Classifications

• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
  • E01C—CONSTRUCTION OF, OR SURFACES FOR, ROADS, SPORTS GROUNDS, OR THE LIKE; MACHINES OR AUXILIARY TOOLS FOR CONSTRUCTION OR REPAIR
  • E01C13/00—Pavings or foundations specially adapted for playgrounds or sports grounds; Drainage, irrigation or heating of sports grounds
  • E01C13/02—Foundations, e.g. with drainage or heating arrangements
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
  • A01G—HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING
  • A01G27/00—Self-acting watering devices, e.g. for flower-pots
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B69/00—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports
  • A63B69/36—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports for golf
  • A63B69/3691—Golf practising terrains
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
  • E02D—FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS; UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES
  • E02D17/00—Excavations; Bordering of excavations; Making embankments
  • E02D17/20—Securing of slopes or inclines

Definitions

• sand traps require a substantial amount of maintenance and grooming. For example, because sand traps often are positioned near existing grasses, shrubs or other plantings, growth of these plantings can spread into the sand trap, which may be undesirable on certain types of golf courses. Additionally, sand traps can retain water from precipitation and/or irrigation, resulting in slow drainage and/or ponding of water within the sand trap. These types of conditions can result in frustrated golfers or even unplayable conditions, both of which can cause economic losses for golf course owners.
• the present invention is directed toward a liner assembly for a sand trap.
• the sand trap includes (i) a cavity having a perimeter, (ii) a base within the cavity, and (iii) an exposed filling material, i.e. sand, quartz, etc., positioned within the cavity.
• liner assembly includes a retainer layer that is positioned between the base and the filling material. The retainer layer is covered by the filling material so that the retainer layer is substantially unexposed.
• the retainer layer includes a plurality of spaced apart projections. In certain embodiments, the filling material at least partially fills the spaces between the projections.
• the retainer layer is substantially water impermeable to inhibit movement of water between the base and the filling material.
• the retainer layer can include a substrate that supports the projections. In this embodiment, the substrate directly contacts the base. In certain embodiments, the cavity has a cavity surface area, and the retainer layer covers at least approximately a majority of the cavity surface area.
• the projections can be formed substantially from a plastic material. Additionally, or in the alternative, the retainer layer can be formed at least partially from a synthetic turf material.
• the liner assembly further includes a water permeable, first support layer that is at least partially positioned between the retainer layer and base.
• the liner assembly layer further includes a liquid-applied, substantially water impermeable second support layer that is at least partially positioned between the first support layer and the retainer layer. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the retainer layer is positioned within the cavity at an angle that is at least 10 degrees relative to the horizontal.
• the present invention also includes one or more methods for lining the cavity of a sand trap.
• Figure 1 is a perspective view of a sand trap having features of the present invention
• Figure 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the sand trap
• Figure 3A is a cross-sectional view of the sand trap taken on line 3-3 in Figure 1 , illustrating a first embodiment of a liner assembly having features of the present invention
• Figure 3B is a simplified close-up side view of a portion of one embodiment of a retainer layer of the liner assembly
• Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the sand trap including a second embodiment of the liner assembly
• Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the sand trap including a third embodiment of the liner assembly.
• Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the sand trap including a fourth embodiment of the liner assembly.
• FIG 1 is a perspective view of a sand trap 10 having features of the present invention.
• the sand trap 10 described herein can be used on any type of golf course or any size public or private golf practice facility, as non-exclusive examples.
• the sand trap 10 illustrated in Figure 1 has a perimeter 12 that defines a cavity 13 of the sand trap 10, and can be cut into the ground surface 14.
• the perimeter 12 of the sand trap 10 defines the overall shape or configuration (also known as the footprint) of the sand trap 10.
• the footprint of the sand trap 10 illustrated in Figure 1 is merely one example of an infinite number of possible footprints known to those skilled in the art, and is shown as a representative example only.
• the ground surface 14 can be grass or any other type of vegetation.
• the ground surface 14 can include soil, rock, or other types of non-vegetative materials.
