US7114877B2 — Drainage system for sports fields

Claim 1

Independent Claim 249 words

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.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 249 words

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.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 21 words

The box of claim 1 in which the sports field is a golf course bunker and the playing surface is sand.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 23 words

The box of claim 1 in which the container has one or more ribs in at least one side which strengthen the container.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 21 words

The box of claim 1 in which the container has an upwardly facing surface around its periphery to support the cover.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 24 words

The box of claim 1 in which the container has an upwardly directed rim around its periphery to retain the cover on the container.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 21 words

The box of claim 1 in which the container has one or more supports across its interior to support the cover.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 52 words

The box of claim 1 in which the container has one or more ribs in at least one side which strengthen the container, the container has an upwardly facing surface around its periphery to support the cover, and the container has an upwardly directed rim to retain the cover on the container.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 22 words

The box of claim 1 in which the water permeable mesh forms an envelope and the support grate fits inside the envelope.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 21 words

The box of claim 8 in which the cover has a protective grate located over the envelope of water permeable mesh.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 37 words

The box of claim 1 in which the water permeable cover includes an envelope made of a water permeable mesh having a mesh size which resists entry of solids of the size of sand into the box.

Claim 12

Independent Claim 108 words

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.

Claim 13

Independent Claim 108 words

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.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 19 words

The method of claim 11 in which the cover includes a water permeable envelope which contains a support grate.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 71 words

The method of claim 11 in which the box includes a container having a support surface around its periphery and a cover supported on the support surface, the cover comprising a support grate, a water permeable mesh over the top of the support grate, and a protective grate on top of the mesh, the mesh having a mesh size which resists passage of particles of the playing field through the mesh.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 39 words

The method of claim 13 in which the mesh is in the form of an envelope and the support grate fits inside the envelope, the lower layer of the mesh envelope resting on the support surface of the container.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 41 words

The method of claim 13 in which the box is located below the surface of the playing field by forming a hole below the surface of the playing field to accept the box to a sufficient depth to allow play above.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 21 words

The method of claim 15 in which stabilizing material is placed in the hole to support the box in the hole.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 22 words

The method of claim 11 in which the sports playing field is a golf course bunker and the playing material is sand.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 197 words

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.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 197 words

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.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 22 words

The system of claim 18 in which the sports playing field is a golf course bunker and the playing material is sand.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 30 words

The system of claim 18 in which the water collection system comprises perforated pipe having perforations of a size which resist passage of particles of playing material into the pipe.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 197 words

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.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 197 words

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.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 47 words

The system of claim 21 in which the water permeable cover comprises a support grate and a water permeable mesh supported on the support grate, the mesh having a mesh size which resists passage of particles of landscape material through the mesh but allows passage of water.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 30 words

The system of claim 21 in which the water collection system comprises perforated pipe having perforations of a size which resist passage of particles of landscape material into the pipe.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2009-10-02	2010-04-03	2010-10-03	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2013-10-02	2014-04-03	2014-10-03	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2017-10-02	2018-04-03	2018-10-03	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Drainage system for sports fields

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