claim 23 further comprising the step of
providing a moisture sensor operatively connected to said air
blower to automatically start said air blower when the moisture
level exceeds a selected amount.
31. The improved method of claim 23 further comprising the step of
disposing a barrier material substantially atop the substrate layer
of the golf course bunker.
32. The improved method of claim 31 wherein the barrier material
comprises polymeric sheeting.
33. The improved method of claim 23 further comprising the step of
disposing an aggregate material within said troughs at least
beneath said drainage pipes.
34. The improved method of claim 33 further comprising the step of
substantially covering said drainage pipes with said aggregate
material.
35. The improved method of claim 33 further comprising the step of
substantially filling said drainage pipe containing troughs with
said aggregate material.
36. The improved method of claim 33 wherein said aggregate material
is gravel.
37. The improved method of claim 23 further comprising the step of
providing a check valve disposed near said drainage outlet.
38. The improved method of claim 23 further comprising the step of
providing a water trap disposed near said drainage outlet.
39. The improved method of claim 23 wherein said substrate
comprises soil.
40. An improved method for reducing water within the wet layer of
sand of a sloped zone of a golf course bunker, said method
comprising the steps of: creating a pressure differential within
said sand layer of said sloped zone of said golf course bunker; and
reducing substantially the amount of water within said sand layer
at said sloped zone to an amount below that sufficient for
fluidization of the sand, thereby to ameliorate substantially
erosion of the sand within said sloped zone.
41. The improved method of claim 40 wherein said pressure
differential is created by vacuum means.
42. The improved method of claim 40 wherein said reducing
substantially the amount of water within said sand layer is carried
out by means of draining the water from the sloped zone.
43. The improved method of claim 40 wherein the golf course bunker
has an upper lip and said pressure differential is applied to said
sloped zone at a distance of less than approximately two feet from
the upper lip of the golf course bunker.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates in general to apparatus for
treating the sand in a golf course bunker, and more particularly to
improve methods and apparatus for ameliorating sand erosion by
reducing the water content of the sand particularly within sloped
zones of a golf course bunker.
[0002] Golf course sand bunkers may be built in a wide variety of
sizes, shapes, and contours. Such golf course bunkers may be
constructed to include sections having a relatively steep surface
and comprising a sloped zone or area included within portions of
the sand contour thereof. In such sand bunkers, keeping the sand
raked smoothly, and especially upon the sloped contours may be a
daily task of golf course ground-maintenance crews. Such steep sand
slopes, however, tend to be at least somewhat subject to crumbling
and/or displacement during or shortly after heavy rain storms. At
these and other times, maintenance crews may be tasked with
replacing sand on the slopes, rather than the lesser duty of merely
raking the sand surface.
[0003] The mechanisms that cause sand displacement include, inter
alia, crumbling, creeping and fluidized flow. Together these
phenomena of sand displacement may be collectively or individually
referred to in the trade as "washout." Each of these mechanisms is
created by the presence of saturated sand regions that cannot
support the weight and motion of infiltrated water. Washout can
start at the upper slopes and proceed down the face of the contour,
or it can start at the bottom when the sand becomes saturated with
water and becomes a fluidized puddle that cannot support adjacent
layers above.
[0004] Repairing a washed-out region can be time-consuming and
costly. Indeed, a large bunker typically may require a crew of two
to three to shovel and rake for one-to-two hours in order to
restore the sand contour. Inasmuch as a single golf course may
contain as many as fifty (50) or more sand bunkers, and heavy
washout rain can occur 15-20 times a year in many regions of the
country, bunker repair is a considerable golf-course maintenance
expense that can easily exceed $50,000 annually (3 men.times.2
hrs.times.$9/hr.times.20 rain events/year.times.50
bunkers=$54,000+cost of dirty sand replacement). Additionally,
there is frequently a general loss of revenue (due to golfers'
reluctance to play washed-out bunkers), as golfers may tend under
these negative circumstances to cancel tee times.
[0005] Another consequence of bunker washout may further include
the delay of play that can result when rain storms occur during
major golf tournaments. Typically, if more than several bunkers
have been affected, those bunkers must be repaired before play can
resume, potentially further resulting in the loss of valuable
broadcast time and/or causing a major inconvenience to attending
patrons.
