US5064308A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Gravity drainage system for athletic fields and method therefor
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1991-03-15
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Granted: 1991-11-12
•
Expires: 2011-03-15
Abstract
Abstract A gravity sub-drainage system for drainage of level-graded natural grass athletic fields. A plurality of parallel trenches are formed in a level-graded subgrade beneath the surface of the field. A main drainage system is provided at the lowest point of the subgrade. A collector pipe is placed into a trench at one end of the field sloping downward into the main drainage system. Perforated drain pipes are placed in the parallel trenches to slope downward toward the collector pipe and to slope downward toward the main drainage system to ensure that water collected from the surface will flow down into the collector pipe and into the main drainage system by the forces of gravity without the need for a mechanical pumping system. A layer of pea gravel capable of draining at a preferred rate of eighteen inches per hour is placed around and above the perforated drain pipe up to a height of four inches above the top of the subgrade. A ten inch layer of ninety percent sand and ten percent peat moss capable of draining at a perferred rate of eighteen inches per hour is placed over the gravel layer. A level-graded layer of grass is formed over the mixture layer.
Inventors
- 👤 Daniel R. Almond
- 👤 Joseph M. Stroemel
- 👤 Stuart M. Cameron
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 13:59
CPC Classifications
E; E01; E01C; E01C13/00; E01C13/08; E01C13/083
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 38
Claim 1
Independent Claim
205 words
A gravity drainage system for a level-graded natural grass athletic field, said system comprising: a level, compacted subgrade; drainage means at the lowest point of said subgrade for draining water from the site of said field; collector drain pipe means, connected to end drainage means, placed in a trench formed in said subgrade and sloping downward toward said drainage means for collecting runoff; a plurality of parallel trenches formed in said subgrade spaced a predetermined distance from one another; perforated drain pipes, connected to said collector drain pipe means, placed in each of said trenches sloping downward toward said collector drain pipe means and sloping downward toward said drainage means; a layer of pea gravel placed around and above said perforated drain pipe forming a level-graded upper layer, said pea gravel layer having a drainage rate of at least 12 inches per hour; a level layer of a non-layering mixture placed above said pea gravel layer and having a drainage rate of at least 12 inches per hour, said non-layering mixture formed of approximately ninety percent sand and ten percent peat moss; and a layer of natural grass on the top of said sand and peat moss mixture layer forming a flat, level-graded athletic field.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
205 words
A gravity drainage system for a level-graded natural grass athletic field, said system comprising: a level, compacted subgrade; drainage means at the lowest point of said subgrade for draining water from the site of said field; collector drain pipe means, connected to end drainage means, placed in a trench formed in said subgrade and sloping downward toward said drainage means for collecting runoff; a plurality of parallel trenches formed in said subgrade spaced a predetermined distance from one another; perforated drain pipes, connected to said collector drain pipe means, placed in each of said trenches sloping downward toward said collector drain pipe means and sloping downward toward said drainage means; a layer of pea gravel placed around and above said perforated drain pipe forming a level-graded upper layer, said pea gravel layer having a drainage rate of at least 12 inches per hour; a level layer of a non-layering mixture placed above said pea gravel layer and having a drainage rate of at least 12 inches per hour, said non-layering mixture formed of approximately ninety percent sand and ten percent peat moss; and a layer of natural grass on the top of said sand and peat moss mixture layer forming a flat, level-graded athletic field.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said system includes an overall drainage rate of at least 5 inches per hour when said natural grass establishes full root growth.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
89 words
The system of claim 2 wherein the particle size of said sand of said mixture layer has following specifications: at least seventy-five percent of said sand has a particle size between 0.25 millimeters and 1.0 millimeters; less than one percent of said sand has a particle size smaller than 0.10 millimeters; less than two percent of said sand has a particle size larger than 1.0 millimeters; and the silt and clay content of said sand does not exceed two percent of the total of said sand in textural analysis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
70 words
