US6863477B2 — Method and material for preventing erosion and ma…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 97 words

A liner for preventing erosion and maintaining playability of golf course sand bunkers comprising: a first non-woven layer formed of randomly-aligned, synthetic fibers, the first layer configured and adapted to maintain sand in place within a sand bunker; and a second backing layer formed of spunbond synthetic fiber secured to the first layer, the second layer configured and adapted to prevent downward migration of sand through the liner, while also preventing the upward migration of weeds, rocks and other contaminants that hinder the playability of the sand bunker wherein the first and second layers are water permeable.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 97 words

A liner for preventing erosion and maintaining playability of golf course sand bunkers comprising: a first non-woven layer formed of randomly-aligned, synthetic fibers, the first layer configured and adapted to maintain sand in place within a sand bunker; and a second backing layer formed of spunbond synthetic fiber secured to the first layer, the second layer configured and adapted to prevent downward migration of sand through the liner, while also preventing the upward migration of weeds, rocks and other contaminants that hinder the playability of the sand bunker wherein the first and second layers are water permeable.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 38 words

The liner of claim 1 , wherein the second layer is configured and adapted to permit seams between adjacent sections of the liner to be joined by staples that penetrate the second layer but do not penetrate soil.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 25 words

The liner of claim 1 , wherein the second layer is secured to the first layer by needlepunching the second layer to the first layer.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 22 words

The liner of claim 1 , wherein the first layer and second layer are sprayed with a bonding resin, dried and cured.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 19 words

The liner of claim 1 , wherein the second layer is secured to the first layer by an adhesive.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 14 words

The liner of claim 1 , wherein the first layer is formed of polyester.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 14 words

The liner of claim 1 , wherein the second layer is formed of polyester.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 26 words

The liner of claim 1 , wherein the first layer includes thermobondable fibers that bond with adjacent fibers when heat activated to form a durable web.

Claim 10

Independent Claim 117 words

A method of installing a liner for preventing erosion and maintaining playability of a golf course sand bunker comprising: fitting sections of a water-permeable liner within an unfilled sand bunker, the liner having a first layer configured and adapted for maintaining sand in place within the sand bunker and a second backing layer that is impervious to sand; cutting the liner to fit contours of the unfilled sand bunker as necessary; anchoring the liner to the bunker base using a plurality of sod staples; and joining seams between adjacent sections of the liner using staples that are not sod staples and are configured and adapted to penetrate the backing layer of the liner but not penetrate soil.

Claim 11

Independent Claim 117 words

A method of installing a liner for preventing erosion and maintaining playability of a golf course sand bunker comprising: fitting sections of a water-permeable liner within an unfilled sand bunker, the liner having a first layer configured and adapted for maintaining sand in place within the sand bunker and a second backing layer that is impervious to sand; cutting the liner to fit contours of the unfilled sand bunker as necessary; anchoring the liner to the bunker base using a plurality of sod staples; and joining seams between adjacent sections of the liner using staples that are not sod staples and are configured and adapted to penetrate the backing layer of the liner but not penetrate soil.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 53 words

The method of claim 9 , wherein both the sod staples and the staples used to join the seams between adjacent sections of the liner have legs, and the legs of the sod staples are longer than the legs of the staples used to join the seams between adjacent sections of the liner.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 38 words

The method of claim 10 , wherein the legs of the staples used to join the seams between adjacent sections of the liner fold toward one another after penetrating the backing layer of adjacent sections of the liner.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 27 words

The method of claim 9 , wherein the staples used to join the seams between adjacent sections of the liner are installed using a hand-held, pneumatic stapler.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 30 words

The method of claim 9 , wherein the staples used to join the seams between adjacent section of the liner are spaced at about four to six inches on center.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 58 words

The method of claim 9 , further comprising the steps of: making relief cuts in the liner to better fit sections of the liner to contours of the unfilled bunker; and joining adjacent edges of the relief cuts using the staples that are configured and adapted to penetrate the backing layer of the liner but not penetrate soil.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 12 words

The method of claim 9 , wherein the first layer is non-woven.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 21 words

The method of claim 9 , wherein the backing layer is formed of spunbond synthetic fiber secured to the first layer.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 37 words

The method of claim 9 , further comprising the step of: separating and removing the second backing layer from the first layer at a perimeter edge of the bunker to permit sod to adhere to the liner.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 16 words

The method of claim 9 , where the first layer is formed of randomly aligned fibers.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 15 words

The method of claim 9 , wherein the first layer is formed of synthetic fibers.