[0006] Given the prevalence of the washout phenomenon, and the
resulting substantial costs associated with rebuilding/repairing a
bunker, golf-course architects may be unduly constrained in their
design parameters related to the structure of bunkers, which may
further and preemptively negatively impact the challenge and
character of the course layout. Accordingly, the availability of an
improved sand bunker maintenance system would enable architects to
enjoy greater freedom in their golf course designs through the
utilization of more diverse and challenging sand bunkers. Moreover,
such an improved sand bunker maintenance system would reduce the
maintenance costs that would otherwise be incurred if sand bunker
hazards were to be replaced in golf course designs with grass
bunkers having undulating turf contours that thus must be trimmed
by the labor intensive method of hand mowing.
[0007] The relevant prior art may be described, as follows:
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 1,151,608, entitled "Method of Resecuring
Slipped Slopes of Cuts and Dams," is directed to a method of
securing slipped slopes of cuts and dams, and consists of
temporarily removing the soil down to the slipping area and
embedding fascines into the slipping area. Fascines are defined as
bundles of sticks or wood bound together and used for such purposes
as filling ditches and making revetments for riverbanks. The
fascines are embedded into the slipping area and are thereafter
covered with soil, thereby restoring the slope.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 1,866,826, entitled "Hill Draining System," is
directed to a hill draining system that utilizes a trench of
substantial depth extending from an upper portion of a hill
downwardly and having a groove in the bottom thereof with a porous
drainage pipe laid in the groove and extending downward to a point
of discharge. Porous drainage material is disposed in the
trench.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 4,180,348, entitled "Subsurface Irrigation and
Drainage System," is directed to a surface irrigation and drainage
system for supplying and extracting water and similar liquids
through a subsurface conduit network automatically responsive to
the ground water table occurring above or below a predetermined
subsurface reference level. A plurality of elongated subsurface
perforated conduit lines are located throughout the field at a
uniform depth below ground along one or more ground elevation
contour lines for the outflow or inflow of water through the
conduit line perforations when the ground water is respectively
below and above the predetermined subsurface reference level.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 4,714,376, entitled "Hillslope Landslide
Stability Drain," is directed to a hill slope landslide stability
drain. The system includes a porous walled conduit positioned
within the hillside substantially parallel the face of the
hillside. This system may also include a saddle section or chamber
that essentially surrounds the conduit and provides a region of
increased permeability contiguous to the conduit.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 4,820,080 entitled "Process for the
Construction of a Drain System," is directed to a process for the
construction of a drain system that includes a plurality of
vertical shafts which are in communication with a horizontal hole
as drilled for use as a catchment body.
[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 4,960,345 entitled "System for Construction of
Golf Course Sand Bunkers," is directed to a system for constructing
golf course sand bunkers having a drainage ditch in the floor which
also utilizes a plastic liner.
[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 5,746,546 entitled "Soil Stabilization
Composition and Method," relates to a soil stabilization
composition and method for use in golf course bunkers. The
invention employs the use of a stable resilient surface layer which
comprises a particular aggregate having particles of a particular
size and including fiber strands and a selected amount of
water-absorbent, water-activated adhesive particles having a
specified swell volume when absorbing water. When subjected to a
sufficient amount of water, the water-absorbent particles swell and
bind the aggregate and fiber strands forming a high shear strength
flexible resilient layer.
[0015] U.S. Pat. No. 5,848,856 entitled "Subsurface Fluid Drainage
and Storage System," relates to the use of a drain core structure
to collect and drain water in a system which promotes efficient
drainage of water such as in a football field.
[0016] U.S. Pat. No. 6,095,718 entitled "Subsurface Fluid Drainage
and Storage Systems," is related to a similar structure described
above for '856 patent.
[0017] U.S. Pat. No. 6,386,795, entitled "System for Stabilization
of Sandy Shores," is directed to a system for the stabilization of
sandy shores such as beaches, and selectively adds moisture as
needed to the sand in order to stabilize the shore.
[0018] U.S. Pat. No. 6,612,778, entitled "System and Method for
Preventing Bluff Erosion," is directed to a system and method for
preventing bluff erosion and involves using a horizontal wick drain
positioned along the length of a bluff top to prevent erosion.
[0019] U.S. Pat. No. 6,641,335, entitled "Erosion Control Rolls,"
is directed to an erosion control roll which includes an elongated
core member and which functions to control sedimentation and debris
flow by use of a filter member and a flow member.