The system of claim 2 wherein said peat moss of said mixture layer has the following specifications: at least eighty-five percent of said peat moss comprises well-decomposed organic material and uniform in texture; has a silt and clay content sufficient to hold the final rootzone mixture to less than five percent silt and three percent clay; have a pH level between 6.5 and 7.0; and is free from extraneous materials.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system of claim 2 wherein said pea gravel layer consists gravel having a particle size between one-quarter inch and three-eights inch diameter; and has a depth of approximately eight inches above the top of said trenches.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said plurality of trenches extend longitudinally the length of said field.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said predetermined distance is less than twenty-five feet.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said predetermined distance is typically sixteen feet.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said perforated pipe is placed in said trenches at a slope of one percent downward toward said collector pipe means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said perforated pipe is placed in said trenches at a slope of one percent downward toward said drainage means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said subgrade includes the portions between said trenches formed sloping downward towards said trenches to prevent water from collecting on said subgrade.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 11 wherein said portions include a five percent slope downward towards said trenches.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said perforated drain pipes includes access means for flushing said perforated drain pipes.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said system further comprises means buried approximately six inches above the top of said trenches in said pea gravel for heating said field.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
211 words
A gravity drainage system for a level-graded natural turf athletic field, said system comprising: a level-graded layer of vegetative growth; a first sub-layer of non-layering material for draining water from said vegetative growth layer, said first sub-layer of non-layering material includes approximately ninety percent sand and ten percent peat moss said first sub-layer capable of draining at a minimum rate of 12 inches per hour without a fully developed root growth in said first sub-layer and at a minimum rate of five inches per hour when said vegetative growth layer has a fully developed root growth in said first sub-layer; a compacted subgrade beneath said vegetative growth layer; drainage means at the lowest point of said subgrade for draining water away from the site of said field; collector pipe means, connected to said drainage means, placed in a trench formed in said subgrade and sloping toward said drainage means for collecting runoff; a plurality of trenches formed in said subgrade spaced a predetermined distance from one another; perforated drain pipes placed in each of said trenches; and a second sub-layer formed of pea gravel placed around and above said perforated drain pipes directly beneath said first sub-layer capable of draining water at a rate of at least 12 inches per hour.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
211 words
A gravity drainage system for a level-graded natural turf athletic field, said system comprising: a level-graded layer of vegetative growth; a first sub-layer of non-layering material for draining water from said vegetative growth layer, said first sub-layer of non-layering material includes approximately ninety percent sand and ten percent peat moss said first sub-layer capable of draining at a minimum rate of 12 inches per hour without a fully developed root growth in said first sub-layer and at a minimum rate of five inches per hour when said vegetative growth layer has a fully developed root growth in said first sub-layer; a compacted subgrade beneath said vegetative growth layer; drainage means at the lowest point of said subgrade for draining water away from the site of said field; collector pipe means, connected to said drainage means, placed in a trench formed in said subgrade and sloping toward said drainage means for collecting runoff; a plurality of trenches formed in said subgrade spaced a predetermined distance from one another; perforated drain pipes placed in each of said trenches; and a second sub-layer formed of pea gravel placed around and above said perforated drain pipes directly beneath said first sub-layer capable of draining water at a rate of at least 12 inches per hour.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
86 words
The system of claim 15 wherein said sand of said first sub-layer has the following specifications: at least seventy-five percent of said sand has a particle size between 0.25 millimeters and 1.0 millimeters; less than one percent of said sand has a particle size smaller than 0.10 millimeters; less than two percent of said sand has a particle size larger than 1.0 millimeters; and the silt and clay content of said sand does not exceed two percent of the total of said sand in textural analysis.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
73 words
The system of claim 15 wherein said peat moss of said first sub-layer has the following specifications: at least eighty-five percent of said peat moss is well-decomposed organic material and uniform in texture; said peat moss has a silt and clay content sufficient to hold the final rootzone mixture to less than five percent silt and three percent clay; have a pH level between 6.5 and 7.0; and is free from extraneous materials.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system of claim 15 wherein said second sub-layer consists of gravel having particle sizes of between one-quarter inch and three-eights inch diameter; and has a depth of approximately eight inches above the top of said trenches.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 15 wherein said predetermined distance is less than twenty-five feet.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 15 wherein said predetermined distance is typically sixteen feet.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 15 wherein said perforated pipe is placed in said trenches at a slope of one percent downward toward said collector pipe means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 15 wherein said perforated pipe is placed in said trenches at a slope of one percent downward toward said drainage means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 15 wherein said subgrade includes the portions between said trenches formed sloping downward towards said trenches to prevent water from collecting on said subgrade.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 23 wherein said portions include a five percent slope downward towards said trenches.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 15 wherein said perforated drain pipes includes access means for flushing said perforated drain pipes.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 15 wherein said system further comprises means buried approximately two inches below the upper layer of said pea gravel for heating said field.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