Claim 22

Independent Claim 176 words

A system for preventing erosion and maintaining playability of golf course sand bunkers comprising: a plurality of sections of a water permeable liner, the liner comprising a first non-woven layer formed of randomly-aligned, synthetic fibers, the first layer configured and adapted for maintaining sand in place within a sand bunker, and a second backing layer formed of spunbond synthetic fiber secured to the first layer, the second layer configured and adapted to prevent downward migration of sand through the liner, while also preventing the upward migration of weeds, rocks and other contaminants that hinder the playability of the sand bunker; a plurality of sod staples for securing the liner to the bunker base after it has been cut and fit to the bunker; a plurality of seam staples for joining seams between adjacent sections of the liner after it has been cut and fit to the bunker, the seam staples configured and adapted to penetrate the backing layer of the liner but not penetrate soil; and a coupling device for installing the plurality of seam staples.

Claim 23

Independent Claim 176 words

A system for preventing erosion and maintaining playability of golf course sand bunkers comprising: a plurality of sections of a water permeable liner, the liner comprising a first non-woven layer formed of randomly-aligned, synthetic fibers, the first layer configured and adapted for maintaining sand in place within a sand bunker, and a second backing layer formed of spunbond synthetic fiber secured to the first layer, the second layer configured and adapted to prevent downward migration of sand through the liner, while also preventing the upward migration of weeds, rocks and other contaminants that hinder the playability of the sand bunker; a plurality of sod staples for securing the liner to the bunker base after it has been cut and fit to the bunker; a plurality of seam staples for joining seams between adjacent sections of the liner after it has been cut and fit to the bunker, the seam staples configured and adapted to penetrate the backing layer of the liner but not penetrate soil; and a coupling device for installing the plurality of seam staples.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 15 words

The system of claim 20 , wherein the coupling device is a hand-held, pneumatic stapler.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 90 words

A liner for preventing erosion and maintaining playability of golf course sand bunkers comprising: first non-woven layer formed of synthetic fiber, the first layer configured and adapted to maintain sand in place within a sand bunker; and a second backing layer secured to the first layer, the second layer configured and adapted to prevent downward migration of sand through the liner, while also preventing the upward migration of weeds, rocks and other contaminants that hinder the playability of the sand bunker wherein the first and second layers are water permeable.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 90 words

A liner for preventing erosion and maintaining playability of golf course sand bunkers comprising: first non-woven layer formed of synthetic fiber, the first layer configured and adapted to maintain sand in place within a sand bunker; and a second backing layer secured to the first layer, the second layer configured and adapted to prevent downward migration of sand through the liner, while also preventing the upward migration of weeds, rocks and other contaminants that hinder the playability of the sand bunker wherein the first and second layers are water permeable.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 38 words

The liner of claim 22 , wherein the second layer is configured and adapted to permit seams between adjacent sections of the liner to be joined by staples that penetrate the second layer but do not penetrate soil.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 25 words

The liner of claim 22 , wherein the second layer is secured to the first layer by needlepunching the second layer to the first layer.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 22 words

The liner of claim 22 , wherein the first layer and second layer are sprayed with a bonding resin, dried and cured.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 19 words

The liner of claim 22 , wherein the second layer is secured to the first layer by an adhesive.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 16 words

The liner of claim 22 , wherein the first layer is formed of randomly aligned fibers.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 15 words

The liner of claim 22 , wherein the second layer is formed of synthetic fibers.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 26 words

The liner of claim 22 , wherein the first layer includes thermobondable fibers that bond with adjacent fibers when heat activated to form a durable web.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2008-03-07	2008-09-06	2009-03-08	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2012-03-07	2012-09-06	2013-03-08	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2016-03-07	2016-09-06	2017-03-08	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Method and material for preventing erosion and maintaining playability of golf course sand bunkers

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