• the sand trap 10 also includes a filling material 16 (e.g., sand, quartz, crushed granite or other similar material, sometimes also referred to herein as "sand") and a base 18 that can be native material or imported material from another location.
• the base 18 can include one or more different types of soil, rock, and/or other suitable materials.
• the perimeter drain line 224P is positioned substantially along or near the perimeter 212 of the sand trap 210.
• the interior drain lines 2241 are positioned more toward an interior of the sand trap 210, i.e. toward the middle area of the sand trap 210 and can extend inwardly from the perimeter 212, for example.
• the perimeter 212 of the sand trap 210 is configured to have the greatest degree of slope relative to a horizontal surface. The slope at the perimeter 212 normally induces irrigation water or precipitation to travel downward toward the interior, lesser sloped areas of the sand trap 210, where water can migrate and/or percolate, resulting in ponding.
• the perimeter drain line 224P either alone or coupled with the liner assembly 222, can inhibit this water migration by causing the water to drain via the drainage system 220 more quickly than with conventional sand traps, as described more fully herein.
• the depth 323 of the filling material 316 can vary within the sand trap 310.
• the base 318 is the material at the bottom and/or sides of the sand trap 310.
• the base 318 supports, e.g. is positioned beneath, the liner assembly 322. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 3A, the base 318 is in direct contact with the liner assembly 322.
• the base 318 can be formed from any suitable material, including native or imported soils of any type, organic materials, different types of aggregate, various sizes and types of rock, or any other material that forms an appropriate base 318 for the remainder of the contents of the sand trap 310.
• the drainage system 320 can include a network of one or more drain lines
• the drain lines 324 can be connected to a drainage outlet 225 (illustrated in Figure 2), culvert or brow ditch (not shown) or to a sewer system (not shown) that carries the drained fluid away from the filling material 316 within the sand trap 310.
• the design of the liner assembly 322 can be varied depending upon the design requirements of the sand trap 310.
• the liner assembly 322 can provide a base upon which at least a portion of the filling material 316 rests. Further, the liner assembly 322 can inhibit the filling material 316 from sliding to lower points within the sand trap 310. For example, on sloped areas of the sand trap 310, the liner assembly 322 provides a structure having sufficient frictio ⁇ al characteristics that allow the sand to resist the force of gravity, and thus, remain on sloped portions of the sand trap 310, such as near the perimeter 312 of the sand trap 310.
• the liner assembly 322 extends substantially along the entire bottom and sides of the sand trap 310. In this embodiment, the liner assembly 322 is positioned adjacent to the base 318. Stated another way, the liner assembly 322 is substantially covered by the filling material 316 so that the liner assembly 322 is substantially unexposed and is therefore not visible to golfers. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 3A, the majority of the liner assembly 322 is positioned directly or indirectly between the base 318 and the filling material 316.
• the liner assembly 322 can be installed at various angles 328 that are significantly greater than zero degrees relative to the horizontal 300.
• the angle 328 of the liner assembly 322 can be at least approximately 45 degrees relative to the horizontal 300.
• the angle 328 of the liner assembly 322 can be at least approximately 1, 2, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 60 or 75 degrees relative to the horizontal 300.
• the angle 328 of the liner assembly 322 can be approximately 90 degrees relative to the horizontal 300.
• the liner assembly 322 includes a retainer layer 329 that retains and/or supports a portion of the filling material 316 and inhibits the filling material 316 from sliding downwardly within the sand trap 310.
• the retainer layer 329 is in direct contact with the base 318.
• the retainer layer 329 can be at least partially formed from a synthetic material, e.g., plastic such as polyethylene and/or polypropylene, which can appear somewhat similar or identical to a synthetic turf material, artificial turf, artificial grass or a synthetic field turf (hereinafter generically referred to as "synthetic turf 1 ).
• the synthetic material of the retainer layer 329 can be formed from other types of plastics or any other suitable materials consistent with the intention of the liner assembly 322 described herein.
• the retainer layer 329 can be water impermeable or water permeable to suit the requirements of the sand trap 3 1 IO.
• the retainer layer 329 can also include a retainer layer substrate 332 (illustrated in Figure 3B), such as a geotextile fabric material, a rubberized mat or another suitable material that is adhered or otherwise secured to the synthetic material.
• a retainer layer substrate 332 of the retainer layer 329 can be sealed using a material that is substantially water impermeable or resistant to the penetration of liquids. With this design, ground water or other liquids are less likely to percolate into the filling material 316 from or through the base 318.
• the liner assembly 322 can direct or divert liquids such as precipitation and/or irrigation fluid directly or indirectly into the drainage system 320.
• the retainer layer substrate 332 can be water permeable to allow water or other liquids to move between the filling material 316 and the base 318, i.e. through the retainer layer 329.
• any seams of the liner assembly 322 can be adhered together using a geotextile fabric with an adhesive material applied to the fabric to reduce the likelihood of breaches in the liner assembly 322.
• the liner assembly 322 can inhibit growth of plants, shrubs, bushes, grass or other vegetation within the sand trap 310. Further, the liner assembly 322 can preserve the integrity of the filling material 316 and/or inhibit infusion and migration of the base 318 into the filling material 316. In addition, or in the alternative, the liner assembly 322 can direct and/or divert water to the drainage system 320 to more quickly evacuate water from the sand trap 310.
• Figure 3B is a close-up side view of a portion of one embodiment of the retainer layer 329.
• the retainer layer includes a plurality of spaced-apart projections 330 and a retainer layer substrate 332.
• the projections 330 are secured to and extend from the retainer layer substrate 332.
• the projections 330 can approximate blades of grass or turf in size and/or shape.
• the projections 330 can have a somewhat different size and shape than blades of grass or turf.
• the projections 330 can be substantially cylindrical, conical, frustoconical, spiral or pyramidal. Still alternatively, the projections 330 can have any other suitable configuration.
• the projections 330 can each have a height 334 of approximately 1 to 5 cm. Alternatively, the height 334 of the projections 330 can be greater or less than this range of heights 334. Further, the projections 330 within a given retainer layer 329 can be substantially uniform in height 334. Alternatively, the height 334 of the projections 330 can vary within a particular retainer layer 329.
• the height 334 of the projections 330 varies depending upon the positioning of the retainer layer 329 within the sand trap 310 (illustrated in Figure 3A) 1 including the angle of the retainer layer 329 relative to the horizontal 300 (illustrated in Figure 3A), proximity to the perimeter 312 (illustrated in Figure 3A), or other relevant factors that might require a greater or lesser height 334.
• the retainer layer 329 can intersperse projections 330 having disparate heights 334.
• the retainer layer 329 can include two or more different shapes for the projections 330.
• the retainer layer 329 includes a plurality of spiral shaped projections 330 interspersed with or separated from a plurality of cylindrical projections 330.
• one projection 330 having a first shape can support another projection 330 having a different shape so that the projections 330 are inhibited from laying flat, which would decrease the ability of the retainer layer 329 to support the filling material 316 (illustrated in Figure 3A) in angled regions of the sand trap 310.
• the shapes of the projections 330 identified in this example are provided for ease of understanding only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the shapes of projections 330 that can be used in the retainer layer 329.
• some non-exclusive embodiments of the retainer layer 329 include fibrillated or non-fibrillated products which may be texturized or nontexturized.
• a portion of the filling material 316 can be positioned in the spaces 336 or gaps between the projections 330 of the retainer layer 329, thereby resisting undue gravitational movement of the filling material 316, even on relatively steep sections of the sand trap 310.
• the projections 330 can be coated with an adhesive material (not shown) that can promote adherence of the filling material 316 to the retainer layer 329.
• an adhesive material not shown
• the retainer layer 329 remains covered by the filling material 316 so that the retainer layer 329 is unexposed to sunlight and other elements, and is not visible to the golfers.
• Figure 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a portion of the sand trap 410.
• the liner assembly 422 is positioned directly on the base 418, but only covers a portion of the base within the sand trap 410.
• the cost of the materials forming the liner assembly 422 can be reduced because fewer square feet of these materials are being utilized within a given sand trap 410.
• the ratio of square footage of the sand trap 410 to the square footage of the liner assembly 422 is greater than 1:1.
• the ratio of the square footage of the sand trap 410 to the square footage of the liner assembly 422 is at least approximately 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, 5:1, 10:1, 20:1 , 50:1 or 100:1.
• the extent to which the liner assembly 422 covers the surface area of the base 418 can vary. For example, in one embodiment, the liner assembly 422 covers at least approximately 2% of the surface area of the base 418. In non-exclusive, alternative embodiments, the liner assembly 422 covers at least approximately 5%, 10%, 25%, 50%, 75% or 90% (or 100% as illustrated in Figure 3A) of the surface area of the base 418.
• the liner assembly 422 is positioned where it is most needed, e.g., at or near the steepest areas of the sand trap 410. In certain nonexclusive embodiments, the liner assembly 422 is positioned wherever the grade of the sand trap exceeds approximately 1%, 2%, 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 45%, 60% or 75%. In another embodiment, the liner assembly 422 is positioned at and/or near the perimeter 412 of the cavity 13 (illustrated in Figure 1) of the sand trap 410. In one specific embodiment, the liner assembly 422 is positioned in an area that is within approximately two feet or less of the perimeter 412 of the cavity 13.
• the liner assembly 422 can alternatively be positioned in an area that is farther away than two feet from the perimeter 412.
• Figure 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a portion of the sand trap 510.
• the liner assembly 522 includes a retainer layer 529 and a first support layer 538.
• the first support layer 538 is formed at least partially from a water-permeable fabric material.
• the first support layer 538 can be formed from or can include a geosynthetic material such as a geotextile or any other suitable material that resists biological degradation, for example.
• the first support layer 538 can be formed using another type of material that does not resist biological degradation, as appropriate.
• retainer layer 529 illustrated in Figure 5 does not cover the entire cavity 13 of the sand trap 510 and is positioned only near the perimeter 512 of the sand trap 510, i.e. only supports a portion of the filling material 516, it is understood that the retainer layer 529 could equally be positioned in a continuous manner within the cavity 13 of the sand trap 510 and/or in areas that are away from the perimeter 512.
• Figure 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a portion of the sand trap 610.
• the liner assembly 622 includes a retainer layer 629, a first support layer 638 and a second support layer 640.
• the second support layer 640 is formed from a substantially water-impermeable material that is secured to the first support layer 638 so that the first support layer 638 is positioned between the base 618 and the second support layer 640.
• the second support layer 640 is indirectly secured to the first support layer 638 so that one or more additional layers (not shown) can be positioned directly between the first support layer 638 and the second support layer 640.
• the second support layer 640 can be seamlessly applied as a liquid to the first support layer 638.
• the second support layer 640 can be sprayed onto the first support layer 638 using a compression spray apparatus or other similar type of spraying apparatus, a brush or roller, or by being poured or cast in place, as non-exclusive examples.
• the second support layer 640 can adhere to the first support layer 638 upon curing of the second support layer 640 to form a seamless liner assembly 622.
• the first support layer 638 can act as a base layer to which the second support layer 640 can adequately bond.
• retainer layer 629 illustrated in Figure 6 does not cover the entire cavity 13 (illustrated in Figure 1) of the sand trap 610 and is positioned only near the perimeter 612 of the sand trap 610, i.e. only supports a portion of the filling material 616, it is understood that the retainer layer 629 could equally be positioned in a continuous manner within the cavity 13 of the sand trap 610 and/or in areas that are away from the perimeter 612.

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• 2007
  • 2007-05-30 US US11/807,690 patent/US7699562B2/en active Active
  • 2007-05-31 NZ NZ573679A patent/NZ573679A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2007-05-31 EP EP07809284.8A patent/EP2038032B1/en not_active Not-in-force
  • 2007-05-31 CA CA2653645A patent/CA2653645C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2007-05-31 KR KR1020087031976A patent/KR101460374B1/ko not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2007-05-31 AU AU2007254892A patent/AU2007254892B2/en not_active Ceased
  • 2007-05-31 WO PCT/US2007/013018 patent/WO2007143137A2/en not_active Ceased
  • 2007-05-31 ES ES07809284.8T patent/ES2666907T3/es active Active
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