[0020] U.S. Published application No. 2003/0082004, entitled
"Bunker Drain System," and U.S. Published application No.
2003/0118403, entitled "Drainage System for Sports Fields," are
directed to bunker drainage systems for the bottom of a bunker
utilizing a perforated-type collection system and a receptacle
having a cover member.
[0021] U.S. Published application No. 2003/0198514, entitled "Riser
for Subsurface Drainage Pipe," is directed to a riser for a
subsurface drainage pipe in a bunker. More specifically a pull up
riser is disclosed with at least one drainage port near its upper
end for attachment to a subsurface drainage system to facilitate
drainage in low areas when submerged with water.
[0022] Although the above prior art may be construed to have taught
in part some concepts of seeking to control earth erosion from
banks, hills, and/or perhaps golf course hazards, the improved
benefits of carrying out such substantial reduction in erosion of
golf course bunker sloped areas through vacuum-assisted
differential pressure means, as accomplished by the unique
structure and methods of the present invention, are not taught or
suggested by such prior art references.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0023] The invention described and claimed herein provides in
preferred embodiments structure and methods for removing material
and selected amounts of water from the sand comprising and disposed
upon the relatively steep slopes in sand bunkers, and doing so at
such selected rates as to materially reduce the formation of the
sand fluidization phenomenon and thereby bunker washout during
heavy rainstorms and/or during irrigation cycles. As may be come
more apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the
following drawing, detailed description of preferred and other
embodiments, and the appended patent claims, certain of the
embodiments of the methods and apparatus of the present invention
may consist of one or more of the following features, whether
individually or in combination:
[0024] 1. One or more troughs are dug within the substrate forming
the steep contour slope such that the trough longitudinal dimension
is disposed generally perpendicular to the water fall line at such
portion of the contour.
[0025] 2. Drainage pipes containing perforations, apertures or
other suitable openings are disposed within the troughs, and may be
covered with gravel thereby to fill the troughs back to the contour
of the bunker substrate in some embodiments.
[0026] 3. Additional troughs, drainage pipe and gravel are set
forth at dispositions described herein and at several levels of
contour including the bottom or lowest contour region of the golf
course bunker.
[0027] 4. Discharge pipe or conduit is interconnected to the
drainage pipe together to form a continuous drainage network
leading to one or more outfalls where water can be permanently
discharged from the bunker.
[0028] 5. A vacuum source, such as an air blower powered preferably
by an electric motor, is interconnected to the drainage network to
provide a suitably defined and sufficient level of vacuum to the
interconnected drainage pipes.
[0029] 6. A check-valve or water trap may preferably be connected
to the outfall(s).
[0030] 7. A layer of fabric may be disposed beneath the sand that
covers the substrate and the gravel-filled troughs, in some
preferred and alternative embodiments.
[0031] 8. A controller, preferably including a rain gage and/or a
moisture sensor for automatic on/off control of the blower/motor
when rain water exceeds a predetermined level, may further be
included in preferred embodiments.
[0032] 9. A means for direct on/off control via existing or new
irrigation satellites or remote control modules may likewise be
incorporated in preferred embodiments.
[0033] Certain preferred embodiments of the present invention may
function according to the following and above described parameters.
Specifically, as rain or irrigation water begins to infiltrate the
sand layer, a sensor in some preferred embodiments signals the
controller that the rate of rain fall and/or the amount of rain or
other water has exceeded a predetermined level, and accordingly
turns on the blower/motor, thereby creating a vacuum at a suitable
selected level within the drain network. The pressure differential
across the sand layer created by the vacuum promotes water flow
from the layer into the drain lines and eventually exiting as
effluent from the outfall(s). A check valve may preferably be
provided to ensure that the vacuum is not broken by air leaking
back into the network from the outfall(s).
[0034] Because the pressure differential across the sand layer is
greater in preferred embodiments than that caused by natural
drainage or siphoning effects, the rate of water removal is
significantly greater than either the natural drainage rate or the
rate of rain fall. Accordingly, excess water is removed before the
sand saturates and begins to crumble, creep, or move as a fluidized
mass or slurry to cause bunker erosion.
[0035] Moreover, and because water must be removed from the sand
layer before water and sand form a fluidized slurry on steep
slopes, spacing and location of drain troughs on the contour faces
are deemed to be important factors that determine effectiveness of
sand retention. While exact spacing depends upon contour slope and
drainage rate from adjacent grassy areas into the bunker, location
of the upper trough is an important factor in determining overall
effectiveness of the vacuum-assisted drainage system of the present
invention. The upper trough, for instance, should in preferred
embodiments be located within approximately two feet of the upper
lip of the bunker, and the second trough less than about five feet
below that, thereby to assure optimal levels of erosion reduction.
Otherwise, a slurry may form that moves the mixture of sand and
water down the slope resulting in bunker erosion.
[0036] Location of the drain trough at the bottom of the bunker
also may be important, in that fluidized sand tends to puddle at
the bottom and erode the steep surface from beneath. Thus,
vacuum-assisted drainage of the apparatus and methods of the
present invention ensures that water is removed before sand
saturation occurs.
[0037] The vacuum-assisted bunker drainage apparatus and methods of
the present invention have, inter alia, provided certain objects
and advantages over prior art structures and methods. For example,
and not by way of limitation:
[0038] It is a material object of the vacuum-assisted bunker
drainage system of the present invention to provide positive
displacement of water into the troughs on steep contours, as the
system begins to move water out of the sand before the sand becomes
saturated.
[0039] It is a further material object of the vacuum-assisted
bunker drainage system of the present invention to provide for
functioning with or without a fabric liner. Without the optional
liner the bunker can be raked by machine, which is less costly than
manual raking.
[0040] It is also a material object of the vacuum-assisted bunker
drainage system of the present invention to reduce the need for
repairing sand bunkers after heavy rainfall, thereby significantly
reducing golf-course maintenance costs.
[0041] It is an additional material object of the vacuum-assisted
bunker drainage system of the present invention to materially
reduce play-postponement caused by bunker washout.
[0042] It is a yet further material object of the vacuum-assisted
bunker drainage system of the present invention to enable
golf-course architects to create a more diverse and challenging
range of bunker designs without substantially increasing
maintenance costs.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0043] For better understanding of these and other objects and
advantages of the improved methods and apparatus of the present
invention, reference is made hereinbelow to the detailed
description of preferred and alternative embodiments of the
invention, which is to be read in association with accompanying
drawings, and wherein:
[0044] FIG. 1 is an enlarged partially fragmented schematic front
view of a golf course bunker having some of the sand removed to
display a preferred embodiment of the present invention installed
within the bunker;
[0045] FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the
lines 2-2 2 of FIG. 1, and showing the sand and substrate layers of
the bunker, with drainage pipes installed within trenches and
disposed at upper, medial and lower levels of the golf course
bunker;
[0046] FIG. 3 is a greatly enlarged top view of a preferred
embodiment of the drainage conduit or pipe, showing one form of
apertures disposed at a top surface thereof and in longitudinally
spaced array; and
[0047] FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along lines
4-4 of FIG. 3, and yet further showing schematically water draining
into such drainage pipe.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0048] Turning initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, a golf course bunker
generally 10 is depicted and further includes a vacuum-assisted
golf course bunker drainage system generally 12 functions according
to the descriptions herein to materially reduce sand erosion caused
by water impinging upon and soaking into sloped areas or zones 14
of the golf course bunker 10. Such bunker 10 includes preferably a
sand layer 16 disposed atop a substrate layer 18 (as shown in FIG.
2), which may comprise disturbed or undisturbed soil, or other
equivalent underlayment. Such bunker 10 further structurally
includes an upper lip 20 abutting upon turf 22 and has at least one
water fall line 24 (as shown in FIG. 1) which culminates in a
bunker bottom area 26.
[0049] The substrate layer 18 of the golf course bunker 10 includes
at least one upper drain trough 30, at least one intermediate
trough 32, and at least one bottom drain trough 34. Each of upper
drain trough(s) 30, intermediate trough(s) 32, and bottom drain
trough(s) 34 contains therein respective drainage pipes 30a, 32a,
and 34a. Additionally, and as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, respective
upper, intermediate and bottom drainage pipes 30a, 32a, and 34a,
contain substantially upwardly directed apertures 36 for receiving
the impinging water disposed within said troughs 30, 32, 34.
[0050] The respective upper, intermediate and bottom drainage pipes
30a, 32a, and 34a are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Therein, upper drain
pipe 30a is disposed within the upper drain trough 30 and adjacent
an upper portion 40 of the bunker sloped area or zone 42 which has
a longitudinal dimension 44 (see FIG. 1) extending generally
transverse to the water fall line 24. Similarly, the intermediate
pipe 32a is disposed within the intermediate drain trough 32 and
accordingly down-slope from the first trough 30, and likewise
having a longitudinal dimension 48 (see FIG. 1) extending
transverse to the water fall line 24 of the golf course bunker 10.
Moreover, the bottom drain pipe 34a is disposed within the bottom
drain trough 34 and substantially at the bunker bottom area 26 as
shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and has a longitudinal dimension 58 (as
shown in FIG. 1).
[0051] Drain pipe connectors 52, 54 are operatively connected to
the upper, intermediate and bottom drain pipes 30a, 32a, 34a to
drain the impinging water from each of the respective upper,
intermediate and bottom areas generally 51, 53, 55 of the golf
course bunker 10.
[0052] A vacuum source 59 is operatively connected by means of
connector 61 to one of said respective drainage pipes, such as for
example bottom drain pipe 34a, as shown in FIG. 1.
[0053] The longitudinal dimension 44 of the upper drain pipe 30a is
shown to extend generally transverse to the water fall line 24 and
is disposed substantially perpendicular to the water fall line 24
of golf course bunker 10. Such upper drain pipe 30a is shown in
FIG. 1 to be disposed at a distance of less than approximately two
feet from upper lip 20 of golf course bunker 10. Additionally, the
most proximate intermediate drain pipe 32a, as shown in FIGS. 1 and
2 is likewise disposed substantially perpendicular to water fall
line 24 of golf course bunker 10 and at a preferred distance of
less than approximately five feet from the first or upper drain
pipe 30a. Additional medially disposed intermediate drain pipes 32b
(not explicitly shown) may be provided in other preferred
embodiments.
[0054] The vacuum source 59, as shown schematically in FIG. 1,
comprises an air blower which is powered preferably by an electric
motor of known structure, and may be, for example, Model 7.5
horsepower Elite, available from SubAir Systems, LLC located at
Aiken, S.C. FIG. 1 further shows schematically a rain gauge 60
operatively connected to the vacuum source 59 comprising for
example an air blower 59a to automatically start the air blower 59a
when the rain level exceeds a selected amount. Alternatively, or
coordinately, a moisture sensor 62 may be operatively connected to
the air blower 59a to automatically start the air blower 59a when
the moisture level in selected areas of the sand exceeds a selected
amount.
[0055] Such bunker 10 may also include a barrier material 64
(partially cut away in FIG. 1) disposed substantially atop the
substrate layer 18 of golf course bunker 10. Yet additionally, an
aggregate material 68, which may be gravel, may be disposed within
troughs 30, 32, 34 and beneath, and/or substantially covering the
drainage pipes 30a, 32a, 34a. A check valve 70 and a water trap 72
may be operatively connected to one of the drainage pipes 30a, 32a,
34a. and disposed near the drainage outlet 74.
[0056] The vacuum-assisted apparatus 12 hereof functions by
creating a pressure differential within the sand layer of said
sloped zone 14 to reduce substantially the level of water within
said layer of sand 16 at said sloped zone 14 to a level below that
sufficient for fluidization of the sand, thereby to reduce
substantially erosion of the sand within sloped zone 14.
[0057] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a drainage pipe or conduit 30a,
32a and/or 34a is depicted and functions to drain said respective
upper, intermediate and bottom troughs 30, 32, 34 and include
substantially upwardly directed apertures 36 for receiving the
impinging water within each of the upper, intermediate and bottom
drainage pipes 30a, 32a, 34a (see Arrow A of FIG. 4). The shape and
size of the apertures 36 may vary, however, in some embodiments the
diameters may be 2-6''. The piping used can be round, flat or other
shapes, and may be in some embodiments polypropylene, or other
polymeric piping of known construction and composition, and may be
approximately 2-6'' in diameter.
[0058] While the present invention has been explained with
reference to certain structure and methods as disclosed
hereinabove, the present invention is not confined to the details
as set forth in such preferred embodiments, and changes,
modifications or variations are intended to come within the scope
of the present invention and within the scope of the following
claims.
* * * * *