205 words
A method of draining a level-graded natural turf athletic field, said method comprising the steps of: forming a level-graded subgrade; providing a drainage means at the lowest point of said subgrade for draining water away from the site of said field; placing a collector drain pipe in a trench formed in said subgrade sloping downward toward said drainage means; connecting said collector drain pipe to said drainage means; forming a plurality of parallel, spaced trenches in said subgrade the length of said field; placing perforated drain pipes in each of said trenches to slope downward towards said collector drain pipe and downwards towards said drainage means; connecting said perforated drain pipes to said collector drain pipe; placing a layer of pea gravel capable of draining at a rate of at least 12 inches per hour around and above said perforated drain pipe to a depth of approximately eight inches above the top of said trenches; placing a level-graded layer of a mixture of approximately ninety percent sand and ten percent peat moss capable of draining at a minimum rate of 12 inches per hour; and forming a level-graded layer of vegetative grown on top of said mixture layer to form a flat, level-graded athletic field.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
205 words
A method of draining a level-graded natural turf athletic field, said method comprising the steps of: forming a level-graded subgrade; providing a drainage means at the lowest point of said subgrade for draining water away from the site of said field; placing a collector drain pipe in a trench formed in said subgrade sloping downward toward said drainage means; connecting said collector drain pipe to said drainage means; forming a plurality of parallel, spaced trenches in said subgrade the length of said field; placing perforated drain pipes in each of said trenches to slope downward towards said collector drain pipe and downwards towards said drainage means; connecting said perforated drain pipes to said collector drain pipe; placing a layer of pea gravel capable of draining at a rate of at least 12 inches per hour around and above said perforated drain pipe to a depth of approximately eight inches above the top of said trenches; placing a level-graded layer of a mixture of approximately ninety percent sand and ten percent peat moss capable of draining at a minimum rate of 12 inches per hour; and forming a level-graded layer of vegetative grown on top of said mixture layer to form a flat, level-graded athletic field.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
90 words
The method of claim 27 wherein said step of placing said mixture layer includes using sand having the following specifications: at least seventy-five percent of said sand has a particle size between 0.25 millimeters and 1.0 millimeters; less than one percent of said sand has a particle size smaller than 0.10 millimeters; less than two percent of said sand has a particle size larger than 1.0 millimeters; and the silt and clay content of said sand does not exceed two percent of the total of said sand in textural analysis.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
77 words
The method of claim 27 wherein said step of placing said mixture layer includes using peat moss having the following specifications: at least eighty-five percent of said peat moss is well-decomposed organic material and uniform in texture; said peat moss has a silt and clay content sufficient to hold the final rootzone mixture to less than five percent silt and three percent clay; have a pH level between 6.5 and 7.0; and is free from extraneous materials.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 27 wherein said step of placing said mixture layer includes the step of using materials selected to be non-layering over time.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 27 wherein said step of placing said gravel layer includes using gravel of a particle size of between one-quarter inch and three-eights inch diameter.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 27 wherein said step of forming said trenches includes selecting said predetermined distance to be typically sixteen feet.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 27 wherein said step of forming said subgrade includes forming the portions between said trenches sloping downward towards said trenches to prevent water from collecting on said subgrade.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 27 wherein said step of placing said perforated drain pipes includes providing access means for flushing said perforated drain pipes.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 27 wherein said method further comprises providing means buried approximately two inches below the upper layer of said pea gravel for heating said field.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-11-11 | 1995-05-13 | 1995-11-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-11-11 | 1999-05-13 | 1999-11-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-11-11 | 2003-05-13 | 2003-11-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |